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HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. — The Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District is moving forward with key infrastructure projects.

On Monday, Oct. 30, local state and federal officials all gathered together to congratulate the district on the launching of the water tank replacement project.

The water tank being replaced was original to when the Hidden Valley Lake community was developed, back in the late 1960s. While this tank has certainly done its job well, it is now at the end of its useful life.

With the help from the Federal Emergency Management AGency’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, the California Department of Water Resources and the community’s ratepayers, staff with the Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District, or HVLCSD, was able to make this significant project happen.

Congressman Mike Thompson, Assembly Speaker Pro Tem Cecilia Aguiar-Curry and District 1 Supervisor Moke Simon, along with Hidden Valley Lake Association Board President Kathy Maynor and CSD Board President Claude Brown were all present to break ground on the project.

With the aging redwood tank in the background, it was clear to the elected officials the urgency of this infrastructure improvement project.

“This improvement project is incredibly important to the residents of Hidden Valley Lake,” Thompson said. “Access to clean water is essential to the health and safety of our community —and it’s clear that this water tank is weathered and in need of improvement. I am proud that funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act are helping to make this project and others like it a reality. The groundbreaking on the new water tank is a welcome step to ensure we maintain access to clean water.”

The tank is the first in a series of infrastructure improvements HVLCSD has planned.

In the upcoming months, the district will replace another redwood tank and install backup generators at water pumping stations.

Aguiar-Curry also acknowledged the challenges that small water purveyors face. “This is a project that I love. This brings me back to the time [as mayor of Winters] when I was on similar projects, and how important those projects were.”

“We need infrastructure projects but they are not cheap and we know that. Every small community battles these infrastructure challenges, but they often don’t have the funding to make it happen. This is a fabulous project, thank you to everyone that helped make this happen, thank you for being here,” she said.

The effort to right-size the tank could not have been accomplished without the cooperation of the homeowner’s association, HVLA.

The newly established HVLA easement will make it possible to build larger tanks at this location.

Board President Claude Brown pointed out that “everything starts and ends with our clients and our customers,” which was appreciated by Board President Kathy Maynor.

Mindful of the fact that District 1 of Lake County is the gateway from the Bay Area, Supervisor Simon expressed pride in his district for these continuing improvements.

“I’m proud to be here with Hidden Valley Lake CSD, a great partner and one of the largest communities in Lake County. Thank you for the great project that’s going to be put together here, and as Congressman Thompson said, it is just the beginning,” Simon said.

“I know that the local community, as they look out their doors, and look at this infrastructure being replaced, will know that every step taken will make their lives better and a little bit safer,” he added.

The current tank replacement project is expected to be complete by late 2024.

On Tuesday morning, more than 500 tribal members, dignitaries and students gathered to unveil the first-ever Capitol monument acknowledging tribes residing in the state and their millennia-long, resilient presence on land now known as California.

The historic tribute specifically recognizes the Sacramento region tribes of Wilton Rancheria, Ione Band of Miwok Indians, Chicken Ranch Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians, Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians, Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians and Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians.

The new monument is the 10th addition to a park memorializing California’s firefighters, veterans and public safety officers.

It is the first addition to the park since 2009, when the statue of Thomas Starr King was brought to California from Boston. King was a Civil War-era minister, orator and abolitionist. The park was envisioned in 1863 as a place to reflect and celebrate the state’s history and natural beauty, according to the Capitol Park website.

Assemblymember James C. Ramos — first California Native American elected to the Legislature since statehood in 1850 — authored AB 338 in 2021, which authorized the monument.

“This monument — now a centerpiece of Capitol Park — adds a new and long overdue chapter to California’s relationship with its tribes,” said Ramos. “As a state, we are beginning to tell our history from a broader, more complete, and accurate perspective by including the voice of California Native Americans.” He added, “As Native Americans, we have been invisible, romanticized, minimized, or disparaged for centuries. That is not easily or quickly undone. But today I am proud to be Native American and proud to be a Californian.”

The Miwok skirt dancer portrayed in the monument is modeled after William J. Franklin Sr., the late respected Miwok leader and cultural dancer.

