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This story has been updated with changes to the testing schedule reported by Lake County Public Health.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Next week, the Lake County Health Services Department’s Public Health Division – with the support of the city of Clearlake, Clearlake Police Department and Lake County Fire Protection District – will provide mobile COVID-19 sampling in Clearlake.
Sites will be open on Tuesday, May 12, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Wednesday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Results should be back within 48 to 72 hours, according to Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace.
Pace said 50 to 75 people are expected to preregister per day for testing in a drive-thru setting. If more than that need the test on a given day, the most vulnerable will be prioritized. Pace said they will only be able to provide testing to people who have preregistered.
Despite limited staffing and a lack of immediate state or federal support, the Lake County Health Services Department was able to procure sufficient testing supplies and open a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site this week.
As of Thursday, May 7, 100 appointments had been scheduled, and 88 nasopharyngeal swabs had been performed in Lakeport. The remaining 12 appointments were either cancellations or no-shows.
“We would like to thank the city of Lakeport, Lakeport Police Department, and Lake County Fire Protection District for their support of this week’s successful mobile sampling site. We would especially like to thank all the county residents who participated and showed great patience with the screening and test collection process,” said Pace.
In addition to the mobile sampling the county has independently been able to implement, the Health Services Department has also received the governor’s approval for an independent sampling entity to operate within the county of Lake.
Project Baseline, a community testing initiative by Verily, will be in Lake County by the end of next week to assist in expanding testing.
While details of the county’s collaboration with Verily are still being worked out, Pace said the intention is to have a mobile site rotate among two to four sites around the lake and operate five to six days a week.
To get tested in Clearlake during the week of May 11, call 707-263-8174 to be transferred to a staff member for screening and registration.
Pace said additional details and testing opportunities will be announced as they are arranged.
Additional information and forms are posted on the Public Health website and more resources can be found at the Lake County Coronavirus Response Hub.
For more information, send an email request toThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call during business hours, 707-263-8174.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Next week, the Lake County Health Services Department’s Public Health Division – with the support of the city of Clearlake, Clearlake Police Department and Lake County Fire Protection District – will provide mobile COVID-19 sampling in Clearlake.
Sites will be open on Tuesday, May 12, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Wednesday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Results should be back within 48 to 72 hours, according to Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace.
Pace said 50 to 75 people are expected to preregister per day for testing in a drive-thru setting. If more than that need the test on a given day, the most vulnerable will be prioritized. Pace said they will only be able to provide testing to people who have preregistered.
Despite limited staffing and a lack of immediate state or federal support, the Lake County Health Services Department was able to procure sufficient testing supplies and open a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site this week.
As of Thursday, May 7, 100 appointments had been scheduled, and 88 nasopharyngeal swabs had been performed in Lakeport. The remaining 12 appointments were either cancellations or no-shows.
“We would like to thank the city of Lakeport, Lakeport Police Department, and Lake County Fire Protection District for their support of this week’s successful mobile sampling site. We would especially like to thank all the county residents who participated and showed great patience with the screening and test collection process,” said Pace.
In addition to the mobile sampling the county has independently been able to implement, the Health Services Department has also received the governor’s approval for an independent sampling entity to operate within the county of Lake.
Project Baseline, a community testing initiative by Verily, will be in Lake County by the end of next week to assist in expanding testing.
While details of the county’s collaboration with Verily are still being worked out, Pace said the intention is to have a mobile site rotate among two to four sites around the lake and operate five to six days a week.
To get tested in Clearlake during the week of May 11, call 707-263-8174 to be transferred to a staff member for screening and registration.
Pace said additional details and testing opportunities will be announced as they are arranged.
Additional information and forms are posted on the Public Health website and more resources can be found at the Lake County Coronavirus Response Hub.
For more information, send an email request to
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The National Weather Service is forecasting above-average temperatures through the weekend to be followed by chances of showers next week.
The agency issued a hazardous weather outlook for Lake County and other parts of northwest California through Wednesday due to temperatures that could range into the mid-90s on Friday and Saturday.
The Lake County forecast predicts light winds from Friday through Sunday, with daytime temperatures into the mid-80s and nighttime temperatures into the high 40s.
The warm temperatures through the weekend are to be followed by chances of rain from Monday through Wednesday.
The forecast predicts temperatures early next week will drop into the low 40s at night and the mid-60s by day.
By Thursday, sunny conditions will return, but temperatures will remain in the 60s during the day, according to the forecast.
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 agency issued a hazardous weather outlook for Lake County and other parts of northwest California through Wednesday due to temperatures that could range into the mid-90s on Friday and Saturday.
