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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Registrar of Voters Office will open a new office just across from the Lake County Courthouse next year thanks to the Board of Supervisors’ approval of an agreement to lease a new home for the agency.
On Tuesday evening, toward the end of the board’s marathon daylong meeting, the supervisors voted unanimously to approve a 10-year lease with the John Allen Dye Trust of 1993 for the building at 325 N Forbes St. in Lakeport.
The lease’s term runs from Aug. 1, 2021, to July 31, 2031.
During the first five years of the lease, the rate will be capped at $1.11 per square foot for a total of $2,200 per month, and afterward will be eligible for increases based on 90% of the Consumer Price Index, not to exceed 2% per year, said Deputy County Administrative Officer Matthew Rothstein.
Renovations are needed and will be carried out by the county’s Buildings and Grounds Department, Rothstein said.
The lease document said the renovations will include upgrading the restrooms to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act; enclosing offices in the main area, including construction of walls, installation of doors and wiring, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning work; changing the customer service counter to meet specifications for elections-related business; new flooring and interior paint; modification of the front door and entryway, which includes removal of existing shrubs and the planter retaining wall; and modifying the existing janitorial room.
The Registrar of Voters Office is expected to open its doors there before June 2022, said Registrar Maria Valadez.
Rothstein, who worked on the lease and presented it to the board, said there’s been long-standing needs for extra space for both the Auditor-Controller’s Office and Registrar of Voters Office, and the lease “can solve both of those needs.”
The county’s Space Use Committee initially authorized a search for a suitable location for the elections office in mid-2019, but Rothstein said this was the first space that they had identified that was sufficiently close to the courthouse — it’s in the next block — and of the appropriate size.
Previously, the building had housed the Pacific Gas and Electric office for many years. The written staff report said the owners came to the county with the proposal after PG&E left.
Valadez thanked county administration and the Buildings and Grounds staff for their help in the project.
She said her office has been housed in an 847-square-foot space on the second floor of the courthouse since 1997.
In that time, she said the staff has grown from two permanent employees to five permanent staffers and several extra help employees.
The office’s current size is also very small when considering the increased needs for security, accessibility and privacy relating to elections, she said.
The new location will give Valadez’s office roughly 2,000 square feet of space, allowing them to continue to have an elections computer room plus a new dedicated ballot processing room, and a foyer with public service windows, waiting area and voting booths.
During the November presidential election, due to COVID-19 restrictions, Valadez and her staff had to use the Board of Supervisors’ chambers on the courthouse’s first floor for voting booths because of the need for more spacing. Before that, the elections office only had room for voting booths in the second floor hallway.
In the current layout, Valadez and her staff have cubicles and some additional work spaces that also are used for machinery and records storage.
In that configuration, she said it’s been hard to have private meetings or conversations with staff and vendors.
Valadez also noted the benefits of having the room to conduct elections without the additional stress of cramped conditions and having to work nights and weekends in order to accommodate getting the work done.
“It’s been a long time coming for us,” she said.
“I think it’s exciting for everybody,” said Board Chair Bruno Sabatier.
Supervisor Tina Scott said she fully supported the lease and was grateful for finding a building so close by.
Scott said she was contacted by a constituent who was concerned about safety due to not having the security screening that’s currently in place at the courthouse.
Valadez said she’s not yet certain about what security measures might be in place or what she might be able to budget, but bulletproof windows, cameras, panic buttons and security during election periods were all options.
Scott encouraged her to come back to the board to ask for what she needs, because the board wants Valadez and her staff to be safe.
Sabatier wondered if the elections office would still need some of the storage space at the courthouse. Valadez said she couldn’t tell just yet.
“This is going to be a fantastic change,” said Sabatier.
Supervisor Moke Simon, who sits on the Space Use Committee along with Supervisor EJ Crandell, moved to approve the lease agreement, with Scott seconding and the board voting 5-0.
Valadez thanked the board for the vote.
“We’re going to go celebrate now,” she 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.
On Tuesday evening, toward the end of the board’s marathon daylong meeting, the supervisors voted unanimously to approve a 10-year lease with the John Allen Dye Trust of 1993 for the building at 325 N Forbes St. in Lakeport.
The lease’s term runs from Aug. 1, 2021, to July 31, 2031.
