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Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS

Published: 23 March 2023

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. — Kelseyville Unified School District announced that superintendent Dr. David S. McQueen is the 2023 Region 4 Administrator of the Year in the category of superintendent.

The prestigious honor from the Association of California School Administrators, or ACSA, is part of an annual awards program that recognizes a select group of individuals for outstanding performance and achievement, as voted on by their peers.

Dr. McQueen, who has served as Kelseyville Unified School District’s superintendent for the past 14 years, will be recognized for his remarkable service and contributions as an educational administrator alongside other honorees at the ACSA Region 4 Leadership Workshop in Napa this June.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Nicki Thomas, who will step into Dr. McQueen’s role when he retires this summer, and Director of Special Education Keely Antoni both nominated Dr. McQueen, citing his leadership, kindness and commitment to serving the best interests of students.

“Dr. McQueen leads with heart,” Dr. Thomas said. “He cares deeply about our district and sees the value in developing strong positive relationships with students, staff, families, and the community.”

Dr. McQueen has been especially instrumental in steering Kelseyville Unified School District through a series of recent challenges — including budget constraints, COVID-19, and a teacher shortage — while making wellness a top priority along the way.

“After the pandemic, Dr. McQueen was proactive in making mental health services more easily accessible to students,” Antoni said. “He added counseling positions to both elementary schools and brought Gaggle Therapy to our district. Many students who otherwise might not have gotten help have taken advantage of those resources.”

In addition, Dr. McQueen worked with school board members to establish a wellness committee consisting of community members, parents, and employees that focuses on student health and well-being. The committee has organized several education events called, “Family Night Out” to share information about topics such as mental health, bullying prevention, and vaping awareness.

Although it is well known that students are Dr. McQueen’s top priority, Kelseyville Unified School District employees say that under his leadership, they feel valued and get the support they need to be successful day in, day out.

“Dr. McQueen has embraced the evidence-based practice of Professional Learning Communities (PLC) and makes sure we have the budget to provide staff with professional development and training resources so they can continue to learn and grow,” Dr. Thomas said. “He also worked hard to amend our school calendar to include early release days once a week so educators can review data and collaborate on a regular basis.”

Paul McGuire, the principal at Riviera Elementary School, has known Dr. McQueen for nearly 50 years, since they started playing basketball against each other in middle school.

“Even back then, Dave was someone that people always counted on — a great athlete and an even better person,” McGuire said. “Years later, he encouraged me to join Kelseyville Unified School District and helped hire me. I’ve done my best to adopt Dave’s philosophy of being nice, leading with kindness, and treating people the way you want to be treated — because it works! Dave’s done an amazing job. It’s going to be tough to see him move on, but I wish him all the best.”

Dr. McQueen began working for Kelseyville Unified School District in 1998 as the vice principal of Kelseyville High School, then became principal of Kelseyville Elementary and Alternative Education.

In 2009, he was named district superintendent. He completed his own K-12 education as a Kelseyville Unified student and all of his children graduated from Kelseyville High School. After a lifetime with the district, he plans to retire this summer to spend more time with his family.

“Dr. McQueen will always be remembered as a valued leader who has made a tremendous and lasting impact on the students, families, and the staff of Kelseyville Unified School District,” Dr. Thomas said. “I can honestly say that I have never worked for a more caring, compassionate, driven, and dedicated educator. I’m thrilled to see him win this award during his final year as superintendent — he absolutely deserves it.”

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Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS

Published: 23 March 2023

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A lengthy investigation crossing multiple counties has led to the discovery of a large drug manufacturing and marijuana growing operation, human trafficking, and large amounts of ammunition and cash.

Over the last several months, Lake County Sheriff’s Office detectives, assigned to the Narcotics Unit, and deputies, assigned to the Roadmap Task Force, have investigated a large illegal marijuana production operation that originated within Clearlake Oaks, said Lake County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson, Lauren Berlinn.

Berlinn said more than 20 locations were investigated after search warrants were authored by detectives and signed by Lake County Superior Court judges.

The search warrants were served at locations in Clearlake Oaks, Clearlake, Lower Lake, Kelseyville, Middletown, Sacramento and West Sacramento, Berlinn said.

During the investigation, a large, sophisticated chemical manufacturing laboratory was located in the Middletown area, according to Berlinn.

Berlinn said the laboratory was using very volatile, combustible, and highly flammable chemicals for manufacturing concentrated marijuana, commonly referred to as hash oil.

