LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Just two months after the Cache fire tore through a portion of the city of Clearlake, a state cleanup effort is about to start.
The fire, which began on Aug. 18, burned 83 acres and destroyed 138 structures, including 57 homes, many of them in the Cache Creek and Creekside mobile home parks.
In September, Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency for Lake County in response to the fire, which made the city and impacted residents eligible for state assistance with fire recovery, including debris removal.
During an update on the fire at its Thursday night meeting, which begins at the 1:16:37 mark in the video above, Clearlake City Council members heard from staff that the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, or Cal OES, is set to begin its part of the recovery work this week.
Finance Director Kelcey Young said city staff has been working with the community to get right of entry forms from property owners completed so Cal OES can begin the hazardous debris and tree removal.
As of Thursday night, 51 of the forms had been completed, with four pending signatures that are expected early next week, and the city unable to contact the owners of five other properties, Young said.
Enough of the forms have been completed and submitted that the cleanup process can move forward, she said.
Young said Cal OES is planning to be in Clearlake on Friday to start with asbestos abatement before moving directly into debris removal. She said they’re grateful to Cal OES for its support.
“We’re very excited to finally be at this point,” she said.
Due to the weather — several inches of rain are forecast to fall in Lake County through early next week — there may be additional delay in the cleanup, Young said. However, she said Cal OES is aware of the urgency to start the debris removal because of the weather conditions.
“We’re very pleased with where we are,” City Manager Alan Flora said about the process.
He said almost every employee in the city has touched this process at some point, and the work of Young and other staff has resulted in the city of Clearlake being one of the first — if not the first — community impacted by wildfire that will begin debris removal under this contract, “which is exceptional.”
Flora said Public Works has been monitoring protective measures installed for stormwater and, according to the Public Works director, everything looks good. Cal OES has been impressive in coordinating with the city, Flora added.
He said he’d gotten a call earlier that day from Cal OES to check on whether the city had any concerns about measures put in place to protect the watershed.
Flora said a third of an inch of rain is one thing, 3 to 6 inches “is something quite different,” so they’re hoping what’s in place will hold up and the debris removal will start next week.
In response to questions from Councilwoman Joyce Overton about the water systems for the impacted mobile home parks, Flora said Sen. Mike McGuire has been pushing the state water board to move Konocti County Water District’s plans and the needed fundings for improvements in that area through the state approval process.
Before the fire Konocti County Water District already had a plan for providing water for Cache Creek Mobile Home Park. Creekside Mobile Home Park has had its water provided by the county’s Lower Lake water district.
Flora said the long-term expectation is that Konocti County Water District will provide water for both parks.
While some people had been living in Creekside Mobile Home Park after the fire, due to issues with water supply Flora said the city had to red-tag the park and provide housing. Cache Creek has a temporary water connection through Konocti County Water.
Council holds bond hearing, approves water park demolition contract
In other business, the council held a Fiscal Responsibility Act hearing to adopt a resolution approving the issuance of tax-exempt bonds not-to-exceed $8 million by the California Statewide Communities Development Authority, or CSCDA.
The bonds in question are not for the city, but for HPD Clearlake II LP to finance the acquisition and rehabilitation of the 72-unit multifamily Clearlake Apartments, located at 7145 Old Highway 53. Previous financing was done in 2005.
James Hamill of CSCDA, who attended via Zoom, said the hearing was a federal and local requirement, with Clearlake a longtime member of the authority.
He said the bonds are to refinance the Clearlake Apartments, where the plan includes spending $60,000 per unit for rehabilitation and extending affordability covenants for up to 55 years.
There is no liability to the city, and the hearing was merely a perfunctory requirement of tax code, said Hamill, noting they don’t issue bonds in the city without letting officials know about it.
Councilman Russ Cremer moved to approve the resolution, which the council approved 5-0.
On Thursday the council also approved a $239,800 contract with Resource Environmental for the demolition of the remaining structures at the former Outrageous Waters water park.
That property had previously been part of the former Pearce Field airport, now owned by the city, and the city’s plans are to include it in a larger commercial development plan for the land.
Public Works Director Dale Goodman said the demolition is a small project but an important one to the city.
“As part of the cleanup, it is necessary to remove all of the infrastructure that was placed there for the water park,” Goodman said.
