How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
News
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Firefighters responded to a wildland fire near Clearlake Oaks late Wednesday afternoon.
The Henderson fire was first reported at 4:41 p.m. Wednesday on Henderson and Terrace drives, Cal Fire reported.
The fire threatened nearby structures and power lines, and Cal Fire said spotting was a concern.
A total of 60 firefighting personnel, one helicopter, 15 engines, one dozer, three water tenders and three crews responded, Cal Fire said.
By 9 p.m., Cal Fire said the fire’s forward rate of spread had stopped, although the fire remained a threat to structures.
As of 10 p.m. Wednesday, the fire was reported to have burned 25 acres and was 20% contained, Cal Fire reported.
Radio reports overnight indicated some crews were being released while others are scheduled to return on Thursday morning.
Cal Fire said the fire’s cause remains under investigation.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. — Vintage Volkswagens will descend on downtown Lakeport on Saturday for a celebration of German automobiles.
The Norcal Aircooled Group will host the show and swap meet from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 17, between First and Third streets in Library Park.
More than 30 early VWs will be on display. They will include the famous Bug/Beetle, vans and buses, which were so big during the California surfing craze of the 1960s. Even a seldom-seen 1973 VW Thing/Jeep, owned by Garey Hurn of Lakeport, will be at the show.
If you would like to pay $20, you can rent a swap meet space to sell vintage car parts (VW or American) or other interesting items, or for $20 you can bring your classic VW for showing. Just show up a little before 8 a.m., sign up and display your German ride.
There also will be a raffle and awards.
The Norcal Aircooled Group will host the show and swap meet from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 17, between First and Third streets in Library Park.
More than 30 early VWs will be on display. They will include the famous Bug/Beetle, vans and buses, which were so big during the California surfing craze of the 1960s. Even a seldom-seen 1973 VW Thing/Jeep, owned by Garey Hurn of Lakeport, will be at the show.
If you would like to pay $20, you can rent a swap meet space to sell vintage car parts (VW or American) or other interesting items, or for $20 you can bring your classic VW for showing. Just show up a little before 8 a.m., sign up and display your German ride.
There also will be a raffle and awards.
The Department of Water Resources announced its 10th round of funding through the Small Community Drought Relief Program.
In coordination with the State Water Resources Control Board, the program identified 11 projects to benefit underserved communities in Fresno, Lake, Marin, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama, Tulare and Tuolumne counties, including one tribe — the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake.
The selected projects will implement solutions such as pipeline replacement, well rehabilitation and infrastructure upgrades.
“Climate change is bringing more frequent and more intense drought conditions that create unique and serious challenges for California’s small communities,” said DWR Deputy Director of Integrated Watershed Management Kristopher Tjernell. “Today’s funding is part of DWR’s larger effort to support water supply reliability statewide, especially for our most vulnerable populations.”
The following communities will receive funding:
• In Lake County, the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake Rancheria’s existing well is compromised due to the state’s recent drought. The tribe will receive $100,000 to cover the costs of constructing a new water well to provide water to residents.
• In Fresno County, the city of Parlier is struggling to meet daily water demand because of a failing well. To help meet demand, the city will receive $765,000 to rehabilitate an existing well.
• Waterworks District 40, serving the Shaver Springs community, will receive $1.2 million to drill a new well and treat contaminated water from an existing well. Both projects will benefit the community by improving water supply reliability and water quality.
• In Marin County, the Inverness Public Utilities District is struggling to meet demand due to three leaking redwood tanks and a failing steel tank that is currently losing more than 3 million gallons of treated water annually due to the leaks. The district will receive $1.2 million to replace the tanks and secure the community’s water supply.
• In Shasta County, County Service Area No. 3 at Castella will receive $1.6 million to replace the existing water intake system and rehabilitate a water storage tank to ensure resiliency in the coming summer months.
• In Siskiyou County, the community of Tulelake is struggling due to low groundwater levels as a result of the recent multiyear drought. The city will receive $700,000 to rehabilitate two wells, provide bottled water and install an emergency potable water filling station.
