News

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Federal officials are moving through the process to approve a fuel reduction and forest restoration project in the 2018 Ranch fire footprint.

Acting Mendocino National Forest Supervisor Kristen Sexton has issued a draft decision notice with a finding of no significant impact for the North Shore restoration project’s environmental assessment.

The purpose of the project is to improve community wildfire safety by reducing fuels within the wildland urban interface while also restoring and reforesting burned areas from the 2018 Ranch fire.

The project area is located in Lake County, about 11 miles southeast of Upper Lake, near communities on the north and northeast shores of Clear Lake.

Sexton has selected Alternative 6 — or the modified Alternative 3.

The decision would allow for reforestation on just over 2,600 acres located on the Upper Lake Ranger District in areas that experienced high levels of tree mortality during the 2018 Ranch fire.

The project includes fuels reduction treatments on approximately 40,000 acres. Those treatments could include prescribed burning, pile burning, hand thinning and mechanical treatment on areas with slopes less than 35%.

Alternative 6 also recognizes that salvage sales are not economically feasible and herbicide use will be limited to research plots only.

Forest officials issued a legal notice in the Chico Enterprise Record announcing the opportunity to file an objection to the decision within 45 days.

Hinda Darner, fuels officer for the Covelo and Upper Lake ranger districts, said that if the forest doesn’t receive an objection to the project, they can sign the final decision after the 45-day objection period concludes and start working immediately.

“We do have funding and partnerships in place that can be used towards this project,” Darner said.

Darner said they have California Climate Investments grants in partnership with the Clear Lake Environmental Research Center and grant funds with Tribal EcoRestoration Alliance, a multi-tribal hand crew.

“So the timeline depends on funding, resource availability, and how much our partners can take on, but there will likely be years of work under the project,” Darner said.

She added that the project also includes maintenance work, so there will be periodic National Environmental Policy Act reviews, as necessary.

Objections can be filed by mail, fax or email to the reviewing officer: USDA Forest Service, Jennifer Eberlien, Regional Forester, 1323 Club Drive, Vallejo, CA 94592, Attn: North Shore Restoration Project; fax, 707-562-9229; or email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with subject: North Shore Restoration Project.

Formats that will be accepted for electronically submitted comments are: .doc, .pdf, .rtf, or .txt. The objection period ends at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, June 27, 2022.

Additional instructions for submitting objections can be found in the legal notice and on the project website.

The environmental assessment, finding of no significant impact, draft decision notice and supporting documentation are available online at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=55716.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. — Clearlake Animal Control has nine friendly dogs it’s looking for homes for this week.

The City of Clearlake Animal Association also is seeking fosters for the animals waiting to be adopted.

Call the Clearlake Animal Control shelter at 707-273-9440, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to inquire about adoptions and schedule a visit to the shelter.

Visit Clearlake Animal Control on Facebook or on the city’s website.

The following dogs are available for adoption.

‘Chai’

“Chai” is a female Alaskan husky mix with a gray and white coat.

She has been spayed.

She is dog No. 49279552.

‘Captain’

“Captain” is a male border collie mix with a black, white and blue coat.

He is dog No. 49623709.

‘Big Phil’

“Big Phil” is a 13-year-old male American pit bull terrier mix with a blue coat.

He is dog No. 49951647.

‘Andy’

“Andy” is a male American pit bull mix with a short gray and white coat.

He is dog No. 48995415.

‘Bear’

“Bear” is a male Labrador retriever-American pit bull mix with a short charcoal and fawn coat.

He has been neutered.

‘Colt’

“Colt” is a male Rhodesian Ridgeback mix with a short rust and black coat.

He has been neutered.

He is dog No. 49812106.

‘Fritz’

“Fritz” is a male Australian shepherd mix with a black and white coat.

He is dog No. 49278179.

‘Snowball’

“Snowball” is a male American Staffordshire mix terrier with a white coat.

He has been neutered.

He is dog No. 49159168.

‘Terry’

“Terry” is a handsome male shepherd mix with a short brindle coat.

He gets along with other dogs, including small ones, and is discovering that he enjoys toys. He also likes water, playing fetch and keep away.

Staff said he is now getting some training to help him build confidence.

He is dog No. 48443693.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

As people throughout the country face increasing costs due to global inflation, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday announced an $18.1 billion inflation relief package to get money into the pockets of Californians.

“We enacted the most comprehensive economic stimulus program in the nation last year, getting billions in immediate relief to millions of Californians. But many folks are still struggling, especially with high costs due to inflation, so we’re leveraging this historic surplus to get money back into the pockets of Californians,” said Gov. Newsom. “This inflation relief package will help offset the higher costs that Californians are facing right now and provide support to those still recovering from the pandemic.”

Gov. Newsom’s inflation relief package includes:

• $11.5 billion for tax refunds to help address inflation. As the entire country faces increasing costs due to inflation, Governor Newsom proposed getting $400 checks to every eligible registered vehicle owner, capped at two checks per individual.

