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UPPER LAKE, Calif. — The Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake today announced the Tribe has been awarded a $2.24 million grant from FEMA under its Next Generation Warning System program.

This major investment will fund a comprehensive and cutting-edge emergency alert system to protect both tribal members and the broader Northern Lake County during emergencies, especially wildfires.

“This state-of-the-art system represents a new era in emergency communication for our region, helping us build a robust, modern warning system capable of saving lives. This initiative is a vital step forward not only for our Tribe, but for the safety and resilience of the entire Upper Lake region,” said Habematolel Pomo Chairwoman Danielle Cirelli.

With this grant funding, the tribe will be able to fund and support installation of three IPAWS-compatible giant-voice sirens at strategic locations in Northern Lake County.

The grant also will cover integration with NOAA Weather Radio enhancements to deliver real-time weather and emergency information and deployment of a satellite-based alert pathway for full system redundancy and reliability.

In addition, the grant will enable the implementation of the Everbridge 360 Public Safety Communications platform, which pushes alerts to mobile devices, email, radio, TV, social media and other communication channels — similar to AMBER alerts.

The tribe reported that it will leverage Everbridge’s platform, the same platform used by the U.S. Department of Defense, to bring some of the most advanced emergency alert capabilities ever deployed in Northern California.

The Habematolel Pomo worked closely with Everbridge representatives to ensure the system meets the highest standards in emergency preparedness.

Millions of Californians could soon lose important food benefits due to the shutdown of the federal government.

On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the federal government shutdown — which he blamed on President Trump — will likely delay food benefits for millions of Californians who rely on CalFresh cards to feed themselves and their families.

If President Trump and Congress do not reopen the federal government by Oct. 23, or take action to fund benefits, CalFresh benefits will likely be delayed in November, Newsom’s office said.

On Monday afternoon, the California Department of Social Services began notifying all counties across the Golden State to prepare for this impact.

SNAP benefits are primarily 100 percent federally funded and support roughly 5.5 million Californians — who will begin to be notified as early as this week about the potential benefit delay.

In addition to the federally funded CalFresh benefits, some state funded food benefits will also be impacted.

This disastrous and harmful impact comes as the MAGA majority in Congress have allowed Trump’s shutdown to continue for one month.

“Trump’s failure to open the federal government is now endangering people’s lives and making basic needs like food more expensive — just as the holidays arrive. It is long past time for Republicans in Congress to grow a spine, stand up to Trump, and deliver for the American people,” said Newsom.

This potential delay in food benefits — which Newsom’s office called “devastating” — comes as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, likely meaning many could now go hungry during the holidays and putting further stress on local food banks.

In California, 63.2% of SNAP participants are children or elderly.

“Government should be measured by how we protect people’s lives, their health, and their well-being. Parents and caregivers should not be forced to choose between buying groceries or paying bills. While the GOP tries to tally political wins in Washington, hardworking Americans are facing bare cupboards and counting what’s left to eat. That is unacceptable,” said First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom.

The federal government has directed states to hold November 2025 benefit data that would normally allow CalFresh funds to be allocated to persons with CalFresh benefit cards.

This impact is immediate and is first affecting persons newly enrolling in CalFresh during the second half of October and then all enrollees if the shutdown lasts longer than Oct. 23.

“The longer this Trump initiated shutdown goes, the more likely additional programs will be impacted and more Californians will feel the devastating and disastrous consequences of Trump’s federal government shutdown,” the Governor’s Office said in the Monday statement.

Halloween is a fun, scary time for children and adults alike – but why does the holiday seem to start so much earlier every year? Decades ago, when I was young, Halloween was a much smaller affair, and people didn’t start preparing until mid-October. Today, in my neighborhood near where I grew up in Massachusetts, Halloween decorations start appearing in the middle of summer.

What’s changed isn’t just when we celebrate but how: Halloween has evolved from a simple folk tradition to a massive commercial event. As a business school professor who has studied the economics of holidays for years, I’m astounded by how the business of Halloween has grown. And understanding why it’s such big business may help explain why it’s creeping earlier and earlier.

The business of Halloween

Halloween’s roots lie in a Celtic holiday honoring the dead, later adapted by the Catholic Church as a time to remember saints. Today it’s largely a secular celebration – one that gives people from all backgrounds a chance to dress up, engage in fantasy and safely confront their fears.

That broad appeal has fueled explosive growth. The National Retail Federation has surveyed Americans about their Halloween plans each September since 2005. Back then, slightly more than half of Americans said they planned to celebrate. In 2025, nearly three-quarters said they would – a huge jump in 20 years.

