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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With forecasters predicting that a prolonged heatwave is about to hit the western United States, Lake County and much of Northern California is under an excessive heat warning for Friday and Saturday, when temperatures across the region will surpass the century mark.
The National Weather Service issued the excessive heat watch which is in effect from noon on Friday to 7 p.m. Saturday.
At the same time, the California Independent System Operator has issued a statewide Flex Alert, which is a call for voluntary electricity conservation, from 3 to 10 p.m. on Friday in response to the forecast for near-record or record-breaking heat – up to 10 to 20 degrees above normal in some areas.
The National Weather Service’s excessive heat warning predicts “dangerously hot conditions” with afternoon temperatures between 100 and 110 degrees.
The forecast said that Friday and Saturday “will likely be only the first two days of an extended heatwave that may last for much of the next week.”
There’s a potential for some minor cooling on Sunday, but forecasters said county residents can expect prolonged above-average temperatures for several days.
The specific Lake County forecast predicts daytime temperatures of up to 104 degrees on Friday and 103 degrees on Saturday.
Sunday is expected to see temperatures around 100 degrees, with the heatwave continuing through next week, when temperatures are forecast to reach 106 degrees on Tuesday and 105 degrees on Wednesday, particularly in the Clearlake area and the south county near Middletown.
Nighttime temperatures over the coming week also will be well above normal, with forecasters predicting temperatures could rise into the low 70s.
Officials are also raising concerns about the potential for fire danger, as the high nighttime temperatures limit the window for relief, which is why the National Weather Service said it issued the excessive heat warning for much of Mendocino and Lake counties.
The long-term forecast also reported that the remnants of a tropical system will arrive in the region on Friday and Saturday, “presenting an opportunity for some isolated showers and thunderstorms across interior areas both afternoons.”
Forecasters said it is possible that a few thunderstorms may develop as early as Friday afternoon, and as late as Sunday afternoon as well.
“The biggest impact of these storms, should they develop, will be the potential for new wildfire starts due to lightning,” the forecast said.
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 National Weather Service issued the excessive heat watch which is in effect from noon on Friday to 7 p.m. Saturday.
At the same time, the California Independent System Operator has issued a statewide Flex Alert, which is a call for voluntary electricity conservation, from 3 to 10 p.m. on Friday in response to the forecast for near-record or record-breaking heat – up to 10 to 20 degrees above normal in some areas.
The National Weather Service’s excessive heat warning predicts “dangerously hot conditions” with afternoon temperatures between 100 and 110 degrees.
The forecast said that Friday and Saturday “will likely be only the first two days of an extended heatwave that may last for much of the next week.”
There’s a potential for some minor cooling on Sunday, but forecasters said county residents can expect prolonged above-average temperatures for several days.
The specific Lake County forecast predicts daytime temperatures of up to 104 degrees on Friday and 103 degrees on Saturday.
Sunday is expected to see temperatures around 100 degrees, with the heatwave continuing through next week, when temperatures are forecast to reach 106 degrees on Tuesday and 105 degrees on Wednesday, particularly in the Clearlake area and the south county near Middletown.
Nighttime temperatures over the coming week also will be well above normal, with forecasters predicting temperatures could rise into the low 70s.
Officials are also raising concerns about the potential for fire danger, as the high nighttime temperatures limit the window for relief, which is why the National Weather Service said it issued the excessive heat warning for much of Mendocino and Lake counties.
The long-term forecast also reported that the remnants of a tropical system will arrive in the region on Friday and Saturday, “presenting an opportunity for some isolated showers and thunderstorms across interior areas both afternoons.”
Forecasters said it is possible that a few thunderstorms may develop as early as Friday afternoon, and as late as Sunday afternoon as well.
“The biggest impact of these storms, should they develop, will be the potential for new wildfire starts due to lightning,” the forecast said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Police Department said it has arrested a man for robbing a woman at a city laundromat.
Michael Kevin Toney, 26, a transient, was taken into custody shortly before 11 a.m. Thursday, according to his booking records.
Police said the victim, a 64-year-old woman from Lakeport, reported that she was physically attacked by a male subject while doing her laundry at the Willow Wash Laundromat in the Safeway Shopping Center on 11th Street.
Officers responded to the laundromat and contacted the woman, who gave them a detailed description of the man who robbed her, who she said she didn’t know, the department reported.