There were over 780 gallons of the chemicals at the scene, which were not being properly and safely stored, which posed a severe hazard and safety concern to the community. Berlinn said the chemicals on scene were later safely removed by a hazardous materials team.

The laboratory was producing over 200 pounds of hash oil each day it was active, which was determined by ledgers and products found on scene. Berlinn said more than 200 pounds of hash oil, 7,000 pounds of processed marijuana, over 600 marijuana plants, and an assault rifle were located at the scene.

Lake County Sheriff’s Office detectives and Lake County Victim-Witness advocates found and identified three victims of forced labor human trafficking at the scene, Berlinn said. The victims were provided with resources and services to assist them with their pathway to recovery from the traumatic conditions they were forced to be involved in.

During the investigation, another location, associated with the suspects of the laboratory, was discovered in the city of Clearlake. At this scene, over 11,000 marijuana plants were located, Berlinn said.

Additionally, Berlinn said Lake County Sheriff’s Office detectives and Lake County Victim-Witness advocates found and identified another victim of forced labor human trafficking at the scene.

The victim was also provided with resources and services to assist them with their pathway to recovery from the traumatic conditions they were forced to be involved in, Berlinn said.

Berlinn said Lake County Sheriff’s Office detectives later served search warrants at properties associated with the suspects involved in the investigation in Sacramento and West Sacramento.

During the service of the search warrants, over 50,000 cartridges of ammunition were located and seized. Berlinn said over 20 firearms were seized, including several assault rifles.

More than 100 pounds of hash oil product from the laboratory was located, as well as large amounts of packaged processed marijuana bud, Berlinn said.

Additionally, Lake County Sheriff’s Office detectives discovered illegal proceeds earned through the unlawful sale of controlled substances. Berlinn said the assets included United States currency in excess of $300,000.

The investigation is ongoing, Berlinn said.

Berlinn said the sheriff’s office offered a special thanks to the supporting and assisting agencies in the investigation, who aided in maintaining the safety of the victims, the community, and the environment.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office thanked Lake County Victim-Witness advocates, Cal Fire, Lake County Fire Protection District, Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Department of Justice, Sacramento Police Department, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, Lake County Code Enforcement, Clearlake Code Enforcement and Lake County Environmental Health.

For more information and resources about human trafficking, visit https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office remains dedicated to ensuring Lake County stays safe. To report any suspicious activity or possible human trafficking, call central dispatch, 707-263-2690.

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Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS

Published: 23 March 2023

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Lake County Health Services has issued a boil water advisory for all residents drawing water directly from the southern half of Clear Lake using private intakes due to a sewage overflow incident on Burns Valley Road in Clearlake.

The boil water advisory is in effect until further notice.

Residents should:

• Fill a pot with water.
• Heat the water until bubbles come quickly from the bottom of the pot to the top.
• Keep heating the water for one more minute.
• Turn off the heat source and let the water cool.
• Pour water into a clean, sanitized container for storage.

Use bottled water or boiled water that has cooled for:

• Drinking.
• Brushing teeth.
• Washing fruits and vegetables.
• Preparing food and baby formula.
• Making ice.
• Giving to pets.

The advisory is in effect until Lake County Health Services and assisting agencies are
confident there is no longer a public health concern.

The agency will provide an update after ongoing assessments are completed. Residents will be notified immediately when the advisory is lifted.

Test results are pending and may indicate the presence of raw sewage in the water around the city of Clearlake.

At this time it is advised not to recreate in the areas of Clear Lake around the city of Clearlake.

Lake County Health Services is working with assisting local agencies to further contain this incident. To correct the problem, multiple containment experts and large sewer pump trucks are being utilized.

The duration of this advisory cannot be estimated at this time, officials said.

No illnesses related to the community’s drinking water have been reported.

If you are concerned about your health or your family, call your health care provider or the Lake County Services Public Health Division at 707-263-1090 or the Environmental Health Division at 707-263-1164.

Fecal coliforms and E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes.

Microbes in these wastes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms.

They may pose a special health risk to infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems. These symptoms are caused by many illnesses unrelated to drinking water.

Residents at increased risk should seek advice about drinking water from their health care provider.

Please share this information with all the other people who draw their water directly from Clear Lake by private intake, especially those who may not have received this notice directly.

For more information, call Lake County Health Services at 707-263-1090 or 707-263-1164.

General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.