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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday morning ratified the sheriff’s local emergency declaration in response to the winter storms that continue to have impacts across Lake County.

On Friday, Sheriff Rob Howe declared the local emergency due to low elevation snow and the extreme cold that has occurred over the past week.

The snow — the likes of which even longtime residents said they hadn’t seen before — knocked out power across nearly all of Lake County.

At one point, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. said 33,600 Lake County customers lost power due to the weather.

On Tuesday, hundreds still remained out of power in scattered outages across Lake County, PG&E reported.

“This was a pretty unprecedented event here in Lake County,” Howe told the board during the brief discussion of the declaration.

Howe said the amount of damage from the storms likely won’t be clear until the snow starts to melt off.

And that may not take place immediately, given that portions of Cobb remain snowed in, with more snow falling on Tuesday afternoon.

Supervisor Bruno Sabatier said he hoped there will be a debriefing on the emergency to review how it has been handled, and what went well and what didn’t.

“Of course, I’d welcome that,” said Howe.

Howe added, “This event probably isn’t completely over. We don’t anticipate anything like we saw a few days ago but we’re still in the middle of this winter storm.”

Board members joined Howe in offering thanks to the many first responders and front line workers, including county staff.

Howe said he’s been trying to thank everyone but there are so many people that he knew he was missing some.

“There’s just too many to thank. There's a lot of people working a lot of hours, trying to keep our community safe, and I appreciate all of them. I’m glad you do, too,” Howe said.

Board Chair Jessica Pyska said she appreciated Howe’s leadership and the work of everyone involved in the storm response.

“It was pretty incredible to see everybody mobilize,” she said.

Howe, in turn, thanked the board for its support.

There was no public comment before Sabatier moved to ratify Howe’s emergency proclamation, with Vice Chair Moke Simon seconding and the board voting unanimously to approve it.

Snow continues to impact schools; additional county services to be suspended Wednesday

Due to the continuing challenge from weather conditions, on Tuesday Middletown Unified schools, the Lake County International Charter School and the Middletown Preschool were closed.

The rest of Lake County’s public schools reopened on Tuesday after having Friday and Monday snow days.

Despite there being reports on Tuesday afternoon of more snow falling steadily in Cobb, shortly after 6 p.m. Tuesday, Middletown Unified Superintendent Thad Owens posted on the district’s Facebook page that all of the district’s schools will be open on Wednesday at normal times.

Owens said the district will be running the modified snow and ice routes for Cobb buses, with all other routes to be normal.

The county of Lake also reported a return to more normal operations after having opened warming centers in the county and a hotline for homebound residents.

On Tuesday afternoon, the county said that, based on the National Weather Service’s report that storm activity is slowing, some of its enhanced services will be suspended as of 7 a.m. Wednesday.

That includes the closure of warming centers at the Lower Lake Town Hall and the Middletown Senior Center on Wednesday. Both facilities will remain open overnight on Tuesday. For more information on these warming centers, call 707-533-3599.

Sunrise Services Foundation’s warming center at 1111 Whalen Way in Lakeport will remain open around the clock for the short term. Call 707-349-5022 for more information.

The county’s 24/7 community Hotline for Homebound Individuals — available at 707-262-4421 — also will no longer be available as of 7 a.m. Wednesday.

After that hotline ends, all non-emergency concerns that require Lake County Sheriff/Office of Emergency Services support, including those resulting from winter weather, should be routed to Central Dispatch at 707-263-2690. Please use 911 for emergency calls.

Meantime, Lake County Public Works staff continue to plow and clear roads countywide both of snow and downed trees.

Public Works said Tuesday morning that primary roads have been plowed and crews were working to clear secondary roads.

Lake County residents are urged to remain vigilant as continued winter weather is expected.

The National Weather Service has issued a freeze warning for Lake County, with temperatures expected to drop into the 20s during the early morning hours on Wednesday and Thursday.

Drivers should use extreme caution when traveling in the morning hours as icy conditions are likely to exist on the roadways and sidewalks, officials said.

