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LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Lakeport Fire Protection District reported Wednesday that it has named a new chief.
The new chief is Patrick Reitz, who will join the district’s team on Tuesday, Nov. 1.
He succeeds Chief Jeff Thomas, who resigned in May, as Lake County News has reported. Since then, Dan Grebil has served as interim chief.
Reitz is the former fire chief for the Idyllwild Fire Protection District in Idyllwild, California; the city of Sheridan, Wyoming; and the Crooked River Ranch Rural Fire Protection District in Terrebonne, Oregon.
Lakeport Fire said Reitz has served for more than 35 years in emergency services, including experience in fire, emergency medical services, or EMS, and law enforcement in Ohio, Washington, Oregon, Wyoming and California.
Having started as a volunteer firefighter, he has worked with volunteer, career and combination fire and EMS departments and districts; as well as private, volunteer and county EMS services.
In addition, Chief Reitz has worked as an adviser for emergency and disaster planning and preparation, as well as fire and emergency services issues with individuals, organizations and agencies.
Reitz and his wife, Christina, have five children and three grandchildren. They are relocating from Idyllwild, where Christina works for the Post Office and is a commissioner for the Idyllwild Fire Protection District.
The couple has been active in both the community and their church, and is looking forward to getting settled and getting to know the community of Lakeport.
The five-member Lakeport Fire District Board of Directors — appointed by either the Lakeport City Council or the Board of Supervisors — said in the Wednesday statement that it is enthusiastic about bringing on Reitz.
The board cited his extensive background in emergency services and how it will benefit the community with knowledgeable oversight of the fire district.
The Lakeport Fire Protection District provides fire protection and advanced life support ambulance services to Lakeport and surrounding areas.
Career staff includes the fire chief, three captain/paramedics, three firefighter/paramedics, six firefighter/EMT’s, one administrative assistant and one office assistant. The current volunteer firefighter roster is 19.
American voters overwhelmingly say they want government and industry to ensure the products they buy are free of harmful chemicals, and they are willing to pay more for it, according to a national online survey commissioned by the Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment at the University of California, San Francisco.
“At a time when most issues are politically polarized, the issue of keeping people safe from harmful chemicals finds widespread agreement among Democrats, Republicans and Independent voters,” said Celinda Lake, president of Lake Research Partners, which conducted the poll.
The survey of 1,200 registered voters found broad agreement that the government require products to be proven safe before they are put on the market. More than 90% of those surveyed support this requirement and two-thirds strongly agree with these ideas.
The poll of 1,200 registered voters also found:
• 92% of voters agree and 63% of voters strongly agree that the government should require products to be proven safe before companies are allowed to put them on the market.
• 93% of voters agree and 62% strongly agree that companies should do a better job of removing harmful chemicals from consumer products.
• 88% agree that companies should do a better job of removing plastic and plastic packaging from consumer products.
• 76% are concerned about the impact that chemicals and plastics have on climate change.
• 54% say chemical regulations are not strong enough, while 21% say they are about right and 10% say they are too strong.
• 89% support and 56% strongly support the goal of the Toxic Substances Control Act to make it easier to limit or ban harmful chemicals and better protect vulnerable populations like pregnant women, children and people who live near polluting factories.
• 93% agree and 57% strongly agree that it is important to remove harmful chemicals from where we live, work and go to school even if it increases the costs for some products, and similar numbers agree that it is important for companies to keep harmful chemicals out of everyday products, even if it increases costs for some products.
Voters are concerned about all of the chemicals they were asked about in the survey and expressed the most worry about chemicals ingested through water, food and food packaging. Still, they are unsure of how the chemical regulatory system works.
About half (49%) say the chemicals in food and consumer products have been tested for safety, although this is not true.
“People assume that what they buy is safe and that almost always isn’t the case,” said Tracey J. Woodruff, PhD, a professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences, who directs PRHE and the EaRTH Center at UCSF. “The good news is this survey reveals overwhelming support for the government to do a better job of protecting people from harmful chemicals.”
