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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A man accused of a fatal June drive-by shooting in Clearlake is scheduled to go on trial next month.
Miguel Angel Becerra, 38, of Coachella, is tentatively set for trial on March 4 after originally being scheduled for the end of January, according to District Attorney Susan Krones.
Becerra is facing a host of felony charges – among them, homicide, assault with a firearm, willful discharge of a firearm and a felon in possession of a firearm – for the shooting death of 40-year-old Steven Stone at Trombetta’s Resort on the night of June 17, as Lake County News has reported.
Clearlake Police officers who arrived at the scene found Stone on the ground with a gunshot wound. He died despite attempts to resuscitate him at the scene and Adventist Health Clear Lake hospital.
Investigators said that shots had been fired at Stone from a vehicle driven on the main driveway of the resort, with the vehicle then fleeing in an unknown direction on Old Highway 53.
Miguel Becerra and his younger brother, Christian, who have ties to Clearlake and Southern California, were identified as the suspects, police said.
The investigation found that Christian Becerra had been involved in an altercation on Jones Avenue hours before the homicide and that, at the time he was shot, Stone was with another person who had been present at that same altercation.
The Clearlake Police Department located and arrested Miguel Becerra 10 days after the murder, but investigators, working with outside agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, continued looking for Christian Becerra.
Krones said Christian Becerra has not been located since then, and a warrant remains active for his arrest.
At the time of the crime, police said Christian Becerra was believed to be driving a 2005 Legend Lime Ford Mustang, California License No. 8KCS533.
“He’s in the wind somewhere, maybe Texas, but we’re not sure,” Krones said.
If he’s apprehended, Krones said Christian Becerra would face the same charges as his brother.
Christian Becerra is a Hispanic male, approximately 5 feet, 10 inches tall, 165 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes, and was 26 years old at the time of the shooting. He’s considered armed and dangerous.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office was on the lookout for drunk drivers and those operating vehicles without driver’s licenses during a weekend checkpoint.
The CHP said the checkpoint took place from 6 p.m. Sunday to 2 a.m. Monday on Highway 53 south of Jessie Street.
A checkpoint had also been held at Highway 53 and Jessie Street on Dec. 27, as Lake County News has reported.
The CHP said checkpoints target roads where there is a high frequency of intoxicated or unlicensed drivers in order to ensure safety for motorists. The checkpoints have been found to be successful and are designed to augment existing patrol operations.
CHP Officer Joel Skeen said that 440 cars were screened and 12 drivers were given sobriety tests but none were found to be under the influence.
As a result of the checkpoint, one driver was arrested for two felony warrants, two drivers were given tickets for driving while suspended, one driver was cited for driving while unlicensed and one car was towed, Skeen said.
“There was one DUI arrest that was out of a traffic collision,” Skeen said. “This was not at the checkpoint but they came across it while they were en route to set up the checkpoint.”
The CHP said the funding for the checkpoint program comes from a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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 CHP said the checkpoint took place from 6 p.m. Sunday to 2 a.m. Monday on Highway 53 south of Jessie Street.
A checkpoint had also been held at Highway 53 and Jessie Street on Dec. 27, as Lake County News has reported.
The CHP said checkpoints target roads where there is a high frequency of intoxicated or unlicensed drivers in order to ensure safety for motorists. The checkpoints have been found to be successful and are designed to augment existing patrol operations.
CHP Officer Joel Skeen said that 440 cars were screened and 12 drivers were given sobriety tests but none were found to be under the influence.
As a result of the checkpoint, one driver was arrested for two felony warrants, two drivers were given tickets for driving while suspended, one driver was cited for driving while unlicensed and one car was towed, Skeen said.
“There was one DUI arrest that was out of a traffic collision,” Skeen said. “This was not at the checkpoint but they came across it while they were en route to set up the checkpoint.”
The CHP said the funding for the checkpoint program comes from a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – A year and a half after the destructive Ranch fire, officials are opening up more portions of the Mendocino National Forest.
Forest Supervisor Ann Carlson has issued Forest Order No. 08-20-02 for the Ranch fire area which opens more trails and campgrounds and continues the temporary closure of selected trails and campgrounds until more fire hazards can be removed.
The new closure is effective from Jan. 29, until Dec. 31, 2020.