Forecasters also said additional rain and sleet is expected Saturday through Sunday, with further snowfall possible, especially at higher elevations in Lake County and across the region.

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.

LAKEPORT, Calif. — On Monday Lakeport Police served a search warrant that led to the arrests of two people and the seizure of fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Arrested as a result of the search warrant were James Biocca Jr., 54, of Healdsburg, and Melody Yadon, 51, of Willits, according to Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen.

Rasmussen said that at 3 p.m. Monday several Lakeport Police Officers served a Lake County Superior Court search warrant on a storage unit locker in Kelseyville that was under the control of Biocca and Yadon.

The probable cause for this search warrant was based on Biocca’s arrest on Feb. 7, when he was in possession of approximately 98.8 grams of fentanyl and approximately 21.3 grams of methamphetamine that were packaged for sale, Rasmussen said.

At approximately 4:30 p.m. Monday, while officers were searching the storage locker, Rasmussen said Biocca and Yadon showed up at the storage facility in the same vehicle Biocca was driving when he was previously arrested.

Before their arrival, Rasmussen said the officers had already located suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in the locker.

Officers contacted Biocca in the storage facility office and arrested him. Rasmussen said the officers subsequently located methamphetamine in Biocca’s front sweatshirt pocket.

Rasmussen said officers also contacted Yadon who was still in the vehicle and arrested her. The vehicle was searched incident to the arrests and additional methamphetamine and fentanyl were found.

During Monday’s investigation, other items of evidence including $1,042 were located which indicated the drugs were possessed for sale, Rasmussen said.

Biocca and Yadon were transported to the Lake County Correctional Facility for booking. During the booking process, Rasmussen said Yadon was found to have additional fentanyl hidden on her person.

Biocca was booked for possession for sale and transportation of a controlled substance, possession for sale and transportation of a narcotic, possession of pepper spray by a convicted felon, conspiracy to commit a felony, and committing a felony while out on bail for a felony. Officers sought a bail enhancement on him and a superior court judge ordered bail of: $250,000, Rasmussen said.

Rasmussen said Biocca has an extensive criminal history that includes drug arrests, burglary, vehicle theft, receiving stolen property, evading a peace officer and six prior felony convictions.

Yadon was booked for possession for sale and transportation of a controlled substance, possession for sale and transportation of a narcotic, and conspiracy to commit a felony. Yadon’s bail was set by the bail schedule at $10,000.

Between the items located at the search warrant and those found in possession of Biocca and Yadon, Rasmussen said officers seized approximately 50.7g of methamphetamine and approximately 36.2g of suspected fentanyl.

In total, between the two recent arrests of Biocca, Rasmussen said officers have seized approximately 72 grams (2.54 ounces) of suspected methamphetamine and approximately 135 grams (4.76 ounces) of suspected fentanyl.

Similar to the Feb. 7 seizure, some of the fentanyl seized on Monday was a type commonly known as “rainbow fentanyl,” which means the drugs were multicolored to make them look more attractive.

According to the DEA, just 2 milligrams of fentanyl is considered to be enough to cause an overdose and kill someone.

Based on this data, the amount of fentanyl seized Monday could have killed up to 18,100 people. The amount seized between these two separate arrests could have killed up to 67,500 people, Rasmussen said.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. — The Clearlake Police Department is trying to locate a woman reported missing from Clearlake.

Brittany Spurling, 29, was last seen on Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake, according to the Clearlake Police Department.

She is described as a white female adult with blonde hair and blue eyes, standing 5 feet 4 inches tall and 130 pounds.

Spurling was last seen wearing a jacket, blue denim overalls and black pants.

If you have information regarding her whereabouts please contact the Clearlake Police Department at 707-994-8251, Extension 1.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Due to significant snowfall, life-threatening temperatures and other challenges presented by recent compounding winter weather events, the county of Lake has opened an additional warming center in Middletown.

The warming center is located at the Middletown Senior Center, 21256 Washington St.

It was open Monday night and will be open again from 7 p.m. Tuesday to 7 a.m. Wednesday.

