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- Written by: Lake County News reports
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Lake and several other neighboring counties have been placed under a red flag warning for this weekend due to a forecast of high winds, and Cal Fire said it is staffing up due to increased fire danger.
An offshore wind event is anticipated this weekend with critical fire weather conditions possible, officials said.
The National Weather Service has issued a widespread red flag warning across the entire unit, encompassing Sonoma, Lake, Napa, Colusa, Yolo and Solano counties.
This red flag warning goes in effect from 5 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, through the afternoon of Sunday, Oct. 29.
A red flag warning means that critical weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly.
A combination of strong winds and low relative humidity can contribute to extreme fire behavior.
During this event gusts of 45-plus miles per hour may be observed in higher terrain with humidity values dropping into the 10 to 25% range.
In preparation of the red flag warning Cal Fire’s Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit will have full staffing available with 31 engines, six dozers, six crews, Boggs Mountain Helitack and Sonoma Air Attack base.
Additionally, Cal Fire Northern Region will be dispatching additional resources as needed for this event.
Cal Fire’s Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit reminds residents to prepare your family, have your emergency supply kit ready, and have evacuation plans in place in the event a fire starts near you.
Visit Cal Fire’s website for more information.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKEPORT, Calif. — Hundreds of people came out on Thursday afternoon to celebrate and enjoy the city of Lakeport’s newest park.
Xabatin (pronounced Ka-bah-ten) Community Park, located on the lakeside at the former Natural High School site, was a longtime dream for the city of Lakeport.
The dream began to move into reality in early 2020, when the city received a $5.9 million State Parks grant that made it possible to purchase the majority of the property from the Lakeport Unified School District, along with a small portion from a family, and to pay for the construction.
Since the park project got underway, it had been called “Lakefront Park,” but that was a placeholder name. At the Lakeport City Council’s Oct. 17 meeting, it voted to approve naming the new facility “Xabatin Community Park,” as a tribute to Lakeport’s Pomo tribal history.
The city also honored the Pomo through inviting tribal members to be a key part of the Thursday ceremony, with a land acknowledgment, a blessing by Big Valley tribal elder Ron Montez and, at the new gazebo, Pomo dancers who twirled in feathers and colorful regalia as part of a traditional dance performance.
Thursday’s grand opening came just a year after the park’s construction officially began.
The Lakeport City Council awarded the $4,399,381 construction contract to Redding-based Builders Solutions Inc. in August 2022. Construction began on Oct. 17, 2022.
Public Works Director Ron Ladd told the Lakeport City Council at its Aug. 1 meeting that the park’s completion had originally been set for May 25.
However, the winter weather of earlier this year — including snow that coated the city — pushed back the park’s completion day.
Builder Solutions Inc. was afforded 150 days to complete the park. As of the start of August, Ladd said there had been 77 nonworking days due to inclement weather.
City Manager Kevin Ingram said that while the park was ready to be opened — the lights are active and the splash pad is operational, although it wasn’t in use on Thursday because of the bands — there is still “quite a punch list” of tasks to complete.
The new sod was recently put in place, but it will be three to four weeks before people can walk on it, he said.
The park features a lakefront promenade that winds all the way down to Library Park. The path around the edge of the park leads to a round viewing area perched on the edge of the lake.
The expansive view from that spot illustrates the meaning of Xabatin — “big water.”
The park is oriented toward Mount Konocti, and it gives the feeling that the mountain is part of it.
Mayor Stacey Mattina agreed with the visual impression that the park layout offers, calling it an “infinity park.”
The park also includes a skatepark for bikes and boards that was the site of special demonstrations by skilled riders, a basketball court, ninja gym, amphitheater, a splash pad shaped like Clear Lake, sheltered picnic areas and a building that houses both a concession facility and bathrooms.
Ingram recounted the challenges that went along with the park’s development.
Despite the $5.9 million grant, “We were a little short,” when it came to the funds necessary to complete the project, said Ingram.