• In Tehama County, the city of Corning will receive $2 million to construct a new well and pipeline to help serve approximately 25 homes that currently rely on domestic wells that are going dry. Tehama County Environmental Health will also receive $500,000 to drill three new wells to supply hauled water for residents struggling with dry wells.
• In Tulare County, the North Kaweah Mutual Water Company will receive $40,000 to replace a leaky, aged water storage tank to ensure the continued supply of safe and reliable water to the community of North Kaweah.
• In Tuolumne County, Sierra Park Water Company will receive $1.8 million to replace leaking pipelines serving the local community. The Sierra Village Mutual Water Company will also receive $235,000 to replace the failing water storage tank with a new tank to ensure a safe reliable source of water for residents.
Since launching in 2021, the Small Community Drought Relief Program has delivered $278 million in financial assistance to 138 projects designed to strengthen drought resiliency. In addition to helping implement long-term solutions, the program provides household water storage tanks and hauled water for California residents whose wells have gone dry through the Water Tank Program.
The program is one example of DWR’s Human Right to Water effort to ensure that every Californian has access to safe, clean, affordable, and accessible water and works to empower local communities under the state’s emerging “Go Golden” initiative.
The initiative strives to highlight the state’s partnership with local organizations and water agencies to implement projects that address water infrastructure repairs, water conservation, well rehabilitation and fish and wildlife protection as California prepares for a future driven by climate change.
Interested parties can stay up to date with the latest “Go Golden” announcements and news through DWR’s email subscription list.
For information about other DWR and State drought response efforts and funding programs, visit https://drought.ca.gov/.
In coordination with the State Water Resources Control Board, the program identified 11 projects to benefit underserved communities in Fresno, Lake, Marin, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama, Tulare and Tuolumne counties, including one tribe — the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake.
The selected projects will implement solutions such as pipeline replacement, well rehabilitation and infrastructure upgrades.
“Climate change is bringing more frequent and more intense drought conditions that create unique and serious challenges for California’s small communities,” said DWR Deputy Director of Integrated Watershed Management Kristopher Tjernell. “Today’s funding is part of DWR’s larger effort to support water supply reliability statewide, especially for our most vulnerable populations.”
The following communities will receive funding:
• In Lake County, the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake Rancheria’s existing well is compromised due to the state’s recent drought. The tribe will receive $100,000 to cover the costs of constructing a new water well to provide water to residents.
• In Fresno County, the city of Parlier is struggling to meet daily water demand because of a failing well. To help meet demand, the city will receive $765,000 to rehabilitate an existing well.
• Waterworks District 40, serving the Shaver Springs community, will receive $1.2 million to drill a new well and treat contaminated water from an existing well. Both projects will benefit the community by improving water supply reliability and water quality.
• In Marin County, the Inverness Public Utilities District is struggling to meet demand due to three leaking redwood tanks and a failing steel tank that is currently losing more than 3 million gallons of treated water annually due to the leaks. The district will receive $1.2 million to replace the tanks and secure the community’s water supply.
• In Shasta County, County Service Area No. 3 at Castella will receive $1.6 million to replace the existing water intake system and rehabilitate a water storage tank to ensure resiliency in the coming summer months.
• In Siskiyou County, the community of Tulelake is struggling due to low groundwater levels as a result of the recent multiyear drought. The city will receive $700,000 to rehabilitate two wells, provide bottled water and install an emergency potable water filling station.
• In Tehama County, the city of Corning will receive $2 million to construct a new well and pipeline to help serve approximately 25 homes that currently rely on domestic wells that are going dry. Tehama County Environmental Health will also receive $500,000 to drill three new wells to supply hauled water for residents struggling with dry wells.
• In Tulare County, the North Kaweah Mutual Water Company will receive $40,000 to replace a leaky, aged water storage tank to ensure the continued supply of safe and reliable water to the community of North Kaweah.
