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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
The comment period runs from Dec. 3 to Dec. 30 at 5 p.m.
This is an important opportunity for residents, business owners, community organizations and other stakeholders to help shape how Lake County prepares for, responds to and recovers from emergencies and disasters.
The EOP serves as the central framework for coordinating emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts across the Lake Operational Area.
It outlines critical roles, responsibilities, and procedures to manage emergencies effectively and ensure public safety.
The plan facilitates multi-jurisdictional coordination and includes processes for activating the emergency operations center, or EOC, during emergencies.
While the EOP sets the overall structure and operational framework, its Annexes provide detailed, function-specific, and hazard-specific guidance.
This review period focuses on the base plan, with current annexes under review and new ones in development.
To review the EOP and complete a brief survey designed to make feedback submission easy, please visit https://www.lakesheriff.com/about/oes/plans.
Officials said public input is invaluable in ensuring the EOP reflects the needs and priorities of our community.
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
Thompson’s office said the comprehensive legislation will enhance the preservation of America's natural resources, wildlife and habitats.
Thompson served as an original co-sponsor for this legislation in the House of Representatives.
“Reauthorizing our most critical wildlife conservation programs just makes sense,” said Thompson. “I was proud to vote today to reauthorize ACE and ensure the longevity of our North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) Program. NAWCA has already helped conserve over 32 million acres of wetlands across our country and I look forward to seeing its continued positive impact in the years to come.”
A longtime advocate for wildlife and land conservation, Rep. Thompson serves as a member of the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, Land Conservation Caucus, and Wildlife Refuge Caucus.
To date, he's voted to conserve 2.8 million acres of land through the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission and sponsored legislation that led to the permanent protection of nearly 1 million acres.
The ACE Act includes the following legislation, among other bills.
North American Wetlands Conservation Act:
• Protects waterfowl, fish, wildlife resources, and wetland habitats.
• Supports local economies that depend on outdoor recreation, tourism, and agriculture.
• Preserves American traditions such as hunting, fishing, bird watching, family farming, and cattle ranching.
National Fish Habitat Conservation Through Partnerships Act:
• Strengthens partnerships and projects to help maintain healthy fish populations and aquatic ecosystems.
• While making major investments in conservation of natural resources, the bill also includes important measures to enhance accountability and reporting to ensure the effectiveness and transparency of funded projects.
Thompson represents California’s Fourth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The council will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
The agenda can be found here.
The meeting will be broadcast live on the city's YouTube channel or the Lake County PEGTV YouTube Channel.
Community members also can participate via Zoom. The webinar ID is 873 6220 2718, the pass code is 074808. One tap mobile is available at +16694449171,,87362202718#, or join by phone at 669-444-9171 or 253-205-0468.
The council has an extensive list of items of business on Thursday, and toward the end of the meeting they will consider approving the final Nov. 5 election results, which still were in preliminary form at the time of publication of this article.
After the adoption of the resolution accepting the results, City Clerk Melissa Swanson will deliver the oath of office to the newly elected council members.
Once seated, the council members will appoint the mayor and vice mayor for 2025.
Also on Thursday, the council will hold three public hearings, one to consider zoning ordinance text amendments and two for the purpose of approving development agreements with commercial cannabis operations at 14915 and 14935 Olympic Drive, Units C/D/E/F, and 14915 and 14935 Olympic Drive, units A/B2.
Under business, the council has a lengthy slate of items, including the approval of a memorandum of understanding with the city of Lakeport and county of Lake authorizing the formation of a Lake County Regional Housing Trust Fund and award of a contract for the Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Program towing, storing, dismantling and disposal services.
The council also will discuss a resolution recommending the Lake County Redevelopment Agency Oversight Board amend the loan terms for Olympic Village Apartments; a resolution approving the appraisal, fixing the amount of just compensation and authorizing offer to owner of a portion of 12105 San Joaquin Extension for right-of-way; the first reading of an ordinance adjusting councilmember compensation; and an update on the senior/community center project.
Also on Thursday, there will be presentations by Mayor David Claffey and Vice Mayor Joyce Overton, and the adoptable dogs for December.
On the meeting's consent agenda — items that are considered routine in nature and usually adopted on a single vote — are warrants; City Council minutes; the second reading of an ordinance amending the municipal code regarding fire mitigation fees; second reading of an ordinance establishing standards for utility construction and maintenance in the public right-of-way and standards for relocation of underground utilities; authorization of an amendment of the contract for the Clean California Austin Park Shade Structure Project in the amount of $19,333; authorization of an amendment of the contract with California Engineering Co. for the Burns Valley/Arrowhead Project in the amount of $189,569.11; discontinuance of the local emergency for winter storms; continuation of the local emergency for the Boyles fire; adoption of the 2024 conflict of interest code; adoption of the annual calendar of meetings for 2024; and the mayor’s appointment list.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
Following Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proclamation, the California Legislature convened the first day of the special session to provide legal resources to protect California values, the state’s economy, fundamental civil rights, reproductive freedom, clean air and clean water, and working families — including immigrant families.
