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Warning: This story includes graphic descriptions of child abuse.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A man with a history of child abuse who was convicted of the 1990 beating death of his girlfriend’s young child has been denied parole.
On Tuesday, the Board of Parole Hearings denied parole for convicted murderer and child abuser Leonard Scott Snider, 61, a prior resident of Kelseyville, Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff reported.
Deputy District Attorney Art Grothe attended the lifer hearing to argue against Snider’s release.
Hinchcliff said Snider was found guilty by a jury on Aug. 31, 1990, of the first degree murder of a 3 and a half year old Lakeport boy, and felony child abuse of another young boy, and sentenced to 31 years to life.
Snider was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Robert L. Crone Jr. and originally prosecuted by District Attorney Stephen O. Hedstrom.
According to investigation reports, between 1988 and 1990 Snider was involved in several incidents of domestic violence against his girlfriends, including threats and physical violence.
The 8-year-old son of one of Snider’s girlfriends, during a 1990 interview, reported to a district attorney investigator that Snider had been abusing him for a long time.
The victim reported being beaten by Snider many times, including beating him against a wall, slapping him, placing him in steaming hot water in a bathtub numerous times, smashing his face into things, giving him a black eye, kicking him in the groin with hiking boots, holding his head under water, pulling hair out of his head, tying a rope around his neck so he had difficulty breathing, and repeatedly beating, bruising and threatening the victim.
The child victim also reported Snider put a rubber band around the child’s genitals and repeatedly snapped it while covering the victim’s mouth so he could not scream.
On April 7, 1990, sheriff’s deputies and Lakeport Police responded to the hospital in Lakeport regarding a 3 and a half old boy, the son of Snider’s new girlfriend at the time, who was dying from severe trauma. Snider initially claimed that the boy had fallen off of a deck and injured himself.
Doctors at the UC Davis Medical Center determined the child had died from blunt force trauma to the head. At the time the child had severe bruising to his body, cerebral trauma and swelling, scars on his body, scarring of his genitals, burns on his legs, and a fractured arm.
Police responded to the child’s home on Sixth Street in Lakeport and found several areas of blood inside the house.
During the investigation Snider finally admitted he lost it and spanked the child too hard. During the investigation an adult relative of the child advised investigators she had previously witnessed Snider beating the child, and had seen severe bruising to the child and chunks of hair missing from the child’s head. When asked at the time the child said Snider caused the injuries.
During a post-conviction interview Snider claimed that both children loved him, he loved them and he was like a father figure to the children. Snider blamed the child’s mother for the death and denied abusing the children.
In an October 2012 interview in prison Snider continued to deny committing any child abuse and claimed he was wrongfully incriminated. During his time in prison Snider has had disciplinary problems.
At this week’s hearing the parole commissioners issued a five-year denial of parole, and Snider’s next parole hearing will be some time in 2027.
Hinchcliff said the Lake County District Attorney’s Office attends all parole hearings for inmates convicted in Lake County and receiving life sentences, and will be at Snider’s next hearing to oppose parole.
Because of changes in recent years to sentencing laws by voters and elected state representatives, punishment for serious and violent felons has become much more lenient, and inmates convicted of murder and other serious crimes that receive “life” sentences are becoming eligible for parole at earlier dates, and are receiving more frequent parole hearings, Hinchcliff said.
Not too long ago the Lake County District Attorney’s Office would only have one or two parole hearings per year, Hinchcliff said. Now it is common for the District Attorney’s Office to attend a half dozen or more hearings each year.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A man with a history of child abuse who was convicted of the 1990 beating death of his girlfriend’s young child has been denied parole.
On Tuesday, the Board of Parole Hearings denied parole for convicted murderer and child abuser Leonard Scott Snider, 61, a prior resident of Kelseyville, Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff reported.
Deputy District Attorney Art Grothe attended the lifer hearing to argue against Snider’s release.
