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KELSEYVILLE, Calif. — An early Tuesday morning break-in at Kelseyville Presbyterian Church days ahead of its Christmas celebrations has led to thousands of dollars worth of damage, but the church says it plans to move forward with its holiday celebrations, including services and a Christmas Day dinner.
The church, located at the corner of Third and Church streets, marked its 150th anniversary in June. What occurred early Tuesday may be the worst break-in it has suffered in its history.
An alarm before 1 a.m. alerted church members and staff to the break-in.
When they arrived at the scene, they found that every building on the campus had been broken into — from the main church building to the Fellowship Hall, the food pantry that serves thousands of residents a year and Heritage Hall, where the Sheriff’s Activity League holds its boxing program.
Several doors and about a dozen windows were bashed in, and interior walls were beaten with what appeared to be a hammer.
Church staff, however, did not find anything had been taken.
Early estimates of damage are as high as $18,000, the church reported.
A Go Fund Me account has been set up to help the church begin the process of making the repairs.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating the break-in and vandalism and is asking for information from anyone who may have seen individuals around the church or on its property late Monday night and early Tuesday morning.
The church has managed to clean up the broken glass and cover broken windows until they can be repaired.
Despite what occurred, the church said it is going forward with its Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services, and invites the community to come and celebrate the holiday with them.
The church’s leadership quoted the Gospel of John 1:5: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
The church also will be the location for a Christmas Day community dinner for seniors hosted by Rob Brown and Angela Carter.
Anyone with information about the break-in and vandalism is asked to contact Sgt. Joe Dutra of the Lake County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit at
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Lakeport City Council has finalized appointments on city committees and commissions for the new year.
In a special meeting that took place on Dec. 12 and 13, the City Council considered a host of appointments, including appointing Kim Costa and Brandon Disney to fill the council seats vacated by Mireya Turner and Michael Green.
Costa and Disney took their oaths of office on Tuesday evening, along with Mayor Stacey Mattina, elected in November to her fourth term.
In addition to those two council seats, the City Council considered several more commission and committee appointments for the Lakeport Planning Commission; Measure Z Advisory Committee, or MZAC; the Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee, or LEDAC; and the Lakeport Fire Protection District Board.
The Planning Commission was established in 1956 and has land use decision-making authority as defined by the Lakeport zoning ordinance, advising and reporting on planning matters to the City Council. Members are appointed to four-year terms.
Returning to the commission for another term are Mark Mitchell and Nathan Maxman, along with Kip Knorr who served previously.
On Nov. 8, 2016, Lakeport residents voted to approve Measure Z adopting an ordinance enacting a 1% increase to the local sales and use tax.
The ordinance calls for an independent citizens’ advisory committee to meet publicly to review all revenues and expenditures of the transactions and use tax and make recommendations to the City Council regarding those expenditures.
Susan King was reappointed to the committee and Laura Sombs was appointed to her first four-year term.
In 2010 the Lakeport City Council implemented a recommendation contained in the Lakeport Business Retention and Recruitment Strategy and formed an economic development advisory committee,
LEDAC, to be an advocate for a strong and positive Lakeport business community and a conduit between City leadership and the community.
Jeff Davis was appointed to his first term to serve with Bonnie Darling, Denise Combs and Wilda Shock who were reappointed for another two years.
The Lakeport Fire Protection District is an independent special district serving the greater Lakeport area.
Health and Safety Code section 13837 provides that the district board may be either elected or appointed by the city council in which the district is located.
City Council Resolution 2695 (2018) established a protocol for the appointments to the district board.
Jeff Warrenburg was appointed to serve a four-year term as the newest member of the district board.
In a special meeting that took place on Dec. 12 and 13, the City Council considered a host of appointments, including appointing Kim Costa and Brandon Disney to fill the council seats vacated by Mireya Turner and Michael Green.
Costa and Disney took their oaths of office on Tuesday evening, along with Mayor Stacey Mattina, elected in November to her fourth term.
