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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — County officials say they have begun issuing well drilling permits once again after a gubernatorial executive order issued in March in response to worsening drought conditions led to a local pause in permitting.
On March 28, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-7-22, a response to what his office reported were the driest first three months of a year in California’s recorded history.
Specifically, Newsom’s order called on local water suppliers to move to level two of their water shortage contingency plans, which require “locally-appropriate actions that will conserve water across all sectors.”
Newsom also directed the State Water Resources Control Board to consider a ban on the watering of decorative grass at businesses and institutions. The proposed ban would not include residential lawns or grass used for recreation, such as school fields, sports fields and parks.
The California Department of Water Resources estimated that the proposed ban alone will result in potential water savings of several hundred thousand acre-feet. An acre-foot of water serves the needs of approximately three households for a year.
Since Newsom issued that executive order at the end of March, Lake County residents seeking to drill new wells found they couldn’t do so.
One of them was Dr. Susan Cannon, who owns Wasson Memorial Veterinary Clinic in Lakeport. Cannon found out about it in early April when the well at her clinic failed due to a cracked casing, not a lack of water.
When her well driller, Matt Hutton, went to Lake County Environmental Health to apply for a permit for a new well, he was told the county wasn’t issuing new permits and was studying the situation, Cannon said.
Cannon said she couldn’t believe the county wasn’t going to allow a well that had been in use for more than 50 years to be replaced. During that time, she said she was having to have water trucked into her clinic.
Hutton, whose father founded Upper Lake-based Hutton Well Drilling in 1950, said it was when he went to the county offices during the first week of April to get permits for well drilling projects that county staff told him that it would be some time before they would be able to resume issuing permits due to the need to study the executive order.
Since then, Hutton said he’s spoken to a casing supplier who said some other counties have stopped issuing well drilling permits altogether due to the executive order.
“I’m very disappointed in Gov. Newsom’s executive order,” Hutton said, adding he wished the governor had left it up to the counties. “He chose a one-size-fits-all mandate. Each county is different. We all have different issues. We can handle this drought differently, some better, some worse.”
Normally, it’s not a problem to drill a replacement well. However, in this case, the executive order resulted in about a half dozen permits Hutton was seeking — including the one for Cannon’s replacement well — being put on hold while the county paused the process.
Studying the order
Dwight Coddington, spokesman for Lake County Health Services, said the agency’s Environmental Health Division took time to study the gubernatorial executive order addressing drought conditions assistance from county counsel.
Coddington pointed to Section 9 of Newsom’s executive order, which triggered the county’s pause in issuing permits.
That section states:
To protect health, safety, and the environment during this drought emergency, a county, city, or other public agency shall not:
a. Approve a permit for a new groundwater well or for alteration of an existing well in a basin subject to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and classified as medium- or high-priority without first obtaining written verification from a Groundwater Sustainability Agency managing the basin or area of the basin where the well is proposed to be located that groundwater extraction by the proposed well would not be inconsistent with any sustainable groundwater management program established in any applicable Groundwater Sustainability Plan adopted by that Groundwater Sustainability Agency and would not decrease the likelihood of achieving a sustainability goal for the basin covered by such a plan; or
b. Issue a permit for a new groundwater well or for alteration of an existing well without first determining that extraction of groundwater from the proposed well is:
(1) not likely to interfere with the production and functioning of existing nearby wells, &
(2) not likely to cause subsidence that would adversely impact or damage nearby infrastructure.
In order to ensure thorough adherence to this order, Coddington said Environmental Health had suspended the issuing of any new permits for wells or for repairs, pending review by counsel.
Then last Tuesday, April 26, during the public comment period at the start of the Board of Supervisors’ meeting, Environmental Director Health Craig Wetherbee gave the board a brief update on the situation.
He explained that Section 9A of the executive order — the same one that Coddington pointed out to Lake County News — had a direct impact on the county related to the issuing of well permits.
Wetherbee said the executive order “has essentially stopped us from issuing well permits for the past three weeks.”
He said Environmental Health had been working closely with county counsel to find solutions. As a result, “We now have in place our solutions to this.”
Regarding Section 9a of the executive order and its direction on managed water basins, Wetherbee said the Big Valley watershed is the only one currently managed in Lake County.
For the Big Valley area, getting a well permit now required signatures from the watershed’s management team, he said.
As for Section 9b, the requirement for ag wells, Wetherbee said those who want well drilling permits must get a hydrologist or another professional to attest to their well not impacting performance of the nearby well and that their well is not likely to cause a subsidence.
“In Lake County, the likelihood of causing a subsidence is very minimal,” Wetherbee said.
However, concerns about interfering with production of another well has been ongoing for some time, he said.
“We will be moving forward with the issuing of permits under the following conditions,” Wetherbee said.
Domestic use wells, for residences and businesses, will be granted exemptions per the executive order, Wetherbee said, provided that they do not take more than two acre feet a year.
He said Environmental Health will be moving forward with permitting those wells with a certification from the property owner that they understand the limitation and will agree to abide by it.
Wetherbee said agriculture wells will be required to continue to provide the report that makes the statement that they will not likely affect any other wells in the nearby area or cause a subsidence.
As of April 26, Wetherbee said they were issuing well permits, which he was very happy to be able to do.
“We have a lot of folks whose wells are starting to run dry and they’re looking to get work done,” he said.
Cannon told Lake County News late last week that her permit application was accepted based on the fact that the water is being used for "domestic use” and that it’s in the process of being approved.
She credited the county with finding a workaround to the situation.
Coddington said late last week that it was his understanding that no permits have been denied as a result of Environmental Health “coming into thorough compliance with the governor’s recent executive order.”
He added, “All pending requests have or are being moved forward at this time, and we are very appreciative of the community’s patience throughout this process.”
Hutton said he received a call on Monday notifying him that his permits for domestic and public wells would be accepted by Environmental Health. For agriculture, it will be more difficult, as it will require additional reporting.
Some of the fallout from the executive order is continuing. With word of it spreading throughout the community, Hutton said it’s causing some panic and he’s getting calls even from those in stable water situations.
For more information on groundwater well permits, visit http://www.lakecountyca.gov/Government/Directory/Environmental_Health.htm .
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.
On March 28, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-7-22, a response to what his office reported were the driest first three months of a year in California’s recorded history.
Specifically, Newsom’s order called on local water suppliers to move to level two of their water shortage contingency plans, which require “locally-appropriate actions that will conserve water across all sectors.”
Newsom also directed the State Water Resources Control Board to consider a ban on the watering of decorative grass at businesses and institutions. The proposed ban would not include residential lawns or grass used for recreation, such as school fields, sports fields and parks.
The California Department of Water Resources estimated that the proposed ban alone will result in potential water savings of several hundred thousand acre-feet. An acre-foot of water serves the needs of approximately three households for a year.
Since Newsom issued that executive order at the end of March, Lake County residents seeking to drill new wells found they couldn’t do so.
One of them was Dr. Susan Cannon, who owns Wasson Memorial Veterinary Clinic in Lakeport. Cannon found out about it in early April when the well at her clinic failed due to a cracked casing, not a lack of water.
When her well driller, Matt Hutton, went to Lake County Environmental Health to apply for a permit for a new well, he was told the county wasn’t issuing new permits and was studying the situation, Cannon said.
Cannon said she couldn’t believe the county wasn’t going to allow a well that had been in use for more than 50 years to be replaced. During that time, she said she was having to have water trucked into her clinic.
Hutton, whose father founded Upper Lake-based Hutton Well Drilling in 1950, said it was when he went to the county offices during the first week of April to get permits for well drilling projects that county staff told him that it would be some time before they would be able to resume issuing permits due to the need to study the executive order.
Since then, Hutton said he’s spoken to a casing supplier who said some other counties have stopped issuing well drilling permits altogether due to the executive order.
“I’m very disappointed in Gov. Newsom’s executive order,” Hutton said, adding he wished the governor had left it up to the counties. “He chose a one-size-fits-all mandate. Each county is different. We all have different issues. We can handle this drought differently, some better, some worse.”
Normally, it’s not a problem to drill a replacement well. However, in this case, the executive order resulted in about a half dozen permits Hutton was seeking — including the one for Cannon’s replacement well — being put on hold while the county paused the process.
Studying the order
Dwight Coddington, spokesman for Lake County Health Services, said the agency’s Environmental Health Division took time to study the gubernatorial executive order addressing drought conditions assistance from county counsel.
Coddington pointed to Section 9 of Newsom’s executive order, which triggered the county’s pause in issuing permits.
That section states:
To protect health, safety, and the environment during this drought emergency, a county, city, or other public agency shall not:
a. Approve a permit for a new groundwater well or for alteration of an existing well in a basin subject to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and classified as medium- or high-priority without first obtaining written verification from a Groundwater Sustainability Agency managing the basin or area of the basin where the well is proposed to be located that groundwater extraction by the proposed well would not be inconsistent with any sustainable groundwater management program established in any applicable Groundwater Sustainability Plan adopted by that Groundwater Sustainability Agency and would not decrease the likelihood of achieving a sustainability goal for the basin covered by such a plan; or
b. Issue a permit for a new groundwater well or for alteration of an existing well without first determining that extraction of groundwater from the proposed well is:
(1) not likely to interfere with the production and functioning of existing nearby wells, &
(2) not likely to cause subsidence that would adversely impact or damage nearby infrastructure.
In order to ensure thorough adherence to this order, Coddington said Environmental Health had suspended the issuing of any new permits for wells or for repairs, pending review by counsel.
Then last Tuesday, April 26, during the public comment period at the start of the Board of Supervisors’ meeting, Environmental Director Health Craig Wetherbee gave the board a brief update on the situation.
He explained that Section 9A of the executive order — the same one that Coddington pointed out to Lake County News — had a direct impact on the county related to the issuing of well permits.
Wetherbee said the executive order “has essentially stopped us from issuing well permits for the past three weeks.”
He said Environmental Health had been working closely with county counsel to find solutions. As a result, “We now have in place our solutions to this.”
Regarding Section 9a of the executive order and its direction on managed water basins, Wetherbee said the Big Valley watershed is the only one currently managed in Lake County.
For the Big Valley area, getting a well permit now required signatures from the watershed’s management team, he said.
As for Section 9b, the requirement for ag wells, Wetherbee said those who want well drilling permits must get a hydrologist or another professional to attest to their well not impacting performance of the nearby well and that their well is not likely to cause a subsidence.
“In Lake County, the likelihood of causing a subsidence is very minimal,” Wetherbee said.
However, concerns about interfering with production of another well has been ongoing for some time, he said.
“We will be moving forward with the issuing of permits under the following conditions,” Wetherbee said.
Domestic use wells, for residences and businesses, will be granted exemptions per the executive order, Wetherbee said, provided that they do not take more than two acre feet a year.
He said Environmental Health will be moving forward with permitting those wells with a certification from the property owner that they understand the limitation and will agree to abide by it.
Wetherbee said agriculture wells will be required to continue to provide the report that makes the statement that they will not likely affect any other wells in the nearby area or cause a subsidence.
As of April 26, Wetherbee said they were issuing well permits, which he was very happy to be able to do.
“We have a lot of folks whose wells are starting to run dry and they’re looking to get work done,” he said.
Cannon told Lake County News late last week that her permit application was accepted based on the fact that the water is being used for "domestic use” and that it’s in the process of being approved.
She credited the county with finding a workaround to the situation.
Coddington said late last week that it was his understanding that no permits have been denied as a result of Environmental Health “coming into thorough compliance with the governor’s recent executive order.”
He added, “All pending requests have or are being moved forward at this time, and we are very appreciative of the community’s patience throughout this process.”
Hutton said he received a call on Monday notifying him that his permits for domestic and public wells would be accepted by Environmental Health. For agriculture, it will be more difficult, as it will require additional reporting.
Some of the fallout from the executive order is continuing. With word of it spreading throughout the community, Hutton said it’s causing some panic and he’s getting calls even from those in stable water situations.
For more information on groundwater well permits, visit http://www.lakecountyca.gov/Government/Directory/Environmental_Health.htm .
Email Elizabeth Larson at
With the U.S. Supreme Court apparently poised to overturn Roe v. Wade — which was revealed in a leaked draft decision document this week — state leaders and a North Coast member of Congress said Tuesday that they have plans to protect women’s reproductive rights in California.
The draft opinion would overrule the 1973 Supreme Court ruling Roe v. Wade as well as the 1992 Planned Parenthood v. Casey decision, which upheld the right to an abortion established in Roe.
Gov. Gavin Newsom called the document “an appalling attack on the rights of women across this country,” adding, “it stands, it will destroy lives and put countless women in danger. It will be the end of fundamental constitutional rights that American women have had for nearly 50 years.”
The governor continued, “We have a Supreme Court that does not value the rights of women, and a political minority that will stop at nothing to take those rights away. This won’t stop with choice and the right to privacy. They are undermining progress, and erasing the civil protections and rights so many have fought for over the last half century.”
Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-05), whose district includes Lake County, said the draft decision “is deeply troubling and problematic as it would allow states to criminalize abortion and ban it, even in the case of rape, incest, and threat to the life of the mother. The decision to have an abortion should be made by a woman in consultation with her doctor, her family, and her faith, but this draft opinion would upend that fundamental right and put reproductive care at risk for millions of women.”
He also pointed out that both Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh had said in their confirmation hearings that Roe was precedent and has been reaffirmed multiple times.
“Justice Kavanaugh said that precedent ‘is not just a judicial policy…it is constitutionally dictated to pay attention and pay heed to rules of precedent.’ If Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh are part of this majority decision, they both would be doing a complete 180 degree turn from their confirmation hearings where they stated they believed in precedent and the rule of law under oath,” Thompson said.
Thompson said the draft decision “clearly demonstrates the pressing need for the Women’s Health Protection Act to enshrine the right to accessible reproductive care for every American.”
On the state level, there are indications that effort is moving forward.
On Tuesday, state Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, who formerly represented Lake County in the Assembly, said he’s working with other state California leaders to guarantee women’s reproductive rights in California's Constitution.