Most of the road system and trails in the Ranch fire area have been evaluated and hazards have been removed, officials said.
Forest Order No. 08-20-02 opens the majority of OHV trails on the Grindstone Ranger District as well as Pine Mountain Lookout and Bear Creek campground on the Upper Lake Ranger District.
However, officials said numerous hazards still exist within the general forest, along many roads and trails and in campgrounds.
“Due to the hard work of Forest Service employees and volunteers there are now many fire impacted areas that are safe for the public to enjoy and I feel it is important to reopen access to public lands where we can,” Supervisor Carlson said. “We are continuing to remove hazards such as dead standing trees, exposed rebar in trail treads, and stump holes on trails in order to reopen the remaining trails and campgrounds.”
Carlson added, “Although the end date for Order 08-20-02 is Dec. 31, 2020, we are working hard to reasonably reduce risks to the public and reopen areas as soon as possible.”
Forest Order 08-20-02, including the order, map and list of closed trails and facilities is posted on the forest website.
Forest Supervisor Ann Carlson has issued Forest Order No. 08-20-02 for the Ranch fire area which opens more trails and campgrounds and continues the temporary closure of selected trails and campgrounds until more fire hazards can be removed.
The new closure is effective from Jan. 29, until Dec. 31, 2020.
Most of the road system and trails in the Ranch fire area have been evaluated and hazards have been removed, officials said.
Forest Order No. 08-20-02 opens the majority of OHV trails on the Grindstone Ranger District as well as Pine Mountain Lookout and Bear Creek campground on the Upper Lake Ranger District.
However, officials said numerous hazards still exist within the general forest, along many roads and trails and in campgrounds.
“Due to the hard work of Forest Service employees and volunteers there are now many fire impacted areas that are safe for the public to enjoy and I feel it is important to reopen access to public lands where we can,” Supervisor Carlson said. “We are continuing to remove hazards such as dead standing trees, exposed rebar in trail treads, and stump holes on trails in order to reopen the remaining trails and campgrounds.”
Carlson added, “Although the end date for Order 08-20-02 is Dec. 31, 2020, we are working hard to reasonably reduce risks to the public and reopen areas as soon as possible.”
Forest Order 08-20-02, including the order, map and list of closed trails and facilities is posted on the forest website.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A Kelseyville man was seriously injured last week when he was involved in a three-vehicle crash while riding a motorcycle.
Paul F. Richardson, 65, suffered major injuries in the wreck, which occurred on Thursday afternoon on Merritt Road near Kelseyville, according to a Monday report.
The CHP said that at 4 p.m. that day, a white 1991 Honda Accord, driven by 31-year-old William G. Wymer of Kelseyville, was stopped going eastbound on Merritt Road, east of Highway 29, with the left turn signal activated, waiting to make a left turn into a private driveway.
A red 2009 Ford Explorer driven by Daniel J. Crouch, 34, of Lakeport, approached traveling eastbound, failed to slow for Wymer’s car ahead of him and a collision occurred, the CHP.
Richardson, who was riding a 2005 Harley Davidson Dyna Low-Rider, was traveling behind Crouch’s Ford. The CHP said Richardson was unable to stop in time and collided with the rear of the Ford.
Richardson was ejected from the motorcycle and came to rest on the shoulder of Merritt Road. The CHP said Richardson was wearing a Department of Transportation-approved helmet at the time of the collision.
The CHP said Richardson was transported by an air ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. He’s expected to recover, with his injuries including broken bones.
Crouch and Wymer were both wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash. The CHP said Crouch had minor injuries and Wymer was uninjured.
The CHP said neither drugs nor alcohol are suspected of having been factors in this collision.
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.
Paul F. Richardson, 65, suffered major injuries in the wreck, which occurred on Thursday afternoon on Merritt Road near Kelseyville, according to a Monday report.
The CHP said that at 4 p.m. that day, a white 1991 Honda Accord, driven by 31-year-old William G. Wymer of Kelseyville, was stopped going eastbound on Merritt Road, east of Highway 29, with the left turn signal activated, waiting to make a left turn into a private driveway.
A red 2009 Ford Explorer driven by Daniel J. Crouch, 34, of Lakeport, approached traveling eastbound, failed to slow for Wymer’s car ahead of him and a collision occurred, the CHP.
