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LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport Fire’s new chief is on the job and hard at work, learning more about the people he serves, his district and the challenges it faces in keeping the community safe.

The Lakeport Fire Protection District Board hired Jeffrey Thomas as the new chief last month, as Lake County News has reported. He succeeded Rick Bergem, who is retiring after decades in the fire service.

Thomas is a California native who spent his childhood in Richmond before going off to play football on a scholarship at the University of Utah.

Later, he started his career with the Salt Lake City Fire Department, where he served for 36 years.

When he became battalion chief on April 1, 2005, he was the first Black firefighter to hold the role and the first Black fire officer in the state of Utah.

April 1, incidentally, was his first day on the job in Lakeport, where he’s again breaking new ground as the department’s first Black chief. He’s also believed to be the first Black fire executive officer to serve in a Lake County agency.

Since arriving in Lakeport, Thomas said he has received an “overwhelming” show of community support.

Not only is he enjoying the welcome from the community, but he said he’s also coming back to the earth and soil he loves in Northern California.

He was well acquainted with Clear Lake and Lake County before applying to be the new fire chief.

As a child his family would camp at Clear Lake State Park. During his interview with Lake County News in his office at the downtown station, he called himself a Northern California “homeboy” whose pastimes include fishing, hunting and golf.

Over the last several years, he’s often driven the 12 hours from Salt Lake City to go fishing on Clear Lake.

Not long after arriving to start work in Lakeport this month, he went out on Clearlake for some crappie fishing and instead caught the “fish of a lifetime,” reeling in a 9.4-pound largemouth bass.

He released the fish, but he’s got the experience on video.

Once he hit the 30-year mark with Salt Lake City, Thomas said he began to look for a chief’s job in Northern California.

Lakeport turned out to be the right fit professionally and personally. He’s just two hours from his mother and now living in an area where he loves to fish.

Making the transition

Thomas brings new skill sets to Lakeport Fire, including experience managing a much larger firefighting force.

In Salt Lake City, Thomas said the fire district has 380 firefighters. That’s compared to Lakeport’s 12 personnel.

Salt Lake City covers 110 square miles, has about 200,000 residents in the city limits and 1.2 million in the metropolitan area.

The city of Lakeport has 4,698 residents, according to the latest estimates from the state Department of Finance. The fire district previously reported that it serves about 10,000 residents inside and outside of the city limits.

Thomas said Salt Lake City doesn’t really have wildland fires, with grass and vegetation fires being more common There, the challenges relate more to urban firefighting, as compared to Lakeport, which has an almost year-round fire season.

He said he wants to find ways to get the district more resources, including having more personnel on shift in order to respond when needed. You can only do the amount of work resources allow, he added.

Thomas also has identified some challenges, including interrupted hydrant supply on Main Street and on Soda Bay Road, and local bridges that can’t handle the passage of equipment.

In addition to wildland fires, Thomas wants to be ready for earthquakes, referring to a 4-magnitude quake that occurred this week and was felt around Lake County. That quake happened just over the Sonoma County line.

“There’s a lot of work that needs to be done,” he said, adding that he’s not afraid of work.

He offered the adage, “Inch by inch, life is a cinch,” a quote attributed to author John Bytheway.

For now, Thomas said he’s studying the budget, assessing the operational readiness of his team and trying to prepare for a potentially huge wildland fire season ahead. It’s a matter of think, plan, act.

“We want everyone to be prepared and ready,” he said.

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. – With Lake County’s pandemic data metrics continuing to improve, the Lake County Superior Court said this week that it is planning to roll out some operational changes.

Court Executive Officer Krista LeVier said there will be no major changes immediately, but that the court is starting to take steps to allow more court business to be conducted in-person.

Some of the changes planned include moving some trials back to the courthouse from the Lake County Fairgrounds and vacating civil jury trials in May.

Court officials have remained in contact with Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace regarding public safety conditions for court operations.

“The court continues in the effort to provide necessary and essential services to court users while protecting the health of all who come before or work within the court. The court will continue to limit the number of cases on calendar, require social distancing in court facilities, require face coverings and will continue to handle matters via remote means whenever possible pending further notice,” said a written statement from LeVier and Presiding Judge Michael Lunas.

The court is continuing to post updates at its website.

The following changes are planned.

In-person court calendars

Beginning April 26, the calendars below will begin (or continue) to allow in-person appearances.

Zoom appearances will be allowed for those parties or attorneys that were previously ordered to appear by remote appearance. All other calendars will remain as remote proceedings only.

– Felony settlements, Department 3, Tuesdays.
– Felony preliminary hearings.
– Felony sentencing hearings (remote appearance may be allowed by the judicial officer).
– Felony law and motion, specially set Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m.