The Lake County forecast predicts light winds from Friday through Sunday, with daytime temperatures into the mid-80s and nighttime temperatures into the high 40s.
The warm temperatures through the weekend are to be followed by chances of rain from Monday through Wednesday.
The forecast predicts temperatures early next week will drop into the low 40s at night and the mid-60s by day.
By Thursday, sunny conditions will return, but temperatures will remain in the 60s during the day, according to the forecast.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Police Department urged community members to be on the lookout for counterfeit $100 bills.
The agency said that on Thursday its officers responded to a local grocery store on the report of counterfeit $100 bills negotiated at the check stands.
Officers located a number of counterfeit US $100 bills, all with the same serial number, LB45440078L, series 2009 A, the agency said.
“Please be vigilant for these and other counterfeit large denomination bills,” the agency said in a statement.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Lakeport Police Department at 707-263-5491, option 1, or
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has detected the state's first cases of a potentially crippling hoof disease in two Roosevelt elk from a resident herd in Del Norte County.
Treponeme-associated hoof disease, or TAHD, is commonly referred to as "elk hoof disease." It can cause deformed, overgrown and otherwise damaged hooves.
The lesions and resulting deformities are painful and lead to limping, lameness and even death as observed in other states. When the disease is severe, elk may become too weak to graze, fight off other infections or escape predators.
TAHD was first identified in elk from Washington state in the 1990s, but much remains unknown about the disease. Currently, there is no known cure or vaccination.
TAHD has been documented in elk in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Recent detections in Oregon's Douglas County were previously the closest to California.
TAHD gets its name from a bacterium, Treponema sp., that is associated with this disease, but other pathogens also may play a role. Scientists at Washington State University who are experienced with TAHD confirmed the disease in the two Roosevelt elk from Del Norte County.
It is unknown what impact TAHD may have on elk populations in California or other states. California is home to three subspecies of elk - Rocky Mountain elk, Roosevelt elk and tule elk – that together inhabit approximately 25 percent of the state. In other states, both Rocky Mountain and Roosevelt elk have contracted TAHD. To date, there are no known cases of TAHD among tule elk.
While the disease appears to be highly infectious among elk, there is no evidence that it affects humans. Still, hunters who harvest an elk exhibiting signs of deformed or damaged hooves should exercise caution and practice safe hygiene when processing, cooking and consuming the meat. Hunters also are encouraged to submit hoof samples to CDFW from suspect elk.
CDFW will be working with natural resource agencies in other western states and academic partners to increase surveillance for TAHD in California, plan management actions and facilitate research.
The general public can assist CDFW's efforts by reporting any elk that appears to be limping, lame or have abnormal hooves via CDFW's Wildlife Investigations Lab disease and mortality reporting website.
Additional information on elk hoof disease is available at the following link.
* Washington State University's website on TAHD:
www.vmp.vetmed.wsu.edu/research/elk-hoof-disease
* Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's website on TAHD:
www.wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/diseases/elk-hoof
* Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's fact sheet on TAHD:
www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/health_program/docs/elkhoofdiseasefactsheetfinal.pdf
Treponeme-associated hoof disease, or TAHD, is commonly referred to as "elk hoof disease." It can cause deformed, overgrown and otherwise damaged hooves.
The lesions and resulting deformities are painful and lead to limping, lameness and even death as observed in other states. When the disease is severe, elk may become too weak to graze, fight off other infections or escape predators.
TAHD was first identified in elk from Washington state in the 1990s, but much remains unknown about the disease. Currently, there is no known cure or vaccination.
TAHD has been documented in elk in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Recent detections in Oregon's Douglas County were previously the closest to California.
TAHD gets its name from a bacterium, Treponema sp., that is associated with this disease, but other pathogens also may play a role. Scientists at Washington State University who are experienced with TAHD confirmed the disease in the two Roosevelt elk from Del Norte County.
It is unknown what impact TAHD may have on elk populations in California or other states. California is home to three subspecies of elk - Rocky Mountain elk, Roosevelt elk and tule elk – that together inhabit approximately 25 percent of the state. In other states, both Rocky Mountain and Roosevelt elk have contracted TAHD. To date, there are no known cases of TAHD among tule elk.
While the disease appears to be highly infectious among elk, there is no evidence that it affects humans. Still, hunters who harvest an elk exhibiting signs of deformed or damaged hooves should exercise caution and practice safe hygiene when processing, cooking and consuming the meat. Hunters also are encouraged to submit hoof samples to CDFW from suspect elk.
CDFW will be working with natural resource agencies in other western states and academic partners to increase surveillance for TAHD in California, plan management actions and facilitate research.
