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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
John Alan Gillies, 44, was accused of robbing Twin Pine Casino at gunpoint on Nov. 6, 2006. He had allegedly taken $23,500, according to District Attorney Jon Hopkins.
This week Gillies was found guilty by a jury of three felony counts – kidnapping in the course of a carjacking, carjacking and robbery in the second degree, Hopkins reported Thursday. Judge Richard L. Freeborn presided over the jury trial in Department One of Lake County Superior Court.
In addition, the jury found to be “true” a special allegation attached to each of the offenses – specifically, that in the commission of these crimes Gillies personally used a handgun.
Following the return of the verdicts, Judge Freeborn remanded Gillies into custody and set his bail at “no bail,” according to Hopkins.
Deputy District Attorney John J. Langan prosecuted the case, with attorney Thomas Quinn representing Gillies.
Gillies was arrested last December following a 13-month multi-agency investigation that included the Lake County Sheriff's Office and the California Department of Justice's Bureau of Gambling Control, as Lake County News has reported.
The Bureau of Gambling Control had received information that Gillies was allegedly planning to rob Colusa Casino Resort in April 2007, and coordinated with the Colusa County Sheriff's Office to perform a traffic stop on him as he was allegedly on his way to commit the robbery.
As officials searched his vehicle, they found evidence including gloves, a mask and a firearm, and subsequently arrested Gillies for attempted robbery, possession of stolen property and felon in possession of a firearm and booked him into the Colusa County Jail, according to an investigative report from last December.
An investigation eventually linked Gillies to the Twin Pine robbery, authorities reported.
Gillies is due to appear for sentencing in Lake County Superior Court on June 23, said Hopkins.
The three felony counts and the special allegations carry a maximum prison sentence of 33 years to life, given the particular facts of this case, said Hopkins.
Hopkins' office expressed gratitude to Special Agents Clyde Raborn and Michael Redman of the California Department of Justice, Bureau of Gambling Control, for their assistance with prosecuting the case.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Harold LaBonte and Elizabeth Larson
KELSEYVILLE – A portion of Highway 29 is expected to remain closed until later this evening following a fatal traffic collision near Highland Springs Road.
The head-on crash took place at approximately 3:10 p.m. just north of Highland Springs Road, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Adam Garcia.
Two vehicles were involved – a 2006 Ford F-150 pickup registered out of Middletown and a 2008 Toyota 4Runner from Washington state, Garcia said.
The male passenger in the 4Runner died at the scene. Garcia said three others were seriously injured and one minor child sustained minor injuries.
Based on the preliminary investigation, Garcia said it appears that the 4Runner, traveling northbound, went into the southbound lane. The Ford pickup – which was traveling southbound on Highway 29 – crossed over into the northbound lane to avoid a collision, and the 4Runner swerved back into the northbound lane at the same time, with the two vehicles colliding head-on.
Garcia said the account of the crash was corroborated by the parties involved and an eyewitness.
Neither of the two passengers in the 4Runner were wearing their seat belts, and both were partially ejected from the vehicle, said Garcia.
Numerous CHP and rescue personnel were on scene working to extricate the crash victims and control traffic. The crash scene completely blocked traffic, with car parts strewn across the roadway.
Helicopters landed at nearby Lampson Field to transport the collision victims to area hospitals.
Both vehicles sustained major front-end damage, Garcia said.
The names of the involved parties were not available Thursday evening, said Garcia. The identify of the man who died in the crash will be withheld until next of kin has been notified.
Highway 29 has been closed temporarily from Highway 175 to Highland Springs as the rescue and investigation continue. Garcia's estimate for the closure has the highway reopening sometime between 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
CHP Officer Dallas Richey is investigating the incident, Garcia said.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Konocti Kids' Day will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This year's theme is, “Wild About Kids.” Admission is free to the event.
Konocti Kids' Day is a countywide event this year, say organizers. In the past it's focused on children from birth to age 5, but this year – thanks to new partnerships – the event is open to children of all ages, with activities included for older children as well.
The day will include activities for all ages – performers, bouncy houses, car seat and bike helmet fittings, good food and much more.
An event highlight will be the appearance of the 129th Rescue Squadron from the Air National Guard, whose 65-foot Team Hawk helicopter will land in Clearlake on Friday night in preparation for Saturday.
Team Hawk's commander and members will offer presentations and handouts that will educate children and parents alike about the danger of drugs.
The California Highway Patrol helicopter and REACH helicopter also will be on hand, according to organizers.
Other special visitors expected to make appearance are Smokey Bear, Sparky, McGruff and Chipper, and Sutter Lakeside Hospital and Center for Health mascots Heart, Sun and Bee.
Groups including Girl Scouts, Pomo Preschool, Redbud Hospital, California Highway Patrol and Clearlake Police will have booths at the event.
One of the booths will offer the Managing Information on Lost Kids – also known as m.i.l.k. – Digital ID event, sponsored by local Farmers Insurance agent Marvin Carpenter, with additional support from the Rotary Club of Clearlake, the local Rotaract and Interact members, and the Clearlake Police Department.
Carpenter said m.i.l.k. helps increase awareness about missing children, and educates parents about what to do if the unthinkable happens – their child is abducted or lost.
In addition, Lake County Fire Protection District will provide education on everything from fire safety to accident prevention and disaster preparedness.
This year's event also will include a contest to promote the “Wild About Kids” theme. All agencies and organizations with a booth are encouraged to decorate their booth in accordance with the theme, with the winner receiving a $100 gift card to Walmart for their organization.
As part of Konocti Kids' Day, Lake Transit will give free rides to the event or elsewhere in the county.
Konocti Kids' Day is presented by the Lake County Office of Education (Healthy Start, School Readiness Program and Americorps), First 5 of Lake County, Sutter Lakeside Hospital and Center for Health, Lake Transit, Redbud Health Care District and Westamerica bank in partnership with the city of Clearlake.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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- Details
- Written by: Lake County News reports
On May 15, 1850, soldiers attacked Pomo – mostly women and children – living on the island near Upper Lake, brutalizing and murdering many of them.
“Forgiving the oppressor who was guilty of this crime is a way for us, the Pomo people, to bring back much needed positive energy and balance,” said one of the event's organizers, Clayton Duncan, in a statement on the event. “We will have prayers and our children will dance.”
To get to the ceremony, take Highway 20, turn onto Reclamation Road by the Bloody Island
Massacre Monument and follow the road to the site of the ceremony.
For more information please call Clayton Duncan at 274-6788 or Bernadine Tripp at 275-9574.
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