In addition to those two council seats, the City Council considered several more commission and committee appointments for the Lakeport Planning Commission; Measure Z Advisory Committee, or MZAC; the Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee, or LEDAC; and the Lakeport Fire Protection District Board.
The Planning Commission was established in 1956 and has land use decision-making authority as defined by the Lakeport zoning ordinance, advising and reporting on planning matters to the City Council. Members are appointed to four-year terms.
Returning to the commission for another term are Mark Mitchell and Nathan Maxman, along with Kip Knorr who served previously.
On Nov. 8, 2016, Lakeport residents voted to approve Measure Z adopting an ordinance enacting a 1% increase to the local sales and use tax.
The ordinance calls for an independent citizens’ advisory committee to meet publicly to review all revenues and expenditures of the transactions and use tax and make recommendations to the City Council regarding those expenditures.
Susan King was reappointed to the committee and Laura Sombs was appointed to her first four-year term.
In 2010 the Lakeport City Council implemented a recommendation contained in the Lakeport Business Retention and Recruitment Strategy and formed an economic development advisory committee,
LEDAC, to be an advocate for a strong and positive Lakeport business community and a conduit between City leadership and the community.
Jeff Davis was appointed to his first term to serve with Bonnie Darling, Denise Combs and Wilda Shock who were reappointed for another two years.
The Lakeport Fire Protection District is an independent special district serving the greater Lakeport area.
Health and Safety Code section 13837 provides that the district board may be either elected or appointed by the city council in which the district is located.
City Council Resolution 2695 (2018) established a protocol for the appointments to the district board.
Jeff Warrenburg was appointed to serve a four-year term as the newest member of the district board.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A Yuba City woman was arrested over the weekend after she attempted to run through a California Highway Patrol driver checkpoint in Lower Lake.
On Saturday, Dec. 17, CHP Clear Lake Area personnel conducted a driving under the influence checkpoint on southbound State Route 53 in Lower Lake.
CHP officers contacted nearly 500 drivers, issued 14 citations, impounded two vehicles and conducted four DUI investigations, said Commander Dan Fansler.
Nearing the end of the checkpoint's scheduled operation time, a Mini Cooper ran through the screening area at high speed and failed to stop for officer's commands and a posted stop sign.
The driver, Kiara Renee Fears, 22, fled the scene and a CHP patrol vehicle pursuit ensued.
Fears accelerated to approximately 100 miles per hour traveling northbound on State Route 29, south of Point Lakeview Road.
Due to the vehicle’s unsafe speed, she was unable to safely negotiate a turn in the roadway and traveled off the north shoulder of Point Lakeview Road and crashed into a fence.
Fears fled from her vehicle on foot but was quickly apprehended by CHP officers and taken into custody for DUI and additional charges. “Thankfully, no members of the public or our CHP officers were injured during the incident,” Fansler said.
Fansler said Fears was charged with felony evading, DUI, driving on a suspended license, violating probation for DUI, and two additional enhancements for speeding and upon conviction, additional penalties for three or more DUIs in 10 years.
The CHP offered a special thank you to Caltrans District 1, Clearlake Oaks Maintenance crew, for their assistance with lighting, signage and cone placement, which was instrumental in making the enforcement campaign a reality.
On Saturday, Dec. 17, CHP Clear Lake Area personnel conducted a driving under the influence checkpoint on southbound State Route 53 in Lower Lake.
CHP officers contacted nearly 500 drivers, issued 14 citations, impounded two vehicles and conducted four DUI investigations, said Commander Dan Fansler.
Nearing the end of the checkpoint's scheduled operation time, a Mini Cooper ran through the screening area at high speed and failed to stop for officer's commands and a posted stop sign.
The driver, Kiara Renee Fears, 22, fled the scene and a CHP patrol vehicle pursuit ensued.
Fears accelerated to approximately 100 miles per hour traveling northbound on State Route 29, south of Point Lakeview Road.
Due to the vehicle’s unsafe speed, she was unable to safely negotiate a turn in the roadway and traveled off the north shoulder of Point Lakeview Road and crashed into a fence.
