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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Registrar of Voters Office said the nomination and filing period is now open for county, state and federal offices that will be on the ballot for the June 2 Statewide Direct Primary Election.
The filing period is Feb. 9 through March 6.
If an incumbent fails to file during this period, candidate filing will extend for any candidate except the incumbent until March 11 by 5 p.m.
All candidates for elective office must file nomination papers and declaration of candidacy, as well as pay a nonrefundable filing fee to have their name printed on the ballot. Judicial candidates pay when filing the declaration of intention.
Eligible voters can file for candidacy for the following offices:
Federal/state offices:
• Governor;
• Lieutenant governor;
• Secretary of state;
• Controller;
• Treasurer;
• Attorney general;
• Insurance commissioner;
• Member, State Board of Equalization, District 2;
• State Superintendent of Public Instruction;
• U.S. Representative in Congress, Districts 1 and 4;
• State Senate, District 2;
• State Assembly, District 4.
County offices:
• Judge of the Superior Court, Department 2;
• County Superintendent of Schools;
• County Supervisor (Districts 2 and 3);
• Assessor-Recorder;
• County Clerk-Auditor;
• Treasurer-Tax Collector.
Voters desiring information regarding any of the offices listed above may contact the Registrar of Voters Office.
The Registrar of Voters Office is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding county holidays, to assist both candidates and voters.
The Registrar of Voter’s office will be closed Feb. 16 in observance of Presidents Day.
For additional Information call the elections office at 707-263-2372, toll-free at 888-235-6730, or email
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- Written by: Lake County News Reports
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council has approved a construction contract for the sodium hypochlorite upgrade project at the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, an infrastructure improvement focused on enhancing employee safety and strengthening day-to-day operational reliability.
The approved project replaces the facility’s existing chlorine gas disinfection system with a liquid sodium hypochlorite system, reducing the risks associated with storing and handling pressurized chemicals.
Liquid systems also allow for more consistent and reliable disinfection operations and reduce operational constraints associated with gas-based systems.
The city awarded the construction contract to Piazza Construction, the lowest responsible bidder, in an amount not to exceed $970,200, which includes a contingency for unforeseen conditions.
Construction is expected to begin in March and conclude by August.
“This upgrade represents an important investment in employee safety and essential infrastructure,” said Utilities Director Paul Harris. “Transitioning to a liquid disinfection system improves operational reliability while reducing potential hazards at the treatment facility.”
The project is fully budgeted within the city’s sewer operations and maintenance fund.
Officials said it qualifies for a California Environmental Quality Act categorical exemption as a minor alteration and replacement of an existing public utility system with no expansion of treatment capacity.
The city’s announcement on the project said it supports City Council priorities related to public safety, fiscal stability and capital infrastructure maintenance.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee will hold a special meeting this week.
The committee, or LEDAC, will meet in person only from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
LEDAC’s meetings are open to the public.
On the agenda is a special gathering of LEDAC’s Business Outreach Working Group.
They will get the annual performance reports on the housing element and general plan as part of the land use academy, discuss the vacant commercial buildings inventory, receive the Community Development Department’s quarterly activity report and consider the business wall presentation to the Lakeport City Council.
The committee will next meet on March 11.
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 Laura Sammel, Secretary Pam Harpster, Bonnie Darling, Candy De Los Santos, Pam Harpster, Lissette Hayes, Alondra Herrera, Drew Jacoby, Vivian McCloud, Euline Olinger, Marie Schrader and Tim Stephens. City staff who are members include City Manager Kevin Ingram and Community Development Department Director Joey Hejnowicz, Associate Planner Victor Fernandez and Chief Building Officer Bethany Moss Childers.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Craig Nelson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Clear Lake has long been the crown jewel of California’s bass fishing scene, but while the largemouths often steal the spotlight, a "silver rush" is quietly taking over.
The black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) population has seen an explosion in both numbers and size over the last five years.
Local buzz is reaching a fever pitch, with many suggesting the state record already held by a Clear Lake local might be shattered again any day now.
Black crappie aren't actually native to these waters; they were introduced in 1908, arriving by rail from Meredosia, Illinois.
