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News

Prescription Drug Take Back Day to be held April 22 in Lakeport

LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Lakeport Police Department is participating in the United States Drug Enforcement Administration National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 22.

The event will be held between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the front lobby entrance of the police station at 2025 S. Main St.

Accepted: All over-the-counter or prescription medication in pill, tablet, liquid, cream or capsule form including schedule II-V controlled and non-controlled substances.

Pills need to be emptied out of their containers and placed in a zip lock plastic bag (NOT paper, so the contents can be seen to verify they are eligible to be accepted).

Vape pens or other e-cigarette devices from individual consumers will be accepted only after the batteries are removed from the devices.

Not accepted: Illegal drugs, needles, inhalers or aerosol cans.

The Lakeport Police Department has collected more than 1,072 pounds of prescription drugs since it began participating in this program in January 2019.

Many of these drugs were dangerous narcotics, including opioids.

“Removal of prescription drugs in this safe manner protects our community by keeping them from being diverted to illegal use and out of the environment and water sources,” the department said in a statement.

More information is available from Chief of Police Brad Rasmussen at 707-263-5491.

Social Security may be failing well over a million people with disabilities – and COVID-19 is making the problem worse

 

Social Security has two programs aimed at helping those with disabilities. Kameleon007/iStock via Getty Images

The Research Brief is a short take about interesting academic work.

The big idea

More than half of U.S. adults over the age of 50 with work-limiting disabilities – likely over 1.3 million people – do not receive the Social Security disability benefits they may need, according to new peer-reviewed research I conducted. In addition, those who do receive benefits are unlikely getting enough to make ends meet.

The Social Security Administration operates two programs intended to provide benefits to people with disabilities: Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income, the latter of which hinges on financial need. Their shared goal is to ensure that people with work-limiting disabilities are able to maintain a decent standard of living.

I think it’s fair to say that if a disability benefit is truly available to those who need it, then a large portion of people with work-limiting disabilities should actually receive the aid.

To learn if that is true for the disability programs, I analyzed data over time from a long-running survey of adults older than age 50 called the Health and Retirement Study. The survey included information on disabilities and finances for tens of thousands of people from across the country and was linked to disability benefit records from the Social Security Administration. As the disability programs primarily serve those in their working years, I only looked at people who hadn’t yet hit the full retirement age.

The data showed that the share of people with substantial work-limiting disabilities who received Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income benefits or both rose from 32% in 1998 to 47% in 2016, which was the last year the data was available. This is just a little above the average among 27 high-income countries I compared the data with.

Using the most recent Census data, I estimate that more than half of those with work-limiting disabilities between the ages of 50-64 — about 1.35 million people — likely need these benefits but aren’t getting them.

I also examined the generosity of disability benefits in the U.S. by using regression analysis, a statistical tool that allowed me to compare the relationship between multiple variables. This helped me identify whether disability benefit recipients experience greater difficulty achieving financial security compared with adults who are not on benefits but have similar social and demographic backgrounds.

I found that those receiving benefits, and particularly Supplemental Security Income, struggled more and experienced less financial security than their peers.

Why it matters

Nearly a quarter of U.S. adults who head a household will report a severe disability that limits their ability to work at some point in their lives.

Many will look for financial support from Social Security’s disability programs, which together provide benefits to more than 12 million people in 2023.

The Disability Insurance program, established in 1956, provides benefits to those who meet a specific definition of disability and have paid Social Security payroll taxes. The average payment as of February 2023 was $1,686 per month.

The Supplemental Security Income program, established in 1972, pays cash benefits to adults and children who also meet the definition of disability and who have financial need. The maximum payment as of 2023 was $914, though some states supplement this with their own programs.

My research suggests that well over 1 million people with disabilities who face substantial barriers to employment are not getting the assistance they need. But what’s more, even those who receive benefits are likely not getting enough. Past research shows that more than 20% of Disability Insurance recipients and 52% of Supplemental Security Income recipients live in poverty despite receiving these benefits.

What still isn’t known

This research looked at data from 2016 and earlier, but a lot has changed since then.

