News

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The city of Clearlake and partners including Cal Fire are beginning a major vegetation removal project on a property that has been the site of illegal dumping, homeless camps and wildland fires.

City officials said the project’s initial focus will be on several parcels totaling approximately 31 acres to the east and south of the Walmart shopping center that have been “a continuing public nuisance area” in the city for years.

The parcels – 15900, 15910, 15920 and 15970 Dam Road – are owned by RM Clearlake LLC and are located next to the shopping center where Walmart, Tractor Supply and Big 5 are located. The company had originally intended to use the land for a second phase of the Walmart development.

“This property is one of the several large swaths of undeveloped area within the city boundary that has become overgrown resulting in increased fire danger and attractiveness for illegal activity,” said City Manager Alan Flora. “Residents of the area have been evacuated due to an active fire threat multiple times over the past few years and so we appreciate all the efforts and partnership of the various agencies, particularly Cal Fire, to address this public nuisance.”

In February, the Clearlake City Council unanimously approved an agreement with RM Clearlake LLC to lease the properties for $1 a year with an initial term of two years, as Lake County News has reported.

Flora proposed the lease idea to the council, explaining that Cal Fire could partner in cleaning up the land if it was considered to be held in public ownership.

On Thursday, Flora reported that the project is taking place as part of a partnership between the city of Clearlake, Cal Fire, the Lake County Fire Protection District, the Clear Lake Environmental Research Center and various city departments.

This week, city Public Works and Code Enforcement crews have been cleaning up debris on the property in preparation for Cal Fire’s work, Flora said.

“I believe most of that work is pretty much complete,” Flora said of that prep work in his report to the Clearlake City Council at its Thursday night meeting.

Cal Fire has acquired equipment that it will use for fire mitigation efforts. Beginning on Tuesday, April 6, Cal Fire will spend four days cleaning up the property, Flora said.

“It’s exciting to finally see that happen,” Flora said, adding that Cal Fire has been a great partner in the project.

Cal Fire also will conduct equipment operator training from Tuesday, April 6, through Thursday, April 8, at the site, Flora reported.

Because of the nature of the grinding work that Cal Fire will be doing on the property, Flora said the city will temporarily close a section of Dam Road in order to protect the public from potential flying debris as a result of the mitigation activity.

That closure will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 6, and Wednesday, April 7, on the section of Dam Road that stretches from south of Jack in the Box to just north of the Dam Road/Lake Street intersection, the city reported in a Thursday announcement.

The city said community members will need to use an alternate route during this temporary closure. In addition, there may be certain areas of the parking lots near Walmart and the other retailers that will be temporarily closed to ensure a safe zone from the mitigation work.

Flora told the council that Cal Fire has committed to coming back later in the season to do more work at the site.

Once the work to clear the property of brush and debris is complete, Flora said the Clearlake Public Works Department will install concrete K-rail barriers around the area to prevent future dumping and trespassing.

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. – Congressman Mike Thompson has announced his selections for the 2020 and 2021 Woman of the Year awards.

Thompson has selected Crystal Martin as Lake County’s 2020 Woman of the Year, with Carol Huchingson named as the 2021 honoree.

Each year, Thompson honors women from the Fifth Congressional District who make exceptional contributions to our community.

This year, Thompson is honoring both his 2020 and 2021 women of the year, as last year’s celebrations were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Crystal Martin is a dedicated and tireless advocate for justice,” said Thompson. “As the Lake County District Attorney’s Victim-Witness Program administrator, she fights for victims day in and day out. Her work helps them heal and seek justice and she gives voice to the voiceless. We are so proud of her work and know that she’s improved our criminal justice system. I’m deeply honored to recognize her as Lake County’s 2020 Woman of the Year.”

“It is an incredible honor to be selected for this distinction,” Martin told Lake County News. “All the credit goes to my incredible group of friends Jodi Howe, Jodie Maize, Lynda Steely and Jennifer Taylor who made 100+ Women Strong in Lake County a reality and the amazing victim advocates I work with every day. We are fortunate to live in a community that takes care of its own!”

