News

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The newest Lake County Teacher of the Year is a science teacher known for making the discipline accessible and practical for her students.

The Lake County Office of Education announced that Amanda Laughner, science teacher at Upper Lake High School, is this year’s Lake County Teacher of the Year.

“She is the absolute real deal when it comes to teaching,” said Annie Pivinski Petrie, principal of Upper Lake High School. “Our students trust and feel comfortable with Mrs. Laughner due to her genuine efforts on their behalf.”

Laughner is known for making her subject matter accessible to all students. “I build relationships within an engaging and inclusive science classroom environment. This involves students working together to “do” science, not just learn about science facts.”

Laughner added that she has high expectations of all her students, while knowing that they all aren’t starting at the same place.

“Through constantly encouraging students to share what they know and by acknowledging their growth, I help students recognize they are valuable resources in the learning process,” she said.

Her strength in teaching can be credited to her successful relationships with her own teachers.

“My teaching career was founded on the positive relationships I had with my own teachers. I viewed education as the path to achieve the life I wanted, and my excellent teachers believed that as well,” Laughner said.

Laughner has two master’s degrees, one in education and one in science in forestry and forest products.

This year, Laughner was called upon to support Upper Lake Middle School as it worked to increase curriculum and instruction capacity at their site.

She taught an advanced STEM enrichment course, piloting the course through a partnership with Sonoma State University.

“Her professionalism and commitment to this area of growth was a huge support and model for the staff,” Petrie said.

Laughner also acts as the club advisor for the Upper Lake High School Native American Club, and participates in the school district’s Native American Action Committee. Because she works directly with Native American students, her input to the committee provides valuable insight into their needs.

To add to her busy schedule, Laughner was asked to lead Upper Lake High School’s implementation of a comprehensive Multi-Tiered System of Support, an approach to improving students’ academic, behavioral and social success.

Laughner will design and pilot a new course for students who have not been successful in the regular classroom. She will also help support teachers to embed tier one steps as an active, frequent and ongoing part of their classrooms.

After being selected as district teachers of the year through their site administrators, four Lake County District Teachers of the Year competed through an application and interview process for the distinction of Lake County Teacher.

They are:

– Matt Carpenter, Kelseyville Unified School District;
– Jan Peterson, Konocti Unified School District;
– Jennifer Pyzer, Middletown Unified School District;
– Amanda Laughner, Upper Lake Unified School District.

There was a consensus among the selection committee that choosing just one Lake County Teacher of the Year was difficult, because the district teachers of the year brought so many strengths to the table.

Most notable was the 49 years of teaching that Jan Peterson has under her belt. Peterson is a second grade teacher at Lower Lake Elementary School, in the Konocti Unified School District.

“Jan has lived a life of service to the students in her classroom. Her quiet caring and willingness to go above and beyond was evident in our conversations,” said Deputy Superintendent of Schools Cynthia Lenners.

Besides the longevity of service that Peterson has provided to Lake County students, she is also considered an innovator in education.

She started a computer lab at Burns Valley Elementary School in 1985 with a grant from IBM. In 1991, she facilitated Math Wings, a research-based program out of John Hopkins University. In 2005, she piloted an interactive learning program using the Promethean Board. Today, Peterson is utilizing Google Classroom to provide distance learning to her students.

“Jan is always the first to implement new things,” said Tarin Benson, principal at Lower Lake Elementary School.

Members of the selection committee included Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg; Deputy Superintendent of Schools Cynthia Lenners; Kerry Smith, current Lake County Teacher of the Year; Alan Siegel, former Lake County and California Teacher of the Year; and Jo Fay, representing the California Retired Teachers Association.

Lake County has had three California Teachers of the Year in the last 15 years. Erica Boomer from Upper Lake Unified School District was named a California Teacher of the Year 2019. Jennifer Kelly from the Middletown Unified School District received the honor in 2011, and Alan Siegel from Konocti Unified School District received the honor in 2005.

Falkenberg acknowledged the high success rate Lake County teachers have had in the California Teacher of the Year program.

“Our Lake County students are being served well by some of the best teachers in our state. That’s a very impressive thing,” he said.

Perhaps, Laughner will be added to that list.

The Lake County Teacher of the Year is a program administered through the Lake County Office of Education and the California Department of Education. For more information about the Lake County District Teachers of the Year, please visit www.lakecoe.org/TOY .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – While many local Memorial Day weekend traditions have been canceled in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Avenue of Flags will go forward with a smaller display this year.

