News

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has tabbies ready for new homes.

The following cats at the shelter have been cleared for adoption.

Female domestic short hair

This female domestic short hair cat has a gray tabby coat and gold eyes.

She is in cat room kennel No. 138, ID No. 13560.

Male domestic short hair

This male domestic short hair cat has a brown tabby and white coat and gold eyes.

He is in cat room kennel No. 134, ID No. 13591.

‘Shelby’

“Shelby” is a male orange tabby with a long coat and green eyes.

He has been neutered.

He is in cat room kennel No. 108, ID No. 13565.

Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm .

For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.

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

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Following a Sunday meeting, the superintendents of all Lake County school districts have decided to close public schools until early April in response to concerns about the spread of COVID-19.

Although Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace has so far not confirmed any local cases of COVID-19 – the illness caused by the novel coronavirus – the Lake County Office of Education said county students will be dismissed from all public schools beginning Monday, March 16, and continuing through Friday, April 10.

The agency said the decision, announced early Sunday afternoon, was made “after careful consideration” between Lake County district superintendents and Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg, in collaboration with Dr. Pace.

Next, districts will be preparing in the coming days to continue to feed and provide educational opportunities to our Lake County students, officials said.

The Office of Education said more information will be distributed to students and families via their local District Offices before the end of the day Sunday.

The Lake County Office of Education will be providing updates on its website at http://lakecoe.org/covid-19 .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A local woman who has a mission of making poetry inclusive and accessible to everyone has been selected as Lake County’s newest poet laureate.

Georgina Marie Guardado of Lakeport has been selected from a field of five applicants to be the 11th poet laureate for Lake County. She’ll hold the title from 2020 through 2022.

Outgoing Poet Laureate Richard Schmidt, who led the nearly two-month-long selection process for his successor, announced Guardado’s appointment on Saturday.

Schmidt, a cowboy poet who has worked to keep poetry in the public eye during his tenure, will hand off the reins to Guardado at a proclamation ceremony planned for 9 a.m Tuesday, April 14, during the Board of Supervisors’ meeting in Lakeport.

Guardado, who was a finalist for poet laureate two years ago, told Lake County News that she’s thrilled with the appointment and thanked the selection committee for the opportunity.

“I grew up in Lake County and many members of the community have embraced my writing and encouraged me to continue my work,” she said.

Guardado said she wants to return this encouragement by continuing to participate in writing workshops, readings, and other events around the lake.

She explained that in each of her public endeavors, “I aim to include writers regardless of their experience in writing or public speaking; this is to ensure accessibility for all. I am inspired to perpetuate a community of poetry and other forms of creative writing, inviting others into it and supporting those already in it.”

At 31, Guardado is the youngest poet laureate. She’s also the first Hispanic-American female poet laureate for the county, joining a group that’s known for its ethnic and cultural diversity.

Guardado was praised by two previous poets laureate, Carolyn Wing Greenlee and Casey Carney, both of whom also worked to make poetry accessible and vibrant through public events and performances.

“Our Poet Laureate is not only chosen for excellence in writing, but also has to show significant, enduring involvement in stimulating interest in poetry. For this term we retired laureates recognized Georgina’s extensive efforts to nurture and encourage writers across the county,” said Greenlee.

Guardado “has excellent skills to support her utter passion for poetry. I think she is flying colors, really amazing,” said Carney.

Carney added, “She will knock it out of the park, maybe even put Lake County on the map in other regions. Her talent, drive, skills and passion are incredible.”

Guardado has worked with the Lakeport Branch of the Lake County Library on a poetry reading, created and coordinated “Poetry Pop-ups” at the Farmers’ Markets in both Lakeport and Kelseyville, led writing workshops and hosting readings at the Middletown Art Center, facilitated the Lakeport Writers Circle and implemented a new writers group at Harbin Hot Springs.

She’s also been a volunteer co-editor and assistant editor on various projects and has written two chapbooks, “Finding the Roots of Water” (2018) and “Tree Speak” (2019). In addition, she participates in poetry readings in other counties.

“As laureate, I plan to collaborate with other local poets, artists, museums, schools, and native and marginalized communities to name a few to offer events, partnership, and inclusion of poetry to many areas in our county; and not just in the larger towns but all around the lake, including towns that may not receive as much representation or attention, such as Clearlake Oaks, Upper Lake, and Lucerne,” Guardado said.

She encourages writers to join the Lake County Poet Laureate Facebook group to be informed of upcoming events.

The line of Lake County poets laureate

The Board of Supervisors first established the office of Lake County Poet Laureate in 1998, giving the title first to Jim Lyle.

Lyle had held the office for four years when he was succeeded by James BlueWolf in 2002. Since then, it has been held by local poets for a period of two years each.

Following Lyle and BlueWolf, the local poets laureate have included Carolyn Wing Greenlee, 2004; Sandra Wade, 2006; Mary McMillan, 2008; Russell Gonzaga, 2010; Elaine Watt, 2012; Casey Carney, 2014; Julie Adams, 2016; and Richard Schmidt, 2018.

Greenlee told Lake County News that Lyle insisted that the office be a two-year term rather than a lifetime position. “He had in mind the stimulation of interest in poetry,” she explained.

“He, himself, worked diligently to bring gifted poets to read at the Arts Council and did his best to encourage local poets to contribute to the literary community here,” Greenlee said. “Since then, every successive laureate has been selected with Jim’s vision in mind.”

Greenlee said there was some really good poetry submitted by writers this year, but Guardado’s established efforts made a big difference in her ultimate selection.

“However, I was very impressed with the quality of submissions this year, and I’m so glad for Jim Lyle’s wisdom because two years pass in a flash and we will soon be looking for another gifted writer to take up the mantle and carry on the legacy that Jim started so long ago,” Greenlee said.

Carney said Guardado has already made significant contributions to the Lake County poetry community and beyond.

“Her own poetry is exquisite. Her genuine sense of inclusion is sure to expand the gathering of community through the power of poetry, at a time when we need it more than ever,” said Carney.

Carney added, “The selection of Georgina Marie as the 11th poet laureate of Lake County is a wonderful result.”

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

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The superintendents of all of Lake County’s school districts are set to meet Sunday to discuss what measures should next be taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Health officials have so far not reported any confirmed cases of COVID-19 – the disease caused by novel coronavirus – in Lake County.

The Lake County Office of Education said County Superintendent of School Brock Falkenberg will meet with all district superintendents Sunday “to discuss potential county-wide solutions to school dismissals.”

The Office of Education said the hope is that an announcement will be made to Lake County families by 4 p.m. Sunday about the status of schools.

Falkenberg, the county’s six district superintendents and Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace have met or held regular conference calls over the past week to discuss what next steps to take, the Office of Education said.

Based on those meetings, district superintendents sent out update letters on Friday to parents outlining their next steps.

Districts reported that as of Monday, March 16, they were canceling nonessential events such as field trips, open houses, club and sporting events, professional development-related traveling and other gatherings until spring break in early April.

In its update, Kelseyville Unified cited advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that gives three reasons for school closure in response to school-based cases of COVID-19: Decontamination and contact tracing, in response to significant absenteeism of staff and students or as part of a larger community mitigation strategy where there is substantial community spread.

Based on that guidance and available modeling data, the district said that short-, medium- or long-term closures are not as effective as mitigation efforts such as hand-washing and home isolation for those at high risk.

Despite there being no local cases confirmed so far, temporary facility closures and some events in the community have been canceled, which has raised the question of whether local schools will follow the example of those in other areas and close down for the next few weeks in an effort to slow the virus’ spread.

With COVID-19 concerns in mind, Kelseyville resident Arnaud Hubert launched an online petition directed at local officials, asking them to close schools temporarily as a preventive measure.

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.

As St. Patrick’s Day approaches on March 17, the “wearin’ o’ the green” is not nearly as important as having a plan in place if intoxicants will be involved in your celebrations.

The California Highway Patrol is encouraging the public to put safety first and designate a sober driver, a rideshare service or a taxi to make your ride home a safe one.

“St. Patrick’s Day celebrations can often result in a highway tragedy,” CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said. “Plan ahead and do not let the use of alcohol or drugs mixed with driving result in a collision, jail time, injuries, or death.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration describes March 17 as one of the deadliest holidays for drunk driving and alcohol-involved crashes.

Last year on that day in California, seven people were killed and 116 others were injured in collisions caused by driving under the influence, or DUI. It was a busy day for CHP officers who made 219 arrests for DUI.

This year, do not push your luck. Buckle up, avoid shenanigans behind the wheel, and designate a sober driver if your St. Patrick’s Day celebration will include alcohol or other impairing substances.

The financial impact of a DUI can be sobering. Attorneys’ fees, fines, court costs, lost time at work, higher insurance rates and car repairs can reach $15,000 or more in California.

“Temptations to drive impaired can increase during the holiday,” added Commissioner Stanley. “If you are planning to drink, do not get behind the wheel.”

To help keep the roads safe, the CHP encourages the public to report impaired drivers by calling 9-1-1.

Be prepared to provide the public safety dispatcher with a description of the vehicle, location, and direction of travel.

The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of safety, service and security.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control is offering several adult dogs to homes this week.

Dogs available for adoption this week include mixes of American Staffordshire Terrier, dachshund, German Shepherd, husky and pit bull.

Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.

If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets hoping you'll choose them.

The following dogs at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (additional dogs on the animal control Web site not listed are still “on hold”).

‘Smokey’

“Smokey” is a male dachshund mix with a short black and brown coat.

He already has been neutered.

He is in kennel No. 6, ID No. 11555.

‘Ava’

“Ava” is a female American Staffordshire Terrier with a short black and tan coat.

She is in kennel No. 19, ID No. 13606.

‘Tyson’

“Tyson” is a male German Shepherd with a medium-length tan and black coat and brown eyes.

He is in kennel No. 20, ID No. 11202.

Female pit bull terrier

This female pit bull terrier has a short tan and white coat.

She is in kennel No. 22, ID No. 13604.

Male husky

This male husky has a medium-length black and white coat and brown eyes.

He is in kennel No. 24, ID No. 13585.

‘Sheriff’

“Sheriff” is a male German Shepherd with a medium-length black and tan coat.

He is in kennel No. 30, ID No. 13618.

Male pit bull terrier

This male pit bull terrier has a short brindle coat.

He is in kennel No. 31, ID No. 13507.

Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm .

For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.

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.