Richardson, who was riding a 2005 Harley Davidson Dyna Low-Rider, was traveling behind Crouch’s Ford. The CHP said Richardson was unable to stop in time and collided with the rear of the Ford.
Richardson was ejected from the motorcycle and came to rest on the shoulder of Merritt Road. The CHP said Richardson was wearing a Department of Transportation-approved helmet at the time of the collision.
The CHP said Richardson was transported by an air ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. He’s expected to recover, with his injuries including broken bones.
Crouch and Wymer were both wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash. The CHP said Crouch had minor injuries and Wymer was uninjured.
The CHP said neither drugs nor alcohol are suspected of having been factors in this collision.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council this week will get an informational report on regulatory options for stabilizing rents at the city’s mobile home parks.
The council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
On Tuesday, City Attorney David Ruderman will present the council with a report on options for regulating the rental market in mobile home communities within the city.
The planned discussion on the item resulted from numerous residents of the Clearlake Marina Mobile Home Park approaching the council at its Jan. 21 meeting to complain that their rents are being raised dramatically by a new park owner.
The park is for those aged 55 and above. Residents told the council that many park residents are disabled; the park also is reportedly home to numerous veterans.
The rent increase is presenting a problem for those residents who are on fixed incomes. The park residents also own their homes and said they can’t easily leave or move their homes.
Park residents asked the city to consider implementing a rent stabilization act like the one recently put in place by the city of Ukiah.
Ruderman’s report to the council explains that there are four potential mechanisms for regulating mobile home rents in the city.
They include rent registration, which requires park owners to notify the city of rent increases and provide specific information; rent mediation, which allows park residents to petition for mediation of proposed rent increases; rent stabilization, which limits annual rent increases to a small, set price, such as an inflation adjustment; and rent control, which prohibits rent price increases, with limited exceptions.
Ruderman’s report said this is an informational item only, with no action expected to be taken on Tuesday night.
Also on Tuesday, the council will hold a public hearing and receive public comment regarding the Community Development Block Grant program and possible activities and projects to be considered for funding under the upcoming Notice of Funding Availability process. The council is then expected to direct staff to proceed with the preparation of a CDBG grant application.
In council business, Public Works Director Doug Grider will ask for the council to approve City Manager Margaret Silveira signing purchase orders with Magic Interiors and Caliber Carpets for the City Hall Council chambers carpet and installation. The improvements are new floor coverings in the council chambers for the total amount of $10,875.
The council also will present a proclamation affirming the city’s support of the ongoing State of Our Children effort in the city of Lakeport and the county of Lake.
On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances; minutes of the regular council meeting on Jan. 7; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the Mendocino Complex fire; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the February 2019 storms; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the October 2019 public safety power shutoff; and approval of the Application 2020-002, with staff recommendations, for the Shakespeare
at the Lake event, to be held July 25-26, 2020.
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 council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
On Tuesday, City Attorney David Ruderman will present the council with a report on options for regulating the rental market in mobile home communities within the city.
The planned discussion on the item resulted from numerous residents of the Clearlake Marina Mobile Home Park approaching the council at its Jan. 21 meeting to complain that their rents are being raised dramatically by a new park owner.
The park is for those aged 55 and above. Residents told the council that many park residents are disabled; the park also is reportedly home to numerous veterans.
The rent increase is presenting a problem for those residents who are on fixed incomes. The park residents also own their homes and said they can’t easily leave or move their homes.
Park residents asked the city to consider implementing a rent stabilization act like the one recently put in place by the city of Ukiah.
Ruderman’s report to the council explains that there are four potential mechanisms for regulating mobile home rents in the city.
They include rent registration, which requires park owners to notify the city of rent increases and provide specific information; rent mediation, which allows park residents to petition for mediation of proposed rent increases; rent stabilization, which limits annual rent increases to a small, set price, such as an inflation adjustment; and rent control, which prohibits rent price increases, with limited exceptions.
Ruderman’s report said this is an informational item only, with no action expected to be taken on Tuesday night.
Also on Tuesday, the council will hold a public hearing and receive public comment regarding the Community Development Block Grant program and possible activities and projects to be considered for funding under the upcoming Notice of Funding Availability process. The council is then expected to direct staff to proceed with the preparation of a CDBG grant application.
