CLEARLAKE – The day after it closed its Clearlake thrift store and laid off four staff members, the Clear Lake Animal Welfare Society board was moving ahead with plans to keep its voucher program together and address issues relating to its building.

The board has emphasized that CLAWS will continue its voucher program, which helps low-income applicants afford spay-neuter services for their pets.

Over the past five years, CLAWS has paid nearly a quarter of a million dollars to reimburse local veterinarians who honor the vouchers.

In recent weeks, issues with the thrift store's condition and losses in sales as compared to last year led the board to the layoffs and closure, said Board President Laurelee Roark.

The issues were compounded when the state Division of Occupational Health and Safety (OSHA) sent them a letter June 5 regarding a complaint lodged by employee Veronica Morgan regarding allegations of black mold, rodents, sewage backups and holes in the roof.

On Thursday, in response to OSHA's request for a response, Roark sent the agency a letter answering each of the complaint's points, saying that the issues had either been resolved or were not as portrayed in the complaint. With regard to the mold concern, she said there were no mushrooms and that she only saw a small, quarter-sized dark area that she could not confirm was mold or mildew.

The CLAWS store closing and layoff Wednesday was the culmination of several months of tension between the board and employees, among them Morgan and Executive Director Lisa Pecchenino.

Last month a petition requesting the resignation of the three board members – Roark, Marilyn Ferrante and Leslie Wood – surfaced, signed by an estimated 600 residents around the county.

The petition does not state who started it, and both Pecchenino and Morgan say they don't know who is responsible. Roark said she and the other board members haven't seen the petition.

Since the petition starting being publicized, Roark said she and other board members have begun receiving anonymous, threatening phone calls at their homes and work.

The one thing both sides appear to agree on is that the disagreements came to a head at a March board meeting.

Pecchenino, who joined CLAWS as a full-time employee in December 2003, said that at that March meeting she asked for more autonomy in organizing its “Calendar Girls” fundraiser. and told the board they needed “boundaries” because she felt they had bullied and harassed her for months.

When she made that request, she said, “All hell broke loose,” alleging that boardmembers spent the rest of that meeting verbally attacking her.

But Roark said it didn't happen that way, and that the issue was a matter of Pecchenino struggling with the board for more control and less accountability.

Why CLAWS shut the thrift store

The thrift store's viability is another point of disagreement between the board and employees.

For the last nine months, Roark said the Clearlake store has been operating at a $3,000-per-month deficit.

CLAWS' profit and loss statements show that the store made $14,320.45 from January to April, which is approximately half of what the store made during the same period last year. Roark attributes lower sales to the economy.

Coupled with the expenses to run the store, the halving of store profits – which from January to April amounted to about $3,500 less per month – caused CLAWS to run at a loss, said CLAWS bookkeeper Marlene Wentz.

Despite those numbers, Pecchenino said she believes sales at the thrift store are about the same as they ever were, and that the closure was an excuse to dismiss the staff.

She said the store also fulfilled an important community service, providing a place where people could buy clothing, appliances, books and more at affordable prices.

The store also is important to securing grants, she said.

Denise Johnson, Lake County's Animal Care & Control director, said Pecchenino was correct about the need to show granting organizations another source of income.

But Roark said closing the store “is the only way to keep the voucher program safe.” She said it was a hard decision to make, but repairs and other issues gave them no other choice.

Pecchenino said she and Morgan are considering a lawsuit against CLAWS for harassment, but that they don't want to take money away from helping animals.

Both women and their families have their homes on the market and plan to leave Clearlake as soon as they're able.

“We're going to move on and CLAWS is not,” said Pecchenino.

Looking at the group's finances

CLAWS' Form 990s, which income-tax exempt organizations are required to file with the Internal Revenue Service, shows the group's income and expenses over the last several years, including veterinarian costs to cover its spay-neuter voucher program and employee wages.

Over the last five years, CLAWS has provided $237,075 to pay for spay-neuter services for those community members whose income levels qualify them for assistance.

The Form 990s show the following:

– 2006: revenue, $146,185 (grants, $7,699); expenses, $140,545 (veterinarian costs, $22,182; wages, $50,228); total assets at start of year, $194,816; total assets at year's end, $195,617.

– 2005: revenue, $131,028 (grants, $0); expenses, $174,658 (veterinarian costs, $48,144; wages, $56,848); deficit, $43,630; total assets at start of year, $240,501; total assets at year's end, $194,816.

– 2004: revenue, $181,121 (grants, $7,983); expenses, $188,479 (veterinarian costs, $52,387; wages, $65,740); deficit, $7,358; total assets at start of year, $120,728; total assets at year's end, $240,501. (In 2004, CLAWS bought its Clearlake thrift shop building for $112,567.)

– 2003: revenue, $188,137 (grants, $0); expenses, $111,508 (veterinarian costs, $45,988; wages, $25,303); total assets at start of year: $40,883; total assets at end of year, $120,728.

– 2002: revenue, $99,572 (grant amounts were not separated from contributions); expenses, $67,924 (veterinarian costs, $31,547; wages, $7,858); total assets at start of year: $8,057; total assets at end of year, $44,146.

Between January and April of this year, CLAWS' financials show the group put more than $6,100 into its voucher program. Roark estimated that the vouchers average $100 per animal – some are higher, some are lower, based on what procedure is being done and what the pet owner can afford. That rough estimate equals altering services for about 600 animals.

That $6,100 figure for 2007 is about half of what CLAWS paid in vouchers from January through April of 2006.

