How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
News
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — As forecasters predicted, snow coated Lake County on Thursday, leading to numerous motorists stuck in snow or spinning out, power outages and closed schools.
While areas like Cobb often get snow throughout the winter, the snowfall taking place this week has been reported across all Lake County communities, and is the heaviest to occur countywide in years.
Light snowfall started in areas including the Northshore on Thursday morning, continuing on and off into the evening, when snow began to accumulate.
By nightfall, several inches of snow were coating the landscape, turning Lake County into a winter wonderland.
However, while lovely to look at, the snow created dangerous conditions for drivers that are still present on Friday.
Shortly before 4:30 a.m. Friday, the Clearlake Police Department issued a Nixle alert warning that there are hazardous conditions all over the city.
Be alert of snow covered roads, trees, and power lines down in roadway all over the city. Many roads may be blocked or partially blocked. We are working to get the roads cleared as soon as possible, until then avoid traveling unless necessary,” the agency said.
On Thursday, as the storm was strengthening over Lake County, the California Highway Patrol’s online incidents page recorded dozens of spinouts, strandings and some minor vehicle crashes from one end of the county to the other.
The CHP said chain control was put into effect on a portion of Highway 175 early Thursday evening due to the heavy snow there.
Cars, trucks and even big rigs were reported to be stuck due to the snow as the evening went on.
On Highway 20 at Blue Lakes, multiple vehicles were reported to be struck in the snow at around 6:45 p.m., the CHP said.
As many as eight vehicles were stuck in the snow at Robin Hill Drive and Lakeshore Boulevard in north Lakeport at about 7:45 p.m.
At about the same time, there also were vehicles stranded on Highway 20 at Red Rock Road and Highway 20 between Highway 53 and New Long Valley Road near Clearlake Oaks and on portions of Soda Bay Road in Kelseyville, according to the CHP.
Just before 8:45 p.m., the CHP reported that multiple vehicles were stranded in the snow at Highway 20 and Scotts Valley Road near Upper Lake.
Shortly after 9 p.m., about 20 cars were reported to be stuck on the Coyote Grade between Hofacker Lane and Hidden Valley Lake.
That also was the case in the area of Highway 53 and Highway 20 near Clearlake Oaks, where numerous vehicles were reported to be stuck in the roadway shortly before 10 p.m.
Just before midnight, the CHP said an unmanned hard closure was in effect for Highway 29 at Spruce Grove Road North near Lower Lake
Elsewhere around the county, snow caused downed trees and branches, resulting in trees going into power lines and causing numerous outages across the county, according to Pacific Gas and Electric.
Lori Price, a staffer with Lake County Public Works who oversees the agency’s Facebook page, posted online Thursday evening that plows in the Kelseyville area were working their way from Kelseyville proper out through Soda Bay towards the Riviera, with the hopes they would make it to Cobb.
“This isn't going to be a quick job,” she said. “Please plan on staying home.”
Price said crews are working in three staggered, overlapping shifts, with only two to three employees per shift to operate sanding trucks and trucks with blades, “and snow everywhere.”
She added, “It's going to be a very long night.”
Email Elizabeth Larson at
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
A day of snowfall on Thursday and expectations of more snow to come led to all public school districts canceling classes on Friday, according to a Thursday night announcement from the Lake County Office of Education.
Just after 10 p.m. Thursday, Rob Young, the Office of Education’s director of operations and emergency services, reported that, due to the inclement weather, all Lake County public schools will be closed on Friday.
“State preschools run by the Lake County Office of Education will also be closed to students,” Young reported.
The Kelseyville, Lakeport, Lucerne and Upper Lake districts were all in session this week, while Konocti Unified was in intercession, and Middletown Unified, the Office of Education’s Creativity and Hance schools already were off this week, Young said.
Young said private schools that will be closed include Konocti Christian Academy.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Heavy snow and downed trees contributed to numerous power outages across Lake County on Thursday night and early Friday.
Tens of thousands of Pacific Gas and Electric customers were out of power by early Friday morning as a result of the winter weather conditions, according to the company’s online outage map.
The majority of those outages did not have estimated restoration times or causes.
Late Thursday, the power went off briefly in Lucerne twice before going off and staying off for a third time shortly after midnight.
Radio traffic on Thursday night and early Friday recounted downed trees or trees into power lines across the county. One fallen tree on 11th Street in Lakeport blocked both lanes of traffic shortly at about 11:45 p.m.
PG&E is urging its customers to be prepared for outages. Tips for preparedness can be found here.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
CLEARLAKE, Calif. — If you’re looking for a new canine friend, Clearlake Animal Control has a full house of dogs ready to join your family.
There currently are 34 adoptable dogs at the shelter available to be adopted into new homes.
They include “Noah,” a male American pit bull terrier mix, and “Goliath,” a 6-year-old male Rottweiler mix.
The shelter is located at 6820 Old Highway 53. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
For more information, call the shelter at 707-762-6227, email
This week’s adoptable dogs are featured below.
Email Elizabeth Larson at