Hinchcliff said Snider was found guilty by a jury on Aug. 31, 1990, of the first degree murder of a 3 and a half year old Lakeport boy, and felony child abuse of another young boy, and sentenced to 31 years to life.
Snider was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Robert L. Crone Jr. and originally prosecuted by District Attorney Stephen O. Hedstrom.
According to investigation reports, between 1988 and 1990 Snider was involved in several incidents of domestic violence against his girlfriends, including threats and physical violence.
The 8-year-old son of one of Snider’s girlfriends, during a 1990 interview, reported to a district attorney investigator that Snider had been abusing him for a long time.
The victim reported being beaten by Snider many times, including beating him against a wall, slapping him, placing him in steaming hot water in a bathtub numerous times, smashing his face into things, giving him a black eye, kicking him in the groin with hiking boots, holding his head under water, pulling hair out of his head, tying a rope around his neck so he had difficulty breathing, and repeatedly beating, bruising and threatening the victim.
The child victim also reported Snider put a rubber band around the child’s genitals and repeatedly snapped it while covering the victim’s mouth so he could not scream.
On April 7, 1990, sheriff’s deputies and Lakeport Police responded to the hospital in Lakeport regarding a 3 and a half old boy, the son of Snider’s new girlfriend at the time, who was dying from severe trauma. Snider initially claimed that the boy had fallen off of a deck and injured himself.
Doctors at the UC Davis Medical Center determined the child had died from blunt force trauma to the head. At the time the child had severe bruising to his body, cerebral trauma and swelling, scars on his body, scarring of his genitals, burns on his legs, and a fractured arm.
Police responded to the child’s home on Sixth Street in Lakeport and found several areas of blood inside the house.
During the investigation Snider finally admitted he lost it and spanked the child too hard. During the investigation an adult relative of the child advised investigators she had previously witnessed Snider beating the child, and had seen severe bruising to the child and chunks of hair missing from the child’s head. When asked at the time the child said Snider caused the injuries.
During a post-conviction interview Snider claimed that both children loved him, he loved them and he was like a father figure to the children. Snider blamed the child’s mother for the death and denied abusing the children.
In an October 2012 interview in prison Snider continued to deny committing any child abuse and claimed he was wrongfully incriminated. During his time in prison Snider has had disciplinary problems.
At this week’s hearing the parole commissioners issued a five-year denial of parole, and Snider’s next parole hearing will be some time in 2027.
Hinchcliff said the Lake County District Attorney’s Office attends all parole hearings for inmates convicted in Lake County and receiving life sentences, and will be at Snider’s next hearing to oppose parole.
Because of changes in recent years to sentencing laws by voters and elected state representatives, punishment for serious and violent felons has become much more lenient, and inmates convicted of murder and other serious crimes that receive “life” sentences are becoming eligible for parole at earlier dates, and are receiving more frequent parole hearings, Hinchcliff said.
Not too long ago the Lake County District Attorney’s Office would only have one or two parole hearings per year, Hinchcliff said. Now it is common for the District Attorney’s Office to attend a half dozen or more hearings each year.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder estimates 6% of people in the United States will experience PTSD at some point in their lifetime; approximately 12 million U.S. adults experience PTSD each year.
In 2010, the U.S. Senate declared June 27 National Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day, and the entire month of June was designated National PTSD Awareness Month in 2014.
If you think you, or someone you know, has PTSD, you are not alone, and Lake County Behavioral Health Services wants to ensure you have access to information resources and supports.
Self-care and learning to identify indicators of PTSD in ourselves and loved ones are essential to ensuring people affected by this prevalent condition receive appropriate resources and treatment.
Unfortunately, most people who have PTSD do not get the help they need.
Post-traumatic stress disorder can affect individuals at any age. It is defined by the American Psychological Association as, “an anxiety problem that develops in some people after extremely traumatic events.”
