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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Lt. Corey Paulich of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office identified the man who died as Anthony Christopher Wolfsmith, 32, of Clearlake.
The CHP Clear Lake Area office’s Monday report on the crash said it occurred at 5:20 p.m. Thursday on Highway 29 near Lower Lake.
Wolfsmith was driving a silver 2007 Honda Ridgeline pickup northbound on Highway 29, south of C Street, at 55 miles per hour, the CHP said.
The CHP said Lloyd Hoisington, 48, of Marysville was following behind Wolfsmith in his 2007 Chevrolet. Freddy Gonzalez, 37, of Santa Rosa was ahead of Wolfsmith in his 2006 Lexus and Keneth Feola, 49, was ahead of Gonzalez in his 2005 Subaru.
Nicholas Hough, 31 of Hidden Valley Lake, was driving a silver 2016 Dodge Ram pickup southbound at 55 miles per hour, approaching Wolfsmith’s location from the opposite direction, the CHP said.
Feola came to a stop in the northbound lane, due to stopped traffic ahead, and Gonzalez was slowing to a stop behind him, the CHP said.
As Wolfsmith was approaching the stopped traffic, the CHP said he swerved to the left, into the path of Hough, resulting in a head-on collision.
After the initial collision, Wolfsmith’s Honda was pushed to the right, near the center double yellow lines, at which point Hoisington, who was behind Wolfsmith, collided with Wolfsmith’s Honda. The CHP said this impact pushed the Honda into the rear of Gonzalez, which pushed Gonzalez into the rear of Feola.
After the collision, all involved parties remained on scene for emergency personnel, the CHP said.
The CHP said Wolfsmith was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Hough and Hoisington both suffered minor injuries and were treated at Adventist Health Clear Lake Hospital, while Gonzalez and Feola were uninjured, the CHP said.
The report said all five drivers were wearing their seat belts.
Neither drugs nor alcohol are suspected to be factors at this time, the CHP said.
The CHP said the cause of the collision is under investigation.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3.
The supervisors will meet virtually only, as the Registrar of Voters Office will be using the board chambers for elections activities.
The meeting can be watched live on Channel 8, online at https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx and on the county’s Facebook page. Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.
To participate in real-time, join the Zoom meeting by clicking this link at 9 a.m. The meeting ID is 936 9918 6069, password 448999. Dial in by location at 669-900-6833, join by SIP at
To submit a written comment on any agenda item please visit https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx and click on the eComment feature linked to the meeting date. If a comment is submitted after the meeting begins, it may not be read during
the meeting but will become a part of the record.
On Tuesday, the board will get a report from the County Space Use Committee regarding extending the use of the former county juvenile hall facility for a temporary support shelter targeting Lake County’s chronically homeless population through March 31, 2021.
In July, the board approved an agreement with the Butte County-based Elijah House to run a sheltering operation at the site, as Lake County News has reported.
That approval came after the board’s receipt on June 23 of a County’s Space Use Committee report supporting the building’s use for that purpose for six months, with further consideration to take place regarding the former juvenile hall’s long-term use.
In her report to the board, County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson said, “Based on a recent update to the committee by Behavioral Health Director Todd Metcalf, the committee is extending its support of temporary use for a period of 9-months, to March 31, 2021.”
In another untimed item, the board will consider a resolution extending Friday closures of county offices through March 31, 2021, in light of COVID-19 and expected effects of the 2020-21 flu season.
In an item on the board’s consent agenda, it is considering a resolution authorizing and approving an easement deed granting Pacific Gas and Electric an easement to install a pre-installed interconnection hub at 6325 Highway 20 in Lucerne.
The site, which is located on the lakeshore, at the site of the former community clubhouse and a public beach, is proposed for the installation of electrical generation equipment as part of a microgeneration grid during future public safety power shutoff events.
PG&E would pay the county $9,200 for the permanent easement, with the agreement to allow it to purchase more of the property.
