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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A Southern California man has been sentenced to state prison for a sexual assault case involving a Lake County teenager.
On Monday, Judge Michael Lunas sentenced Trevor Noel Reynoso, 32, of Murrieta, to 16 years in state prison for furnishing a controlled substance to a teenage girl who he also sexually assaulted, said Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff.
Hinchcliff said the case was investigated by Lake County Sheriff’s Det. Jeff Mora and Deputy David Pike.
Sheriff’s deputies arrested Reynoso on June, 15, 2021, the same day that the mother of the 15-year-old victim contacted the sheriff’s office to report that her daughter had been sexually assaulted, as Lake County News has reported.
The sheriff’s office’s initial report on Reynoso’s arrest said that the victim told authorities she had met Reynoso on a social media app in February of 2021 and they had sex several times. Over the course of four months. Reynoso was reported to have provided narcotics to the teenager in return for sex.
Hinchcliff said the larger investigation revealed that in October 2020 Reynoso targeted a group of teenage girls on Snapchat while pretending to be a 21-year-old-male.
Reynoso offered to sell or provide the minors drugs and would meet the victim at Hardester’s parking lot in Hidden Valley Lake for the exchange, Hinchcliff said.
In January 2021, Reynoso began taking the minor victim to his residence near Hidden Valley Lake to hang out and do drugs. Hinchcliff said Reynoso sexually assaulted the minor victim on several occasions from February 2021 through June 10, 2021, while the minor was under the influence of drugs.
On June 15, 2021, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office worked with the minor to contact Reynoso through Snapchat and set a time for him to meet her in the Hardester’s parking lot to provide drugs and take her to his residence, Hinchcliff said.
Hinchcliff said Reynoso arrived at Hardester’s as planned and was confronted by sheriff’s deputies.
Authorities said Reynoso provided a false ID to the deputies and was taken into custody. The teen victim was able to identify him.
At the time of his arrest, the sheriff’s office said Reynoso claimed that he thought the victim was 18.
In addition to the Lake County sexual assault case, authorities said Reynoso was arrested on a felony warrant out of Texas for possession of child pornography, the sheriff’s office said.
Hinchcliff said Reynoso was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Richard Watson and represented by defense attorney Thomas Feimer.
Reynoso pleaded guilty on April 20 to furnishing a controlled substance to a minor, oral copulation with a minor, and five counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor, which led to his 16-year sentence, Hinchcliff said.
The Lake County District Attorney’s Office commended the victim for having the courage to come forward and participate in the investigation into the abuses Reynoso had committed.
While this specific case is settled, Hinchcliff said investigators believe that Reynoso may have had contact with multiple other minor victims in the Middletown area between September 2020 to June 2021.
Anyone with further information is encouraged to contact Lake County Sheriff’s Det. Jeff Mora at 707-262-4224.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The California Transportation Commission’s latest slate of allocations that are meant to repair and improve transportation infrastructure across the state included two Lake County projects.
The commission approved $700 million in projects at its Thursday meeting in Fresno.
Of that $700 million total, $272 million — or one third of the funding — comes from Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, the commission reported.
SB 1 provides $5 billion in transportation funding annually split between the state and local agencies.
In Lake County, $384,000 was approved for mitigation work at Bachelor Creek Bridge No. 13-4001 on Highway 20 near Upper Lake.
The second project approved in Lake County will see $3.9 million used for emergency allocations for embankment, guardrail and drainage repairs on Route 175/Hopland Grade near Hopland.
“This critical investment will help Caltrans continue repairing, maintaining and upgrading our state’s aging transportation infrastructure for improved safety and sustainability,” said Caltrans Acting Director Steven Keck. “It reflects both the CTC’s and Caltrans’ commitment to providing travelers and communities — as well as California’s dynamic and growing economy — with a world-class, multimodal transportation system.”
Other projects on the North Coast approved this week include:
• Approximately $8.7 million toward median and drainage improvements along U.S. Highway 101 from the Route 36 junction to Fortuna in Humboldt County.
• Approximately $3.9 million of emergency allocations toward guardrail, sign, fence and drainage repairs as well as the removal of hazardous trees near Willow Creek on Route 299 and Route 96 and Route 196 near Pecwan in Humboldt County.
