This vehicle went off of Highway 20 in Lucerne, Calif., and rolled over but shopped short of going completely into Clear Lake on Thursday, December 8, 2011. Photo by Nicole McQ.

LUCERNE, Calif. – A Thursday vehicle rollover that ended up with a car on the lakeshore resulted in no injuries, according to initial information provided by the California Highway Patrol and witnesses.

The single-vehicle incident occurred shortly before 4:30 p.m. on Highway 20 at Bel Ray Avenue in Lucerne, according to the CHP.

The vehicle, heading eastbound, went off the road, rolled over and came to rest on its wheels on the lake’s edge, about 30 feet off the roadway, according to the CHP and witness reports.

A young man was driving the vehicle with an older man sleeping in the passenger seat when the vehicle went off the road. A witness reported that the driver said he was blinded by the sun, which led to him going off the road.

The car’s two occupants were able to get out of the car and reported they were OK, according to reports from the scene.

The men were seen by medical personnel; the CHP’s preliminary report indicated they were not injured.

A tow truck was called to the scene, as reports indicated the vehicle would need to be pulled up over boulders in order to get it off the shoreline.

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Christopher Fox, 37, of Laguna Niguel and Curtis Melone (AKA Curtis Kubat), 37, of Huntington Beach were arrested Tuesday on 37 felony counts, including conspiracy, grand theft and unlawful collection of advance fees.

They are being held at the Orange County Jail on $500,000 bail and will be arraigned today in Orange County Superior Court, Harris’ office reported.

Fox and Melone – along with King Harris III, 42, of St. Louis, Missouri – allegedly collected more than $6 million in up-front fees through Orange County- based Green Credit Solutions.

The Attorney General's Office will seek extradition of King Harris, who currently faces federal mail and wire fraud charges in Missouri.

"Homeowners continue to struggle throughout California and across the country to hang onto their homes, and this prosecution is another warning to predators who would seek to profit from their distress: this kind of criminal conduct will meet with swift and certain consequences," Attorney General Harris said.

She advised that homeowners should never pay up-front fees to reduce their loans.

“Californians who face mortgage difficulties should instead contact a nonprofit housing counselor, either through www.HUD.gov or a local nonprofit housing clinic, to learn about the mortgage process and their rights as homeowners,” she added.

In June 2009, the Attorney General's Office launched an investigation of Orange County- based Green Credit Solutions – later renamed Guardian Credit Services and Get My Credit Grade – in response to numerous consumer complaints filed with the office, as well as with the Better Business Bureau, the California Department of Real Estate and the State Bar of California.

Through witness interviews, analysis of the company's marketing materials, and its business and financial records, Department of Justice investigators uncovered a scheme in which thousands of victims paid $3,500 for what they believed were attorney-backed loan modification services to reduce their interest rates, monthly payments or principal balance.

From November 2008 to October 2009, Fox, Melone and King Harris collected more than $6 million from thousands of homeowners across California and nationwide.

Victims were told their funds would be held in a so-called "attorney escrow account" until services were completed. In fact, those fees were often deposited into the account of a disbarred attorney and then promptly transferred to GCS.

Likewise, the company fraudulently claimed that loan modification services would be performed by attorneys; King Harris is a disbarred Tennessee attorney and marketing materials referred to his alleged partners at the defunct law firm of "Smith Harris PLLC."

In May, Attorney General Harris formed a Mortgage Fraud Strike Force to investigate and prosecute mortgage fraud. In August, the Strike Force filed its first suit against a law firm that took millions from desperate homeowners.

In California, foreclosure consultants are prohibited by law from collecting money before services are performed.

For more tips on how to avoid mortgage fraud and other resources, and to report fraud or file a complaint, visit http://oag.ca.gov/consumers/loan-modification.

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120711 Green Credit Solutions case

By forging this alliance, California and Nevada will combine investigative resources, including litigation strategies, information and evidence gathered through their respective ongoing investigations, assisting each state as it pursues independent prosecutions.

This alliance will link the offices' civil and criminal enforcement teams, speeding along the full, fair and adequate investigation of wrongdoing in the two states, which have experienced similar foreclosure and mortgage fraud crises.

"The mortgage crisis is a manmade disaster that has taken a heavy toll on the country, but it saved its worst for California and Nevada," said Harris. "The mortgage crisis is a law enforcement matter, and we will prosecute to hold accountable those who are responsible and also protect the homeowners who are targeted for fraud. I am delighted that California and Nevada are entering into this alliance to leverage the best results for our investigations and look forward to forging similar collaboration with other states."

"I am pleased to join forces with General Harris to fight against fraudulent mortgage and foreclosure practices that continue to devastate lives, homes, and the economy in Nevada and California," said Masto. "This strong partnership will allow our states to make an even more concerted effort to hold fraud perpetrators accountable and ensure law-abiding homeowners receive justice."

By most objective measures, California and Nevada have been the states hardest hit by the nation's foreclosure crisis.

In October 2011, Nevada and California ranked first and second, respectively, for the percentage of their housing units that entered the foreclosure process, reflecting a parallel surge in foreclosures in the two states.

One in every 180 Nevada properties entered the foreclosure process in October, and one in every 243 California homes received a filing that month.

In 2010, California led the nation with a total of 546,669 foreclosure filings – 4 percent of the state's housing units – while Nevada led the nation with 9.4 percent of its homes receiving a foreclosure filing, totaling 106,160 units.

The crisis in these Western states is similar because both states share a foreclosure system in which a bank can foreclose on a borrower's home without court oversight, also called "nonjudicial foreclosure." The collective result has created a rich opportunity for predators, leading both states to make mortgage-related law enforcement action a top priority.

In May 2011, Attorney General Harris formed a Mortgage Fraud Strike Force, now composed of nearly 40 attorneys and investigators, that has launched a wide series of investigations and litigation.

The Mortgage Fraud Strike Force has instigated legal actions in cases including a fraudulent multi-million dollar "mass joinder" lawsuit operated by the law firm Kramer and Kaslow, and the arrests earlier this month of three top officers of a Stockton real estate company who took thousands of dollars in up-front loan modification fees and made false promises to assist struggling Central Valley homeowners with lowering their mortgage payments.

In 2007, Attorney General Masto formed the Nevada Mortgage Fraud Strike Force that launched a wide series of investigations and litigation into areas including violations of the law related to mortgage lending, servicing, and foreclosure practices and the creation, rating, marketing, sale and management of mortgage backed securities.

The Nevada Mortgage Fraud Strike Force has taken action against predatory "mortgage rescue" companies and individuals claiming to offer services to stop foreclosures.

Last month, the Strike Force announced the indictments of Gerri Sheppard and Gary Trafford, who led a massive robo-signing scheme which resulted in the filing of tens of thousands of fraudulent documents.

Nevada is also suing Bank of America and its subsidiaries, including Countrywide, for violations of a Consent Judgment for mortgage servicing and mortgage origination irregularities.

The Mortgage Investigation Alliance is the product of weeks of discussion between Attorneys General Harris and Masto regarding the most effective and efficient means of achieving justice for their respective states.

Tuesday's announcement formalizes an agreement reached between the two officials last week.

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The quake was reported at 1:57 a.m., according to the US Geological Survey.

It was recorded at a depth of 2.2 miles right at the steamfield, six miles west southwest of Cobb and seven miles west northwest of Anderson Springs, the survey reported.

Fifteen quake reports from eight zip codes – Kelseyville, Middletown, Hidden Valley, Calistoga, San Ramon, San Jose, Cloverdale and Geyserville – were submitted to the US Geological Survey.

A 3.0-magnitude earthquake was reported near The Geysers on Nov. 18, as Lake County News has reported.

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Clearlake Police officers will use a donation of toys and blankets to help children in need who they encounter during their. Photo courtesy of the Clearlake Police Department.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A generous Lake County resident has made a donation that police intend to use to help the community’s children.