The poll was conducted May 25 to June 5, 2022.
Laura Kurtzman writes for the UCSF News Center.
“At a time when most issues are politically polarized, the issue of keeping people safe from harmful chemicals finds widespread agreement among Democrats, Republicans and Independent voters,” said Celinda Lake, president of Lake Research Partners, which conducted the poll.
The survey of 1,200 registered voters found broad agreement that the government require products to be proven safe before they are put on the market. More than 90% of those surveyed support this requirement and two-thirds strongly agree with these ideas.
The poll of 1,200 registered voters also found:
• 92% of voters agree and 63% of voters strongly agree that the government should require products to be proven safe before companies are allowed to put them on the market.
• 93% of voters agree and 62% strongly agree that companies should do a better job of removing harmful chemicals from consumer products.
• 88% agree that companies should do a better job of removing plastic and plastic packaging from consumer products.
• 76% are concerned about the impact that chemicals and plastics have on climate change.
• 54% say chemical regulations are not strong enough, while 21% say they are about right and 10% say they are too strong.
• 89% support and 56% strongly support the goal of the Toxic Substances Control Act to make it easier to limit or ban harmful chemicals and better protect vulnerable populations like pregnant women, children and people who live near polluting factories.
• 93% agree and 57% strongly agree that it is important to remove harmful chemicals from where we live, work and go to school even if it increases the costs for some products, and similar numbers agree that it is important for companies to keep harmful chemicals out of everyday products, even if it increases costs for some products.
Voters are concerned about all of the chemicals they were asked about in the survey and expressed the most worry about chemicals ingested through water, food and food packaging. Still, they are unsure of how the chemical regulatory system works.
About half (49%) say the chemicals in food and consumer products have been tested for safety, although this is not true.
“People assume that what they buy is safe and that almost always isn’t the case,” said Tracey J. Woodruff, PhD, a professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences, who directs PRHE and the EaRTH Center at UCSF. “The good news is this survey reveals overwhelming support for the government to do a better job of protecting people from harmful chemicals.”
The poll was conducted May 25 to June 5, 2022.
Laura Kurtzman writes for the UCSF News Center.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Since 2004, October has been recognized as Emotional Wellness Month by mental health advocates across the nation.
Social, cultural and political conflict, COVID-19, natural and manmade disasters have made this a stressful, even traumatic time for many.
As the holiday season approaches, it is likewise important to recognize family and community events and gatherings are stressful for some.
“Lake County’s communities are resilient and strong, but it is important to be aware of our emotional wellness, and how critical good mental health is to our overall health,” said Todd Metcalf, director of Lake County Behavioral Health Services.
The National Wellness Institute defines wellness as, “An active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence.”
The institute further breaks down the six dimensions of wellness: emotional, intellectual, physical, occupational, social and spiritual.
Maintaining awareness of our emotions and feelings is key to preparing for challenges, life events, or any situation that can cause emotional imbalance.
Staying focused and paying attention to the here and now, instead of obsessing on the past or being too focused on the future, helps to support emotional well-being and promote general health.
Some ways to support emotional awareness can include:
• Pursuing a hobby;
• Staying connected or creating new social connections;
• Physical exercise and meditation;
• Self-care;
• Laughter.
Paying attention to emotional wellness also makes it easier to deal and cope with behavioral health concerns, such as addiction, depression and stress.
Emotional Wellness Month is a great time to reflect on emotional wellness and encourage others to do the same.
For more information, please contact Lake County Behavioral Health Services at 707-274-9101 or 707-994-7090.
Social, cultural and political conflict, COVID-19, natural and manmade disasters have made this a stressful, even traumatic time for many.
As the holiday season approaches, it is likewise important to recognize family and community events and gatherings are stressful for some.
“Lake County’s communities are resilient and strong, but it is important to be aware of our emotional wellness, and how critical good mental health is to our overall health,” said Todd Metcalf, director of Lake County Behavioral Health Services.