Civil and family law court trials and evidentiary hearings

Cases set for a hearing on or after May 17 for civil and family law court trials or evidentiary hearings will be conducted in-person.

Appearances may still be made by remote means, upon request and approval of the judicial officer at the time of the setting of the trial or hearing.

The cases that have already been set for remote hearing or trial shall remain set as remote proceedings.

Criminal jury trials

The court will continue to conduct jury selection at the fairgrounds facility in all cases.

Commencing the week of May 3, criminal jury trials will be conducted at the courthouse except for cases specifically set for jury trial at the fairgrounds facility.

Jurors who are unable to serve because they are high-risk for COVID-19 related complications will be excused prior to coming to the courthouse.

Additional details about the process and precautions will be provided with the jury summons.

Civil jury trials

Civil jury trials set for the month of May will be vacated along with the associated mandatory settlement conference and trial assignment dates and will be set for case management conference for resetting.

Commencing with the civil jury trial settings for June, the trial date, mandatory settlement conference and trial assignment dates shall remain as set. A civil jury trial that’s to be conducted, as with criminal cases, will have jury selection at the fairgrounds and trial at the courthouse.

Clearlake court calendars

Department of Child Support Services Calendar

The DCSS child support calendar will continue to be conducted by remote appearances. However, beginning May 17, appearance in-person will be allowed.

Traffic calendars

All traffic calendars will continue to be conducted by remote appearance. However, beginning May 17, appearance in-person will be allowed.

Unlawful detainer and small claims calendars

Beginning May 17, unlawful detainer trials and small claims trials will be conducted in-person. However, appearances may still be made by remote means, upon request and approval of the judicial officer.

Self-Help Center

Same-day appointments will be available on a walk-in basis again on Wednesdays beginning May 19. Individuals may phone or come in-person to the self-help public counter to schedule a same-day appointment. After scheduling, individuals will leave and return at their appointment time.

Public access to self-help computer lab will also return May 17, subject to capacity limits due to social distancing.

All other calendars will continue to be conducted by mandatory remote appearance.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The city of Lakeport and Lakeport Disposal Co. Inc. will host the annual Community Cleanup Day for city residents on Saturday, April 24.

The cleanup will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the public parking lot north of the Fifth Street boat ramp in downtown Lakeport.

This event is limited to city of Lakeport residents. Those dropping off trash and waste will be required to provide photo identification and a copy of a city of Lakeport utility bill.

Participants are required to follow the following COVID-19 safety protocols:

– Face covering must be worn.
– One person per vehicle.
– Stay in vehicle while Lakeport Disposal staff unloads materials.
– Two visits maximum per each address.
– Household trash, televisions, specified appliances, electronic waste, mattresses, household furniture, unusable clothes/blankets/towels and similar materials will be accepted.
– Items that will not be accepted: refrigerators, hot tubs/spas, construction debris and household hazardous waste.

For more details, please see the city’s website, its Facebook page or contact Lakeport Disposal at 263-6080.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – With much of the West experiencing drought conditions and California squarely in a second consecutive dry year, Gov. Gavin Newson on Wednesday directed state agencies to take immediate action to bolster drought resilience and prepare for impacts on communities, businesses and ecosystems if dry conditions extend to a third year.

In addition, the governor proclaimed a regional drought emergency for the Russian River watershed in Sonoma and Mendocino counties, where reservoirs are at record lows following two critically dry years and accelerated action may be needed to protect public health, safety and the environment.

“California is facing the familiar reality of drought conditions, and we know the importance of acting early to anticipate and mitigate the most severe impacts where possible,” Gov. Newsom said. “Climate change is intensifying both the frequency and the severity of dry periods. This ‘new normal’ gives urgency to building drought resilience in regions across the state and preparing for what may be a prolonged drought at our doorstep.”

The text of today's emergency proclamation can be read below.

With an extremely low Lake Mendocino as a backdrop, the governor on Wednesday announced that he is directing state agencies to work with regional and local governments – including groundwater sustainability agencies – to identify watersheds, communities, public water systems and ecosystems that may require coordinated state and local actions to address drought impacts and protect people, natural resources and economic activity.

To encourage Californians to reduce water use and conserve supplies in case drought conditions continue next year, the proclamation also directs state agencies to partner with local water suppliers to promote conservation tips and messages through the Save Our Water campaign.

The campaign and website were critical resources for Californians during the 2012-2016 drought and remain a trusted information source on using water wisely.

The proclamation directs additional actions to coordinate with California Native American tribes; accelerate funding for water supply enhancement, conservation and species protection projects; work with counties to encourage and track reporting of household water shortages including dry residential wells; provide technical and financial assistance for water systems at risk of water shortages; support the agricultural economy and food security; and evaluate and take action to protect terrestrial and aquatic species.

To address acute drought impacts in the Russian River watershed, the proclamation directs the State Water Board to consider modifying requirements for reservoir releases or diversion limitations to ensure adequate supplies for critical purposes.

The regional state of emergency also enables flexibilities in regulatory requirements and procurement processes to mitigate drought impacts.

Under the governor’s direction, state agencies have been working together since November to prepare for continued dry conditions.

The governor recently formalized that coordination through the Drought Resilience Task Force, which includes the Natural Resources Agency, California Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Food and Agriculture, Department of Water Resources, Department of Fish and Wildlife, State Water Resources Control Board, Department of Finance, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, California Health and Human Services Agency, California Public Utilities Commission and the Labor and Workforce Development Agency.

4.21.21 Drought Proclamation by LakeCoNews on Scribd

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Authorities said a Northshore man believed to have fatally shot his wife on Tuesday evening has died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation into the circumstances behind the shooting incident, first reported on Tuesday night, that killed Laura Marie Lovelady, 56, of Nice, and also resulted in the death of her husband, Kenneth Dwaine Lovelady, 60, later that night.

Lt. Corey Paulich said deputies had responded to the couple’s home in the 3400 block of Boggs Avenue at 7 p.m. Tuesday after Kenneth Lovelady called Lake County Sheriff’s Central Dispatch to say he had killed his wife and was going to also take his own life.

When deputies arrived, they found the couple suffering from gunshot wounds, and determined that Laura Lovelady had died, Paulich said.

Paulich said Kenneth Lovelady was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital. From there he was airlifted to an out-of-area hospital for treatment.

Kenneth Lovelady died of his injury shortly after arriving at the out-of-county hospital on Tuesday, Paulich said.

Based on the ongoing investigation by sheriff’s Major Crime Unit detectives, Paulich said they believe that Kenneth Lovelady shot and killed his wife before shooting himself.

Both appear to have died as a result of single gunshot wounds, Paulich said.

The official causes of death for the couple are pending autopsies that are scheduled to take place on Thursday, Paulich said.

“It is believed that the motive for this incident is related to a domestic dispute,” said Paulich.

Paulich said the sheriff’s office had minimal contact with either Laura or Kenneth Lovelady and the couple had no previous history of domestic disputes.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact Det. Dean Preader at 707-262-4231.

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. – At the end of a special closed session meeting on Tuesday evening, the Lakeport Unified School District Board of Trustees announced that it has selected a new superintendent.

Minnesotan Matt Bullard, an educator with more than two decades of experience in public schooling, will assume the superintendent’s post on July 1.

He will succeed Superintendent Jill Falconer, who is retiring at the end of the school year.

The board met Tuesday evening to finalize Bullard’s contract.

After a brief open session to take public comment, board members went into closed session shortly after 6 p.m., emerging nearly 45 minutes later to announce that they had voted unanimously to approve the contract with Bullard.

Bullard’s final contract will be on the agenda for the board’s next regular meeting on May 13. Falconer told Lake County News that the final contract approval must be held at a regular board meeting.

The board also voted unanimously in closed session to approve several summer program positions including counselor, day care, paraeducator and teacher positions, as well as instructional coach, interventional paraeducator, history teacher, payroll specialist, school bus monitor and licensed vocational nurse jobs.

That second vote included making Rachel Paarsch director of supplemental support services.

After the announcement of the votes, Falconer was the first to offer Bullard congratulations.

Bullard, who joined the meeting remotely, said he’s excited to be a part of this new chapter in Lakeport Unified.

“I’m absolutely thrilled and excited about the opportunity,” he said.

He said he will be in California this spring to start acquainting himself with the school district and the greater community.

Board Chair Dan Buffalo said they are excited to have Bullard, adding he knows Bullard will do great things for the district.

Lakeport Unified said Bullard has 24 years of experience in a variety of public education settings, including as a special education teacher, a secondary and alternative school principal, and 13 years as a school district superintendent.

Bullard is the superintendent for Paynesville Area Schools in Paynesville, located in central Minnesota. He’s held that job for nearly three years.

He previously served for 10 years as superintendent for the nearby Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Schools in Belgrade, Minnesota, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Lakeport Unified said Bullard has been passionate about creating student-centered schools. “Specifically, with the assistance of many stakeholders, he has developed extensive personalized learning programs that are scalable throughout school districts.”

The district said Bullard has extensive experience enhancing educational technology to leverage academic performance for all learners.

He holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in special education from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and a Master’s of Arts in education and administrative license from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Bullard is an avid fisher and hunter, and the proud father of two teenage children, Lakeport Unified reported.

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.