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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Planning Commission is set to discuss proposals for two cannabis projects, one in Clearlake and one in Middletown.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 23, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
The agenda is here.
To participate in real-time, join the Zoom meeting by clicking this link.
The webinar ID is 979 5267 8242, the pass code is 448665.
Access the meeting via one tap mobile at +16699006833,,97952678242#,,,,*448665# or dial in at 669-900-6833.
The meeting also can be viewed on the county’s website or Facebook page.
At 9:05 a.m., the commission will hold a public hearing to consider a major use permit and initial study for a cannabis project proposed by Blue Oak Farms LLC, located at 1756 Ogulin Canyon Road in Clearlake.
The project as planned includes 89,620 square feet of outdoor canopy area within a cultivation area of 2.65 acres, as well as storage sheds, security, portable toilets and two 2,500-gallon water tanks.
Staff reported that the property management plan expects annual water use will be 3,000 gallons per day per acre, equaling 720,000 gallons for two acres of outdoor canopy over a 120 day-cultivation season; daily water demand would be 6,000 gallons.
Based on well yield, the staff report said the project would use 2.7% of the well capacity.
Also on Thursday, at 9:10 a.m., the commission will hold a public hearing to consider a minor use permit and an appeal of early activation for Flower Lady Farms, owned by Malcolm Dunshee.
The project involves 14,820 square feet of outdoor cultivation in the first phase of operations on a 23-acre property at 12345 Seigler Canyon Road, Middletown, staff reported.
Dunshee applied for early activation in August, with an appeal filed by Coast Range Wetlands Inc., a company that owns and operates the Seigler Valley Wetland Mitigation Bank, a 36-acre, federally approved and grant-funded wetland restoration project less than 200 feet east of the cannabis farm.
A hydrology report included in the meeting documents estimates the operation will use between 233,766 and 327,273 gallons of water from May to December, or 1,369 gallons a day, and amount the project should be able to meet without causing overdraft, that report said.
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 meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 23, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
The agenda is here.
To participate in real-time, join the Zoom meeting by clicking this link.
The webinar ID is 979 5267 8242, the pass code is 448665.
Access the meeting via one tap mobile at +16699006833,,97952678242#,,,,*448665# or dial in at 669-900-6833.
The meeting also can be viewed on the county’s website or Facebook page.
At 9:05 a.m., the commission will hold a public hearing to consider a major use permit and initial study for a cannabis project proposed by Blue Oak Farms LLC, located at 1756 Ogulin Canyon Road in Clearlake.
The project as planned includes 89,620 square feet of outdoor canopy area within a cultivation area of 2.65 acres, as well as storage sheds, security, portable toilets and two 2,500-gallon water tanks.
Staff reported that the property management plan expects annual water use will be 3,000 gallons per day per acre, equaling 720,000 gallons for two acres of outdoor canopy over a 120 day-cultivation season; daily water demand would be 6,000 gallons.
Based on well yield, the staff report said the project would use 2.7% of the well capacity.
Also on Thursday, at 9:10 a.m., the commission will hold a public hearing to consider a minor use permit and an appeal of early activation for Flower Lady Farms, owned by Malcolm Dunshee.
The project involves 14,820 square feet of outdoor cultivation in the first phase of operations on a 23-acre property at 12345 Seigler Canyon Road, Middletown, staff reported.
Dunshee applied for early activation in August, with an appeal filed by Coast Range Wetlands Inc., a company that owns and operates the Seigler Valley Wetland Mitigation Bank, a 36-acre, federally approved and grant-funded wetland restoration project less than 200 feet east of the cannabis farm.
A hydrology report included in the meeting documents estimates the operation will use between 233,766 and 327,273 gallons of water from May to December, or 1,369 gallons a day, and amount the project should be able to meet without causing overdraft, that report said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — In response to the 2021 California wildfire season, United Way Bay Area is delivering relief assistance and long-term recovery resources for affected residents and community agencies through the Greater Bay Area Central Coast Wildfire Relief Fund.
The fund, which launched in 2020, is a collaborative effort between United Way Bay Area, United Way of the Wine Country, United Way Monterey County and United Way of Santa Cruz County to support the 15 counties serviced by the four organizations: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Mendocino, Lake, Humboldt and Del Norte.
With more than 2,000,000 acres burned in California so far during the 2021 fire season, it is a critical time to support wildfire victims.
In addition to thousands of structures burned, tens of thousands of Californians had to evacuate their homes to escape danger.
In the Greater Bay Area, Central and Northern Coast Regions, the Lake County Cache Fire, where more than 50 homes burned to the ground, triggered the opening of the fund this year.