PTSD can result from going through or seeing a life-threatening event. Stress reactions in response to these types of events are expected, and most people begin to feel better, in time. PTSD can result in recurrent dreams about the trauma, disturbances in relationships, irritability, anger and isolation.
As the weather grows warmer and drier, Lake County residents may be reminded of the fire disasters we have experienced.
“Although we are a strong and resilient community, it is important to be aware of our mental health, and how critical good mental health is to our overall health,” said Todd Metcalf, director of Lake County Behavioral Health Services. “It’s okay to not be OK. However, seeking appropriate help and support when struggling with PTSD, or any other mental health issue, is critical to proper management.”
Treatments are available that can assist individuals suffering from PTSD. Options include different types of trauma-informed therapy, as well as medications designed to help manage symptoms.
Many find the American Psychological Association’s “How Do I Know if I need Therapy?” resource a helpful guide.
Supports and treatment for people affected by PTSD are available right here in Lake County.
For more information, contact Lake County Behavioral Health Services at 707-274-9101 or 707-994-7090.
In 2010, the U.S. Senate declared June 27 National Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day, and the entire month of June was designated National PTSD Awareness Month in 2014.
If you think you, or someone you know, has PTSD, you are not alone, and Lake County Behavioral Health Services wants to ensure you have access to information resources and supports.
Self-care and learning to identify indicators of PTSD in ourselves and loved ones are essential to ensuring people affected by this prevalent condition receive appropriate resources and treatment.
Unfortunately, most people who have PTSD do not get the help they need.
Post-traumatic stress disorder can affect individuals at any age. It is defined by the American Psychological Association as, “an anxiety problem that develops in some people after extremely traumatic events.”
PTSD can result from going through or seeing a life-threatening event. Stress reactions in response to these types of events are expected, and most people begin to feel better, in time. PTSD can result in recurrent dreams about the trauma, disturbances in relationships, irritability, anger and isolation.
As the weather grows warmer and drier, Lake County residents may be reminded of the fire disasters we have experienced.
“Although we are a strong and resilient community, it is important to be aware of our mental health, and how critical good mental health is to our overall health,” said Todd Metcalf, director of Lake County Behavioral Health Services. “It’s okay to not be OK. However, seeking appropriate help and support when struggling with PTSD, or any other mental health issue, is critical to proper management.”
Treatments are available that can assist individuals suffering from PTSD. Options include different types of trauma-informed therapy, as well as medications designed to help manage symptoms.
Many find the American Psychological Association’s “How Do I Know if I need Therapy?” resource a helpful guide.
Supports and treatment for people affected by PTSD are available right here in Lake County.
For more information, contact Lake County Behavioral Health Services at 707-274-9101 or 707-994-7090.
The California Highway Patrol is embarking on a multiyear recruiting campaign to fill 1,000 vacant officer positions by hiring qualified individuals from California’s diverse communities.
The “Join the CHP 1,000” campaign is the Department’s attempt to appeal to a wide array of prospective applicants who may not be aware of the life-changing opportunity that awaits with a career with the CHP.
“To meet the increasing demand for our services throughout the state, over the next few years our law enforcement family will be growing exponentially,” said CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray. “We are excited to welcome new members to the team so that the CHP can continue to provide the level of service the public has come to expect.”
To qualify as a CHP cadet, applicants must be a United States citizen or a permanent resident who has applied for citizenship, be between the ages of 20 and 35, possess a high school diploma or equivalent, be able to pass a physical abilities test and written exam, and complete a thorough background check with no felony convictions on record.
“It requires a special kind of character and special brand of bravery to be a California Highway Patrol Officer,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom. “Our entire way of life — our freedoms, our peace, our pursuit of happiness — depends on those fearless, faithful few determined to protect it. I look forward to welcoming the next set of officers committing to serve California.”
A career with the CHP includes paid training. Cadets earn a salary of $5,563 each month throughout their 26 weeks at the CHP Academy in West Sacramento.
