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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Pacific Gas and Electric said Wednesday evening that it is going forward with a public safety power shutoff that will impact nearly 53,000 customers across portions of 24 counties, including Lake.
The PSPS is taking place in response to a high-wind event with low humidity and dry vegetation that could result in critical fire danger.
The company said 82 Lake County customers, five of them in the medical baseline program, will be included in the shutoff. Mapping shows those customers are located in the south county, around Cobb, Lower Lake and Middletown.
“This program is really all about safety,” said Mark Quinlan, PG&E’s PSPS incident commander, in a Wednesday evening briefing.
Quinlan said the PSPS program is meant to stop catastrophic wildland fires.
Customer notifications about the possibility of the PSPS began on Monday afternoon. PG&E reported late Wednesday afternoon that it had made the decision to move forward.
In the Wednesday evening online briefing, Quinlan said 33,000 customers in Butte, Lake, Napa, Nevada, Plumas, Shasta, Solano, Sonoma, Tehama, Yolo and Yuba counties are having their power turned off between 6 and 8 p.m.
Another 19,000 customers in Alameda, Amador, Calaveras, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Monterey, Nevada, Placer, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Sierra counties will have their power turned off from 8 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Quinlan said.
On Thursday at 4 p.m., PG&E anticipates cutting off power to an additional 700 customers in Amador, Calaveras, Humboldt and Trinity counties.
The areas impacted by the PSPS are also under a red flag warning called by the National Weather Service.
Once the weather subsides on Friday morning, PG&E will patrol and inspect the de-energized lines to ensure they were not damaged during the wind event and repair any damage found. PG&E will then safely restore power in stages and as quickly as possible, with the goal of restoring power to nearly all customers within 12 daylight hours after severe weather has passed.
PG&E anticipates power will be restored to essentially all customers affected by the PSPS event who can receive service by 10 p.m. on Friday (Oct. 16), weather and safety permitting.
Infrastructure improvements implemented this year has allowed the company to make PSPS events smaller. PG&E said without those improvements another 12,750 customers would have been deenergized.
Once the weather all-clear is called, PG&E will begin damage inspections of power equipment in order to meet its goal of restoring power within 12 hours of the weather event ending.
The all-clear is expected to occur on Friday.
PG&E is opening 40 community resource centers in impacted communities. Thirty-seven opened on Wednesday with another three to open on Thursday. No centers have opened in Lake County, according to the company’s website.
More information about the PSPS is available here.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for Lake County and other parts of the region due to gusty winds in the forecast, and Pacific Gas and Electric said it will decide on Wednesday whether it will go forward with a public safety power shutoff that will impact more than 50,000 customers in the North State.
The red flag warning is in effect from noon on Wednesday until 11 a.m. Friday, the National Weather Service said.
The forecast calls for a high-pressure ridge that will build across the area from mid to late week, bringing warmer and drier conditions along with gusty offshore winds to higher elevations.
Forecasters said upper slope and ridgetop winds from the northeast to east are expected to range from 15 to 25 miles per hour, with locally higher gusts to 35 miles per hour. The strongest winds will occur around sunrise on Thursday. Humidity will be low during the day and night.
The Lake County forecast calls for daytime temperatures topping out in the high 90s into the weekend, when temperatures are expected to drop into the 80s and then into the 70s early next week. Nighttime temperatures will reach the 60s before dropping into the 50s at week’s end and the 40s in the new week.
PG&E began notifying customers on Monday of the potential for a public safety power shutoff, and on Tuesday night said that it’s expanded the scope of the potential shutoff area from portions of 21 to 24 counties, with a total of 54,000 customers in the area.
The number of Lake County residents that would be impacted rose from a previous estimate of 50 to 82, with five of them medical baseline customers, PG&E said.
A map of the proposed outage area shows that Lake County residents to be impacted are in the Lower Lake, Middletown and Cobb areas.
Officials said they will make the decision on Wednesday whether or not to go forward with the shutoff.
If the shutoff goes forward, PG&E said the majority of customers should have power restored by the end of the day on Friday.
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 red flag warning is in effect from noon on Wednesday until 11 a.m. Friday, the National Weather Service said.
The forecast calls for a high-pressure ridge that will build across the area from mid to late week, bringing warmer and drier conditions along with gusty offshore winds to higher elevations.
Forecasters said upper slope and ridgetop winds from the northeast to east are expected to range from 15 to 25 miles per hour, with locally higher gusts to 35 miles per hour. The strongest winds will occur around sunrise on Thursday. Humidity will be low during the day and night.
The Lake County forecast calls for daytime temperatures topping out in the high 90s into the weekend, when temperatures are expected to drop into the 80s and then into the 70s early next week. Nighttime temperatures will reach the 60s before dropping into the 50s at week’s end and the 40s in the new week.
