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LAKEPORT, Calif. – Middletown High School students received top honors at the Lake County Poetry Out Loud competition held Saturday.
On Saturday, Jan. 9, three local high school students participated in the Lake County Poetry Out Loud county competition via Zoom, the first time the competition has been held on a virtual platform.
The first-place winner was Emily Maccario from Middletown High School.
Second place runner-up was Karen Espinoza and third place runner-up was Leslie Chairez, both seniors who also attend Middletown High School.
Students recited works live that they selected from an anthology of more than 1,100 poems. Judges evaluated student performances on criteria including voice and articulation, evidence of understanding, and accuracy.
The National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation have created free, standards-based curriculum materials to support Poetry Out Loud including a teacher’s guide, lesson plans, an online anthology, posters, and video and audio on the art of recitation.
Maccario will advance to the California State Poetry Out Loud contest, which will also be held virtually, with the chance to compete in the national competition.
The school of the state champion will receive $500 for the purchase of poetry materials. The first runner-up in each state will receive $100, with $200 for his or her school library. The Poetry Foundation provides and administers all aspects of the monetary prizes awarded.
Poetry Out Loud, presented in partnership with the California Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, is a national program that encourages high school students to learn about poetry – both classic and contemporary – through memorization, performance and competition.
Since the program began in 2005, more than four million students across the country have participated in Poetry Out Loud.
The 2021 Poetry Out Loud Coordinator Georgina Marie and the Lake County Arts Council wish to thank the participating students for all of their hard work to compete while also tending to their schooling and distance learning obligations; Hilary Devine and Michele Krueger for coaching and encouraging the students to participate in this year’s competition; and the judges for this year: Lance Giroux, Jennifer Mills Kerr, Shelby Posada and accuracy judge Jessyca Lytle.
On Saturday, Jan. 9, three local high school students participated in the Lake County Poetry Out Loud county competition via Zoom, the first time the competition has been held on a virtual platform.
The first-place winner was Emily Maccario from Middletown High School.
Second place runner-up was Karen Espinoza and third place runner-up was Leslie Chairez, both seniors who also attend Middletown High School.
Students recited works live that they selected from an anthology of more than 1,100 poems. Judges evaluated student performances on criteria including voice and articulation, evidence of understanding, and accuracy.
The National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation have created free, standards-based curriculum materials to support Poetry Out Loud including a teacher’s guide, lesson plans, an online anthology, posters, and video and audio on the art of recitation.
Maccario will advance to the California State Poetry Out Loud contest, which will also be held virtually, with the chance to compete in the national competition.
The school of the state champion will receive $500 for the purchase of poetry materials. The first runner-up in each state will receive $100, with $200 for his or her school library. The Poetry Foundation provides and administers all aspects of the monetary prizes awarded.
Poetry Out Loud, presented in partnership with the California Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, is a national program that encourages high school students to learn about poetry – both classic and contemporary – through memorization, performance and competition.
Since the program began in 2005, more than four million students across the country have participated in Poetry Out Loud.
The 2021 Poetry Out Loud Coordinator Georgina Marie and the Lake County Arts Council wish to thank the participating students for all of their hard work to compete while also tending to their schooling and distance learning obligations; Hilary Devine and Michele Krueger for coaching and encouraging the students to participate in this year’s competition; and the judges for this year: Lance Giroux, Jennifer Mills Kerr, Shelby Posada and accuracy judge Jessyca Lytle.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee will hold its first meeting of the year this week, with the selection of its new leadership and an update on the city’s strategic plan among the agenda items.
The committee, or LEDAC, will meet via Zoom at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13.
The meeting is open to the public.
The meeting will be held via Zoom: Meeting ID, 954 3902 9506; passcode, 451281. Dial by your location, +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose).
On Wednesday LEDAC will hold elections for its 2021 leadership, including the offices of chair, vice chair and secretary.
Also on the agenda is the Lakeport Economic Development Strategic Plan for 2017 to 2022, with a review of accomplishments and implementation priorities. The plan is available here.
At its March 10 meeting, Chair Wilda Shock said LEDAC will determine priorities to address this year in preparation for developing the next strategic plan.
As part of that discussion, the group also will talk about incorporating COVID-19 recovery for businesses.
City Manager Kevin Ingram and Community Development Director Jenni Byers will give updates on city projects including Lakeport Park, capital improvements, the Martin Street and Bel Aire apartments, and work on Second Street.