After graduation, new officers are assigned to communities throughout California and can expect to earn more than $100,000 in their first year with the department.
“Anyone who may be wondering if they have what it takes to become a CHP officer, let me be the first to tell you that you do,” added Commissioner Ray. “If you are compassionate, driven to serve, and have a desire to learn, the CHP provides some of the best law enforcement training in the world and we will do all we can to ensure your success.”
Joining the CHP family is an opportunity to be the change and make a difference in the community and the lives of those you serve.
For more information about the “Join the CHP 1,000” or to apply, visit www.chpcareers.com or call the statewide Recruitment Unit at 916-843-4300 today.
The “Join the CHP 1,000” campaign is the Department’s attempt to appeal to a wide array of prospective applicants who may not be aware of the life-changing opportunity that awaits with a career with the CHP.
“To meet the increasing demand for our services throughout the state, over the next few years our law enforcement family will be growing exponentially,” said CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray. “We are excited to welcome new members to the team so that the CHP can continue to provide the level of service the public has come to expect.”
To qualify as a CHP cadet, applicants must be a United States citizen or a permanent resident who has applied for citizenship, be between the ages of 20 and 35, possess a high school diploma or equivalent, be able to pass a physical abilities test and written exam, and complete a thorough background check with no felony convictions on record.
“It requires a special kind of character and special brand of bravery to be a California Highway Patrol Officer,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom. “Our entire way of life — our freedoms, our peace, our pursuit of happiness — depends on those fearless, faithful few determined to protect it. I look forward to welcoming the next set of officers committing to serve California.”
A career with the CHP includes paid training. Cadets earn a salary of $5,563 each month throughout their 26 weeks at the CHP Academy in West Sacramento.
After graduation, new officers are assigned to communities throughout California and can expect to earn more than $100,000 in their first year with the department.
“Anyone who may be wondering if they have what it takes to become a CHP officer, let me be the first to tell you that you do,” added Commissioner Ray. “If you are compassionate, driven to serve, and have a desire to learn, the CHP provides some of the best law enforcement training in the world and we will do all we can to ensure your success.”
Joining the CHP family is an opportunity to be the change and make a difference in the community and the lives of those you serve.
For more information about the “Join the CHP 1,000” or to apply, visit www.chpcareers.com or call the statewide Recruitment Unit at 916-843-4300 today.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The city of Lakeport bestowed a medal for heroism to a man who last year raced to save two men from a burning home.
Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen and retired Lakeport Fire Chief Jeff Thomas presented the Lakeport Police and Fire Life Saving Medal to Larry Richardson during Tuesday night’s Lakeport City Council meeting.
City officials called Richardson a hero for risking his own life to save two men from their burning home on Sept. 8, 2021.
At 8:10 a.m. that day, Richardson was on duty working at the Lake County Fairgrounds when he saw smoking coming from the Fairgrounds Village Mobile Home Park, a park for residents age 55 and over located at 1025 Martin St.
Richardson saw the fire before it was dispatched and was able to get there before police and fire arrived, according to original scene reports and statements Rasmussen made Tuesday.
When Richardson arrived at the park, he located the fire in the residence in space No. 2.
Both Rasmussen and Thomas — who retired last month — were on the scene that morning, arriving after Richardson.
Rasmussen said that Richardson, knowing the mobile home was occupied, risked his own life in order to go in and rescue the two people inside, both of whom had been burned by the time he came in to save them.
Thomas told Lake County News in a September interview that Richardson went into the home and physically picked up a man who couldn’t walk and carried him out before going in for the second man and helping him to safety as well.
Both of the men were taken to the hospital for treatment of their burns. Thomas said the fire’s source was traced to a cigarette.
“I can’t overemphasize the efforts of Larry Richardson to get those people out,” Thomas said in the September interview, adding, “He saved their lives.”
Rasmussen emphasized that as well on Tuesday. He told Richardson, “Due to your actions both residents survived this disaster,” adding that his actions in the situation were well above and beyond those required by any citizen.
He then presented Richardson with a plaque featuring the Lakeport Police and Fire Life Saving Medal along with a letter of commendation. Richardson then received a standing ovation.
Mayor Stacey Mattina asked Richardson if he wanted to say anything.
“My heart says, don’t do it again, but I know I will,” Richardson said.
“You’re our hero, Larry,” Mattina said, calling him a great neighbor, friend and parent — and now a hero.
In addition to those titles, Sheli Wright, the Lake County Fair’s chief executive officer, told Lake County News after the fire last year that Richardson is the fair’s “maintenance man extraordinaire.”
He’s also president of the Lake County Theatre Co. and formerly held the title of Mr. Lake County.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — As the work to finalize the count from Tuesday’s primary election continues, the candidates leading in the vote counts in several important local races shared their plans for their next — or first — terms.
The official canvass isn’t expected to be completed for another month, however, the preliminary results released on election night indicated that the margins were wide enough in four races — assessor-recorder, district attorney, treasurer-tax collector and the Middletown Unified School District Board — that the final count is unlikely to change the outcomes.
The early count showed that incumbent Assessor-Recorder Richard Ford won a third term with 65.7% of the vote, compared to 34.2% for challenger Hannah Faith Lee.
Ford thanked Lake County and his staff for their support.
“For the next term, we intend to finish what we started, that being to finish the backlog and improve technically,” he said.
In a Thursday letter to the editor, Lee wished Ford well. “I did my best and I hope, in some small way, the path for better communication, improved services, transparency and especially for meaningful change in the Assessor-Recorder’s Office has been widened,” Lee said.
District Attorney Susan Krones appears headed for a second term based on the preliminary numbers, which showed her with 61.1% compared to the 38.8% of the vote for her challenger and former county supervisor, Anthony Farrington.
In a Wednesday post on his campaign Facebook page, Farrington said that even more disappointing than losing was what he claimed was a historic low voter turnout of 11%. However, it should be noted that the overall voter turnout is anticipated to increase once additional ballots mailed by Election Day are received and counted at the Registrar of Voters Office.
Farrington congratulated Krones and wished her the best of luck moving forward.
Krones told Lake County News that she thanks Lake County’s voters for their continued faith and trust in her.
“I am so honored and humbled. During the campaign I had a chance to talk to many people in the community. I listened to the issues that people are concerned about and I will continue to listen to these concerns. I appreciated the input I received at Town hall and community meetings and I intend to continue going to those meetings,” Krones said.
She said her goals for the future are to renew efforts to develop a mental health court in Lake County. “This will take the courts, other county departments, the Board of Supervisors, our state representatives and community organizations to make this happen. I firmly believe that mental health court will make our community safer.”
Krones said she also will continue to work with law enforcement to protect the most vulnerable in Lake County. “I will continue to prosecute criminals who commit offenses against our children, the elderly and defenseless animals to the fullest extent of the law. Thank you, Lake County, for your support during this election.”
In the treasurer-tax collector’s race, the preliminary count shows that Patrick Sullivan, the county’s tax administrator, is on track to succeed retiring incumbent Barbara Ringen.
Sullivan received 58.8% of the vote compared to 41.1% for Paul Flores, a treasury and cash analyst.
“I am grateful for the support of the voters in this election. I look forward to working with Barbara Ringen and the staff in the Treasurer-Tax Collector's Office to ensure a smooth transition,” Sullivan said.
In the race to fill the remaining months of an unexpired term on the Middletown Unified School District Board, Charise Reynolds led the preliminary count with 59.1% of the vote compared to Bryan Pullman’s 40.8%.
Reynolds said she plans to meet with the district superintendent next week. “ I’d like to start doing site visits to get to know the staff in the district better. I also plan on doing a lot of reading and a lot of listening.”