The general public can assist CDFW's efforts by reporting any elk that appears to be limping, lame or have abnormal hooves via CDFW's Wildlife Investigations Lab disease and mortality reporting website.
Additional information on elk hoof disease is available at the following link.
* Washington State University's website on TAHD:
www.vmp.vetmed.wsu.edu/research/elk-hoof-disease
* Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's website on TAHD:
www.wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/diseases/elk-hoof
* Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's fact sheet on TAHD:
www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/health_program/docs/elkhoofdiseasefactsheetfinal.pdf
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said it has arrested the owner of Main Street Bicycles in Lakeport as the result of an ongoing child pornography investigation.
Jeffery Scott Cramer, 58, of Lakeport, was arrested on Thursday morning, according to Lt. Corey Paulich.
At 11 a.m. Thursday Lake County Sheriff’s detectives served search warrants at Main Street Bicycles and at a residence on Seventh Street in Lakeport, Paulich said.
Paulich said the warrants were related to a child pornography investigation that has been ongoing for the past several months.
In January detectives received information that they were able to link to both locations as being used to upload pornographic images of children, Paulich said.
Through the investigation, Paulich said detectives believed the individual responsible was Cramer.
Paulich said the detectives were able to identify social media accounts associated with Cramer that had been used to uploaded child pornography on at least five occasions between August 2019 and February 2020.
Detectives seized digital devices from both locations on Thursday, Paulich said Detectives believe that additional evidence will be located on the devices once they are searched.
Cramer has been a coach for high school mountain biking teams at Clear Lake and Kelseyville high schools, as Lake County News has reported.
“At this time there is no information linking this investigation with the schools,” Paulich told Lake County News.
Cramer was booked at the Lake County Jail for the possession and sending of child pornography. On Thursday afternoon he remained in custody with bail set at $30,000, Paulich said.
The sheriff’s office is asking anyone who may have information related to this investigation to contact Det. Todd Dunia at 707-262-4232 or
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace said in a Wednesday night statement that Clear Lake could reopen to local residents this weekend, but that social distancing and other measures must remain in place if restrictions are to continue to be loosened.
“Unless there is a significant change in COVID-19 activity that must preclude the possibility, I expect Clear Lake and its public boat ramps will once again be open to the public Saturday, May 9, allowing lake use by residents to resume, while observing social distancing,” Pace said.
Ramp monitoring for the quagga mussel program will likewise resume, said Pace, adding that more detail will be provided later this week.
“Even though the lake will be open, now is not the time to visit Lake County,” Pace said.
Pace said the changes are part of the county’s efforts to align with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s changes to his statewide stay-at-home order and the beginning of stage two of COVID-19 recovery.
Gov. Newsom is expected to issue new orders – possibly as early as Thursday – and Pace said Lake County will align with those orders.
Newsom said this week that while the state is moving into stage two together, he will allow regional variation in that counties can move more quickly through the second stage if they can attest that they meet the state’s readiness criteria.
Since March 19, Lake County has been under a shelter in place order issued by Pace. Last week, Pace updated his order to last until May 17.
Pace has issued several addendums to the original order. One of the updates, which came out on March 22, closed down Clear Lake – as well as vacation rentals, hotels and motels – following a weekend in which Pace said the county saw an influx of visitors.
“The risk of a devastating surge in Lake County was significant, and Clear Lake was serving as a magnet, drawing activity that threatened public health,” Pace said.
On April 23, Pace began to allow fishing from Clear Lake’s shorelines. Last week, along with extending the shelter in place order until mid-month, Pace loosened some restrictions on the use of the lake, including allowing fishing from nonmotorized boats – excluding sailboats.
“I have been encouraged that social distancing practices have generally been observed, and we have not seen a related rise in local infections,” said Pace.
Lake County so far has eight confirmed COVID-19 cases – six of which are recovered – and Pace said there has been less evidence of community spread in the county than had been anticipated.
“While multiple infections within households have been documented, we have not seen geographic pockets of significant community viral activity. Raw sewage has been tested, and the most recent results seem to indicate a positive trend,” said Pace.
He added, “Now, with the economy reeling, and true human costs associated with cessation of normal activities and isolation mounting, it is time to take additional steps to move forward, and do so safely.”
Pace said that, in time for Mother’s Day, low-risk retail businesses such as florists, clothing stores, booksellers, home goods stores and sporting equipment stores, and the manufacturing and supply chain businesses that support them, are expected to be allowed to reopen on a limited basis as part of the state’s stage two of recovery. Retail stores are expected to offer curbside delivery.
While the shelter in place order remains in effect, Pace said nonessential travel will remain restricted and, with that, hotels will remain closed except in limited circumstances. He said an exemption process will remain in place to ensure lodging is provided only for permitted and essential purposes.
