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- Written by: Lake County News reports
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Authorities have arrested a Clearlake man who they say was responsible for setting a wildland fire last week.
Charles William Cartwright, 54, was taken into custody on Monday, Cal Fire reported.
Cal Fire said the fire Cartwright is believed to have set occurred on Friday.
Resources were dispatched to the area of Ogulin Canyon Road in Clearlake for smoke seen on the hillside at approximately 7:20 p.m. Friday, Cal Fire said.
When they arrived in the area, firefighters confirmed there was a fire and began searching for access to it, Cal Fire said.
Cal Fire said its aerial resources were the first to arrive at the fire and were successful in holding it in check until the first ground resources found access to it at approximately 8:10 p.m.
The fire burned approximately one-third of an acre, Cal Fire said.
Cal Fire law enforcement officers arrived at the fire shortly after the ground resources and began investigating its origin and cause, the agency reported.
During the course of the investigation, Cal Fire said a suspect was identified and an arrest warrant was issued for the suspect.
On Monday, authorities located Cartwright and took him into custody without incident, Cal Fire said.
Cartwright was booked into the Lake County Jail on a felony charge of recklessly setting a fire on forest land and a misdemeanor arson charge.
His bail was set at $50,000 and he remained in custody on Tuesday.
Cartwright, whose occupation is listed as lawn care, is scheduled for a court appearance on Aug. 16, according to his booking sheet.
Cal Fire said it was assisted by the Clearlake Police Department, Lake County Sheriff's Office, Lake County District Attorney’s Office, Lake County Fire Protection District and North Shore Fire Protection District.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Joseph Ambrose, 31, was the motorcyclist injured in the wreck, the California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office reported Monday.
The CHP said the crash occurred at about 3:15 p.m. Friday on Highway 20 at Crump Avenue in Nice.
Ambrose was riding a black and red 2004 Yamaha VXS1100 motorcycle westbound on Highway 20 as Paul McGrorey, 60, also of Lucerne, was driving a silver 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup eastbound, the CHP said.
McGrorey stopped in the double-left turn lane at the intersection with Crump Avenue, according to the report.
For reasons the CHP said are still under investigation, Ambrose laid down the Yamaha motorcycle.
The CHP said Ambrose was ejected from the motorcycle and collided with the Dodge pickup.
Ambrose sustained major injuries as a result of the collision and was life-flighted to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, the CHP said.
The investigating CHP officer determined Ambrose was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision. McGrorey, who was wearing his seat belt, was uninjured.
Neither alcohol nor drug usage is suspected, the CHP said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
- Details
- Written by: Tama Prokopowich
However, the market can be a little frustrating for those looking to buy. Inventory is still low, time on market is short and multiple offers on homes are still common.
Existing median price for houses in all of Lake County was $335,000 for the month of June 2021. This is up 3.39% from last year at this time, but down $25,000 from last month’s median price of $360,000.
May was up $27,000 over April so we are seeing slight fluctuation in median price from month to month.
Lakeport’s median home price was $370,000, down 9.5% from June 2020.
Hidden Valley’s median home price was $398,000, up 12.1% from last year and up $38,000 from May’s $360,000 median price.
The Kelseyville median home price was $334,000, up 7.6%, and the Clearlake median home price was $188,000, up 16% in a year-over comparison.
Existing home sales countywide totaled 107, which was up 23% over June 2020.
Lakeport sales were 19, which was down 20.8%; Hidden Valley sales were also 19, which is up 72.7% from the previous year; Kelseyville home sales were 24, up 14.3%; and Clearlake home sales totaled 17, up 88.9%.
As far as inventory goes, active listings countywide totaled 168, which is down 29.1% from last year at this time.
Lakeport had 28 active listings which is actually up 16.7% from last year, while Hidden Valley Lake had 19 active listings, down 51.3%.
Kelseyville had 36 active listings, down 36.8%, and Clearlake had 28 active listings, down 30%.
Countywide the number of days on the market continues to be very low, with the median being 12 days for June 2021. Sales price continues to be an average 100% of list price. But price reductions are still happening when properties are overpriced, with 32.1% of active listings having price reductions for June 2021.
Lakeport had a median of six days on the market with 100% sale to list price, and 39.3% of active listings having price reductions for June.
Hidden Valley Lake had a median of seven days on the market with sales to list price at 100% and 10.5% of homes with price reductions.
In Kelseyville, total median days on market came out a little higher at 18 days with sales to list price being 100% and a larger amount of price reductions at 41.7%.
Clearlake’s median days on market totaled seven, with sales to list price at 98% and 28.6% of listings with price reductions.
The bottom line is if you are thinking of selling, price it right and you should have a quick successful sale.
If you are thinking of buying, go into it prepared and anticipate competition.
Tama Prokopowich is president-elect of the Lake County Association of Realtors.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The committee, or LEDAC, will meet via Zoom at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 28.
The meeting is open to the public.
The group had planned to begin meeting in person again but due to the changing COVID-19 situation have decided to continue with virtual meetings until further notice.
The meeting will be held via Zoom: Meeting ID, 943 0904 9196; passcode, 888455. Dial by your location, +1 669 900 6833.
On the agenda is a review of current membership, change in positions and identification of missing representation.
The group also will review the work plan for updating the Lakeport Economic Development Strategic Plan, discuss the Logic Model approach in developing the plan work program and consideration of including features addressing resiliency, the arts and cultural plan, and closer ties with partnership organizations.
There also will be updates on city projects and activities, and member reports.
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 and Vice Chair Denise Combs, Bonnie Darling, Candy De Los Santos, Monica Flores, Pam Harpster, Andy Lucas, Alicia Russell, Laura Sammel and Marie Schrader, with Bill Eaton as an ex officio member. City staff who are members include City Manager Kevin Ingram and Community Development Director Jenni Byers.
Email Elizabeth Larson at