And people are planning to shell out more money than ever. Total spending on Halloween is expected to reach a record US$13 billion this year, according to the federation – an almost fourfold increase over the past two decades. Adjusting for inflation and population growth, I found that the average American will spend an expected $38 on Halloween this year – up from just $18 per person back in 2005. That’s a lot of candy corn.

Candy imports show a similar trend. September has long been the key month for the candy trade, with imports about one-fifth higher than during the rest of the year. Back in September 2005, the U.S. imported about $250 million of the sweet stuff. In September 2024, that figure had tripled to about $750 million.

This is part of a larger trend of Halloween becoming a lot more professionalized. For example, when I was a kid, it wasn’t unusual for households to pass out brownies, candied apples and other homemade treats to trick-or-treaters. But because of safety concerns and food allergies, for decades Americans have been warned to stick to mass-produced, individually wrapped candies.

The same shift has happened with costumes. Years ago, many people made their own; today, store-bought costumes dominate — even for pets.

Why Halloween keeps creeping earlier

While there’s no definitive research establishing why Halloween seems to start earlier each year, the increase in spending is one major driver.

Halloween items are seasonal, which means no one wants to buy giant plastic skeletons on Nov. 1. As total spending grows, retailers order more inventory, and the cost of storing ever-larger amounts of unsold items until the next year becomes a bigger consideration.

Once a season’s commercial footprint becomes large enough, retailers begin ordering and displaying merchandise long before it’s actually needed. For example, winter coats start appearing in stores in early fall and are typically gone when the snow starts falling. It’s the same with Halloween: Retailers put out merchandise early to ensure they’re not stuck with unsold goods once the season is over.

They also often price strategically – charging full price when items first hit the shelves, appealing to eager early shoppers, and then marking down prices closer to the holiday. This clears shelves and warehouses, making room for the next upcoming shopping season.

Over the past two decades, Halloween has become an ever-bigger commercial holiday. The growth in people enjoying the holiday and the increase in spending has resulted in Halloween becoming one giant treat for businesses. The big trick for retailers is preventing this holiday from starting before the Fourth of July.

Jay L. Zagorsky, Associate Professor Questrom School of Business, Boston University

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

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Board of Supervisors will consider a proposal to enter into an agreement for community choice aggregation for power and a proposal for a working group with tribes on comanagement of Clear Lake when it meets on Tuesday morning.

The‌ ‌board will meet beginning ‌at‌ ‌9‌ ‌a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, 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 865 3354 4962, ‌pass code 726865.‌ ‌The meeting also can be accessed via one tap mobile at +16694449171,,86533544962#,,,,*726865#. The meeting can also be accessed via phone at 669 900 6833.

At 9:15 a.m., the board will hold a public hearing to consider an ordinance authorizing the implementation of a Community Choice Aggregation Program by participating with the Sonoma Clean Power Authority.

The program is anticipated to help county residents save money on their power bills.

As part of the discussions, the supervisors also will consider a resolution requesting that the Sonoma Clean Power Authority act as community choice aggregator on behalf of the county and implement the Sonoma Clean Power Community Choice Aggregation Program within the county along with a resolution establishing county membership in the Sonoma-Lake-Mendocino Geothermal Opportunity Zone.

The Lakeport City Council is due to consider the Sonoma Clean Power proposal at its meeting on Tuesday evening. The Clearlake City Council voted not to participate at its meeting earlier this month.

Among the other timed items, at 9:25 a.m. the board will receive a presentation by the Lake Area Planning Council on the Wildfire Preparedness and Evacuation Plan.

At 11 a.m., the board will consider creation of a working group to discuss comanagement of Clear Lake and direction to staff to develop a draft comanagement agreement for the consideration by the board.

In untimed items, the supervisors will consider an update to the Lake County Library Collection Development Policy and the quarterly report of construction contract change orders approved under delegation of authority to the Public Services Director for the Lake County Sheriff Administration Facility Renovation Project.

The full agenda follows.

CONSENT AGENDA

5.1: (a) Approve agreement between the County of Lake and Lake County Chamber of Commerce for visitor information services and marketing support in the amount of $34,000 and authorize the chair to sign; and (b) approve agreement between the County of Lake and the Lake County Economic Development Corporation for entrepreneurial support services and event programming in the amount of $26,000 and authorize the chair to sign.

5.2: Approve travel exceeding 1,500 miles to Tampa, Florida, and associated costs for Assistant County Administrative Officer Stephen Carter to attend the International City/County Management Association Annual Conference from Oct. 23–29, 2025, in an amount not to exceed $5,200.