The committee also will get member reports from the Lakeport Main Street Association, Lake County Chamber of Commerce, CareerPoint Lake, Mendocino College/Lake Center, Lake EDC/BARC and others.
LEDAC advocates for a strong and positive Lakeport business community and acts as a conduit between the city and the community for communicating the goals, activities and progress of Lakeport’s economic and business programs.
Members are Chair Wilda Shock and Vice Chair Denise Combs, Maureen Brasier, Bonnie Darling, Candy De Los Santos, Melissa Fulton, Pam Harpster, Andy Lucas, Alicia Russell, Laura Sammel and Amanda Xu, with Bill Eaton as an ex officio member. City staff who are members include City Manager Kevin Ingram and Community Development Director Jenni Byers.
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 committee, or LEDAC, will meet via Zoom at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13.
The meeting is open to the public.
The meeting will be held via Zoom: Meeting ID, 954 3902 9506; passcode, 451281. Dial by your location, +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose).
On Wednesday LEDAC will hold elections for its 2021 leadership, including the offices of chair, vice chair and secretary.
Also on the agenda is the Lakeport Economic Development Strategic Plan for 2017 to 2022, with a review of accomplishments and implementation priorities. The plan is available here.
At its March 10 meeting, Chair Wilda Shock said LEDAC will determine priorities to address this year in preparation for developing the next strategic plan.
As part of that discussion, the group also will talk about incorporating COVID-19 recovery for businesses.
City Manager Kevin Ingram and Community Development Director Jenni Byers will give updates on city projects including Lakeport Park, capital improvements, the Martin Street and Bel Aire apartments, and work on Second Street.
The committee also will get member reports from the Lakeport Main Street Association, Lake County Chamber of Commerce, CareerPoint Lake, Mendocino College/Lake Center, Lake EDC/BARC and others.
LEDAC advocates for a strong and positive Lakeport business community and acts as a conduit between the city and the community for communicating the goals, activities and progress of Lakeport’s economic and business programs.
Members are Chair Wilda Shock and Vice Chair Denise Combs, Maureen Brasier, Bonnie Darling, Candy De Los Santos, Melissa Fulton, Pam Harpster, Andy Lucas, Alicia Russell, Laura Sammel and Amanda Xu, with Bill Eaton as an ex officio member. City staff who are members include City Manager Kevin Ingram and Community Development Director Jenni Byers.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
It was an extraordinary year for weather and climate events in the U.S.: The nation endured an unprecedented 22 billion-dollar disasters in 2020.
A record number of named tropical storms formed in the Atlantic, with a record 12 making landfall. The nation also had its most active wildfire year on record due to very dry conditions in the West and unusually warm temperatures that gripped much of the country.
Here’s a recap of the climate and extreme weather events across the U.S.in 2020, according to scientists at NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information.
Climate by the numbers
Billion-dollar disasters in 2020
Last year, the U.S. experienced a record-smashing 22 weather and climate disasters that killed at least 262 people and injured scores more:
– 1 wildfire event (Western wildfires focused across California, Colorado, Oregon and Washington);
– 1 drought and heatwave event (summer/fall across Western and Central U.S.);
– 3 tornado outbreaks (including the Nashville tornado and Easter outbreak);
–7 tropical cyclones (Hanna, Isaias, Laura, Sally, Delta, Zeta and Eta); and
– 10 severe weather events (including the Midwest derecho and Texas hail storms)
Damages from these disasters exceeded $1 billion each and totaled approximately $95 billion for all 22 events.
The seven billion-dollar tropical cyclones were the most in one year since NOAA started keeping track of billion-dollar disasters in 1980.
The extremely active 2020 Atlantic hurricane season produced an unprecedented 30 named storms, with 12 making landfall in the continental U.S. The combined cost of the seven tropical systems was approximately $40.1 billion, more than 42 percent of the total U.S. billion-dollar disaster price tag in 2020.
Last year was also the most active wildfire year on record across the West. The three largest wildfires in Colorado history occurred during 2020, with California recording five of the six largest wildfires in its history.
Across the U.S., wildfires burned nearly 10.3 million acres during 2020, exceeding the 2000-2010 average by 51 percent. This was the largest acreage consumed in the U.S. since at least 2000.
Since 1980, the U.S. has sustained 285 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disasters that have exceeded $1.875 trillion in total damages to date.