Pace said many businesses will remain closed, including both indoor and outdoor dining at restaurants. To-go orders will stay the norm for a while longer.
If Newsom’s directives aren’t what the county expects, Pace said he will have to revise the county’s plans. He said local orders can be more restrictive but not less than those issued by the state.
“If we see a surge in cases in Lake County, or the state experiences a significant uptick, we may have to go back to greater restrictions. The governor has described this process as likely to include some ‘toggling’ back and forth, loosening and retightening of restrictions, as opposed to reopening being a ‘switch’ that can be flipped,” Pace said.
As restrictions are loosened, Pace said it’s essential that people continue to maintain social distancing and good hygiene.
He strongly recommends people wear masks when out in public and that vulnerable populations – those over age 65 and individuals with chronic medical conditions – should continue to stay safe at home.
People also are urged not to cross county lines, since this is an important way that the virus spreads, Pace said.
Read Pace’s full statement here.
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.
“Unless there is a significant change in COVID-19 activity that must preclude the possibility, I expect Clear Lake and its public boat ramps will once again be open to the public Saturday, May 9, allowing lake use by residents to resume, while observing social distancing,” Pace said.
Ramp monitoring for the quagga mussel program will likewise resume, said Pace, adding that more detail will be provided later this week.
“Even though the lake will be open, now is not the time to visit Lake County,” Pace said.
Pace said the changes are part of the county’s efforts to align with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s changes to his statewide stay-at-home order and the beginning of stage two of COVID-19 recovery.
Gov. Newsom is expected to issue new orders – possibly as early as Thursday – and Pace said Lake County will align with those orders.
Newsom said this week that while the state is moving into stage two together, he will allow regional variation in that counties can move more quickly through the second stage if they can attest that they meet the state’s readiness criteria.
Since March 19, Lake County has been under a shelter in place order issued by Pace. Last week, Pace updated his order to last until May 17.
Pace has issued several addendums to the original order. One of the updates, which came out on March 22, closed down Clear Lake – as well as vacation rentals, hotels and motels – following a weekend in which Pace said the county saw an influx of visitors.
“The risk of a devastating surge in Lake County was significant, and Clear Lake was serving as a magnet, drawing activity that threatened public health,” Pace said.
On April 23, Pace began to allow fishing from Clear Lake’s shorelines. Last week, along with extending the shelter in place order until mid-month, Pace loosened some restrictions on the use of the lake, including allowing fishing from nonmotorized boats – excluding sailboats.
“I have been encouraged that social distancing practices have generally been observed, and we have not seen a related rise in local infections,” said Pace.
Lake County so far has eight confirmed COVID-19 cases – six of which are recovered – and Pace said there has been less evidence of community spread in the county than had been anticipated.
“While multiple infections within households have been documented, we have not seen geographic pockets of significant community viral activity. Raw sewage has been tested, and the most recent results seem to indicate a positive trend,” said Pace.
He added, “Now, with the economy reeling, and true human costs associated with cessation of normal activities and isolation mounting, it is time to take additional steps to move forward, and do so safely.”
Pace said that, in time for Mother’s Day, low-risk retail businesses such as florists, clothing stores, booksellers, home goods stores and sporting equipment stores, and the manufacturing and supply chain businesses that support them, are expected to be allowed to reopen on a limited basis as part of the state’s stage two of recovery. Retail stores are expected to offer curbside delivery.
While the shelter in place order remains in effect, Pace said nonessential travel will remain restricted and, with that, hotels will remain closed except in limited circumstances. He said an exemption process will remain in place to ensure lodging is provided only for permitted and essential purposes.
Pace said many businesses will remain closed, including both indoor and outdoor dining at restaurants. To-go orders will stay the norm for a while longer.
If Newsom’s directives aren’t what the county expects, Pace said he will have to revise the county’s plans. He said local orders can be more restrictive but not less than those issued by the state.
“If we see a surge in cases in Lake County, or the state experiences a significant uptick, we may have to go back to greater restrictions. The governor has described this process as likely to include some ‘toggling’ back and forth, loosening and retightening of restrictions, as opposed to reopening being a ‘switch’ that can be flipped,” Pace said.
As restrictions are loosened, Pace said it’s essential that people continue to maintain social distancing and good hygiene.
He strongly recommends people wear masks when out in public and that vulnerable populations – those over age 65 and individuals with chronic medical conditions – should continue to stay safe at home.
People also are urged not to cross county lines, since this is an important way that the virus spreads, Pace said.
Read Pace’s full statement here.
Email Elizabeth Larson at