The fund will provide immediate and long-term support for victims of the Cache Fire and any others that occur this year, including: evacuation housing assistance through vouchers or cash, cash assistance to displaced families, food and rent assistance, case management services, and mental health counseling.
The four participating United Way organizations share resources based on a mutual assessment of local needs, the opportunity to fill gaps in services, and the ability to leverage other philanthropic resources. Funds are distributed with equitable insight from community members and partners.
“Funds donated will provide immediate help to residents that have seen their lives turned upside down by these wildfires. We’re also focused on recovery efforts to ensure this disaster doesn’t drive vulnerable families deeper into poverty. When you’re already living one paycheck away from devastation, a setback like this can last for years, even reverberating into the next generation,“ said Kevin Zwick, CEO of United Way Bay Area. "United Way Bay Area is honored to collaborate with and coordinate support for wildfire victims through a strong network of United Ways in the region. We are grateful to the individuals, businesses, and community-based organizations stepping forward with financial support and direct assistance to help our neighbors facing wildfire disasters.”
In 2020, Bay Area, Central, and Northern Coast community members raised $1.6M for the wildfire relief fund which assisted over 10,000 families and individuals during last year’s fires, including the CZU, LNU, and SCU Lightning Complex fires.
For more information or to make a donation to the Greater Bay Area Central Coast Wildfire Relief Fund, visit https://uwba.org/wildfire.
Bay Area residents seeking assistance are encouraged to dial 2-1-1 to be connected to a specialist for personalized assistance or visit www.211bayarea.org.
The fund, which launched in 2020, is a collaborative effort between United Way Bay Area, United Way of the Wine Country, United Way Monterey County and United Way of Santa Cruz County to support the 15 counties serviced by the four organizations: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Mendocino, Lake, Humboldt and Del Norte.
With more than 2,000,000 acres burned in California so far during the 2021 fire season, it is a critical time to support wildfire victims.
In addition to thousands of structures burned, tens of thousands of Californians had to evacuate their homes to escape danger.
In the Greater Bay Area, Central and Northern Coast Regions, the Lake County Cache Fire, where more than 50 homes burned to the ground, triggered the opening of the fund this year.
The fund will provide immediate and long-term support for victims of the Cache Fire and any others that occur this year, including: evacuation housing assistance through vouchers or cash, cash assistance to displaced families, food and rent assistance, case management services, and mental health counseling.
The four participating United Way organizations share resources based on a mutual assessment of local needs, the opportunity to fill gaps in services, and the ability to leverage other philanthropic resources. Funds are distributed with equitable insight from community members and partners.
“Funds donated will provide immediate help to residents that have seen their lives turned upside down by these wildfires. We’re also focused on recovery efforts to ensure this disaster doesn’t drive vulnerable families deeper into poverty. When you’re already living one paycheck away from devastation, a setback like this can last for years, even reverberating into the next generation,“ said Kevin Zwick, CEO of United Way Bay Area. "United Way Bay Area is honored to collaborate with and coordinate support for wildfire victims through a strong network of United Ways in the region. We are grateful to the individuals, businesses, and community-based organizations stepping forward with financial support and direct assistance to help our neighbors facing wildfire disasters.”
In 2020, Bay Area, Central, and Northern Coast community members raised $1.6M for the wildfire relief fund which assisted over 10,000 families and individuals during last year’s fires, including the CZU, LNU, and SCU Lightning Complex fires.
For more information or to make a donation to the Greater Bay Area Central Coast Wildfire Relief Fund, visit https://uwba.org/wildfire.
Bay Area residents seeking assistance are encouraged to dial 2-1-1 to be connected to a specialist for personalized assistance or visit www.211bayarea.org.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — An organization that has provided bicycles to community members who have suffered loss during previous fires in Lake County is once again swinging into action to help those impacted by the Cache fire.
Bike Angels United will host the Cache Fire Survivors Bike Giveaway event from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, at Lower Lake Elementary School, 9240 Lake St.
The giveaway is for all Cache fire survivors, from children to seniors.
The Cache fire broke out in the city of Clearlake on Aug. 18.
It burned 83 acres, and destroyed 56 homes and 81 outbuildings.
Candy Alcott formed the all-volunteer Bike Angels United group in response to the 2015 Valley fire.
Since then, however, there have been several giveaways that have provided hundreds of bicycles to survivors of Lake County’s numerous wildland fire disasters.
According to the group’s website, this will be the eighth Bike Angels giveaway, with more than 1,400 bicycles given away to date.