Franklin played a critical role in preserving Miwok dances and traditions, and helped build three Northern California roundhouses, dedicated spaces for Native American ceremonies, songs, dances, and gatherings. Sacramento sculptor Ronnie Frostad designed the project.

“Mr. Franklin was a teacher of native culture and he understood that our stories, songs and culture need to be shared and taught to new generations,” Ramos said. “He would have been pleased to see so many students here, of all ages — and particularly proud to see students from a school recently named Miwok.”

Until June, Miwok Middle School was named after John Sutter, who enslaved Native people during California’s Gold Rush period.

“Today’s unveiling signifies the start of a new era at the California State Capitol, one where we stop uplifting a false narrative and start honoring the original stewards of this land by telling a true and accurate portrayal of California’s journey to statehood,” said Wilton Rancheria Chairman Jesus Tarango. “Every tribe across the state has their own Bill Franklin, a leader who fought to keep our cultures and traditions alive during a time where it was dangerous to do so. This monument serves to thank and honor each one of them.”

Tarango added, “It also celebrates the power California Tribes have when we work together to achieve a common goal. I would like to thank my fellow tribal Leaders and Assemblymember Ramos for their collaboration throughout this legislative process.”

Sara Dutschke, chairperson of the Ione Band of Miwok Indians, applauded the joint tribal effort.

“AB 338 [the law authorizing the statue] paved the way for real collaboration and partnership among many of the Miwok tribes of the Sacramento region,” Dutschke said. “Working together, we have achieved an amazing accomplishment: Installation of the very first monument on State Capitol grounds that honors California’s First People. This sort of recognition for our people is long overdue and represents an important step toward telling the true history of California.”

“We are so excited for this day—for this day and this statue to forever be a reminder of where we came from and that if we stand together, we can accomplish anything,” said Lloyd Mathiesen, chairman of the Chicken Ranch Rancheria.

”AB338 is a step toward healing for the hundreds of thousands of our ancestors who lost their lives due to the genocide of the missions led by Junipero Serra,” said Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians Chairwoman Rhonda Pope.

Dignitaries attending the event included state Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister), Treasurer Fiona Ma, local school board members and other elected officials, regional tribal leaders, and more than 300 students from area schools.

AB 338 (Ramos, 2021) History

1965: Governor Pat Brown signs AB 1124 into law, paving the way for a Father Junipero Serra monument and its maintenance by the state for 50 years.

1967: The Father Junipero Serra monument erected.

July 4, 2020: Protestors topple Father Junipero Serra monument in Capitol Park Jan. 28, 2021: AB 338 is introduced and paves the way for construction and maintenance of a monument honoring California Native American people of the Sacramento region on the grounds of the State Capitol. Supporters of the measure include Barona Band of Mission Indians, California Tribal Business Alliance, Chicken Ranch Rancheria of Me-wuk Indians of California, California Nations Indian Gaming Association, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations, and Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation

May 27, 2021: California State Assembly approves AB 338 by a vote of 66-2 and moves to the State Senate.

Aug. 24, 2021: Debate takes place on the Senate Floor. The California State Senate approves AB 338 by a vote of 28-2 and heads to the governor’s desk.

Sept. 24, 2021: Governor Gavin Newsom signs AB 338 into law.

Nov. 14, 2022: Groundbreaking for the California Native American Monument.

Nov. 7, 2023: Unveiling and Dedication Ceremony for the California Native American Monument.

About William J. Franklin Sr.: Miwok elder and inspiration for Capitol Park Monument

William J. Franklin Sr. was a Miwok Indian leader and cultural preservationist whose efforts to preserve and promote the Miwok and other Native American cultures — most notably, the traditional dances — will be long remembered. He was born in Nashville, California, located in El Dorado County, on Sept. 20, 1912, and crossed over on May 2, 2000.

Franklin was proud of his Native American roots and championed fostering knowledge and respect of California Indians. This included successful lobbying to create a place where California Indians could practice their traditional heritage on historical lands which led to creation of Grinding Rock Park, also known as Grinding Rock-Chaw’se in Pine Grove, California.