Clearlake Police Sgt. Rodd Joseph said that on Wednesday, Dec. 7, a Lake County resident who wishes to remain anonymous, donated approximately 40 packages, each containing a brand new children’s blanket and a stuffed animal.

The donations were made and obtained by a group of volunteers for the purposes that law enforcement officers might hand these out to children in need during law enforcement contact, Joseph said.

He said the packages will go a long way in helping children during difficult times.

The packages already have been dispersed to all Clearlake officers and detectives, who will hand them out during the holiday season.

The Clearlake Police Department greatly appreciates this group’s efforts and any persons who make donations such as this, Joseph said.

Though the resident wishes to remain anonymous, persons wishing to donate funds to this group to help purchase the blankets and stuffed animals can contact Joseph at 707-994-8251.

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The plume of smoke from a tule fire near Upper Lake on Sunday, December 4, 2011. Photo by Terre Logsdon.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A Sunday tule fire near Upper Lake appears to be a case of arson, according to Northshore Fire’s chief.

The fire, which was reported after 4 p.m. on Sunday, occurred in a 15- to 18-acre field in the reclamation area near Bridge Arbor North, not far from Upper Lake, according to Northshore Fire Chief Jay Beristianos.

He said the fire was located behind Robinson Rancheria, but that it occurred on private, not tribal, property.

Lake County News readers reported seeing the fire’s large black plumes of smoke on Sunday evening.

It’s similar to other fires lit a few weeks earlier in essentially the same place, said Beristianos.

“The fire last night was lit in three separate places,” said Beristianos, adding there is no reason for the fires to burn where they do unless they’re being intentionally set.

“They’re arson fires,” he said.

The fires can be difficult to fight, since the burning tules – which Beristianos said are as high as 12 feet tall – are located in a swampy area, making it dangerous to send in fire equipment.

On Sunday evening, Beristianos, who himself oversaw the fire response, said his firefighters burned control lines to contain the fire.

Although the fires put out a lot of black smoke, he said they generally burn out when night falls, which was the case with Sunday’s fire.

He said such fires are generally set every few years.

“This has been going on for as many years as I can remember,” said Beristianos, who grew up in Upper Lake.

Beristianos said he’s trying to find out who may be responsible. If it’s being done due to concerns over vegetation growth, he said the fire district can help set up control burns.

Beristianos is concerned about the time and resources responding to such nuisance fires take. There’s also the chance they could become more serious.

Anyone with information about the tule fires can contact Beristianos at the Northshore Fire Protection District, 707-274-3100.

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Kenneth Mark West, 26, a transient who lived between Ukiah and Willits, died after he was hit in an incident that occurred at 8:30 a.m. in the 2200 block of N. State Street, according to Capt. Kurt Smallcomb of the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.

Smallcomb said the California Highway Patrol is conducting the investigation.

Traffic control was reportedly in effect around the area as the investigation took place.

Reports from the scene indicated a yellow three-axle semi truck seen heading southbound from the crash scene may have been involved.

Shortly before 3 p.m. a CHP officer reportedly made contact with a possible suspect in the incident, but no additional details of that contact were available Thursday night.

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On Tuesday, a bat found near the intersections of Point Lake View Road and Anderson Road in Lower Lake tested positive for the rabies virus, according to Animal Care and Control Director Bill Davidson.

Davidson said the bat had been in contact with a neighborhood pet and the appropriate rabies treatment protocols are being taken for the family involved.

“We would like to take this opportunity to remind all residents to make certain their family pets are currently vaccinated against rabies and that contact with wild animals should be avoided,” Davidson said.

He said humans can be exposed to rabies carried by bats through direct contact, bites or scratches. Inapparent exposure can occur when a bat is present in a room where people are sleeping.

If a possible exposure has occurred, the bat should be carefully trapped and submitted for testing whenever possible, Davidson said.

Questions about the need for treatment to prevent rabies can be directed to Lake County Public Health at 707-263-1090 or 1-800-794-9291, or if you or your pet comes into contact with a wild animal, please contact the Animal Care and Control Department at 707-263-0278.