The woman told officers that the subject forced her against laundromat equipment and attempted to remove and steal a coin purse from her after she had already given him a small donation that he solicited, police said.
Police said the subject fled the scene prior to the officers’ arrival.
The police department said officers searched the immediate area and found Toney a short distance from the scene.
The victim positively identified Toney as the perpetrator during a subsequent in-field showing and police arrested him for robbery by force, the department reported.
On Friday Toney remained in custody for felony first-degree robbery, with bail set at $150,000. His booking sheet showed he is due to be arraigned on Friday.
Police said Toney is known to the police department and has prior recent arrests.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
The California Independent System Operator, or ISO, has issued a statewide Flex Alert, a call for voluntary electricity conservation, from 3 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 14.
With high temperatures in the forecast, the power grid operator is predicting an increase in electricity demand, primarily from residential air conditioning use.
The National Weather Service has issued excessive heat watches and warnings for portions of California and the Southwest US.
California will be experiencing near-record or record-breaking heat, up to 10 to 20 degrees above normal in some areas.
Above-normal temperatures for the West, including California, are expected to last through the weekend and into late next week.
Prolonged heat over several consecutive days is expected to drive electricity demand higher, as nighttime temperatures are also forecast to be above average.
Remnants of tropical system “Elida” will bring cloud cover to areas of California through this event, reducing solar generation, which leads to tighter energy supplies.
Consumers are urged to conserve electricity, especially during the late afternoon and early evening, when the grid is most stressed due to higher demand and solar energy production falling.
Consumers are also asked to turn off unnecessary lights, use major appliances before 3 p.m. and after 10 p.m., and set air conditioner thermostats to 78 degrees or higher.
These conservation measures can help the power grid during a time of tight demand and supply, and avoid power interruptions.
Reduced energy use during a Flex Alert can prevent further emergency measures, including rotating power outages.
The ISO will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary. For information on Flex Alerts, and to get more electricity conservation tips, visit the ISO’s Flex Alert website.
With high temperatures in the forecast, the power grid operator is predicting an increase in electricity demand, primarily from residential air conditioning use.
The National Weather Service has issued excessive heat watches and warnings for portions of California and the Southwest US.
California will be experiencing near-record or record-breaking heat, up to 10 to 20 degrees above normal in some areas.
Above-normal temperatures for the West, including California, are expected to last through the weekend and into late next week.
Prolonged heat over several consecutive days is expected to drive electricity demand higher, as nighttime temperatures are also forecast to be above average.
Remnants of tropical system “Elida” will bring cloud cover to areas of California through this event, reducing solar generation, which leads to tighter energy supplies.
Consumers are urged to conserve electricity, especially during the late afternoon and early evening, when the grid is most stressed due to higher demand and solar energy production falling.
Consumers are also asked to turn off unnecessary lights, use major appliances before 3 p.m. and after 10 p.m., and set air conditioner thermostats to 78 degrees or higher.
These conservation measures can help the power grid during a time of tight demand and supply, and avoid power interruptions.
Reduced energy use during a Flex Alert can prevent further emergency measures, including rotating power outages.
The ISO will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary. For information on Flex Alerts, and to get more electricity conservation tips, visit the ISO’s Flex Alert website.
NORTH COAST, Calif. – Mendocino County health and fire officials reported that a firefighter at the Ukiah Valley Fire Authority has tested positive for COVID-19.
The individual became symptomatic following the start of a 48-hour shift on Wednesday, Aug. 12.
Measures were immediately taken to isolate the individual and other close contacts and to disinfect all apparatus and facilities at risk of exposure. Rapid testing was immediately performed and confirmed a positive result, officials said.
The individual had limited workplace contact with others, and the fire authority is working with Mendocino County Public Health to complete the appropriate contact tracing.
Since the start of the pandemic, the Fire Authority has been operating with COVID-19 risk mitigation protocols in place, which includes the division of crews between multiple stations, application of personal protective equipment, and rigorous sanitization.
The Ukiah Valley Fire Authority still has the capacity to remain fully staffed and operational during this process.
“Our work is inherently risky, and even with the utmost precautions in place, there is a risk of exposure to COVID-19,” said Ukiah Valley Fire Chief Doug Hutchison, who previously served as chief of Lakeport Fire. “Our team members responded quickly and appropriately to this incident, and are working to implement the appropriate response protocols. Our priority remains the safety of our department and our community.”
