Sunday, 05 May 2024

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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The beacon atop Mt. Konocti is out temporarily, with repairs expected to be completed this month.


The beacon, restored last fall by the Lake County Public Services Department, has shorted out and is awaiting repair, according to Public Services Director Kim Clymire.


Clymire said the new light, installed on top of the tower on Buckingham Peak last Oct. 13, went off on Jan. 15.


He said fixing the beacon requires a climber certified to scale the 120-foot tall communication tower.


Such a climb costs around $800 to $1,000, Clymire said.


“Instead of paying that every time we need to do maintenance on the tower, I have decided to send county staff to a two-day 'tower climbing certified training' class that is being held next week in Sacramento at a cost of around $2,000 for the class, climbing equipment and an overnight stay,” Clymire said.


He said he and his Public Services staff had been waiting for the class to be held before repairing the light.


Clymire said they expect to have the beacon repaired this month.


The beacon was off from the fall of 2006 until last October, when a new $2,500 beacon was installed on top of the tower. On its tower-top perch, the beacon sits at an elevation of 4,172 feet mean sea level, as Lake County News has reported.


The light has been a county fixture for decades.


Public Services reported that the beacon originally was used to comply with a Federal Communications Commission regulation for the old Lake County TV tower on the top of Mt. Konocti, and also has been used by the Lake County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol Division to signal water skiers when they are supposed to be off of the water.


E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf , on Tumblr at http://lakeconews.tumblr.com/ and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A Lake County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue mission in the Mendocino National Forest over Memorial Day weekend resulted in the rescue of a 58-year-old Tracy man.


Capt. James Bauman of the Lake County Sheriff's Office said Ronald Alan Gustafson was found on Monday afternoon after he had been injured in a motorcycle wreck.


On Sunday, May 29, at approximately 10:30 p.m., sheriff’s deputies responded to a vacation home in Lower Lake to investigate a missing person, Bauman said.


Helen Gustafson reported that her husband, Ronald Gustafson, had failed to return from a day ride he had taken on his dual-sport motorcycle to visit friends at a cabin in the “Board Camp” area of the National Forest in Colusa County, according to Bauman.


Ronald Gustafson had left their vacation home on Swedberg Road in Lower Lake at approximately 11 a.m. Sunday and was due to return by 7 p.m. Bauman said Helen Gustafson had last heard from her husband at approximately 4 p.m. as he was leaving the cabin to return to Lower Lake.


Sheriff’s deputies spent several hours before dawn on Monday morning searching for signs of Gustafson or his trail, Bauman said. Despite checking four different forest service roads and venturing as many as 12 miles into the forest, deputies were unable to locate Gustafson.


At approximately 8 a.m. Monday sheriff’s Lt. Chris Macedo began coordinating a Search and Rescue operation to locate Gustafson, Bauman said.


As further information was gathered from Helen Gustafson, Bauman said Search and Rescue volunteer ATV teams and a SAR volunteer logistical team established a base camp off of Elk Mountain Road.


He said that by late morning, a fixed-wing California Highway Patrol airplane had responded to the area from Redding to assist with the search. A U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer also responded to assist.


At approximately noon on Monday, Search and Rescue authorities determined that Gustafson had been found by two unidentified motorcycle riders on forest road 17N04 near Crabtree Hot Springs, Bauman said.


Gustafson had reportedly wrecked his motorcycle and was injured. Bauman said the two riders, who had found Gustafson shortly after 11 a.m., had apparently stayed with the injured man until another unidentified party driving a pickup truck happened by and managed to get Gustafson into the truck.


As Search and Rescue authorities were preceding to the area of the wrecked motorcycle, they crossed paths with the pickup truck just as Gustafson was being driven from the site, Bauman said.


He said a REACH helicopter was dispatched to the area and after finding a landing zone, Gustafson was transported to the air ambulance and subsequently flown to the U.C. Davis Medical center with a possible fractured leg.