• Approximately $6.5 million of emergency allocations toward guardrail, sign, fence, and drainage repairs as well as the removal of hazardous trees along Route 299 from Blue Lake to the Trinity County line.
• Approximately $5.9 million toward improvements at South Fork Eel River Bridge No. 10-0218 on U.S. 101 in Mendocino County.
• Approximately $1.1 million toward road signage improvements on Route 1 at Abalobadiah Creek near Fort Bragg in Mendocino County.
• Approximately $1.9 million toward construction of a retaining wall and roadway and drainage improvements on Route 253 near Boonville in Mendocino County.
• Approximately $5.2M toward emergency allocations for embankment, guardrail, drainage and road repairs on U.S. 101 near Willits in Mendocino County.
Road projects progress through construction phases more quickly based on the availability of SB 1 funds, including projects that are partially funded by SB 1.
More information about transportation projects funded by SB 1 is available here.
The commission approved $700 million in projects at its Thursday meeting in Fresno.
Of that $700 million total, $272 million — or one third of the funding — comes from Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, the commission reported.
SB 1 provides $5 billion in transportation funding annually split between the state and local agencies.
In Lake County, $384,000 was approved for mitigation work at Bachelor Creek Bridge No. 13-4001 on Highway 20 near Upper Lake.
The second project approved in Lake County will see $3.9 million used for emergency allocations for embankment, guardrail and drainage repairs on Route 175/Hopland Grade near Hopland.
“This critical investment will help Caltrans continue repairing, maintaining and upgrading our state’s aging transportation infrastructure for improved safety and sustainability,” said Caltrans Acting Director Steven Keck. “It reflects both the CTC’s and Caltrans’ commitment to providing travelers and communities — as well as California’s dynamic and growing economy — with a world-class, multimodal transportation system.”
Other projects on the North Coast approved this week include:
• Approximately $8.7 million toward median and drainage improvements along U.S. Highway 101 from the Route 36 junction to Fortuna in Humboldt County.
• Approximately $3.9 million of emergency allocations toward guardrail, sign, fence and drainage repairs as well as the removal of hazardous trees near Willow Creek on Route 299 and Route 96 and Route 196 near Pecwan in Humboldt County.
• Approximately $6.5 million of emergency allocations toward guardrail, sign, fence, and drainage repairs as well as the removal of hazardous trees along Route 299 from Blue Lake to the Trinity County line.
• Approximately $5.9 million toward improvements at South Fork Eel River Bridge No. 10-0218 on U.S. 101 in Mendocino County.
• Approximately $1.1 million toward road signage improvements on Route 1 at Abalobadiah Creek near Fort Bragg in Mendocino County.
• Approximately $1.9 million toward construction of a retaining wall and roadway and drainage improvements on Route 253 near Boonville in Mendocino County.
• Approximately $5.2M toward emergency allocations for embankment, guardrail, drainage and road repairs on U.S. 101 near Willits in Mendocino County.
Road projects progress through construction phases more quickly based on the availability of SB 1 funds, including projects that are partially funded by SB 1.
More information about transportation projects funded by SB 1 is available here.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Scotts Valley Community Advisory Council will next meet on Monday, May 23.
The group will meet at 5 p.m. via Zoom. The public is invited to attend.
The meeting ID is 986 2616 1748, pass code is 173031. The meeting also can be accessed via phone at 1-669-900-6833 or +16699006833,,98626161748#,,,,*173031# for one tap mobile.
Under old business, the group will get an update on the request to clear a portion of Scotts Creek.
Under new business, they will discuss use permits, get updates on the city of Lakeport’s proposed South Main Street annexation and the Scotts Valley Groundwater Protection Committee, discuss the Multi-Tribal Fire Prevention Grant application to Cal Fire to support Scotts Valley Firewise Community, and get updates on the Scotts Valley Firewise Committee, broadband coverage for Scotts Valley and the South Cow Mountain Management Area implementation.
Guest speaker Angela DePalma-Dow of Lake County Water Resources will give a presentation regarding general water rights, surface water and the Clear Lake/Yolo County agreement.