In council business, Public Works Director Doug Grider will ask for the council to approve City Manager Margaret Silveira signing purchase orders with Magic Interiors and Caliber Carpets for the City Hall Council chambers carpet and installation. The improvements are new floor coverings in the council chambers for the total amount of $10,875.
The council also will present a proclamation affirming the city’s support of the ongoing State of Our Children effort in the city of Lakeport and the county of Lake.
On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances; minutes of the regular council meeting on Jan. 7; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the Mendocino Complex fire; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the February 2019 storms; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the October 2019 public safety power shutoff; and approval of the Application 2020-002, with staff recommendations, for the Shakespeare
at the Lake event, to be held July 25-26, 2020.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
020420 Lakeport City Council agenda packet by LakeCoNews on Scribd
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors this week will get a report on the benefit zones established last year in several communities in the Kelseyville area to deal with vegetation management as well as a separate county program adopted to reduce hazardous vegetation.
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
The meeting can be watched live on Channel 8 and online at https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx. Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.
At 9:30 a.m., the board will receive an update from Community Development staff regarding the benefit zones in the Clearlake Riviera, Riviera West, Buckingham and the Riviera Heights.
At 9:10 a.m., the board also will get a report on the implementation of the hazardous vegetation program the county instituted last year.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Approve letter finalizing response to the questions of the Northshore Fire Protection District.
5.2: Approve the updated bylaws of the Middletown Area Town Hall.
5.3: Adopt proclamation designating the month of February 2020 Black History Month and celebrating Martin Luther King's Birthday.
5.4: Approve change to board’s annual meeting calendar for 2020.
5.5: Approve late travel claim for Crisis Supervisor Melissa Mathis in the amount of $588 and authorize the auditor-controller to process payment.
5.6: Approve Amendment No. 1 to the agreement between county of Lake and Redwood Community Services Inc. for the Lake County Wrap Program, Foster Care Program and Intensive Services Foster Care Program for specialty mental health services for fiscal year 2019-20 to allow payment of services rendered in fiscal year 2018-19.
5.7: (a) Approve budget transfer and new capital asset in the amount of $7,500 for the purchase of a vote-by-mail heavy-duty envelope opener; and (b) approve the purchase of a vote-by-mail heavy-duty envelope opener and authorize the department head to sign.
5.8: Sitting as the Lake County Sanitation District Board of Directors, (a) waive the competitive bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 2-38.2, based on the determination that competitive bidding would produce no economic benefit to the county; and (b) authorize Special Districts administrator/assistant purchasing agent to issue a purchase order not to exceed $78,000 to Collier Capital Machine Corp. for an overhaul on the DKM 15 Stage Pump.
5.9: Sitting as the Lake County Sanitation District Board of Directors, approve additional freight and tax costs and authorize Special Districts administrator/assistant purchasing agent to issue a purchase order not to exceed $150,000 to R.F. MacDonald for a New Bowl Assembly for Goulds Pump.
5.10: Sitting as the Board of Directors of the Lake County Watershed Protection District, adopt resolution for the revised grant application and funding agreement resolution for the state’s Quagga and Zebra Mussel Infestation Prevention Grant Program.
5.11: Adopt proclamation commending Water Resources Technician Mark Miller for his service to the county of Lake.
TIMED ITEMS
6.2, 9:06 a.m.: (a) Presentation of proclamation designating the month of February 2020 Black History Month and Celebrating Martin Luther King's Birthday; and (b) presentation of proclamation commending Water Resources Technician Mark Miller for his service to the county of Lake.
6.3, 9:10 a.m.: Consideration of report on Chapter 13, hazardous vegetation 2019 overview and recommendations.
6.4, 9:30 a.m.: Consideration of update from Community Development staff as it relates to the benefit zones in the Clearlake Riviera, Riviera West, Buckingham and Riviera Heights.
6.5, 10:30 a.m.: Continued from Jan. 14, public hearing, consideration of Appeal AB 19-02 Dawson/Guerra.
6.6, 11 a.m.: Consideration of memorandum of understanding between the county of Lake and San Francisco VA Health Care System for meeting space usage at Bevins Court Apartments in Lakeport.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: Consideration of the following appointments: Lower Lake Cemetery Board.
