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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The committee, or LEDAC, will meet from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
The meeting is open to the public.
It will also be available via Zoom. The meeting ID is 842 2886 1335, pass code is 594383 or join by phone, 669 900 6833.
LEDAC Chair Wilda Shock said Dale Stoebe, Lakeport's new chief of police, will be the guest presenter and bring them news from the police department.
Shock said the group will discuss and determine dates for this year's Business Walk program, and plan for the outreach.
“We expect to conduct the walks before inclement weather, creating pleasant opportunities to meet/greet and learn from our business owners and operators,” she said in a meeting announcement.
Also on the agenda is an update from city staff on current capital improvement projects underway for the fall months.
Ben Rickelman, Lake County deputy county administrative officer for economic development, and Nicole Flora, executive director for Lake County Economic Development Corp., will provide economic development updates.
LEDAC’s next meeting will be Nov. 13.
LEDAC advocates for a strong and positive Lakeport business community and acts as a conduit between the city and the community for communicating the goals, activities and progress of Lakeport’s economic and business programs.
Members are Chair Wilda Shock, Vice Chair Denise Combs and Secretary JoAnn Saccato, along with Bonnie Darling, Jeff Davis, Candy De Los Santos, Bill Eaton, Pam Harpster, Bob Santana and Tim Stephens. City staff who are members include City Manager Kevin Ingram and Community Development Department representatives.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A fast-moving wildland fire that began Sunday afternoon has prompted evacuations across a large swath of the city of Clearlake.
The Boyles fire began burning in the area of Boyles Avenue and Dam Road, and is quickly moving along the east side of the city.
Original size estimates put it close to three acres, burning near structures at a moderate rate of spread in heavy brush.
Law enforcement quickly called for mandatory evacuations, which the Clearlake Police Department said spanned the area of 18th to 32nd avenues east of Boyles Avenue. Police followed up a short time later with an order to evacuate everything east of Highway 53 between 32nd Avenue and Dam Road.
A large contingent of air resources — six tankers and three helicopters, along with air attack — are working the scene.
Engines and crews from around Lake County have been called in to work on the incident, with mutual aid also assisted from Colusa, Mendocino, Sacramento and Sonoma counties.
Radio reports indicated the fire is heavily impacting the area of Dam Road. The fire has pushed toward Adventist Health Clear Lake Hospital, where firefighters are ready to evacuate about 30 patients if necessary.
Power lines have been reported down throughout the area. Numerous spot fires also have been reported.
Pacific Gas and Electric said approximately 9,075 customers were out of power across Clearlake and Lower Lake.
Shortly before 4 p.m. Cal Fire said the fire was at 30 acres, with 30 structures involved.
Minutes later, firefighters reported that 300 vehicles were backed up trying to evacuate off of Philips and 40th avenues, with law enforcement requested to hold the intersection of Highway 53 and 40th Avenue for evacuations only.
Just after 4 p.m., the fire was reported to be flaring up again near the hospital, with units requested to respond to the area.
Also shortly after 4 p.m., the fire was reported to have burned 76 acres.
Just before 4:10 p.m., units on scene reported a white male adult in the area of 31st and 32nd avenues attempting to start additional fires.
Law enforcement was requested to respond to the scene and minutes later it was reported that the subject was detained.
By 5:30 p.m., the fire was said to be 10% contained.
At that point, some tankers were being released while the helicopters were continuing to find targets.
An evacuation center has been established at Twin Pines Casino, located at 22223 Highway 29 in Middletown.
For those needing assistance getting to the evacuation shelter, respond to the airport property outside of the Clearlake Animal Shelter, located at 6820 Old Highway 53, for help and transport getting to the shelter.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Volunteers around Lake County and throughout California are preparing to clean up waterways once again during a special event this month.
The 40th annual California Coastal Cleanup Day will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 21.
More than 1,000 sites and 45,000 volunteers throughout California are expected to participate this year, removing trash from beaches and inland shores as part of the state’s largest annual volunteer event, according to the California Coastal Commission.
The commission organizes the event as part of the International Coastal Cleanup organized by the Ocean Conservancy.
In Lake County, seven locations are so far confirmed to be included in this year’s cleanup. They are:
• Clearlake: Redbud Park, 14800 Ball Park Ave.; Clear Lake Campground, 7805 Cache Creek Way.
• Lakeport: Library Park, 200 Park St.; and Highland Springs, 3600 E. Highland Springs Road.
• Lucerne: Lucerne Harbor Park, 6215 E. State Highway 20.
• Nice: Rodman Slough County Park, 1005 Nice-Lucerne Cut-off.
• Upper Lake: Habematolel Pomo EPA office, 9425 Main St.
To participate or for more information, email Lake County Public Services at
In previous years, Lake County’s volunteers have removed tons of trash and recyclables not just from the shores of Clear Lake but local creeks.
The Coastal Commission reported that in 2023, more than 45,762 volunteers removed 376,308 pounds of trash and recyclables from California’s waterways, beaches and lakes in the one-day cleanup event.
In partnership with the California Division of Boating and Waterways, 41 boating facilities and groups participated in the event with 1,799 volunteers collecting 17,641 pounds of trash and recyclables on land and from 203 kayaks, canoes and dinghies, the Coastal Commission reported.
Past cleanup data showed that 75% of the debris that was removed was composed of plastic, a material that never completely biodegrades and has numerous harmful consequences for the environment. The commission said plastic debris can kill wildlife, leach toxins into the environment, and introduce them into the food chain.
This year 45 California State Parks units also will be participating in the Coastal Cleanup Day.
To join this statewide effort, visit the California Coastal Cleanup Day 2024 webpage. Volunteers are encouraged to reuse items they may have at home.
Participants are encouraged to share their cleanup experience on social media using the hashtag #coastalcleanupday. Follow statewide efforts on Facebook, X and on Instagram.
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Lakeport Police Chief Dale Stoebe told Lake County News that his agency took a report on the incident, which he said was reported to police about five hours after it occurred.
He said the 73-year-old victim was at Westside Park practicing golf when he was struck in the head by a remote controlled plane.
“The remote pilot was identified as a male with a thick European accent,” Stoebe said.
Stoebe said the plane operator checked on the victim, “refused to identify himself, and fled the scene, possibly in a white SUV.”
He added, “The victim drove himself to the hospital and received staples and stitches to several head lacerations. The matter is still under investigation.”
Facebook posts by the victim’s daughter said her father was left with serious head injuries that led to him getting 11 stitches to keep his ear attached and three staples in his head. A CT scan found he suffered a brain bleed.
In describing the situation with the plane operator fleeing the scene, she wrote, “How could someone just do that and leave?”
Anyone with information about the case can contact the Lakeport Police Department at 707-263-5491 or
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