The city received two bids, with Resource Environmental’s being the lowest. The only other bid, from Chernoh Excavating, was for $496,464.
After some consideration of the bid — which was higher than the city’s rough estimate of $150,000 — and council concerns that the company could do the work for the price and that rebidding may not bring a lower price, the contract was unanimously approved.
The council on Thursday also met one of the city shelter’s adoptable dogs; awarded a $100,000 contract to All In One Auto Repair and Towing contract for the city’s Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Program towing, storing, dismantling and disposal services; appointed Cremer to attend upcoming Board of Supervisors redistricting meetings; and reached consensus for a plan for a storage facility for disaster supplies at the senior center to come back for a formal vote in November.
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.
Above-average temperatures are favored across the South and most of the eastern U.S. as La Nina climate conditions have emerged for the second winter in a row according to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center — a division of the National Weather Service.
In NOAA’s 2021 Winter Outlook — which extends from December 2021 through February 2022 — wetter-than-average conditions are anticipated across portions of the Northern U.S., primarily in the Pacific Northwest, northern Rockies, Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and western Alaska.
“Using the most up-to-date observing technologies and computer models, our dedicated forecasters at the Climate Prediction Center produce timely and accurate seasonal outlooks to help communities prepare for the months ahead,” said Michael Farrar, Ph.D., director of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction.
NOAA experts also continue to monitor the widespread, ongoing drought that has persisted across much of the western half of the U.S. since late last year, keeping a close eye on the Southwest region.
“Consistent with typical La Nina conditions during winter months, we anticipate below-normal temperatures along portions of the northern tier of the U.S. while much of the South experiences above-normal temperatures,” said Jon Gottschalck, chief, Operational Prediction Branch, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. “The Southwest will certainly remain a region of concern as we anticipate below-normal precipitation where drought conditions continue in most areas.”
This U.S. Winter Outlook 2021-2022 map for temperature shows warmer-than-average conditions across the South and most of the eastern U.S., while below average temperatures are favored for southeast Alaska and the Pacific Northwest eastward to the Northern Plains. NOAA Climate.gov, using NWS CPC data. Temperature
Warmer-than-average conditions are most likely across the Southern tier of the U.S. and much of the Eastern U.S. with the greatest likelihood of above-average temperatures in the Southeast.
Below-average temperatures are favored for southeast Alaska and the Pacific Northwest eastward to the northern Plains.
The Upper Mississippi Valley and small areas of the Great Lakes have equal chances for below-, near- or above-average temperatures.
This 2021-2022 U.S. Winter Outlook map for precipitation shows wetter-than-average conditions are most likely in parts of the North, primarily in the Pacific Northwest, northern Rockies, Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and western Alaska. Drier-than-average conditions are favored in south-central Alaska, southern California, the Southwest, and the Southeast. NOAA Climate.gov based on NWS CPC data.
Precipitation
The Pacific Northwest, northern Rockies, Great Lakes and parts of the Ohio Valley and western Alaska have the greatest chances for wetter-than-average conditions.
Drier-than-average conditions are favored in south-central Alaska, southern California, the Southwest, and the Southeast.
The forecast for the remainder of the U.S. shows equal chances for below-, near- or above-average precipitation during winter months.
This seasonal U.S. Drought Outlook map for November 2021 through January 2022 predicts persistent drought across the West, Northern Plains, and the Missouri River Basin. Drought improvement is anticipated in the Pacific Northwest, northern California, the upper Midwest, and Hawaii. NOAA Climate.gov based on NWS CPC data. Drought
Widespread severe to exceptional drought continues to dominate the western half of the continental U.S., Northern Plains, and the Missouri River Basin.
Drought conditions are forecast to persist and develop in the Southwest and Southern Plains.
The Pacific Northwest, northern California, the upper Midwest, and Hawaii are most likely to experience drought improvement.
About NOAA's seasonal outlooks
NOAA’s seasonal outlooks provide the likelihood that temperatures and total precipitation amounts will be above-, near- or below-average, and how drought conditions are anticipated to change in the months ahead.
The outlook does not project seasonal snowfall accumulations as snow forecasts are generally not predictable more than a week in advance.
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center updates the three-month outlook each month. The next update will be available Nov. 19.