“Clearly, the court is pursuing dangerous policy, undoing decades of precedent, and putting the lives of millions of women at risk,” Sen. Dodd said. “In California, we will continue to defend a woman’s right to choose as well as access to health care by building a protective firewall in our state constitution.”
Gov. Newsom, Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Lakewood, said this week that they would ask voters in November to put permanent protections in the California Constitution.
Sen. Dodd said he plans to co-author the bill, which would need a two-thirds majority in the Legislature to qualify for the Nov. 8 ballot.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta also reaffirmed this week California’s commitment to protecting reproductive rights.
He said that, over the next few weeks, he will meet with reproductive health advocates throughout California to help ensure that Californians know their rights and their protections under state law, and how to access reproductive healthcare.
“California values and protects reproductive rights, freedom, and justice,” said Attorney General Bonta. “My office will continue our fight to preserve and protect access to reproductive healthcare. Our position has been clear from the beginning: Roe v. Wade has been the law of the land for half a century and it should be upheld.”
Bonta added, “As our state's chief law enforcement officer, I will use the full force of the law to defend Californians' reproductive rights. Reproductive freedom is non-negotiable, and we will continue to fight to defend 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.
The draft opinion would overrule the 1973 Supreme Court ruling Roe v. Wade as well as the 1992 Planned Parenthood v. Casey decision, which upheld the right to an abortion established in Roe.
Gov. Gavin Newsom called the document “an appalling attack on the rights of women across this country,” adding, “it stands, it will destroy lives and put countless women in danger. It will be the end of fundamental constitutional rights that American women have had for nearly 50 years.”
The governor continued, “We have a Supreme Court that does not value the rights of women, and a political minority that will stop at nothing to take those rights away. This won’t stop with choice and the right to privacy. They are undermining progress, and erasing the civil protections and rights so many have fought for over the last half century.”
Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-05), whose district includes Lake County, said the draft decision “is deeply troubling and problematic as it would allow states to criminalize abortion and ban it, even in the case of rape, incest, and threat to the life of the mother. The decision to have an abortion should be made by a woman in consultation with her doctor, her family, and her faith, but this draft opinion would upend that fundamental right and put reproductive care at risk for millions of women.”
He also pointed out that both Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh had said in their confirmation hearings that Roe was precedent and has been reaffirmed multiple times.
“Justice Kavanaugh said that precedent ‘is not just a judicial policy…it is constitutionally dictated to pay attention and pay heed to rules of precedent.’ If Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh are part of this majority decision, they both would be doing a complete 180 degree turn from their confirmation hearings where they stated they believed in precedent and the rule of law under oath,” Thompson said.
Thompson said the draft decision “clearly demonstrates the pressing need for the Women’s Health Protection Act to enshrine the right to accessible reproductive care for every American.”
On the state level, there are indications that effort is moving forward.
On Tuesday, state Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, who formerly represented Lake County in the Assembly, said he’s working with other state California leaders to guarantee women’s reproductive rights in California's Constitution.
“Clearly, the court is pursuing dangerous policy, undoing decades of precedent, and putting the lives of millions of women at risk,” Sen. Dodd said. “In California, we will continue to defend a woman’s right to choose as well as access to health care by building a protective firewall in our state constitution.”
Gov. Newsom, Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Lakewood, said this week that they would ask voters in November to put permanent protections in the California Constitution.
Sen. Dodd said he plans to co-author the bill, which would need a two-thirds majority in the Legislature to qualify for the Nov. 8 ballot.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta also reaffirmed this week California’s commitment to protecting reproductive rights.
He said that, over the next few weeks, he will meet with reproductive health advocates throughout California to help ensure that Californians know their rights and their protections under state law, and how to access reproductive healthcare.
“California values and protects reproductive rights, freedom, and justice,” said Attorney General Bonta. “My office will continue our fight to preserve and protect access to reproductive healthcare. Our position has been clear from the beginning: Roe v. Wade has been the law of the land for half a century and it should be upheld.”
Bonta added, “As our state's chief law enforcement officer, I will use the full force of the law to defend Californians' reproductive rights. Reproductive freedom is non-negotiable, and we will continue to fight to defend it.”
Email Elizabeth Larson at
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. — Rotary Club of Kelseyville Sunrise is hosting its second annual online auction to raise money for scholarships and community projects.
This year’s auction offers more than 35 packages including event tickets, overnight stays, experience packages and more for your bidding pleasure. Read on for a sneak peak at some of the wonderful items that are waiting for you.
Visit the auction website at https://rcks2022.ggo.bid to preview the auction packages now.
Click the Get Started button on the top of the page to register to bid. Bidding opens at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 6, and closes at 9 p.m. on Sunday, May 8.
Offerings include event tickets for this year’s Kelseyville Pear Festival Farm to Fork Dinner. The family style dinner will be prepared by Lake County Chef Jeremy Zabel using the freshest local produce. Round out the evening with dancing to the tunes of the Funky Dozen.
Bidders also will have a chance to win a behind the scenes tour of Scully Packing Shed led by Toni Scully. See firsthand how over a million cartons of fresh pears are packed for shipping every year and learn fascinating facts and history of the pear industry in Lake County.
Other items include Visit Lake County overnight stays. Looking for a peaceful farm stay – checkout Finca Castelero. Prefer a great location in town – Suites on Main is your gig. Wishing for a romantic getaway – Laujor Vineyard Loft is the one. If you want to be on the water, Skylark Shores Resort or Konocti Vista Casino and Hotel are the ticket. Need something a bit bigger – The Dome, a fabulous house on the water that sleeps six will meet your needs.
The Rotary Club of Kelseyville Sunrise is made up of local business, professional and civic leaders. Members meet regularly, get to know each other, form friendships, and get things done in the community.
For membership and other information about the Rotary Club of Kelseyville Sunrise, visit www.kelseyvillerotary.org or email
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Our mental health has a powerful influence on our quality of life.
It affects how we feel, how we see ourselves, how we handle stress, how we make choices, and how we relate to others.
Our mental health deserves the same attention as our physical health, but is far too often overlooked or ignored.
The month of May is Mental Health Matters Month. Now is the time to check in on our own mental health and the mental health of the people we care about.
Please support and encourage those you are connected with to take action to attend to mental health needs.
Behavioral Health Services staff invite you, particularly, to “Take Action 4 Mental Health” on Saturday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Library Park in Lakeport. The event will have a booth and information. Also, check out Lake County Prevention on Facebook for more events and information.
“Taking Action 4 Mental Health” starts with you. Check in on your own mental health and the mental health of someone you care about. You may find self-care activities or other support give your mind and body an opportunity to recharge.
When you check in with others, let them know you’re there for them if they want to talk. Help them get support from other sources, if they are in need. To get started, visit the “Take Action 4 Mental Health” website’s check-in page at https://takeaction4mh.com/.
Most people have times when we feel sad, stressed out, anxious or just weighed down. If “a few bad days” occur often, and/or last more than two weeks, this can be a sign of something more serious.
If you recognize signs additional support may be needed, for yourself or someone else, take time to learn more about self-care, services, and supports available. Find a positive path forward.
If you feel overwhelmed, or mental health challenges interfere with your life, it’s time to seek help. Reach out and connect with family, friends, peer support groups, or other resources available in your community.
Lake County Behavioral Health Services also offers many community trainings for suicide prevention. The trainings provide tools to start challenging, but important, conversations about mental health and suicide.
These trainings are available for the entire community, as well as schools and agencies. For more information, please contact Kendra Boyce, Prevention Specialist atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 707-533-7358, or Michael Mos, Prevention Specialist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. :
· Know the Signs is designed to teach people how to: recognize warning signs of suicide; find the words to get the conversation started; and reach out to the resources available. You are not alone. There is HOPE.
· Question Persuade Refer, or QPR, is a short training that offers tools for emergency response when someone is in a mental health crisis; this information can save lives.
· Adult Mental Health First Aid teaches adults how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders in their peers, friends, and family. This 8-hour training offers skills needed to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem, and help connect them to appropriate care.
· Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches adults who work with youth to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. This 6.5-hour training builds the skills needed to reach out and provide initial support to children and adolescents (ages 6-18) who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem, and help connect them to appropriate care.
· Teen Mental Health First Aid teaches high school students how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders among their friends and peers. Students are equipped with skills to have supportive conversations with their friends, and get a responsible and trusted adult to take over, as necessary. This training, designed to be delivered in schools or community sites, encompasses three interactive classroom sessions of 90 minutes each, or six sessions of 45 minutes each.
If you, or another person, are in a crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You can also call the Lake County Behavioral Health Services Crisis Line, 1-800-900-2075, to speak with a trained counselor who can help.
Texting HELP to 741741 is another simple way to connect with someone when you are feeling depressed, anxious, just need to talk to someone, or you are or someone you know is in crisis.
The Take Action 4 Mental Health website also offers many support resources to help children and youth and the LGBTQIA+ community, and substance use and sexual assault and domestic violence hotline. There are many support options to try; each person can explore what works best for them.
This May, let’s all step up and do something for ourselves and those around us.
Let’s take action for our individual and collective mental health in Lake County.
Remember: It’s Ok to Not Be OK.
For more information, please contact Carrie Manning at Lake County Behavioral Health Services at 707-274-9101 orThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
It affects how we feel, how we see ourselves, how we handle stress, how we make choices, and how we relate to others.
Our mental health deserves the same attention as our physical health, but is far too often overlooked or ignored.
The month of May is Mental Health Matters Month. Now is the time to check in on our own mental health and the mental health of the people we care about.
Please support and encourage those you are connected with to take action to attend to mental health needs.
Behavioral Health Services staff invite you, particularly, to “Take Action 4 Mental Health” on Saturday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Library Park in Lakeport. The event will have a booth and information. Also, check out Lake County Prevention on Facebook for more events and information.
“Taking Action 4 Mental Health” starts with you. Check in on your own mental health and the mental health of someone you care about. You may find self-care activities or other support give your mind and body an opportunity to recharge.
When you check in with others, let them know you’re there for them if they want to talk. Help them get support from other sources, if they are in need. To get started, visit the “Take Action 4 Mental Health” website’s check-in page at https://takeaction4mh.com/.
Most people have times when we feel sad, stressed out, anxious or just weighed down. If “a few bad days” occur often, and/or last more than two weeks, this can be a sign of something more serious.
If you recognize signs additional support may be needed, for yourself or someone else, take time to learn more about self-care, services, and supports available. Find a positive path forward.
If you feel overwhelmed, or mental health challenges interfere with your life, it’s time to seek help. Reach out and connect with family, friends, peer support groups, or other resources available in your community.
Lake County Behavioral Health Services also offers many community trainings for suicide prevention. The trainings provide tools to start challenging, but important, conversations about mental health and suicide.
These trainings are available for the entire community, as well as schools and agencies. For more information, please contact Kendra Boyce, Prevention Specialist at
· Know the Signs is designed to teach people how to: recognize warning signs of suicide; find the words to get the conversation started; and reach out to the resources available. You are not alone. There is HOPE.
· Question Persuade Refer, or QPR, is a short training that offers tools for emergency response when someone is in a mental health crisis; this information can save lives.
· Adult Mental Health First Aid teaches adults how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders in their peers, friends, and family. This 8-hour training offers skills needed to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem, and help connect them to appropriate care.
· Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches adults who work with youth to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. This 6.5-hour training builds the skills needed to reach out and provide initial support to children and adolescents (ages 6-18) who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem, and help connect them to appropriate care.
· Teen Mental Health First Aid teaches high school students how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders among their friends and peers. Students are equipped with skills to have supportive conversations with their friends, and get a responsible and trusted adult to take over, as necessary. This training, designed to be delivered in schools or community sites, encompasses three interactive classroom sessions of 90 minutes each, or six sessions of 45 minutes each.
If you, or another person, are in a crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You can also call the Lake County Behavioral Health Services Crisis Line, 1-800-900-2075, to speak with a trained counselor who can help.
Texting HELP to 741741 is another simple way to connect with someone when you are feeling depressed, anxious, just need to talk to someone, or you are or someone you know is in crisis.
The Take Action 4 Mental Health website also offers many support resources to help children and youth and the LGBTQIA+ community, and substance use and sexual assault and domestic violence hotline. There are many support options to try; each person can explore what works best for them.
This May, let’s all step up and do something for ourselves and those around us.
Let’s take action for our individual and collective mental health in Lake County.
Remember: It’s Ok to Not Be OK.
For more information, please contact Carrie Manning at Lake County Behavioral Health Services at 707-274-9101 or
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Clearlake City Council will discuss approving contracts, a land sale and a committee reorganization this week.
The council will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 5, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
The meeting will be broadcast live on the city's YouTube channel or the Lake County PEGTV YouTube Channel. Community members also can participate via Zoom or can attend in person.
The agenda can be found here.
Comments and questions can be submitted in writing for City Council consideration by sending them to City Clerk Melissa Swanson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
To give the council adequate time to review your questions and comments, please submit your written comments before 4 p.m. Thursday, May 5.
Each public comment emailed to the city clerk will be read aloud by the mayor or a member of staff for up to three minutes or will be displayed on a screen. Public comment emails and town hall public comment submissions that are received after the beginning of the meeting will not be included in the record.
Under council business, they will consider awarding the contract for the Austin Park splash pad and the Second and Modoc roadway improvement projects.
The council also will discuss the sale of a vacant parcel of land at 13981 Morgan Ave. for $20,000.
In other business, the council will consider reorganizing the Clearlake Marketing Committee, which was formed in 2016 to assist in economic development and marketing the city.
Councilmember David Claffey, who chairs the Marketing Committee, will present a new direction and reorganization the committee discussed and developed consensus upon at the April meeting.
The council on Thursday also receive the Lake County Tourism Improvement District’s annual report and present six proclamations, recognizing May 2022 as Military Appreciation Month and Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, May 15 to 21 as Police Week, May 1 to 7 as Public Service Appreciation Week and National Small Business Week, and May 9 to 13 as Economic Development Week.
On the meeting's consent agenda — items that are considered routine in nature and usually adopted on a single vote — are warrants; approval of Resolution 2022-21 approving a temporary road closure on May 21, 2022; approval of the sole source purchase of light poles from JAM Services; consideration of Resolution No. 2022-22 approving a temporary street closure for the Hope 4 Health event on May 14; acceptance of the contract with Clean Lakes Inc. in the amount of $148,603.80 for the Austin Beach Water Project; continuation of the declaration of local emergency issued on Aug. 23, 2021, and ratified by council action on Sept. 16, 2021, and keep the declaration of emergency active and set next review in 60 days; continuation of declaration of local emergency issued on Aug. 18, 2021, and ratified by council action on Aug. 19, 2021, keep declaration of emergency active and set next review in 60 days; discontinuation of declaration of local emergency issued on March 14, 2020, and ratified by council action on March 19, 2020; the second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 261-2022 adopting a military equipment use policy; and continue the authorization to implement and utilize teleconference accessibility to conduct public meetings pursuant to Assembly Bill 361.
Following the public portion of the meeting, the council will go into closed session to discuss an existing lawsuit against the county treasurer-tax collector, a potential case of litigation and labor negotiations with the Clearlake Municipal Employee Association and Clearlake Police Officers Association.
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 council will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 5, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
The meeting will be broadcast live on the city's YouTube channel or the Lake County PEGTV YouTube Channel. Community members also can participate via Zoom or can attend in person.
The agenda can be found here.
Comments and questions can be submitted in writing for City Council consideration by sending them to City Clerk Melissa Swanson at
To give the council adequate time to review your questions and comments, please submit your written comments before 4 p.m. Thursday, May 5.
Each public comment emailed to the city clerk will be read aloud by the mayor or a member of staff for up to three minutes or will be displayed on a screen. Public comment emails and town hall public comment submissions that are received after the beginning of the meeting will not be included in the record.
Under council business, they will consider awarding the contract for the Austin Park splash pad and the Second and Modoc roadway improvement projects.
The council also will discuss the sale of a vacant parcel of land at 13981 Morgan Ave. for $20,000.
In other business, the council will consider reorganizing the Clearlake Marketing Committee, which was formed in 2016 to assist in economic development and marketing the city.
Councilmember David Claffey, who chairs the Marketing Committee, will present a new direction and reorganization the committee discussed and developed consensus upon at the April meeting.
The council on Thursday also receive the Lake County Tourism Improvement District’s annual report and present six proclamations, recognizing May 2022 as Military Appreciation Month and Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, May 15 to 21 as Police Week, May 1 to 7 as Public Service Appreciation Week and National Small Business Week, and May 9 to 13 as Economic Development Week.
On the meeting's consent agenda — items that are considered routine in nature and usually adopted on a single vote — are warrants; approval of Resolution 2022-21 approving a temporary road closure on May 21, 2022; approval of the sole source purchase of light poles from JAM Services; consideration of Resolution No. 2022-22 approving a temporary street closure for the Hope 4 Health event on May 14; acceptance of the contract with Clean Lakes Inc. in the amount of $148,603.80 for the Austin Beach Water Project; continuation of the declaration of local emergency issued on Aug. 23, 2021, and ratified by council action on Sept. 16, 2021, and keep the declaration of emergency active and set next review in 60 days; continuation of declaration of local emergency issued on Aug. 18, 2021, and ratified by council action on Aug. 19, 2021, keep declaration of emergency active and set next review in 60 days; discontinuation of declaration of local emergency issued on March 14, 2020, and ratified by council action on March 19, 2020; the second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 261-2022 adopting a military equipment use policy; and continue the authorization to implement and utilize teleconference accessibility to conduct public meetings pursuant to Assembly Bill 361.
Following the public portion of the meeting, the council will go into closed session to discuss an existing lawsuit against the county treasurer-tax collector, a potential case of litigation and labor negotiations with the Clearlake Municipal Employee Association and Clearlake Police Officers Association.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Blue Zones Project Lake County, in partnership with Adventist Health Clear Lake, will celebrate its official launch in the community with the Blue Zones Project Community Kickoff and inaugural Hope4Health Festival/Hope in the Park Concert.
Lake County residents are invited to join the fun-filled day of events on Saturday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Austin Park in Clearlake.
The free, family-friendly Blue Zones Project Kickoff and Hope4Health Festival experiences will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., followed by the inaugural Hope in the Park Concert featuring the inspirational music of Unity Voices from 3 to 5 p.m.
“We are so pleased by the incredible amount of community support we received over the last six months as we worked with local stakeholders to create the foundation for this project,” said Jamey Gill, executive director of Blue Zones Project Lake County. “We are now excited to engage with the public at large through people, places, and policy. We encourage everyone in Lake County to come to our Community Kickoff at Adventist Health’s Hope4Health Festival, meet our team, and learn how to get involved!”
“We are proud to team up with local organizations to bring this annual family-friendly festival to Lake County offering free food, activities, live concert, and health screenings for all ages,” said David Santos, president of Adventist Health Clear Lake. “Promoting activity and making healthy choices aligns with our mission to better the well-being of the community. This year, in collaboration with the Blue Zones Project, we invite you to bring your friends and family to enjoy the Hope4Health Festival and Hope in the Park Concert.”
