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News

Lake County Fair cleanup event planned May 16

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Fair Foundation is hosting a cleanup event at the Lake County Fairgrounds on Sunday, May 16.

The cleanup will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the fair, 401 Martin St. in Lakeport.

The group will perform general cleanup of the grounds.

Participants are asked to bring their gardening tools – rakes, shovels, pruning shears, wheelbarrows, weed eaters and work gloves.

COVID restrictions such as mask-wearing and social distancing will be observed.

The Lake County Fair Foundation will provide lunch to all volunteers.

In order to plan the appropriate amount of food to prepare, and to assign different groups to separate sections of the grounds so that they can maintain social distancing for pods of volunteers, organizers ask that people RSVP to participate no later than Monday, May 3.

There are two options to RSVP, through Survey Monkey or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Those who RSVP by email are asked to include their name, email address, phone number, the number of people coming with them (family, friends) and what organization they are affiliated with, such a 4-H or a local high school. Students who are doing community service hours should remember to bring their community service sheet for a signature.

For more information about the foundation, visit https://www.lakecountyfairfoundation.com/.

Firefighters continue work on Turnout fire in Mendocino County

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Firefighters are continuing their work to contain a wildland fire burning near Boonville in Mendocino County that began over the weekend.

The Turnout fire began shortly before 6 p.m. Sunday southwest of Ukiah and northeast of Boonville on Boonville Road/Highway 253, Cal Fire reported.

Cal Fire said Monday night that the fire was up to 200 acres, burning in steep and rugged terrain, with difficult access.

Containment on Monday night was at 20 percent. Cal Fire said no structures are threatened.

There is so far no estimated date for containment.

Cal Fire said five engines, two water tenders, one helicopter, four hand crews and one dozer are assigned, along with 73 personnel.

Officials said personnel will remain at scene throughout the night working to strengthen containment and extinguish hotspots.

Cal Fire said the cause remains under investigation.

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.

North Coast magnitude 4 quake felt around the state

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A 4.0-magnitude earthquake in Sonoma County on Monday morning was felt around Lake County, a large part of Northern California and even the southern part of the state as well as Nevada.

The US Geological Survey said the quake occurred at 11:50 a.m. Monday.

It was centered 4.7 miles south of Cobb, 12.7 miles northeast of Healdsburg and 14.9 miles south-southwest of Clearlake.

A US Geological Survey map showed the quake occurred just inside the Sonoma County at the Lake-Sonoma line near Ridge Road.

It was recorded at a depth of 1.2 miles, the survey reported.

Within a few hours of the quake’s occurrence, 655 reports from people who felt it were submitted to the US Geological Survey.

Those quake reports came from zip codes around Lake County, the North Coast, the Bay Area and as far away as La Mesa, Oceanside and Salinas, as well as Glenbrook, Nevada.

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.

County of Lake, Lake County Risk Reduction Authority to host May 6 virtual town hall

The county of Lake has rescheduled this meeting from April 29 to May 6.

LAKE COUNTY, Cali. – The county of Lake and the Lake County Risk Reduction Authority will host a virtual town hall this month to discuss the upcoming fire season and how community members can be ready for it.

“Preparing for Fire Season” will take place beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 6.

The webinar will be held via Zoom. The webinar ID is 961 2932 4601, passcode is 999999.

The meeting also can be joined by one tap mobile at +16699006833,,96129324601#,,,,*999999# US (San Jose) or by landline or mobile phone by dialing 669-900-6833 and enter the webinar ID and passcode above.

This town hall can also be viewed via, Lake County PEG TV (Mediacom Channel 8), Facebook and the county's Youtube Channel.

On Friday, portions of Lake County were under elevated fire weather conditions. Dry fuel conditions typically seen later in the year are already present, meaning hardening our homes and communities against wildfire is an urgent need.

“Essentially all of us in Lake County have been personally affected by wildfire,”said District 5 Supervisor Jessica Pyska, a member of the Lake County Risk Reduction Authority, or LCRRA, Board of Directors. “Each of the past six years has brought evacuations, and many, including my family, have lost homes. This has taught us that all residents must embrace Firewise practices to keep our families, friends and neighbors safe. It is especially critical in an unusually dry year like this one.”

