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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
The county will receive approximately $2,326,963.
Proposition 68, the $4 billion dollar “Parks, Environment & Water Bond Act of 2018,” funds the Statewide Park Development & Community Revitalization Program to assist in new park development, existing park revitalization and new recreation opportunities in underserved communities across California.
The Lake County Public Services Department, which includes the Parks and Recreation division, solicited public input for the grant application through several community meetings and surveys which provided the department with input about the communities’ desires for the park.
Improvements will consist of an upgraded main playground and areas for specific age groups.
Two new picnic shelters will be added to the center of the park that will include four picnic tables each, waste receptacles and grills.
There will also be a multi-sports court to include at a minimum basketball, pickleball and futsal.
A fitness court will also be constructed to provide an opportunity for outdoor fitness and wellness.
Hammond Park is adjacent to a wetland area which includes local wildlife such as birds and otters. An overlook will be built at the perimeter of the wetland and will include interpretive signs about wetlands and wildlife.
Two local Native American Tribes are partners on this project and will provide key input on the use of native plants and the importance of wetlands and the local land to their heritage for the interpretive signs, as well as contributions for the content of a land acknowledgment sign.
The unimproved open field area will be renovated to create a grass field for sports and play, the existing baseball/softball field will be improved with shade structures over the existing bleachers, and the existing parking lot will be improved.
Additionally, the dog park will be renovated to include two separate spaces for large and small dogs.
There also will be new shaded seating added to extend use during hot and sunny days. Lighting, drought-tolerant landscaping, and other minor amenities will also be added throughout the park.
Design of the project will begin this year, with construction estimated to be complete in 2026.
The grant award is one of several park improvement grants recently received by the county of Lake.
In August 2022 the county was successful in a $1,358,545 grant application to the state’s Clean California Local Grant Program for improvements to a number of county parks that were eligible for that program.
Those parks include Alpine Park, Clearlake Oaks Boat Launch, Davis Beach, Hammond Park, Hinman Park, Keeling Park, Kelseyville Community Park, Lakeside Park, Russell Rustici Park, Lucerne Harbor Park,Middletown Square Park, Nylander Park, Pioneer/Saderlund Park and Rodman Slough Park.
Improvements at these parks include new restrooms at two specific parks (Hinman Park and Middletown Square Park), and at all parks a variety of improvements such as shade structures, benches, drinking fountains, waste and recycle receptacles, trees, security systems, art and educational signage regarding waste, recycling and litter prevention.
All improvements under the Clean California grant will be completed by June 2024.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Sunrise Special Services Foundation confirmed to Lake County News that an outbreak began earlier this month at the warming shelter, located at the former juvenile hall on Whalen Way in Lakeport.
Over the weekend, Adventist Health also confirmed an outbreak at the Hope Center transitional housing facility in Clearlake that has been resolved, as Lake County News has reported.
Dr. Rayan Aava, Sunrise Special Services Foundation’s chief executive officer, said 31 individuals at the warming shelter were tested on July 6, with 18 confirmed positives.
Two days later, they tested 18 individuals and 13 were confirmed positive, with continued testing of those 18 people showing reduced numbers of positives until Monday, when there were no further positive tests reported, Aava said.
Aava said the shelter implemented stringent safety protocols, monitored the situation, diligently followed guidelines provided by health authorities, implemented comprehensive safety
measures and continuously adapted its protocols based on the evolving situation.
“By prioritizing the well-being of everyone involved, SSSF has successfully mitigated the risk of COVID-19 transmission within its facilities,” Aava said.
Aava said the foundation “will continue to monitor the situation closely, adapt protocols as
necessary, and work diligently to protect the health and well-being of its clients and staff.”
In other news about the shelter, last week its new director of operations, Chris Bloodworth, was arrested and booked on domestic violence charges.
Aava released a separate statement that said the incident happened outside of the workplace “and does not reflect the values and principles we uphold as an organization.”
The parties involved have voluntarily sought counseling and Aava said the charges against Bloodworth have been dropped.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
- Details
- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
The mosquitoes were trapped on July 11 near Lakeport and Kelseyville, according to the Lake County Vector Control District.
“West Nile virus shows up each year in Lake County, usually in July,” said Jamesina Scott, Ph.D., district manager and research director of the Lake County Vector Control District. “A positive mosquito sample means that West Nile virus could be transmitted by mosquitoes now, and is a reminder to use mosquito repellent outside during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are biting.”
No other West Nile virus has been detected in Lake County in 2023.
Statewide, 21 California counties have detected WNV this year, mainly in mosquitoes and dead birds.
No human cases have been reported in California this year, but one human case of another mosquito virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus, was reported in a Kern County resident.
Residents are urged to help reduce their risk of contracting mosquito-borne diseases by following these guidelines:
• Dump or drain standing water. Mosquitoes grow in standing water.
• Defend yourself with mosquito repellents containing Picaridin, DEET, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, or PMD.
• Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are biting, typically dawn and dusk.
• Maintain neglected swimming pools. Just one can produce more than 1 million mosquitoes and affect people up to five miles away.
• Report dead birds to the toll-free state hotline, 1-877-968-2473, or online.
The mosquitoes that transmit WNV develop in out-of-service swimming pools and spas, animal watering troughs, ornamental ponds, and other sources of standing water.
The Vector Control District offers free mosquito-eating fish to control mosquitoes in these sources.
Residents are encouraged to contact the district to report neglected pools, request service for mosquito problems, or to get mosquito fish at 707-263-4770 or to fill out a service request online at www.lcvcd.org.
The Lake County Vector Control District traps and tests mosquitoes throughout the county to identify the areas that have the highest risk, and targets those areas for source reduction and treatment using an integrated vector management program.
Residents with questions, or who would like help with a mosquito problem should contact the Lake County Vector Control District at 707-263-4770 (Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.) or visit their website.
For more information about West Nile virus, visit https://westnile.ca.gov/.
Information about mosquito repellents can be found on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
- Details
- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
The general election, scheduled to be held on Nov. 7, will be for two four-year terms that become vacant on the first Friday in December 2023 or until a successor is elected and qualifies for office.
The two seats up for election are for the board’s Division 1 and Division III seats.
Official declaration of candidacy forms for eligible candidates desiring to file for any of the offices enumerated above may be obtained from the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office, located at 325 N Forbes St. in Lakeport during regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The filing period began on Monday, July 17, and ends on Friday, Aug. 11, at 5 p.m.
For more information, call the elections office at 707-263-2372 or 888-235-6730.