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News

Hazardous weather outlook issued for northern Lake County

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Parts of the North Coast, including northern Lake County, are under a hazardous weather outlook due to chances of frost this week, with the potential for thunderstorms also in the forecast along with high winds in other parts of the county.

The National Weather Service issued a frost advisory for Wednesday morning and also for frost conditions expected Thursday and Friday morning.

The area in Lake County expected to be affected is north of Upper Lake, including the Mendocino National Forest and Lake Pillsbury.

During the day on Wednesday and on Wednesday night, that area also is forecast to have double-digit winds — topping out at more than 20 miles per hour.

On Thursday, there is a 20-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 a.m.

Conditions in that area are forecast to have daytime highs in the low 60s and nighttime temperatures that drop into the high 30s.

Temperatures are expected to warm up as the weekend arrives, with temperatures during the day rising into the mid-70s and nighttime temperatures reaching the mid-40s.

Elsewhere around the county this week, in Kelseyville, patchy frost is expected on Wednesday night and into Thursday morning.

On Wednesday, the south county could see winds of more than 20 miles per hour during the day and up to 44 miles per hour at night, when wind gusts could hit 55 miles per hour.

On Thursday night, south county winds are forecast to be around 16 miles per hour, with gusts of up to 21 miles per hour.

South county temperatures are predicted to rise into the mid 80s by early next week, with nighttime temperatures reaching about 46 degrees, the forecast said.

During the same time frame, the rest of the county is expected to see daytime temperatures in the high 70s with temperatures ranging form the mid-40s to the mid-50s at night.

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.

Catfish Derby returns for 2021 with big turnout

Robert Cooker of Sacramento, California, won first place and $5,000 in the 2021 Catfish Derby in Clearlake Oaks, California. Courtesy photo.

CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. — After a year off due to the pandemic, the annual Catfish Derby returned this month, with record registrations and lots of big fish.

Timing is everything. The 37th annual Catfish Derby was canceled in 2020, one of the county’s first major events to be a casualty to the pandemic.

In 2021, the Derby planners had a tough decision to make: Forego the Derby one more year or change it up to meet the COVID-19 restrictions and, hopefully, get enough entries to cover the upfront cash outlay and prizes required.

“We made the right decision,” said Derby Director Dennis Locke. “We actually had a record number of pre-registrants and more total entries than in 2019.”

Locke added, “In 2019 it rained and we registered 781 anglers. This year, we registered 882.”

“The pandemic threw us for a loop. We spun our wheels a little then took a leap of faith,” said Camille Gouldberg, president of the Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Business Association.

For 37 years, the business association has sponsored the Derby. The proceeds support the Clearlake Oaks community including schools, sports, senior programs and other activities.

Throughout the three-day fishing tournament, the grins on the faces of the children and adults spoke volumes.

Seven-year-old Lillie Perez from Clearlake Oaks has been fishing with her parents since she was 2.

Lillie brought in her biggest catch ever, a 17.88-pound catfish, scoring fifth place in the 10 and under kids’ division.

In the same division, Scarlett Riordan of Lakeport scored first place, winning $100 with her 22.43-pound catch. Scarlett is 8 years old and has been fishing with her family since she was a youngster.

In the two kid divisions, seven of the 10 winners were locals, the remaining three were from Citrus Heights, Folsom and Marysville.

A complete list of the winners can be found on the Business Association website under derby standings, www.clearlakeoaks.org.

Robert Cooker, a first-time derby participant from Sacramento, was all smiles holding his $5,000 first prize check for his 23.72-pound catch.

Cooker said he remembered fishing as a kid but had only recently taken up fishing as an adult. “My birthday was May 11,” he said. “It’s been a good birthday week!”

Asked if he would be back next year, Cooker said yes. “Heck, I’ll probably be back next week!”

Donnie Hall of San Jose, California, took second place and won $1,000 in the 2021 Catfish Derby in Clearlake Oaks, California. Courtesy photo.

Donnie Hall, a longtime derby participant from San Jose, took second prize in the adult division, $1,000, for his 23.57-pound catch.

Unlike Cooker, Hall and his brother, Steve Johnson, are derby regulars. “We’ve been fishing in the Derby for 23 years and over time added others to our team, sparking a brotherhood we call the Katfish Posse,” Hall said. “Our numbers change from time to time but at present, there are 15 of us.”

In 2001, Hall’s brother broke the record derby catch with his 32.5-pound catfish, a record he still holds. That year, Johnson won a boat.

Hall and Johnson began fishing off the shore and soon learned boat fishing was a better way to go. “I helped my brother get his first boat and he always said if he ever won a boat, he’d give me his. He kept his word and the next year we had two boats and room for friends,” Hall said.