• In Tuolumne County, Sierra Park Water Company will receive $1.8 million to replace leaking pipelines serving the local community. The Sierra Village Mutual Water Company will also receive $235,000 to replace the failing water storage tank with a new tank to ensure a safe reliable source of water for residents.
Since launching in 2021, the Small Community Drought Relief Program has delivered $278 million in financial assistance to 138 projects designed to strengthen drought resiliency. In addition to helping implement long-term solutions, the program provides household water storage tanks and hauled water for California residents whose wells have gone dry through the Water Tank Program.
The program is one example of DWR’s Human Right to Water effort to ensure that every Californian has access to safe, clean, affordable, and accessible water and works to empower local communities under the state’s emerging “Go Golden” initiative.
The initiative strives to highlight the state’s partnership with local organizations and water agencies to implement projects that address water infrastructure repairs, water conservation, well rehabilitation and fish and wildlife protection as California prepares for a future driven by climate change.
Interested parties can stay up to date with the latest “Go Golden” announcements and news through DWR’s email subscription list.
For information about other DWR and State drought response efforts and funding programs, visit https://drought.ca.gov/.
Representatives Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) and Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.) this week introduced the bicameral, bipartisan Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act, legislation that will exempt from federal taxes rebates that homeowners receive for hardening their homes against natural disasters.
Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) led the Senate companion bill.
The House members were joined by Reps. David Rouzer (R-N.C.), Deborah Ross (D-N.C.), Clay Higgins (R-La.), Jerry Carl (R-Ala.), Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wisc.), and Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA).
California, North Carolina and Louisiana are among the states that provide rebates to homeowners who take steps to protect their homes from natural disasters.
These improvements can include removing trees, bushes and other fire-prone vegetation close to homes that contribute to wildfires, strengthening foundations to protect against earthquakes and installing fortified roofs to withstand hurricanes.
However, homeowners are required to pay federal taxes on those rebates if the funds come from any source that is not the federal government.
In contrast, rebates for energy conservation improvements are already exempt from federal income taxes. This bill would place natural disaster mitigation efforts in a similar category.
“California has been ground zero for climate-related natural disasters and investing in disaster resilience programs is essential to the safety and security of communities throughout our state,” said Congressman Thompson. “I am proud to reintroduce legislation with Rep. LaMalfa to exempt these programs from federal taxation to ensure that our communities can make the proper investments in disaster resilience and help mitigate the risks we face from natural disasters.”
“California homeowners do not deserve being saddled down by additional taxes just because they received funds through a State-based program. Parity between Federal and State programs is essential. It’s past time to level the playing field and ensure that our tax dollars, especially those being spent on disaster mitigation, are achieving the goals of reducing risks rather than being rerouted to Washington, D.C. in additional taxes,” said Congressman LaMalfa.
“Every year, North Carolinians must prepare for severe weather events,” said Congressman Rouzer. “To prevent future damage, many coastal residents utilize state-based disaster mitigation program grants to make their homes more resilient against the wind, rain and flooding from storms. Providing these state programs the same tax benefits as federal grants will result in more enrollment and therefore more resilient communities resulting in savings for families as well as state and federal tax dollars.”
“Hardening one’s home against threats from natural disasters remains one of the best ways to mitigate damage from the increasing frequency of disasters like wildfires and hurricanes,” said Sen. Feinstein. “Many states, including California, offer homeowners rebates for making these smart home improvements. Unfortunately, these rebates are subject to federal taxes. By exempting the rebates from federal taxes, our bill will make home improvements more affordable and encourage more homeowners nationwide to harden their homes.”
“As natural disasters become more frequent and more extreme, we should incentivize, not penalize taxpayers for proactively protecting their families and homes from these disasters,” said Sen. Padilla. “The Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act would provide a tax exemption on state-offered rebates for homeowners who invest in disaster-related improvements, which have become all the more necessary as a direct result of the climate crisis.”