The county of Lake also will continue providing a Warming Center at Lower Lake Town Hall, located at 16195 Main St.

The Lower Lake warming center was open overnight Monday and will be open from 7 p.m. Tuesday to 7 a.m. Wednesday.

If weather is hazardous at the 7 a.m. closing time, hours may be extended.

At both locations, visitors must register, and no pets, weapons, alcohol, or drugs are allowed.

For more information on these Warming Centers, call 707-533-3599.

Sunrise Services Foundation is running a warming center around the clock at 1111 Whalen Way in Lakeport.

For more information about the Lakeport warming center, call 707-349-5022.

Since early February, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, or CDFW, and many wildlife rehabilitation centers have received increased reports of sick and dead band-tailed pigeons from residents.

Most reports have come from locations along California’s Central Coast, the San Francisco Bay Area and foothill communities in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

CDFW’s Wildlife Health Laboratory has evaluated birds from several locations and determined the cause of death to be avian trichomonosis, a disease caused by a protozoan parasite, typically Trichomonas gallinae.

Statewide, it's estimated that roughly 200 to 300 band-tailed pigeons may have died of this infection so far this winter.

“Avian trichomonosis outbreaks occur periodically in band-tailed pigeons during some winters in California,” said CDFW Senior Environmental Scientist Krysta Rogers, an avian disease specialist. “Historically, larger outbreaks generally have been associated with drier conditions because the pigeons may be more likely to share a reduced number of water sources and the parasite can spread more rapidly among birds in the flock.”

Band-tailed pigeons are native to California and may be unfamiliar to some residents given their mostly secretive and highly nomadic lifestyle.

During winter, nearly the entire Pacific Coast population of band-tailed pigeons congregates in areas of Central to Southern California, sometimes forming relatively large flocks and seeking out acorns, their preferred food in winter.

The parasite that causes avian trichomonosis is primarily spread in water sources such as bird baths, fountains, and horse or cattle troughs where the parasite may become more concentrated.

Once infected, caseous lesions (“cheese-like”) may develop in the bird’s mouth or throat leading to starvation or suffocation.

Sick birds may appear weak, swallow repeatedly, have labored breathing, and may sit for prolonged periods. Severely affected birds may develop neurological signs such as lack of coordination or twisting of the head or neck.

Band-tailed pigeons are especially susceptible to avian trichomonosis. Other bird species also may be susceptible when sharing water sources as are avian predators that may feed on infected birds.

Residents can help reduce disease transmission among birds by removing bird feeders and bird baths and emptying fountains while the pigeons are in their area.

Observations of sick and dead pigeons may be reported to CDFW using the mortality reporting form. These reports are important to help document when and where birds may be impacted.

If there is a need to dispose of a dead bird, CDFW recommends wearing disposable gloves to collect the remains into a plastic bag, which may then be placed in the regular trash collection. Afterward, wash hands with soap and water.

For guidance on orphaned, injured or sick live-wild birds, please contact your nearest wildlife rehabilitation center before collecting the animal.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Board of Supervisors this week will consider approval of a local emergency declaration in response to the storms and discuss recruitment for two department heads.

The‌ ‌board will meet beginning ‌at‌ ‌9‌ ‌a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, 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 962 9999 6715, ‌pass code 670830.‌ ‌The meeting also can be accessed via one tap mobile at +16699006833,,96299996715#,,,,*670830#.

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.

To‌ ‌submit‌ ‌a‌ ‌written‌ ‌comment‌ ‌on‌ ‌any‌ ‌agenda‌ ‌item‌ ‌visit‌ ‌https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx and‌ ‌click‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌eComment‌ ‌feature‌ ‌linked‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌date. ‌If‌ ‌a‌ ‌comment‌ ‌is‌ ‌submitted‌ ‌after‌ ‌the‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌begins, ‌‌it‌ ‌may‌ ‌not‌ ‌be‌ ‌read‌ ‌during‌ ‌the‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌but‌ ‌will‌ ‌become‌ ‌a‌ ‌part‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌record.