Seasonal outlooks help communities prepare for what is likely to come in the months ahead and minimize weather's impacts on lives and livelihoods. Empowering people with actionable forecasts and winter weather tips is key to NOAA’s effort to build a more Weather-Ready Nation.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. — Clearlake Animal Control has a trove of dogs waiting to meet their new families.
The City of Clearlake Animal Association also is seeking fosters for the animals waiting to be adopted.
Another way to help is through donations. A wish list has been posted at Amazon and on Chewy. For those who wish to shop local and drop off items, call 707-273-9440 to schedule a delivery or donate at the association’s Facebook page.
Call the Clearlake Animal Control shelter at 707-273-9440, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to inquire about adoptions and schedule a visit to the shelter.
Visit Clearlake Animal Control on Facebook or on the city’s website.
The newest dogs are listed at the top of the following list.
“Terry.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control. ‘Terry’
“Terry” is a male Dutch shepherd mix with a smooth brindle coat.
He is dog No. 4880.
“Tanisha.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control. ‘Tanisha’
“Tanisha” is a female shepherd mix with a short orange and white coat.
She is dog No. 4647.
“Sassy.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control. ‘Sassy’
“Sassy” is a female American bully mix with a short black coat.
She has been spayed.
She is dog No. 4602.
“Mitzy.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control. ‘Mitzy’
“Mitzy” is a female shepherd mix with a medium-length black and white coat.
She is dog No. 4648.
“Luscious.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control. ‘Luscious’
“Luscious” is a male Weimaraner with a short gray coat.
He has been neutered.
He is dog No. 5201.
“Edgar.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control. ‘Edgar’
“Edgar” is a male American Staffordshire terrier mix with a short black and cream coat.
He is dog No. 5189.
“Charles.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control. ‘Charles’
“Charles” is a male American pit bull terrier with a short black coat.
He is dog No. 5190.
“Bella.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control. ‘Bella’
“Bella” is a female pit bull mix with a short brindle coat.
She is dog No. 5080.
“Bear.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control. ‘Bear’
“Bear” is a male American Staffordshire terrier mix with a short brown coat.
He has been neutered.
He is dog No. 3476.
“Andy.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control. ‘Andy’
“Andy” is a male pit bull terrier mix with a short gray and white coat.
He is dog No. 5150.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A Clearlake woman who was reported missing on Wednesday has been found and is safe.
Katherine Jackson, 74, has been reported missing on Wednesday after she was last seen walking away from her Clearlake home that afternoon, as Lake County News has reported.
On Thursday, the Clearlake Police Department reported that Jackson had been located, and she was alive and well.
Sgt. Ryan Peterson said Jackson was located at around 9 a.m. Thursday.
He said she had taken a bus ride and when she returned, she couldn’t remember where her home was.
Peterson said a passerby saw her, recognized her from a Nixle alert put out on Wednesday night, and helped her, notifying police.
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.
Tim Gill has been named the new superintendent for the Middletown Unified School District in Middletown, California. Courtesy photo. LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A veteran Lake County educator has been selected as the new superintendent of the Middletown Unified School District.
Tim Gill, who currently serves as assistant superintendent for the Kelseyville Unified School District, will now head south to lead Middletown Unified, a district where he has professional ties.
In a Wednesday statement, the district board said Gill will start the job on Oct. 27.
“Join us in welcoming Mr. Gill back to our schools. We look forward to working with him,” MUSD School Board President Misha Grothe said in the district’s written statement.
Gill said he has experience working both within the district as a teacher and with its leadership in a former role with the Lake County Office of Education.
“My first job in education was with MUSD,” he said.
He was a middle and high school math teacher in the district for 11 years, from 1990 to 2001.
He and his wife and sons lived in the district for many years. His sons went to school in the district and graduated from Middletown High School.
“It’s kind of like going full circle,” Gill said.
He said many former students and coworkers are employed in Middletown Unified today, and it will be good to reconnect with everyone.
Gill’s professional experience includes serving as a mathematics specialist at the Sonoma County Department of Education from 2001 to 2004 before moving to the Lake County Office of Education, where he served as senior director of education services from 2004 to 2015, an assignment that included overseeing the director of Taylor Observatory.
He’s been with Kelseyville Unified since 2015, serving as director of student support services before becoming assistant superintendent.
