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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
The CHP’s Clear Lake Area office was notified at 8:45 p.m. Tuesday of a possible injured pedestrian in the area of Highway 29 and Hofacker Lane.
Upon arrival, first responders and CHP officers located an unresponsive Hispanic male adult laying on the east shoulder of northbound Highway 29 north of Hofacker Lane, the CHP reported.
The Hispanic male adult was pronounced deceased at the scene for reasons still under investigation by CHP Northern Division, Investigative Services Unit, the CHP said.
Anyone who might have information that could assist CHP investigators is urged to contact Investigator Jesse Rodgers at 530-242-4300 or the CHP Clear Lake Area office at 707-279-0103.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Lake County’s new chief public defender took his oath of office on Tuesday.
As the Board of Supervisors looked on, County Administrative Officer Susan Parker administered the oath to Raymond Buenaventura.
Last month, the board hired Buenaventura, the mayor of Daly City, to head up the formation of a new public defender’s office.
He thanked the board and said he was humbled and grateful for the opportunity to be the county's new chief public defender.
“I take this obligation with great humility but also with great confidence that, together, I really do believe we can change and have a premier indigent defense program, a public defender’s office in this county,” Buenaventura said.
When he came into the board meeting that morning, “I felt at home,” he said.
He said he’d never seen a cat at a board meeting before. That was a reference to Lake County Animal Care and Control bringing an adoptable kitten, Raven, in her pumpkin outfit to meet the board that day.
Referring to other topics at the meeting about the community, Buenaventura said, “I’m in the right place.”
He added, “I can do a good job with your help.”
Buenaventura recounted that, during the interview process, he had asked for help. That includes asking to be invited to different communities, groups and events.
He’s said he’s already met a lot of fantastic people in the county. “It’s given me a lot of hope that we really can do something special here in Lake County.”
Buenaventura thanked the board and the community, adding, “My door will always be open.”
“We are excited and delighted that you are here and looking forward to some real change. We have a lot of confidence in you and are happy to move forward as a team,” said Board Chair Jessica Pyska.
Other board members also offered their welcome.
Supervisor Michael Green said it’s going to be a team effort to improve indigent defense in Lake County.
“This is a great day and an important starting step, but it is just that, it’s a start,” Green said.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The council will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19 in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
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 or can attend in person.
The agenda can be found here.
Comments and questions can be submitted in writing for City Council consideration by sending them to City Clerk Melissa Swanson at
To give the council adequate time to review your questions and comments, please submit your written comments before 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19.
On the agenda is a resolution to support the Konocti County Water District’s proposed annexation of 108 acres in the Dam Road area of the city.
City Manager Alan Flora’s report to the council explained, “This annexation would eliminate the service of two districts Lower Lake Water District and the Creekside Mobile Home Park.”
Flora said the Creekside system was destroyed in the Cache Fire and Konocti County Water District has been providing service to the park via an emergency connection since the fire. Lower Lake serves the Cache Creek mobile home park, the majority of that park was lost to fire.
He said the proposed annexation would allow the water district to install a new main line along Dam Road and provide upgraded water service to the area. “This will be a significant improvement to existing infrastructure.”
In other business, the council will discuss a resolution discussing eight city-owned properties as surplus.
Also on the agenda is an introduction to October’s adoptable dogs.
On the meeting's consent agenda — items that are considered routine in nature and usually adopted on a single vote — are warrants and City Council minutes, consideration to approve Resolution No 2023-42 approving a temporary road closure for the Annual Trunk or Treat, minutes of the Sept. 13 Lake County Vector Control District Board meeting, approval of a contract for copy machines for the police department and city administration and adoption of an updated city of Clearlake Injury and Illness Prevention Plan.
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills, a worldwide earthquake safety movement that began in southern California in 2008, encourages people to practice how to protect themselves during earthquakes in order to reduce injuries and even loss of life.
More than 53 million people worldwide are participating in earthquake drills in 2023, including 17.5 million people holding drills in all U.S. states and territories on International ShakeOut Day this Thursday, October 19. Many will hold their drills at 10:19 a.m. (local time).
More than 9.9 million are taking part in California alone.
In Lake County, 7,092 participants were signed up as of Tuesday evening.
That includes 6,526 in schools, 194 in local government, 167 in health care, 150 in nonprofit organizations, 20 in hotels and other lodgings, 15 in museums, libraries and parks, 13 in childcare and preschools, five individuals/families and two in state government.
On Tuesday, Board Chair Jessica Pyska said the Board of Supervisors will take part and were asked to take pictures from under their desks as part of the drill.
There is still time to be included this year, even after Oct. 19. Register to participate on any day that works for you or your organization at www.ShakeOut.org.
The series of recent devastating earthquakes in Afghanistan, plus those in Turkey and elsewhere earlier this year, are somber reminders of the importance of building earthquake-resistant structures, developing effective response procedures and capabilities, and the value of practicing self-protective actions which is the primary purpose of Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills.
ShakeOut participants practice “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” and other recommended earthquake safety actions for a variety of situations — if you’re near a sturdy desk or table, in a stadium or theater, along the coast, driving a car, in bed, or if you have a mobility disability. Guidance for each situation is provided at www.EarthquakeCountry.org/step5. Many also practice other aspects of their emergency plans.
“ShakeOut is a way to increase community resilience at all levels,” said Mark Benthien, Global ShakeOut coordinator and outreach director for the Southern California Earthquake Center at the University of Southern California. “Earthquakes can be sudden and violent, but if we have taken steps to prepare ourselves, those around us, and the structures we live, work, and study in, we can greatly reduce their effects.”
Many participants follow the Earthquake Country Alliance’s Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety at www.EarthquakeCountry.org/sevensteps, which starts with Step 1: Secure Your Space. This means fastening furniture, TVs, cabinet door, and other items, to reduce the chance of earthquake injuries and damages caused when these items or knocked over or thrown during earthquakes.
California is the state with the greatest earthquake risk according to a study published by FEMA in April 2023. It also is the state with the most ShakeOut participants with more than 10 million expected to be registered this year. Washington State has the second-highest participation level with more than 1.3 million people. Utah is next with nearly 1 million people involved (though their drills were in April as Utah schools are not in session on ShakeOut day). The fourth largest participating state is Virginia – a reminder that as with the 2011 Mineral, VA earthquake, earthquakes can happen on the east coast too. See participation levels for regions at www.ShakeOut.org.
People in West Coast states (California, Oregon, and Washington) who have installed the MyShake app on their phone will receive a test alert at 10:19am on ShakeOut day. MyShake is one of several ways to receive the alert signal provided by the U.S. Geological Survey’s ShakeAlert system. Many cities, counties, school districts, and others are also testing their emergency communication alert systems. In addition, Washington State will conduct a test of their coastal tsunami sirens.
As part of their support for ShakeOut, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, has also set up an option to receive earthquake information via text messaging, including a reminder text at 10:19 a.m. local time (in Eastern, Central, Mountain, Pacific, and Alaska time zones). To opt-in, text “ShakeOut” to 43362.
For more information visit www.ShakeOut.org/resources and www.ShakeOut.org/messaging.