How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
News
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – As Lake County prepares to celebrate the Independence Day holiday, the county’s Public Health officer is offering recommendations to community members on how to stay safe in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Fourth of July has always meant large gatherings and events in Lake County. Because of COVID-19, this year will be a little different,” said Dr. Gary Pace.
In recent days, Lake County’s infection rates have begun to climb, following a statewide trend of
“The rates of infection are increasing rapidly right now, probably because of increased activity; especially groups of people from different households mixing together,” Pace said.
He said the Health Department has tracked some of the spread locally to weekend parties with multiple families, especially when masks were not worn and people were drinking and eating together.
“That sounds a lot like what happens on the Fourth of July, doesn’t it?” Pace said.
He said firework displays around the lake have been modified this year as the result of a lot of planning.
The city of Lakeport chose not to hold its fireworks display this year due to concerns that included not having room to ensure social distancing. However, sales of “safe and sane” fireworks by local nonprofits are continuing; those fireworks can only be legally purchased and used in the city limits.
Konocti Vista Casino in Lakeport is having a fireworks display on July 4. The fireworks display will start after dark.
Clearlake will host a public fireworks display with enhanced social distancing. People will drive up and stay in their car, although some people will be able to walk into the event. There will be some food vendors there starting at 4 p.m., with social distancing and masking procedures in place.
Handwashing stations will be present, and volunteers will be there to help remind people to return to their cars and not congregate.
“This type of activity is a bit risky, so we encourage everyone to be particularly mindful of the need to be careful,” said Pace. “Vulnerable people – over 65 or with chronic medical conditions – should not come. If we see a surge of cases after this event, it will be much less likely future gatherings will be possible during the pandemic.”
Pace said that with all of the increased activity around the lake this coming weekend, care should be taken to avoid groups, minimize large social gatherings at home, use masks and proper disinfection, and take particular care of vulnerable people.
“The last few months have been tough on everyone, but using some caution while celebrating this weekend will make the coming months a lot better,” said Pace, adding, “Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!”
“The Fourth of July has always meant large gatherings and events in Lake County. Because of COVID-19, this year will be a little different,” said Dr. Gary Pace.
In recent days, Lake County’s infection rates have begun to climb, following a statewide trend of
“The rates of infection are increasing rapidly right now, probably because of increased activity; especially groups of people from different households mixing together,” Pace said.
He said the Health Department has tracked some of the spread locally to weekend parties with multiple families, especially when masks were not worn and people were drinking and eating together.
“That sounds a lot like what happens on the Fourth of July, doesn’t it?” Pace said.
He said firework displays around the lake have been modified this year as the result of a lot of planning.
The city of Lakeport chose not to hold its fireworks display this year due to concerns that included not having room to ensure social distancing. However, sales of “safe and sane” fireworks by local nonprofits are continuing; those fireworks can only be legally purchased and used in the city limits.
Konocti Vista Casino in Lakeport is having a fireworks display on July 4. The fireworks display will start after dark.
Clearlake will host a public fireworks display with enhanced social distancing. People will drive up and stay in their car, although some people will be able to walk into the event. There will be some food vendors there starting at 4 p.m., with social distancing and masking procedures in place.
Handwashing stations will be present, and volunteers will be there to help remind people to return to their cars and not congregate.
“This type of activity is a bit risky, so we encourage everyone to be particularly mindful of the need to be careful,” said Pace. “Vulnerable people – over 65 or with chronic medical conditions – should not come. If we see a surge of cases after this event, it will be much less likely future gatherings will be possible during the pandemic.”
Pace said that with all of the increased activity around the lake this coming weekend, care should be taken to avoid groups, minimize large social gatherings at home, use masks and proper disinfection, and take particular care of vulnerable people.
“The last few months have been tough on everyone, but using some caution while celebrating this weekend will make the coming months a lot better,” said Pace, adding, “Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!”
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Elizabeth “Beth” Shepherd has joined the Lake County Office of Education as the Special Education Local Planning Area, or SELPA, senior director beginning July 1.
She brings a wide range of special education experience to the community.
“We welcome Beth and are excited about her breadth of experience. Her enthusiasm for coming to Lake County in this capacity is very exciting,” said Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg.
Shepherd’s impressive list of experience includes leadership roles at the county level, district office level and site level.
She has also taught elementary school, grades kindergarten through sixth, and has been a teacher of sixth through 12th grades at Court School.
Shepherd is relocating to Lake County from the Central Valley.
“I have dedicated my entire career to the education of children, teachers and administrators,” said Shepherd.