During the first five years of the lease, the rate will be capped at $1.11 per square foot for a total of $2,200 per month, and afterward will be eligible for increases based on 90% of the Consumer Price Index, not to exceed 2% per year, said Deputy County Administrative Officer Matthew Rothstein.
Renovations are needed and will be carried out by the county’s Buildings and Grounds Department, Rothstein said.
The lease document said the renovations will include upgrading the restrooms to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act; enclosing offices in the main area, including construction of walls, installation of doors and wiring, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning work; changing the customer service counter to meet specifications for elections-related business; new flooring and interior paint; modification of the front door and entryway, which includes removal of existing shrubs and the planter retaining wall; and modifying the existing janitorial room.
The Registrar of Voters Office is expected to open its doors there before June 2022, said Registrar Maria Valadez.
Rothstein, who worked on the lease and presented it to the board, said there’s been long-standing needs for extra space for both the Auditor-Controller’s Office and Registrar of Voters Office, and the lease “can solve both of those needs.”
The county’s Space Use Committee initially authorized a search for a suitable location for the elections office in mid-2019, but Rothstein said this was the first space that they had identified that was sufficiently close to the courthouse — it’s in the next block — and of the appropriate size.
Previously, the building had housed the Pacific Gas and Electric office for many years. The written staff report said the owners came to the county with the proposal after PG&E left.
Valadez thanked county administration and the Buildings and Grounds staff for their help in the project.
She said her office has been housed in an 847-square-foot space on the second floor of the courthouse since 1997.
In that time, she said the staff has grown from two permanent employees to five permanent staffers and several extra help employees.
The office’s current size is also very small when considering the increased needs for security, accessibility and privacy relating to elections, she said.
The new location will give Valadez’s office roughly 2,000 square feet of space, allowing them to continue to have an elections computer room plus a new dedicated ballot processing room, and a foyer with public service windows, waiting area and voting booths.
During the November presidential election, due to COVID-19 restrictions, Valadez and her staff had to use the Board of Supervisors’ chambers on the courthouse’s first floor for voting booths because of the need for more spacing. Before that, the elections office only had room for voting booths in the second floor hallway.
In the current layout, Valadez and her staff have cubicles and some additional work spaces that also are used for machinery and records storage.
In that configuration, she said it’s been hard to have private meetings or conversations with staff and vendors.
Valadez also noted the benefits of having the room to conduct elections without the additional stress of cramped conditions and having to work nights and weekends in order to accommodate getting the work done.
“It’s been a long time coming for us,” she said.
“I think it’s exciting for everybody,” said Board Chair Bruno Sabatier.
Supervisor Tina Scott said she fully supported the lease and was grateful for finding a building so close by.
Scott said she was contacted by a constituent who was concerned about safety due to not having the security screening that’s currently in place at the courthouse.
Valadez said she’s not yet certain about what security measures might be in place or what she might be able to budget, but bulletproof windows, cameras, panic buttons and security during election periods were all options.
Scott encouraged her to come back to the board to ask for what she needs, because the board wants Valadez and her staff to be safe.
Sabatier wondered if the elections office would still need some of the storage space at the courthouse. Valadez said she couldn’t tell just yet.
“This is going to be a fantastic change,” said Sabatier.
Supervisor Moke Simon, who sits on the Space Use Committee along with Supervisor EJ Crandell, moved to approve the lease agreement, with Scott seconding and the board voting 5-0.
Valadez thanked the board for the vote.
“We’re going to go celebrate now,” she said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
CLEARLAKE, Calif. — The Clearlake City Council this week will consider selling a portion of the city’s former airport to a developer that is proposing to build a new hotel.
The council will meet for a workshop at 5 p.m. on the Burns Valley Development Project before the regular meeting begins at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 15, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
The meeting will be broadcast live on the city's YouTube channel or the Lake County PEGTV YouTube Channel. Community members also can participate via Zoom or can attend in person.
The agenda can be found here.
Comments and questions can be submitted in writing for City Council consideration by sending them to City Clerk Melissa Swanson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . You can also visit the city’s new town hall site and submit written comments at https://www.opentownhall.com/portals/327/Issue_9055. Identify the subject you wish to comment on in your email’s subject line or in your town hall submission.
To give the council adequate time to review your questions and comments, please submit your written comments before 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 15.
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.
The meeting will include presentations on July’s adoptable dogs, the regional transportation plan and the Cyanobacteria Outreach Workgroup.
