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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The California Department of Parks and Recreation has awarded the city of Lakeport a multimillion-dollar grant to build a new lakeside park at the former Natural High School site.

The state announced that it has awarded Lakeport $5,947,621 for the Lakefront Park project.

The funds will cover the city’s purchase of the 6.9-acre property located at 800 N. Main St. in Lakeport from the Lakeport Unified School District, as well as the construction of a new skate park, splash pad, basketball court, amphitheater, exercise circuit, five picnic areas with shade, concessions/restroom building, parking lot, public art with landscaping and lighting throughout the park, and the renovation of an existing boat ramp.

“We’re thrilled,” said Lakeport Assistant City Manager Kevin Ingram.

“It was quite a process and it will be quite a bit of work going forward, for sure,” Ingram added.

He noted that it’s a huge award for the city, adding that the grant is about the same amount as the city’s general fund for one year.

Lakeport’s new park is among 62 projects selected to receive $254,942,000 in Proposition 68 funding in the Statewide Park Program’s third round of awards.

The state reported that it received 478 applications requesting $2.3 billion for the available $254.9 million in this round. The average grant request statewide was $4.8 million, and the average grant amount was $4.1 million.

City followed extensive public input process

California voters approved Proposition 68, the Parks and Water Bond Act of 2018, which authorizes $4 billion in general obligation bonds meant for projects that extend from local and state parks to flood protection, water infrastructure, environmental protection and habitat restoration.

Last year, the city of Lakeport and the county of Lake applied for Proposition 68 funds for park projects. Lakeport’s grant award is the only one in Lake County in the newly announced round of awards.

The city of Lakeport held a series of five public meetings over the course of four months last year, which Ingram said was a key component of the grant.

At those meetings, city staff and the consultants gathered information to create the plan that ultimately was submitted to the state by the August deadline. Part of the public input process also included an online survey offered in both English and Spanish.

He said the grant proposal also built on the lakefront revitalization plan that the city created in 2017 and the council approved in September of that year.

One of the chief complaints from community members about the lakefront revitalization plan, said Ingram, was that at first there was no clear way to fund it.

However, by having the lakefront revitalization plan ready, Ingram said the city was able to pursue the funding when it became available. “You gotta have your homework done.”

Public Health Advocates Inc., a Davis-based nonprofit that helped write the Proposition 68 bond funding language, approached the city to help it with pursuing the grant. Ingram credited the firm with its work for making the grant award a possibility.

The city and the Lakeport Unified School District have discussed the city’s purchase of the property several times over the years, and even if it hadn’t won the grant, Ingram said, “The council’s been committed to continuing with the school district on the acquisitions, regardless.”

At the same time as the grant was being prepared and submitted last year, the Lakeport Unified School District began the process required under state education code to sell the property.

That included convening a 7-11 Committee, also known as a District Advisory Committee, according to the California Department of Education.

The state said a 7-11 Committee – so named due to the state legislative requirements to have at least seven members but no more than 11 – gathers facts when the district considers closing a school or, in this case, selling a property.

Lakeport Unified School District Superintendent Jill Falconer said the district’s 7-11 Committee submitted a report and recommendations last year and the school board declared the property surplus at its Sept. 11 meeting.

Falconer said the school board also directed the administration to begin the Education Code priority offer process for surplus school district real property.

She said the district and city are currently in discussions regarding the site and they have a meeting planned on Wednesday during which they will continue the discussions.

Ingram separately confirmed that Falconer and City Manager Margaret Silveira are set to discuss the property on Wednesday.

“Further board action may be necessary to complete any sale of the surplus property,” Falconer said.

A quick turnaround

As for the next steps for the city, in addition to completing the property acquisition from the school district, Ingram said the city already has started on the required environmental study, which it needs to have completed by the summer.

He said he expects it will take some time for the state Department of Parks and Recreation to get its contract in place to disburse the money, and then there will need to be council action to accept the funds and agree to the contract terms.

Then the city will need to get engineering plans and put the project out to bid in order to have it constructed in time, Ingram said.

The park will need to be open to the public in 2022, which Ingram said is a “really tight deadline” and a very quick turnaround for a government project.