To receive donations in the October giveaway event — or to offer assistance and contributions — contact Alcott at 850-375-8492 orThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Donations also can be made online at the Bike Angels United website.
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.
Bike Angels United will host the Cache Fire Survivors Bike Giveaway event from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, at Lower Lake Elementary School, 9240 Lake St.
The giveaway is for all Cache fire survivors, from children to seniors.
The Cache fire broke out in the city of Clearlake on Aug. 18.
It burned 83 acres, and destroyed 56 homes and 81 outbuildings.
Candy Alcott formed the all-volunteer Bike Angels United group in response to the 2015 Valley fire.
Since then, however, there have been several giveaways that have provided hundreds of bicycles to survivors of Lake County’s numerous wildland fire disasters.
According to the group’s website, this will be the eighth Bike Angels giveaway, with more than 1,400 bicycles given away to date.
To receive donations in the October giveaway event — or to offer assistance and contributions — contact Alcott at 850-375-8492 or
Donations also can be made online at the Bike Angels United website.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Vector Control District said West Nile virus has been detected in two more mosquito samples and also in sentinel chickens in Lake County.
The sentinel chickens were in a flock near Upper Lake. The mosquitoes, all Culex tarsalis — the western encephalitis mosquito — were collected in traps set in Lower Lake and Upper Lake, the district reported.
Earlier this summer positive mosquitoes were collected near Kelseyville and Upper Lake, the district said.
“When we see West Nile virus in sentinel chickens, that tells us that the conditions are right for human infections of West Nile virus,” said Jamesina Scott, Ph.D., district manager and research director of the Lake County Vector Control District. “The best protection from West Nile virus is prevention. It’s important to avoid mosquito bites.”
The district encourages residents to reduce their risk of contracting West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases:
— Dump or drain standing water to prevent mosquitoes. Mosquitoes need water to complete their life cycle.
— Defend yourself. Use repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. Follow the label directions.
— Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are present, typically dawn and dusk
Chickens are used as sentinels for several mosquito-borne viruses because when an infected mosquito bites a chicken, the bird naturally resists the virus and develops antibodies that are detected in lab tests.
Mosquitoes are trapped throughout Lake County and tested for West Nile and other viruses.
This year, West Nile virus activity has been detected in four mosquito samples and four sentinel chickens in Lake County.
Statewide, 21 California counties have detected West Nile virus this year, mainly in mosquitoes.
Through Sept. 17, 46 cases of West Nile virus illness, including four fatalities, have been reported in California residents this year.
For more information about West Nile virus, visit https://westnile.ca.gov/.
Lake County Vector Control District provides public health mosquito and vector control services to our community.
If you would like help with a mosquito problem, including reporting a neglected pool or spa, or have an in-ground yellow jacket nest on your property that you want treated, contact the Lake County Vector Control District at 707-263-4770 or submit a service request on their website at www.lcvcd.org.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has released the name of a man who died following a solo-vehicle crash on Highway 20 Monday afternoon.
Lt. Corey Paulich identified the man who died as Claud Alexander Walker, 33, of Willits.
The California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office said it had received numerous reports of Walker driving recklessly and at a high rate of speed in his 1998 Mercedes-Benz on westbound Highway 20 shortly before 2:30 p.m. Monday afternoon, as Lake County News has reported.
The CHP’s report said Walker may also have been involved in a non injury crash with another vehicle at the nearby roundabout at Highway 20 and Highway 29.
Walker was west of Bachelor Valley Road near Upper Lake when the CHP said his Mercedes ran off the highway’s north edge, hit a tree and rolled over, ejecting him before the vehicle hit a second tree.
The crash also caused a small wildland fire that Northshore Fire Protection District firefighters estimated burned about an acre it was controlled.
Walker died a short time later after he had been transported from the scene by ambulance, officials reported.
The CHP is continuing to investigate the crash. Anyone with information about the wreck can call the Clear Lake Area CHP office at 707-279-0103.
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.
Lt. Corey Paulich identified the man who died as Claud Alexander Walker, 33, of Willits.
The California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office said it had received numerous reports of Walker driving recklessly and at a high rate of speed in his 1998 Mercedes-Benz on westbound Highway 20 shortly before 2:30 p.m. Monday afternoon, as Lake County News has reported.
The CHP’s report said Walker may also have been involved in a non injury crash with another vehicle at the nearby roundabout at Highway 20 and Highway 29.
Walker was west of Bachelor Valley Road near Upper Lake when the CHP said his Mercedes ran off the highway’s north edge, hit a tree and rolled over, ejecting him before the vehicle hit a second tree.