“The health officer orders are there to protect us as we move forward in the pandemic,” Mendocino Health Officer Dr. Noemi Doohan said. “The city of Ukiah firefighters have followed all orders including the masking orders and required protective measures. Their proactive actions in their protection will be impactful steps in efforts to prevent an outbreak."
The individual became symptomatic following the start of a 48-hour shift on Wednesday, Aug. 12.
Measures were immediately taken to isolate the individual and other close contacts and to disinfect all apparatus and facilities at risk of exposure. Rapid testing was immediately performed and confirmed a positive result, officials said.
The individual had limited workplace contact with others, and the fire authority is working with Mendocino County Public Health to complete the appropriate contact tracing.
Since the start of the pandemic, the Fire Authority has been operating with COVID-19 risk mitigation protocols in place, which includes the division of crews between multiple stations, application of personal protective equipment, and rigorous sanitization.
The Ukiah Valley Fire Authority still has the capacity to remain fully staffed and operational during this process.
“Our work is inherently risky, and even with the utmost precautions in place, there is a risk of exposure to COVID-19,” said Ukiah Valley Fire Chief Doug Hutchison, who previously served as chief of Lakeport Fire. “Our team members responded quickly and appropriately to this incident, and are working to implement the appropriate response protocols. Our priority remains the safety of our department and our community.”
“The health officer orders are there to protect us as we move forward in the pandemic,” Mendocino Health Officer Dr. Noemi Doohan said. “The city of Ukiah firefighters have followed all orders including the masking orders and required protective measures. Their proactive actions in their protection will be impactful steps in efforts to prevent an outbreak."
NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man who they believe set numerous fires around Ukiah on Wednesday.
Alberto Vincent Acosta, 32, of Ukiah was arrested for arson on Thursday morning, according to Capt. Greg Van Patten.
Law enforcement officials and firefighters discovered the fires in a timeframe of less than an hour and a half late Wednesday afternoon and early evening, based on Van Patten’s report.
In an initial report on Wednesday, officials suspected seven separate fires had been set, but that number was increased to nine in the Thursday report.
Detectives have linked Acosta to the fires that occurred at the following locations on Wednesday:
– 4:56 p.m.: South Dora Street near Fircrest Drive.
– 4:58 p.m.: South Dora Street at Bourbon Lane.
– 5:04 p.m.: Gobalet Lane at South State Street.
– 5:15 p.m.: Plant Road near Taylor Drive.
– 5:18 p.m.: End of Airport Park Boulevard.
– 6:14 to 6:19 p.m.: Four separate fires on Babcock Lane near Talmage bridge.
Van Patten said detectives from the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office continued their investigations into the late evening hours on Wednesday.
The detectives interviewed an off-duty Mendocino County Sheriff's Office corrections deputy who had been driving in the area of the Talmage bridge at the approximate time of the fires on Babcock Lane, Van Patten said.
The corrections deputy noticed Acosta near the area of the fire and provided that information along with Acosta's description to detectives, who Van Patten said were able to collect footage from surveillance video systems from residences and businesses near some of the fires.
He said the information from the corrections deputy and the video systems footage established evidence which prompted detectives to issue a be-on-the-lookout notification to local law enforcement agencies for Acosta's arrest.
At 7 a.m. Thursday, a Ukiah Police officer was on routine patrol in the area of Perkins Street and South Orchard Avenue when he noticed Acosta walking in the area. Van Patten said the officer stopped Acosta, who was released to sheriff's office detectives.
Acosta was subsequently booked into the Mendocino County Jail on charges of arson of an inhabited structure, arson of structure or forest land and arson during a state of emergency, Van Patten reported.
Van Patten said Acosta is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
At this time it appears the fires caused damage to vegetation and the wooden deck of one residence, Van Patten said.
Mendocino County Sheriff's detectives are continuing to ask for the public's assistance in obtaining security camera footage to assist in this investigation.
If any business or residence has security camera footage depicting Acosta during the time frame of 4:50 p.m. to 6:57 p.m. on Wednesday, contact the Sheriff's Office Tip Line by calling 707-234-2100.
The areas of interest for security camera footage in Ukiah are Luce Avenue to South Dora Street, South Dora Street to Oak Court Road, South State Street to Gobalet Lane, Plant Road, Norgard Lane near the railroad tracks, Airport Park Boulevard, Airport Road and Babcock Lane from Talmage Road to East Gobbi Street, Van Patten said.