The special session, which will establish a new litigation fund, comes in response to the incoming federal administration's signaled policy proposals that Newsom’s office said would harm Californians.
The extraordinary session will run concurrently with the regular Legislative session.
“California is a tent pole of the country — from the economy to innovation to protecting and investing in rights and freedoms for all people,” said Newsom. “We will work with the incoming administration and we want President Trump to succeed in serving all Americans. But when there is overreach, when lives are threatened, when rights and freedoms are targeted, we will take action. And that is exactly what this special session is about — setting this state up for success, regardless of who is in the White House.”
“With potentially billions of dollars in federal funding on the line if the President-elect follows through on his promises, we must be — and we are — ready to act on day one," said Attorney General Rob Bonta. "I am looking forward to working with the governor and the Legislature to ensure my office has the resources we need to meet the demands of the moment and robustly defend California’s people, progress, and values.”
“Where we can work with the incoming federal administration, we will," Senate President pro Tem Mike McGuire. "Where the rights, safety, and economic security of Californians may be in danger, we will be prepared and we will respond. New and returning members of the Senate all took a solemn oath today to defend California. We believe in that oath. And we will act accordingly with the Governor and our colleagues in the Assembly.”
“While we always hope to collaborate with our federal partners, California will be ready to vigorously defend our interests and values from any unlawful action by the incoming Trump Administration,” said Assembly Budget Chair Jesse Gabriel. “We know from President-elect Trump’s statements — and from the more than 120 lawsuits that California filed during the first Trump Administration — that we must be prepared to defend ourselves. We’re not going to be caught flat-footed.”
New litigation fund
The governor is working with lawmakers to establish a litigation fund to bolster the state’s legal resources in response to the incoming federal administration's signaled policy proposals that would harm the state.
Senate Democrats, led by Pro Tem McGuire and in partnership with Senate Budget Chair Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Senate Majority Leader Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach), have introduced a budget bill as part of the special session.
SBX1-1, authored by Sen. Wiener, includes $25 million in funding proposed by Gov. Newsom for the California Department of Justice to bolster legal resources, and adds $10 million for county counsels and city attorneys for similar purposes. It also expands on that effort by including $25 million for legal aid efforts and legal services for local communities.
In keeping with the focus of the governor’s proclamation, the bill specifies that the grant funding for county counsels and city attorneys would be related to issues of reproductive health, the state’s clean air, clean water and climate laws, immigrant rights and LGBTQ civil rights. It also would add funding for legal services focused on grants for nonprofit pro bono legal teams, immigration and detention legal services, and data security projects.
Newsom’s office said the fund is meant to defend California from unconstitutional federal overreach, challenge illegal federal actions in court and take administrative actions to reduce potential harm.
The proposed legal investment has the potential to yield significant returns for California families and protect billions of dollars in state funding, Newsom’s office reported. The new litigation fund will help safeguard critical funding for disaster relief, health care programs and other vital services that millions of Californians depend on daily.
It will also position the state to defend against unlawful federal actions that could jeopardize not only tangible resources but also immeasurable protections, such as those related to health and civil rights, Newsom’s office said.
During President-elect Trump’s first term, his administration made multiple attempts to withhold federal funds from California and harm the state.
From 2017 to 2021, the California DOJ filed 122 lawsuits against the Trump administration in response. The state invested approximately $42 million to support this litigation.
This legal action not only safeguarded California’s values and residents but also delivered tangible financial benefits, Newsom’s office said.
For example, in just one successful case, the federal government reimbursed California nearly $60 million in federal public safety grants as a result of litigation. In another case won against the Trump administration for delaying energy efficiency standards, the state's victory was estimated to generate over $8 billion in energy savings for consumers over the next three decades.
In another separate case, the state’s litigation protected billions of dollars in federal funding for California’s public health care and other federally funded programs that provide crucial health, education and labor services.
What comes next
Proposed legislation is expected to be introduced in the state Legislature. In the coming weeks, the Legislature has indicated it will hold committee hearings on the legislation. During this process, the governor will actively collaborate with legislative leaders and the attorney general to refine and advance the measure.
The legislation is expected to reach the governor’s desk and be signed into law before Jan. 20, 2025, the day Trump takes office.
While the state is prepared to lead efforts to challenge any unlawful actions by the federal government, Gov. Newsom said he is committed to working with President-elect Trump wherever there is common ground to improve the lives of nearly 40 million Californians.
Last month, Governor Newsom traveled to Washington, D.C., for a series of meetings at the White House and on Capitol Hill to discuss the approval of key initiatives to improve health care, mental health and clean air in the state, as well as the approval of disaster relief funds.
Newsom’s office said he is looking to build on that momentum to continue to deliver for millions of Californians who rely on essential federal funding and programs that support their daily lives.