Ingram called the Natural High property a “really, really awesome location.” It’s been important to the community for a long time and is “a big piece to a lot of our other efforts,” including a lakeside promenade.

It’s also located just down the street from the former Bank of America building, which was donated to the city of Lakeport last year. The city is turning the former bank into a community center.

Ingram said receiving the grant is a great win in itself, but is positive for both residents and visitors alike.

He envisioned what the park will offer the community in the years to come. Just one example – future productions of Shakespeare in the Park in the new amphitheater slated to be built there.

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. – The Lake County Fair Board of Directors announced that it has selected Sheli Wright as the new chief executive officer of the fair, also known as the 49th District Agricultural Association.

She succeeds Courtny Conkle, who left in September to take over as Wyoming State Fair manager, as Lake County News has reported.

Wright will officially begin her duties as the Lake County Fair CEO on March 16.

The fair board said Wright, who is excited about leading the fair into the 2020s, believes the fair is the heart of the rural community.

Wright is a long-term community member who grew up showing animals, participating in events and cheering in the grandstands of the Lake County Fair.

She previously worked as manager for the State Council on Developmental Disabilities’ North Coast Region Office, serving individuals in Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties.

“I am confident Ms. Wright will be an excellent addition to the Lake County Fair,” said Fair Board President Tom Turner. “She is sharp, community-minded, and organized with a desire to preserve the fairgrounds and the District Agriculture Association not only for the state of California but, more importantly, for the community of Lake County.”

The fair board lauded Mendocino Fair CEO Jim Brown for doing a great job of serving as the interim CEO since Conkle’s departure in the fall.

The fair board thanked Brown for stepping in to support the fair while juggling his own duties in Mendocino County.

In addition to being enthusiastic about Wright’s education and profession experience, the committee and Fair Board of Directors found her to be a business-minded individual with an ability to plan, organize, market, promote transparency and create goal-oriented objectives in order to successfully lead the fair into a sustainable business model for the enjoyment of the public for years to come.

The fairgrounds hosts year-round events and activities including NCRA auto racing, Paradise Skate, the Lake County Rodeo and the upcoming third annual Lake County Ag & Natural Resource Day occurring on March 28.

The Lake County Fair, which is traditionally held on Labor Day Weekend, will begin on Sept. 3. The 2020 theme is “Racing to Lake County Fair.”

For more information about how you can support the Lake County Fairgrounds and get involved in the fair, please contact the fair at 707-263-6181.

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a reported drive-by shooting on Sunday morning and have taken a Clearlake man into custody in connection to the incident.

Don Adam West, 29, was arrested on Sunday afternoon, according to Lt. Rich Ward.

Ward said that on Sunday at approximately 11:16 a.m. the Clearlake Police Department requested the Lake County Sheriff’s Office respond to the 15000 block of Lakeshore Boulevard in Clearlake for two separate incidents that occurred within the unincorporated area of Lower Lake.

Deputies learned that at 10:30 a.m. that day West was alleged to have driven to a residence located in the 17000 block of Morgan Valley Road and assaulted a victim with whom he previously had a dating relationship, Ward said.

West broke through the front door of the residence and damaged property valued in excess of $500 before fleeing the location in a 2003 black Chevrolet pickup truck, Ward reported.

Ward said a resident of the home called Jose Tapia and Jose Tapia Jr. and requested they respond to assist with West.

The Tapias were driving on Main Street near Lake Street in Lower Lake when they saw West driving his truck. Ward said they flagged down West on Lake Street and pulled their 2013 black Chevrolet pickup truck along the driver’s side of West’s truck.

Ward said the Tapias reported that West brandished a black semiautomatic handgun from the open driver’s side window. The Tapias accelerated their truck away from West’s truck and heard what they believed to be two gunshots.

West was reported to have followed the Tapias through Lower Lake and into the city of Clearlake where the Tapias were able to flag down a Clearlake Police officer near the area of 40th Avenue in Clearlake, Ward said.

Approximately 15 minutes later, the Clearlake Police Department conducted an enforcement stop on West’s truck and detained West on Lakeshore Boulevard, Ward said.

