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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 30, 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, online at https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx and on the county’s Facebook page. Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.
To participate in real-time, join the Zoom meeting by clicking this link.
The meeting ID is 865 3354 4962, pass code 726865. The meeting also can be accessed via one tap mobile at +16694449171,,86533544962#,,,,*726865#. The meeting can also be accessed via phone at 669 900 6833.
On Tuesday, the supervisors are set to discuss just one item: Whether to ask voters to weigh in on changing Kelseyville’s name to “Konocti,” based on a proposal submitted to the United States Board on Geographic Names, or BGN, in October by a group calling itself Citizens for Healing.
The group wants to change Kelseyville to Konocti because the Kelsey name is connected to the enslavement, physical and sexual abuse, and murder of Wappo and Pomo tribal members by Andrew Kelsey and Charles Stone in the late 1840s, leading to the mens’ killing by tribal members in 1849. Their killings led, in turn, to the Bloody Island massacre near Nice and other retaliatory murders of Indigenous people around the region.
A memo to the board from District 5 Supervisor Jessica Pyska and County Administrative Officer Susan Parker released Friday afternoon explained that both the BGN and the county of Lake have received comments on the proposals.
“The Board of Supervisors is authorized to seek an advisory vote of the people of Lake County. The County may hold an advisory election for the purposes of allowing voters within the jurisdiction, or a portion thereof, to voice their opinions on substantive issues,” the memo said.
Pyska and Parker said county staff is seeking input on two questions: Does the board want to pursue an advisory election to ascertain voter opinion of the proposed name change and, if so, would it be a vote of the entire county or just the Kelseyville area?
The memo is accompanied by two proposed resolutions, one to put the question before all Lake County voters and the second that would be voted on by residents of the Kelseyville Unified School District only.
Pyska and Parker reported that the filing period to get the measure on the ballot is Aug. 9 or, if there is an extension for filing for offices — such as when an incumbent does not file to run — Aug. 14.
Correspondence between BGN to the county from earlier this year that is included in the agenda packet stated that BGN could not predict a time frame for how long it would have the matter under review.
BGN also reported that there isn’t a process for “formally inviting the public to comment” on name change proposals, that the agency doesn’t have the ability or resources to vet public comments for accuracy, that it trusts a county board “will issue a recommendation that represents the opinions of those citizens,” and that it does not have resources to provide to local jurisdictions, although staff is available to respond to questions.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
This follows Gov. Gavin Newsom’s call for swift regulatory action to build a stronger FAIR Plan, strengthen and stabilize California’s marketplace with a focus on creating a better rate approval process, and accelerating the implementation of regulations.
“California’s all-of-the-above strategy is addressing this decades-old crisis to get people the reliable and affordable insurance they need. Strengthening the state’s FAIR Plan has been a key priority, and these upgrades will help stabilize the entire market while providing more stability for those who already depend on it,” said Newsom.
Modernizing the FAIR Plan
The FAIR Plan has agreed in a binding legal stipulation to issue a new plan of operation within 30 days that will implement Commissioner Lara’s plan to offer homeowners, consumers, and business owners:
• Expanded coverage: Establishing a new “high-value” commercial coverage option with limits up to $20 million per building, along with past increases for residential policies.
• Financial stability: Creating a sound financial formula to protect the market in extreme loss scenarios.
• Improved transparency: Requiring increased public reporting on FAIR Plan activity and customer service metrics.
This is part of the Commissioner’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy, a package of reforms to strengthen California’s marketplace and maintain strong consumer protections.
The California FAIR Plan Association was established in statute in 1968 to meet the needs of California homeowners unable to find insurance in the traditional marketplace.
The FAIR Plan is not a state agency, nor is it a public entity. There is no public or taxpayer funding. The FAIR Plan is a syndicated fire insurance pool composed of all insurers licensed to conduct property/casualty business in California.
In September, Gov. Newsom signed an executive order urging Insurance Commissioner Lara to take swift action to address issues with the insurance market and expand coverage options for consumers, while maintaining strong consumer protections and keeping plans affordable.
In May, the Newsom Administration released a proposal to increase the transparency and speed of rate change application approval timelines, while remaining consistent with Proposition 103’s consumer protections from excessive, inadequate, and unfairly discriminatory insurance rates.
Insurance rates nationwide have been on the rise due to the impacts of the climate crisis.
California rates have been below the national average and significantly less than some other states, with the average yearly cost for $300,000 homes at:
• California – $1,405;
• National – $2,601;
• Texas – $3,851;
• Florida – $4,419.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
As of early Saturday, the Gold Complex fire had burned 3,007 acres while the Park Fire had burned 307,369 acres by that point.
Both fires have forced the evacuation of thousands of residents, destroying homes and threatening critical infrastructure.
The governor on Thursday announced that California secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help ensure the availability of resources to suppress the Park Fire.
“We are using every available tool to protect lives and property as our fire and emergency response teams work around the clock to combat these challenging fires. Stay safe and remain alert for instructions from local authorities as dangerous fire weather conditions continue,” Newsom said.
Among other provisions, Friday’s proclamation supports impacted residents by easing access to unemployment benefits and waiving fees to replace driver’s licenses and records such as marriage and birth certificates.
It also allows the waiver of certain statutes and regulations so that hospitals, adult and senior care facilities, home care organizations and other care facilities impacted by the fires can continue to provide services and, if necessary, provide care to patients or residents displaced from other facilities by the fires.
Gov. Newsom earlier this month proclaimed a state of emergency in response to the Thompson Fire and the state has also secured Fire Management Assistance Grants to support the response to the Thompson, French and Hawarden fires.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
CLEARLAKE, Calif. — Clearlake Animal Control has dogs patiently waiting for their new forever families.
The Clearlake Animal Control website lists 38 adoptable dogs.
The available dogs include Blanch, a 4-year-old female Rottweiler-Labrador retriever mix with a tricolor coat. She is fully vaccinated, microchipped and spayed.
Staff said Blanch loves snuggles and lying in a comfy bed. They said she would do amazing with any family, as she loves walks and having fun. “She would be perfect for anyone who loves adventures and long hikes or a person who lives in an apartment and likes to stay home and relax,” they said, adding she’s a one size fits all kind of dog.”
There is also “Cutie Pie,” a 3-year-old female pit bull terrier mix with a red and bronze coat.
Staff said Cutie Pie also is a snuggler who is great on a leash and likes to take long walks. She is spayed, up-to-date on vaccines, microchipped and ready for her forever home.
The shelter is located at 6820 Old Highway 53. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
For more information, call the shelter at 707-762-6227, email
This week’s adoptable dogs are featured below.
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