The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office thanked the Ukiah Police Department, California Highway Patrol, County of Mendocino Marijuana Enforcement Team and Mendocino County Major Crimes Task Force for their assistance during this investigation, and recognized Cal Fire, the Ukiah Valley Fire Authority, Hopland Fire Department, Redwood Valley Fire Department and Potter Valley Fire Department for their response and fire suppression efforts during the fires.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Superior Court is asking the state for the ability to temporarily extend trial deadlines as it works to implement new guidance on its operations that it has received from the county’s Public Health officer.
Court Executive Officer Krista LeVier told Lake County News that the court has submitted a request for an emergency order from California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye.
As it works to adjust its operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, LeVier said the court has received new guidance and recommendations from Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace regarding jury trials “which we are attempting to put in place as quickly as possible.”
One of the new recommendations that LeVier said Pace gave the Superior Court is to consider conducting jury selection for trials at an offsite location.
The request Presiding Superior Court Judge Michael Lunas made to Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye is under the auspices of Government Code section 68115, which covers judicial emergencies and would allow for proceedings to be held in a location other than the Lake County Courthouse in Lakeport.
Government Code section 6811 states, “When war, insurrection, pestilence, or other public calamity, or the danger thereof, or the destruction of or danger to the building appointed for holding the court, renders it necessary, or when a large influx of criminal cases resulting from a large number of arrests within a short period of time threatens the orderly operation of a superior court location or locations within a county,” the presiding judge may ask the chair of the Judicial Council – in this case, the chief justice – for permission to hold proceedings in other locations, transfer cases to adjacent counties, extend judicial timelines and other measures.
“The request is to provide authority to extend trial deadlines under Penal Code section 1382 up to 30 days,” LeVier said.
Penal Code section 1382 sets California’s speedy trial rules, which include bringing defendants in criminal cases to trial within 60 days of arraignment or indictment, or in misdemeanor or infraction cases, within 30 days of arraignment or entry of plea.
“The court has an obligation and duty to protect the defendants right to a jury trial, while at the same time taking all reasonable precautions to minimize the risk of transmission of COVID-19,” LeVier said.
To that end, she said the court has been working closely with Dr. Pace and Public Health throughout its response to the pandemic, which included a shutdown in March, the adoption of video conferencing and a return to some in-person proceedings in the months since.
Emergency orders the Judicial Council issued in March allowed courts to put off trials for several months by extending the constitutional right to a speedy trial by 90 days. The Judicial Council cleared courts to resume trials in June.
The court, under the leadership of Lunas and LeVier, has implemented numerous health and safety measures including masking, social distancing signage and taping off seats in courtrooms, hand sanitizer dispensers, rearranging the public window and computer kiosk at the court clerk’s office, and video conferencing in order to protect staff and members of the public.
In court this week, Lake County News observed all court staff, District Attorney’s Office personnel, attorneys, defendants and members of the public wearing masks and observing social distancing in adherence to the rules, although the tables for defendants and prosecutors were not being wiped down between cases.
Even though the court has tried to minimize the size of groups in courtrooms at any one time, several local attorneys told Lake County News that fluctuating caseloads have made it challenging to enforce social distancing. They described scenarios where as many as two dozen people were in a courtroom at once, and other times just a handful.
The court had planned to begin trials on July 8 but, up until this week, all of the cases had been resolved or rescheduled, LeVier told Lake County News.
“The court has been reviewing our plan to conduct jury trials with Dr. Pace for some time. In recent discussions, Dr. Pace recommended some additional precautions that the court could consider in an effort to make the jury trial process as safe as possible for all involved,” LeVier said.
Those recommendations included the offsite jury selection, which has for years been a challenge in the cramped quarters of the Lake County Courthouse’s fourth floor. In past jury selections, the size of juror pools required that jury selection take place downstairs in the Board of Supervisors’ chambers.
In June, the Judicial Council’s Pandemic Continuity of Operations Working Group issued a resource guide that suggested – among other adaptations such as using technology for juror prescreening and reworking jury assembly procedures to allow for smaller pools – that jury selection could be moved from courthouses to offsite locations that accommodate larger groups.
As for moving to another location, “The court has begun investigating that possibility; however that will take time to accomplish,” LeVier said.
With jury trials scheduled to go forward on Wednesday, Aug. 19, LeVier said it was not possible to get the new measures suggested by Pace in place in time.