William Fox, program coordinator for Lake County Water Resources and Marina Deligiannis, the agency’s deputy director, will give a presentation regarding groundwater rights and groundwater issues.
The group will next meet on June 27.
The group will meet at 5 p.m. via Zoom. The public is invited to attend.
The meeting ID is 986 2616 1748, pass code is 173031. The meeting also can be accessed via phone at 1-669-900-6833 or +16699006833,,98626161748#,,,,*173031# for one tap mobile.
Under old business, the group will get an update on the request to clear a portion of Scotts Creek.
Under new business, they will discuss use permits, get updates on the city of Lakeport’s proposed South Main Street annexation and the Scotts Valley Groundwater Protection Committee, discuss the Multi-Tribal Fire Prevention Grant application to Cal Fire to support Scotts Valley Firewise Community, and get updates on the Scotts Valley Firewise Committee, broadband coverage for Scotts Valley and the South Cow Mountain Management Area implementation.
Guest speaker Angela DePalma-Dow of Lake County Water Resources will give a presentation regarding general water rights, surface water and the Clear Lake/Yolo County agreement.
William Fox, program coordinator for Lake County Water Resources and Marina Deligiannis, the agency’s deputy director, will give a presentation regarding groundwater rights and groundwater issues.
The group will next meet on June 27.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A small wildland fire was contained in the hills above Lucerne on Wednesday afternoon.
The Robinson fire was first reported shortly before 3:30 p.m. along Robinson Road.
At the time of initial dispatch the fire was a quarter-acre but later was reported to have grown to two acres as the wind pushed it uphill into brush, based on radio reports.
Northshore Fire and Cal Fire responded, with Cal Fire air resources — including Copter 104 — responding to help attack the fire.
During the incident, it was reported that a man in a motor home was in the area of the fire and couldn’t get away from it.
A short time later, Cal Fire reported that they had reached the man.
About 40 minutes after dispatch, incident command reported that hose had been laid all around the fire and that resources would soon begin to be released.
A cause for the fire was not immediately available.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed two new members of the 49th District Agricultural Association, known more commonly as the Lake County Fair Board.
The Governor’s Office announced that Nara R. Dahlbacka of Hidden Valley Lake and Traci Medina of Lakeport have been selected to sit on the Lake County Fair Board of Directors along with Kirk Andrus, Janeane Bogner; Marcia Chauvin; Kim Hansen and President Thomas Turner.
Dahlbacka, 41, has been a partner at the Milo Group of California since 2022, where she was vice president from 2018 to 2022, and government affairs manager from 2016 to 2018. She was campaign manager for Re-Elect Jane Parker in 2016.
Dahlbacka held several positions at the Law Office of Rena Rickles from 2010 to 2016, including permit expediter, paralegal and legal assistant. She was an external affairs manager at the San Francisco Committee on Jobs from 2007 to 2008.
Dahlbacka is a board member of Cat Town Oakland. She earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in playwriting from San Francisco State University.
Medina, 57, has been senior implementation consultant at Journal Technologies Inc since 2004. She held several positions at the Lake County Superior Court from 1994 to 2004, including IT analyst, trainer, special project coordinator, supervisor and deputy court clerk.
Medina was a retail clerk at Kelseyville Pharmacy from 1986 to 1994. She was a bindery worker at Linnell Printing from 1984 to 1985.
Both Dahlbacka and Medina are Democrats, the Governor’s Office reported.
The fair board positions do not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation.
The Governor’s Office announced that Nara R. Dahlbacka of Hidden Valley Lake and Traci Medina of Lakeport have been selected to sit on the Lake County Fair Board of Directors along with Kirk Andrus, Janeane Bogner; Marcia Chauvin; Kim Hansen and President Thomas Turner.
Dahlbacka, 41, has been a partner at the Milo Group of California since 2022, where she was vice president from 2018 to 2022, and government affairs manager from 2016 to 2018. She was campaign manager for Re-Elect Jane Parker in 2016.