The council will hold a public hearing to discuss implementing restricted access to the segment of Burns Valley Road between Arrowhead and Acacia in the effort to reduce illegal dumping.
Under business, City Manager Alan Flora will present to the council a proposal to sell a 2.5-acre portion of the city’s former Pearce Field airport to MLI Associates LLC, a company that has a long history of developing hotel properties in the Bay Area and across the country.
The parcel, located at 6356 Armijo Ave., is proposed to be sold for $305,000, with the city to hold the note during the construction process, Flora reported. If MLI meets specific deadlines in the project, portions of the note can be forgiven.
After closing the sale, Flora said MLI would have 14 months to complete the entitlement process, and additional six months to begin construction, and a total of 36 months from closing to opening the doors.
“The City will be installing road and utility infrastructure to the site, with MLI completing on-site improvements, which include a 75-room Fairfield Inn by Marriott. The developer is considering including a small multi-tenant retail component to the project as well,” Flora explained in his report to the council.
Flora added, “This project, in addition to several other portions of the airport project that are nearing completion of negotiations, will be the first phase of the long-awaited redevelopment of the former Pearce Field. We expect to bring additional purchase and sale agreements before the Council in the coming months and the City plans to begin installing road and utility infrastructure at the site next spring.”
In other business, council members will discuss awarding a $55,000 contract to Chernoh Excavating Inc. for demolition of structures at 14525 Lakeshore Drive, the former Sunflower restaurant, as well as the award of a construction contract for the 2021 Measure V Pavement Rehabilitation Project to Granite Construction for the total amount of $2,023,121.50.
The council also will consider memorandums of understanding with employee groups, the Clearlake Miscellaneous Employees Association, the Clearlake Police Officers Association and the Clearlake Middle Management Association for the period of July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022, along with updates to the management classification and benefits plan and city salary schedule.
Other items on the agenda include the annual financial report for fiscal year 2018-19, consideration of designation of voting delegates and alternates for the League of California Cities Annual Conference in September, and adoption of the first amendment to the fiscal year 2021-22 budgeting appropriating Caltrans Local Roadway Safety Plan Grant funding and Measure V Project funding.
On the meeting's consent agenda — items that are not considered controversial and are usually adopted on a single vote — are warrant registers; authorization for the city manager to enter into contracts with California Engineering Co. for design services for phase one of the Burns Valley Development Project, the Dam Road Extension and South Center Drive Project and the Second and Modoc Road Rehabilitation Project; notification of expiring committee appointments; consideration of continuation of declaration of local emergency issued on March 14, 2020, and ratified by council action March 19, 2020; consideration of continuation of declaration of local emergency issued on Oct. 9, 2017, and ratified by council action Oct. 12, 2017, in response to the Sulphur fire; adoption of Resolution 2021-36 and approval of sole source purchase of a seat wall from Universal Precast; a license agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric Co. for use of the Clearlake Community Senior Center as a customer resource center; and minutes of the June meetings.
Following the public portion of the meeting, the council will hold a closed session to discuss existing litigation against the county of Lake and AmerisourceBergen Drug Corp.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
The council will meet for a workshop at 5 p.m. on the Burns Valley Development Project before the regular meeting begins at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 15, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
The meeting will be broadcast live on the city's YouTube channel or the Lake County PEGTV YouTube Channel. Community members also can participate via Zoom or can attend in person.
The agenda can be found here.
Comments and questions can be submitted in writing for City Council consideration by sending them to City Clerk Melissa Swanson at
To give the council adequate time to review your questions and comments, please submit your written comments before 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 15.
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.
The meeting will include presentations on July’s adoptable dogs, the regional transportation plan and the Cyanobacteria Outreach Workgroup.
The council will hold a public hearing to discuss implementing restricted access to the segment of Burns Valley Road between Arrowhead and Acacia in the effort to reduce illegal dumping.
Under business, City Manager Alan Flora will present to the council a proposal to sell a 2.5-acre portion of the city’s former Pearce Field airport to MLI Associates LLC, a company that has a long history of developing hotel properties in the Bay Area and across the country.
The parcel, located at 6356 Armijo Ave., is proposed to be sold for $305,000, with the city to hold the note during the construction process, Flora reported. If MLI meets specific deadlines in the project, portions of the note can be forgiven.