The seat will be back on the ballot for November. In the meantime, Reynolds will set her sights on her official responsibilities as a board member.
“And, I need to spend some quality time with my family, as well. They’ve been very patient these past few months, but it’s time to focus on them for a bit before thinking about November,” Reynolds said.
She thanked her campaign team for its support. “I absolutely could not have won this race without the tireless dedication of everyone who volunteered to work on my campaign. It was a group effort in every sense of the word.”
In other races, state Sen. Mike McGuire won in the primary election with a large lead over Republican challenger Gene Yoon and will continue on to the November election.
“I am so incredibly grateful to work with the amazing people of Northern California. It’s an honor of a lifetime,” he said.
“We’ve been through a lot together over the last few years — devastating wildfires, extreme drought and the global pandemic. And no matter what has been thrown at us, we never gave up. We never gave in. We never quit fighting for Northern California,” McGuire said.
In the race for the newly drawn Fourth Congressional District, Rep. Mike Thompson topped the field, with the top two vote-getters to race in November’s general election.
“The outpouring of support I received last night is humbling. I was born, grew up, and still live in our district and I consider it the honor of my life to represent our beautiful region in Congress,” Thompson said on Wednesday.
“We are moving into the general election now and I will continue to work every day with local, state, and federal leaders on the pressing challenges facing the people of our district and our country. This includes advocating for policies that bolster the middle class, lower the cost of housing and health care, address our climate crisis, and help keep our communities safe,” he said.
Thompson added, “We live in the greatest district in the greatest country and I am committed to do all I can to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to achieve their dream of a well-paying job, affordable health care, a clean environment, quality education, and dignity in retirement. We are in this together and I will continue to work hard for our district in Congress.”
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.
The official canvass isn’t expected to be completed for another month, however, the preliminary results released on election night indicated that the margins were wide enough in four races — assessor-recorder, district attorney, treasurer-tax collector and the Middletown Unified School District Board — that the final count is unlikely to change the outcomes.
The early count showed that incumbent Assessor-Recorder Richard Ford won a third term with 65.7% of the vote, compared to 34.2% for challenger Hannah Faith Lee.
Ford thanked Lake County and his staff for their support.
“For the next term, we intend to finish what we started, that being to finish the backlog and improve technically,” he said.
In a Thursday letter to the editor, Lee wished Ford well. “I did my best and I hope, in some small way, the path for better communication, improved services, transparency and especially for meaningful change in the Assessor-Recorder’s Office has been widened,” Lee said.
District Attorney Susan Krones appears headed for a second term based on the preliminary numbers, which showed her with 61.1% compared to the 38.8% of the vote for her challenger and former county supervisor, Anthony Farrington.
In a Wednesday post on his campaign Facebook page, Farrington said that even more disappointing than losing was what he claimed was a historic low voter turnout of 11%. However, it should be noted that the overall voter turnout is anticipated to increase once additional ballots mailed by Election Day are received and counted at the Registrar of Voters Office.
Farrington congratulated Krones and wished her the best of luck moving forward.
Krones told Lake County News that she thanks Lake County’s voters for their continued faith and trust in her.
“I am so honored and humbled. During the campaign I had a chance to talk to many people in the community. I listened to the issues that people are concerned about and I will continue to listen to these concerns. I appreciated the input I received at Town hall and community meetings and I intend to continue going to those meetings,” Krones said.
She said her goals for the future are to renew efforts to develop a mental health court in Lake County. “This will take the courts, other county departments, the Board of Supervisors, our state representatives and community organizations to make this happen. I firmly believe that mental health court will make our community safer.”
Krones said she also will continue to work with law enforcement to protect the most vulnerable in Lake County. “I will continue to prosecute criminals who commit offenses against our children, the elderly and defenseless animals to the fullest extent of the law. Thank you, Lake County, for your support during this election.”