Full-year 2020
The average temperature across the contiguous U.S. in 2020 was 54.4 degrees F (2.4 degrees above the 20th century average), making 2020 the fifth warmest year on record.
All five-warmest years in the U.S. have occurred since 2012, according to NOAA scientists from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information.
Ten states across the Southwest, Southeast and East Coast had their second-warmest year on record. There were no areas of below-average annual temperatures observed across the Lower 48 states during 2020. In Alaska, despite temperatures running 1.5 degrees F above the long-term average, the state saw its coldest year since 2012.
Precipitation across the contiguous U.S. totaled 30.28 inches (0.34 of an inch above average), which placed 2020 in the middle third of the 126-year climate record.
Nevada and Utah ranked driest on record, with Arizona and Colorado ranking second driest. On the flip side, North Carolina recorded its second-wettest year, with Virginia seeing its third wettest.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 2020 ended with extreme and exceptional drought conditions enveloping about 22 percent of the contiguous U.S. — the largest expanse since August 2012.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors this week will discuss a proposal for a property swap as part of a plan for an affordable housing project, hear the latest on COVID-19 and consider opposing a water company’s request for a rate increase.
The meeting – which will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12 – will offer virtual access only to the public due to the board’s decision last week to close the chambers because of the COVID-19 case surge.
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 957 6533 3663, password 876707. The meeting also can be accessed via on tap mobile at +16699006833,,95765333663#,,,,*876707# US (San Jose).
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.
At 9:10 a.m., the board will consider a proposal for a swap of property involving the Lakeport Armory at 1431 Hoyt Ave. in Lakeport and a 15.5-acre county-owned property at 15837 18th Ave. in Clearlake.
County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson’s report to the board explains that in January 2019 Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order directing state agencies to identify excess state-owned property “for sustainable, innovative and cost-effective housing developments to address California’s shortage of affordable housing.”
Huchingson said that, as part of that initiative, the Lakeport Armory was identified as excess state-owned property.
Beginning in 2020, State Sen. Mike McGuire, Huchingson, Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin, the city of Clearlake and various state agencies began discussions to explore a potential land swap involving the Lakeport Armory and the county-owned, undeveloped property on 18th Avenue in Clearlake.
In July, the state issued a request for qualification to create an affordable housing development on the county’s undeveloped property. Huchingson said qualified respondents have been invited to submit a proposal to help the state’s goals of affordable housing.
In preparation for this project, Huchingson said the county must declare its Clearlake property as surplus and authorize the exchange and disposition of it for the benefit of the public.
Huchingson said staff requests an opportunity to have the partners, including Sen. McGuire, present the project to the board on Tuesday. Staff also is asking for direction to complete the necessary tasks to move forward on the property swap.
In other business, at 9:45 a.m., Hope Rising partners will give an update regarding projects and progress for making Lake County a healthy place for every person to live, learn, engage and thrive.
Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace will give the board an update on COVID-19 at 10 a.m.
In untimed items, the board will consider a letter to the California Public Utilities Commission opposing a proposed rate increase for Golden State Water District in Clearlake.
Last week, the Clearlake City Council voted to oppose the increase, which would total about 30 percent.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Consideration of extension of Families First Coronavirus Response Act Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Emergency Family Medical Leave through March 31, 2021.
5.2: (a) Adopt Resolution Amending Resolution No. 2020-134 Establishing Position Allocations for Fiscal Year 2020-2021, Budget Unit No. 1012, Administrative Office; and (b) adopt resolution amending Resolution No. 2020-134 Establishing Position Allocations for Fiscal Year 2020-2021, Budget Unit No. 1341, Human Resources Department.
5.3: Adopt property tax exchange resolution for proposed annexation to Clearlake Oaks County Water District.
5.4: Adopt property tax exchange resolution for proposed annexation to Callayomi County Water District.
5.5: Adopt Resolution amending Resolution No, 2020-134 Establishing Position Allocations for Fiscal Year 2020-2021, Budget Unit No. 4012, Health Services Administration.
5.6: Adopt resolution approving certification statement for the State Department of Health Care Services, CMS Branch’s California Children’s Services Administration Plan Renewal Grant for FY 2020-20201and authorize the board chair to sign said certification statement.
5.7: Approve the continuation of a local health emergency related to the 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) as proclaimed by the Lake County Public Health officer.
5.8: Approve the continuation of resolution ratifying the declaration of local health emergency and order prohibiting the endangerment of the community through the unsafe removal, transport and disposal of fire debris for the LNU Complex wildfire.
5.9: Approve the continuation of a local emergency due to the Mendocino Complex fire incident (River and Ranch fires).
5.10: Approve the continuation of a local emergency due to the Pawnee fire incident.
5.11: Approve the continuation of a local emergency due to COVID-19.
5.12: Approve the continuation of a local emergency in Lake County in response to the LNU Lightning Complex wildfire event.
TIMED ITEMS
6.1, 9:05 a.m.: Public input.
6.2, 9:10 a.m.: Lakeport Armory/Clearlake property land swap proposal update and direction to staff.
6.3, 9:45 a.m.: Hope Rising partners update regarding projects and progress for making Lake County a healthy place for every person to live, learn, engage and thrive.
6.4, 10 a.m.: Consideration of Update on COVID-19 .
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: Consideration of letter to California Public Utilities Commission opposing rate increase for Golden State Water District.
7.3: Consideration of an agreement between Lake County Health Services and Lake County Office of Education, for RFP #LCHS 20-001 Prevention, Detection and Support: A Lake County COVID-19 Initiative for Latino-focused outreach for a one time cost of $192,268 and authorize the chair to sign.
7.4: Consideration of the following advisory board appointments: Spring Valley CSA #2 Advisory Board.
7.5: (a) Demonstration of Zoom webinar option for Board of Supervisors meetings, and (b) consideration of direction to staff to implement Zoom webinar for BOS meetings.
ASSESSMENTS
8.1: Consideration of the following Assessment Appeal Application No. 19-2018 Dolgen California LLC.
8.2: Approve stipulation on the following assessment appeal applications: a) No. 24-2018 Ross and Evelyn Ireland; and b) No. 25-2018 Anthony and Lori Sperling.
8.3: Accept request for withdrawal on the following assessment appeal applications: No. 33-2018 Garcia.
8.4: Continue the following assessment appeal applications: No. 21-2018 Safeway, Inc.; and b) No. 22-2018 Safeway, Inc.; and c) No. 38-2018 Misha M. Grothe; and d) No. 31-2018 H&S Energy.
CLOSED SESSION
9.1: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1): Center for Biological Diversity v. County of Lake, et al.
9.2: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1): California Native Plant Society v. County of Lake, et al.
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 meeting – which will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12 – will offer virtual access only to the public due to the board’s decision last week to close the chambers because of the COVID-19 case surge.
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 957 6533 3663, password 876707. The meeting also can be accessed via on tap mobile at +16699006833,,95765333663#,,,,*876707# US (San Jose).
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.
At 9:10 a.m., the board will consider a proposal for a swap of property involving the Lakeport Armory at 1431 Hoyt Ave. in Lakeport and a 15.5-acre county-owned property at 15837 18th Ave. in Clearlake.
County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson’s report to the board explains that in January 2019 Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order directing state agencies to identify excess state-owned property “for sustainable, innovative and cost-effective housing developments to address California’s shortage of affordable housing.”
Huchingson said that, as part of that initiative, the Lakeport Armory was identified as excess state-owned property.
Beginning in 2020, State Sen. Mike McGuire, Huchingson, Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin, the city of Clearlake and various state agencies began discussions to explore a potential land swap involving the Lakeport Armory and the county-owned, undeveloped property on 18th Avenue in Clearlake.
In July, the state issued a request for qualification to create an affordable housing development on the county’s undeveloped property. Huchingson said qualified respondents have been invited to submit a proposal to help the state’s goals of affordable housing.
In preparation for this project, Huchingson said the county must declare its Clearlake property as surplus and authorize the exchange and disposition of it for the benefit of the public.
Huchingson said staff requests an opportunity to have the partners, including Sen. McGuire, present the project to the board on Tuesday. Staff also is asking for direction to complete the necessary tasks to move forward on the property swap.
In other business, at 9:45 a.m., Hope Rising partners will give an update regarding projects and progress for making Lake County a healthy place for every person to live, learn, engage and thrive.
Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace will give the board an update on COVID-19 at 10 a.m.
In untimed items, the board will consider a letter to the California Public Utilities Commission opposing a proposed rate increase for Golden State Water District in Clearlake.
Last week, the Clearlake City Council voted to oppose the increase, which would total about 30 percent.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Consideration of extension of Families First Coronavirus Response Act Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Emergency Family Medical Leave through March 31, 2021.