Of the decision to cancel the Derby in 2020 and the changes this year, Hall said the past year had been hard on everyone.

“I’m in the construction business and had to make big adjustments, so I understood why the 2020 derby was canceled,” he said. “Although I was not able to bring my wife, a disabled veteran, because of the weigh-in location, I’m so glad you brought back the Derby this year. Thank you all for what you do.”

On his way out, Hall thanked his old friend Locke, giving him a quick hug.

Seven-year-old Lillie Perez from Clearlake Oaks, California, won fifth place in the 10 and under kids’ division in the 2021 Catfish Derby in Clearlake Oaks, California. Courtesy photo.


Locke, who led the Derby planning team through the ups and downs of a tough decision, said, “That’s what makes this all worthwhile. Guys like Donnie, who come back year after year, bringing their friends and families to Clear Lake.”

He added, “No awards ceremony, no music, no food and no raffles this year. Just fishing with family and friends and reconnecting after a long year of isolation, a build-it-and-they-will-come kind of moment.”

As in past years, Lower Lake High School student volunteers helped out the entire three days of fishing.

On the last day, Evelyn, a sophomore, was on hand early in the morning. Evelyn had already completed her community service hours but decided to volunteer anyway.

“Drama is my love and this is my first-time volunteering at the Derby,” she said. “I like the Derby and want to come back next year.”

This year, 66% of the Derby participants came from out of county and 34% from within Lake County.

For more information about the 37th Annual Catfish Derby and a complete listing of the winning entries, check the website, www.clearlakeoaks.org; the Facebook page, Catfish Derby At The Oaks; or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..


Evelyn, a volunteer from Lower Lake High School, at the 2021 Catfish Derby in Clearlake Oaks, California. Courtesy photo.

Clearlake City Council to discuss proposed property sale for housing development

CLEARLAKE, Calif. — The Clearlake City Council this week will discuss a property deal to bring 85 new housing units to the city and a plan to reoffer another city-owned property to developers.

The council will meet for a 5 p.m. budget preparation workshop before the regular meeting convenes at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 20, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

The public may attend, however, the council chambers will have limited capacity and attendees must adhere to masking and social distancing mandates.

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.

The agenda can be found here.

Comments and questions can be submitted in writing for City Council consideration by sending them to Administrative Services Director/City Clerk Melissa Swanson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can also visit the city’s town hall site and submit written comments at https://www.opentownhall.com/portals/327/forum_home. 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, May 20.

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.

Under council business, City Manager Alan Flora will ask the council to authorize him to execute an exclusive negotiation agreement with DANCO Communities for a portion of a property at 14795 Burns Valley Road.

The city previously closed escrow on a 31-acre property on Burns Valley Road with the intent of creating a mixed-use development, as Lake County News has reported.

Flora said staff have been working with the Burns Valley Sports Complex Ad Hoc Committee regarding designs for the recreation amenities at the property and have been in discussion with DANCO Communities, a housing developer from Arcata, about developing mixed income housing on a portion of the site.

“The project is still in the early design phase, but we currently expect development of approximately 85 units of mixed income housing. The project will be funded primarily with Disaster Tax Credits, which DANCO will be applying for on July 1st,” Flora said.

He said the city expects to commit a portion of the $7.5 million of the 2018 Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funding that is allocated to the cities of Clearlake and Lakeport to this project.

Flora said the city and DANCO expect construction to begin in 2022.

Total investment in this project is expected to be approximately $50 million, Flora said.

In other business, Flora will ask the council, in its dual role as the Clearlake Redevelopment Successor Agency, to take action to declare a 29 acre property at 2890 Old Highway 53 as surplus so it can offer the property to developers.

In December, Flora said the successor agency approved an exclusive negotiating agreement with Summitt Development for future purchase of the property.

“Negotiations with the developer have been unfruitful and on May 9th Summitt Development notified the City they would like to withdraw from the agreement,” Flora wrote in his report.

To be able to reoffer the property, Flora said there are several steps that must be initiated, including declaring it surplus.

Also on Thursday, the council will get an update on May’s adoptable dogs, present proclamations declaring May 22 to 28 as Safe Boating Week and May as California Tourism Month, hear a presentation by Pacific Gas and Electric regarding the outlooks for its public safety power shut-offs and wildfire safety efforts, and get the Lake County Tourism Improvement District’s annual report.

On the meeting's consent agenda — items that are not considered controversial and are usually adopted on a single vote — are warrants; minutes of the April 14 Lake County Vector Control District Board meeting; and receive and file the Clearlake Waste Solutions notice of intent to adjust rates July 1.

The council will meet in closed session following the public portion of the meeting to hold another conference in ongoing negotiations with the Clearlake Municipal Employees Association, Clearlake Police Officers Association and Clearlake Middle Management Association.

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.

State of California to keep existing mask guidance in place until June 15

Health officials said Monday that California will keep its existing guidance around masks in place until June 15 when the state plans to fully reopen the economy.

That announcement was in response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s new guidance last week that said fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.

The California Department of Public Health said that, as of May 3, face coverings are no longer required outdoors except at crowded events, and for unvaccinated people, when physical distancing cannot be maintained.

In indoor settings outside of one's home, including public transportation and schools, face coverings continue to be required regardless of vaccination status, CDPH said.

“California has made amazing progress in our fight against COVID-19. With more than 34 million vaccines administered, we now have among the lowest case and positivity rates in the nation,” said California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly.

On June 15, California plans to implement the CDC’s guidelines around masking to allow fully vaccinated Californians to go without a mask in most indoor settings, Ghaly said.

“This four-week period will give Californians time to prepare for this change while we continue our relentless focus on delivering vaccines, particularly in underserved communities,” Ghaly reported.

He added, “We urge all Californians to get vaccinated to ensure that infection and hospitalization rates remain low across the state and that we can all return to the activities we love.”

For more information, visit www.covid19.ca.gov.

BLM issues seasonal fire restrictions for most of central California

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Bureau of Land Management announces seasonal fire restrictions, including temporary limitations on target shooting, effective May 21.

The restrictions are for public lands managed by the Central Coast, Mother Lode and Ukiah field offices due to dry conditions and wildland fire danger.

These seasonal restrictions are in addition to the year-round statewide fire prevention order, issued on April 28, 2020, and will remain in effect until further notice.

BLM-managed public lands affected by the restrictions are primarily located in Amador, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, western Fresno, Glenn, Lake, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Tuolumne, Yolo and Yuba counties.

The fire restrictions will also apply at popular recreational areas along the American, South Yuba and Merced rivers, as well as at Panoche, Tumey and Griswold hills; Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument; North Cow Mountain Rifle Range; and Indian Valley Management Area.

Campfires and target shooting are also always prohibited at Fort Ord National Monument due to munitions hazards and public safety.

Fire prevention orders for the Central Coast, Mother Lode and Ukiah field offices are available online.

On average, human-caused wildfires make up 95% of all wildfires in California.

Records show recreational target shooting has sparked more than half the wildland fires within some field office boundaries in the last decade.

Many of these wildfires occur close in proximity to roadways, communities and recreational areas, posing considerable threat to public safety.

Taking individual responsibility to reduce wildfire risk while recreating on public lands, around homes and communities, before a fire occurs, can help keep property, the public, and wildland firefighters safe.

In 2020, approximately 275 wildland fires burned nearly 200,000 acres of BLM-managed public lands in California.

An increase in wildfire severity is expected based on forecast climate scenarios, as well as an expansion of wildfire season over much of the western United States.

The following restrictions will remain in place until the fire danger subsides:

— No campfires, barbecues or open fires, except in a developed campground. Portable stoves with gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed with a valid California campfire permit available free at all BLM, U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire offices, or at https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prevent-wildfire/campfire-safety/ .
— No target shooting — hot bullet fragments, exploding targets and metal from recreational shooting can spark a wildfire. Use of firearms for hunting is still allowed. Hunters must abide by state of California laws and regulations. Visit www.wheretoshoot.org for alternative recreational target shooting locations.
— No motorized vehicles off BLM designated roads or trails.
— No tools powered by internal combustion engines off BLM designated roads or trails (such as chain saws or lawn mowers).
— No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, at a developed recreation site, or other designated areas.
— No welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.

Anyone found guilty of violating a fire prevention order may be fined not more than $100,000 and/or imprisonment for not more than 12 months. Restitution for total fire suppression and damage costs incurred may be borne by the trespasser.

To learn how you can do your part to prevent wildland fires visit www.readyforwildfire.org.

A listing of fire restrictions throughout BLM California is available at https://go.usa.gov/xmUEG.

For specific questions, please contact the Central Coast Field Office at 831-582-2200, Mother Lode Field Office at 916-941-3101 or the Ukiah Field Office at 707-468-4000.

Lakeport City Council to meet new fire chief, consider pension obligation bonds

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council this week will meet the new fire chief and consider moving forward with pension obligation bonds to deal with unfunded liabilities.

The council will meet in closed session at 5:15 p.m. to discuss labor negotiations before the public portion of the meeting begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 18.

The agenda can be found here.

To speak on an agenda item, access the meeting remotely here or join by phone by calling toll-free 669-900-9128 or 346-248-7799. The webinar ID is 973 6820 1787, access code is 477973; the audio pin will be shown after joining the webinar. Those phoning in without using the web link will be in “listen mode” only and will not be able to participate or comment.

Comments can be submitted by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To give the City Clerk adequate time to print out comments for consideration at the meeting, please submit written comments prior to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18.

Indicate in the email subject line "for public comment" and list the item number of the agenda item that is the topic of the comment. Comments that read to the council will be subject to the three minute time limitation (approximately 350 words). Written comments that are only to be provided to the council and not read at the meeting will be distributed to the council prior to the meeting.

On Tuesday, the council will present proclamations designating the week of May 22 through 28 as Safe Boating Week and the month of May as California Tourism Month.

The Lake County Tourism Improvement District Board also will give the council an update.

The council also will get a formal introduction to new Lakeport Fire Protection District Fire Chief Jeffery Thomas, who started work with the district at the start of April.

On Tuesday, Police Chief Brad Rasmussen will present the Illegal Fireworks Operation Plan for the 30-day period — June 17 through July 16 — surrounding July 4.

Finance Director Nick Walker will present staff’s recommendation to adopt a proposed resolution which would approve the future issuance of one or more series of pension obligation bonds, approve a form of indenture of trust pursuant to which the bonds would be issued and authorize the commencement of a judicial validation action related to the issuance of pension obligation bonds.

“If the resolution is adopted, City staff would return to the City Council for a future approval of the final terms of any series of bonds, following the conclusion of the validation action, and prior to actual issuance,” Walker said in his written report.

Walker said the city’s unfunded accrued liability for its CalPERS Miscellaneous and Safety Plans has grown 22%, from $6.9 million to about $8.4 million.

That unfunded accrued liability represents the shortfall or gap between what is needed to pay retiree benefits versus how much in current assets the city actually has in its accounts with CalPERS, Walker said.

Walker explained that, combined with remaining principal on the lease agreement with Umpqua Bank that the city entered into in 2015 to restructure a portion of its then-existing unfunded accrued liability, the city has about $10.4 million in pension liability on its balance sheet.

He said Mayor Kenny Parlet is also being asked to appoint two council members to a Unfunded Accrued Liability Policy and Restructuring Ad Hoc Committee for policy recommendations and evaluating restructuring options.

On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances, minutes of the regular council meeting on May 4; the May 10 warrant register; approval of event application 2021-006, with staff recommendations, for the 2021 Old Time Machines Car Show on Aug. 14; approval of event application 2021-009, with staff recommendations, for the Lakeport Inside Out events to be held on the second Thursday of each month through Oct. 14; approval of event application 2021-010, with staff recommendations, for the 2021 Fourth of July Arts & Crafts Fair on July 4, 2021; approval of event application 2021-011, with staff recommendations, for the 2021 Taste of Lake County event on Aug. 28; approval of event application 2021-012, with staff recommendations, for the 2021 Pumpkin and Dia de los Muertos Festival on Oct. 2; approval of event application 2021-013, with staff recommendations, for the 2021 Trick or Treat Main Street event on Oct. 29; Approval of event application 2021-014, with staff recommendations, for the 2021 Dickens’ Faire on Nov. 27, 2021; review and filing of the draft minutes of the Measure Z Advisory Committee meeting of April 21; and rejection of all bids for the standby water generator procurement because doing so best serves the interests of the city.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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Community

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

  • Mendocino National Forest announces seasonal hiring for upcoming field season

Public Safety

  • Lakeport Police logs: Thursday, Jan. 15

  • Lakeport Police logs: Wednesday, Jan. 14

Education

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

  • SNHU announces Fall 2025 President's List

Health

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

  • Healthy blood donors especially vital during active flu season

Business

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

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

Obituaries

  • Rufino ‘Ray’ Pato

  • Patty Lee Smith

Opinion & Letters

  • The benefits of music for students

  • How to ease the burden of high electric bills

Veterans

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

  • A ‘Big Step Forward’ for Gulf War Veterans

Recreation

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

  • Mendocino National Forest seeking public input on OHV grant applications

  • State Parks announces 2026 Anderson Marsh nature walk schedule 

  • BLM lifts seasonal fire restrictions in central California

Religion

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

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

Arts & Life

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

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

Government & Politics

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

  • County negotiates money-saving power purchase agreement

Legals

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

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

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