To help the community prepare, Pyska, LCRRA colleague and District 1 Supervisor Moke Simon, the county of Lake and the authority are hosting the webinar.

Questions will be taken during the live meeting via Zoom Chat. You can also email questions ahead, to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

“We have an awesome panel, and this is going to be an amazing event,” said Simon. “Each of the presenters is a true expert, and participants will learn about their individual responsibilities to harden their properties, and Firewise practices for everything from Defensible Space and Hazardous Vegetation Abatement to smarter Landscaping. There will even be a virtual raffle.”

“We look forward to seeing you in Zoom,” said Pyska. “Keeping our communities safe from wildfire requires every one of us doing our part, and this is a great event to get to know some of the basics, and find out where to learn more.”

The meeting agenda is below.


'Preparing for Fire Season': A Virtual Town Hall Meeting
Presented by the county of Lake and Lake County Risk Reduction Authority
Thursday, April 29, 6 p.m.

6 p.m.: Welcome: Supervisors Pyska and Simon

6:05 p.m.: Cal Fire Defensible Space: Chief Paul Duncan

6:15 p.m.: County Planning Department, Hazardous Vegetation Abatement Ordinance: Michael Herringshaw

6:25 p.m.: Master Gardeners, Fire Safe Landscape: Louise Pagone

6:35 p.m.: Firewise Communities and Practices: Magdalena Valderrama

6:45 p.m.: FireSafeLake.org Website: Cindy Leonard

6:55 p.m.: LakeCoAlerts: Sheriff Brian Martin

7 p.m.: Questions taken via Zoom chat, Drawing for prizes

7:25 p.m.: Closing, Simon and Pyska: How you can get involved; Firewise, Fire Safe Council, LCRRA

Supervisors to appoint visioning forum committee members, interview Public Health officer candidates

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday will consider appointing members to a visioning forum committee, interview candidates for the Public Health officer job and consider extending a use permit for a cell tower project.

The‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌will‌ ‌begin‌ ‌at‌ ‌9‌ ‌a.m.‌ ‌Tuesday,‌ ‌April 20, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.

The‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌can‌ ‌be‌ ‌watched‌ ‌live‌ ‌on‌ ‌Channel‌ ‌8,‌ ‌online‌ ‌at‌ ‌https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx‌‌ and‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌county’s‌ ‌Facebook‌ ‌page.‌ ‌Accompanying‌ ‌board‌ ‌documents,‌ ‌the‌ ‌agenda‌ ‌and‌ ‌archived‌ ‌board‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌videos‌ ‌also‌ ‌are‌ ‌available‌ ‌at‌ ‌that‌ ‌link.‌ ‌

To‌ ‌participate‌ ‌in‌ ‌real-time,‌ ‌join‌ ‌the‌ ‌Zoom‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌by‌ ‌clicking‌ ‌this‌ ‌link‌ ‌at‌ ‌9‌ ‌a.m.‌ ‌

The‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌ID‌ ‌is‌ 918 2458 2947,‌ ‌passcode 099460.‌ ‌The meeting also can be accessed via one tap mobile at +16699006833,,91824582947#,,,,*099460# US.

All interested members of the public that do not have internet access or a Mediacom cable subscription are encouraged to call 669-900-6833, and enter the Zoom meeting ID and passcode information above.

To‌ ‌submit‌ ‌a‌ ‌written‌ ‌comment‌ ‌on‌ ‌any‌ ‌agenda‌ ‌item‌ ‌please‌ ‌visit‌ ‌https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx‌‌ and‌ ‌click‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌eComment‌ ‌feature‌ ‌linked‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌date.‌ ‌If‌ ‌a‌ ‌comment‌ ‌is‌ ‌submitted‌ ‌after‌ ‌the‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌begins,‌ ‌it‌ ‌may‌ ‌not‌ ‌be‌ ‌read‌ ‌during‌ ‌the‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌but‌ ‌will‌ ‌become‌ ‌a‌ ‌part‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌record.‌ ‌

On Tuesday’s consent agenda, the board is expected to approve advisory board appointments to the Community Visioning Forum Planning Committee.

The city of Clearlake’s representative will be Mayor Dirk Slooten and Councilwoman Mireya Turner will represent the city of Lakeport.