In the treasurer-tax collector’s race, the preliminary count shows that Patrick Sullivan, the county’s tax administrator, is on track to succeed retiring incumbent Barbara Ringen.
Sullivan received 58.8% of the vote compared to 41.1% for Paul Flores, a treasury and cash analyst.
“I am grateful for the support of the voters in this election. I look forward to working with Barbara Ringen and the staff in the Treasurer-Tax Collector's Office to ensure a smooth transition,” Sullivan said.
In the race to fill the remaining months of an unexpired term on the Middletown Unified School District Board, Charise Reynolds led the preliminary count with 59.1% of the vote compared to Bryan Pullman’s 40.8%.
Reynolds said she plans to meet with the district superintendent next week. “ I’d like to start doing site visits to get to know the staff in the district better. I also plan on doing a lot of reading and a lot of listening.”
The seat will be back on the ballot for November. In the meantime, Reynolds will set her sights on her official responsibilities as a board member.
“And, I need to spend some quality time with my family, as well. They’ve been very patient these past few months, but it’s time to focus on them for a bit before thinking about November,” Reynolds said.
She thanked her campaign team for its support. “I absolutely could not have won this race without the tireless dedication of everyone who volunteered to work on my campaign. It was a group effort in every sense of the word.”
In other races, state Sen. Mike McGuire won in the primary election with a large lead over Republican challenger Gene Yoon and will continue on to the November election.
“I am so incredibly grateful to work with the amazing people of Northern California. It’s an honor of a lifetime,” he said.
“We’ve been through a lot together over the last few years — devastating wildfires, extreme drought and the global pandemic. And no matter what has been thrown at us, we never gave up. We never gave in. We never quit fighting for Northern California,” McGuire said.
In the race for the newly drawn Fourth Congressional District, Rep. Mike Thompson topped the field, with the top two vote-getters to race in November’s general election.
“The outpouring of support I received last night is humbling. I was born, grew up, and still live in our district and I consider it the honor of my life to represent our beautiful region in Congress,” Thompson said on Wednesday.
“We are moving into the general election now and I will continue to work every day with local, state, and federal leaders on the pressing challenges facing the people of our district and our country. This includes advocating for policies that bolster the middle class, lower the cost of housing and health care, address our climate crisis, and help keep our communities safe,” he said.
Thompson added, “We live in the greatest district in the greatest country and I am committed to do all I can to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to achieve their dream of a well-paying job, affordable health care, a clean environment, quality education, and dignity in retirement. We are in this together and I will continue to work hard for our district in Congress.”
Email Elizabeth Larson at
On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources held a subcommittee hearing on a series of bills, including Sen. Alex Padilla’s (D-CA) Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion Act, S. 4080.
The bill, co-sponsored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, is a companion to H.R. 6366, introduced by Congressman John Garamendi.
On Wednesday, environmental and community advocates celebrated this important step toward the permanent protection of a rare and rugged Northern California landscape.
“The sacred lands within and around the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument are central to thousands of years of tribal origin stories,” said Sen. Padilla. “This bill would expand the existing monument to include nearly 4,000 acres of sacred Tribal land, require federal agencies to finally develop a management plan for the monument, and give tribal governments a seat at the table to better manage and care for these lands. It is our duty to protect the abundant natural resources and the rich history on Molok Luyuk for today’s children and for future generations, and I look forward to working to ensure we see this bill to fruition.”
The legislation would add an adjacent 3,925 acres to the current Monument, support tribal comanagement, and change the name of the additional wild lands from “Walker Ridge” to Molok Luyuk — Patwin for “Condor Ridge” — a name the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation provided.
“Protecting Molok Luyuk, a place of profound natural beauty and deep cultural significance, is a win-win for Californians and California’s tribes. We are excited to see the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion Act moving forward,” said the Tribal Council of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation.
In 2015, President Obama designated Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument with Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA05) who introduced the original bill.