Martin has served at Victim Witness since February 2006 and has been the program administrator since 2017. She is married to Sheriff Brian Martin, and they have three children.

In honoring Huchingson, Thompson said, “Carol Huchingson is a bedrock of Lake County, serving first as director of Social Services for 22 years and now as the county’s administrative officer. Her work has helped people better connect to county services, particularly during disasters. And she’s been honored for her dedication to ensuring better participation in local government, even during the pandemic. It’s an honor to call her a friend and recognize her as Lake County’s 2021 Woman of the Year.”

Huchingson told Lake County News, “It is a great honor to be named among Congressman Thompson’s 2021 Women of the Year. Mike and I have had many opportunities to work together over 20-plus years, and Lake County could not have a stronger advocate, particularly in times of disaster. Being recognized by him carries special meaning, because he knows me and my work so well. It has been a true privilege to be entrusted with work of great consequence to Lake County residents for now almost 29 years. Every day, I try to be fair and bring my best to each interaction, and accomplish something that makes people’s lives a little better. The work is its own reward, but honors such as this, our 2020 CSAC Challenge Award, and my 2017 SBA Phoenix Award have meaningfully affirmed we are moving in a positive direction as a County.”

Huchingson has served as county administrative officer since April 2016. She is the first woman to hold the job.

The Woman of the Year Recognition Ceremony was started in honor of Women’s History Month to recognize the service of women in our community.

In addition to Martin, the 2020 winners for other counties in Thompson’s district are Annette Taylor, Solano County; Beth Bartke, Contra Costa County; Hope Lugo, Napa County; and Karissa Kruse, Sonoma County.

For 2021, besides Huchingson, Thompson also named winners Elizabeth Ann Hoffman, Contra Costa County; Eloise Escano Scott, Solano County; Letitia Hanke, Sonoma County; and Lydia Mondavi, Napa County.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Behavioral Health Services recognizes April as Alcohol Awareness Month.

Drinking too much alcohol increases people’s risk of injuries, violence, drowning, liver disease and some types of cancer.

This April, during Alcohol Awareness Month, Lake County Behavioral Health Services encourages everyone to educate themselves about the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption.

To spread the word and prevent alcohol misuse and abuse, Lake County Behavioral Health Services is joining other organizations across the county to honor Alcohol Awareness Month.

Behavioral Health Services provides alcohol misuse, abuse, prevention, intervention and treatment services by offering individual, family, group counseling and education. This is done in collaboration with and support from local partnering agencies.

"Promoting awareness around alcohol misuse and abuse plays an important role in the prevention of trauma and other hardships individuals sometimes face in their daily lives," said Behavioral Health Service Substance Use Services Programs Manager April Giambra. "We owe it to our loved ones, the members of our community, and to ourselves, to ask those difficult questions and offer support in their responses."

If you or someone you know is experiencing problems related to alcohol use or misuse, you can improve your health by cutting back or quitting.

Here are some strategies Lake County Behavioral Health Services suggests to help you limit or stop drinking:

· Limit your drinking to no more than one drink per day for women or two drinks per day for men.

· Keep track of how much you drink.

· Don’t drink when you are upset.

· Avoid places where people drink a lot.

· Make a list of reasons not to drink.

If you are concerned about someone else’s drinking, offer to help, and contact Lake County Behavioral Health Services for additional resources. The agency can be reached at 707-274-9101 or 707-994-7090.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake Animal Control has a wide variety of dogs waiting to be found by their new families.

The following dogs are ready for adoption or foster.

‘Annie’

“Annie” is a senior female Chihuahua with a short tan coat.

She has been sterilized.

She is dog No. 930.

‘Bear’

“Bear” is a male American Pit Bull Terrier mix with a short brown coat.

He is dog No. 3476.

‘Dorito’

“Dorito” is a male American Staffordshire Terrier mix with a short white and gray coat.