Gill has other things in common with the community members he’ll now serve. Like thousands of other south county residents, he and his family lost their home in the 2015 Valley fire. They now live within the Kelseyville Unified School District boundaries.
Cox, who had been with the district for 15 months, was released from his contract following a closed session discussion of his performance the board held on Sept. 27.
Since then, Dr. David Miller has served as the district’s interim superintendent, a role he also held for several months following the board’s termination of Superintendent Catherine Stone in October 2019.
Grothe said the school board held a special meeting on Oct. 15 and discussed a possible candidate for an interim superintendent placement.
Miller told Lake County News that the district’s board of trustees met again on Wednesday in closed session and made the decision to appoint Gill as superintendent effective Oct. 27.
“I as Interim Superintendent will be done this Friday and will return to my retirement,” Miller said in an email.
District facing challenges over COVID-19, staffing
Gill’s arrival comes as the district is facing a number of challenges regarding staffing and pushback from parents regarding COVID-19-related mandates coming down from the state leadership.
One of the main challenges now is transportation.
On Oct. 8, Miller sent out a letter to parents explaining that the district’s three bus drivers retired as of Oct. 15, resulting in the district suspending all transportation other than for special education beginning on Oct. 18.
He asked during the board’s regular Oct. 13 meeting that everyone work together on short-term solutions, like carpooling, while the district works on alternatives as it tries to resolve the situation.
Parents and community members at that meeting pressed the board and Miller on whether the bus drivers quit due to vaccination mandates for school staff. “I don’t know the reasoning to be honest with you,” Miller said.
Asked if there was a chance that was the reason, Miller responded, “Could be, yeah. There may be a lot of reasons,” adding he can’t control someone who wants to retire.
In response to questions submitted by Lake County News following that meeting, Grothe said the board accepted the retirements of the three bus drivers at its Oct. 7 meeting.
“The district is not at liberty to discuss personnel matters, including retirements. We are very grateful for the service of these 3 individuals to our district over the years, and wish them the best in their retirements,” Grothe wrote.
She said those bus driver positions were posted and the district has several candidates at this time. “We have communicated our transportation situation with the community and are grateful for their understanding and camaraderie as they come together to help one another while the district navigates this. We realise we are not alone in this predicament as many other districts nationwide are facing shortages of bus drivers, and remain dedicated to finding a solution so we can support our families.”
Grothe told Lake County News that they were not aware of any other recent staff resignations that were potentially linked to vaccinations or other COVID mandates.
She emphasized that the mandatory vaccinations or weekly testing for all staff was not a district-issued mandate. “That mandate was issued by the California Department of Public Health, at the direction of Governor Newsom,” she wrote.
During the board’s Oct. 13 meeting, a large crowd — many of them refusing to wear masks — had come to speak against COVID-19 mandates during public comment.
The meeting’s disruption led to Lake County Sheriff’s deputies responding briefly to the scene, which was confirmed by Lt. Corey Paulich.
The board called a brief recess and afterward, district officials moved the meeting outside, where Miller said masks wouldn’t need to be worn.
After the meeting moved outside, Cobb Elementary Principal Aram Osterlye tried to explain to the crowd that the mandates were from the state, which could enforce them by controlling the district’s funding. In response, crowd members tried to shout him down.
Grothe said the district has not had any other confrontations with parents similar to what occurred on Oct. 13.
The school district also is working to fill a board vacancy that resulted from Board member LaTrease Walker’s sudden resignation during the Oct. 13 meeting. She said at that time that she didn’t support the mandates and that her children will not be vaccinated. She was elected in November 2018.
Grothe said the district is working with the Lake County Office of Education to follow the “procedures and protocols as outlined by law” to fill Walker’s seat.
Faced with the district’s challenges, when asked about his priorities for the job, Gill said he wanted to spend some time in the position first before discussing them.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with the correct timeline of Gill’s professional experience.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Congressman Mike Thompson will host a virtual town hall next week.
The town hall will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27.
This event will be held over Zoom and interested participants must email Thompson’s office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in order to join, as the platform has a capacity of 500 people. Interested participants will be notified via email with instructions on how to join.
The event will also be streamed on Facebook Live via Thompson’s page.
This will be the 20th in a series of virtual town halls since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
All constituents of California’s Fifth Congressional District are invited to join.
Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
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