“Federal taxes being taken out of a North Carolina homeowner’s rebate is the last thing they should have to think about after a natural disaster strikes and they need to be made whole again,” said Sen. Tillis. “I’m proud to work on this bipartisan bill to provide additional relief to the North Carolinians who need it.”
“Louisianans are all too familiar with devastating storms, but with the help of state and local programs, we have tools to recover and thrive,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Our bill gives these programs federal tax relief to aid communities’ efforts to become more resilient.”
Thompson represents California’s Fourth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties.
Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) led the Senate companion bill.
The House members were joined by Reps. David Rouzer (R-N.C.), Deborah Ross (D-N.C.), Clay Higgins (R-La.), Jerry Carl (R-Ala.), Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wisc.), and Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA).
California, North Carolina and Louisiana are among the states that provide rebates to homeowners who take steps to protect their homes from natural disasters.
These improvements can include removing trees, bushes and other fire-prone vegetation close to homes that contribute to wildfires, strengthening foundations to protect against earthquakes and installing fortified roofs to withstand hurricanes.
However, homeowners are required to pay federal taxes on those rebates if the funds come from any source that is not the federal government.
In contrast, rebates for energy conservation improvements are already exempt from federal income taxes. This bill would place natural disaster mitigation efforts in a similar category.
“California has been ground zero for climate-related natural disasters and investing in disaster resilience programs is essential to the safety and security of communities throughout our state,” said Congressman Thompson. “I am proud to reintroduce legislation with Rep. LaMalfa to exempt these programs from federal taxation to ensure that our communities can make the proper investments in disaster resilience and help mitigate the risks we face from natural disasters.”
“California homeowners do not deserve being saddled down by additional taxes just because they received funds through a State-based program. Parity between Federal and State programs is essential. It’s past time to level the playing field and ensure that our tax dollars, especially those being spent on disaster mitigation, are achieving the goals of reducing risks rather than being rerouted to Washington, D.C. in additional taxes,” said Congressman LaMalfa.
“Every year, North Carolinians must prepare for severe weather events,” said Congressman Rouzer. “To prevent future damage, many coastal residents utilize state-based disaster mitigation program grants to make their homes more resilient against the wind, rain and flooding from storms. Providing these state programs the same tax benefits as federal grants will result in more enrollment and therefore more resilient communities resulting in savings for families as well as state and federal tax dollars.”
“Hardening one’s home against threats from natural disasters remains one of the best ways to mitigate damage from the increasing frequency of disasters like wildfires and hurricanes,” said Sen. Feinstein. “Many states, including California, offer homeowners rebates for making these smart home improvements. Unfortunately, these rebates are subject to federal taxes. By exempting the rebates from federal taxes, our bill will make home improvements more affordable and encourage more homeowners nationwide to harden their homes.”
“As natural disasters become more frequent and more extreme, we should incentivize, not penalize taxpayers for proactively protecting their families and homes from these disasters,” said Sen. Padilla. “The Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act would provide a tax exemption on state-offered rebates for homeowners who invest in disaster-related improvements, which have become all the more necessary as a direct result of the climate crisis.”
“Federal taxes being taken out of a North Carolina homeowner’s rebate is the last thing they should have to think about after a natural disaster strikes and they need to be made whole again,” said Sen. Tillis. “I’m proud to work on this bipartisan bill to provide additional relief to the North Carolinians who need it.”
“Louisianans are all too familiar with devastating storms, but with the help of state and local programs, we have tools to recover and thrive,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Our bill gives these programs federal tax relief to aid communities’ efforts to become more resilient.”
Thompson represents California’s Fourth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties.
LOWER LAKE, Calif. — A new glamping retreat is set to open later this month in Lower Lake.
Huttopia, a popular family-owned European elevated camping brand recognized for its collection of sustainable ready-to-camp, or “prêt-à-camper,” lodging concepts across the world, announced Tuesday the debut of its sixth location in North America, Huttopia Wine Country, opening this June 30 in partnership with Six Sigma Ranch and Winery.
