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- Written by: Lake County News reports
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Fire crews and aircraft were quickly dispatched to a wildland fire on the Grindstone Ranger District of the Mendocino National Forest Tuesday afternoon.
The Nail Fire is located approximately 30 miles west of Willows near Fouts Springs and estimated at 25 acres, forest officials reported.
Resources assigned to the incident include several overhead – or supervisory – personnel, along with four engines, four water tenders, one dozer, three air tankers and air attack, which officials said are planes used to coordinate aerial firefighting aircraft over wildland fires.
In addition, two crews have been ordered, officials said.
The cause of the fire is being investigated.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
The University of California Board of Regents announced on Tuesday the appointment of Michael V. Drake, M.D., as the 21st president of UC’s world-renowned system of 10 campuses, five medical centers, three nationally affiliated labs, more than 280,000 students and 230,000 faculty and staff.
Drake has a long and distinguished career in higher education, most recently as president of The Ohio State University, or OSU, from 2014 until this past week.
Prior to his six years at OSU, his entire academic career has been at UC, including as chancellor of UC Irvine for nine years from 2005 to 2014 and as the systemwide vice president for health affairs from 2000 to 2005.
“I am delighted to welcome back Dr. Michael Drake to the University of California as president, and I am confident that Dr. Drake is the leader we need to guide our world-class higher education system through this time of unprecedented challenge,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom.
“Throughout his nearly four decades of service in higher education in California and around the nation, Dr. Drake has distinguished himself as a visionary for how universities can be dynamic institutions of growth and opportunity while remaining agile in a changing environment,” Newsom said. “It is more imperative than ever that our institutions of higher education remain open, accessible and inclusive, and emerge from this moment even more equitable than before. Dr. Drake possesses the demonstrated insight, experience and commitment it takes to help us continue to grow the next generation of extraordinary California leaders.”
“I want to congratulate Dr. Drake on his appointment as president of the University of California and welcome him back to California,” said California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley. “These are unprecedented times in higher education and Californians need access to our institutions more than ever. I look forward to working with Dr. Drake to make the UC more accessible to California Community College transfer students and to ensure that California leads the nation in creating economic and social mobility for students of every background.”
A reputation for leadership
Drake received his A.B. from Stanford University and his residency, M.D., and fellowship in ophthalmology from UCSF. He subsequently spent more than two decades on the faculty of the UCSF School of Medicine, including as the Steven P. Shearing Professor of Ophthalmology.
Under his leadership, Drake greatly enhanced UC Irvine’s reputation as a premier university. UC Irvine rose to join the top 10 public universities in U.S. News & World Report’s annual list and was ranked by Times Higher Education as the No. 1 university in the U.S. under 50 years old. During his tenure at the campus, the four-year graduation rate increased by more than 18 percent, while undergraduate enrollment and diversity significantly increased. In addition, Drake oversaw the establishment of new schools of law and education as well as programs in public health, nursing and pharmacy.
Drake’s tenure at OSU was marked by record-high applications and graduation rates, groundbreaking research and strong donor support. He established several successful programs to increase student access and affordability, including a tuition guarantee program; enhanced scholarships covering the cost of attendance; and increased grants to support middle- and lower-income students. In fact, OSU’s need-based financial aid increased by more than $200 million between 2015 and 2020.
“Much has changed in the 15 years since I was given the privilege of becoming chancellor at UC Irvine, but not my absolute belief in this great University and its time-honored mission,” Drake said. “I look forward to working with the regents, chancellors, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and our broader community as we, together, guide the University through the challenging times ahead. Brenda and I are thrilled to be back. Fiat Lux!”
Drake has published numerous articles and co-authored six books. He served as a reviewer for several medical journals, including the Journal of the American Medical Association, Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science and the American Journal of Ophthalmology. Drake is a member of several national scientific and scholarly societies, and has received various awards for teaching, public service, mentoring and research.
He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He received the UCSF School of Medicine’s Clinical Teaching Award, the Hogan Award for Laboratory Research, the Chancellor’s Award for Public Service, the Martin Luther King Jr. Award for University Service, the UC Irvine Medal, and the University of California Presidential Medal in recognition of his exemplary service to the University.
“Dr. Drake personifies the qualities we looked for in selecting a new president: He is committed to seeing the whole student and to supporting all our students. He recognizes the incalculable value of faculty and staff to the University’s mission, and he understands the importance of the public and private partnerships that help us achieve that mission,” said John A. Pérez, chair of the UC Board of Regents. “As the first person of color to serve as UC president, Dr. Drake returns to UC at an important point in the University’s journey. This is a homecoming the University of California is very excited to be celebrating early.”