Ward said deputies responded to that scene to assist with the investigation. No firearms, ammunition or spent casings were located within West’s truck.

While conducting interviews, deputies on scene learned the Tapias located what was believed to be a bullet hole within the rear passenger side quarter panel of their truck. Ward said the Tapias also provided deputies with a spent bullet casing from where they confronted West in Lower Lake. The casing was collected as evidence.

Ward said the deputies also obtained evidence that was consistent with the allegations and believed the Tapias had been shot at in Lower Lake.

As of Tuesday, no firearm has been located and the investigation is ongoing, Ward said.

Ward said that, based on statements from the parties involved and evidence collected, West was placed under arrest for felony charges of domestic violence, burglary, vandalism, assault with a deadly weapon/firearm, shooting at an occupied vehicle, personally shooting from a vehicle and assault on a person with a semiautomatic firearm.

West, who was set for arraignment this week, remained in custody on Wednesday with his bail set at $300,000. He is due to return to court on March 3, according to his booking records.

If anyone has additional information about this case or surveillance footage of this incident, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office would encourage citizens to contact Deputy Andres Fernandez at 707-262-4200 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Behavioral Health Services has announced the opening of its newest Peer Support Center in Middletown.

Christened the “Family Support Center,” by students at Middletown High School, the facility provides resources, referrals and support for families involved with the county mental health system or that need more information on available community resources.

The center is located at 21389 Stewart St., Suite E.

Some of the groups that we are expecting to start soon include The Parent Café, Art Group, Nurturing Families Groups and Homework Clubs for youth in the community.

The LCBHS Parent Partner will be housed at the Family Support Center. The Parent Partner will provide peer-to-peer understanding, support parents in navigating the services system, and advocate for their needs.

The Parent Partner also brings nonclinical insights on how to seek appropriate services and communicate with service providers.

The center is a safe, comfortable environment in which to learn more about behavioral health services in our community, get connected to appropriate services/programs, and socialize with others in the community.

The grand opening was held on Feb. 14. The event offered the community the chance to tour the center and meet the staff. If you missed the grand opening, please stop by anytime Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and say hello or give the center a call at 707-987-9601.

Community members also can visit other Peer Support Centers listed below.

The Big Oak Peer Support Center
13340 E. Hwy 20, Suite O
Clearlake Oaks, CA 94523
707-998-0310
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Circle of Native Minds Cultural Center
845 Bevins St.
Lakeport, CA 95453
707-263-4880
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Harbor on Main
154 S. Main St.
Lakeport, CA 95453
707-994-5486
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

La Voz de la Esperanza Centro Latino
14585 Suite B Olympic Drive
Clearlake, CA 95422
707-994-4261
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, contact Lake County Behavioral Health Services at 707-274-9101 or 707-994-7090.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Firefighters are making progress on a wildland fire burning on the Mendocino National Forest’s Covelo Ranger District.

The Baseball fire began at noon on Tuesday and by nightfall had reached 60 acres, with 5 percent containment, the Mendocino National Forest reported.

Officials said the Baseball fire is located approximately 15 miles southeast of Covelo near Atchison campground.

Firefighters have determined that the fire’s origin was previous pile burning on the Baseball prescribed fire project.

About 55 personnel are assigned to the incident including one crew, three engines, one water tender and a helicopter. The forest’s report on the incident said an additional crew has been ordered.

Conditions reported at the fire are light wind, 70 degrees and a low to moderate rate of spread.

Forest officials said there are no immediate threats to property or structures.

MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – Mendocino National Forest officials said firefighters are working to contain a wildfire burning on the Covelo Ranger District.

The Baseball fire started at noon on Tuesday, forest officials reported.

The fire is located approximately 15 miles southeast of Covelo and is estimated at 40 acres.

Forest officials said firefighting personnel have arrived at the incident and additional resources have been ordered to help contain the fire.

There is a light wind, temperatures are in the mid-70s and a low to moderate rate of spread is reported at the fire.

There are no immediate threats to property or structures. More information will be provided as it becomes available, the forest said.