The crash also caused a small wildland fire that Northshore Fire Protection District firefighters estimated burned about an acre it was controlled.
Walker died a short time later after he had been transported from the scene by ambulance, officials reported.
The CHP is continuing to investigate the crash. Anyone with information about the wreck can call the Clear Lake Area CHP office at 707-279-0103.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Lake County’s real estate market remains strong, with prices and active listings up compared to a year ago, while overall sales have dropped slightly.
In this article, we’ll look at the statistics for this past July, compared to July of 2020.
Countywide existing single family residence sales in July totaled 88, down 17.8% from July 2020.
That breaks down as follows:
— Lakeport: total sales, 11; down 8.3% from previous year.
— Kelseyville: 17 total sales; down 41.4%.
— Clearlake: 13 total sales; down 23.5%.
— Hidden Valley Lake: 15 total sales; up 7.1%.
The countywide median price for single family homes in July was $351,000, up 14.3% over July 2020.
Lake County’s communities had the following median home prices in July, with a year-over comparison:
— Lakeport: $375,000; down 5.7% from last year.
— Kelseyville: $345,000, up 9.5%.
— Clearlake: $220,000, down 11.6%;
— Hidden Valley Lake: $360,000; up 16.7%.
Countywide active listings have stayed strong this year. In July, they totaled 219, up 6.3% over last year.
By community, listings in July had the following totals:
— Lakeport: 38, up 42.2% over July 2020.
— Kelseyville: 45, down 2.2%.
— Clearlake: 28, down 26.3%.
— Hidden Valley Lake: 29, down 6.5%.
Countywide, the median days on the market was 18, with the sales to list price being 100% and
32.4% of active listings with price reductions.
— Lakeport’s median days on market was 25, with sales to list price at 100% with 39.5% listings
having price reductions.
— Kelseyville: Median days on market was 20; sales were at 100%, with 35.6% listings having reduced prices.
— Clearlake: 11 median days on the market; sales to list price at 98.4% and 21.4% listings with reduced prices.
— Hidden Valley Lake: Median days on the market was 11, with sales to list price at 100% and 34.5% of listings with reduced prices.
Overall, July 2021 compared to July 2020 as follows:
— Sales: Down, from 107 to 88.
— Median price: Up, from $336,000 to $351,000.
— Active listings: Up, from 168 to 219.
— Median days on the market: Up, from 12 to 18.
Sales continue to average 100% of list price while price reductions continue to be around 32%.
Tama Prokopowich is president-elect of the Lake County Association of Realtors.
In this article, we’ll look at the statistics for this past July, compared to July of 2020.
Countywide existing single family residence sales in July totaled 88, down 17.8% from July 2020.
That breaks down as follows:
— Lakeport: total sales, 11; down 8.3% from previous year.
— Kelseyville: 17 total sales; down 41.4%.
— Clearlake: 13 total sales; down 23.5%.
— Hidden Valley Lake: 15 total sales; up 7.1%.
The countywide median price for single family homes in July was $351,000, up 14.3% over July 2020.
Lake County’s communities had the following median home prices in July, with a year-over comparison:
— Lakeport: $375,000; down 5.7% from last year.
— Kelseyville: $345,000, up 9.5%.
— Clearlake: $220,000, down 11.6%;
— Hidden Valley Lake: $360,000; up 16.7%.
Countywide active listings have stayed strong this year. In July, they totaled 219, up 6.3% over last year.
By community, listings in July had the following totals:
— Lakeport: 38, up 42.2% over July 2020.
— Kelseyville: 45, down 2.2%.
— Clearlake: 28, down 26.3%.
— Hidden Valley Lake: 29, down 6.5%.
Countywide, the median days on the market was 18, with the sales to list price being 100% and
32.4% of active listings with price reductions.
— Lakeport’s median days on market was 25, with sales to list price at 100% with 39.5% listings
having price reductions.
— Kelseyville: Median days on market was 20; sales were at 100%, with 35.6% listings having reduced prices.
— Clearlake: 11 median days on the market; sales to list price at 98.4% and 21.4% listings with reduced prices.
— Hidden Valley Lake: Median days on the market was 11, with sales to list price at 100% and 34.5% of listings with reduced prices.
Overall, July 2021 compared to July 2020 as follows:
— Sales: Down, from 107 to 88.
— Median price: Up, from $336,000 to $351,000.
— Active listings: Up, from 168 to 219.
— Median days on the market: Up, from 12 to 18.
Sales continue to average 100% of list price while price reductions continue to be around 32%.
Tama Prokopowich is president-elect of the Lake County Association of Realtors.