This is the first time the proposal has been made public. It has so far not been proposed to the Lucerne Town Hall or the Lake County Planning Commission.
At 9:35 a.m., Dr. Gary Pace will update the board on COVID-19 in the county.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Adopt resolution approving county of Lake Health Services to accept grant funding in the amount of $224,000 through the California Department of Public Health for Fiscal Year 20/21 and authorize the Health Services director to sign.
5.2: (a) Waive the competitive bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.4 Cooperative Purchases, and utilize a cooperative purchasing consortium, and (b) approve agreements between the county of Lake and Enterprise Fleet Management for leased vehicles in the total amount of $91,850 and authorize the director of Public Works to sign the agreements.
5.3: Adopt resolution authorizing and approving easement deed granting PG&E an easement to install a pre-installed interconnection hub on APN 034-211-10 which will facilitate the placement of electrical generation equipment for the provision of a microgeneration grid in the community of Lucerne during future PSPS events.
5.4: Sitting as the Board of Directors for the Lake County Watershed Protection District, adopt resolution authorizing the Lake County Watershed Protection District to accept a California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways Quagga and Zebra Mussel Infestation Prevention FY 2019/20 Grant and approve Water Resources director as signature authorization to execute agreement.
TIMED ITEMS
6.1, 9:01 a.m.: Public input.
6.2, 9:30 a.m.: Continued from Oct. 27, consideration of memorandum of understanding by and between the Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s Association Units and the county of Lake for Oct. 21, 2020, to Oct. 20, 2021.
6.3, 9:30 a.m.: Continued from Oct. 27, consideration of memorandum of understanding by and between the Lake County Correctional Officers Association Units and the county of Lake for Oct. 21, 2020, to Oct. 20, 2021.
6.4, 9:35 a.m.: Consideration of update on COVID-19.
6.5, 10 a.m.: Continuance of hearing on account and proposed assessment for the property 12942 Second St., Clearlake Oaks.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: Consideration of resolution extending Friday closures through March 31, 2021, in light of COVID-19 and expected effects of the 2020-21 flu season.
7.3: Report from the County Space Use Committee regarding extending the use of the county juvenile hall facility for a temporary support shelter targeting Lake County’s chronically homeless population through March 31, 2021.
7.4: Consideration of resolution appointing directors of certain Special District boards in lieu of holding a general district election on Nov. 3, 2020.
7.5: Consideration of Advisory Board Appointment: Mental Health Board.
CLOSED SESSION
8.1: Conference with labor negotiator: (a) chief negotiator: M. Long; county negotiators: C. Huchingson and P. Samac; and (b) employee organizations: LCDSA and LCCOA .
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The council will meet in closed session at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, to discuss with legal counsel existing litigation, City of Lakeport et al. v. Amerisourcebergen Drug Corporation et al., before the public portion of the meeting begins at 6 p.m.
The meeting will be by teleconference only. The city council chambers will not be open to the public.
The agenda can be found here.
To speak on an agenda item, access the meeting remotely here or join by phone by calling toll-free 669-900-9128 or 346-248-7799. The webinar ID is 973 6820 1787, access code is 477973; the audio pin will be shown after joining the webinar. Those phoning in without using the web link will be in “listen mode” only and will not be able to participate or comment.
Comments can be submitted by email to
Indicate in the email subject line "for public comment" and list the item number of the agenda item that is the topic of the comment. Comments that read to the council will be subject to the three minute time limitation (approximately 350 words). Written comments that are only to be provided to the council and not read at the meeting will be distributed to the council prior to the meeting.
On Tuesday, the council will consider approving the site plan and amenity features designed for the new Lakefront Park at 800 and 810 N. Main St. and discuss a budget adjustment to cover the costs for the park’s development.