Chronic understaffing at benefit offices — long-running but worse since the COVID-19 pandemic began — are making benefits harder to get at a time of growing need. An estimated 500,000 people are experiencing disabilities as a result of long COVID. And those experiencing it report having even more trouble receiving benefits.

So the problem is probably worse today.The Conversation

Zachary Morris, Assistant Professor of Social Welfare, Stony Brook University (The State University of New York)

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Authorities investigate death of jail inmate

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said an investigation is underway into the death of a jail inmate who died at an out-of-county hospital over the weekend.

Inmate Jason Ray, 41, died on Saturday, April 15, in the care and custody of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office while being treated for a medical condition at Sutter Roseville Medical Center in Placer County, said sheriff’s spokeswoman Lauren Berlinn.

Berlinn said the sheriff’s office activated the critical incident protocol and has begun an investigation into Ray’s in-custody death.

Ray was in custody pending prosecution for sexual assault, Berlinn said.

Berlinn said additional details will be forthcoming as the investigation is ongoing.

Lakeport City Council to honor Clear Lake High football squad, discuss roads and fireworks

LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Lakeport City Council this week will honor the Clear Lake High football team, and discuss roads, fireworks and recruiting for a new position.

The council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

The agenda can be found here.

The council chambers will be open to the public for the meeting. Masks are highly encouraged where 6-foot distancing cannot be maintained.

If you cannot attend in person, and would like to speak on an agenda item, you can access the Zoom meeting remotely at this link or join by phone by calling toll-free 669-900-9128 or 346-248-7799.

The webinar ID is 973 6820 1787, access code is 477973; the audio pin will be shown after joining the webinar. Those phoning in without using the web link will be in “listen mode” only and will not be able to participate or comment.

Comments can be submitted by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To give the city clerk adequate time to print out comments for consideration at the meeting, please submit written comments before 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18.

On Tuesday, the council will recognize the Clear Lake High School Varsity Football Team for its winning 2022 football season.

The Cardinals won North Central League I and North Coast Section Division 7 championships and advanced to the NorCal Championships, which is the first time a Lake County team has made it that far. Along the way, the team won a school-record 12 games.

Under business, City Manager Kevin Ingram will give a presentation on the city’s road management program.

In other business, the council will review the history and options related to safe and sane fireworks sales within the city.

Also on Tuesday, Administrative Services Director/City Clerk Kelly Buendia will ask the council for direction to open a recruitment for an electrical mechanical technician.

On the consent agenda — items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote — are ordinances; minutes of the regular council meeting on April 4; approval of application 2023-010 with staff recommendations for the 2023 Memorial Day Parade; approval of application 2023-011 with staff recommendations, for the Nor-Cal Air Cooled VW Car Show to be held on Park Street; approval of application 2023-012, with staff recommendations for the 2023 Tuesday Farmers’ Market in Library Park.

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.

Supervisors to consider creating public defender’s job

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Board of Supervisors is moving rapidly toward establishing a new public defender’s office on the advice of its staff.

The‌ ‌board will meet beginning ‌at‌ ‌9‌ ‌a.m. Tuesday, April 18, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.

The‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌can‌ ‌be‌ ‌watched‌ ‌live‌ ‌on‌ ‌Channel‌ ‌8, ‌online‌ ‌at‌ ‌https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx‌‌ and‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌county’s‌ ‌Facebook‌ ‌page. ‌ ‌Accompanying‌ ‌board‌ ‌documents, ‌the‌ ‌agenda‌ ‌and‌ ‌archived‌ ‌board‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌videos‌ ‌also‌ ‌are‌ ‌available‌ ‌at‌ ‌that‌ ‌link. ‌ ‌

To‌ ‌participate‌ ‌in‌ ‌real-time, ‌join‌ ‌the‌ ‌Zoom‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌by‌ ‌clicking‌ ‌this‌ ‌link‌. ‌ ‌

The‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌ID‌ ‌is‌ 986 7261 2678, ‌pass code 513956.‌ ‌The meeting also can be accessed via one tap mobile at +16694449171,,98672612678#,,,,*513956.