Fears fled from her vehicle on foot but was quickly apprehended by CHP officers and taken into custody for DUI and additional charges. “Thankfully, no members of the public or our CHP officers were injured during the incident,” Fansler said.
Fansler said Fears was charged with felony evading, DUI, driving on a suspended license, violating probation for DUI, and two additional enhancements for speeding and upon conviction, additional penalties for three or more DUIs in 10 years.
The CHP offered a special thank you to Caltrans District 1, Clearlake Oaks Maintenance crew, for their assistance with lighting, signage and cone placement, which was instrumental in making the enforcement campaign a reality.
The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comments on a plan to expedite fuels reduction treatments and fire protection efforts near high fire-risk areas on public lands in 44 counties throughout California and northwest Nevada.
The statewide Wildland-Urban Interface fuels treatments programmatic environmental assessment aims to facilitate projects on approximately 900,000 acres of public land near rural communities.
“The BLM is adding another tool to our wildfire prevention and protection toolbox,” said BLM California State Director Karen Mouritsen. “This initiative is designed to streamline on-the-ground projects to reduce hazardous fuels and double down on our efforts to protect local communities”
Fuels reduction projects aim to reduce the intensity, severity, and the spread of wildfire on public lands by reducing overgrowth, creating fuel breaks and thinning forest density.
As a result, communities in and around BLM lands will experience reduced likelihood of loss of life, property, and community infrastructure from wildfires.
These treatments will also improve firefighting conditions when wildfires happen, allowing for greater success of fire suppression and fire perimeter control, contributing to increased safety for firefighters and decreased suppression costs by reducing potential fire damage and fire size.
The public may submit written comments on the issues, potential impacts, alternatives, and project design features presented in the preliminary environmental assessment and the findings of no significant impact by visiting https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2016583/510 or by email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
The BLM will consider all substantive comments received by Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, in finalizing the environmental assessment.
The statewide Wildland-Urban Interface fuels treatments programmatic environmental assessment aims to facilitate projects on approximately 900,000 acres of public land near rural communities.
“The BLM is adding another tool to our wildfire prevention and protection toolbox,” said BLM California State Director Karen Mouritsen. “This initiative is designed to streamline on-the-ground projects to reduce hazardous fuels and double down on our efforts to protect local communities”
Fuels reduction projects aim to reduce the intensity, severity, and the spread of wildfire on public lands by reducing overgrowth, creating fuel breaks and thinning forest density.
As a result, communities in and around BLM lands will experience reduced likelihood of loss of life, property, and community infrastructure from wildfires.
These treatments will also improve firefighting conditions when wildfires happen, allowing for greater success of fire suppression and fire perimeter control, contributing to increased safety for firefighters and decreased suppression costs by reducing potential fire damage and fire size.
The public may submit written comments on the issues, potential impacts, alternatives, and project design features presented in the preliminary environmental assessment and the findings of no significant impact by visiting https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2016583/510 or by email:
The BLM will consider all substantive comments received by Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, in finalizing the environmental assessment.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — With 10 days left before Sheriff Brian Martin retires, the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday appointed Lake County’s longtime Probation Department chief to fill the sheriff’s post for the next two years.
The board selected Rob Howe, who served with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for 19 years beginning in October 1992, reaching the rank of captain before leaving in September 2011. He took the role of chief probation officer in March 2012.
Howe told Lake County News that he’s glad to be given the opportunity to lead the department which he once oversaw as chief of staff.
Over the course of two hours on Tuesday morning, the board held public interviews of Howe and the second candidate, Lt. Lucas Bingham.
Howe, whose given name is Eutice but more commonly goes by the first name of Rob, will serve until Jan. 2, 2025, at which point the next sheriff — who will be elected — will take office.
Capt. Chris Chwialkowski will be acting sheriff in the gap after Martin retires on Dec. 30 and until Howe takes the oath of office on Jan. 2. A ceremonial swearing-in ceremony for Lake County’s elected officials will take place on Jan. 10, the board’s next meeting.