It was later determined that Gustafson had wrecked his motorcycle on the forest road at approximately 5 p.m. the previous evening and was stranded the entire night where the bike went down, Bauman said.


Sheriff Frank Rivero expressed his deepest gratitude to Macedo, the Search and Rescue volunteers who contributed to the operation, the CHP air crew, the REACH air crew, the U.S. Forest Service, and to the civilians who found Gustafson and expedited his rescue.


Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf , on Tumblr at http://lakeconews.tumblr.com/ and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .




























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USMC veteran Larry Mick assists June Dye, a veteran's widow, along the Avenue of Flags at Hartley Cemetery outside of Lakeport, Calif., on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, 2011. Photo by Ginny Craven.
 

 

 




LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Monday's Memorial Day commemorations around the county focused on sacrifice and remembrance for veterans of all eras.


Ginny Craven, founder of Operation Tango Mike – which sends care packages to troops overseas – and one of the most dedicated chroniclers of local veterans, captured these image on Monday, Memorial Day.


Memorials were held at cemeteries around the county, as well as the Lake County Veterans Memorial Bridge in Kelseyville, where wreaths of flowers in honor of the sacrifices of veterans were laid on Kelsey Creek's waters.


At the Lower Lake ceremony, the face of a younger generation of veterans emerged.


Brian Martin, who served five years in the US Army, and who today is a lieutenant in the Lake County Sheriff's Office was the guest speaker.


Martin emphasized thanks for those who served, explaining how no speech and no commemoration can ever cover the sacrifice of so many.


On hand at the event was Christopher Wilson, father of Lance Corporal Ivan Wilson, who was killed in July 2008 by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.


On Monday he had received a letter about his son from a member of the military, and asked Martin to read it, which Martin did. The letter spoke about Wilson's service and expressed gratitude for his sacrifice.


Martin said it was the first time he had spoken at a veterans event. He said he expects more younger veterans to begin to take an active part in veterans events and organizations.


For some younger vets, he said, it still may feel too soon, and they need time away from their service before they feel ready to get involved.

 

 

 

 

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A wreath of flowers floats on Kelsey Creek following a wreath ceremony at the Lake County Veterans Memorial Bridge outside of Kelseyville, Calif., on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, 2011. Photo by Ginny Craven.



 


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The Patriot Guard Riders escort the United Veterans Council's Military Funeral Honors Team on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, 2011, in Lake County, Calif. Photo by Ginny Craven.


 

 

 

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The Avenue of Flags at Hartley Cemetery outside of Lakeport, Calif., on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, 2011. Photo by Ginny Craven.
 

 

 

 

 

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United Veterans Council Chaplain Woody Hughes speaks at the Memorial Day ceremony at the Upper Lake Cemetery in Upper Lake, Calif, on Monday, May 30, 2011. Photo by Ginny Craven.
 

 

 

 

 

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A floating tribute of flowers at the Lake County Veterans Memorial Bridge over Kelsey Creek outside of Kelseyville, Calif., on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, 2011. Photo by Ginny Craven.
 

 

 

 

 

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The United Veterans Council's Military Funeral Honors Team at the Lake County Veterans Memorial Bridge outside of Kelseyville, Calif., on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, 2011. Photo by Ginny Craven.
 

 

 

 

 

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At Veterans Circle at Hartley Cemetery outside of Lakeport, Calif., the flag in memory of Pearl Harbor survivor Jim Harris, who died Jan. 8 at age 86, flew at half staff on Monday, May 30, 2011. Photo by Ginny Craven.
 

 

 

 

 

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Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 951 President Dean Gotham unwraps a bouquet to set afloat at the Lake County Veterans Memorial Bridges outside of Kelseyville, Calif., on Monday, May 30, 2011. Photo by Ginny Craven.
 

 

 

 

 

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Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf , on Tumblr at http://lakeconews.tumblr.com/ and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Police Department is looking for information about a vehicle that was involved in a hit-and-run incident on Tuesday night.


A report from Sgt. Rodd Joseph said the incident occurred at about 11 p.m. Tuesday.