5.2: (a) Adopt Resolution Amending Resolution No. 2020-134 Establishing Position Allocations for Fiscal Year 2020-2021, Budget Unit No. 1012, Administrative Office; and (b) adopt resolution amending Resolution No. 2020-134 Establishing Position Allocations for Fiscal Year 2020-2021, Budget Unit No. 1341, Human Resources Department.
5.3: Adopt property tax exchange resolution for proposed annexation to Clearlake Oaks County Water District.
5.4: Adopt property tax exchange resolution for proposed annexation to Callayomi County Water District.
5.5: Adopt Resolution amending Resolution No, 2020-134 Establishing Position Allocations for Fiscal Year 2020-2021, Budget Unit No. 4012, Health Services Administration.
5.6: Adopt resolution approving certification statement for the State Department of Health Care Services, CMS Branch’s California Children’s Services Administration Plan Renewal Grant for FY 2020-20201and authorize the board chair to sign said certification statement.
5.7: Approve the continuation of a local health emergency related to the 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) as proclaimed by the Lake County Public Health officer.
5.8: Approve the continuation of resolution ratifying the declaration of local health emergency and order prohibiting the endangerment of the community through the unsafe removal, transport and disposal of fire debris for the LNU Complex wildfire.
5.9: Approve the continuation of a local emergency due to the Mendocino Complex fire incident (River and Ranch fires).
5.10: Approve the continuation of a local emergency due to the Pawnee fire incident.
5.11: Approve the continuation of a local emergency due to COVID-19.
5.12: Approve the continuation of a local emergency in Lake County in response to the LNU Lightning Complex wildfire event.
TIMED ITEMS
6.1, 9:05 a.m.: Public input.
6.2, 9:10 a.m.: Lakeport Armory/Clearlake property land swap proposal update and direction to staff.
6.3, 9:45 a.m.: Hope Rising partners update regarding projects and progress for making Lake County a healthy place for every person to live, learn, engage and thrive.
6.4, 10 a.m.: Consideration of Update on COVID-19 .
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: Consideration of letter to California Public Utilities Commission opposing rate increase for Golden State Water District.
7.3: Consideration of an agreement between Lake County Health Services and Lake County Office of Education, for RFP #LCHS 20-001 Prevention, Detection and Support: A Lake County COVID-19 Initiative for Latino-focused outreach for a one time cost of $192,268 and authorize the chair to sign.
7.4: Consideration of the following advisory board appointments: Spring Valley CSA #2 Advisory Board.
7.5: (a) Demonstration of Zoom webinar option for Board of Supervisors meetings, and (b) consideration of direction to staff to implement Zoom webinar for BOS meetings.
ASSESSMENTS
8.1: Consideration of the following Assessment Appeal Application No. 19-2018 Dolgen California LLC.
8.2: Approve stipulation on the following assessment appeal applications: a) No. 24-2018 Ross and Evelyn Ireland; and b) No. 25-2018 Anthony and Lori Sperling.
8.3: Accept request for withdrawal on the following assessment appeal applications: No. 33-2018 Garcia.
8.4: Continue the following assessment appeal applications: No. 21-2018 Safeway, Inc.; and b) No. 22-2018 Safeway, Inc.; and c) No. 38-2018 Misha M. Grothe; and d) No. 31-2018 H&S Energy.
CLOSED SESSION
9.1: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1): Center for Biological Diversity v. County of Lake, et al.
9.2: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1): California Native Plant Society v. County of Lake, et al.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Planning Commission will start its business for the new year with the swearing-in of new members, selection of its 2021 leadership and consideration of a newly approved county ordinance allowing for microenterprise home kitchen businesses.
The commission will meet via webinar beginning at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13.
The agenda is available here.
To speak on an agenda item, access the meeting remotely here; the meeting ID is 986 6166 5155.
Comments can be submitted by email toThis 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 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 13.
Please 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.
The meeting will begin with the swearing-in of new commissioners Scott Barnett, Kurt Combs and Nathan Maxman.
The newly seated commission will then elect its officers for 2021.
Other agenda items include a Brown Act workshop and an overview of the roles and responsibilities of the Lakeport Planning Commission.
The commission also has been asked to consider Lake County’s recently adopted ordinance permitting microenterprise home kitchens in accordance with AB 626 and to direct city staff accordingly.
The commission also will review the Community Development Department’s pending projects list.
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 commission will meet via webinar beginning at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13.
The agenda is available here.