On Tuesday afternoon, Howe told Lake County News he was being inundated by phone calls and emails in the wake of the board’s decision.
“My reaction is excitement. I’m certainly looking forward to getting back to the sheriff’s office,” Howe said. “I think I’m going to do a good job for this county in the interim position.”
Howe said he had never been through a public interview process before. While he had some nerves, he said he was pleased with how it went.
“I’m happy with how I did but I thought Luke Bingham did well too,” said Howe.
He acknowledged it will be different, noting that he’s “not a Facebook guy” like Martin, but that he will be embracing social media as part of the department’s community outreach efforts.
Two qualified candidates
Board members said it was a hard decision due to the qualifications and merits of the two men.
Both Howe and Bingham grew up in Lake County, raised their families here and have worked their entire careers in county law enforcement agencies. Bingham also is a veteran of the United States Air Force.
Each gave thoughtful, careful answers to the board’s questions. They offered visions for the future of the agency that relied heavily on community policing, transparency, respect and integrity, with goals of addressing the sheriff’s office’s staffing challenges and continuing Martin’s successful outreach efforts, with a view to future improvements.
During the discussion that followed after the board’s lunch break, supervisors said the decision was a difficult one because of the quality of both candidates.
The board ultimately selected Howe because of a unique advantage he offered — namely, that he does not intend to run for sheriff in two years, which allows other potential sheriff candidates to come forward.
A campaign can be divisive for the sheriff’s office when it involves a sitting sheriff, Howe said. “I’ve been through it twice in my years, and there’s just no winning in it.”
Howe said he doesn’t say “never” in such matters, and would only run if he didn’t think there were suitable candidates available.
That’s not expected to be the case. Howe said he’s hearing about people who plan to run who he would support.
The interviews also revealed that Bingham — who ensured the board he would support Howe if appointed — intends to run for sheriff in 2024.
The only public comment offered during the meeting was from Chwialkowski, who recognized the tough decision the board had to make. He said both Howe and Chwialkowski are capable individuals.
Chwialkowski said sheriff’s office staff is excited that Bingham has decided to run for sheriff, and that he has support in the agency.
Plans for the agency
Howe brings to the job a background that includes time working on patrol, in investigations and at the Lake County Jail, and serving as chief of staff at the rank of captain under former Sheriff Rod Mitchell.
He said he wants to facilitate a smooth transition, with a primary goal of improving staffing at the sheriff’s office. Howe said the agency has been very innovative, including visiting academies and recruiting online. “They’re doing a lot of good things.”
Asked by Supervisor Bruno Sabatier about diversifying staffing, Howe said that in the Probation Department he already has achieved what they are looking for: More than 50% of his staff are female, and more than 50% identify as a racial minority.
He said he didn’t do anything special — his agency just treats people right. “I don’t know how innovative you have to be, you just have to be open and fair from the start.”
Howe credited Martin for setting the bar for community engagement, particularly through social media and online outreach, and he hopes to continue what the sheriff’s office is doing successfully.
During his interview, Bingham, a Middletown High School graduate, spoke about how he and his parents had been Sheriff’s Search and Rescue and Posse volunteers when he grew up. He left to serve in the Air Force, then returned, attended Napa Valley College and was hired by the sheriff’s office, where he has worked for 24 years.
“My entire career has always been about learning something new,” he said. Around the office, there is a joke about him: “I’ll take any training that’s available to me, including underwater basket weaving.”
Bingham has completed more than 2,400 hours of Peace Officer Standards and Training, or POST, certified training, and has achieved every POST certificate. Two weeks ago, he completed the executive development course, generally reserved for police chiefs and seconds-in-command.
He also has been selected for the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s highly competitive National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, in 2024, and expects to complete his bachelor’s degree in 15 months with California Coastal University.
Going forward, Bingham said he wants to get a plan for a leadership program in the sheriff’s office back on track. He had talked to Martin about it and started the ground work, but the pandemic put it on the back burner.