He said Clearlake Police officers were dispatched to a reported hit-and-run with a vehicle in the 16100 block of 32nd Avenue.


When officers arrived to the scene they discovered a parked vehicle with significant rear end damage and a damaged metal driveway gate, he said.


Police interviewed witnesses who described the suspect vehicle as a black SUV with a chrome front grill guard, Joseph said.


The suspect vehicle, after crashing into the parked vehicle and metal gate, was last seen driving east on 32nd Avenue. Joseph said vehicle debris left on scene indicates that the suspect vehicle is likely a 1994-1996 black Jeep Cherokee.


The vehicle will have both front and rear end damage, said Joseph.


He said police are looking for this vehicle and owner.


Anyone with information about this vehicle is asked to contact Officer Michael Carpenter at 707-994-8251. You may remain anonymous.


Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf , on Tumblr at http://lakeconews.tumblr.com/ and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .

On Tuesday the WHO/International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) announced that it has classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans based on an increased risk for glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer associated with wireless phone use.


Over the last few years, there has been mounting concern about the possibility of adverse health effects resulting from exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, such as those emitted by wireless communication devices.


The number of mobile phone subscriptions is estimated at 5 billion globally.


From May 24-31, a working group of 31 scientists from 14 countries has been meeting at IARC in Lyon, France, to assess the potential carcinogenic hazards from exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields.


These assessments will be published as Volume 102 of the IARC Monographs, which will be the fifth volume in this series to focus on physical agents, after Volume 55 (Solar Radiation), Volume 75 and Volume 78 on ionizing radiation (X‐rays, gamma‐rays, neutrons, radio‐nuclides), and Volume 80 on non‐ionizing radiation (extremely low‐frequency electromagnetic fields).


The IARC Monograph Working Group discussed the possibility that these exposures might induce long‐term health effects, in particular an increased risk for cancer.


The group said this has relevance for public health, particularly for users of mobile phones, as the number of users is large and growing, particularly among young adults and children.


The IARC Monograph Working Group discussed and evaluated the available literature on the following exposure categories involving radiofrequency electromagnetic fields: occupational exposures to radar and to microwaves; environmental exposures associated with transmission of signals for radio, television and wireless telecommunication; and personal exposures associated with the use of wireless telephones.


International experts shared the complex task of tackling the exposure data, the studies of cancer in humans, the studies of cancer in experimental animals, and the mechanistic and other relevant data.


The evidence was reviewed critically, and overall evaluated as being limited among users of wireless telephones for glioma and acoustic neuroma, and inadequate to draw conclusions for other types of cancers.


The evidence from the occupational and environmental exposures mentioned above was similarly judged inadequate.


The working group did not quantitate the risk; however, one study of past cell phone use (up to the year 2004), showed a 40 percent increased risk for gliomas in the highest category of heavy users (reported average: 30 minutes per day over a 10‐year period).


Dr. Jonathan Samet of the University of Southern California, overall chairman of the working group, indicated that “the evidence, while still accumulating, is strong enough to support a conclusion and the 2B classification. The conclusion means that there could be some risk, and therefore we need to keep a close watch for a link between cell phones and cancer risk.”


“Given the potential consequences for public health of this classification and findings, it is important that additional research be conducted into the long-term, heavy use of mobile phones,” said IARC Director Christopher Wild. “Pending the availability of such information, it is important to take pragmatic measures to reduce exposure such as hands‐free devices or texting.”


The working group considered hundreds of scientific articles; the complete list will be published in the monograph.


The group said it is noteworthy to mention that several recent in‐press scientific articles resulting from the Interphone study were made available to the working group shortly before it was due to convene, reflecting their acceptance for publication at that time, and were included in the evaluation.


A concise report summarizing the main conclusions of the IARC Working Group and the evaluations of the carcinogenic hazard from radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (including the use of mobile telephones) will be published in The Lancet Oncology in its July 1 issue, and in a few days online.


Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf , on Tumblr at http://lakeconews.tumblr.com/ and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .

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Craig Lemke, in a 2007 Lake County Jail photo, is being considered for medical parole from the California prison system. Courtesy photo.
 

 

 

 

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A former Lakeport man sent to prison for 68 years for a home invasion robbery and previous felony strikes will go before the Board of Parole Hearings next month for a hearing to determine if he is eligible for a medical release from prison.


Craig Alvin Lemke, 48, will appear before the parole board on June 15 at Pleasant Valley State Prison near Coalinga, where he is serving his sentence, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.


Lemke is one of several inmates up for medical parole, an issue set in motion by SB 1399, authored by state Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco).


The bill, passed by the Legislature last year and signed by then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in September 2010, is intended to reduce the skyrocketing costs of health care for prisoners.


In a statement released last August, Leno's office said the bill “allows for the medical parole of those inmates who are severely incapacitated and no longer pose a threat to public safety.”


The bill did not offer medical parole eligibility to prisoners sentenced to death or life without the possibility of parole.


Luis Patino, a state corrections spokesman, said inmates like Lemke who are being considered for the medical release are eligible due to “dire” health conditions.


Prisoners considered for release, Patino added, are no longer considered dangerous to their communities, and are severely incapacitated or bedridden.


“They have to be that severe just to be eligible to be considered,” he said.


In most cases, the inmates up for consideration are in hospitals and will remain there, Patino said.


Medical parolees would remain under parole supervision and would be eligible for federal financial assistance to cover medical expenses, “and this burden would no longer fall entirely on California taxpayers,” according to Leno's statement.


The bill was anticipated to save California taxpayers $200 million, with no associated public safety risk, according to Leno.


Leno cited figures from the state's 2009-10 fiscal year, in which California taxpayers reportedly spent nearly $2 billion on the health care needs of state prisoners.


Leno's office said that a state audit found that in a single year 1,175 inmates accounted for 39 percent of specialty health care spending, totaling more than $185 million.


Patino said state prison doctors determine which prisoners are eligible to be considered for medical release.


The prisoners have to be watched by two guards 24 hours a day, said Patino. As prisoners, they're not available for Medicare, but on parole they would be eligible for some federal benefits to cover their costs.


The first of several scheduled medical parole cases came up last week when the Board of Parole Hearings considered the case of 42-year-old Steven Martinez.


Martinez, who became a quadriplegic following a 2001 prison knife attack, had been sentenced to prison for 150 years for a violent 1998 kidnap, attack and rape of a San Diego woman, according to a Los Angeles Times story by reporter Tony Perry (www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-prisoners-20110530,0,78103.story).


It's up to the Board of Parole Hearings to decide of such releases are truly safe. In the case of Martinez, who the board turned down for the parole, Patino said that Martinez had made threats against his nurses.


Due to the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), which protects patient confidentiality, Patino said specifics about Lemke's medical issues were not available for release, although they may be discussed publicly at the June 15 hearing.


Lake County Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff, who will travel to the hearing to argue against Lemke's release, said he hasn't received any of the details about the medical justifications for Lemke's proposed release, either.


“They're saying he needs 24-hour care for something but they don't say what,” said Hinchcliff.


Patino said the details of Martinez's cases were available to be made public because he had previously been considered – and denied – for “compassionate” release due to his condition.


An 'extremely violent' individual

Lake County Superior Court Judge Stephen Hedstrom sentenced Lemke to 68 years to life in November 2007 for a home invasion robbery of an elderly Lower Lake couple's home in February 2006, as Lake County News has reported.


In that February 2006 case, Lemke and an accomplice allegedly broke into a home, tied up an 89-year-old man and his 70-year-old wife with duct tape and put them on the floor before taking money, jewelry, firearms and ammunition, according to the original report from the Lake County Sheriff's Office. Neither victim was seriously injured.


The following month, the sheriff's office reported arresting Lemke – in jail on other felonies – on charges related to the home invasion robbery.