The monument, along with the proposed Molok Luyuk addition, is culturally significant to local Native American tribes and notable for its varied habitats and wildlife, including imperiled animals. The legislation would not impact privately owned, state, tribal, or nonfederal land in any way.
Molok Luyuk includes public land adjacent to the existing monument in Lake County that is administered by the Bureau of Land Management.The ridge is home to great biodiversity including over 30 species of rare plants, ancient blue oak woodlands, rugged rock outcrops, wildflower meadows, and extensive stands of McNab cypress. The area also provides wildlife connectivity for many species including deer, mountain lions, and black bear.
“Molok Luyuk is characterized by fascinating geology, outstanding biodiversity, profound cultural significance, and incredible views. These lands are eminently worthy of the permanent protection that Sen. Alex Padilla and Representative John Garamendi have stepped forward to propose," said Sierra Club Redwood Chapter Chair Victoria Brandon.
For years, advocates called for lasting protection of Molok Luyuk. Without permanent protection, the lands included in the bill will continue to be at risk of inappropriate and harmful development. The area has been the target of repeated development proposals for large-scale wind energy, despite the California Energy Commission’s finding that the area had only moderate to low energy potential.
“This hearing is an exciting milestone for the legislation. Over two decades of advocacy have contributed to this legislation, so we’re truly gratified to see this support for protecting Molok Luyuk and the provisions in the bill for engaging meaningfully with the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation,” California Native Plant Society Conservation Program Director Nick Jensen said. “We thank Sen. Padilla for his leadership in expanding Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and honoring this area’s profound significance to our tribal partners.”
The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion Act would provide much-needed, lasting protection for the land along with the requirement for a monument management plan within one year.
The legislation also calls for cooperative management with tribes or tribal partners in the development of the management plan and subsequent management decisions.
The land is of tremendous present-day cultural and religious importance to the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, and includes sites central to their origin stories. The cooperative management provision would help safeguard this one-of-a-kind area in partnership with local Indigenous tribes.
"Molok Luyuk is a place filled with natural beauty, wildlife, rare plants, and indigenous treasures that, as neighbors, we have long appreciated. We are thrilled at the progress of this bill through the Senate and grateful to the leadership of senators Padilla and Feinstein,” said Sandra Schubert, Executive Director of Tuleyome. “We are glad they have joined the fight to protect Molok Luyuk from current and future threats while respecting tribal stewardship over the lands.”
The bill would also increase recreational access to world-class nature and outdoor activities for locals and visitors.
Popular recreation activities on these lands include hiking, sightseeing, mountain biking, camping, horseback riding, and off highway vehicle use on designated routes. Incorporating the area into the existing monument would improve land management, bring additional resources for trail construction and maintenance, help improve public access, and protect sensitive wildlife and prime habitat areas.
This will also help ensure equitable access to the outdoors in a county where 22% of residents identify as Hispanic or Latino.
“We’re deeply grateful to Sen. Alex Padilla for being a consistent champion for our nation's public lands since taking office,” said Ryan Henson, senior policy director for CalWild. “We are thrilled to see the bill to protect Molok Luyuk pass this hurdle as it moves through Congress. These lands are a public treasure that deserve permanent protection and improved management.”
The expanded monument also would mark an important step toward helping the state of California and the Biden Administration meet the critical goal of protecting 30% of U.S. lands and waters by the year 2030, added Elyane Stefanick, California program director for the Conservation Lands Foundation, in reference to California’s 30x30 Initiative and the federal America the Beautiful call-to-action.
"Conservation Lands Foundation supports the expansion of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and ensuring this remarkable landscape has a robust management plan,” Stefanick said. “As we near the 118th anniversary of the Antiquities Act, we acknowledge that the history of public lands is complex. The addition of Molok Luyuk to the National Monument honors the original stewards and caretakers of this land.”
A letter of support for the legislation from over 50 organizations is available here.