“I would like to get that moving again. I think that’s very important,” he said, along with having an employee assistance program that can help employees deal with the stress of the job while also offering an important recruitment tool.
Sabatier said the quality and experience of both candidates spoke highly to the sheriff’s office and the county as a whole. “I’m very proud that that is the representation that Lake County has.”
The board ultimately chose Howe over concerns about the appointed sheriff having to run a campaign in less than two years.
Supervisor Moke Simon was the lone board member who wanted to choose Bingham.
Supervisor Michael Green moved to appoint Howe as sheriff-coroner, with Supervisor Jessica Pyska seconding. The vote was 4-1, with Simon voting no.
On the advice of County Counsel Anita Grant, Green made a second motion to appoint Howe effective Jan. 2. Pyska also seconded and the vote was 5-0.
On Tuesday evening, Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen updated the Lakeport City Council on Howe’s selection.
“I’m looking forward to working with him over the next two years,” Rasmussen said.
Lakeport Mayor Stacey Mattina called Howe “a perfect choice” as Lake County’s next sheriff.
Editor’s note: This article has been clarified regarding Howe’s date of employment with the Probation Department. He worked for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office until September 2011 and took the chief probation officer job in March 2012.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — On Tuesday night, the Lakeport City Council welcomed two newly appointed members and elected its 2023 leadership in its last meeting of the year.
When the meeting convened, Mayor Stacey Mattina, Mayor Pro Tem Kenny Parlet and Councilman George Spurr were on the dais, with Councilman Michael Froio absent.
Their first order of business was accepting the certification of the Nov. 8 general election and receiving the resignation letter of Mireya Turner.
Turner resigned in August to accept the Lake County Community Development director job but at that point already had filed to run for a third term. Since she was elected on Nov. 8, she had to once again resign.
Then it was time to bid goodbye to Spurr, who the council had appointed in September to serve out the remaining months of Turner’s unfinished term. He had previously served one term on the council before deciding not to run for reelection and leaving the council at the end of 2020.
Mattina gave Spurr a big wrapped package. “We could not have done this without you,” she said, adding he hadn’t had the easiest meetings during the last few months.
Spurr thanked them before stepping down off the dais.
Mattina, who was elected to her fourth term in November, then went to stand along with new council members Kim Costa and Brandon Disney to take their oaths of office.
The council held a special meeting on Dec. 12 and 13 in order to select two community members to fill the seat Turner had been elected to as well as the seat vacated by Michael Green, who was appointed to the Board of Supervisors.
Costa and Disney, who were selected during that special meeting, will serve two years until the next municipal election in 2024, at which point Froio and Parlet also will be up for election.
After they took their oaths, the three took their seats along with Parlet, who moved to make Mattina mayor for another year. That vote was 4-0.
Parlet also nominated Froio as mayor pro tem, noting he had spoken to him about it and Froio was amenable to filling the role. The council also voted unanimously for that motion.
Also on Tuesday, new Lakeport Fire Chief Patrick Reitz came to the meeting to say hello.
Reitz joined the Lakeport Fire Protection District as chief on Nov. 1.
He said he’s been meeting with City Manager Kevin Ingram and other city staff. “I think that we’re going to make a good team,” Reitz said.
In other business, the council approved professional services agreements with NHA Advisors LLC, part of the city’s finance team, and with the Lake Family Resource Center for the Crisis Intervention Responder Program, and Chief Building Official Bethany Moss updated the council on the Clean Water Program.
There were several announcements about city leadership during Tuesday’s meeting.
As part of the consent agenda, the council approved the first amendment to Ingram’s employment agreement. That amendment gives him a raise of 6% effective on Dec. 6, which will raise his annual salary to $149,295. On July 1, he will receive another 3% increase, giving him an annual salary of $153,774.
During council and staff communications, Ingram reported that Paul Harris, who has been the city’s utilities superintendent, will now be utilities director, and Ron Ladd, who has been Public works superintendent, will now be Public Works director.
Ingram called those title changes “very well deserved” for both men.