At the start of the meeting, the board will consider adding an extra item to the agenda — ratifying Sheriff Rob Howe’s declaration of a local emergency due to low elevation snow and extreme cold.

Howe made the declaration on Friday, while the county was still largely out of power as a result of last week’s snowstorm.

In untimed items on Tuesday, the board will consider holding special meetings in March to participate in closed session interviews of county counsel candidates.

On Jan. 25 the board received County Counsel Anita Grant's intention to retire on March 24. On Feb. 7, the board approved an open recruitment which closed on Feb. 16, and the county now has four qualified candidates for the board to review.

In another untimed item, the board will consider the recruitment process for another department head job, that of Behavioral Health director.

On Feb. 17, Behavioral Health Director Todd Metcalf notified the board of his resignation.

“Due to the complex nature of this position, staff proposes retaining a recruitment firm that specializes and has experience in Behavioral/Medical Health position recruitments,” according to the report from County Administrative Officer Susan Parker.

Also on Tuesday, the board will consider approving a list of properties to go up for tax sale later this year.

The full agenda follows.

EXTRA ITEM

4.1: a) Consideration of "extra" agenda item, and b) consideration of ratification of proclamation of the existence of a local emergency due to low elevation snow and extreme cold.

CONSENT AGENDA

5.1: (a) Approve letter of support for the North Shore Restoration Project Number 22-FH-LNU-46336202 and authorize chair to sign and (b) approve letter of support for the North Shore Restoration Project Number 22-FH-LNU-46336098 and authorize chair to sign.

5.2: Approve letter of support for Department of Energy Funding for CYRQ Energy’s Geothermal Demonstration Project on behalf of the multi-jurisdictional Geothermal Opportunity Zone (GeoZone).

5.3: Approve subordination, nondisturbance, and attornment agreement dated Oct. 22, 2021, by and among Oak Valley Community Bank, a California banking corporation and County of Lake and D. Judd Apartments LLC and authorize the board chair to sign.

5.4: Approve amendment to the agreement between county of Lake and the California Mental Health Services Authority for Behavioral Health Quality Improvement Program for FYs 2022-24 with no change to the contract maximum and authorize the board chair to sign.

5.5: Approve agreement between county of Lake and BHC Heritage Oaks Hospital Inc. for acute inpatient psychiatric hospital services and professional services associated with acute inpatient psychiatric hospitalization for fiscal year 2022-23 in the amount of $80,000 and authorize the board chair to sign.

5.6: Approve Board of Supervisors minutes for Feb. 14, 2023.

5.7: (a) Waive the competitive bid process under section 2-38.2(3) of the Lake County Code because it would produce no economic benefit to the county. (b) Approve first amendment of agreement between county of Lake and TruePoint Solutions for as-needed permitting software services, in the amount of $19,965.00 and authorize the chair to sign.

5.8: Approve request to close Health Services offices from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, March 16, 2023, for all staff training and meeting.

5.9: Approve participation agreement between the county of Lake and the Department of Health Care Services for Medi-Cal Administrative Activities and authorize the director of Health Services to sign.

5.10: Approve Amendment No. 1 to the agreement between the county of Lake and AirMedCare Network for air ambulance services to the county of Lake Participants listed and amend the total compensation and authorize chair to sign.

5.11: Approve a professional services agreement between the county of Lake and Headway Transportation LLC for consulting services to prepare the Soda Bay Corridor Evacuation Plan and authorize the chair to sign the agreement.

5.12: Approve contract with Guardian RFID for a safety check program in the amount of $40,485 and authorize the chair to sign the contract.

5.13: Approve long distance travel for Teresa Wold, Housing Program coordinator, to attend the Nelrod Consortium Annual Conference Training in Las Vegas, Nevada from April 19 to 21, 2023.

5.14: Approve rescission of tax deed to purchaser of tax defaulted property (APN 040-322-100).

5.15: Approve rescission of tax deed to purchaser of tax defaulted property (APN 044-211-160).