Hedstrom sentenced Lemke to the 68-year sentence for two counts of first degree robbery, first degree burglary, elder theft, two counts of false imprisonment of an elderly person and grand theft of firearms, with the previous strikes doubling the sentence.


One of the previous strike cases had involved a similar home invasion robbery case in 1995 in which Lemke bound a man and his 15-year-old son with duct tape and robbed them.


Hinchcliff said he was angered by the decision to consider Lemke for medical release after only four years into a 68-year sentence.


He called Lemke an “extremely violent person,” and pointed to his previous convictions.


California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation records on Lemke show that before his 2007 conviction he had been sentenced to prison terms on weapons charges in 1986, burglary in 1990 and the 1995 home invasion robbery.


Pointing to the Martinez case, Patino said of Lemke that, just because he's being considered doesn't mean he'll receive the medical parole.


“The Board of Parole Hearings is obviously taking it very seriously,” Patino said.


So is Hinchcliff, who doesn't find the justification of saving the state money and trouble worth risking Lemke's release.


“I'm going to tell them I don't care how much trouble it is,” Hinchcliff said.


E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf , on Tumblr at http://lakeconews.tumblr.com/ and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The service of a search warrant by the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force last month resulted in two arrests and the seizure of methamphetamine.


Arrested were 52-year-old Gary Alan Collins of Lucerne and 27-year-old Anthony Wesley Thomas of Nice, according to Capt. James Bauman of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.


On Friday, May 20, at approximately 6:45 p.m., narcotics detectives served a search warrant on Collins and his Lucerne home, Bauman said. Upon entering the home, Collins and Thomas were both detained without incident.


Collins was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and he was determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance. Bauman said Thomas also was determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance. A search of Collins’ home also produced a glass meth pipe and other narcotics paraphernalia.


Bauman said Collins was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, being under the influence of a controlled substance, and possession of narcotics paraphernalia. Thomas was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance.


Anyone with information that can assist the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force is encouraged to call the anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.


Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf , on Tumblr at http://lakeconews.tumblr.com/ and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .

MENDOCINO COUNTY, Calif. – Authorities are continuing to search for the body of a Los Angeles man who is believed to have drowned on Saturday.


William Kim, 37, was caught in the surf and swept away, according to a report from Capt. Kurt Smallcomb of the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office.


On May 28 at approximately 3:30 p.m. Kim and two other subject went diving for abalone in the ocean in the area of Mitchell Creek, Smallcomb said.


A short time later, one of the other divers caught his limit of abalone and then went towards shore. Smallcomb said the diver observed Kim and the other diver caught up in the breaking surf.


He said one of the divers with Kim told the other to go to shore and call for 911 as the water was too rough for them to return to shore.


A boat was able to rescue one of the divers, but Kim was not recovered, Smallcomb said. A short time later a portion of Kim's dive tube washed upon the shore on Pine Beach.


Smallcomb said a search effort was conducted with the assistance of Mendocino County Search and Rescue, United States Coast Guard and other emergency personnel without success.


He said search efforts have continued without success. Mendocino County Search and Rescue along with other emergency personnel will continue to monitor the waters in a continuing effort to recover Kim from the water.


Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf , on Tumblr at http://lakeconews.tumblr.com/ and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .

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The two people riding along Highway 175/the Hopland Grade outside of Lakeport, Calif., on Monday, May 30, 2011, escaped injury when this Nissan Altima went off the road, into a ravine and overturned. Photo by John Jensen.


 





LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Two people escaped serious injury on Monday when the vehicle they were riding in went off the Hopland Grade and down a steep embankment, landing on its top.


The California Highway Patrol reported the crash just after 3:45 p.m. Monday.


The burgundy Nissan Altima was traveling westbound on Highway 175 over the Hopland Grade when it went off the road and down a ravine, according to witnesses at the scene.


At some point the vehicle went over onto its roof, but the man and woman riding in the car didn't report injuries, behind a scratch on the man's elbow.


The CHP, Lake County Sheriff's Office and tow trucks responded to the scene.


John Jensen contributed to this report.


Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf , on Tumblr at http://lakeconews.tumblr.com/ and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .

 

 

 

 

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The single-vehicle collision resulted in a Nissan Altima and its two occupants going down a ravine off the Hopland Grade/Highway 175 outside of Lakeport, Calif., on Monday, May 30, 2011. Photo by John Jensen.
 

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – A fire destroyed a south county resort's main lodge on Monday night.


The lodge at the Four Springs Retreat, located at 14598 Sheveland, outside of Middletown, was reported to be on fire shortly before 8:30 p.m. Monday, according to South Lake County Fire Battalion Chief Scott Upton.


Upton said the fire in the 3,000-square-foot building, which included seven bedrooms, dining facilities and a conference room, was spotted by an individual on Highway 175 in Middletown.


“They reported seeing smoke and flames,” Upton said.


As Upton was driving up Highway 29 toward the resort, he said he could tell it was a heavily involved structure.


When firefighters arrived, “It had fire coming out of every window and every door,” Upton said.


He said eight fire units – including engines, water tenders, utility vehicles and a medic unit – responded to the secluded resort.


It took firefighters about 20 minutes to contain the fire, Upton said. “There was nothing we could do but protect the surrounding structures, which we did.”


He said the fire's heat scorched the paint and melted plastic gutters on some of the resort's nearby cabins.


There were a minimal threat of the fire getting into nearby wildland, but there were some power lines involved, Upton said. The resort's swimming pool was used as an additional water resource.


Some firefighters were left to help guard the site overnight and keep it secure, according to Upton.


He said there were no injuries, as no one was on the scene.


The lodge was a total loss, said Upton. It had been remodeled in 2005 and was valued at $800,000. He said it was reportedly filled with antiques, instruments and art.


“It was a real loss,” he said, noting the owners “were very upset about it.”


Upton said the fire's cause doesn't appear to be arson.


He said it's under investigation, with investigators narrowing in on a final cause.


The retreat's Web site, www.foursprings.org, explains that it has operated as a retreat since 1956, and in addition to the main lodge has numerous small cabins, meditation and seminar rooms, an arbor and trails.


E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf , on Tumblr at http://lakeconews.tumblr.com/ and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .

SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Tuesday announced “long overdue” personnel and program restructuring at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s (CDCR) headquarters.


This significant change to CDCR will eliminate more than 400 headquarters' positions and save the state $30 million in General Fund dollars.


“This is a long overdue action to make CDCR more efficient while cutting costs,” said Governor Brown.


“The new executive structure is designed to create a leaner organization, clarify functions and responsibilities, delegate decision-making authority and eliminate duplicative functions,” said CDCR Secretary Matthew Cate.


Over the last 18 months, more than 1,000 headquarters' positions – approximately 25 percent – have been eliminated.


These cuts have resulted in essentially the same staffing levels as in 2005, with headquarters' staff now accounting for less than five percent of CDCR’s total work force.


As part of this restructuring, 32 executive-level positions will be cut, including the chief of staff, deputy chief of staff and five chief deputy secretaries.


More than 100 manager and supervisor positions will be eliminated, increasing responsibilities in many areas for those remaining. This round of cuts affects more than 90 personnel classifications.


Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf , on Tumblr at http://lakeconews.tumblr.com/ and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The premiere gala celebrating filmmakers that have contributed to the second annual We Love Tules Four Minute Films Festival will take place on Wednesday, June 15.


The event will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Lakeport Yacht Club, 15th Fifth St.


A social hour will begin the evening with wine and hors d'oeuvres.


Local musicians Kevin Village Stone and Lindy Danton will begin the presentations.


The sponsoring organizations – the Lakeport Main Street Association, Sierra Club Lake Group and Watershed Books – are proud to premiere this small but wonderful collection of new films that feature the amazing and unique aspects of Clear Lake.


Reservations are required and seating is limited.


Call Cheri Holden at 707-263-5787 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for information and reservations.


Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf , on Tumblr at http://lakeconews.tumblr.com/ and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .

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