After closing the sale, Flora said MLI would have 14 months to complete the entitlement process, and additional six months to begin construction, and a total of 36 months from closing to opening the doors.
“The City will be installing road and utility infrastructure to the site, with MLI completing on-site improvements, which include a 75-room Fairfield Inn by Marriott. The developer is considering including a small multi-tenant retail component to the project as well,” Flora explained in his report to the council.
Flora added, “This project, in addition to several other portions of the airport project that are nearing completion of negotiations, will be the first phase of the long-awaited redevelopment of the former Pearce Field. We expect to bring additional purchase and sale agreements before the Council in the coming months and the City plans to begin installing road and utility infrastructure at the site next spring.”
In other business, council members will discuss awarding a $55,000 contract to Chernoh Excavating Inc. for demolition of structures at 14525 Lakeshore Drive, the former Sunflower restaurant, as well as the award of a construction contract for the 2021 Measure V Pavement Rehabilitation Project to Granite Construction for the total amount of $2,023,121.50.
The council also will consider memorandums of understanding with employee groups, the Clearlake Miscellaneous Employees Association, the Clearlake Police Officers Association and the Clearlake Middle Management Association for the period of July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022, along with updates to the management classification and benefits plan and city salary schedule.
Other items on the agenda include the annual financial report for fiscal year 2018-19, consideration of designation of voting delegates and alternates for the League of California Cities Annual Conference in September, and adoption of the first amendment to the fiscal year 2021-22 budgeting appropriating Caltrans Local Roadway Safety Plan Grant funding and Measure V Project funding.
On the meeting's consent agenda — items that are not considered controversial and are usually adopted on a single vote — are warrant registers; authorization for the city manager to enter into contracts with California Engineering Co. for design services for phase one of the Burns Valley Development Project, the Dam Road Extension and South Center Drive Project and the Second and Modoc Road Rehabilitation Project; notification of expiring committee appointments; consideration of continuation of declaration of local emergency issued on March 14, 2020, and ratified by council action March 19, 2020; consideration of continuation of declaration of local emergency issued on Oct. 9, 2017, and ratified by council action Oct. 12, 2017, in response to the Sulphur fire; adoption of Resolution 2021-36 and approval of sole source purchase of a seat wall from Universal Precast; a license agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric Co. for use of the Clearlake Community Senior Center as a customer resource center; and minutes of the June meetings.
Following the public portion of the meeting, the council will hold a closed session to discuss existing litigation against the county of Lake and AmerisourceBergen Drug Corp.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
Gov. Gavin Newsom, Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) on Monday announced an agreement on a broadband trailer bill, AB/SB 156, to expand the state’s broadband fiber infrastructure and increase internet connectivity for families and businesses.
In a joint announcement, the governor and legislative leaders called the broadband package “historic,” and “a legacy project that will benefit generations of rural and urban residents alike.”
The legislation is meant to yield vital, broadened access for California families by prioritizing the unserved and underserved areas, facilities, households, and businesses that remain disconnected in the digital era.
The legislation includes:
— More vital accountability and legislative oversight.
— Creating a “broadband czar” and nine-member council within the California Department of Technology.
— Hiring a third-party to build and maintain the “middle-mile network, high-capacity fiber lines that carry large amounts of data at higher speeds over longer distances between local networks.
— Investing $3.25 billion to target that middle mile and build the broadband lines.
— Providing $2 billion for ‘last-mile’ infrastructure lines that will connect consumers’ homes and businesses with local networks ($1 billion for rural communities; $1 billion for urban communities).
“Our work on this critical issue is not done. We are fully committed to passing comprehensive measures by the end of this year’s legislative session to ensure the surcharge funding via the California Advanced Services Fund is extended. These surcharge funds are embedded in pending legislation and are critical to the long-term success of local connectivity projects and to ensure every Californian has access to high-quality broadband internet like they rightfully deserve,” the group said.
On Tuesday, Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters), whose district includes Lake County, and Sen. Lena A. Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) lauded the bill but said more legislation will be needed.
“This broadband deployment budget bill will have an enormous impact on the lives of all Californians,” said Aguiar-Curry. “In partnership with my colleague Sen. Gonzalez, we have highlighted the critical need to modernize our state’s broadband policy and programs, and to commit long-term funding to guarantee internet connectivity for all California communities, rural and urban.
“I am immensely proud that our efforts have contributed to a budget deal between Gov. Newsom, Pro Tem Atkins and Speaker Rendon to provide a generational $6 billion investment in broadband infrastructure,” said Aguiar-Curry. “Modern, adaptable technology in every corner of our State will provide access to education and job training, health care, and the digital economy. Passage of AB 14 and SB 4 this year is the next essential step in providing a historic policy and funding package to lead California into the future.”
“This historic broadband budget bill is great news to celebrate! It invests in an essential backbone infrastructure that will help California achieve accessible and affordable Broadband for All and also takes critical steps toward equity by prioritizing unserved and underserved areas in both rural and urban communities throughout our state,” said Sen. Gonzalez.
“Overall, this budget bill is one we can be proud of, that represents the values of our state and that will provide a strong foundation through which we can accomplish much more this legislative session to help close the digital divide — because our work does not end here,” Gonzalez said. “Now, we must pass legislation to provide long-term, continuous funding for high-speed broadband infrastructure, to reaffirm the prioritization of equitable broadband infrastructure deployment projects and to ensure we have a comprehensive broadband package this legislative session to successfully address the digital divide once and for all.”
Details on the bill can be found in AB/SB 156.
In a joint announcement, the governor and legislative leaders called the broadband package “historic,” and “a legacy project that will benefit generations of rural and urban residents alike.”
The legislation is meant to yield vital, broadened access for California families by prioritizing the unserved and underserved areas, facilities, households, and businesses that remain disconnected in the digital era.
The legislation includes:
— More vital accountability and legislative oversight.
— Creating a “broadband czar” and nine-member council within the California Department of Technology.
— Hiring a third-party to build and maintain the “middle-mile network, high-capacity fiber lines that carry large amounts of data at higher speeds over longer distances between local networks.
— Investing $3.25 billion to target that middle mile and build the broadband lines.
— Providing $2 billion for ‘last-mile’ infrastructure lines that will connect consumers’ homes and businesses with local networks ($1 billion for rural communities; $1 billion for urban communities).
“Our work on this critical issue is not done. We are fully committed to passing comprehensive measures by the end of this year’s legislative session to ensure the surcharge funding via the California Advanced Services Fund is extended. These surcharge funds are embedded in pending legislation and are critical to the long-term success of local connectivity projects and to ensure every Californian has access to high-quality broadband internet like they rightfully deserve,” the group said.
On Tuesday, Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters), whose district includes Lake County, and Sen. Lena A. Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) lauded the bill but said more legislation will be needed.
“This broadband deployment budget bill will have an enormous impact on the lives of all Californians,” said Aguiar-Curry. “In partnership with my colleague Sen. Gonzalez, we have highlighted the critical need to modernize our state’s broadband policy and programs, and to commit long-term funding to guarantee internet connectivity for all California communities, rural and urban.
“I am immensely proud that our efforts have contributed to a budget deal between Gov. Newsom, Pro Tem Atkins and Speaker Rendon to provide a generational $6 billion investment in broadband infrastructure,” said Aguiar-Curry. “Modern, adaptable technology in every corner of our State will provide access to education and job training, health care, and the digital economy. Passage of AB 14 and SB 4 this year is the next essential step in providing a historic policy and funding package to lead California into the future.”
“This historic broadband budget bill is great news to celebrate! It invests in an essential backbone infrastructure that will help California achieve accessible and affordable Broadband for All and also takes critical steps toward equity by prioritizing unserved and underserved areas in both rural and urban communities throughout our state,” said Sen. Gonzalez.
“Overall, this budget bill is one we can be proud of, that represents the values of our state and that will provide a strong foundation through which we can accomplish much more this legislative session to help close the digital divide — because our work does not end here,” Gonzalez said. “Now, we must pass legislation to provide long-term, continuous funding for high-speed broadband infrastructure, to reaffirm the prioritization of equitable broadband infrastructure deployment projects and to ensure we have a comprehensive broadband package this legislative session to successfully address the digital divide once and for all.”
Details on the bill can be found in AB/SB 156.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA — A Clearlake man died in a Sunday evening head-on wreck that occurred on Highway 20 in Colusa County.
The California Highway Patrol’s Williams Area office did not release the name of the 57-year-old Lake County resident pending the notification of his family.
The wreck occurred at 7:55 p.m. Sunday on Highway 20 east of Highway 16, the CHP said.