He also served as a consultant to the Department of Parks and Recreation and helped build three California roundhouses — dedicated space for ceremony, songs, dances and gatherings.

In 1979, Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. appointed Franklin to serve on the Native American Heritage Commission.

Even as a young man, he was a farsighted advocate for his people, and petitioned the United States government for land on which the Ione could build homes without fear of being moved.

In the 1940s, Franklin and others founded the Federated Indians of California to voice Native American concerns. About this same time, he also began researching Miwok ceremonial life by assembling regalia, interviewing elders, and collecting songs.

Franklin had been a dancer since the age of 12 at the Jackson Valley roundhouse and refused to let Miwok traditions die.

His many endeavors helped ensure traditional and historic practices continue and continue to inspire younger generations.

At his passing, Franklin was survived by four sons, seven daughters, 38 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren.

NORTH COAST, Calif. — Two men — one of them from Lake County — are being held for an attempted murder case, with a third man still sought.

The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office said Roberto Chavez-Souza, 28, of Clearlake Oaks and Jose Panduro-Rodriguez, 22, of Mexico are being held for an assault of a 70-year-old Albion man in December 2021.

The report said authorities are still attempting to locate 31-year-old Jose Morfin Aguilar of Santa Rosa.

Lt. Andrew Porter said that at 1:06 a.m. Dec. 3, 2021, Mendocino County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a report of an assault with a firearm in the 28000 block of Albion Ridge Road in Albion.

The reporting party was able to call 911 even though he had been shot by unknown assailants through his bedroom window, Porter said. The reporting party also advised that he had returned fire with his own firearm after being shot.

Deputies responded to the area with lights and sirens. Prior to the deputies' arrival, a family member of the victim called and stated that he was now with the victim and at least one suspect was observed fleeing on foot downhill into a wooded area.

Sheriff's deputies from all areas of the county responded to Albion as there was a reported suspect, armed with a firearm, in the woods near the victim's residence.

Once there were sufficient deputies on scene, an Adventist Health Mendocino Coast ambulance responded to provide medical treatment to the victim. Porter said the victim was transported to the hospital where he was later transferred to an out of county hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound to the head.

The victim survived the incident with moderate to major injuries sustained, Porter said.

Porter said Mendocino County Sheriff's detectives responded to the scene and assumed the investigation, while patrol deputies continued their search efforts for the suspects.

At approximately 9:30 a.m., deputies located two male subjects hiding in the brush nearby. Porter said the subjects had no reasonable explanation as to why they were hiding in the brush near the shooting scene and they were found to be from out of county.

Deputies located a firearm, face mask and latex gloves also in the brush near where the suspects were located, Porter said.

Porter said the two suspects, Chavez-Souza and Morfin-Aguilar, were ultimately booked into the Mendocino County Jail for attempted murder and conspiracy.

Both suspects were ultimately released from custody pending additional investigation surrounding the incident, Porter said.

In May of 2022, after additional investigations had been conducted surrounding the circumstances of this case, as well as receiving additional evidence implicating Panduro-Rodriguez, felony arrest warrants were issued for all three suspects, according to Porter.

Porter said Chavez-Souza was arrested in July of 2023 and has been in custody at the Mendocino County Jail since that time.

Jose Morfin-Aguilar has an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest for this incident.

Porter said Panduro-Rodriguez, was arrested at the United States Port of Entry by the Customs and Border Patrol in San Diego in October of 2023 on his warrant and unrelated federal charges.

Panduro-Rodriguez was released from federal custody and subsequently booked into the Mendocino County Jail on Oct. 31, Porter said.

Every year, thousands of people are seriously injured or killed statewide in vehicle crashes caused by distracted drivers — crashes that are 100% preventable.

To address the problem, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is launching a statewide “Distracted Driving Education and Enforcement for Adult Drivers” traffic safety campaign, boosted by a $350,000 federal grant.

The yearlong education and enforcement initiative continues through Sept. 30, 2024.

Throughout the year, the CHP will conduct at least 90 enforcement operations targeting adult distracted drivers.