TIMED ITEMS

6.2, 9:10 a.m.: Consideration of the Dec. 31, 2022, report of Lake County pooled investments.

6.3, 9:30 a.m.: Consideration of draft ordinance amending Chapter 5 of the Lake County Code and adopting by reference the 2022 California Building Standards Code, known as the California Code Of Regulations, Title 24, Parts 1 through 6, 8 through 12, incorporating the 2022 Edition of the California Administrative Code, Title 24 Part 1; the 2022 Edition of the California Building Code, Title 24 Part 2; The 2022 Edition of the California Residential Code, Title 24 Part 2.5; the 2022 Edition of the California Electrical Code, Title 24 Part 3; the 2022 Edition of the California Mechanical Code, Title 24 Part 4; the 2022 Edition of the California Plumbing Code, Title 24 Part 5; the 2022 Edition of the California Energy Code, Title 24 Part 6; the 2022 Edition of the California Historical Building Code, Title 24 Part 8; the 2022 Edition of the California Fire Code, Title 24 Part 9; The 2022 Edition of the California Existing Building Code, Title 24 Part 10; the 2022 Edition of the California Green Building Code, Title 24 Part 11; the 2022 Edition of the California Referenced Standards Code, Title 24, Part 12; the 2021 Edition of the International Property Maintenance Code; The 2021 Edition Of The International Wildland-Urban Interface Code.

6.4, 9:45 a.m.: Presentation of report on the Road Map Task Force 2022 activities.

6.5, 10:30 a.m. : Presentation on progress of the county-wide wildland fire fuels crew program by the Northshore Fire Protection District.

6.6, 11:30 a.m.: Presentation and Acceptance of Big Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency charter document.

UNTIMED ITEMS

7.2: Consideration of an informational report on a Cal Fire grant application currently being prepared by Lake County Resource Conservation District.

7.3: Consideration of American Rescue Act funding request for senior center support form to provide up to $50,000 for each senior center’s capital expenditures.

7.4: (a) Consideration of increasing the cannabis equity grants funds from a maximum of $50,000 to up to $150,000 per applicant; and (b) consideration of resolution of the Lake County Board of Supervisors authorizing state of California Cannabis Equity Act Grant funding.

7.5: Discussion and consideration to hold special meetings in March 2023 to participate in county counsel interviews in closed session and select a date.

7.6: Consideration and discussion involving the recruitment process for filling the vacancy created by the Behavioral Health director's resignation.

7.7: Consideration of agreement between county of Lake and Kings View Professional Services for support services for state mandated cost reporting in the amount of $122,900.00 for fiscal year 2022-24 and authorize the board chair to sign.

7.8: Consideration of the following advisory board appointments: Community Visioning Forum, Emergency Medical Care Committee, Fish & Wildlife Committee.

7.9: Consideration of the Classification, Compensation, Recruitment and Retention Committee approval of the 2022-2023 Reclassification Cycle findings and recommendations.

7.10: Consideration of resolution authorizing the chair of the board to approve and direct the tax collector to sell, at public auction via internet, tax defaulted property which is subject to the power to sell in accordance with Chapter 7 of part 6 of Division 1, of the California Revenue and Taxation Code and approving sales below minimum price in specified cases.

CLOSED SESSION

8.1: Public employee evaluation: Public Services Director Lars Ewing.

8.2: Public employee evaluation: Registrar of Voters Maria Valadez.

8.3: Conference with county negotiators regarding the purchase of property located at 5245 Third St., Kelseyville; price and terms of payment; (a) county negotiators: S. Parker and S. Carter and (b) Kelseyville Senior Center Inc. Negotiator: Karlene Ellis.

8.4: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9 (d)(1) - City of Clearlake v. Testate and Intestate Successors of Bailey Lumber Co, et al.

8.5: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9 (d)(1) – John Doe 1, et al. v. Humboldt County, et al.

8.6: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9 (d)(1) – Penhall v. Lake County Probation Department, et al. and related Public Employees Relations Board claim Not available Not available.

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.