5.3: Approve travel exceeding 1,500 miles to Washington, D.C., and any associated costs for Supervisor Jessica Pyska to attend the NACo Disaster Fly-In and Meeting Oct. 27–30, 2025.

5.4: Adopt resolution approving Agreement No. 25-0431-025-SF with the California Department of Food and Agriculture for compliance with the Sudden Oak Death Quarantine Program for the period July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.

5.5: Approve reissuance of property tax refund check from FY 2022–23 in the amount of $70.22 to Elijah Mekwunye.

5.6: Approve update to the bylaws of the Middletown Area Town Hall (MATH).

5.7: Approve Board of Supervisors meeting minutes for Sept. 9, 2025, and Oct. 7, 2025.

5.8: (a) Waive the formal bidding requirement; and (b) authorize the IT director to issue a purchase order to Carahsoft Technology Corp. for Center for Internet Security’s endpoint security service in the amount of $100,932.

5.9: Approve the General Services Agreement between the County of Lake and Bridges Restoration LLC (doing business as West Coast Fire and Water) for emergency remediation and restoration services, and authorize the chair to sign.

5.10: Approve amended and restated Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement between Sutter, Nevada, Yuba, Colusa and Lake counties, and the cities of Live Oak, Yuba City and Colusa, for the purpose of creating a regional housing authority, and authorize the chair to sign.

5.11: Approve contract between the County of Lake and Redwood Community Services Inc. for wraparound services in the amount of $485,000 per fiscal year from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028, and authorize the chair to sign.

TIMED ITEMS

6.2, 9:03 a.m.: Pet of the Week.

6.3, 9:04 a.m.: New and noteworthy at the library.

6.4, 9:05 a.m.: Consideration of a federal update from Paragon Government Relations.

6.5, 9:15 a.m.: Public hearing — (a) Consideration of an ordinance authorizing the implementation of a Community Choice Aggregation Program by participating with the Sonoma Clean Power Authority; (b) consideration of a resolution requesting that the Sonoma Clean Power Authority act as community choice aggregator on behalf of the county and implement the Sonoma Clean Power Community Choice Aggregation Program within the county; and (c) consideration of a resolution establishing county membership in the Sonoma-Lake-Mendocino Geothermal Opportunity Zone.

6.6, 9:25 a.m.: Presentation by the Lake Area Planning Council on the Wildfire Preparedness and Evacuation Plan.

6.7, 9:30 a.m.: Public hearing — Consideration of appeal (PL-25-198) of Planning Commission’s approval of Major Use Permit (PL-25-68) for (UP 23-09), Poverty Flats Ranch / Kurt and Robert Barthel; location: 10535 High Valley Road, Clearlake Oaks (APN: 006-004-22); appellant: Maria Kann and Associates.

6.8, 11 a.m.: Consideration of creation of a working group to discuss comanagement of Clear Lake and direction to staff to develop a draft comanagement agreement for the consideration of the Lake County Board of Supervisors.

6.9, 11:30 a.m.: Consideration of presentation giving an update on the invasive Mediterranean oak borer in Lake County.

6.10, 1 p.m.: Consideration of presentation and discussion of the draft Climate Adaptation Plan.

6.11, 1:30 p.m.: (a) Consideration of resolution adopting the Lake County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan; and (b) consideration to accept and adopt the Lake County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.

UNTIMED ITEMS

7.2: Consideration of the establishment of an ad hoc committee regarding the Public Works Department.

7.3: Consideration of a letter of support for Sutter Lakeside Hospital’s Proposition 1 Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Funding proposal for its Crisis Stabilization Unit Project.

7.4: Consideration of proposed 2026 Board of Supervisors regular meeting calendar.

7.5: Consideration of agreement between the County of Lake and Sacramento Behavioral Healthcare Hospital LLC for acute inpatient psychiatric hospital services and professional services associated with acute inpatient psychiatric hospitalizations for fiscal year 2025–26.

7.6: Consideration of agreement between the county of Lake and Vista Pacifica Enterprises Inc. for adult residential support services and specialty mental health services in the amount of $750,000 for fiscal year 2025–26.

7.7: Consideration of the following advisory board appointments: Mental Health Advisory Board, Central Region Town Hall (CeRTH), and First 5 Commission.

7.8: Consideration of ordinance adopting Development Agreement 24-01 for the Guenoc Valley Mixed Use Planned Development Project as amended.

