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News

Reynolds announces candidacy for Middletown Unified School Board

Charise Reynolds. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A south Lake County parent and school volunteer said she is running for the Middletown Unified School Board in a special election in June.

Charise Reynolds announced her candidacy for the school board this week.

The district is holding a special election due to a petition submitted late last year that ended the provisional appointment of Annette Lee, who the board had appointed to fill the seat vacated last fall by LaTrease Walker.

Reynolds was among the 10 applicants the Middletown Unified School Board had interviewed last fall for Walker’s seat as well as the one vacated by Thad Owens, who earlier this month was hired as the district’s new superintendent. Allison Berlogar was appointed to fill Owens’ seat and her appointment was not challenged by the petition.

The Middletown Unified special election has been consolidated with the June statewide primary.

Reynolds said she has led and participated in several school and extracurricular committees and groups, works in a supervisory role for Lake County, was the co-chair for the 2020 Lake County Complete Count Census Committee, has experience serving on governing boards, and was part of the team that secured the Title I designation for Minnie Cannon Elementary School.

She sees a need to put education first and wants to focus decision making on the needs of the community’s children.

“I will work to foster caring, excellence, communication, and participation,” Reynolds said.

As a board member, Reynolds’ priorities will be to move the district forward with a focus on the budget, the bond, the Local Control and Accountability Plan, supporting teachers and ensuring a constructive and positive learning environment for our students while engaging our community via interactive livestreamed board meetings.

“South Lake County has pulled together before and we know that by helping each other, no matter our differences, we are stronger. Now is the time to stand together and make a difference,” Reynolds said.

More information about Reynolds and her candidacy is available here.

Clearlake City Council to discuss property abatements, road project financing

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Clearlake City Council will consider approving abatements of seven properties and discuss road project financing this week.

The council will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 17, 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 This 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, March 17.

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.

On Thursday, the council will consider authorizing City Manager Alan Flora to execute a contract for the demolition and abatement of properties located at 3407 Oleander St., 3864 Laddell Ave., 14514 Emory Ave., 15586 33rd Ave., 15783 40th Ave., 14220 Pearl St. and 3395 4th St.

Code Enforcement Supervisor Lee Lambert’s report to the council explained that each of the properties have been deemed health and safety hazards and public nuisances, with notices of violation issued to each property owner, who have failed to abate the hazards and nuisances.

Lambert said the city has advertised for bids for the demolition of structures and abatement of the seven properties, with those bids to be opened before the meeting on Thursday.

The council also will discuss and consider financing options to facilitate additional road maintenance projects, a topic which also was on the March 3 agenda.

Also on Thursday, the council will meet an adoptable dog from the city’s animal shelter and consider a cost sharing agreement with the county of Lake and city of Lakeport for expenses related to facilitation of community visioning forums.

On the meeting's consent agenda — items that are not considered controversial and are usually adopted on a single vote — are warrants; authorization for the city manager to enter into a contract with Bartley Pump for well services related to the Burns Valley Development Project in the amount of $44,948.93 and authorize the city manager to approve up to 10% for additional unforeseen contract amendments; approval of the purchase of splash pad equipment for Austin Park from All About Play Inc. in the amount of $96,379.39; hold the first reading of the amendment to Clearlake Municipal Code Chapter 18-20.130.c regarding water efficient landscaping, read it by title only, waive further reading and set second reading and adoption for March 17; hold the second reading of Ordinance No. 260-2022, an amendment to Clearlake Municipal Code Chapter 9-1 regarding building and housing, read it by title only, waive further reading and adopt the ordinance; consider an amendment to the agreement with OpenGov Inc. to expand services to include OpenGov reporting and transparency platform and citizen services suite; continuation of declaration of local emergency issued on Aug. 23, 2021, and ratified by council action on Sept. 16, 2021; continuation of declaration of local emergency issued on Aug. 18, 2021, and ratified by council action on Aug. 19, 2021; continuation of declaration of local emergency issued on March 14, 2020, and ratified by council action on March 19, 2020; continuation of authorization to implement and utilize teleconference accessibility to conduct public meetings pursuant to Assembly Bill 361; and consideration of AAR No. 5 to the 2021-2022 Budget, Resolution No. 2022-13.

After the public portion of the meeting, the council will convene a closed session to hold a conference with legal counsel regarding existing litigation against the county and
Treasurer-Tax Collector Barbara Ringen and a potential case of litigation.

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.

March 15 is ‘Equal Pay Day’

The 2022 Equal Pay Day in the United States is Tuesday, March 15.