Ingram said the council approved $1 million out of reserves so they didn’t have to cut amenities — like the ninja gym, which had been at the top of the list of what might have been removed.
“We were sweating bullets when the construction bids came back,” he said.
The city was concerned about what the price tag might be due to the supply chain issues that came about due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, he said Builder Solutions Inc. came in with a bid that allowed the city to complete the park.
“They’ve been fantastic partners,” he said of the company.
While Ingram said of the park, “We can see all the beautiful things” that it offers, what you can’t see — the park infrastructure — is built right and will last.
“It was truly a team effort,” said Paul Curren, the city of Lakeport’s engineer.
He said the city is blessed with talent, like Project Coordinator Vince Salcedo, who has 30 years of experience.
Mattina said Salcedo was on site every day, working on details such as which of several shades of blue to paint the splash pad.
The result, said Ingram, “is exactly what we were envisioning,” all the way around — from the grand opening to the completed park.
“This exceeds my expectations,” Ingram said.
With this major project completed, what’s next on the city’s to do list?
A new hotel, said Mattina.
The city plans to put out a request for proposals for the Dutch Harbor site next to the park. She said there already is interest in the site.
Mattina said they also want to build a new pool in the city.
She said the new park will help the hotel project, pointing out that Lake County is an easy place to get to from the Bay Area.
“Build it and they will come,” she said.
They’re also looking forward to seeing new Christmas traditions at the park.
And there is still more to do at Xabatin Park. “There’s a lot of room for additional things at this park,” such as more work along the lakefront, Ingram said.
“This is just a start,” he added.
During a visit last week, State Senate Majority Leader Mike McGuire toured the park, and Ingram said McGuire told them he wants to see more projects from Lake County.
“I guess we’ll oblige,” Ingram said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
EDITOR'S NOTE: The Farm Bureau announced on Saturday, Oct. 28, that this event has been canceled and will be rescheduled for 2024.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — After a smashing inaugural year, Lake County Farm Bureau looks to host its second annual Punkin Chunkin Festival.
This year’s Punkin Chunkin Festival is set for Saturday, Nov. 4, from 11 a.m. until finished at That Ranch.
This thrilling event features trebuchets built by FFA Teams and Open Division Teams in a battle to see who can launch pumpkins the furthest.
Food and beverage vendors including Terped Out Tacos, Scotts Valley 4H famous loaded potatoes, The Noodle Bowl, Grilligans’s Island and Zero Dark 30 Coffee will be celebrating with the participants.
Additionally, pumpkin pies and event merchandise will be available for purchase.
Punkin Chunkin is a true family-fun showcase of mechanical talent and a great way to celebrate the holiday season.
Event sponsors include Epidendio Construction Inc., Evans Realty, Thompson Gas, Bella Vista Farming Co. and Naughty Squirrel Farms.
Tickets are only $10 for event admission. Tickets are available at the gate.
Admission to That Ranch’s corn maze and other attractions are a separate admission fee. Head on out to That Ranch at 4405 Thomas Dr. In Lakeport on Nov. 4 at 11 a.m. to see if this year’s contestants can shatter the record of Kelseyville High School’s 282-foot record launch.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
If you have an interest in serving your community, applying for a position on a city commission or committee is a great place to start.
The city of Lakeport invites applications for the following committees and boards:
• the Lakeport Fire Protection District Board, or LFPD;
• the Lake County Vector Control District Board, or LCVCD; and
• the Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee, or LEDAC.
These appointments would be effective as of Jan. 1, 2024.
Membership on these commissions and committees is voluntary. If you are interested in serving on a committee, applications are available on the city’s website here.
For additional information regarding the mission and meeting dates of each commission, please see the Maddy Act Notice at the link.
Applications are due by 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 6.
Appointments will be made at a special meeting of the Lakeport City Council in early November — the meeting date is to be determined.
For additional information, please contact Deputy City Clerk Hilary Britton at 707-263‑5615, Extension 102, or by email at