All interested members of the public that do not have internet access or a Mediacom cable subscription are encouraged to call 669-900-6833, and enter the Zoom meeting ID and pass code information above.

On the board’s consent agenda — items usually approved as a slate — is a resolution establishing a position allocation for the current fiscal year for a chief public defender.

Before her retirement as county counsel, Anita Grant, along with County Administrative Officer Susan Parker on Feb. 14 gave the board an update on the findings of a report conducted by the Sixth Amendment Center regarding the review of the county’s delivery of indigent defense services, as well as proposed next steps.

“Your Board directed staff to implement a plan to begin the efforts in developing the first steps of improving the provision of indigent services. That first step included retaining the services of Jose Varela to assist the County in exploring the options best suited for the County of Lake and developing a transition plan. In addition to this first step, staff proposes developing the position of Chief Public Defender to provide the necessary management and oversight needed to implement the plan and provide these services,” Parker’s report said.

“Staff plans to have the initial framework to address your Board's direction with the assistance of Mr. Varela in place before the contract for Lake Indigent Services terminates June 30, 2023,” Parker said in her report.

Parker said the resolution adds one additional position of chief public defender to the Administrative Office budget unit.

In other business, the board will consider facilitation services to update its rules of procedure, general protocol and committees policy document, and will discuss a resolution electing not to list supporters and opponents for county city, district, and school measures on future county ballots.

The full agenda follows.

CONSENT AGENDA

5.1: Adopt resolution amending Resolution No. 2022-119 Establishing a Position Allocation for Fiscal Year 2022-2023, Budget Unit No. 2111, Administrative Office for chief public defender and authorize chair to sign.

5.2: A) Waive the competitive bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 2-38.1 as it is not in the best interest of the county and Lake County Code Section 2-38.2 (2) due to unique nature of services precludes competitive bidding; B) approve the contract Amendment No. 1 between the county of Lake and Debra Sally DVM for veterinary services to extend the term to June 30, 2024 and maximum compensation to $100,000 annually, and authorize the Chair to sign.

5.3: Approve Board of Supervisors minutes March 28, 2023 and April 4, 2023.

5.4: Adopt proclamation designating the week of April 23 to 29, 2023, as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

5.5: Adopt proclamation recognizing April 17-28, 2023 as California High School Voter Education Week in Lake County.

5.6: Approve Amendment No. 4 to the facility space license agreement with T-Mobile West LLC for continued access to the county-owned Buckingham Peak communications site and authorize the chair to sign.

5.7: Approve plans and specifications for the Socrates Mine Road Landslide Repair Project; Bid No. 23-13, Federal Project No: FEMA-4308-DR-CA, LLKCC56, FEMA-4301-DR-CA, LLKC03.

5.8: a) Waive the formal bidding process pursuant to County Ordinance 3109 Section 2-38 due to 38.2(3), not in the public interest as competitive bidding would produce no economic benefit to the county; and, b) approve fifth amendment to the lease agreement between county of Lake and Gary Sada and Sheila Sada for the property located at 926 S. Forbes in Lakeport, in the amount of $86,932.68 per fiscal year from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024, and authorize the chair to sign.

5.9, ADDENDUM: Adopt resolution approving receipt of a grant in the amount of $220,638 from the Board of State and Community Corrections by the Probation Department for a mobile probation services center.

TIMED ITEMS

6.2, 9:07 a.m.: Pet of the Week.

6.3, 9:08 a.m.: National Poetry Month — Poem of the Week.

6.4, 9:09 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation designating the week of April 23 to 29, 2023, as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

6.5, 9:10 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation recognizing April 17 to 28, 2023, as California High School Voter Education Week.

6.6, 9:30 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of draft ordinance amending Chapter 5, Section 5-6, Article 1, Section 5-6 6.24 (Exempt Agriculture Structures) and adding Chapter 5, Section 5-6 6.25 Temporary Ag Structures) of the Zoning Ordinance of the county of Lake in regards to agricultural structures.

UNTIMED ITEMS

7.2: Consideration of facilitation services to update the Board of Supervisors’ Rules of Procedure, General Protocol and Committees Policy Document.