In parallel with a CHP program targeted at teen drivers, the adult distracted driving campaign also includes 300 adult traffic safety presentations statewide.

“The CHP encourages drivers to make the conscious decision to drive distraction free every time they get behind the wheel of a vehicle,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “Every distraction, even for just a few seconds, increases your chances of being involved in a crash. Ultimately, it is never worth the potentially devastating consequences.”

With multiple modes of communication and instant entertainment, cell phone use is the biggest driver distraction.

Between 2019 and 2021, there were a total of 6,343 fatal and injury crashes within CHP jurisdiction stemming from distracted driving.

During those same years, CHP officers issued more than 200,000 citations to drivers violating California’s handsfree law.

Some of the most common types of adult distracted driving includes texting, talking on a cell phone, eating, grooming, operating a navigation system and adjusting the radio.

Public education and increased enforcement are designed to encourage drivers to recognize the dangers of distracted driving and reduce the number of people impacted by this reckless, preventable behavior.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

LAKEPORT, Calif. — The effort to get a new courthouse for Lake County, now nearly 15 years in the making, is moving forward, with construction expected to begin next year.

The Lake County Superior Court said the new Lakeport courthouse project is nearing the completion of design.

The four-courtroom courthouse will be built at 675 Lakeport Blvd., purchased by the state in 2011 for $1.1 million, after a lengthy site selection process, which included input from justice partners, local government and the public.

The new building will replace the fourth floor of the current courthouse and will provide a safe and secure courthouse, with a jury assembly room, self-help center and attorney/client meeting rooms.

The Judicial Council of California reported that the courthouse project’s current authorized budget is $83,864,000.

It’s the highest priority trial court capital-outlay project in the entire state, court officials reported.

After the current courthouse at 255 N. Forbes St. was ranked in the Trial Court Capital Outlay Plan's “Immediate Need Project Priority Group” in 2009, the process of pursuing a new courthouse for Lake County began.

However, the Judicial Council’s plans hit obstacles, including the state’s financial challenges after the Great Recession.

The Lakeport courthouse project has consistently ranked at the top of the statewide list of projects most in need of replacement.

The latest statewide assessment of Trial Court Capital-Outlay Projects ranked Lakeport’s courthouse at the top of the statewide prioritized list of projects based on significant overcrowding, security concerns and accessibility challenges.

Last October, the team of Clark/Sullivan Broward Builders + Lionakis was selected as the design-build entity to design and construct the new building.

The Judicial Council, local court and the design-build team have spent the last year designing the new 46,000 square foot building.

Construction is currently scheduled to begin in late spring or early summer 2024 with completion in early 2026.

Additional information can be found at https://www.courts.ca.gov/facilities-lake.htm.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Yuba Community College District Board of Trustees will visit Clearlake this week for special and regular board meetings.

The board will meet at the district’s Lake County Campus at 15880 Dam Road Extension, Rooms 209 to 211 Thursday, Nov. 9.

There will be a special meeting and study session at 2 p.m. for the Student Access and Success Presentation, to be followed by a 3 p.m. closed session and the regular session at 5 p.m.

Agendas and board documents are here.

Those who wish to attend virtually can use this Zoom link; the meeting ID is 869 6439 7914. To call in, dial 1 669 900 6833.

While the future of the Lake County Campus — aligned with Woodland Community College, which is under the umbrella of the larger Yuba Community College District — is not specifically on the agenda, staff and supporters of the college are asking community members to attend and speak during public comment in support of the campus out of concerns that it is not being given the resources needed to continue.

On the agenda is a presentation about the highly respected Lake County Campus Culinary Arts Program, headed by Chef Robert Cabreros.

The board also will discuss the employment of the Lake County Campus’ interim dean.

Following the departure of Dean Ingrid Larsen in September, Patricia Barba has accepted the role on an interim basis. The board must approve the appointment on Thursday.

Other action items will include approval of the hires at Woodland Community College of Geoffrey Hulbert as director of Department of Supportive Programs and Services and Caren Fernandez as the interim assignment for acting director of matriculation and EOPS/CARE Program, and confirmation of the appointments of the Career and Technical Education Advisory Committee members.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.