The Avenue of Flags tradition has typically seen nearly 1,000 American flags placed at the Hartley, Kelseyville, Lower Lake and Upper Lake cemeteries on Memorial Day, said Dave Schober, one of the organizers and husband of the organization’s president, Penny Schober.

This year, the display came close to being canceled, but Dave Schober said he decided to go with a smaller commemoration.

Rather than putting up flags at all four cemeteries, Schober said they will put up about 50 at the Lower Lake Cemetery.

Schober said the flags will be placed from the front gate to the George Mitchell Building and the service poles.

He said he and a small group of volunteers will start putting up the flags at around 7 a.m. Monday. The flags will be in place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Anyone who wants to participate must be masked to come to the building to help with the setup, Schober said.

Schober thanked all of the Avenue of Flags sponsors and volunteers whose support over the years has made the display possible.

He said they will be planning some fundraisers soon to continue to support the display, and they always are accepting donations, which can be sent to P.O. Box 980, Lower Lake CA 95457.

For more information call Schober at 707-714-7503.

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.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Thursday, the city of Lakeport issued an emergency order to help local businesses that are reopening following the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown.

City Manager Margaret Silveira, acting in her capacity as the city’s director of emergency services issued the order to allow businesses to use outside property including the city right of way by permit.

Businesses that may do so include, but are not limited to, retail, restaurants, and mobile food vendors, which may apply at no cost for the temporary use of the public right of way, specifically, sidewalks, as well as city-owned and private property for modified business operations as may be necessitated by the impacts of COVID-19.

The action followed by several hours a similar one taken by the city of Clearlake, as Lake County News has reported.

Lakeport’s order, which lays out the rules and requirements, is published below.





WHEREAS, on March 4, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency to exist in California as a result of COVID-19 pandemic; and

WHEREAS, on March 9, 2020, the Lake County Health Officer declared a local health emergency as a result of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020, the Director of Emergency Services of the City of Lakeport proclaimed the existence of a local emergency within the City, which the Lakeport City Council ratified under Resolution No. 2747 (2020); and

WHEREAS, on March 12, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Executive Order N-25-20 giving state and local public health officials the authority to issue guidance limiting or recommending limitations upon attendance at public assemblies, conferences or other mass events; and

WHEREAS, on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared a national emergency as a result of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of California, the Lake County Public Health Officer and the City Council of the City of Lakeport have issued a series of Orders that restrict the type of businesses that can operate and how those businesses can provide goods and services to the public due to the risk of the spread of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, beginning May 8, 2020 Governor Newsom began “Stage 2” of a reopening plan for businesses in California, allowing for businesses within specified industries to reopen with modifications, and

WHEREAS, businesses permitted to reopen must comply with federal, state and local directives and guidelines to ensure compliance with social distancing requirements and other COVID-19 risk mitigation measures, and

WHEREAS, on May 18, 2020, Lake County received a variance from the State Department of Public Health to move further into Stage 2 of reopening based on readiness criteria and the issuance of guidance and plans designed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, to comply with public health orders, the City of Lakeport recognizes that businesses need to have the ability to modify operations which require unique allowances and temporary relief from certain zoning and land use regulations, and

WHEREAS, the City Manager is designated as the Director of Emergency Services under Lakeport Municipal Code section 2.28.110 and has been authorized by Resolution No. 2747 to take any measures necessary to protect and preserve health and safety consistent with Government Code section 8634; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Margaret Silveira, City Manager of the City of Lakeport, as Director of Emergency Services, in accordance with the authority vested in me by Government Code section 8634 and Lakeport Municipal Code section 2.28.120(F)(1) do hereby issue the following order to become effective immediately:

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:

1. Businesses including but not limited to retail, restaurants, and mobile food vendors may apply at no cost for the temporary use of the public right of way (e.g., sidewalks), City-owned and private property for modified business operations as may be necessitated by the impacts of COVID-19, subject to the following requirements:
a. Businesses must submit a proposed Temporary Use Permit Application in a form approved by the City Manager to the Community Development Office, which shall include but not be limited to a sketch of the areas where seating or display of goods are to be moved or relocated;

b. Businesses must comply with all local, state and federal laws, regulations and guidelines governing the temporary use, including public health orders and industry-specific COVID-19 requirements;

c. All licensing requirements of the California Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control (“ABC”), County of Lake Environmental Health Department and any other legally authorized department must be obtained and maintained;