In April, the city received a $5.9 million state grant to purchase the seven acres for the park and develop amenities including a promenade along the lakeshore, basketball court, ninja gym, amphitheater, splash pad, skate park, multiuse lawn area, large sheltered picnic area, bathroom/concession building, public art, parking lot, landscaping and lighting throughout the park and a dedicated area for the future boathouse.
City Manager Kevin Ingram reported that the city is working with SSA Landscape Architects, hired earlier this year, to aid in the planning, design, engineering and project management of the park. The city approved the park’s site plan in August.
“Shortly after that approval of the site plan, SSA began developing engineered project plans to be utilized for the construction of the project. As a result of various factors, most importantly
extremely high construction costs and unfavorable geotechnical issues, it was determined pretty quickly that the project as presented in August far exceeded the grant construction award amount of $4.5 million,” Ingram wrote in his report.
“Over the last several weeks SSA and City staff have conducted an in-depth value engineering process to get the project back within budget,” Ingram said.
As a result, several amenities saw a reduction in scope. Ingram said one option the staff is proposing is that the council consider using some general fund reserve monies to cover the cost of adding back some of the amenities and features that were either reduced or removed from the project.
The amenities that have been reduced in cost include the parking lot, lighting, splash pad, skate park, fitness area, restrooms/concessions, the picnic area, large shade shelter and shade sail, according to Ingram’s report.
He said the council can choose to add back some of those reductions. Use of general fund reserve monies could range up to $805,570.
“Following the approval of the revised site plan and budget by City Council, staff will continue to work closely with SSA Landscape Architects in the development of engineered construction level design plans for the project,” Ingram wrote. “Engineered construction level plans are expected to be completed and the project put out to bid for construction within the next few months.”
Also on Tuesday, Public Works Director Doug Grider will ask the council for approval on a resolution naming the downtown walking path “The Ann Blue Walking Path” in honor of Ann Blue.
Blue is credited with having played a key role in developing the walking path while a member of the city’s Parks and Recreation Committee.
She is a longtime community volunteer, having also served on the Lakeport Planning Commission and the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee, among other organizations.
The council also will consider relocating the two 20-minute designated parking spaces adjacent to City Hall from Park Street to Second Street and adopt revisions to the Green Zones, or limited parking areas, and two-hour parking resolutions to reflect requested change.
On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances; minutes of the regular council meeting on June 16; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the Mendocino Complex fire; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the February 2019 storms; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the October 2019 public safety power shutoff; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the COVID-19 public health emergency; and adoption of the resolution accepting construction of the Spray Field Fence Replacement Project by Thompson Contracting and authorize the filing of the notice of completion.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
The August Complex has burned 1,032,649 acres and is 93-percent contained, the Forest Service said.
The South Zone, which includes the Mendocino National Complex in northern Lake County, remained at 499,826 acres and 90-percent containment, the agency reported.
The Forest Service said there are 737 personnel assigned to the entire incident and 249 on the South Zone.
The complex began due to lightning on Aug. 16 and 17. It’s burning on the Mendocino, Shasta-Trinity and Six Rivers National Forests.
Officials have now updated its estimated date of full containment from Nov. 15 to Dec. 15,
Officials said crews have continued to monitor, patrol and conduct fire suppression repair.
Crews are focused on fire suppression repair in priority areas such as dozer lines around wilderness, in wild and scenic river corridors and locations that are prone to landslides. Officials said they also removed debris from the roads to keep them clear for fire personnel and equipment.
Thus far, crews have repaired 41 of the 218 miles of dozer line in the Zone and nine of the 22 miles of hand line. The Forest Service said repair efforts are being coordinated between the two zones for the entire August Complex.
Resource advisors, or READs, are one of the incident management positions that the Forest Service said are committed to the day-to-day operations of the August Complex South Zone.
The Forest Services said these resources helped develop recommendations for fire suppression rehabilitation of control lines and worked alongside crews and equipment to monitor repair efforts.
Their duties also included providing guidance and identifying potential resource issues that may occur as a result of the incident or incident activities, officials said.