Dahlbacka held several positions at the Law Office of Rena Rickles from 2010 to 2016, including permit expediter, paralegal and legal assistant. She was an external affairs manager at the San Francisco Committee on Jobs from 2007 to 2008.
Dahlbacka is a board member of Cat Town Oakland. She earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in playwriting from San Francisco State University.
Medina, 57, has been senior implementation consultant at Journal Technologies Inc since 2004. She held several positions at the Lake County Superior Court from 1994 to 2004, including IT analyst, trainer, special project coordinator, supervisor and deputy court clerk.
Medina was a retail clerk at Kelseyville Pharmacy from 1986 to 1994. She was a bindery worker at Linnell Printing from 1984 to 1985.
Both Dahlbacka and Medina are Democrats, the Governor’s Office reported.
The fair board positions do not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — In response to the nationwide shortage of infant formula, Lake County Health Services and First 5 Lake County are issuing recommendations to families for easing the impacts of the shortage and obtaining appropriate substitutions.
At this time, if you believe the availability of your preferred infant formula or infant’s feeding routine is at risk of being impacted as a result of this event, you are advised to consult with your pediatrician regarding any potential changes.
There are few things that worry a parent more than their child’s health and safety. Sadly, many parents and caregivers across the nation, including in Lake County, are feeling concerned and
anxious about their options for safely feeding their children.
Formula manufacturers have said this is due to supply chain issues and a recall of Abbott manufacturing’s brands including Similac, Alimentum and EleCare, as a result of several babies developing bacterial infections after consuming adulterated formula. At this time, no infections have occurred in California.
On Wednesday, President Joe Biden invoked the Defense Production Act and is requiring suppliers to direct needed resources to infant formula manufacturers before any other customer who may have ordered those goods. He’s also directing firms to prioritize and allocate the production of key infant formula inputs that will help increase production and speed up supply chains.
The president also announced that, in an effort to speed up the import of infant formula and get more formula to stores as soon as possible, he has directed the Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture to use Department of Defense commercial aircraft to pick up overseas infant formula that meets U.S. health and safety standards, so it can get to store shelves faster.
It is the recommendation of the Lake County Public Health officer that under no circumstances should parents or caregivers dilute infant formula, or make or feed homemade infant formula to children. Consumers should also avoid purchasing imported formula through online vendors, as it has the potential to be counterfeit.
Families who have been unsuccessful in finding a preferred brand of infant formula should turn to other brands, including store-branded formula, to ensure infants are getting the nutrition they require. It is important to exercise caution while choosing a substitute formula for infants.
Lake County Health Services and First 5 Lake County are suggesting the following tips for families who are dealing with the infant formula shortage:
• Under no circumstance should you water down formula to stretch it out. This can lead to babies not getting the nutrition they require in addition to several medical issues.
• Under no circumstance should you make homemade baby formula. This is not safe, formulas are very complex and are created to give infants the vitamins and nutrients needed during this
critical time of development.
• Do not give your baby cow’s milk, goat’s milk, or plant-based milk. These can be low in protein and minerals and babies’ digestive systems will not be able to tolerate them.
• When switching to appropriate formula substitutes, give your baby time to adjust to a new formula. It is normal for babies to be fussy or gassy at first.
• Check formula cans for expiration dates and dents or punctures. Do not purchase the formula if it is expired or if the can is damaged.
• For most babies, it is OK to switch between standard formula brands including generic store brands. For specialized formulas, talk with your pediatrician.
• Don’t hoard: the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends buying no more than a 10-day to two-week supply of formula. This helps ensure that all infants have access to the nutrition they require.
• Food pantries, charitable organizations, and local formula representatives may also be able to help. WIC clinics can help connect families to local food banks.
• Check smaller stores and drug stores and not just the big stores.
• Use store websites to search for formula products before you go to the store, and use the pickup option if it is available. If you can, buy formula online from well-recognized retailers or
pharmacies. Cal Fresh is accepted at the following retailers: Amazon, Walmart, Safeway. For infants/children on WIC, visit the California WIC website for available substitutions. If you are
using your WIC EBT card to purchase formula, you can find WIC-approved grocery stores here.
Please, always communicate with your pediatrician before making any potential changes to your child’s diet. If you would like to learn more about safely introducing solid foods to your child,
information and resources are available here.
For additional information about the infant formula shortage and what steps you can take to mitigate its impact, please visit the following websites:
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Infant Formula Feeding: www.cdc.gov/nutrition/InfantandToddlerNutrition/formula-feeding/index.html;
• U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Fact Sheet: Helping Families Find Formula During the Infant Formula Shortage: www.hhs.gov/formula/index.html.
At this time, if you believe the availability of your preferred infant formula or infant’s feeding routine is at risk of being impacted as a result of this event, you are advised to consult with your pediatrician regarding any potential changes.
There are few things that worry a parent more than their child’s health and safety. Sadly, many parents and caregivers across the nation, including in Lake County, are feeling concerned and
anxious about their options for safely feeding their children.
Formula manufacturers have said this is due to supply chain issues and a recall of Abbott manufacturing’s brands including Similac, Alimentum and EleCare, as a result of several babies developing bacterial infections after consuming adulterated formula. At this time, no infections have occurred in California.
On Wednesday, President Joe Biden invoked the Defense Production Act and is requiring suppliers to direct needed resources to infant formula manufacturers before any other customer who may have ordered those goods. He’s also directing firms to prioritize and allocate the production of key infant formula inputs that will help increase production and speed up supply chains.
The president also announced that, in an effort to speed up the import of infant formula and get more formula to stores as soon as possible, he has directed the Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture to use Department of Defense commercial aircraft to pick up overseas infant formula that meets U.S. health and safety standards, so it can get to store shelves faster.
It is the recommendation of the Lake County Public Health officer that under no circumstances should parents or caregivers dilute infant formula, or make or feed homemade infant formula to children. Consumers should also avoid purchasing imported formula through online vendors, as it has the potential to be counterfeit.
Families who have been unsuccessful in finding a preferred brand of infant formula should turn to other brands, including store-branded formula, to ensure infants are getting the nutrition they require. It is important to exercise caution while choosing a substitute formula for infants.
Lake County Health Services and First 5 Lake County are suggesting the following tips for families who are dealing with the infant formula shortage:
• Under no circumstance should you water down formula to stretch it out. This can lead to babies not getting the nutrition they require in addition to several medical issues.
• Under no circumstance should you make homemade baby formula. This is not safe, formulas are very complex and are created to give infants the vitamins and nutrients needed during this
critical time of development.
• Do not give your baby cow’s milk, goat’s milk, or plant-based milk. These can be low in protein and minerals and babies’ digestive systems will not be able to tolerate them.
• When switching to appropriate formula substitutes, give your baby time to adjust to a new formula. It is normal for babies to be fussy or gassy at first.
• Check formula cans for expiration dates and dents or punctures. Do not purchase the formula if it is expired or if the can is damaged.
• For most babies, it is OK to switch between standard formula brands including generic store brands. For specialized formulas, talk with your pediatrician.
• Don’t hoard: the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends buying no more than a 10-day to two-week supply of formula. This helps ensure that all infants have access to the nutrition they require.
• Food pantries, charitable organizations, and local formula representatives may also be able to help. WIC clinics can help connect families to local food banks.
• Check smaller stores and drug stores and not just the big stores.
• Use store websites to search for formula products before you go to the store, and use the pickup option if it is available. If you can, buy formula online from well-recognized retailers or
pharmacies. Cal Fresh is accepted at the following retailers: Amazon, Walmart, Safeway. For infants/children on WIC, visit the California WIC website for available substitutions. If you are
using your WIC EBT card to purchase formula, you can find WIC-approved grocery stores here.
Please, always communicate with your pediatrician before making any potential changes to your child’s diet. If you would like to learn more about safely introducing solid foods to your child,
information and resources are available here.
For additional information about the infant formula shortage and what steps you can take to mitigate its impact, please visit the following websites:
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Infant Formula Feeding: www.cdc.gov/nutrition/InfantandToddlerNutrition/formula-feeding/index.html;
• U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Fact Sheet: Helping Families Find Formula During the Infant Formula Shortage: www.hhs.gov/formula/index.html.