To speak on an agenda item, access the meeting remotely here; the meeting ID is 986 6166 5155.
Comments can be submitted by email to
Please 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.
The meeting will begin with the swearing-in of new commissioners Scott Barnett, Kurt Combs and Nathan Maxman.
The newly seated commission will then elect its officers for 2021.
Other agenda items include a Brown Act workshop and an overview of the roles and responsibilities of the Lakeport Planning Commission.
The commission also has been asked to consider Lake County’s recently adopted ordinance permitting microenterprise home kitchens in accordance with AB 626 and to direct city staff accordingly.
The commission also will review the Community Development Department’s pending projects list.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Senior Information & Assistance Program at Community Care says that positive changes are underway for Medi-Cal.
California is expanding access to Medi-Cal for older adults and people with disabilities.
The legal advocacy agency Justice in Aging recently issued an alert that reminds us that, effective Dec. 1, 2020, two important changes took place.
First, California increased its Medi-Cal income eligibility limit to 138 percent of the federal poverty level for its Aged, Blind and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Program.
This means that the income eligibility limit is now $1,468 for one person and $1,983 for a couple, and will increase each year in April.
People who are currently receiving Medi-Cal with a share of cost may now be eligible for free Medi-Cal.
The California Department of Health Care Services sent a letter to people who may be eligible, but if you did not get the memo, or have in the past thought you made too much to apply for Medi-Cal, this is a good time to contact your local Medi-Cal office to see if this change benefits you.
The cost of medical insurance premiums can offset one’s countable income, so even those with higher incomes may be found eligible if paying supplemental, prescription, vision, dental or other medical insurance plans brings their incomes to below the eligibility thresholds. Medi-Cal’s asset limits remain the same.
Additionally, California will stop flipping Medi-Cal recipients between free and share of cost Medi-Cal based on who is paying the Medicare Part B premium.
This problem has existed for some time and can cause significant disruptions, including disenrollment from managed care and unaffordable health care costs during the months when a recipient is on share of cost Medi-Cal.
The new rule allows the county welfare departments to deduct the same amount as the Part B premium regardless of whether the recipient is currently paying it or the state is paying it as a benefit of free Medi-Cal.
Individuals who are applying for the first time must still pay the premium themselves for the state to subtract the payment as an income disregard. However, once a person is eligible for Medi-Cal, the person will continue to be eligible for free Medi-Cal.
To learn more about this or other resources for older adults in Lake and Mendocino counties, contact the Senior Information & Assistance Program at Community Care at 707-468-5132, or visit www.SeniorResourceDirectory.org.
California is expanding access to Medi-Cal for older adults and people with disabilities.
The legal advocacy agency Justice in Aging recently issued an alert that reminds us that, effective Dec. 1, 2020, two important changes took place.
First, California increased its Medi-Cal income eligibility limit to 138 percent of the federal poverty level for its Aged, Blind and Disabled Federal Poverty Level Program.
This means that the income eligibility limit is now $1,468 for one person and $1,983 for a couple, and will increase each year in April.
People who are currently receiving Medi-Cal with a share of cost may now be eligible for free Medi-Cal.
The California Department of Health Care Services sent a letter to people who may be eligible, but if you did not get the memo, or have in the past thought you made too much to apply for Medi-Cal, this is a good time to contact your local Medi-Cal office to see if this change benefits you.
The cost of medical insurance premiums can offset one’s countable income, so even those with higher incomes may be found eligible if paying supplemental, prescription, vision, dental or other medical insurance plans brings their incomes to below the eligibility thresholds. Medi-Cal’s asset limits remain the same.
Additionally, California will stop flipping Medi-Cal recipients between free and share of cost Medi-Cal based on who is paying the Medicare Part B premium.
This problem has existed for some time and can cause significant disruptions, including disenrollment from managed care and unaffordable health care costs during the months when a recipient is on share of cost Medi-Cal.
The new rule allows the county welfare departments to deduct the same amount as the Part B premium regardless of whether the recipient is currently paying it or the state is paying it as a benefit of free Medi-Cal.
Individuals who are applying for the first time must still pay the premium themselves for the state to subtract the payment as an income disregard. However, once a person is eligible for Medi-Cal, the person will continue to be eligible for free Medi-Cal.
To learn more about this or other resources for older adults in Lake and Mendocino counties, contact the Senior Information & Assistance Program at Community Care at 707-468-5132, or visit www.SeniorResourceDirectory.org.