d. The use of the property shall not interfere with access under the American with Disabilities Act, or unreasonably restrict pedestrian and vehicular traffic;

e. No permanent item or structure may be installed except through the normal building and planning process;

f. For liability and ABC Considerations, adjacent or additional space must be on the same parcel or adjacent parcel owned by the same party;

g. Businesses must provide written approval by the landlord, if different than the business owner, for the proposed use;

h. Temporary signage may be placed advertising the use of additional property;

i. No extended use or signage may interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic;

j. The use area will be maintained in an attractive, clean and safe manner. During non-operational hours, furnishings shall be secured or stored inside;

k. If the business is using City-owned property or the public right of way, the business shall provide the City with a Certificate of Insurance in the amounts required by the City Manager and Additional Insured Endorsement naming the City of Lakeport as additionally insured;

l. Any street, sidewalk or other City improvements shall be returned to the City in the condition prior to granting of the Temporary Use Permit.

2. The City of Lakeport reserves the right to determine on a case-by-case basis the suitability and appropriateness of the use requested by the business in the Temporary Use Permit Application. The requested use must have limited impact on other businesses operating in close proximity.

3. A Temporary Use Permit may be approved and issued without providing notice of or conducting a hearing on the application that would otherwise be required in the Use Permit process.

4. The City may impose conditions of approval and set timelines for compliance that is deemed reasonable and necessary to assure safe and orderly use of the property and assure compatibility with surrounding land use, if appropriate. The City will evaluate and may grant temporary encroachment permit to designate public parking spots for curbside pick-up and to help facilitate take out service by customers.

5. A Temporary Use Permit is an interruptible privilege. The City may interrupt operation of the temporary use at any time for anticipated or actual conflicts.

a. No real property right is provided, given or otherwise conveyed to any person or entity through a Temporary Use Permit.

b. The City reserves the right to suspend or revoke temporary use granted under this Order.

6. These temporary waivers, if granted, will only be in effect for so long as the Declared Local Emergency is in effect and may be modified or rescinded by the Director of Emergency Services or City Council.

7. This Order is effective immediately upon signature of the Directory of Emergency Services as indicated below and subject to City Council confirmation under Lakeport Municipal Code section 2.28.120(F)(1).

8. This Order shall be filed in the office of the City Clerk, posted at Lakeport City Hall, on the City’s website, published in a local newspaper, and posted in public spaces as practicable.

9. If any provision of this Order to the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held to be invalid, the reminder of the Order, including the application of such part or provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected and shall continue in full force and effect. To this end, the provisions of this Order are severable.

SO ORDERED.

___________________________________
Margaret Silveira
Director of Emergency Services
City of Lakeport

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – As the Memorial Day weekend approaches, the California Highway Patrol continues to encourage essential travel only and physical distancing for all Californians.

However, those who do plan to travel should contact the county or state of their destination for information on any local restrictions or directions that may exist for those outside the area.

With the potential of holiday travel, the CHP will conduct its annual Memorial Day Maximum Enforcement Period, or MEP.

“No matter what else changes in our world, the people of California can always count on the CHP to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security,” CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said. “We will continue to enforce the traffic laws, help motorists who are in trouble, and educate people about the dangers of distracted and impaired driving.”

The focus of the Memorial Day MEP, which runs from 6 p.m. on Friday, May 22, to 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 25, is seat belt usage.

During the 2019 Memorial Day MEP, 34 people died in traffic collisions in California. Of the 21 vehicle occupants killed in CHP jurisdiction, 10 were not wearing seat belts.

The 2019 MEP also recorded 1,099 arrests by CHP officers for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

During the state’s stay-at-home order, California roads have seen much less traffic, but many more instances of excessive speeding.

“The rules still apply, no matter how little traffic there may be,” Commissioner Stanley cautioned. “Obey the speed limit, fasten your seat belt, drive sober and put down your phone.”

Motorists are also reminded to protect child passengers by using age-appropriate child safety seats, whether a safety seat or booster seat.

The law requires that children under age 8 ride in the back seat and that children under age 2 be secured in a rear-facing child passenger safety seat.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – On Thursday, Clearlake City Manager Alan Flora issued an emergency order, effective immediately, designed to assist the city’s businesses in meeting the challenging operational requirements related to COVID-19.

The action, which the city called “unprecedented,” streamlines processes and eliminates fees associated with utilizing outside space for business operations and mobile food vending.

Based on conversations with the business community, in order to get up to speed again the greatest needs are flexibility and enough space to achieve social distancing.

The May 21 order allows businesses of all types to determine, if necessary, how they might expand into the adjacent outdoor space, whether it is public or private, in order to comply with federal, state, and local directives and guidelines to ensure compliance with Social Distancing Requirements and other COVID-19 risk mitigation measures.

Knowing that each business and location is unique, city staff will process applications and evaluate on an individualized basis.

Additionally, the order replaces the requirement for a minor use permit and waives fees for mobile food vending and allows for additional business signage.

The executive order will remain in effect through Dec. 31, 2020, or until the termination of the local emergency, whichever comes first.

“We believe that our business community is dedicated to ensuring customer safety during this unprecedented time,” said Flora. “We have seen the spirit, desire and creativity of the business community reflected in identifying ways to navigate the new reality of COVID. The city wants to help in any way possible to ensure the success of our businesses. This opportunity is one small idea where we can partner with the business community to help them get back to some semblance of a new normal.”

The full text of the Emergency Order and the Temporary Use Permit Application can be found at www.clearlake.ca.us or seen below.

For more information, please contact City Manager Alan Flora at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 707-994-8201.

Coronavirus 5-21-2020 State... by LakeCoNews on Scribd

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – State officials on Wednesday approved Lake County’s variance to move into the latter phases of Stage 2 of the Governor’s Resilience Roadmap, allowing more businesses to open on Thursday.

Along with the news comes the issuance of a new order by Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace which goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday and continues until further notice.

The new order, which can be seen here, requires people to wear cloth face masks when entering businesses or facilities – the rule applies to workers and patrons alike – and allows businesses, governments and other organizations to deny service and admission to those not following the masking rules.

The California Department of Public Health on Wednesday posted Lake County’s variance on its website.

By Wednesday night, Lake County was among 50 of California’s 58 counties to have had variances approved by CDPH.

Pace said approval of Lake County’s variance plan permits some business activities to resume Thursday morning, specifically, restaurants with outdoor dining; permitted retail businesses for in-store shopping; childcare for all parents, not just essential workers; and church offices and one-on-one spiritual counseling.

In order to open, Pace said there are safety precautions that need to be in place. Social distancing, cloth face coverings and proper disinfection practices are expected at all open businesses.

In addition, all open businesses – including those that were able to open previously – need to complete a business self-certification document and social distancing plan, and post these documents at their entryway, Pace said.

The forms for businesses are here and industry guidance is here.

To enhance customer confidence during reopening, Pace said the chamber of commerce and cities of Clearlake and Lakeport have signs that can be posted by businesses following safety guidelines, called the “We Care Pledge.”

Pace said cloth face coverings will be generally required inside businesses, for both workers and patrons.

Exceptions apply for people who have medical conditions leading to difficulty breathing with masks, who should get a note from their medical provider excusing them from wearing one; children under age 6, particularly children younger than age 2 who shouldn’t wear masks due to risk of suffocation; and individuals who would have difficulty removing the covering without assistance.

“Persons should refrain from purchasing medical-grade masks, such as surgical masks and N-95 respirators; those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders coming into contact with infected persons,” the order states.

As for why he is making masking mandatory now, Pace said in a Wednesday statement, “The evidence is clear: using face coverings can decrease the transmission of the virus if the user is infected but not showing symptoms. With many of the identified cases in Lake County, people’s willingness to abide by social distancing and use face coverings when out in public seems to have led to minimal community transmission.”

He added, “Since we are allowing increased community activity, making face covering mandatory is a sensible, evidence-based way to protect people at risk of severe complications and limit preventable spread of COVID-19.”

Pace said the county will be able to continue taking forward steps only if precautions are observed to keep communities safe.

Anyone that encounters business practices that are not at the expected level of safety can contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-263-8174. The businesses will be contacted and educated about the process, with the aim of encouraging partnership to help keep the public safe.

Pace said a further stage of reopening will take place in two weeks, as long as COVID-19 activity in the county remains stable.

At that time, resumption of indoor dining at restaurants, with proper social distancing, will be allowed, as will some children’s activities, although the specifics are still being worked out, Pace said.

Businesses that Pace said are not being allowed to open in Stage 2 are hotels and lodging, except for essential workers; nightclubs; religious services and cultural ceremonies; entertainment venues, including movies and gaming; personal services, such as cosmetology and hair salons; hospitality, such as bars and lounges; indoor museums, children’s museums, gallery spaces and libraries; and community centers including public pools, playgrounds and picnic areas.

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.