In the century since, they have done more than just survive; they have established a thriving, dominant population that rivals any panfish fishery in the country.
The benchmark for excellence was set on Feb. 17, 2021, by David Burruss, owner of Clear Lake Outdoors.
Burruss landed a “mega slab” weighing 4 pounds, 5 ounces. Measuring 17.75 inches long with a massive 17-inch girth, the fish shattered a 46-year-old state record.
Burruss found the monster in 26 feet of water off the point at Shag Rock. "I spotted a three-pack on my Garmin Forward Facing Sonar," Burruss recalled.
He was using a baitcaster with 15-pound test, a half-ounce Cool Baits Underspin, and a 4-inch Keitech Easy Shiner. Last month marked the five-year anniversary of that historic catch.
To bag "Clear Lake Silver," you have to follow the water and the weather. Local veterans keep a close eye on the Rumsey Gage, established in 1873 by Lakeport cattle driver DeWitt Clinton Rumsey.
Currently, the lake sits just a foot below "full pull" (the official full mark of 7.56 feet). One more atmospheric river should be enough to top it off for a spectacular season.
Winter crappie congregate in the deep waters of the Rattlesnake Arm. Look for the "armada" of boats near Rattlesnake Island, where fish hold in 25 to 35 feet of water.
During spring (March–April): As temperatures rise, the fish move shallow to spawn. They often take over existing bass beds, making the Lakeshore Boulevard area in Lakeport a primary target for spring action.
Modern technology is fundamentally changing how we hunt crappie. Forward-facing sonar (like Garmin Livescope) allows anglers to target schools that appear as distinct clusters of dots on the screen.
Because a crappie's eyes are positioned on the top of its head, they feed upward; always present your bait slightly above the school.
“Strolling” or slow-rolling a jighead minnow through a school is incredibly effective for tempting big bites. Experienced anglers prefer tungsten jigheads over lead; the denser material provides a much sharper return on sonar, making it easier to track your lures in relation to the fish.
Success often comes down to the details. Specialized 10-to-15-foot rods, such as the ACC Crappie Scopin Stix, allow for precise lure placement. Top-performing soft plastics include the Bobby Garland 2-inch baby shad (in Purple Monkey, Key Lime Pie, or Ice Out) and the 6th Sense Panorama “Ghost Pro Shad” on a Cyclops jighead for a "dying-fall" presentation.
When the artificial bite is tough, often due to the lake's abundant natural forage of threadfin shad and Mississippi silversides nothing beats a live minnow. You can pick these up at local bait and tackle shops like Clearlake Outdoors, Lakeport Tackle, Clearlake Bait & Tackle and The Konocti Bait Shack.
The proof is in the livewell. Recently, Nate and Michelle Hilligoss of Kelseyville showed just how productive the lake can be, landing a 15-plus pound five-fish limit. Nate’s biggest weighed in at 3.7 lbs, while Michelle contributed a 3.1 lb beauty, both caught on 1/16 oz jigheads and 3” Yamamoto Scope Shads.
Other notable catches include Marlene Healey, who landed a 3.3-pound slab on a Gratt Rocker Minnow and Arnold Valerio Jr., who pulled a 3-pound fish using a "double jig rig" (a dropshot-style setup with a jighead at the bottom and a loop-knotted jighead above).
For those without a boat, Clear Lake offers excellent public access. The pier at Lucerne Harbor is a prime venue for groups, and various parks around the lake offer dock access perfect for a simple jig-and-bobber setup.
If you’re looking for a guided "Masterclass," Ed Legan of “Fishing With Ed” is the resident expert. His pontoon boat is a common sight in the winter months, consistently finding the schools when others can't.
Clear Lake may be famous for its bass, but for those who have experienced the "Silver Rush," the real treasure is the slab of a lifetime waiting just beneath the surface.
Craig Nelson is a former professional golfer who fell in love with tournament bass fishing 20 years ago. He found Lake County after fishing an FLW Stren Series event and never left. He’s the back-to-back winner of the Konocti Classic and runner up in the inaugural WON Bass Clear Lake Open.