Staff reviewed the applicants with the board and finalized its recommendations, which include appointing tribal representatives, Sally Peterson of Middletown Rancheria and Beniakem Cromwell of Robinson Rancheria, and general members Angela Cuellar-Marroquin, Delores Farrell, JoAnn Saccato and Sue Williams.

The group is to be tasked with planning community visioning forums focused on promoting tolerance, respect, equity and inclusion in Lake County.

At 9:05 a.m., the board will hold a public hearing to consider extending a use permit for a cell tower project at 9475 Mojave Trail, Kelseyville.

Horizon Tower Limited LLC is requesting a one-year extension for the use permit, which allows an 85-foot-tall “tree pole tower.” The Lake County Planning Commission approved the project in January 2019 and the Board of Supervisors denied a project appeal in April 2019. The permit is valid for two years and set to expire on April 23.

Also on Tuesday, during closed session, the board will conduct an interview with Public Health officer candidates and may announce an appointment, based on the text of the agenda.

Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace is leaving his post with the county at the end of the month.

The full agenda follows.

CONSENT AGENDA

5.1: Second reading of ordinance amendment to commercial cannabis cultivation for those impacted by the Farmland Protection Zone Chapter 21, Section 27.13 (at) 1 (vi).

5.2: Approve in concept, amendment to the Uniform and Clothing Purchase Policy and Exhibit A, and direct the Human Resources director to conduct the meet and confer process with our labor representatives.

5.3: Adopt resolution to request approval of agreement with the Regents of the University of California to do a statewide survey for invasive shot-hole borers in the amount of $21,526 for the period March 31, 2021, through March 31, 2022.

5.4: Approve Addendum No. 2 to the commercial lease agreement between the county of Lake and Big Oak Center LLC to allow for adjustment of lease payment for property at 13340 E. Highway 20, No. 0, Clearlake Oaks, California and authorize the board chair to sign.

5.5: (a) Waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and (b) approve the agreement between the county of Lake and Crisis Support Services of Alameda County for crisis support services for Fiscal Year 2021-22 for a contract maximum of $72,624 and authorize the board chair to sign the agreement.

5.6: (a) Waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and (b) approve agreement between the county of Lake and I.D.E.A. Consulting for professional consulting services for FY 2021-22 for a contract maximum of $40,000 and authorize the board chair to sign the agreement.

5.7: (a) Waive the formal bidding process pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and (b) approve amendment one to the agreement between the county of Lake and Sutter Center for psychiatry for acute inpatient psychiatric hospital services and professional services associated with acute inpatient psychiatric hospitalizations for Fiscal Year 2020-21 for a reduction in contract maximum from $250,000 to $100,000 and authorize the board chair to sign the agreement.

5.8: (a) Waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and (b) approve amendment one to the agreement between the county of Lake and Davis Guest Home for adult residential support services and specialty mental health services for Fiscal Year 2020-21 for a reduction in the contract maximum to $200,000 and authorize the board chair to sign the amendment.

5.9: (a) Waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and (b) approve agreement between the county of Lake and Mother-Wise Program (perinatal mood and anxiety disorders) for the Fiscal Year 2021-22 for a contract maximum of $125,000 and authorize the board chair to sign.

5.10: Approve advisory board appointments to the Community Visioning Forum Planning Committee.

5.11: Approve amendment three to the agreement between the county of Lake and the Kelseyville Motel for COVID-19 emergency isolation housing and authorize the board chair to sign.

5.12: Adopt resolution authorizing the Lake County Watershed Protection District to file a grant application for the Boating Safety & Enforcement Equipment Grant Program.

5.13: Adopt resolution amending resolution 2020-134, Sheriff/Coroner 2201 position allocation to add one deputy sheriff sergeant due to a pending industrial disability retirement.

5.14: (a) Waive the normal sealed bid process under Ordinance No. 2406, Section 38.2 as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of the goods; (b) adopt resolution amending Resolution No. 2020-133 to amend the adopted budget for FY 2020-21 by appropriating unanticipated revenue in Budget Unit 2301 – Sheriff/Jail Facilities, (c) approve purchase replacement tasers and (d) authorize the sheriff or his designee to issue a purchase order to Axom Enterprises in the amount of $119,868.10.