Drake’s extensive public service experience includes various roles for the American Medical Association, the National Eye Institute, the Association of American Medical Colleges, and multiple commissions on health in the state of California.
He is a former chair of the board of directors of the Association of American Universities and currently serves as a member of the board of directors for the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. He is also the chair of the board of governors of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, a member of the American Talent Initiative Steering Committee, and a member of the board of directors of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
“Stepping down as president of the University of California is bittersweet, especially after seven wonderful, dynamic years, but I depart knowing Dr. Michael Drake will lead with experience and integrity, with the critical support and guidance of the UC Board of Regents,” said current UC President Janet Napolitano. “Michael has my full confidence, and I am excited to see how his fresh infusion of ideas and new perspectives will shape the University in the months and years ahead.”
A rigorous search
The 10-month long search for the University’s next systemwide leader began in September after Napolitano announced she would leave UC in August 2020. The regents approved rigorous criteria to guide their search.
“UC faculty, staff and students repeatedly told us they want a president who will prioritize issues of equity and fairness and be a powerful advocate at the state and national level,” said Regent Gareth Elliott, chair of the Special Committee in charge of the presidential search. “When we needed the right person to steward UC’s global reputation, it turns out we didn't have to look too far from home. I am very proud of this thorough and inclusive search, and I’m delighted it resulted in such a great match with Dr. Drake.”
“We are thrilled that Dr. Drake has chosen to return to UC at this pivotal moment in the midst of profound global and national change,” said professor Kum-Kum Bhavnani, chair of UC’s Faculty Academic Senate and the Academic Advisory Committee. “President-designate Drake’s demonstrated commitment to undergraduate and graduate students and the work of faculty, understanding of the needs of UC employees, his commitment to social mobility, and his intimate insights into diversity, policing and inclusion ensure UC will continue to be a leader in higher education nationally and internationally as the world enters a bold new era.”
“Participating in the search for the next UC president was a privilege that I did not take lightly,” said Student Regent Hayley Weddle, who also served on the Special Committee. “The top three qualities I was looking for in a new president were a proven record of success in promoting equity and access in higher education, a commitment to working closely with students as partners to address pressing issues such as basic needs and sexual harassment, and a clear vision to advance UC’s public service mission. President-designate Drake has all of these qualities and more, and I am excited to welcome him back to the University of California.”
The board approved Drake’s salary at $890,000.
Pending an academic personnel review, Drake will be appointed as a tenured professor at UCSF.
Drake, 69, and his wife, Brenda, have two grown sons and four grandchildren.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Firefighters are on the scene of a fire that began Tuesday afternoon near the Clearlake Walmart store.
The fire was first dispatched at around 3:15 p.m. Tuesday in the area of 15960 Dam Road, based on radio reports.
Initial reports stated that there were structures threatened.
Minutes later, the Clearlake Police Department issued a Nixle alert telling residents to evacuate the area of Dam Road to Wilkinson Avenue due to the fire.
Reports from the scene as of shortly before 3:25 p.m. put the fire at half an acre in size, with spots fires coming off of it and structures threatened.
Firefighters reported that a small spot fire was starting at the corner of Lake Street and Dam Road. A short time later, a power pole just west of Lake Street was reported to be on fire.
Power lines also are reported to be down in the area. Pacific Gas and Electric confirmed an outage in the area that began at 3:28 p.m. with 574 customers affected. Power is expected to be restored at about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Radio reports just after 3:45 p.m. indicated that residents of the Creekside Mobile Home Park, located at 16425 Dam Road, are not being evacuated but sheltered in place because there are enough firefighting resources on the scene to protect the park.
At 3:50 p.m., air attack estimated the fire size at about three acres. So far, at least one structure has been reported to be involved.
Followup reports said there are ongoing structure threats within the fire’s perimeter.
Just before 4 p.m., the Clearlake Police Department ordered a mandatory evacuation on Dam Road between Jack in the Box and Wilkinson Avenue, from Cache Creek north to Nine Avenue.
Forward progress was reported to have been stopped shortly before 5 p.m., based on radio traffic.
At about the same time, the Clearlake Police Department reported that evacuations had been lifted, but that Dam Road from Lake Street to Jack in the Box to remain closed for several hours.
Fire apparatus remained in the area, with motorists asked to drive with caution.
Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Pam Kan-Rice
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Rachel Elkins, UC Cooperative Extension pomology farm advisor for Lake and Mendocino counties, retired July 1 after 36 years, 33 years in her current position.
“Rachel has been invaluable to the pear industry in Mendocino and Lake counties,” said Bob McClain, California Pear Advisory Board’s field and research director.
The Richmond native’s first UC job was as a typist at UC Berkeley.
Elkins was introduced to UC Agriculture and Natural Resources after earning a bachelor’s degree in international studies at University of the Pacific and bachelor’s degree in agricultural pest management at UC Berkeley, then landing an internship with UCCE integrated pest management advisor Bill Barnett in Fresno County in 1982.
After earning two master’s degrees in pomology and plant protection and pest management at UC Davis, Elkins joined UC Cooperative Extension as a farm advisor intern in 1986 and was hired as a farm advisor in Lake and Mendocino counties in 1987.
“I began with zero knowledge about pear production, my main assigned crop,” Elkins said. “From this beginning, I dived in; I am still learning every day. I am fortunate to have developed close working relationships with UC, industry and colleagues in Oregon and Washington, as well as other states and countries where pears are grown.”
She co-edited and co-authored the 2007 UC Pear Production and Handling Manual, 1999 UC Integrated Pest Management for Apple and Pear, and UC IPM Pear Pest Management Guidelines.
Her most recent co-authored article on predatory phytoseiid mites, detailing work completed in 2008 was just published in the California Agriculture journal.
Elkins is well-known for her research to control codling moth populations by interfering with the insect’s sex life instead of using insecticides.
In 1996, she worked with UC Riverside researcher Harry Shorey to introduce the pheromone “puffer,” fashioned after the devices in public restrooms that intermittently emit a fragrance. Releasing pheromones confuses male moths seeking mates. The method proved successful and ideal in large-scale management because as acreage increases the number of units needed per acre decreases. As a result, organophosphate insecticide use for codling moth control in many pear orchards has almost entirely ceased.
“She was instrumental in developing pheromone puffers for codling moth control,” McClain said, noting that pheromones distributed in orchards on plastic ties were hung by hand 200 per acre. “With the puffer, you needed two per acre, which saved on labor costs.”
A 2003 UC cost study showed that the pheromone puffers saved growers $9 per ton or nearly $200 per acre, based on 20 tons per acre.
The cost savings came from reduced insecticide use – due to fewer outbreaks of secondary pests such as mites and pear psylla – and less need to operate spray equipment, which was becoming increasingly expensive.
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation honored the pheromone puffer project with its 2000 IPM Innovator Award. The puffer is now used on nearly all the pear acreage in Lake County. This success in pears led to its use in apple and walnut orchards.
“The most gratifying part of the puffers’ success is that I put myself out of the codling moth control business and was able to devote more time to horticulture,” she said. “For example, developing modern orchard systems amenable to mechanization, finding alternatives to antibiotics for fire blight control, and joining multistate efforts toward breeding size-controlling rootstocks.”
In 2002, Elkins was named Agriculture Person of the Year by the Lake County Farm Bureau.
Although pears are her specialty, she has worked with growers on more than 25 fruit and nut crops, mainly walnuts, but also apples, kiwifruit, olives and wine grapes.
“My walnut research program has greatly increased in the past decade as higher prices and organic markets have led to new Lake County plantings,” she said. “I established four long-term rootstock trials in 2011-2012, which are providing local growers with important data to decide whether to replace seedling Paradox with newer clonal selections.”
In 2015, she received the American Society for Horticultural Science award for Outstanding Extension Education Materials for producing the video “Budding, Grafting and Planting Walnut Trees in the Field,” a labor of love honoring renowned Lake County nurseryman Alex Suchan.
She has also covered environmental horticulture and, in 1993, started the UC Master Gardeners Program in Lake County, which is still going strong today.
In addition to her research, Elkins has served as UCCE director in Lake County, from 2002 to 2006 and again from 2018 to the present, maintaining excellent relationships with local government officials and partnering with county departments.
Elkins has been granted emeritus status by UC ANR and will continue ongoing research trials. She will return part-time funded by the California Pear Advisory Board and Pear Pest Management Research Fund to continue assisting the statewide pear industry, including as UC ANR commodity liaison.
“I am very glad to work part-time doing pure farm advisor work, which is what I love and why I entered this profession,” Elkins said.
Pam Kan-Rice writes for UC Agriculture and Natural Resources News.