CLOSED SESSION
8.1: Conference with labor negotiator: (a) chief negotiator: M. Long; County Negotiators: C. Huchingson and P. Samac; and (b) employee organizations: LCDDAA, LCDSA, LCCOA, LCEA, LCSEA and LCSMA.
8.2: Public employee evaluations: Community Development Director.
8.3: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9 (d)(1) – County of Lake, et al v. PG&E, et al.
8.4: Conference with legal counsel: Decision whether to initiate litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 5456.9(d)(4) – One potential case.
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 board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
The meeting can be watched live on Channel 8 and online at https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx. Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.
At 9:30 a.m., the board will receive an update from Community Development staff regarding the benefit zones in the Clearlake Riviera, Riviera West, Buckingham and the Riviera Heights.
At 9:10 a.m., the board also will get a report on the implementation of the hazardous vegetation program the county instituted last year.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Approve letter finalizing response to the questions of the Northshore Fire Protection District.
5.2: Approve the updated bylaws of the Middletown Area Town Hall.
5.3: Adopt proclamation designating the month of February 2020 Black History Month and celebrating Martin Luther King's Birthday.
5.4: Approve change to board’s annual meeting calendar for 2020.
5.5: Approve late travel claim for Crisis Supervisor Melissa Mathis in the amount of $588 and authorize the auditor-controller to process payment.
5.6: Approve Amendment No. 1 to the agreement between county of Lake and Redwood Community Services Inc. for the Lake County Wrap Program, Foster Care Program and Intensive Services Foster Care Program for specialty mental health services for fiscal year 2019-20 to allow payment of services rendered in fiscal year 2018-19.
5.7: (a) Approve budget transfer and new capital asset in the amount of $7,500 for the purchase of a vote-by-mail heavy-duty envelope opener; and (b) approve the purchase of a vote-by-mail heavy-duty envelope opener and authorize the department head to sign.
5.8: Sitting as the Lake County Sanitation District Board of Directors, (a) waive the competitive bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 2-38.2, based on the determination that competitive bidding would produce no economic benefit to the county; and (b) authorize Special Districts administrator/assistant purchasing agent to issue a purchase order not to exceed $78,000 to Collier Capital Machine Corp. for an overhaul on the DKM 15 Stage Pump.
5.9: Sitting as the Lake County Sanitation District Board of Directors, approve additional freight and tax costs and authorize Special Districts administrator/assistant purchasing agent to issue a purchase order not to exceed $150,000 to R.F. MacDonald for a New Bowl Assembly for Goulds Pump.
5.10: Sitting as the Board of Directors of the Lake County Watershed Protection District, adopt resolution for the revised grant application and funding agreement resolution for the state’s Quagga and Zebra Mussel Infestation Prevention Grant Program.
5.11: Adopt proclamation commending Water Resources Technician Mark Miller for his service to the county of Lake.
TIMED ITEMS
6.2, 9:06 a.m.: (a) Presentation of proclamation designating the month of February 2020 Black History Month and Celebrating Martin Luther King's Birthday; and (b) presentation of proclamation commending Water Resources Technician Mark Miller for his service to the county of Lake.
6.3, 9:10 a.m.: Consideration of report on Chapter 13, hazardous vegetation 2019 overview and recommendations.
6.4, 9:30 a.m.: Consideration of update from Community Development staff as it relates to the benefit zones in the Clearlake Riviera, Riviera West, Buckingham and Riviera Heights.
6.5, 10:30 a.m.: Continued from Jan. 14, public hearing, consideration of Appeal AB 19-02 Dawson/Guerra.
6.6, 11 a.m.: Consideration of memorandum of understanding between the county of Lake and San Francisco VA Health Care System for meeting space usage at Bevins Court Apartments in Lakeport.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: Consideration of the following appointments: Lower Lake Cemetery Board.
CLOSED SESSION
8.1: Conference with labor negotiator: (a) chief negotiator: M. Long; County Negotiators: C. Huchingson and P. Samac; and (b) employee organizations: LCDDAA, LCDSA, LCCOA, LCEA, LCSEA and LCSMA.
8.2: Public employee evaluations: Community Development Director.
8.3: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9 (d)(1) – County of Lake, et al v. PG&E, et al.
8.4: Conference with legal counsel: Decision whether to initiate litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 5456.9(d)(4) – One potential case.
Email Elizabeth Larson at