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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY VECTOR CONTROL DISTRICT
The mosquitoes, Culex tarsalis (western encephalitis mosquito), were collected in traps near Clearlake Oaks on Aug. 16.
The dead bird, an American crow, was reported by a Lakeport resident on Aug. 6.
“Despite the dry year, mosquitoes and West Nile virus activity continues to be a risk. Mosquitoes will find the water they need to lay their eggs. We’re seeing West Nile virus activity increasing statewide, including in Lake County,” said Jamesina Scott, Ph.D., district manager and research director of the Lake County Vector Control District.
“You can avoid West Nile virus by avoiding mosquito bites,” Scott said. “Mosquitoes thrive in still water. Dump out or drain water in backyard water sources, or contact the district for free mosquito-eating fish for water that can’t be drained, like unmaintained (green) swimming pools and spas, ornamental ponds, or animal watering troughs.”
The district encourages residents to reduce their risk of contracting West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases:
• Dump or drain standing water to prevent mosquitoes. Mosquitoes need water to complete their life cycle.
• Defend yourself. Use repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Follow the label directions.
• Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are present, typically dawn and dusk.
So far this year, West Nile virus activity has been detected in three mosquito samples and one dead bird in Lake County.
Statewide, 24 California counties have detected WNV this year, mainly in mosquitoes.
As of Aug. 18, 12 human cases of West Nile virus illness have been reported in California residents this year.
Residents can report dead birds to help the district identify where West Nile virus activity is taking place. All dead bird reports from the public are critical in helping the district direct mosquito operations.
Report dead birds to the state’s toll-free hotline at 1-877-968-2473 (1-877-WNV-BIRD) or online at the California Department of Public Health's website https://westnile.ca.gov/report.
The Lake County Vector Control District provides mosquito and vector control services to the community.
Residents with questions or who would like help with a mosquito problem, including reporting a neglected pool or spa, or who have an in-ground yellowjacket nest on their property that they want treated, should contact the Lake County Vector Control District at 707-263-4770 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or request service online anytime at https://www.lcvcd.org/request-service-d649036.
For more information about the Lake County Vector Control District and its services, visit www.LCVCD.org.
For information about West Nile virus, visit http://westnile.ca.gov/.
Information about mosquito repellents can be found on the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov/westnile/faq/repellent.html.
- Details
- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
The seats are to be filled as part of this November’s general election.
However, with many of the seats not having more than one applicant, only those seats in contested races will be on the ballot. Those seats in uncontented races will be considered appointed.
The following is the list of seats available this fall. Each set of seats has a notation regarding whether or not it will appear on the ballot in November.
For more information contact the Registrar of Voters Office at 707-263-2372 or
BOARDS OF EDUCATION
Lake County Board of Education TA 3 – Will not appear on the ballot
Four-year term expiring December 2026: One vacancy, one candidate filed.
• Denise Lee Loustalot, small business owner
Lake County Board of Education TA 4 – Will appear on the ballot
Four-year term expiring December 2026: One vacancy, two candidates filed.
• Nancy Marilyn Hudson, retired administrative assistant
• Jeffrey Lyon, retired viticulturist
Lake County Board of Education TA 5 – Will not appear on the ballot
Four-year term expiring December 2026: One vacancy, one candidate filed.
• Anna Rose Ravenwoode, incumbent
Mendocino–Lake Community College District TA 6 – Will not appear on the ballot
Four-year term expiring December 2026: One vacancy, one candidate filed.
• Lorree Lewis Crandell, wife/mother
Yuba Community College District TA 7 – Will appear on the ballot
Two-year unexpired term expiring December 2024: One vacancy, two candidates filed.
• Jeffrey Dryden, student
• Douglas M. Harris, appointed incumbent
Kelseyville Unified School District – Will appear on the ballot
Four-year term expiring December 2026: Two vacancies, three candidates filed.
• Allison Panella, incumbent
• Janet Rykert, teacher/business owner
• Rick Winer, incumbent
Konocti Unified School District – Will appear on the ballot
Four-year term expiring December 2026: Three vacancies, five candidates filed.
• Marty Aarreberg, retired school administrator
• Pamela Bening-Hale, retired teacher
• Bill Diener, incumbent
• Jennifer Hughes, registered dental hygienist
• Joan Shelley Mingori, incumbent
Lakeport Unified School District – Will not appear on the ballot
Four-year term expiring December 2026: Two vacancies, two candidates filed.
• Carly Alvord, incumbent
• Jennifer Hanson, incumbent
Lakeport Unified School District – Will not appear on the ballot
Four-year term expiring December 2024: One vacancy, one candidate filed.
• Jen Richardson, appointed incumbent
Lucerne Elementary School District – Will not appear on the ballot
Four-year term expiring December 2026: Two vacancies, two candidates filed.
• Cheyenne Higgins, mother
• Dawn McAuley, incumbent
Middletown Unified School District – Will appear on the ballot
Four-year term expiring December 2026: Three vacancies, four candidates filed.
• Eileen Anderson, mother/retired bookkeeper
• Allison Berloger, appointed incumbent
• Annette Lee, community college dean
• Chris Ochs, school facilities director and appointed incumbent
Middletown Unified School District – Will appear on the ballot
Two-year unexpired term expiring December 2024: One vacancy, two candidates filed.
• Larry Allen, retired teacher and incumbent
• Hank Lescher, retired business owner
Upper Lake Unified School District – Will not appear on the ballot
Four-year term expiring December 2026: Three vacancies, three candidates filed.
• Joanne Breton, appointed incumbent
• Diane Tomkins Plante, incumbent
• Ana Santana, incumbent
COMMUNITY SERVICES AND HEALTH CARE DISTRICTS
Anderson Springs Community Services District – Will appear on the ballot
Four-year terms expiring December 2026: Three vacancies, four candidates filed.
• Karen Coker, retired respiratory therapist
• Carol Ohsiek, appointed incumbent
• Donna Taylor, incumbent
• Cynthia H. Weber, appointed incumbent
Anderson Springs Community Services District – Will not appear on the ballot
Two-year unexpired term expiring December 2024: One vacancy, one candidate filed.
• Roger Duke, appointed incumbent
Butler-Keys Community Services District – Will not appear on the ballot
Four-year term expiring December 2026: Two vacancies, two candidates filed.
• Susan Burton, incumbent
• Mary M. Medeiros, incumbent
Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District – Will not appear on the ballot
Four-year term expiring December 2026: Two vacancies, two candidates filed.
• Claude Brown, incumbent
• Gary Gerard Graves, incumbent
Redbud Health Care District, Zone 2 – Will not appear on the ballot
Four-year term expiring December 2024: One vacancy, one candidate filed.
• Sandra Richards, retired nurse
Redbud Health Care District, Zone 4 – Will not appear on the ballot
Four-year term expiring December 2024: One vacancy, one candidate filed.
• Bill Diener, incumbent
FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT BOARDS
Kelseyville Fire Protection District – Will not appear on the ballot
Four-year term expiring December 2026: Three vacancies, three candidates filed.
• Paul Ernest Lauenroth, incumbent
• Michele T. Rohner, incumbent
• Mario Villalobos
Lake County Fire Protection District – Will not appear on the ballot
Four-year term expiring December 2026: Four vacancies, three candidates filed.
• Denise Lee Loustalot, small business owner
• Jacqueline Snyder, incumbent
• Diane M. Watson, incumbent
Lake County Fire Protection District – Will not appear on the ballot
Two-year unexpired term expiring December 2024: One vacancy, one candidate filed.
• Mario Ballard, appointed incumbent
Lake Pillsbury Fire Protection District – Will not appear on the ballot
Four-year term expiring December 2026: Three vacancies, two candidates filed.
• Stacy Delventhal, incumbent
• Raymond Eugene Todt, appointed incumbent
Lake Pillsbury Fire Protection District – Will appear on the ballot
Two-year unexpired term expiring December 2024: One vacancy, two candidates filed.
• Heather Hasler
• Warner Henderson, appointed incumbent
Northshore Fire Protection District, At Large – Will appear on the ballot
Four-year term expiring December 2026: One vacancy, two candidates filed.
• James O. Burton, incumbent
• Leah Robbins, retired fire captain
Northshore Fire Protection District, Nice Zone – Will appear on the ballot
Four-year term expiring December 2026: One vacancy, two candidates filed.
• John T. Barnette, incumbent
• Lori Carter-Runyon, Hilltop Recovery Services executive director
Northshore Fire Protection District, Lucerne Zone – Will appear on the ballot
Four-year term expiring December 2026: One vacancy, two candidates filed.
• Becky Schwenger, fire captain/paramedic
• Gerald Shepherd, incumbent
South Lake Fire Protection District – Will not appear on the ballot
Four-year term expiring December 2026: Two vacancies, one candidate filed.
• Stephanie Cline, appointed incumbent
WATER DISTRICTS
Buckingham Park Water District – Will not appear on the ballot
Four-year terms expiring December 2026: Three vacancies, three candidates filed.
• Narendra "Ken" Agarwal, incumbent
• Mark Boyle, incumbent
• Lisa Vartabedian, incumbent
Callayomi County Water District – Will not appear on the ballot
Four-year terms expiring December 2026: Three vacancies, two candidates filed.
• Jessica Dessel, appointed incumbent
• Mary Patricia Giacomini, incumbent
Callayomi County Water District – Will not appear on the ballot
Two-year unexpired term expiring December 2024: One vacancy, one candidate filed.
• Joseph Franklin Verlarde, appointed incumbent
Clearlake Oaks County Water District – Will not appear on the ballot
Four-year terms expiring December 2026: Two vacancies, two candidates filed.
• Stanley A. Archacki, incumbent
• Samuel Boucher
Cobb Area County Water District – Will appear on the ballot
Four-year terms expiring December 2026: Three vacancies, four candidates filed.
• Steve Barnes, incumbent
• Joshua Dixon, none
• David Peters, retired health administrator
• Joel Pyska
Konocti County Water District – Will not appear on the ballot
Four-year terms expiring December 2026: Three vacancies, two candidates filed.
• Geoffrey Chapman, retired general contractor
• Christine Marie Flora, incumbent
Upper Lake County Water District – Will not appear on the ballot
Four-year terms expiring December 2026: Two vacancies, one candidate filed.
• Jackie Meri, incumbent
Upper Lake County Water District – Will not appear on the ballot
Two-year unexpired term expiring December 2024: One vacancy, one candidate filed.
• Jan C. Brelsford, appointed incumbent
Villa Blue Estates Water District – Will not appear on the ballot
Four-year terms expiring December 2026: Three vacancies, two candidates filed.
• David P. Andregg Jr.
• Harold Bennett
Villa Blue Estates Water District – Will not appear on the ballot
Two-year unexpired term expiring December 2024: Three vacancies, two candidates filed.
• Donna Lynn Brooks, incumbent
• Ann Knudsen, incumbent
- Details
- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
“Clearing our forests of tinder-dry brush and weeds has proven to be a cost-effective way to minimize the intensity and scope of wildfires,” Sen. Dodd said. “It’s why I wrote the law last year to encourage more prescribed fires. Now we can enhance our use of this time-tested technique by establishing guidelines for a fund to cover some costs borne by prescribed fire professionals. The Assembly’s approval today takes us a step closer to achieving our goal.”
Prescribed fire, also known as controlled burning, has been used for centuries to clear dead trees and brush that are known to fuel runaway wildfires.
Rarely do prescribed fires escape their bounds and cause damage to neighboring properties. Yet affordable insurance is difficult to secure, preventing property owners from treating their land.
Sen. Dodd’s bill, Senate Bill 926, would create standards for a fund to help cover costs.
It is a followup to Senate Bill 332, also written by Sen. Dodd and signed into law last year, which protects landowners and prescribed fire managers from having to pay fire suppression expenses unless they have acted with gross negligence.
SB 926 is sponsored by The Nature Conservancy.
It passed the Assembly on Thursday and heads next to Gov. Gavin Newsom for his signature following a concurrence vote in the Senate.
“If we are going to restore our forests at a pace and scale, we need to reduce barriers to prescribed burning — our most effective long-term landscape fire management tool,” said Jay Ziegler, director of policy and external affairs at The Nature Conservancy. “Science shows prescribed fire is critical to curbing catastrophic megafires in California. SB 926 will help us do more of it. We appreciate Sen. Dodd’s leadership on establishing a prescribed fire claims fund.”
Dodd represents the Third Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Yolo, Sonoma, Contra Costa and Sacramento counties.
- Details
- Written by: Clearlake Animal Control
The City of Clearlake Animal Association also is seeking fosters for the animals waiting to be adopted.
Call the Clearlake Animal Control shelter at 707-273-9440, or email
Visit Clearlake Animal Control on Facebook or on the city’s website.
The following dogs are available for adoption. The newest additions are at the top.
‘Andy’
“Andy” is a male American pit bull mix with a short gray and white coat.
He is dog No. 48995415.
‘Bear’
“Bear” is a male Labrador retriever-American pit bull mix with a short charcoal and fawn coat.
He has been neutered.
He is dog No. 48443153.
‘Betsy’
“Betsy” is a female American pit bull mix with a short white coat.
She has been spayed.
She is dog No. 50236145.
‘Bluey’
“Bluey” is a male retriever mix with a short black coat.
He has been neutered.
He is dog No. 50552999.
‘Big Phil’
“Big Phil” is a 13-year-old male American pit bull terrier mix with a blue coat.
He has been neutered.
He is dog No. 49951647.
‘Colt’
“Colt” is a male Rhodesian Ridgeback mix with a short rust and black coat.
He has been neutered.
He is dog No. 49812106.
‘Groucho’
“Groucho” is a male Chihuahua-miniature pinscher mix with a short tricolor coat.
He has been neutered.
He is dog No. 49651597.
‘Hakuna’
“Hakuna” is a male shepherd mix with a tan coat.
He has been neutered.
He is dog No. 50176912.
‘Kubota’
“Kubota” is a male German shepherd mix with a short tan and black coat.
He has been neutered.
Kubota is dog No. 50184421.
‘Luna’
“Luna” is an 8-month-old Labrador retriever-terrier mix with a black and white coat.
She is dog No. 50339254.
‘Mamba’
“Mamba” is a male Siberian husky mix with a gray and cream-colored coat.
He has been neutered.
He is dog No. 49520569.
‘Matata’
“Matata” is male shepherd mix with a tan coat.
He has been neutered.
He is dog No. 50176912.
‘Newman’
“Newman” is a 1-year-old male American pit bull terrier mix with a black and white coat.
He has been neutered.
Newman is dog No. 49057809.
‘Sadie’
“Sadie” is a female German shepherd mix with a black and tan coat.
She has been spayed.
She is dog No. 49802563.
‘Sparkles’
“Sparkles” is a female terrier mix with a short brindle coat.
Shehas been spayed.
She is dog No. 50592729.
‘Terry’
“Terry” is a handsome male shepherd mix with a short brindle coat.
He gets along with other dogs, including small ones, and enjoys toys. He also likes water, playing fetch and keep away.
Staff said he is now getting some training to help him build confidence.
He is dog No. 48443693.
‘Tiramisu’
“Tiramisu” is a female Alaskan husky mix with a short brown and cream coat.
She is dog No. 49652833.
‘Willie’
“Willie” is a male German shepherd mix with a black and tan coat.
He has been neutered.
He is dog No. 50596003.
‘Ziggy’
“Ziggy” is a male American pit bull terrier mix with a short gray and white coat.
He has been neutered.
Ziggy is dog No. 50146247
Email Elizabeth Larson at