7.3: Consideration of Amendment No. 1 to the agreement between the county of Lake and New Life Health Authority dba New Life LLC for substance use disorder outpatient drug free services, intensive outpatient treatment services, and narcotic treatment program services for FY 2022-23 with no change to the contract maximum and authorize the board chair to sign.

7.4: Consideration of the following Advisory Board Appointment: Middletown Cemetery District.

7.5: Consideration of resolution of the Lake County Board of Supervisors, State of California, electing not to list supporters and opponents for county city, district, and school measures on future county ballots.

7.6: Consideration of contract with EndPoint EMS Consulting LLC, to assess the interfacility transfer (IFT) and Local Emergency Medical Service Agency (LEMSA) services in the amount of $150,000 for the term of April 3, 2023 through Dec. 25, 2023 and authorize the chair to sign.

CLOSED SESSION

8.1: Public Employee Evaluation: Child Support Services Director Gail Woodworth.

8.2: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9 (d)(1): Earthways Foundation, Inc. v. County of Lake, et al .

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.

High School Voter Education Weeks offer students chance to preregister to vote

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Registrar of Voters office encourages Lake County schools to participate in the 2023 High School Voter Education Weeks, which take place April 17 to 28.

The purpose of High School Education Weeks is to bring awareness to our young and future voters and set them on the pathway for continued civic engagement.

Eligible students ages 16 and 17 can be civically engaged by preregistering to vote. If students preregister to vote, they will automatically become voters when they turn 18.

Eligible students can register to vote online at https://registertovote.ca.gov/ or at the Lake County Registrar of Voters office at 325 N Forbes St. in Lakeport.

Registrations are also available at all Lake County libraries.

Staff will set up a booth on scheduled days at the libraries as follows:

• Clearlake Library, 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 19.
• Lakeport Library, 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, April 20.
• Middletown Library, 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 26.
• Upper Lake Library, 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, April 27.

By working together, we can educate and encourage our young citizens to register to vote and ensure their voices are heard when they are eligible to vote.

For additional information call the Registrar of Voters office at 707-263-2372 or toll-free at 888-235-6730.
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Community

  • Lake County Wine Alliance offers sponsor update; beneficiary applications open 

  • Mendocino National Forest announces seasonal hiring for upcoming field season

Public Safety

  • Lakeport Police logs: Thursday, Jan. 15

  • Lakeport Police logs: Wednesday, Jan. 14

Education

  • Woodland Community College receives maximum eight-year reaffirmation of accreditation from ACCJC

  • SNHU announces Fall 2025 President's List

Health

  • California ranks 24th in America’s Health Rankings Annual Report from United Health Foundation

  • Healthy blood donors especially vital during active flu season

Business

  • Two Lake County Mediacom employees earn company’s top service awards

  • Redwood Credit Union launches holiday gift and porch-to-pantry food drives

Obituaries

  • Rufino ‘Ray’ Pato

  • Patty Lee Smith

Opinion & Letters

  • The benefits of music for students

  • How to ease the burden of high electric bills

Veterans

  • CalVet and CSU Long Beach team up to improve data collection related to veteran suicides

  • A ‘Big Step Forward’ for Gulf War Veterans

Recreation

  • Wet weather trail closure in effect on Upper Lake Ranger District

  • Mendocino National Forest seeking public input on OHV grant applications

  • State Parks announces 2026 Anderson Marsh nature walk schedule 

  • BLM lifts seasonal fire restrictions in central California

Religion

  • Kelseyville Presbyterian to host Ash Wednesday service and Lenten dinner Feb. 18

  • Kelseyville Presbyterian Church to hold ‘Longest Night’ service Dec. 21

Arts & Life

  • Auditions announced for original musical ‘Even In Shadow’ set for March 21 and 28

  • ‘The Rip’ action heist; ‘Steal’ grounded in a crime thriller

Government & Politics

  • Lake County Democrats issue endorsements in local races for the June California Primary

  • County negotiates money-saving power purchase agreement

Legals

  • March 3 hearing on ordinance amending code for commercial cannabis uses

  • Feb. 12 public hearing on resolution to establish standards for agricultural roads

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