He has been neutered.

He is dog No. 4576.

‘Dusty’

“Dusty” is a male American Pit Bull Terrier with a tan and white coat.

He is dog No. 4750.

‘Hector’

“Hector” is a male American Pit Bull Terrier mix with a short brindle coat.

He is dog No. 4697.

‘Inky’

“Inky” is a male German Shepherd mix with a long black coat.

He has been neutered.

He is dog No. 4324.

‘Lumpy’

“Lumpy” is a male American Bulldog with a white and brindle coat.

He has been neutered.

He is dog No. 4715.

‘Nandor’

“Nandor” is a male American Bulldog mix with a short gray and white coat.

He is dog No. 4725.

‘Ranger’

“Ranger” is a 5-year-old male husky mix with a long red and white coat.

He has been neutered.

Ranger is dog No. 4443.

‘Tia’

“Tia” is a female American Bully with a short black with white markings.

She is dog No. 4602.

‘Toby’

“Toby” is a friendly senior male boxer mix.

He has a short tan and white coat.

He is dog No. 4389.

Call the Clearlake Animal Control shelter at 707-273-9440, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to inquire about adoptions and schedule a visit to the shelter.

Visit Clearlake Animal Control on Facebook or on the city’s website.

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. – Fire and law enforcement officials are continuing their investigation into a Monday morning house fire in Clearlake Oaks that claimed the lives of three people.

Northshore Fire Protection District Chief Mike Ciancio said his agency’s investigators and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office are working together to determine the fire’s cause.

Ciancio told Lake County News on Wednesday that he did have an estimate for when the work might be completed.

Neither agency has so far released the names of the three adult victims – two males and a female.

Sheriff’s Lt. Rich Ward said the autopsies are expected to be conducted this week, but positive identification could take several weeks.

Ciancio said firefighters from the Northshore Fire and Lake County Fire, along with sheriff’s deputies responded to the fire at 7:30 a.m. Monday in the 700 block of Bass Lane in Clearlake Oaks.

He said the firefighters arrived within minutes and found a two-story home fully involved with reports of victims trapped inside.

Due to the heavy smoke and fire conditions, as well as partial building collapse, Ciancio said defensive tactics were utilized to extinguish the fire.

Ciancio said the firefight was hampered by a limited water supply and the need to keep the fire from spreading to nearby structures.

The fire was controlled at approximately 9 a.m., Ciancio said.

He said two of the victims were located during the fire overhaul and investigation. A third victim was located on Tuesday.

“We would like to remind everyone to check and maintain their smoke detectors in their home. A smoke detector can provide valuable seconds for gathering loved ones and escaping a fire,” Ciancio said.

Ciancio said Northshore Fire offered its thanks to Lake County Fire, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Clearlake Oaks Water, California Office of Emergency Services, the city of Lakeport, All In One Towing and Wilderness Finders Search Dogs for their assistance at this incident.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The city of Lakeport and the Lakeport Police Department, in conjunction with Lake Family Resource Center, are raising awareness and supporting sexual assault survivors in our community.

The Lakeport City Council will present a proclamation to Lake Family Resource Center designating April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

The Lakeport Public Works Department will light the downtown street lights in teal beginning April 1.

All Lakeport Police cars and officer uniforms will have a teal ribbon displayed throughout the month.

Susie Q’s Donuts, 414 S. Main St., will make donuts with teal-colored frosting, with 100-percent of the sale proceeds donated to the Lake Family Resource Center Sexual Assault Awareness Fund.

The public is encouraged to participate in Denim Day on Wednesday, April 28, and wear jeans to protest against sexual violence.

In support of Denim Day, Lakeport Police officers are authorized to wear jeans for their uniform pants from Friday, April 23, through Friday, April 30.

“We encourage the public to join us in raising awareness and supporting sexual assault survivors throughout the month of April: buy teal-colored donuts, wear an article of teal-colored clothing or wear jeans on April 28,” said Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen.