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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A years-long project to bring additional medical services to the Clearlake area took its next major step forward on Tuesday when Lake County Tribal Health Consortium leadership and board members gathered to break ground on their new Southshore Clinic.

The new 25,000-square-foot outpatient health clinic will be located at 14440 Olympic Drive, between the Clearlake Post Office and DaVita Clearlake Dialysis.

“This has been a long time coming,” said Tribal Health Chief Executive Officer Ernesto Padilla.

Padilla, who in January will mark 10 years with the consortium, has watched the project develop from its earliest inception. He said he remembered when the clinic was first discussed by the leadership and started out as an action item on a project list.

He said he’s excited. “This is a big deal that we’re doing here.”

Bret Woods, Tribal Health’s chief financial officer, said the new clinic will offer primary medical care, pediatrics and dental services, and also will have room for visiting specialists.

Woods said it will roughly double the capacity of Tribal Health’s patient base, and they expect several thousand more people will be able to take advantage of its services.

In addition, Woods said it’s expected to add 45 to 50 new employees, both medical providers and support staff.

The ceremony featured a blessing led by Elem Colony Elder Thomas Brown, who walked a circular path near parked construction equipment while followed by a line of Tribal Health leadership and local officials.

Steve Rugg, Tribal Health’s special projects manager, has worked with the consortium since 1998 and was involved in building its main facility at 925 Bevins Court in Lakeport.

The new clinic will be roughly the same size as the one in Lakeport, he told Lake County News.

He said the Southshore Clinic will be a state-of-the-art facility offering 10 enclosed dental operatories with ultraviolet disinfection to destroy airborne viruses, along with 12 medical exam rooms in four pods that include a separate pod for pediatrics.

Rugg said the clinic also will feature larger treatment rooms, two airborne isolation rooms to keep all employees and clients safe from infectious disease, rooms for telemedicine and an on-site pharmacy so that prescribing and obtaining medication can be a one-stop-shop.

With the help of Realtor Dave Hughes, Tribal Health found the property and completed escrow on it in July 2017. From there, Rugg said the consortium’s board and administrative team embarked on an “ambitious design program,” that began with establishing the basics and then moving into considering every detail.

Embedded in the process – down to the specifics of room sizes, security systems and even cabinet designs – is the knowledge and experience that Tribal Health has amassed in its 40 years of serving Lake County, he explained.

Partnering in the process was NorthStar Designing Solutions of Chico, the architect, along with assistance from civil engineering group Ruzicka Associates of Lakeport. Rugg said Tribal Health entered into a design-assist agreement earlier this year with Hilbers Inc.

Rugg offered a shout-out of praise for the city of Clearlake, which along with different local districts have been very supportive and accommodating of the project, Rugg said. He said they’ve become partners in the clinic’s creation.

Larry Hilberts said Tuesday at the event that his firm is acting as the construction manager and general contractor on the project.

Hilbers said his firm has a 20-year history with Tribal Health, having built its administration building on Bevins Court in Lakeport.

He said they plan to push the 18-month timeline to get it completed earlier. “This is going to be a smooth project.”

Clearlake City Manager Alan Flora said there is a really rich tribal history in Clearlake and there need to be more examples of honoring that history.

Flora said the new clinic will do just that as well as bringing much-needed medical care to the area.

“Thank you for choosing to grow your services here in the city,” Flora said.

Padilla then stepped forward to present Flora with a $25,000 check meant to go toward improvements at the city’s Austin Park, which has been undergoing major improvements for several months.

Flora said the funds will be used for the park’s new bandshell, which will feature the Tribal Health logo.

Padilla noted that Tribal Health is the only health care organization operating locally that is owned by Lake County residents.

One of the clinic’s additional benefits is its location on the side of the lake where 25 percent of the county’s tribal members live, Padilla said.

Woods said the clinic is expected to be completed in the spring of 2022. At that point, they’re looking at another celebration – a grand opening.

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. – Despite high temperatures and fire weather concerns, firefighters prevented any new growth across the vast acreage impacted by the LNU Lightning Complex on Tuesday.

The complex, which began on Aug. 17, remained at 375,209 acres and 91-percent containment on Tuesday night, Cal Fire reported.

Cal Fire said 1,167 personnel, 66 engines, 26 water tenders, three helicopters, 28 hand crews and 22 dozers are assigned to the complex, which stretches across Colusa, Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties.

Due to the high winds on Monday that caused flare-ups on the Walbridge fire in Sonoma County, an evacuation order and a warning were issued by the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office on Monday night for areas west of Healdsburg.

Firefighters on Tuesday were able to prevent the Walbridge fire from growing; it remained at 54,940 acres, with containment unchanged at 95 percent.

On Tuesday night, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office lifted both the mandatory evacuation and the evacuation warning.

On the east side of the complex, the Hennessey fire – which burned into the other five counties, including Lake – remained at 317,909 acres and 91-percent containment on Tuesday, according to Cal Fire’s report.

Cal Fire said crews are continuing to work to strengthen containment lines and make repairs necessary due to suppression efforts.

A red flag warning remains in effect throughout the fire area through Wednesday morning due to high winds and temperatures, officials said.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – With high winds working through the fire area, officials said Tuesday that the August Complex on the Mendocino National Forest burned another 7,000 acres, with evacuation warnings and orders in three counties remaining in effect.

The August Complex reached 356,312 acres and 24-percent containment on Tuesday, with 1,162 resources committed, the US Forest Service said.

Fire activity increased Sunday due to high temperatures and gusty winds throughout the complex. Fire crews are prepared for ongoing heightened fire activity over the next couple of days due to extreme forecast weather.

A red flag warning remains in effect through 8 a.m. Wednesday.

The Hull, Doe, Tatham and Glade fires have burned into one large fire. The Hopkins Fire, which is 19,782 acres, has spread further into the Yolla Bolly – Middle Eel Wilderness.

With the improved visibility from cleared skies, air operations were able to safely conduct water drops on Monday. Several scoopers and helicopters dropped water on the Hopkins fire. On the southwestern portion of the August Complex, eight air tankers and two helicopters dropped water in the Monkey Rock area throughout the day, officials said.

Evacuation orders are in effect in Glenn County, and portions of Mendocino and Lake counties, officials said.

Daily updates can be found on the Mendocino National Forest Facebook page.

Updated August Complex information can be found at Inciweb.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Office of Education is offering a College Rental Assistance Program for students who are at risk of becoming homeless or are experiencing homelessness.

Students that are considered homeless or are experiencing homelessness include those who are couch surfing, are doubled up with another family, live in buildings that are not intended to be dwellings, and/or are going without stable or permanent housing.

To be eligible for the program a student must be from Lake County and taking a minimum of six units of college classes or are participating in a trade school/program.

Funding is also available for high school seniors who are doing dual enrollment at a college and/or for families with young children.

“Having secure and adequate housing is crucial for any youth’s ability to learn. Programs such as this will allow our students the stability to grow and excel in school,” said Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg.

According to the National Center for Homeless Education, the number of homeless students enrolled in public school districts and reported by state education agencies during the school year 2016-2017 was 1.3 million students. Lake County has in excess of 750 students in TK-12 grades who are homeless.

The program will provide rental assistance of $500 a month for 10 months and will be paid directly to the landlord. Applications will be accepted for the school year 2020-2021 and space is limited.

The funding from the program is flexible if there is a need for one-time rental assistance to secure housing.

This program is possible through the Homeless Emergency Aid Program that is offered through LCOE's Healthy Start program.

“The focus is our Lake County students and ensuring they have the resources they need to get the education they deserve,” said Ana Santana, director of Healthy Start.

Last year three individuals successfully participated in the program and were able to get funding during the academic school year.

“Lake County’s success starts with our student’s success,” Falkenberg said.

For more information, visit www.lakecoe.org/HealthyStart.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County’s Public Health officer reported on Tuesday that a coronavirus outbreak in a local skilled nursing facility has now led to a third COVID-19-related death.

This latest death is the sixth in the county overall, Dr. Gary Pace said.

Pace said on Tuesday afternoon that the individual lived at the same local senior residential facility where the recent outbreak has occurred.

This latest patient to die was over the age of 65 with underlying chronic medical issues and tested positive prior to becoming symptomatic, Pace said.

Pace has declined to identify the facility, where two previous COVID-19 deaths were reported on Aug. 29 and Sept. 1, as Lake County News has reported.

The facility has confirmed with Public Heatlh that it has notified all residents and their families of the outbreak, Pace told Lake County News.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Lake County Public Health said there are 368 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the county, of which 26 are active – and are under Public Health monitoring – while two are hospitalized and 336 have recovered.

To date, approximately 10,173 tests for the virus have been conducted in Lake County, Public Health reported.

“We encourage everyone to pause for a minute and recognize that taking an extra step of
Prevention – like wearing a mask or avoiding a social event— could potentially save a life,” Pace said. “Even though many people when infected don’t get very sick, this COVID can be deadly.”

Residents seeking public health information on how to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus
can access Lake County’s Public Health Division webpage or call the COVID-19 hotline at 707-263-8174 to speak to a Public Health adviser.

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. – Within hours of flare-ups being reported on the LNU Lightning Complex’s Walbridge fire in Sonoma County, a new evacuation order and evacuation warning were implemented near that fire.

Cal Fire said Monday night that the complex remained at 375,209 acres and 91-percent containment.

On Monday afternoon, reports made over radio traffic stated that there were flare-ups on the Walbridge fire, burning west of Healdsburg, which is 54,940 acres and 95-percent contained.

Cal Fire said fire activity increased within the Walbridge containment lines on Monday, with firefighters on the ground supported by aircraft.

On Saturday, all remaining evacuation orders and warnings had been lifted. However, due to the situation on the Walbridge fire, shortly after 10 p.m. Monday, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office issued a mandatory evacuation order for areas south of south of Mill Creek Road, north of Sweetwater Springs Road, west of Westside Road and east of Palmer Creek Road.

At the same time, the agency issued an evacuation warning for the area north of the Russian River, east of Armstrong Woods Road, west of Westside Road and south of Sweetwater Springs Road.

An interactive map of the Sonoma County evacuation area can be found here.

On the Lake County side of the complex, the Hennessey fire – which also is burning in Colusa, Napa, Solano and Yolo counties – remained at 317,909 acres and 91-percent containment, Cal Fire said.

Assigned resources on the incident on Monday night totaled 1,315 personnel, 85 engines, 34 water tenders, four helicopters, 29 hand crews and 35 dozers.

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.