That led to the court’s submission of the emergency order request, LeVier said.
“The Judicial Council staff indicated it might be a day or two before we have a response from the chief,” LeVier said Wednesday.
More information about the court’s operations can be found on its website.
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.
Court Executive Officer Krista LeVier told Lake County News that the court has submitted a request for an emergency order from California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye.
As it works to adjust its operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, LeVier said the court has received new guidance and recommendations from Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace regarding jury trials “which we are attempting to put in place as quickly as possible.”
One of the new recommendations that LeVier said Pace gave the Superior Court is to consider conducting jury selection for trials at an offsite location.
The request Presiding Superior Court Judge Michael Lunas made to Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye is under the auspices of Government Code section 68115, which covers judicial emergencies and would allow for proceedings to be held in a location other than the Lake County Courthouse in Lakeport.
Government Code section 6811 states, “When war, insurrection, pestilence, or other public calamity, or the danger thereof, or the destruction of or danger to the building appointed for holding the court, renders it necessary, or when a large influx of criminal cases resulting from a large number of arrests within a short period of time threatens the orderly operation of a superior court location or locations within a county,” the presiding judge may ask the chair of the Judicial Council – in this case, the chief justice – for permission to hold proceedings in other locations, transfer cases to adjacent counties, extend judicial timelines and other measures.
“The request is to provide authority to extend trial deadlines under Penal Code section 1382 up to 30 days,” LeVier said.
Penal Code section 1382 sets California’s speedy trial rules, which include bringing defendants in criminal cases to trial within 60 days of arraignment or indictment, or in misdemeanor or infraction cases, within 30 days of arraignment or entry of plea.
“The court has an obligation and duty to protect the defendants right to a jury trial, while at the same time taking all reasonable precautions to minimize the risk of transmission of COVID-19,” LeVier said.
To that end, she said the court has been working closely with Dr. Pace and Public Health throughout its response to the pandemic, which included a shutdown in March, the adoption of video conferencing and a return to some in-person proceedings in the months since.
Emergency orders the Judicial Council issued in March allowed courts to put off trials for several months by extending the constitutional right to a speedy trial by 90 days. The Judicial Council cleared courts to resume trials in June.
The court, under the leadership of Lunas and LeVier, has implemented numerous health and safety measures including masking, social distancing signage and taping off seats in courtrooms, hand sanitizer dispensers, rearranging the public window and computer kiosk at the court clerk’s office, and video conferencing in order to protect staff and members of the public.
In court this week, Lake County News observed all court staff, District Attorney’s Office personnel, attorneys, defendants and members of the public wearing masks and observing social distancing in adherence to the rules, although the tables for defendants and prosecutors were not being wiped down between cases.
Even though the court has tried to minimize the size of groups in courtrooms at any one time, several local attorneys told Lake County News that fluctuating caseloads have made it challenging to enforce social distancing. They described scenarios where as many as two dozen people were in a courtroom at once, and other times just a handful.
The court had planned to begin trials on July 8 but, up until this week, all of the cases had been resolved or rescheduled, LeVier told Lake County News.
“The court has been reviewing our plan to conduct jury trials with Dr. Pace for some time. In recent discussions, Dr. Pace recommended some additional precautions that the court could consider in an effort to make the jury trial process as safe as possible for all involved,” LeVier said.
Those recommendations included the offsite jury selection, which has for years been a challenge in the cramped quarters of the Lake County Courthouse’s fourth floor. In past jury selections, the size of juror pools required that jury selection take place downstairs in the Board of Supervisors’ chambers.
In June, the Judicial Council’s Pandemic Continuity of Operations Working Group issued a resource guide that suggested – among other adaptations such as using technology for juror prescreening and reworking jury assembly procedures to allow for smaller pools – that jury selection could be moved from courthouses to offsite locations that accommodate larger groups.
As for moving to another location, “The court has begun investigating that possibility; however that will take time to accomplish,” LeVier said.
With jury trials scheduled to go forward on Wednesday, Aug. 19, LeVier said it was not possible to get the new measures suggested by Pace in place in time.
That led to the court’s submission of the emergency order request, LeVier said.
“The Judicial Council staff indicated it might be a day or two before we have a response from the chief,” LeVier said Wednesday.
More information about the court’s operations can be found on its website.
Email Elizabeth Larson at