7.9: Consideration of approval for Lake County Health Services to accept donations of up to $9,999 until June 30, 2026, in accordance with the county’s donation policy.

7.10: Consideration of approval to accept $100,000 in funding from Partnership HealthPlan of California to be utilized over three years to support implementation of the Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan process.

7.11: Consideration of update to the Lake County Library Collection Development Policy.

7.12: Consideration of quarterly report of construction contract change orders approved under delegation of authority to the Public Services Director for the Lake County Sheriff Administration Facility Renovation Project.

7.13: Consideration of Amendment Eight to agreement between the county of Lake and Consor for final design and right-of-way services for the South Main Street and Soda Bay Road Corridor Improvement Project.

7.14: (a) Consideration of the June 30, 2025, report of Lake County pooled investments; and (b) consideration of the Sept. 30, 2025, report of Lake County pooled investments.

CLOSED SESSION

8.1: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(d)(1) — FERC Proceeding No. P-77, Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project.

8.2: Conference with legal counsel: Decision whether to initiate litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(d)(4): One potential case.

8.3: Public employee discipline/dismissal/release.

8.4: Sitting as the Board of Directors of the Lake County IHSS Public Authority: Conference with (a) Chief Negotiator M. Long, County Negotiator R. Dillman Parsons, A. Schimansky, and K. Page; and (b) employee organization: Service Employees International Union, Local 2015.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, and on Bluesky, @erlarson.bsky.social. Find Lake County News on the following platforms: Facebook, @LakeCoNews; X, @LakeCoNews; Threads, @lakeconews, and on Bluesky, @lakeconews.bsky.social.

LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Lakeport City Council this week will consider signing on to an agreement with Sonoma Clean Power for community choice aggregation, a plan that officials believe will offer benefits including saving city residents money on their power bills.

The council will meet Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

The agenda can be found here.

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, Oct. 21.

One of the main items on the agenda is consideration of joining Sonoma Clean Power.

The council will discuss the adoption of a resolution requesting that the Sonoma Clean Power Authority act as the community choice aggregator for the city.

The council also will introduce and waive the first reading of the ordinance authorizing the
implementation of a Community Choice Aggregation Program within the city and approving the city’s participation in the Sonoma Clean Power Joint Powers Authority.

City Manager Kevin Ingram’s report to the council explained, “Sonoma Clean Power (SCP) is a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) program — a public, not-for-profit agency
that purchases electricity generation on behalf of customers in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties, while Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) continues to own, maintain, and operate the poles, wires, and substations of the power grid. There are currently 25 operational CCA programs in California, serving more than 14 million customers statewide.”

Ingram said staff is recommending approval of resolution and ordinance needed to move forward.

“Beyond potential cost savings, City staff views the customer advocacy and service component of SCP as a significant public benefit. SCP provides direct support to residents and local businesses struggling with high and fluctuating electric bills, offering personalized assistance to navigate complex rate structures and identify the most cost-effective plans for their specific needs. This service—often lacking under traditional investor-owned utility models—represents a substantial value to the Lakeport community and aligns with the City’s ongoing efforts to support local economic resilience,” Ingram wrote.

Also on Tuesday, the council will get a presentation by the Lake County Community Development Department on the proposed climate action plan, consider amendments to extend by one year a contract for an on-call consultant, discuss the adoption of a resolution to amend the annual budget for fiscal year 2025-26 to authorize the transfer and appropriation of unreserved fund balance, and review and file the fourth quarter 2024-25 financial update.

On the consent agenda — items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote — are ordinances; minutes of the City Council’s regular meeting on Sept. 16, special meeting of Sept. 30 and special joint meeting of Sept. 30; the Sept. 22 warrant register; approval of a resolution rescinding Resolution 2996 (2025) and revising the master pay
schedule in conformance with California Code of Regulations, Title 2, Section 570.5.; adoption of the resolution accepting construction of the 2024 Water & Sewer Main Replacement Project, by Ghilotti Construction Co. and authorization for the filing of the notice of completion; repeal and replacement of Resolution No. 3000 (2025), entering into a funding agreement
with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, accepting grant funds and authorizing the city manager or Public Works director to execute all documents for the Oil Spill Response Equipment Staging Grant, Lake County; and approval of application 2025-046, with staff recommendations, for voter parking.

The council also will hold a closed session for labor negotiations with the city manager.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Lake County Animal Care and Control has several young cats and kittens waiting for the right families to come and take them home.

The kittens and cats at the shelter that are shown on this page have been cleared for adoption.

Call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278 or visit the shelter online for information on visiting or adopting.

The shelter is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport.