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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — On Tuesday, Congressman John Garamendi honored 44 women from the Third Congressional District of California who are leaders and visionaries in their communities.
Among the honorees is Megan Grant of Upper Lake, who serves as assistant principal at Lucerne Elementary School.
She is part of a group of women who Garamendi said have all made significant contributions to society through public service, business, education and local advocacy.
“Every year I have the honor of recognizing the achievements and service of these distinguished women,” Garamendi said. “These leaders come from a variety of backgrounds, but every one of them has made a real difference to their communities and the people around them. It’s a privilege to be able to honor them.”
Last year’s Women of the Year event was conducted virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This year, thanks to the transformational work by many of our honorees as well as policies like the American Rescue Plan, we can once again gather in person with family and friends to honor the incredible work these women have done on behalf of our community,” Garamendi said.
The group gathered in Woodland for the award ceremony.
“The service and dedication each honoree has shown their community is deserving of recognition, and by receiving this award, their work will be commemorated and chronicled at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C,” Garamendi added
Grant, who was not able to attend the in-person event, was nominated for the honor by Lucerne Elementary Principal-Superintendent Mike Brown.
As an educator, she has dedicated her career to the education and well-being of her students. Since the beginning of her career, Grant “has worked tirelessly to improve lives and learning outcomes for her students,” according to her nomination.
Throughout her 15 years with the Lucerne Elementary School District, Grant is credited with having been a champion for educators and students alike. In a community faced with high levels of poverty she has worked tirelessly to improve learning conditions and outcomes for students in her care.
After the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of schools, Grant devoted countless hours toward designing a reopening plan that would protect the safety of students and faculty while allowing classrooms to reopen for in-person instruction.
This hard work not only benefited her students, but also enabled many families facing economic hardship to get back to work while their children returned to school.
“Though Megan faced the same difficulties and challenges that so many did working through a
pandemic, it never shook her resolve and only fueled her desire to do all she could for her students. This determination and compassionate mindset has enabled her to make a positive impact on the lives of countless,” the nomination said.
The full list of 2021 Women of the Year Honorees is included below.
Lake County
Megan Grant, Upper Lake
Glenn County
Dorothy Tefelski, Orland
Solano County
Audrey Calder, Vacaville
Susan Clark, Rio Vista
Col. Erin C. Cook, Travis Air Force Base
Birgitta Corsello, Vacaville
Karstin Feinhandler, Dixon
Col. Gwendolyn Foster, Travis Air Force Base
Lavona Hamilton, Vacaville,
Rochele Henderson, Suisun City
Deanna Hurn, Fairfield
Mary Jameson, Dixon
Cheryl Johnson, Fairfield
Lakethia Lake-Pascua, Fairfield
Alicia Minyen, Vacaville
Ana Petero, Fairfield
Candie Rodriquez-Selden, Suisun City
Steiphanie Tarter, Vacaville
Edith Thomas, Suisun City
Kathy Walsh, Dixon
Jeanie White, Vacaville
Wanda Williams, Suisun City
Lori Wilson, Suisun City
Yolo County
Tess Boyd, Woodland
Gena Bravo, Woodland
Joy Cohan, Davis
Sara Gavin, Davis
Autumn Labbe-Renault, Davis
Petrea Marchand, Davis
Elodia Ortega-Lampkin, Woodland
Carol Scianna, Winters
Tessa Smith, Woodland
Carol Souza Cole, Woodland
Susie Stocking, Winters
Rachel Warren, Davis
Yuba/ Sutter counties
María Arvizu-Espinoza, Marysville
Lisa Buschmann-Kirchner, Yuba City
Diana Langley, Yuba City
Rose McIsaac, Yuba City
Debbie Procayo, Yuba City
Nicole Rubio, Yuba City
Lisa Shelton, Yuba City
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Joined by its newest member, the Clearlake Planning Commission on Tuesday evening approved a new cannabis project on a property formerly owned by the city.
At the start of the 40-minute meeting, the oath of office was administered to Terry Stewart, who the Clearlake City Council appointed to the commission last week.
Stewart was selected to succeed Chair Kathryn Davis, whose term runs until March 2025. She resigned in September.
The commission then voted unanimously to select Lisa Wilson as the new chair, with Vice Chair Robert Coker to remain in his position.
Besides seating its new member and updating its leadership, the commission’s main item of business on Tuesday was consideration of conditional use permit applications, a mitigated negative declaration and development agreement for Ogulin Hills Holdings LLC’s commercial cannabis operation at 2185 Ogulin Canyon Road.
The city had owned the property for some time, intending to use it for a new corporation yard. However, in February 2020 staff updated the Clearlake City Council on the property and concluded it was not an ideal site, leading to the city’s decision later last year to sell it.
The new owners propose to use the 21.25-acre site for manufacturing, cultivation, distribution and a retail dispensary with delivery only.
They intend to build two 5,000 square foot buildings for manufacturing and processing; a 3,000 square foot building for distribution, retail delivery only and office space; 10 greenhouses with a total of 18,750 square feet; five water storage tanks, with the size to be determined; and a 225 square foot trash enclosure, according to city records.
Planner Mark Roberts said the applicant provided a water report that showed there is an existing well that is 375 feet deep with a yield of 80 gallons per minute and a water capacity in excess of 9.9 million gallons per year.
He said the report notes that the project has an adequate water supply. Annual water usage is estimated at 450,000 gallons for cultivation irrigation and 132,000 gallons annually for the light industry, warehouse and distribution operations.
The project will use water meters, daily consumption logs, drip emitters, mulch and soil moisture meters to use water in the most efficient manner. Roberts said there also will be daily individual inspections and immediate equipment repairs.
Robert said all of the potential impacts have been reduced to less than significant levels. There was no public comment on the project, which had an initial study period of 36 days; the minimum is 30 days.
Comments from state and local agencies were incorporated into the project conditions and Roberts said staff suggested approval.
Planning consultant Richard Knoll, speaking on behalf of the owners of Ogulin Hills Holdings LLC, told the commission, “We’ve been at this project about a year, maybe a little more.”
He said a number of professionals have been working on it, including a civil engineer, building designer, a water resources engineer, a traffic engineer, an archaeologist and a biologist, and fire and police officials.
“We think we’ve addressed all the issues that have surfaced and we hope that you’ll agree in improving the project tonight,” Knoll said.
He quickly went through a presentation that covered the project’s highlights, showing maps of the property and mock-ups of the greenhouses and other buildings.
Knoll acknowledged there are residential properties near the project site, but the closest is 1,000 feet away.
They may not need to remove trees — the property has primarily oaks and pines — but if they do, Knoll said it would be done at a two-to-one or three-to-one ratio.
Commissioner Fawn Williams said she was able to get her questions answered through the project’s water reporting.
Knoll noted that the county of Lake is now requiring water reports such as the one done for this project on every proposal, which he said is an outgrowth of drought concerns.
No public comments were offered during the hearing and commissioners had no additional questions before approving two separate motions, for resolutions recommending approval of a mitigated negative declaration based on initial study and the conditional use permits, in 4-0 votes.
Commissioner Erin McCarrick recused herself due to the project’s distance from her property.
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.
At the start of the 40-minute meeting, the oath of office was administered to Terry Stewart, who the Clearlake City Council appointed to the commission last week.
Stewart was selected to succeed Chair Kathryn Davis, whose term runs until March 2025. She resigned in September.
The commission then voted unanimously to select Lisa Wilson as the new chair, with Vice Chair Robert Coker to remain in his position.
Besides seating its new member and updating its leadership, the commission’s main item of business on Tuesday was consideration of conditional use permit applications, a mitigated negative declaration and development agreement for Ogulin Hills Holdings LLC’s commercial cannabis operation at 2185 Ogulin Canyon Road.
The city had owned the property for some time, intending to use it for a new corporation yard. However, in February 2020 staff updated the Clearlake City Council on the property and concluded it was not an ideal site, leading to the city’s decision later last year to sell it.
The new owners propose to use the 21.25-acre site for manufacturing, cultivation, distribution and a retail dispensary with delivery only.
They intend to build two 5,000 square foot buildings for manufacturing and processing; a 3,000 square foot building for distribution, retail delivery only and office space; 10 greenhouses with a total of 18,750 square feet; five water storage tanks, with the size to be determined; and a 225 square foot trash enclosure, according to city records.
Planner Mark Roberts said the applicant provided a water report that showed there is an existing well that is 375 feet deep with a yield of 80 gallons per minute and a water capacity in excess of 9.9 million gallons per year.
He said the report notes that the project has an adequate water supply. Annual water usage is estimated at 450,000 gallons for cultivation irrigation and 132,000 gallons annually for the light industry, warehouse and distribution operations.
The project will use water meters, daily consumption logs, drip emitters, mulch and soil moisture meters to use water in the most efficient manner. Roberts said there also will be daily individual inspections and immediate equipment repairs.
Robert said all of the potential impacts have been reduced to less than significant levels. There was no public comment on the project, which had an initial study period of 36 days; the minimum is 30 days.
Comments from state and local agencies were incorporated into the project conditions and Roberts said staff suggested approval.
Planning consultant Richard Knoll, speaking on behalf of the owners of Ogulin Hills Holdings LLC, told the commission, “We’ve been at this project about a year, maybe a little more.”
He said a number of professionals have been working on it, including a civil engineer, building designer, a water resources engineer, a traffic engineer, an archaeologist and a biologist, and fire and police officials.
“We think we’ve addressed all the issues that have surfaced and we hope that you’ll agree in improving the project tonight,” Knoll said.
He quickly went through a presentation that covered the project’s highlights, showing maps of the property and mock-ups of the greenhouses and other buildings.
Knoll acknowledged there are residential properties near the project site, but the closest is 1,000 feet away.
They may not need to remove trees — the property has primarily oaks and pines — but if they do, Knoll said it would be done at a two-to-one or three-to-one ratio.
Commissioner Fawn Williams said she was able to get her questions answered through the project’s water reporting.
Knoll noted that the county of Lake is now requiring water reports such as the one done for this project on every proposal, which he said is an outgrowth of drought concerns.
No public comments were offered during the hearing and commissioners had no additional questions before approving two separate motions, for resolutions recommending approval of a mitigated negative declaration based on initial study and the conditional use permits, in 4-0 votes.
Commissioner Erin McCarrick recused herself due to the project’s distance from her property.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. — The Middletown Area Town Hall this week will discuss a resort project that’s now tied up in litigation and take nominations for its 2022 board.
MATH will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, via Zoom. The meeting is open to the public.
To join the Zoom meeting click on this link; the meeting ID is 832 1989 2440. Call in at 669-900-6833.
At 7:25 p.m., Kirsty Shelton, a representative of the Maha Guenoc Valley resort, will give the group an update.
The Maha project is the focus of a lawsuit filed against the county of Lake by the Center for Biological Diversity and the California Native Plant Society, with intervention and support from the Attorney General’s Office. Arguments in the case took place over the past two weeks.
In other business, at 7:40 p.m., Tracy Craig of Pacific Gas and Electric will give an update on the sequestration site and Board member Lisa Kaplan will discuss the Clean California Caltrans grant at 7:55 p.m.
At 8:15 p.m., nomination will be taken for the MATH Board of Directors.
There also is a discussion set for 8:40 p.m. regarding returning to in-person meetings.
Other timed items include Supervisor Moke Simon’s monthly report to MATH at 7:10 p.m., public comment at 8:25 p.m. and discussion of agenda items for the December meeting at 8:45 p.m.
MATH’s last meeting of the year will take place on Thursday, Dec. 9.
The MATH Board includes Chair Rosemary Córdova, Vice Chair Monica Rosenthal, Secretary Lisa Kaplan, and Ken Gonzales and Paul Baker.
MATH — established by resolution of the Lake County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 12, 2006 — is a municipal advisory council serving the residents of Anderson Springs, Cobb, Coyote Valley (including Hidden Valley Lake), Long Valley and Middletown.
For more information emailThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view 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.
MATH will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, via Zoom. The meeting is open to the public.
To join the Zoom meeting click on this link; the meeting ID is 832 1989 2440. Call in at 669-900-6833.
At 7:25 p.m., Kirsty Shelton, a representative of the Maha Guenoc Valley resort, will give the group an update.
The Maha project is the focus of a lawsuit filed against the county of Lake by the Center for Biological Diversity and the California Native Plant Society, with intervention and support from the Attorney General’s Office. Arguments in the case took place over the past two weeks.
In other business, at 7:40 p.m., Tracy Craig of Pacific Gas and Electric will give an update on the sequestration site and Board member Lisa Kaplan will discuss the Clean California Caltrans grant at 7:55 p.m.
At 8:15 p.m., nomination will be taken for the MATH Board of Directors.
There also is a discussion set for 8:40 p.m. regarding returning to in-person meetings.
Other timed items include Supervisor Moke Simon’s monthly report to MATH at 7:10 p.m., public comment at 8:25 p.m. and discussion of agenda items for the December meeting at 8:45 p.m.
MATH’s last meeting of the year will take place on Thursday, Dec. 9.
The MATH Board includes Chair Rosemary Córdova, Vice Chair Monica Rosenthal, Secretary Lisa Kaplan, and Ken Gonzales and Paul Baker.
MATH — established by resolution of the Lake County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 12, 2006 — is a municipal advisory council serving the residents of Anderson Springs, Cobb, Coyote Valley (including Hidden Valley Lake), Long Valley and Middletown.
For more information email
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Using cell phones, eating or drinking, adjusting a radio, or simply talking with friends are all activities teens engage in every day, but these activities become life-threatening hazards while driving.
Unfortunately, many of these distractions will lead to crashes resulting in an injury or death.
To address these concerns, the California Highway Patrol is partnering with traffic safety organizations promoting safe driving behaviors for teens.
The grant-funded Teen Distracted Drivers campaign consists of an education component that will allow for CHP officers and traffic safety partners to make appearances at schools and community events throughout the state.
Distracted driving enforcement operations for this grant began Oct. 1, 2021, and will continue through Sept. 30, 2022.
According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, there are nearly 750,000 licensed teenage drivers in California.
Data from the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System indicated that in 2019 there were nearly 44,000 crashes involving teen drivers between 15 to 19 years of age, including 231 fatal crashes.
Although preliminary figures for 2020 indicated a drop in total crashes involving teen drivers in California, the number of teen driver-involved fatal crashes increased to 258.
“The combination of inattention and inexperience behind the wheel can lead to tragedy,” said CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray. “This grant will assist our officers in keeping California’s roads safe, while addressing California’s distracted driving crisis among the state’s teens.”
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Unfortunately, many of these distractions will lead to crashes resulting in an injury or death.
To address these concerns, the California Highway Patrol is partnering with traffic safety organizations promoting safe driving behaviors for teens.
The grant-funded Teen Distracted Drivers campaign consists of an education component that will allow for CHP officers and traffic safety partners to make appearances at schools and community events throughout the state.
Distracted driving enforcement operations for this grant began Oct. 1, 2021, and will continue through Sept. 30, 2022.
According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, there are nearly 750,000 licensed teenage drivers in California.
Data from the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System indicated that in 2019 there were nearly 44,000 crashes involving teen drivers between 15 to 19 years of age, including 231 fatal crashes.
Although preliminary figures for 2020 indicated a drop in total crashes involving teen drivers in California, the number of teen driver-involved fatal crashes increased to 258.
“The combination of inattention and inexperience behind the wheel can lead to tragedy,” said CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray. “This grant will assist our officers in keeping California’s roads safe, while addressing California’s distracted driving crisis among the state’s teens.”
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A solo-vehicle wreck on Highway 20 on Monday claimed the life of a Clearlake Oaks man.
Lloyd Kendall Minor, 67, died in the crash, according to Lt. Corey Paulich of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
The California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office said the wreck occurred at 4:54 p.m. Monday.
Minor was driving a silver 2011 Mini Cooper westbound on Highway 20, west of Ravens Landing and east of Clearlake Oaks, when the car ran off the road, the CHP said.
The CHP said the Mini Cooper came to rest in a drainage ditch to the south of the roadway with minor collision damage. No lanes were blocked during the incident.
CHP Officer Brooks Faraco arrived on scene and began CPR on Minor, and fire personnel arrived and took over medical treatment to no avail, the CHP said.
Radio reports indicated that Minor was declared dead at the scene less than an hour after the crash occurred.
Evidence located at the scene indicates a possible medical condition contributed to the cause of this crash, the CHP said.
Minor was wearing his seat belt, the CHP’s report noted.
The CHP said Officer Faraco is continuing to investigate the crash.
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.
Lloyd Kendall Minor, 67, died in the crash, according to Lt. Corey Paulich of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
The California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office said the wreck occurred at 4:54 p.m. Monday.
Minor was driving a silver 2011 Mini Cooper westbound on Highway 20, west of Ravens Landing and east of Clearlake Oaks, when the car ran off the road, the CHP said.
The CHP said the Mini Cooper came to rest in a drainage ditch to the south of the roadway with minor collision damage. No lanes were blocked during the incident.
CHP Officer Brooks Faraco arrived on scene and began CPR on Minor, and fire personnel arrived and took over medical treatment to no avail, the CHP said.
Radio reports indicated that Minor was declared dead at the scene less than an hour after the crash occurred.
Evidence located at the scene indicates a possible medical condition contributed to the cause of this crash, the CHP said.
Minor was wearing his seat belt, the CHP’s report noted.
The CHP said Officer Faraco is continuing to investigate the crash.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — More rain fell across Lake County and the North Coast region on Monday, as forecasters predicted more rain on Tuesday before warmer, drier conditions arrive.
The National Weather Service issued a hazardous weather outlook for northwest California due to the forecast for moderate to occasionally heavy rain across the region on Monday evening.
The agency had said to expect rainfall amounts of one half inch to one and a half inches.
As of 2 a.m. Tuesday, rainfall totals, in inches, recorded around Lake County at National Weather Service observation stations were as follows:
• Bartlett Springs: 1.17.
• County line (at Colusa side): 0.31.
• Hidden Valley Lake: 0.62.
• High Glade Lookout: 0.64.
• Kelseyville: 0.77.
• Knoxville Creek: 0.66.
• Lower Lake: 0.45.
• Lyons Valley: 0.50.
• Middletown: 0.98.
• Soda Creek: 1.53.
• Upper Lake: 0.93.
• Whispering Pines: 0.76.
Showers from a strong front that crossed the region are forecast to continue to bring showers to most of Lake County on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, another quick-moving storm system will bring lighter precipitation to Lake County’s northern portion.
Conditions are forecast to begin clearing on Wednesday, with clear and sunny conditions anticipated into next week, the National Weather Service said
The National Weather Service reported that temperatures at night through early next week will range from the high 40s to low 50s, and from the high 50s to high 60s during the day.
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 National Weather Service issued a hazardous weather outlook for northwest California due to the forecast for moderate to occasionally heavy rain across the region on Monday evening.
The agency had said to expect rainfall amounts of one half inch to one and a half inches.
As of 2 a.m. Tuesday, rainfall totals, in inches, recorded around Lake County at National Weather Service observation stations were as follows:
• Bartlett Springs: 1.17.
• County line (at Colusa side): 0.31.
• Hidden Valley Lake: 0.62.
• High Glade Lookout: 0.64.
• Kelseyville: 0.77.
• Knoxville Creek: 0.66.
• Lower Lake: 0.45.
• Lyons Valley: 0.50.
• Middletown: 0.98.
• Soda Creek: 1.53.
• Upper Lake: 0.93.
• Whispering Pines: 0.76.
Showers from a strong front that crossed the region are forecast to continue to bring showers to most of Lake County on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, another quick-moving storm system will bring lighter precipitation to Lake County’s northern portion.
Conditions are forecast to begin clearing on Wednesday, with clear and sunny conditions anticipated into next week, the National Weather Service said
The National Weather Service reported that temperatures at night through early next week will range from the high 40s to low 50s, and from the high 50s to high 60s during the day.
Email Elizabeth Larson at