PG&E began notifying customers on Monday of the potential for a public safety power shutoff, and on Tuesday night said that it’s expanded the scope of the potential shutoff area from portions of 21 to 24 counties, with a total of 54,000 customers in the area.
The number of Lake County residents that would be impacted rose from a previous estimate of 50 to 82, with five of them medical baseline customers, PG&E said.
A map of the proposed outage area shows that Lake County residents to be impacted are in the Lower Lake, Middletown and Cobb areas.
Officials said they will make the decision on Wednesday whether or not to go forward with the shutoff.
If the shutoff goes forward, PG&E said the majority of customers should have power restored by the end of the day on Friday.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The District Attorney’s Office reported that a Clearlake Oaks man has been convicted and sentenced to felony probation and jail time for setting a fire in June.
On Oct. 5, Joseph Edward Calia Jr., 28, was convicted of committing felony arson, said Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff.
According to investigation reports, sheriff’s deputies and Cal Fire Arson Investigator Joe Baldwin responded to a reported fire on June 23 at 2:10 a.m. on New Long Valley Road south of Pomo Trail near Clearlake Oaks.
Hinchcliff said Deputy Tony Bracisco contacted Calia, who admitted starting the fire. Calia stated that he had become involved in a verbal argument with his girlfriend and left the residence on foot in the dark and was walking on New Long Valley Road toward Highway 20.
Calia told investigators that while walking in the dark he saw something moving in the bushes and believed it was a mountain lion about to pounce on him. He told investigators at first he did not see the mountain lion, then stated he did see it.
He then used matches he had to start a fire on both sides of the road to scare the lion away and to create light so he could see, according to his statement to investigators.
Hinchcliff said Calia later told the same story to Baldwin, who determined the fire started where and in the manner described by Calia.
The fire was extinguished by Cal Fire and burned a little more than a quarter of an acre of brush, Hinchcliff said.
Hinchcliff said further investigation revealed that Calia suffered from some mental health issues and had no prior criminal convictions. He advised he was willing to participate in mental health treatment programs.
Hinchcliff prosecuted the case and Thomas Quinn was appointed to represent Calia.
Because of the mental health issues and lack of any criminal convictions, it was agreed that Calia would be placed on formal felony probation.
Calia pleaded to a felony violation of Penal Code 451(c), arson of forest land, and was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Andrew Blum on Oct. 5.
Hinchcliff said Calia was placed on three years’ formal probation, sentenced to 280 days jail and 80 hours work service, will be required to register as an arson offender for his lifetime, ordered not to possess any accelerants or items that can be used to start a fire and ordered to comply with orders of the Probation Department, including Behavioral Health counseling and treatment with mental health staff.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The four candidates running for Lakeport City Council this fall sat down on Thursday to share their ideas, plans and issues.
Michael Froio, Michael Green, Nathan Maxman and Kenny Parlet took part in the virtual forum, held by Lake County News.
The four candidates discussed a number of topics, from COVID-19 to annexation, protecting the city from wildland fires, roads, the health of Clear Lake and park development.
The full video can be seen above.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council this week will consider making updates to the city’s zoning code and a proposal to contract for agenda management services.
The council will meet for a closed session at 5:30 p.m. to discuss negotiations for a property at 14885 Burns Valley Road owned by One Shot Mining, litigation against the county of Lake over Treasurer-Tax Collector Barbara Ringen’s performance and conference with legal counsel regarding anticipated litigation before the public portion of the meeting convenes at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15.
Because of the county’s shelter in place order, Clearlake City Hall remains closed to the public, however, the virtual meeting will be broadcast live on the city's YouTube channel or the Lake County PEG TV YouTube Channel. Community members also can participate via Zoom.
The agenda can be found here.
Comments and questions can be submitted in writing for City Council consideration by sending them to Administrative Services Director/City Clerk Melissa Swanson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . You can also visit the city’s town hall site and submit written comments at https://www.opentownhall.com/portals/327/forum_home. Identify the subject you wish to comment on in your email’s subject line or in your town hall submission.
To give the council adequate time to review your questions and comments, please submit your written comments prior to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15.
On this week’s agenda is the presentation of October’s adoptable dogs.
Under business, the council will consider an agreement for agenda management services with Municipal Code Corp.
Administrative Services Director/City Clerk Melissa Swanson’s report to the council explained that an agenda management system would help reduce staff time in putting together agendas.
She said the cost would be $11,500, which includes the one-time cost of $1,500 for data importation. That’s compared to staff time totaling $2,200 per month or $26,400 annually to prepare agendas and packets.