5.15: Approve the retirement of sheriff's drug K-9 Dozer to his handler Sgt. Dennis Keithly for the cost of $1 per the DSA MOU section 2.6.5.

TIMED ITEMS

6.2, 9:06 a.m.: Public hearing, continued from April 13, 2021 - discussion and consideration of use permit extension, File No. UPX 21-01 and CE 21-01, Extends UP 18-01; located at 9475 Mojave Trail, Kelseyville, APN No. 009-004-21.

UNTIMED ITEMS

7.2: (a) Consideration of the purchase of communications equipment to be installed at various repeater sites in the amount of $21,502.52 and (b) authorize the sheriff or his designee to issue purchase orders to Daniel’s Electronics and L3 Harris.

CLOSED SESSION

8.1: Conference with legal counsel: Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9 (d)(2), (e)(1) – One potential case.

8.2: Conference with legal counsel: Existing Litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9(d)(1) -Center for Biological Diversity v. County of Lake, et al.

8.3: Conference with legal counsel: Existing Litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9(d)(1) – California Native Plant Society v. County of Lake, et al.

8.4: Public employee appointment pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54957(b)(1): (a) Interviews of Public Health officer (b) appointment of Public Health officer.

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.

Lakeport City Council to discuss summertime events

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council is set to discuss allowing summertime events to resume as the city and the rest of the county work on reopening safely.

The council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 20.

The meeting will be by teleconference only. The city council chambers will not be open to the public.

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, April 20.

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 and staff will discuss resuming summer community events that were canceled last year due to the pandemic.

City Manager Kevin Ingram is seeking council direction from the council in processing and scheduling events using public areas in Lakeport in the coming months.

With Lake County moving into the orange tier on the governor’s COVID-19 Blueprint for a Safer Economy, restrictions on gatherings were eased beginning this week with additional reductions
anticipated in June, Ingram said.

Ingram said limitations remain in place for indoor events, while outdoor events appear to be permitted with the incorporation of masking and social distancing best practices. Outdoor
concerts and performances are still subject to greater restraints.

“Staff has met with Lake County Public Health to discuss the allowance of summer community events. Public Health has agreed to continue reviewing each event’s COVID-19 Mitigation Plan. Staff will require review of the mitigation plans to be completed prior to submission to the City Council,” Ingram said.

He said current state guidance does not clearly address non-ticketed, non-seated events and most Lakeport events fall into this category. “However, in general, Public Health believes that outdoor community events can be conducted safely with proper masking, adherence to social distancing best practices, and the inclusion of hand-washing stations.”

Noting that state guidance is subject to change, “staff is hopeful that vaccination efforts will prevent the reinstitution of increased restrictions,” said Ingram. “The state has indicated that on June 15, California will fully open its economy based upon vaccine availability and a consistently low burden of disease.”

Ingram also will ask for direction to process summer event applications in collaboration with the Lake County Public Health Department and approve Application 2021-005, with staff recommendations, for the Library Park Farmers’ Market beginning May 4.

Staff also is asking for the go-ahead to participate in Fourth of July activities incorporating proposed mitigation measures. Part of that discussion will include seeking approval for Ingram to sign a contract for a 2021 fireworks production for an amount not to exceed $22,000.

In other business, Administrative Services Director Kelly Buendia will present a resolution authorizing participation in the California Intergovernmental Risk Authority Worker’s Compensation Program effective July 1, 2021.

Police Chief Brad Rasmussen will seek authorization to purchase a new 2021 Dodge Charger patrol vehicle. The estimated cost to purchase and outfit the vehicle is $35,000.

Public Works Director Doug Grider will ask the council to approve a resolution approving the city of Lakeport’s SB 1 Project List for fiscal year 2021-22 and direct staff to submit to the California Transportation Commission.

Community Development Director Jenni Byers will present a draft resolution authorizing the city manager to sign the statement of assurances and submit an application for the State Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, Rounds 2 and 3.

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 April 6, the April 12 warrant register, confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, approval of the event application 2021-007, with staff recommendations, for the Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Unit to utilize the Fifth Street parking lot on May 7, and receive and file the annual Housing Element report.

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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