The National Wellness Institute defines wellness as, “An active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence.”
The institute further breaks down the six dimensions of wellness: emotional, intellectual, physical, occupational, social and spiritual.
Maintaining awareness of our emotions and feelings is key to preparing for challenges, life events, or any situation that can cause emotional imbalance.
Staying focused and paying attention to the here and now, instead of obsessing on the past or being too focused on the future, helps to support emotional well-being and promote general health.
Some ways to support emotional awareness can include:
• Pursuing a hobby;
• Staying connected or creating new social connections;
• Physical exercise and meditation;
• Self-care;
• Laughter.
Paying attention to emotional wellness also makes it easier to deal and cope with behavioral health concerns, such as addiction, depression and stress.
Emotional Wellness Month is a great time to reflect on emotional wellness and encourage others to do the same.
For more information, please contact Lake County Behavioral Health Services at 707-274-9101 or 707-994-7090.
NORTH COAST, Calif. — The Bureau of Land Management and partners from the off-highway vehicle, or OHV, community are holding a free South Cow Mountain OHV Safety Event for the public at the South Cow Mountain OHV Management Area, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 15, to promote safe and responsible recreation.
"OHV recreation can be an exhilarating and exciting experience for novice and seasoned enthusiasts alike,” said Ukiah Field Manager Nick Lavrov. "Critical to the sport, we ask the public to make safety a priority and recreate responsibly to preserve the amazing landscapes and create the best rides for now and future generations in the years to come."
The event will start at the Westside Staging Area with a safety clinic that is focused on responsible operation of an off-highway vehicle.
Topics will cover “Know before you go” principles, and how to be safe while on the trail. Visitors may also enjoy visiting the Leave No Trace, TREAD Lightly! and other trail etiquette booths with outdoor activities throughout the day.
The South Cow Mountain OHV Management Area encompasses roughly 23,000 acres of public lands challenging motorcyclists, all-terrain vehicle drivers, and four-wheel drive enthusiasts.
For questions on the safety clinic, please contact Ashley Poggio atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
South Cow Mountain OHV Management Area will remain open to the public during the event.
For more information and directions to the South Cow Mountain OHV Management Area, visit the webpage here.
For other information, or to request reasonable accommodations to participate, please contact the Ukiah Field Office at 707-468-4000.
"OHV recreation can be an exhilarating and exciting experience for novice and seasoned enthusiasts alike,” said Ukiah Field Manager Nick Lavrov. "Critical to the sport, we ask the public to make safety a priority and recreate responsibly to preserve the amazing landscapes and create the best rides for now and future generations in the years to come."
The event will start at the Westside Staging Area with a safety clinic that is focused on responsible operation of an off-highway vehicle.
Topics will cover “Know before you go” principles, and how to be safe while on the trail. Visitors may also enjoy visiting the Leave No Trace, TREAD Lightly! and other trail etiquette booths with outdoor activities throughout the day.
The South Cow Mountain OHV Management Area encompasses roughly 23,000 acres of public lands challenging motorcyclists, all-terrain vehicle drivers, and four-wheel drive enthusiasts.
For questions on the safety clinic, please contact Ashley Poggio at
South Cow Mountain OHV Management Area will remain open to the public during the event.
For more information and directions to the South Cow Mountain OHV Management Area, visit the webpage here.
For other information, or to request reasonable accommodations to participate, please contact the Ukiah Field Office at 707-468-4000.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Police are investigating the death of a teenager that occurred earlier this week.
The Clearlake Police Department said that its officers responded to the area of Mullen Avenue and Valley Avenue at 3 a.m. Monday on the report of an injured person lying in the roadway.
When the officers arrived, they found a 17-year-old male, dead from a gunshot wound, the department reported.
Shortly before 3:30 a.m. that day, the department issued an advisory notifying the public of police activity on Valley Avenue between Mullen and Lasky avenues and asking them to please avoid the area.