He said the council will next meet on Jan. 3, at which time they will discuss council member appointments to various committees.
Disney and his wife are expecting a baby and so he said he will not be able to make that meeting. “We are very excited for you,” said Mattina.
Costa thanked everyone for the warm welcome. She said she is looking forward to the experience on the council, adding that she thinks it will be an “enjoyable adventure.”
Mattina said she is glad to be on the council for another term and grateful to be reelected.
“We have a lot going on in the city. I’m really excited for this next year. It’s going to be busy and fun. I’m glad you guys are along for the ride,” she said.
After wishing everyone a merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Mattina adjourned the council’s final 2022 meeting.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
When the meeting convened, Mayor Stacey Mattina, Mayor Pro Tem Kenny Parlet and Councilman George Spurr were on the dais, with Councilman Michael Froio absent.
Their first order of business was accepting the certification of the Nov. 8 general election and receiving the resignation letter of Mireya Turner.
Turner resigned in August to accept the Lake County Community Development director job but at that point already had filed to run for a third term. Since she was elected on Nov. 8, she had to once again resign.
Then it was time to bid goodbye to Spurr, who the council had appointed in September to serve out the remaining months of Turner’s unfinished term. He had previously served one term on the council before deciding not to run for reelection and leaving the council at the end of 2020.
Mattina gave Spurr a big wrapped package. “We could not have done this without you,” she said, adding he hadn’t had the easiest meetings during the last few months.
Spurr thanked them before stepping down off the dais.
Mattina, who was elected to her fourth term in November, then went to stand along with new council members Kim Costa and Brandon Disney to take their oaths of office.
The council held a special meeting on Dec. 12 and 13 in order to select two community members to fill the seat Turner had been elected to as well as the seat vacated by Michael Green, who was appointed to the Board of Supervisors.
Costa and Disney, who were selected during that special meeting, will serve two years until the next municipal election in 2024, at which point Froio and Parlet also will be up for election.
After they took their oaths, the three took their seats along with Parlet, who moved to make Mattina mayor for another year. That vote was 4-0.
Parlet also nominated Froio as mayor pro tem, noting he had spoken to him about it and Froio was amenable to filling the role. The council also voted unanimously for that motion.
Also on Tuesday, new Lakeport Fire Chief Patrick Reitz came to the meeting to say hello.
Reitz joined the Lakeport Fire Protection District as chief on Nov. 1.
He said he’s been meeting with City Manager Kevin Ingram and other city staff. “I think that we’re going to make a good team,” Reitz said.
In other business, the council approved professional services agreements with NHA Advisors LLC, part of the city’s finance team, and with the Lake Family Resource Center for the Crisis Intervention Responder Program, and Chief Building Official Bethany Moss updated the council on the Clean Water Program.
There were several announcements about city leadership during Tuesday’s meeting.
As part of the consent agenda, the council approved the first amendment to Ingram’s employment agreement. That amendment gives him a raise of 6% effective on Dec. 6, which will raise his annual salary to $149,295. On July 1, he will receive another 3% increase, giving him an annual salary of $153,774.
During council and staff communications, Ingram reported that Paul Harris, who has been the city’s utilities superintendent, will now be utilities director, and Ron Ladd, who has been Public works superintendent, will now be Public Works director.
Ingram called those title changes “very well deserved” for both men.
He said the council will next meet on Jan. 3, at which time they will discuss council member appointments to various committees.
Disney and his wife are expecting a baby and so he said he will not be able to make that meeting. “We are very excited for you,” said Mattina.
Costa thanked everyone for the warm welcome. She said she is looking forward to the experience on the council, adding that she thinks it will be an “enjoyable adventure.”
Mattina said she is glad to be on the council for another term and grateful to be reelected.
“We have a lot going on in the city. I’m really excited for this next year. It’s going to be busy and fun. I’m glad you guys are along for the ride,” she said.
After wishing everyone a merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Mattina adjourned the council’s final 2022 meeting.
Email Elizabeth Larson at