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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A 19-year-old Lower Lake woman was arrested last week after she allegedly assaulted a wheelchair-bound woman for whom she had offered care services.

Katie Key was placed under citizens arrest and cited and released at the scene of the fight, according to Clearlake Police Chief Craig Clausen.

A Lake County News reader reported witnessing the confrontation, which occurred on Old Highway 53 near Highway 53 on Thursday, Dec. 1.

Clausen said the fight was reported to police shortly after 3 p.m. that day.

Key is alleged to have assaulted 46-year-old Christina Warrington of Clearlake, Clausen said.

“I don’t think this was just a random act,” Clausen said. “They definitely knew each other.”

Clausen said Key allegedly confronted Warrington, who was in a wheelchair. Key had worked as Warrington’s In-Home Supportive Services worker, Clausen said.

Warrington, who alleged that Key hit her, placed Key under citizens arrest, and officers then accepted that arrest and cited Key, Clausen said.

Warrington suffered minor injuries as a result of the fight, according to Clausen.

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Steven Greg Humphries, 34, of Kelseyville, Calif., was arrested for drugs, violating his parole and assault on a peace officer on Thursday, November 29, 2011. Lake County Jail photo.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – A Kelseyville man is in custody after he assaulted a detective who was attempting to conduct a parole compliance check.

Steven Greg Humphries, 34, was arrested on Thursday, Nov. 29, according to a report from Michelle Gonzalez of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

On Nov. 29 at approximately 4:28 p.m., members of the Lake County Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force spotted Humphries walking eastbound across the Main Street Bridge in Kelseyville. Gonzalez reported that Humphries was known by Task Force detectives to be on active state parole.

When one of the task force members approached Humphries and asked him if he was on parole, Humphries attempted to throw a small backpack he was carrying over the edge of the bridge, Gonzalez reported.

She said Humphries was taken to the ground by the detectives, but continued to violently resist their actions. A passing motorist quickly came to the aid of the detectives and assisted in subduing Humphries.

Once handcuffs and leg restraints were placed on the Humphries, medics responded to medically clear him. Gonzalez said he refused medical treatment.

During a search of the backpack Narcotics Detectives located a glass pipe with a white residue, 11 small baggies with a clear crystalline substance, which tested presumptive positive for methamphetamine, weighing a total of one ounce; a digital scale, packaging materials and marijuana.

Humphries was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility where he was booked for possession of a controlled substance for sale, possession of controlled substance paraphernalia, violation of his parole, and battery on a peace officer, Gonzalez said.

On Wednesday Humphries remained in custody without bail due to a parole hold. Neither Humphries or the sheriff’s detectives were seriously injured during the altercation, according to Gonzalez.

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

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These drugs and paraphernalia were allegedly found by narcotics detectives on Steven Greg Humphries, 34, of Kelseyville, Calif., on Thursday, November 29, 2011. Photo courtesy of the Lake County Sheriff

“Wreaths Across America” is returning to Lake County again this year.

On Friday, Dec. 9, local volunteers, Boy Scouts Troop 42, Clear Lake High School Interact Club and families of veterans will lay 686 wreaths on the graves of veterans at Hartley and Kelseyville cemeteries.

Formal wreath-laying ceremonies will take place promptly at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at both cemeteries.

Seven specially designated ceremonial wreaths for the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine and POW/MIA will be placed on memorials during the local ceremonies, which will be coordinated simultaneously at more than 600 participating locations all across the United States.

The ceremonies will be performed by local youth and veterans organizations, including Boy Scout Troops, Girl Scout Troops, Sea Scouts, Highway Patrol Explorers and Royal Rangers, the United Veterans Council’s Military Funeral Honors Team and Patriotic Guard Riders.

The national anthem and “Amazing Grace” will be sung by Michaela Mahnke and Bianca Torres. Chaplain Woody Hughes, and pastors Gary Zeek and Gary Dromi will officiate at the ceremonies.