The department said its detectives responded to the scene and have been actively investigating the shooting.
Further information regarding the circumstances are not being released at this time as the investigation is ongoing.
If you have any information regarding this investigation, please contact Det. Trevor Franklin by email atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at 707-994-8251, Extension 321.
The Clearlake Police Department said that its officers responded to the area of Mullen Avenue and Valley Avenue at 3 a.m. Monday on the report of an injured person lying in the roadway.
When the officers arrived, they found a 17-year-old male, dead from a gunshot wound, the department reported.
Shortly before 3:30 a.m. that day, the department issued an advisory notifying the public of police activity on Valley Avenue between Mullen and Lasky avenues and asking them to please avoid the area.
The department said its detectives responded to the scene and have been actively investigating the shooting.
Further information regarding the circumstances are not being released at this time as the investigation is ongoing.
If you have any information regarding this investigation, please contact Det. Trevor Franklin by email at
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. — The Middletown Area Town Hall this week will host a visit from Congressman Mike Thompson and school board candidates.
MATH will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, in the Middletown Community Meeting Room/Library at 21256 Washington St., Middletown. The meeting is open to the public.
To join the meeting via Zoom click on this link; the meeting ID is 659 964 1209. Call in at 669-900-6833.
At 7:05 p.m., Congressman Thompson will be the guest speaker. He is expected to attend via Zoom.
He is running for reelection this November. Redistricting has placed all of Lake County back in one district, California Congressional District 4.
At 7:50 p.m., MATH will host a forum for Middletown Unified School District Board candidates.
Those confirmed to speak include Allison Berlogar, appointed incumbent; Annette Lee, interim dean of Woodland Community College’s Lake County Campus; Chris Ochs, appointed incumbent and school facilities director for Calistoga Joint Unified School District; Larry Allen, incumbent and retired teacher; and Hank Lescher, retired business owner. MATH reported that Eileen Anderson has dropped out of the race.
In business items, scheduled for 8:45 p.m., MATH will discuss the September meeting minutes, correspondence and board nominations for 2023.
The MATH Board includes Chair Monica Rosenthal, Vice Chair Ken Gonzalez, Secretary Todd Fiora, Rosemary Córdova and Bill Waite.
MATH — established by resolution of the Lake County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 12, 2006 — is a municipal advisory council serving the residents of Anderson Springs, Cobb, Coyote Valley (including Hidden Valley Lake), Long Valley and Middletown.
For more information emailThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
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.
MATH will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, in the Middletown Community Meeting Room/Library at 21256 Washington St., Middletown. The meeting is open to the public.
To join the meeting via Zoom click on this link; the meeting ID is 659 964 1209. Call in at 669-900-6833.
At 7:05 p.m., Congressman Thompson will be the guest speaker. He is expected to attend via Zoom.
He is running for reelection this November. Redistricting has placed all of Lake County back in one district, California Congressional District 4.
At 7:50 p.m., MATH will host a forum for Middletown Unified School District Board candidates.
Those confirmed to speak include Allison Berlogar, appointed incumbent; Annette Lee, interim dean of Woodland Community College’s Lake County Campus; Chris Ochs, appointed incumbent and school facilities director for Calistoga Joint Unified School District; Larry Allen, incumbent and retired teacher; and Hank Lescher, retired business owner. MATH reported that Eileen Anderson has dropped out of the race.
In business items, scheduled for 8:45 p.m., MATH will discuss the September meeting minutes, correspondence and board nominations for 2023.
The MATH Board includes Chair Monica Rosenthal, Vice Chair Ken Gonzalez, Secretary Todd Fiora, Rosemary Córdova and Bill Waite.
MATH — established by resolution of the Lake County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 12, 2006 — is a municipal advisory council serving the residents of Anderson Springs, Cobb, Coyote Valley (including Hidden Valley Lake), Long Valley and Middletown.
For more information email
Email Elizabeth Larson at