Based on principles discovered during an ongoing twenty-year longevity study developed by Dan Buettner, National Geographic Fellow and New York Times bestselling author of The Blue Zones and The Blue Zones Solution, Blue Zones Project is designed to make healthy choices easier through permanent and semi-permanent changes to a community’s built environment, public policies and social networks.
The Blue Zones Project Community Kickoff celebration event will explore core themes inspired by the original Blue Zones Power 9 principles that help people live longer, healthier lives: Connect, Eat Wisely, Move Naturally and Right Outlook.
Attendees will be invited to sample healthy bites from local culinary talent in the Taste of Blue Zones area, family-friendly games and activities including hourly demonstrations, plant mini gardens, downshift by visiting a featured petting zoo and Hula Hoop contest.
Guests can also enjoy interactive stations hosted by partner organizations and businesses such as NCO Gardens Project, Easterseals, various Rotary clubs and WIC.
Special guest speaker Nick Buettner, Vice President of Community Engagement and producer of Blue Zones expeditions, will take the stage to share his exploration story to the original blue zones longevity hot spots, and the habits and longevity secrets discovered to help everyone live a longer, better life.
Throughout the day guests will also receive fun giveaways and a chance to win prizes like paddleboards, kayaks and body boards.
All Blue Zones Project community events are free for participants. To volunteer, learn more, and register for the Kickoff event visit lc.bluezonesproject.com/community-kickoff.
More information about Blue Zones Project Lake County is available at https://lc.bluezonesproject.com/home.
For updates on more ways to get engaged and the latest events and local happenings, follow on Facebook @bzplakecounty and Instagram at @bzp_lakecounty.
More information about Hope4Health is available at https://www.adventisthealth.org/clear-lake/about-us/community-wellness/hope4health/.
Lake County residents are invited to join the fun-filled day of events on Saturday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Austin Park in Clearlake.
The free, family-friendly Blue Zones Project Kickoff and Hope4Health Festival experiences will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., followed by the inaugural Hope in the Park Concert featuring the inspirational music of Unity Voices from 3 to 5 p.m.
“We are so pleased by the incredible amount of community support we received over the last six months as we worked with local stakeholders to create the foundation for this project,” said Jamey Gill, executive director of Blue Zones Project Lake County. “We are now excited to engage with the public at large through people, places, and policy. We encourage everyone in Lake County to come to our Community Kickoff at Adventist Health’s Hope4Health Festival, meet our team, and learn how to get involved!”
“We are proud to team up with local organizations to bring this annual family-friendly festival to Lake County offering free food, activities, live concert, and health screenings for all ages,” said David Santos, president of Adventist Health Clear Lake. “Promoting activity and making healthy choices aligns with our mission to better the well-being of the community. This year, in collaboration with the Blue Zones Project, we invite you to bring your friends and family to enjoy the Hope4Health Festival and Hope in the Park Concert.”
Based on principles discovered during an ongoing twenty-year longevity study developed by Dan Buettner, National Geographic Fellow and New York Times bestselling author of The Blue Zones and The Blue Zones Solution, Blue Zones Project is designed to make healthy choices easier through permanent and semi-permanent changes to a community’s built environment, public policies and social networks.
The Blue Zones Project Community Kickoff celebration event will explore core themes inspired by the original Blue Zones Power 9 principles that help people live longer, healthier lives: Connect, Eat Wisely, Move Naturally and Right Outlook.
Attendees will be invited to sample healthy bites from local culinary talent in the Taste of Blue Zones area, family-friendly games and activities including hourly demonstrations, plant mini gardens, downshift by visiting a featured petting zoo and Hula Hoop contest.
Guests can also enjoy interactive stations hosted by partner organizations and businesses such as NCO Gardens Project, Easterseals, various Rotary clubs and WIC.
Special guest speaker Nick Buettner, Vice President of Community Engagement and producer of Blue Zones expeditions, will take the stage to share his exploration story to the original blue zones longevity hot spots, and the habits and longevity secrets discovered to help everyone live a longer, better life.
Throughout the day guests will also receive fun giveaways and a chance to win prizes like paddleboards, kayaks and body boards.
All Blue Zones Project community events are free for participants. To volunteer, learn more, and register for the Kickoff event visit lc.bluezonesproject.com/community-kickoff.
More information about Blue Zones Project Lake County is available at https://lc.bluezonesproject.com/home.
For updates on more ways to get engaged and the latest events and local happenings, follow on Facebook @bzplakecounty and Instagram at @bzp_lakecounty.
More information about Hope4Health is available at https://www.adventisthealth.org/clear-lake/about-us/community-wellness/hope4health/.