Set on the 4,300-acre Six Sigma Ranch and Winery, Huttopia Wine Country will feature fully solar-powered facilities, including the main lodge, swimming pool and all accommodations, making it the world’s first Huttopia camp to be truly off-grid.
Opening with a collection of 63 fully solar-powered wood and canvas tents in three different configurations accommodating from two to five guests, the ready-to-camp property offers guests uninterrupted access to Six Sigma’s miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, wine tastings and vineyard tours, and panoramic views of the region’s rolling vineyard hills.
On-site amenities include a central lodge, kids’ playground, camp store and custom-fitted Airstream food truck, offering fresh-made meals, small dining delights and a selection of wines from the Six Sigma Winery and across France.
Families can explore with the property’s electric mountain bike rentals, wind down with the solar-heated swimming pool, or games of Ping-Pong, pétanque and corn hole.
“When we started our partnership Six Sigma Ranch and Winery, it felt like a natural fit for us given our shared ethos as family-run businesses with a focus on sustainability,” said Margaux Bossanne, Huttopia’s North American brand manager. “To establish Huttopia’s presence in a location as pristine as this will afford our guests a familiar experience in a new and desirable location, and we’re also thrilled to be able to offer visitors to Six Sigma low-impact lodging to rest their heads at the end of the day.”
Open this June 30 through late November, and seasonally from March through November beginning in 2024, Huttopia Wine Country rates start at $109 per night.
Huttopia also features North American ready-to-camp sites in Southern Maine, New Hampshire’s White Mountains, New York’s Adirondacks, Sutton, Quebec and the most recent addition, Huttopia Paradise Springs in Southern California.
For more information, visit the Huttopia website.
On Tuesday, Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chairman Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04), Task Force Vice Chair Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-07), Assistant Democratic Leader Jim Clyburn (SC-06), and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) announced a legislative strategy on gun violence prevention.
Reps. Thompson, Clyburn and McBath filed discharge petitions for their bills: the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, the Enhanced Background Checks Act and the Assault Weapons Ban
“Over the last several months, members of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force have been personally appealing to House Republicans to find any common ground for bipartisan action on gun violence prevention,” said Thompson. “While the American people are calling for progress, it remains clear that House Republican Leadership refuses to take this issue seriously. The American people deserve more from their elected representatives, and House Democrats are launching three discharge petitions on gun violence prevention legislation that would help save lives and keep our children safe, including my Bipartisan Background Checks Act. Action on gun violence prevention is long overdue — the only question is will Republicans join us in bringing these bills up for a vote.”
“As a nation, we should not be in a situation where our children are afraid to go to school or where people have to live in fear when they go to a mall, a concert or a place of worship. House Democrats are determined to address this crisis and I'm grateful to the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force for leading the charge and launching these three discharge petitions. While extreme MAGA Republicans are willing to flood our streets with weapons of war, House Democrats are willing to do whatever is necessary to protect our communities and end the scourge of gun violence once and for all,” said Jeffries.
“This Saturday, June 17, marks eight years since nine parishioners lost their lives and three others were victimized at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. In the years since, my bill to close the deadly loophole that allowed the shooter to obtain his gun has passed the House twice under Democratic majorities, but Republican opposition has prevented it from being enacted into law,” said Assistant Democratic Leader James E. Clyburn. “We need action to end this gun violence epidemic. That starts with signing these discharge petitions to enact common-sense gun violence prevention legislation and protect our communities.”
“Today marks a new step in our journey to ending gun violence in America. My colleagues and I have just filed discharge petitions to force Republican leadership to bring common-sense gun safety legislation to the floor," said McBath. "After the conviction of my son’s killer, I made a promise to Jordan on the steps of the Courthouse to take all the love I have as a mother and spend the rest of my life devoted to making sure parents across the country never had to go through the same pain that I did. It is these policies that will fulfill our promise."
Under House parliamentary rules, once a petition has garnered 218 signatures, a motion to discharge can then be offered on the Floor and the measure can be put to a vote.