The CHP said the Clearlake man was driving a 2014 Toyota Tacoma pickup westbound at a high rate of speed as Jacob Funk, 27, of Orland was driving eastbound at 55 miles per hour in a 2017 Dodge Durango.
Vicky Davis, 40, and two children, a 7-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl, whose names were not released due to their juvenile status — all of them Orland residents — were riding with Funk, the CHP reported.
The CHP said the Clearlake resident swerved over the solid double-yellow lines and entered in the eastbound lane, directly in Funk’s path.
Funk attempted to avoid the crash by turning to the right but was unable to avoid the collision, the CHP said.
The left front of the Toyota Tacoma collided with the left front of the Dodge Durango, with the CHP reporting that the crash caused the Toyota’s left front door to detach.
The Clearlake driver, who was not wearing his seat belt, was ejected from his pickup. The CHP said he died of his injuries at the scene.
Funk and Davis were wearing their seat belts and the two children were in child safety seats. Funk had neck and back pain, Davis suffered a head contusion and the children had complaints of pain, the CHP said.
Radio reports indicated three air ambulances were summoned to the scene, landing in an area on Highway 16.
The CHP said Funk and the two children were transported via REACH air ambulance to UC Davis for further treatment of moderate injuries, while Davis, who had major injuries, was taken by REACH air ambulance to Kaiser Vacaville Hospital.
The initial CHP report indicated alcohol and/or drugs were possible factors in this wreck.
Highway 20 was shut down from Highway 53 in Clearlake Oaks to Highway 16 until just before 11 p.m. Sunday due to the wreck, according to scene reports.
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 California Highway Patrol’s Williams Area office did not release the name of the 57-year-old Lake County resident pending the notification of his family.
The wreck occurred at 7:55 p.m. Sunday on Highway 20 east of Highway 16, the CHP said.
The CHP said the Clearlake man was driving a 2014 Toyota Tacoma pickup westbound at a high rate of speed as Jacob Funk, 27, of Orland was driving eastbound at 55 miles per hour in a 2017 Dodge Durango.
Vicky Davis, 40, and two children, a 7-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl, whose names were not released due to their juvenile status — all of them Orland residents — were riding with Funk, the CHP reported.
The CHP said the Clearlake resident swerved over the solid double-yellow lines and entered in the eastbound lane, directly in Funk’s path.
Funk attempted to avoid the crash by turning to the right but was unable to avoid the collision, the CHP said.
The left front of the Toyota Tacoma collided with the left front of the Dodge Durango, with the CHP reporting that the crash caused the Toyota’s left front door to detach.
The Clearlake driver, who was not wearing his seat belt, was ejected from his pickup. The CHP said he died of his injuries at the scene.
Funk and Davis were wearing their seat belts and the two children were in child safety seats. Funk had neck and back pain, Davis suffered a head contusion and the children had complaints of pain, the CHP said.
Radio reports indicated three air ambulances were summoned to the scene, landing in an area on Highway 16.
The CHP said Funk and the two children were transported via REACH air ambulance to UC Davis for further treatment of moderate injuries, while Davis, who had major injuries, was taken by REACH air ambulance to Kaiser Vacaville Hospital.
The initial CHP report indicated alcohol and/or drugs were possible factors in this wreck.
Highway 20 was shut down from Highway 53 in Clearlake Oaks to Highway 16 until just before 11 p.m. Sunday due to the wreck, according to scene reports.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Grillers are needed to help fire up the annual “Grillin’ on the Green” event, returning this year following its cancellation in 2020 due to restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grillers are invited to once again compete in the barbecue cook-off that highlights the family fun activity. Sponsors are also sought and will be recognized at the event.
The 11th annual “Grillin’ on the Green” cook-off, presented by the Westside Community Park Committee and Grillin’ on the Green Organizing Committee, is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 7, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., at Westside Community Park.
The fundraiser supporting park improvements features food, drink and entertainment for all ages.
Attendees may taste competitors’ barbecue fare, dance to live music by the LC Diamonds, and enjoy a car show featuring vintage vehicles from local car clubs. Kids may participate in children’s water activities, as well.
Local organizations, individuals and professionals battle for bragging rights each year by preparing their best barbecue recipes for attendees who then cast Peoples’ Choice votes for their favorites.