According to the National Committee on Pay Equity, or NCPE, “This date symbolizes how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year.”

The NCPE reported that it began “Equal Pay Day” in 1996 as a public awareness event to illustrate the gap between men's and women's wages.

The observance originally was called “National Pay Inequity Awareness Day” and changed to Equal Pay Day in 1998.

“Since Census statistics showing the latest wage figures will not be available until late August or September, NCPE leadership decided years ago to select a Tuesday in April as Equal Pay Day. (Tuesday was selected to represent how far into the next work week women must work to earn what men earned the previous week.) The date also is selected to avoid religious holidays and other significant events,” the NCPE reported.

“Because women earn less, on average, than men, they must work longer for the same amount of pay. The wage gap is even greater for most women of color,” NCPE said.

Equal Pay Day doesn’t fall on the same date everywhere.

For example, in Germany this year, it was marked on March 7, while it will take place on March 24 in the Netherlands and on March 25 in France.

The European Commission reported that women in the European Union are hourly paid 14.1% less than men on average, which equals almost two months of salary.

The European Commission marks Nov. 10 “as a symbolic day to raise awareness that female workers in Europe still earn on average less than their male colleagues.”

Supervisors to discuss drought, COVID-19 workplace protocol

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Board of Supervisors is set this week to get updates on the county’s drought conditions and the county government’s COVID-19 workplace protocol.

The‌ ‌board will meet beginning ‌at‌ ‌9‌ ‌a.m. ‌Tuesday, March 15, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.

The‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌can‌ ‌be‌ ‌watched‌ ‌live‌ ‌on‌ ‌Channel‌ ‌8, ‌online‌ ‌at‌ ‌https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx‌‌ and‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌county’s‌ ‌Facebook‌ ‌page. ‌ ‌Accompanying‌ ‌board‌ ‌documents, ‌the‌ ‌agenda‌ ‌and‌ ‌archived‌ ‌board‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌videos‌ ‌also‌ ‌are‌ ‌available‌ ‌at‌ ‌that‌ ‌link. ‌ ‌

To‌ ‌participate‌ ‌in‌ ‌real-time, ‌join‌ ‌the‌ ‌Zoom‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌by‌ ‌clicking‌ ‌this‌ ‌link‌. ‌ ‌

The‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌ID‌ ‌is‌ 985 2284 2795, ‌pass code 828392.‌ ‌The meeting also can be accessed via one tap mobile at +16699006833,,98522842795#,,,,*828392#.

All interested members of the public that do not have internet access or a Mediacom cable subscription are encouraged to call 669-900-6833, and enter the Zoom meeting ID and pass code information above.

To‌ ‌submit‌ ‌a‌ ‌written‌ ‌comment‌ ‌on‌ ‌any‌ ‌agenda‌ ‌item‌ ‌visit‌ ‌https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx‌‌ and‌ ‌click‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌eComment‌ ‌feature‌ ‌linked‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌date. ‌If‌ ‌a‌ ‌comment‌ ‌is‌ ‌submitted‌ ‌after‌ ‌the‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌begins, ‌‌it‌ ‌may‌ ‌not‌ ‌be‌ ‌read‌ ‌during‌ ‌the‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌but‌ ‌will‌ ‌become‌ ‌a‌ ‌part‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌record.

At 10:30 a.m., the board will discuss drought-related matters, getting updates from the Comprehensive Drought Workgroup, the Drought Emergency Operations Center, the Lake County Drought Task Force and the Tree Mortality Task Force.

In an untimed item, the board will consider an amendment to the county of Lake COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Worksite Protocol.

The full agenda follows.

CONSENT AGENDA

5.1: Adopt proclamation commending Operation Tango Mike For 19 years of support for military personnel and their families.

5.2: Approve change to the Board of Supervisors annual calendar for 2022.

5.3: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Community Development Services to provide Community Development Block Grant consulting services for a maximum compensation not to exceed 99% of the amount of administrative services funding awarded with each successful grant application and authorize the chair to sign.

5.4: Adopt resolution approving Agreement No. 21-SD17 with California Department of Food and Agriculture for compliance with the Seed Services program for period July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022.

5.5: Approve the plans and specifications for the Hill Road Correctional Facility Backup Generator Project, Bid No. 22-08, and authorize the Public Services director/assistant purchasing agent to advertise for bids.

5.6: Approve inspection agreement for Hidden Valley Lake Homeowner's Association to provide engineering service for major use permit (UP14-09) APN # 141-371-01 and authorize the chair to sign.

5.7: Adopt resolution authorizing the Public Works Department director to sign a notice of completion for work performed under agreement dated Aug. 18, 2020; the Bartlett Springs Road at Cache Creek Bridge Rehabilitation Project, Bid No. 20-09; Federal Aid Project No. BRLO-5914 (092).

5.8: Approve Change Order No. 1 with Techno Coatings for Bartlett Springs Road at Cache Creek Bridge Rehabilitation Project; Federal Project No. BRLO-5914(092), Bid No. 20-09 for an increase of $4,778.00 and a revised contract amount of $689,778.00 and authorize the chair to sign.

5.9: Approve bid award to Easy Badges in the amount of $5,560.91 for a replacement ID card printer.

5.10: Approve to waive the 900 hour limit for certain janitorial positions within the Department of Social Services.

TIMED ITEMS

6.2, 9:06 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation commending Operation Tango Mike For 19 years of support for military personnel and their families.

6.3, 9:30 a.m.: Consideration of hearing on account and proposed assessment for 6974 Harlan Ave., Nice.

6.4, 10:30 a.m.: a) Update on 2022 drought conditions in Lake County; and b) updates from drought-related meeting groups including the Comprehensive Drought Workgroup, the Drought Emergency Operations Center, the Lake County Drought Task Force and the Tree Mortality Task Force.

6.5, 11 a.m.: Consideration of resolution to authorize the county administrative officer to, on behalf of the library, submit a grant application, acceptance, and execution of grant funds from the State of California Budget Act of 2021 (SB 129).

6.6, 11:15 a.m.: Consideration of Lake County Fish and Wildlife Advisory Committee’s recommendation to allocate $6,500 from the Fish and Game fund to the Lake County Certified Tourism Ambassador program for their efforts to promote visiting anglers and local businesses; and (b) consideration of Lake County Fish and Wildlife Advisory Committee’s recommendation to allocate $2,000 to support the annual Chamber of Commerce Bass tournament.

UNTIMED ITEMS

7.2: Consideration of amendment to the county of Lake COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Worksite Protocol.

7.3: Consideration of an agreement between the county of Lake and Nicole Anderson and Associates LLC for facilitation of community visioning forums promoting tolerance, respect, equity and inclusion in Lake County.

7.4: Consideration of agreement between county of Lake and Adventist Health St. Helena and Vallejo for acute inpatient psychiatric hospital services and professional services associated with acute inpatient psychiatric hospitalizations for fiscal years 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23 for a maximum compensation of $375,000 and authorize the chair to sign.

7.5: Consideration of the plans and specifications for the Lake County Courthouse Roof Replacement Project, Bid No. 22-10, and authorize the Public Services director / assistant purchasing agent to advertise for bids.

CLOSED SESSION

8.1: Public employee evaluation: Agricultural commissioner.

8.2: Public employee evaluation: Behavioral Health director.

8.3: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9 (d)(1): Nichols v. County of Lake, et al.

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.

Gender pay gap widens as women age

Women are over-represented in lower paying jobs and, as they age, the pay gap widens even more.

The U.S. Census Bureau’s Quarterly Workforce Indicators (QWI) shows the pay and age dynamic of women and men. Here, we looked at workers ages 35-44.

According to the QWI data based on unemployment insurance wage records for the third quarter of 2020 (the most recent national data), women in the United States earned 30% less than men and that pay gap increased with age.

Although the gender pay gap has narrowed since the signing of the Equal Pay Act of 1963, women earned 82 cents for every dollar a man earns according to 2020 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The gender gap has narrowed for younger women as they increase their education level and break into occupations traditionally dominated by men.

While women have a growing presence in higher paying industries like Information or Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, they are still over-represented in lower paying industries.

QWI Explorer provides easy access to national data on earnings of women and men. It shows a gap in monthly wages of almost $4,000 for women compared to men with a bachelor’s or advanced degree.

Women are more likely than men to be employed in professional and related occupations, according to a 2019 BLS report. Within the professional category, however, the proportion of women in higher paying jobs is much smaller than that of men.

The data also shows there are nearly 15 million women in Health Care and Social Services, over 7 million in Retail and Trade and 5.5 million in Accommodations and Food Services.

QWI Explorer

The QWI Explorer allows users to examine different aspects of the labor market through interactive tables that compare and rank labor force statistics on:

• Employment.
• Job creation and destruction.
• Wages.
• Hires and separations.

Through interactive visualizations and detailed reports, users can analyze earnings by worker sex, race, education, industry, and age across national, state, metro/micropolitan and workforce investment areas.

An infographic published last year using 2019 data from the Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics’ Quarterly Workforce Indicators Explorer illustrates the trend.

Earlene K.P. Dowell is a program analyst in the Census Bureau’s Economic Management Division/Data User and Trade Outreach Branch.

Lakeport City Council to hold public hearings on city code updates

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lakeport City Council is set to hold public hearings on new regulations to update city code involving skateboarding and skating and design standards for multifamily dwellings.

The council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

The agenda can be found here.

The council chambers will be open to the public for the meeting. Masks are highly encouraged where 6-foot distancing cannot be maintained.

If you cannot attend in person, and would like to speak on an agenda item, you can access the Zoom meeting remotely at this link or join by phone by calling toll-free 669-900-9128 or 346-248-7799.

The webinar ID is 973 6820 1787, access code is 477973; the audio pin will be shown after joining the webinar. Those phoning in without using the web link will be in “listen mode” only and will not be able to participate or comment.

Comments can be submitted by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To give the city clerk adequate time to print out comments for consideration at the meeting, please submit written comments before 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 15.

On Tuesday, the council will get one of its regular reports from the All Children Thrive Youth Governance Council.

The council will hold a public hearing to adopt an ordinance adding new chapters to the Lakeport Municipal Code related to skating and skateboarding in any skate park, parklands and the downtown district.

Another public hearing is scheduled to consider a draft ordinance modifying city rules referring to accessory dwelling units and objective design standards, and setting a second reading for April 5, and adoption of a draft resolution establishing the Lakeport citywide residential objective design and development standards for multifamily dwellings.

Under council business, Community Development Director Jenni Byers will present the Housing Element Annual Report and Assistant City Manager Nick Walker will give the second quarter financial update.

Utilities Superintendent Paul Harris will ask the council to approve the contract award for a 40 pound-per-day ozone generator from Oxidation Technologies and approval to conduct a sewer capacity study of the city’s wastewater treatment plant in the amount of $65,970.

On the consent agenda — items usually accepted as a slate on one vote — are ordinances; minutes of the council’s regular meeting on March 1; adoption of a resolution authorizing continued remote teleconference meetings of the Lakeport City Council and its legislative bodies pursuant to Government Code section 54953(e); approve event application 2022-011, with staff recommendations, for the 2022 Children’s Festival; approve the Military use policy and city ordinance, as drafted, and set this matter for public hearing at the April 5 meeting; and authorize out-of-state travel for Utilities Superintendent Paul Harris, Water Operations Supervisor Forrest Stogner and Wastewater Facilities Supervisor Steven Grossner to attend the California Rural Water Association’s Annual Expo.

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.
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Community

  • Lake County Wine Alliance offers sponsor update; beneficiary applications open 

  • Mendocino National Forest announces seasonal hiring for upcoming field season

Public Safety

  • Lakeport Police logs: Thursday, Jan. 15

  • Lakeport Police logs: Wednesday, Jan. 14

Education

  • Woodland Community College receives maximum eight-year reaffirmation of accreditation from ACCJC

  • SNHU announces Fall 2025 President's List

Health

  • California ranks 24th in America’s Health Rankings Annual Report from United Health Foundation

  • Healthy blood donors especially vital during active flu season

Business

  • Two Lake County Mediacom employees earn company’s top service awards

  • Redwood Credit Union launches holiday gift and porch-to-pantry food drives

Obituaries

  • Rufino ‘Ray’ Pato

  • Patty Lee Smith

Opinion & Letters

  • The benefits of music for students

  • How to ease the burden of high electric bills

Veterans

  • CalVet and CSU Long Beach team up to improve data collection related to veteran suicides

  • A ‘Big Step Forward’ for Gulf War Veterans

Recreation

  • Wet weather trail closure in effect on Upper Lake Ranger District

  • Mendocino National Forest seeking public input on OHV grant applications

  • State Parks announces 2026 Anderson Marsh nature walk schedule 

  • BLM lifts seasonal fire restrictions in central California

Religion

  • Kelseyville Presbyterian to host Ash Wednesday service and Lenten dinner Feb. 18

  • Kelseyville Presbyterian Church to hold ‘Longest Night’ service Dec. 21

Arts & Life

  • Auditions announced for original musical ‘Even In Shadow’ set for March 21 and 28

  • ‘The Rip’ action heist; ‘Steal’ grounded in a crime thriller

Government & Politics

  • Lake County Democrats issue endorsements in local races for the June California Primary

  • County negotiates money-saving power purchase agreement

Legals

  • March 3 hearing on ordinance amending code for commercial cannabis uses

  • Feb. 12 public hearing on resolution to establish standards for agricultural roads

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