This is the fifth year that there has been a wreath laying ceremony at Hartley Cemetery and the first year at Kelseyville Cemetery, according to Toni Funderburg, the effort’s local coordinator. A future goal is to hold events at other county cemeteries.

The second Saturday in December will mark the 20th anniversary of Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine, donating wreaths to be placed on headstones at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.

The national wreath sponsorship campaign under the guidance of the nonprofit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org will bring the same remembrance wreaths to national and state veterans cemeteries, monuments and community centers all across the nation.

In addition to these ceremonial wreaths, local Boy Scout Troop 42 has joined with Wreaths Across America to promote sponsored wreaths to be placed on veterans’ graves.

Funderburg said the first goal for this year was to place a wreath on every veteran’s gravesite at Hartley Cemetery, and this will happen as a result of the support of the community’s generosity.

The second goal this year was to build wreath stands for all the wreaths at Hartley Cemetery. Thanks to Pam Huebner and her generosity they have wreath stands for all of that cemetery’s veteran gravesites, Funderburg said.

Subsequent to meeting these two goals sponsorships continued from many who value and respect veterans and their families, she said.

With that support they are able to lay approximately 686 wreaths at Hartley Cemetery and Kelseyville Cemetery, according to Funderburg.

The mission of Wreaths Across America is to “Remember (the fallen), Honor (those that serve), Teach (our Children the Value of Freedom).”

Troop 42 and community sponsors want these holiday wreaths to symbolize honor to those who have served and are serving in the armed forces of the United States, as well as to their families, who endure sacrifices every day to preserve freedom, Funderburg said.

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Each year in the United States more than 200,000 people are hospitalized, and as many as 49,000 people die after contracting influenza.

“As this is National Influenza Vaccination Week, it is a perfect time to remind Californians to get a flu shot to protect themselves and others,” said Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). “Since the flu season typically peaks in December and January, I urge people to get immunized now.”

Flu season begins each year in September and ends in March, and influenza vaccination is recommended for all Californians six months and older.

This year’s vaccine will protect against the H1N1 strain, as well as H3N2 and influenza B.

In conjunction with National Influenza Vaccination Week, CDPH released its annual report on vaccination rates among health care employees across the state.

The report found that the employee vaccination rate has increased slightly from 62.6 percent in the 2009-10 flu season to 64.3 percent in 2010-11 for reporting hospitals.

The report also shows that hospital reporting compliance grew to 98 percent in the 2010-11 flu season from 80.9 percent during the 2009-10 season.

In Lake County, the report found that at St. Helena Hospital Clearlake 60.4 percent of employees, 44 percent of nonemployee health care personnel and 68.2 percent of volunteers were vaccinated.

At Sutter Lakeside Hospital in Lakeport, 57.5 percent of employees, 62.3 percent of nonemployee health care personnel and 45.1 percent of volunteer received vaccinations, the report showed.

“Vaccination of all health care workers is strongly recommended in order to prevent transmission of the illness to patients, especially those with long-term medical conditions who are at high-risk for serious complications from the flu,” said Dr. Chapman.

Agencies across the state are joining Dr. Chapman in promoting more vaccination of health care workers, through a letter distributed to all hospitals, long-term care facilities and physician groups throughout the state.

Those joining Dr. Chapman including the California Hospital Association, California Association of Health Facilities, California Medical Association and organizations of health care professionals.

The report released by CDPH offers the following recommendations to improve influenza vaccination coverage among health care professionals:

• Hospitals should consider more rigorous influenza vaccination policies, such as mandatory participation or vaccination, to increase influenza vaccination percentages.

• Hospitals should ensure that influenza vaccination status is a requirement of contracts with physician groups, registry organizations, fellowships, and student training programs.

• Hospitals should account for the vaccination status of all non-employee health care personnel, including registry and contract personnel, students, and trainees.

• Hospitals should implement robust data collection and management systems to document the vaccination status of all health care personnel.

The report can be viewed below.

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120511 CDPH Health Care Workers Influenza Vaccination Report