Additionally, “celebrity” judges including Sheriff Brian Martin will select their favorite grillers in various categories.
Interested grilling chefs and team representatives are urged to sign up as soon as possible. Call Cindy Ustrud at 707-349-0718. Entries are due by July 16.
Event organizers are seeking sponsors of the event and sponsors for grillers this year. Levels of sponsor recognition are $100, $300, $500 and up.
Opportunities to sponsor a Grillin’ participant are available at the rate of $500.
Major sponsors for this year’s event include Lake County Tribal Health Consortium, Community First Credit Union, Lake County News, Law Office of Mary Heare Amodio, the Ustrud-Rollins Family, the Keeling-Barnes Family Foundation and Brian Grey, DDS, MSD.
Information about the event can be found on the park’s website or on Westside Community Park’s Facebook page. Additionally, people may call Dennis Rollins, 707-349-0969, for information.
Westside Community Park is a City of Lakeport recreational facility that has been in development for more than 20 years.
The nonprofit park committee is developing the park in conjunction with the city of Lakeport, volunteers, and numerous contributions by individuals and businesses dedicated to constructing a recreational facility for the youth and adults of Lake County.
The committee maintains and operates the majority of the park.
Westside Community Park is home to the Konocti Youth Soccer League, Westshore Little League's softball league, the Lakeport team of the Ukiah Men's Soccer League and the Early Lake Lions Horseshoe League.
Improvements to the park for which the Westside Community Park Committee seeks funding include continued development of a horse park on a separate site located off State Highway 175, west of Lakeport.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Pacific Gas and Electric said it has determined the causes of two separate power outages that impacted south county communities over the weekend.
The outages, which took place on Saturday and Sunday, occurred during the midst of the latest heat wave, as Lake County News has reported.
The first outage, which began at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, impacted 885 customer accounts in Hidden Valley Lake, Middletown and Lower Lake, said PG&E spokesperson Deanna Contreras.
“Several PG&E ‘troublemen’ were dispatched to the area where a fault was detected on the line, on Old Spruce Grove Road, east of Highway 29,” said Contreras. “They inspected the area several times but the cause of the fault was not found.”
She said that, due to the high fire threat rating on Saturday, PG&E wanted to ensure the line was 100% inspected before re-energizing it.
Crews also used a helicopter early Sunday morning to inspect the line to ensure debris or vegetation was not on the line, she said.
Contreras said power was completely restored to all of the impacted customers by 9 a.m. Sunday.
“We thank everyone for their patience and for their understanding, especially during the high temperatures, as we wanted to ensure the line in this high fire-threat area was safe to re-energize,” she said.
The second outage began at about 5:19 p.m. Sunday, said Contreras.
She said power was disrupted again to about 540 customers just in the Hidden Valley Lake area for about three hours.
“Crews were checking that Spruce Grove Road area again and they did find the cause to be impacted electrical equipment. I can say this outage was heat-related,” Contreras said.
She said the repairs were made and power was restored by 9:21 p.m. Sunday.
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The outages, which took place on Saturday and Sunday, occurred during the midst of the latest heat wave, as Lake County News has reported.
The first outage, which began at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, impacted 885 customer accounts in Hidden Valley Lake, Middletown and Lower Lake, said PG&E spokesperson Deanna Contreras.
“Several PG&E ‘troublemen’ were dispatched to the area where a fault was detected on the line, on Old Spruce Grove Road, east of Highway 29,” said Contreras. “They inspected the area several times but the cause of the fault was not found.”
She said that, due to the high fire threat rating on Saturday, PG&E wanted to ensure the line was 100% inspected before re-energizing it.
Crews also used a helicopter early Sunday morning to inspect the line to ensure debris or vegetation was not on the line, she said.
Contreras said power was completely restored to all of the impacted customers by 9 a.m. Sunday.
“We thank everyone for their patience and for their understanding, especially during the high temperatures, as we wanted to ensure the line in this high fire-threat area was safe to re-energize,” she said.
The second outage began at about 5:19 p.m. Sunday, said Contreras.
She said power was disrupted again to about 540 customers just in the Hidden Valley Lake area for about three hours.
“Crews were checking that Spruce Grove Road area again and they did find the cause to be impacted electrical equipment. I can say this outage was heat-related,” Contreras said.
She said the repairs were made and power was restored by 9:21 p.m. Sunday.
Email Elizabeth Larson at