Shepherd is taking over the position from Patti Langston, who is retiring.
Langston has more than 28 years of special education experience at the site, district and county levels, and has spent the last 10 years at the Lake County Office of Education.
While at the Lake County Office of Education, Langston spent a significant amount of her time specializing in autism. As a member of the State Cadre, she learned evidence-based practices for students identified on the spectrum and was able to come back to Lake County to coach and train teachers on those practices.
Falkenberg said, “Patti is fantastic! I have never met an educator that is more motivated and dedicated to educating at-risk students.”
Although she is retiring, Langston said she intends to stay involved in special education in Lake County, which will include advocating for special education and writing curriculum.
It is Shepherd though, who will now be responsible for the development and implementation of SELPA goals and priorities for Lake County.
Among her duties, she will work within the Lake County Office of Education, assuming full management responsibilities for SELPA, and will fulfill requests for services from the Lake County School Districts.
She also bears the responsibility to ensure that the Lake County SELPA remains in compliance with rules, regulation and laws, both state and federal.
“I look forward to collaborating with and supporting Lake County’s school districts, partner agencies, communities, and parents in our profound and important work of delivering excellent educational services and programming to our students with special needs in ways that ensure that every student thrives,” Shepherd said.
For more information about Lake County’s SELPA, please visit http://lakecoe.org/SELPA .
She brings a wide range of special education experience to the community.
“We welcome Beth and are excited about her breadth of experience. Her enthusiasm for coming to Lake County in this capacity is very exciting,” said Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg.
Shepherd’s impressive list of experience includes leadership roles at the county level, district office level and site level.
She has also taught elementary school, grades kindergarten through sixth, and has been a teacher of sixth through 12th grades at Court School.
Shepherd is relocating to Lake County from the Central Valley.
“I have dedicated my entire career to the education of children, teachers and administrators,” said Shepherd.
Shepherd is taking over the position from Patti Langston, who is retiring.
Langston has more than 28 years of special education experience at the site, district and county levels, and has spent the last 10 years at the Lake County Office of Education.
While at the Lake County Office of Education, Langston spent a significant amount of her time specializing in autism. As a member of the State Cadre, she learned evidence-based practices for students identified on the spectrum and was able to come back to Lake County to coach and train teachers on those practices.
Falkenberg said, “Patti is fantastic! I have never met an educator that is more motivated and dedicated to educating at-risk students.”
Although she is retiring, Langston said she intends to stay involved in special education in Lake County, which will include advocating for special education and writing curriculum.
It is Shepherd though, who will now be responsible for the development and implementation of SELPA goals and priorities for Lake County.
Among her duties, she will work within the Lake County Office of Education, assuming full management responsibilities for SELPA, and will fulfill requests for services from the Lake County School Districts.
She also bears the responsibility to ensure that the Lake County SELPA remains in compliance with rules, regulation and laws, both state and federal.
“I look forward to collaborating with and supporting Lake County’s school districts, partner agencies, communities, and parents in our profound and important work of delivering excellent educational services and programming to our students with special needs in ways that ensure that every student thrives,” Shepherd said.
For more information about Lake County’s SELPA, please visit http://lakecoe.org/SELPA .
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The city of Clearlake will host a socially distanced Independence Day fireworks show and celebration at the newly renovated Austin Park on Saturday.
The outdoor event, sponsored by the Clearlake Lions Club, is scheduled to begin at approximately 4 p.m. with food vendors inside Austin Park.
The fireworks will be fired off at dark, at around 9 p.m. The event will be over immediately following the fireworks show.
The fireworks display is designed to be viewed from your vehicle although there will be limited space available inside Austin Park – designated by visible circles – for people without vehicles. These circles will be spread out to maintain social distancing.
Compliance with health orders is required to include masking and social distancing. Facemasks are required per order of the county health officer.
The temporary construction fencing around the perimeter of the park will remain in place throughout the event in order to limit access to designated areas such as the parking lots and main walkways.
Event parking is limited and will be on a first-come, first-served basis. It is recommended to arrive early to obtain your parking space. There will be no readmittance for parking once you leave the event parking area.
There will be road closures in the area. The entire surrounding area of Austin Park will be closed off to through traffic with the exception of Olympic Drive. Please choose an alternate route to navigate around the event for through traffic.
The roads that will be closed for event parking are as follows:
– Lakeshore Drive, both lanes from Division Avenue to Olympic Drive.
– Uhl Avenue from Olympic Drive to Division Avenue.
– Austin Road from Uhl Avenue to Lakeshore Drive.
The entrance point for the event parking will be located at Austin Drive and Uhl Avenue which can be accessed from Pine Avenue
There are several laws and rules that you need to be aware of while attending this event. These rules will be enforced via citation, removal from the park and/or arrest:
– No alcoholic beverages are allowed in the park. This includes open and sealed alcoholic beverages.
– No glass containers are allowed in the park.
– Pets must be on a 6-foot leash and you must pick up and dispose of pet waste
– No smoking is allowed inside the park.
– No unpermitted fireworks are allowed anywhere in the city of Clearlake. It is unlawful for any person to possess, use, sell, or explode any unpermitted fireworks within the city limits.
“We appreciate all the work that went into making this event possible so that our citizens can enjoy a celebration of our independence. Please honor that work by following the rules that are in place for your safety and the enjoyment for everyone,” city officials said in a Wednesday statement.
The outdoor event, sponsored by the Clearlake Lions Club, is scheduled to begin at approximately 4 p.m. with food vendors inside Austin Park.
The fireworks will be fired off at dark, at around 9 p.m. The event will be over immediately following the fireworks show.
The fireworks display is designed to be viewed from your vehicle although there will be limited space available inside Austin Park – designated by visible circles – for people without vehicles. These circles will be spread out to maintain social distancing.
Compliance with health orders is required to include masking and social distancing. Facemasks are required per order of the county health officer.
The temporary construction fencing around the perimeter of the park will remain in place throughout the event in order to limit access to designated areas such as the parking lots and main walkways.
Event parking is limited and will be on a first-come, first-served basis. It is recommended to arrive early to obtain your parking space. There will be no readmittance for parking once you leave the event parking area.
There will be road closures in the area. The entire surrounding area of Austin Park will be closed off to through traffic with the exception of Olympic Drive. Please choose an alternate route to navigate around the event for through traffic.
The roads that will be closed for event parking are as follows:
– Lakeshore Drive, both lanes from Division Avenue to Olympic Drive.
– Uhl Avenue from Olympic Drive to Division Avenue.
– Austin Road from Uhl Avenue to Lakeshore Drive.
The entrance point for the event parking will be located at Austin Drive and Uhl Avenue which can be accessed from Pine Avenue
There are several laws and rules that you need to be aware of while attending this event. These rules will be enforced via citation, removal from the park and/or arrest:
– No alcoholic beverages are allowed in the park. This includes open and sealed alcoholic beverages.
– No glass containers are allowed in the park.
– Pets must be on a 6-foot leash and you must pick up and dispose of pet waste
– No smoking is allowed inside the park.
– No unpermitted fireworks are allowed anywhere in the city of Clearlake. It is unlawful for any person to possess, use, sell, or explode any unpermitted fireworks within the city limits.
“We appreciate all the work that went into making this event possible so that our citizens can enjoy a celebration of our independence. Please honor that work by following the rules that are in place for your safety and the enjoyment for everyone,” city officials said in a Wednesday statement.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Wherever people choose to observe Independence Day in the state, they can expect the California Highway Patrol to be out in force for a maximum enforcement period, or MEP, from 6 p.m. on Friday, July 3, to midnight, Sunday, July 5.
As California gradually reopens, many people will be eager to celebrate the holiday weekend with family and friends.
To help reduce the risk and slow the spread of COVID-19, the California Department of Public Health is urging the public to avoid traveling long distances for vacations or pleasure as much as possible.
However, if you decide to leave home, take steps to keep everyone safe like wearing face coverings, physical distancing, and washing hands frequently.
"Should the upcoming weekend include a road trip, stay safe and healthy with a few additional precautions," said CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley. “Obeying speed limits, buckling up, and not driving impaired or distracted will be more important than ever.”
Traffic has been lighter on California roadways the past few months, which has resulted in an increase in citations for excessive speed.
Motorists are encouraged to take their time this holiday weekend and arrive safely at their destination.
During the recent Memorial Day MEP, CHP officers issued 458 citations for speeding in excess of 100 mph, which is a 173-percent increase from the same period in 2019.
The 2019 Independence Day MEP was four and a half days, which was two days longer than the upcoming MEP.
During that 102-hour enforcement effort, 36 people lost their lives in traffic crashes, 21 within CHP jurisdiction. Of those 21 individuals, 11 were not wearing seat belts.
Additionally, CHP officers made 1,317 arrests for driving under the influence.
“However you choose to celebrate the weekend, do it without putting yourself or others at risk,” said Commissioner Stanley.
As California gradually reopens, many people will be eager to celebrate the holiday weekend with family and friends.
To help reduce the risk and slow the spread of COVID-19, the California Department of Public Health is urging the public to avoid traveling long distances for vacations or pleasure as much as possible.
However, if you decide to leave home, take steps to keep everyone safe like wearing face coverings, physical distancing, and washing hands frequently.
"Should the upcoming weekend include a road trip, stay safe and healthy with a few additional precautions," said CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley. “Obeying speed limits, buckling up, and not driving impaired or distracted will be more important than ever.”
Traffic has been lighter on California roadways the past few months, which has resulted in an increase in citations for excessive speed.
Motorists are encouraged to take their time this holiday weekend and arrive safely at their destination.
During the recent Memorial Day MEP, CHP officers issued 458 citations for speeding in excess of 100 mph, which is a 173-percent increase from the same period in 2019.
The 2019 Independence Day MEP was four and a half days, which was two days longer than the upcoming MEP.
During that 102-hour enforcement effort, 36 people lost their lives in traffic crashes, 21 within CHP jurisdiction. Of those 21 individuals, 11 were not wearing seat belts.
Additionally, CHP officers made 1,317 arrests for driving under the influence.
“However you choose to celebrate the weekend, do it without putting yourself or others at risk,” said Commissioner Stanley.
NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office is seeking leads in its efforts to identify the man responsible for an armed robbery on Monday night at a Ukiah market.
The agency said that at 10:40 p.m. Monday its deputies were dispatched to an armed robbery at the Express Market located at 3141 North State St.
Deputies responded to the location and contacted employees who stated a male subject entered the business and approached the checkout area. The male subject displayed a black semi-automatic handgun and demanded money.
The employee fled towards the back of the business and the male subject walked around the counter to the area of the cash register, according to the report.
The male subject forcibly removed the cash drawer containing an undisclosed amount of US currency, and fled the area on foot, the agency reported.
The male subject was described as being a white male adult, approximately 5 feet 11 inches to 6 feet tall, 190 to 200 pounds in weight, with blond hair. The sheriff’s office said the male subject was wearing white tennis shoes, gray pants, a black long-sleeved shirt, gloves, a multi-colored face mask and had a gray shirt tied around his head.
Anyone with information regarding the identity of this subject is urged to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff's Dispatch center at 707-463-4086.
Information can be given anonymously using the Sheriff's Office Tip Line at 707-234-2100 or by contacting the WeTip Anonymous Crime Reporting Hotline at http://wetip.com or by calling 800-732-7463.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County’s Public Health officer said Wednesday that testing has confirmed 19 new cases of COVID-19 in the county.
The 19 new cases reported on Wednesday bring the county’s total to 79, Dr. Gary Pace reported.
It’s the largest single-day spike in confirmed cases for Lake County since the pandemic began.
“Lake County has experienced a significant rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases over the last week,” said Pace, noting that on June 25 the county was at 42 total cases.
Of Lake County’s 79 cases, 39 are active and 40 are recovered, with four people currently in the hospital, Pace said.
Pace said that none of the four hospitalized cases have been intubated.
“Thankfully, most of the people recently infected have relatively mild symptoms. The newly diagnosed folks with mild symptoms are stable and isolating at home with daily check-ins with Public Health,” he said.
Of the 37 cases reported since June 25, Pace said at least half resulted from an outbreak in the farmworker community, with the other cases stemming from a variety of sources.
“This pattern of spread indicates that there is at least some community transmission,” Pace said.
Pace said the initial case in the outbreak in the farmworker community was identified last week. The day after it was identified, a standup testing site was erected and more than 300 people were tested at that time.
Because of slow-downs in lab processing at the state level, Pace said the results are just now coming in.
The Public Health COVID-19 dashboard showed that 5,068 tests have been conducted, with the results from 911 of those tests still pending as of Wednesday evening.
There also have been details requiring confirmation for appropriate documentation, Pace said. For example, some of those tested work in Lake County but reside in another county, and will be added to the total in their county of residence.
“We are hopeful all results will be available by the end of the day,” he said.
Pace said the agricultural community and the farmworker representatives have all been extremely helpful and cooperative in testing and coordination. “Their operations have been put on hold until we are able to get on top of the spread.”
Some of the other cases confirmed over the past week involve several separate contacts with people out of the area who were later confirmed positive. “A few of the new cases have no identifiable source,” Pace said.
Pace said Lake County’s uptick in cases is consistent with statewide trends, which in recent weeks have shown a case surge.
By early Wednesday evening, more than 233,000 cases and 6,100 deaths statewide had been reported, based on Public Health departments reports.
Case investigation process explained
Pace said that the Lake County Health Department’s process in handling a confirmed case of COVID-19 is to do a “case investigation.”
They get information about the likely source of the infection and the people who have been in contact with the individual who has tested positive, and then they provide education regarding how to isolate, Pace said.
“Then, the people identified as contacts during the contagious period will get a call, and they are encouraged to quarantine and given information on how and where to get tested,” he said.
In situations where someone who tests positive has a job working with the public, Pace said the Health Department encourages the business to inform anyone who was present during the relevant time periods about the positive case.
Pace said any business is at risk now, so if one of the stores you go to informs the public of an employee who turns positive, “this is a very positive thing for that business to do.”
He added, “By being transparent about when infections may be present, the public can be reassured in those businesses that at other times, they are relatively safe. We strongly encourage the business community to work with the Health Department in letting the public know when a positive case occurs amongst their employees.”
Pace also continued to urge people to wear masks and practice social distancing to protect themselves and others.
“When investigating the contacts, it is clear people who wear masks and engage in social distancing are causing fewer of their friends and family to get COVID-19. Those who live in a household with individuals with underlying medical conditions or other vulnerabilities to severe complications must be particularly cautious,” he 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 19 new cases reported on Wednesday bring the county’s total to 79, Dr. Gary Pace reported.
It’s the largest single-day spike in confirmed cases for Lake County since the pandemic began.
“Lake County has experienced a significant rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases over the last week,” said Pace, noting that on June 25 the county was at 42 total cases.
Of Lake County’s 79 cases, 39 are active and 40 are recovered, with four people currently in the hospital, Pace said.
Pace said that none of the four hospitalized cases have been intubated.
“Thankfully, most of the people recently infected have relatively mild symptoms. The newly diagnosed folks with mild symptoms are stable and isolating at home with daily check-ins with Public Health,” he said.
Of the 37 cases reported since June 25, Pace said at least half resulted from an outbreak in the farmworker community, with the other cases stemming from a variety of sources.
“This pattern of spread indicates that there is at least some community transmission,” Pace said.
Pace said the initial case in the outbreak in the farmworker community was identified last week. The day after it was identified, a standup testing site was erected and more than 300 people were tested at that time.
Because of slow-downs in lab processing at the state level, Pace said the results are just now coming in.
The Public Health COVID-19 dashboard showed that 5,068 tests have been conducted, with the results from 911 of those tests still pending as of Wednesday evening.
There also have been details requiring confirmation for appropriate documentation, Pace said. For example, some of those tested work in Lake County but reside in another county, and will be added to the total in their county of residence.
“We are hopeful all results will be available by the end of the day,” he said.
Pace said the agricultural community and the farmworker representatives have all been extremely helpful and cooperative in testing and coordination. “Their operations have been put on hold until we are able to get on top of the spread.”
Some of the other cases confirmed over the past week involve several separate contacts with people out of the area who were later confirmed positive. “A few of the new cases have no identifiable source,” Pace said.
Pace said Lake County’s uptick in cases is consistent with statewide trends, which in recent weeks have shown a case surge.
By early Wednesday evening, more than 233,000 cases and 6,100 deaths statewide had been reported, based on Public Health departments reports.
Case investigation process explained
Pace said that the Lake County Health Department’s process in handling a confirmed case of COVID-19 is to do a “case investigation.”
They get information about the likely source of the infection and the people who have been in contact with the individual who has tested positive, and then they provide education regarding how to isolate, Pace said.
“Then, the people identified as contacts during the contagious period will get a call, and they are encouraged to quarantine and given information on how and where to get tested,” he said.
In situations where someone who tests positive has a job working with the public, Pace said the Health Department encourages the business to inform anyone who was present during the relevant time periods about the positive case.
Pace said any business is at risk now, so if one of the stores you go to informs the public of an employee who turns positive, “this is a very positive thing for that business to do.”
He added, “By being transparent about when infections may be present, the public can be reassured in those businesses that at other times, they are relatively safe. We strongly encourage the business community to work with the Health Department in letting the public know when a positive case occurs amongst their employees.”
Pace also continued to urge people to wear masks and practice social distancing to protect themselves and others.
“When investigating the contacts, it is clear people who wear masks and engage in social distancing are causing fewer of their friends and family to get COVID-19. Those who live in a household with individuals with underlying medical conditions or other vulnerabilities to severe complications must be particularly cautious,” he said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at