The council also will consider updates to the city of Clearlake’s zoning code, design review procedures and design standards.
In other business, councilmembers will hear and act upon appeals of abatement orders for 15615 34th Ave. and 16221 32nd Ave., which both were cited for illegal outdoor marijuana cultivation.
Also on the agenda, the council will consider a resolution in support of Proposition 20, the Reducing Crime and Keeping California Safe Act, which is on the November ballot.
The League of California Cities has asked for the council to consider adopting a resolution in support of the measure, which would reclassify as “violent” some crimes currently categorized as “nonviolent” and create two additional categories of punishable crimes with increased penalties, according to Swanson’s report.
On the meeting's consent agenda – items that are not considered controversial and are usually adopted on a single vote – are warrant registers; and consideration of Resolution No. 2020-52, approving a temporary street closure for the annual Trunk or Treat.
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 council will meet for a closed session at 5:30 p.m. to discuss negotiations for a property at 14885 Burns Valley Road owned by One Shot Mining, litigation against the county of Lake over Treasurer-Tax Collector Barbara Ringen’s performance and conference with legal counsel regarding anticipated litigation before the public portion of the meeting convenes at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15.
Because of the county’s shelter in place order, Clearlake City Hall remains closed to the public, however, the virtual meeting will be broadcast live on the city's YouTube channel or the Lake County PEG TV YouTube Channel. Community members also can participate via Zoom.
The agenda can be found here.
Comments and questions can be submitted in writing for City Council consideration by sending them to Administrative Services Director/City Clerk Melissa Swanson at
To give the council adequate time to review your questions and comments, please submit your written comments prior to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15.
On this week’s agenda is the presentation of October’s adoptable dogs.
Under business, the council will consider an agreement for agenda management services with Municipal Code Corp.
Administrative Services Director/City Clerk Melissa Swanson’s report to the council explained that an agenda management system would help reduce staff time in putting together agendas.
She said the cost would be $11,500, which includes the one-time cost of $1,500 for data importation. That’s compared to staff time totaling $2,200 per month or $26,400 annually to prepare agendas and packets.
The council also will consider updates to the city of Clearlake’s zoning code, design review procedures and design standards.
In other business, councilmembers will hear and act upon appeals of abatement orders for 15615 34th Ave. and 16221 32nd Ave., which both were cited for illegal outdoor marijuana cultivation.
Also on the agenda, the council will consider a resolution in support of Proposition 20, the Reducing Crime and Keeping California Safe Act, which is on the November ballot.
The League of California Cities has asked for the council to consider adopting a resolution in support of the measure, which would reclassify as “violent” some crimes currently categorized as “nonviolent” and create two additional categories of punishable crimes with increased penalties, according to Swanson’s report.
On the meeting's consent agenda – items that are not considered controversial and are usually adopted on a single vote – are warrant registers; and consideration of Resolution No. 2020-52, approving a temporary street closure for the annual Trunk or Treat.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Planning Commission is set to continue its discussion of a proposed street renaming for the man who helped found Westside Community Park.
The commission will meet via webinar beginning at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14.
The agenda can be downloaded here or seen below.
To speak on an agenda item, access the meeting remotely here or join by phone by calling 213-929-4231 or toll-free, 866-901-6455. The access code is 567-145-696; 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 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, Oct. 14.
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 main item on the agenda is the proposed renaming of Westside Park Road to honor Charlie Jolin.
The Lakeport City Council in July approved beginning the street’s renaming process to honor Jolin, who died at age 96 in June and had begun the effort to develop the park in 1997.
The commission discussed the matter initially at its Sept. 8 meeting, with the majority at that point favoring “Charlie Jolin Way” as the new name for the street.
However, the commission voted to put off making a decision at that time in order to hear from the Westside Community Park Committee, which made the original proposal.
Also on Wednesday, the commission will review a 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, Oct. 14.
The agenda can be downloaded here or seen below.
To speak on an agenda item, access the meeting remotely here or join by phone by calling 213-929-4231 or toll-free, 866-901-6455. The access code is 567-145-696; 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
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 main item on the agenda is the proposed renaming of Westside Park Road to honor Charlie Jolin.
The Lakeport City Council in July approved beginning the street’s renaming process to honor Jolin, who died at age 96 in June and had begun the effort to develop the park in 1997.
The commission discussed the matter initially at its Sept. 8 meeting, with the majority at that point favoring “Charlie Jolin Way” as the new name for the street.
However, the commission voted to put off making a decision at that time in order to hear from the Westside Community Park Committee, which made the original proposal.
Also on Wednesday, the commission will review a pending projects list.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
101420 Lakeport Planning Commission agenda packet by LakeCoNews on Scribd