• $2.7 billion for emergency rental assistance. Gov. Newsom is proposing significant state funds for qualified low-income tenants who requested rental assistance before March 31, helping these Californians get the support they need.

• $1.4 billion to help Californians pay past-due utility bills. As Californians continue to face difficulties in paying for utility bills, this investment expands upon last year’s utility relief program to continue this vital support — $1.2 billion for electricity bills and $200 million for water bills.

• $933 million for hospital and nursing home staff. Providing up to $1,500 to hospital and skilled nursing facility workers who have been delivering care to the most acute patients during the COVID-19 pandemic and saved thousands of lives.

• $750 million for free public transit. Gov. Newsom is proposing incentive grants to provide three months of free public transportation for communities throughout the state.

• $304 million to make health coverage more affordable for middle-class families. This extends health insurance premium assistance under Covered California for families of four earning up to $166,500 annually, upwards of 700,000 Californians.

• $439 million to pause the diesel sales tax. Bringing relief to the commercial sector and drivers, Gov. Newsom is proposing a 12-month pause in the sales tax rate for diesel fuel that would provide upwards of $439 million in relief.

• $157 million to waive child care fees for low-income families. Making state-subsidized preschool and child care more affordable, benefitting 40,000 low-income California families with savings of up to $595 per month.

Additionally, California’s minimum wage is projected to increase to $15.50 per hour for all workers on Jan. 1, 2023. The accelerated increase is required by a provision in the state’s existing minimum wage law when inflation exceeds 7%.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in persistent supply chain disruptions and labor market frictions have driven inflation to its highest rate in 40 years. These conditions have further been exacerbated by Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The wage increase will benefit millions of California households that are struggling to keep pace with the highest rate of inflation in decades. For years, the state minimum wage has increased steadily while inflation numbers remained modest.

This inflation relief package builds off of Newsom’s stimulus package last year, which his office credited with helping to accelerate California’s economic recovery and support those hit hardest by the pandemic.

That package included stimulus checks for two out of every three Californians, the largest statewide renter and utility assistance program in the country and the largest small businesses relief program in the nation.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — With the city of Lakeport needing a way to address millions of dollars’ worth of water infrastructure projects, the City Council last week voted to pursue private financing to do the work.

The council unanimously approved the proposal to seek funding from a bank at its May 3 meeting.

Assistant City Manager and Finance Director Nick Walker presented the council with options to finance $5.845 million in proposed water system capital improvement projects.

That’s the amount an August 2021 rate study identified as needing to be completed over the next 10 years, Walker wrote in a written report for the meeting.

City Manager Kevin Ingram noted during the meeting that the projects — part of the capital improvement plan for the coming decade — aren’t the only ones that will need to be done, and that the city may have to explore additional funding options to complete more work in the future.

Walker told the council that staff developed a finance plan that achieves multiple goals.

The projects on the city’s capital improvement projects to-do list are as follows:

• Replace Scotts Creek well: $900,000.
• Main replacement on Second Street (Russell to Main), 2,500 feet: $1,250,000.
• Main replacement on Armstrong (Berry to Smith), 1,200 feet: $380,000.
• Main replacement on Lakeshore (Lange to Ashe), 800 feet: $425,000.
• Main replacement on Lakeport Boulevard, 1,700 feet: $870,000.
• Main replacement on N. High Street (Fifth to Clear Lake Avenue), 1,900 feet: $950,000.
• Main replacement on Fairway (Green to Hillcrest), 1,600 feet: $800,000.
• Replace clear well: $160,000.
• Ozone generators: $110,000.

Walker said the city is working to complete the entire list of projects sooner rather than later.

Leslie Bloom of NHA Advisors was on hand to help Walker go over the options.

NHA Advisors also has been assisting the city of Clearlake with a plan to seek financing through a bank to do millions of dollars of roadwork, leveraging its Measure V road sale revenues. The Clearlake City Council approved its plan in April.

Bloom described a volatile market for interest rates in the municipal market over the last few months. Since Jan. 1, tax-exempt rates have increased 1.54% to 1.98% across the entire yield curve.

However, from a historical perspective, “Rates are still very low,” Bloom said.

City staff recommended the financing plan that allows the city to complete all $5.845 million projects sooner than planned, as it hedges against inflationary pressure. The council also was urged to quickly take action to pursue private market placement due to upward trends in interest rates.

Based on the numbers presented at the meeting, the council was looking at loan terms ranging from 20 years, at 3.75%, up to 38 years, with a 2.6% interest rate.

The timeline presented to the council started with its members providing a direction at the meeting, followed by bank rate negotiation in early May and locking in interest rates with private placement later in the month. The council would then be on track to approve the financing documents at its June 7 meeting and to close the process in late June.

Councilman Michael Green moved to provide staff with direction to pursue private financing. Mayor Pro Tem Mireya Turner seconded and the council approved it 5-0.

Also on May 3, the council approved a memorandum of understanding presented by Police Chief Brad Rasmussen between the Lakeport Police Department and the Lakeport Unified School District for a school resource officer for fiscal years 2022-23 and 2023-24. The agreement costs the city $25,000 a year.

In other business, the council voted to make a determination that public convenience or necessity would be served by the issuance of a Type-42 Off Sales Beer and Wine Liquor sales license to Andre’s Jazz & Blues Lounge, located at 150 N. Main St.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The latest report from the Lake County Association of Realtors shows that home sales were up in March and that it’s a sellers’ market.

In March, 117 total homes sold through the multiple listing service last month, compared to 68 in February. These include traditionally built “stick-built” houses as well as manufactured homes on land.

There were seven sales of mobile homes in parks in March, unchanged from February, and 31 bare land (lots and acreage) sales, compared with 60 in February.

Homes bought for all cash totaled 36%, compared to 28% in February, while 32% were financed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac (“conventional loans”) compared to 41% in February. Twenty percent were financed by FHA, compared to 13% the previous month.

At the end of April there were 281 homes on the market, compared to 197 in March. If the rate of sales stays the same at 117 homes sold per month, there are currently 2.4 months of inventory on the market at the moment.

That means that if no new homes are brought to the market for sale, in 2.4 months all of these homes would be sold and there would be none available.

Less than six months of inventory is generally considered to be a “sellers’ market” while more than six months of inventory is often called a “buyers’ market.”

Most homes were selling very close to the asking price, at 98% of the asking price. This is in contrast to other areas, where homes sell for more than the asking price.

The median time on the market in March was 14 days, very similar to last year.

The median price of a single family home in Lake County at the end of April was $330,500, the association reported.

As the U.S. Supreme Court appears prepared to overturn Roe v. Wade and states throughout the country pass laws to restrict access to reproductive health care and ban abortions, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday announced a reproductive health package to expand access to services and welcome companies from anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ states.

Newsom’s office said his administration is continuing its efforts to maintain and improve availability of safe and accessible reproductive health care services and prepare for a potential influx of people from other states seeking reproductive health care and abortion services.

“California will not stand idly by as extremists roll back our basic constitutional rights; we’re going to fight like hell, making sure that all women — not just those in California — know that this state continues to recognize and protect their fundamental rights,” said Newsom. “We’re expanding access to these critical services, welcoming businesses and their employees fleeing anti-abortion states, and reaffirming our commitment to continuing to work closely with the Legislature and reproductive rights stakeholders to further solidify California’s leadership on abortion rights.”

Newsom’s reproductive health package includes $125 million to further bolster California’s health care infrastructure, expand access to services for patients and help prepare for the influx of people seeking reproductive health care from other states.

The package, which would add $57 million to January's $68 million proposal, includes the following:

• Cover uncompensated care for peoples uninsured for abortion services: $40 million for grants to reproductive health care providers to offset the cost of providing care to low- and moderate-income individuals who do not have health care coverage for abortion care services.

• California Reproductive Justice & Freedom Fund: $15 million for grants to community-based reproductive health, rights, and justice organizations to conduct medically accurate and culturally competent outreach and education on sexual health and reproductive health issues.

• Comprehensive reproductive rights website: $1 million to develop and maintain a website that provides accurate and updated information to the public on the right to abortion under state law, information about reproductive health care providers, and options for coverage for reproductive health services, including state-funded coverage and programs.

• Research on the unmet needs for reproductive health care services. $1 million for research regarding the unmet needs for access to reproductive health care services.

These new proposed investments build off of Governor Newsom’s California Blueprint in January, a $68 million package to:

• Invest in reproductive health clinical infrastructure: To support California’s clinical infrastructure of reproductive health care services, the blueprint included $20 million to provide scholarships and loan repayments to health care providers that commit to providing reproductive health care services.

• Capital infrastructure, improved security: The blueprint included $20 million to assist reproductive health care facilities in securing their physical and information technology infrastructure and to enhance facility security.

• Make reproductive health care more affordable: The blueprint included $20 million to subsidize the cost of abortion care for Covered California consumers due to federal payment limitations for abortion coverage.

• Remove barriers for reproductive health: To make it easier to get the medical care needed for family planning and reproductive health, the Blueprint removed Medi-Cal requirements for in-person follow-up visits and ultrasounds if not medically necessary.

• Family Planning, Access, Care and Treatment (PACT) HPV Vaccine Coverage: The blueprint included $8 million to add the human papillomavirus vaccine as a covered benefit under the Family PACT program, effective July 1, 2022.

Newsom also is proposing incentive opportunities for businesses to relocate to California or grow jobs and their economic footprint here from states with anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ laws.

He plans to update existing business incentive programs to provide additional consideration for companies leaving states that have enacted restrictions on reproductive rights and anti-LGBTQ+ laws. Newsom’s office said he is “welcoming companies that share California’s values and doubling down on the diversity that makes our economy a global leader.”