Roark attributes the reduction to the loss of veterinarians at both ends of the lake, and therefore fewer vets to schedule procedures and honor the vouchers.

Voucher program remains active

Dr. Debra Sally, the veterinarian who works most with CLAWS, confirmed that there are fewer vets and less availability to honor vouchers.

Sally said she has worked with CLAWS since the 1990s, and that the group has made responsible pet ownership responsible for many people who otherwise couldn't have afforded it and educated people about pet overpopulation, which she said is an “overwhelming problem.”

She said she has always worked well with both the CLAWS board and staff to provide spay and neuter services for both dogs and cats through the voucher program. Over the last three years the program has become more efficient and given out more vouchers.

Sally estimates she currently does 40 spay or neuter operations a month in the voucher program. She's the only south county vet clinic to honor the vouchers, she said, because vets lose money on them. “It's a community service,” she said.

She said she plans to continue to honor CLAWS' spay-neuter vouchers, adding she had no reason to believe CLAWS won't continue to pay for them.

Going beyond signing vouchers

Johnson said Wednesday she was shocked to hear of CLAWS' situation, noting that Animal Care & Control has had a close working relationship with CLAWS over the years.

Johnson said CLAWS does “so much more than sign vouchers,” which includes its effort to educate the community about spaying and neutering pets.

She said she hopes the group continues its work, not having those services would be “devastating to the community.”

Johnson said animal groups are emotionally charged, and she's seen situations where emotions override an organization's mission. “The animals and the community are what suffer.”

For those wishing to volunteer to help CLAWS continue its mission, call the CLAWS main number, 994-9505.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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LAKE COUNTY – A recently released report shows that tobacco sales to area youth are showing a promising reduction.

The Lake County Tobacco Program, a program of Lake Family Resource Center (Lake FRC), released the results of the May 2007 Youth Purchase Survey on Wednesday.

The May report shows that sales have dropped to an all-time low of 8.4 percent, with five stores countywide selling tobacco products to teens under the age of 18.

In May 2005 the rate of sales of tobacco product sales to minors was 43 percent – more than five times the most recent sales figures.

Local communities with 100-percent compliance – meaning no sales to youth – in the May 2007 survey included Clearlake Oaks, Cobb, Kelseyville, Lower Lake, Lucerne, Middletown and Nice.

Stores in three communities sold tobacco products to youth: Lakeport, Clearlake and Upper Lake. The highest concentration of sales was in Upper Lake, where 50 percent of retailers sold tobacco products to minors. In Clearlake, 15 percent of stores sold to minors, and in Lakeport the total was 8 percent of stores selling to minors.

With a member of the Adult Tobacco Coalition, youth coalition members enter selected stores. While in the store, the teens survey tobacco product signage and product placement to assure that the store is in compliance with current California law.

One youth approaches the check stand to attempt a purchase while the other observes. If a sale is made, the two teens leave the store and give the cigarettes to the adult advisor. An immediate evaluation is done of the sale/non-sale that includes whether ID was requested, whether a sale was made, and the age and gender of the sales clerk.

Stores are then notified of the results, including the time and date of the sale, with information regarding the clerk training provided through Lake FRC.

Tobacco program coordinator Michael Rupe said the program works hard to develop educational materials for tobacco retailers, which include free training and fact sheets for owners and employees that teach current laws, required signage, identification verification and other resources.

“The drop in sales is dramatic and shows that we cannot slow down in our education efforts to stop cigarette and other tobacco sales to Lake County youth,” Rupe said. “Not only is it illegal to make the sales, those stores still selling tobacco to youth are putting the health of our community at risk.”

Lake FRC Executive Director Gloria Flaherty said store owners and managers have been receptive to the training, scheduling trainings whenever new staff are hired and to reinforce the information for current employees.

“The mission of Lake FRC is 'Strengthening Families,'” said Flaherty. “Educating retailers and families about the risks of tobacco on teens and children is one way we can accomplish that goal.”

The Tobacco Control Program is funded through a state grant to the County of Lake Health Department, who subcontracts operation of the program to Lake FRC.

For more information about the Lake Family Resource Center Tobacco Control Program, or to schedule a presentation, call Michael Rupe, 262-1611.

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Officer Mark Lenahan's enforcement vehicle after the Sunday's crash. Photo courtesy of Officer Josh Dye.

CLEARLAKE – A California Highway Patrol officer heading home after helping conduct traffic control at the weekend triathlon event was hit by a Clearlake Oaks woman Sunday.

CHP Officer Josh Dye on Monday that the collision took place at 7:12 p.m. on Highway 53 north of Ogulin Canyon Road.

Officer Michael Lenahan of the Willows CHP office was traveling back home after serving on the Triathlon One O One traffic detail on Sunday, said Dye. The CHP had a heavy presence at that event, Dye added.

Lenahan was driving a 2003 Chevrolet pickup, a CHP Commercial Enforcement Vehicle, northbound on Highway 53. Driving southbound was Corrina Cuppoletti, 27, of Clearlake Oaks in a 2000 Dodge Neon.

Cuppoletti swerved across the highway's double yellow lines to avoid a collision with a car slowing to the front of her car, said Dye. Lenahan swerved to the right but was unable to avoid being hit by Cuppoletti's vehicle.

Dye said Lenahan was transported to Redbud Hospital for back and neck pain while Cuppoletti, who complained of pain to her neck, decided to seek her own medical help.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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On Wednesday, the CLAWS board closed the Clearlake thrift store. Photo by Elizabeth Larson.

CLEARLAKE – Citing lagging sales and serious building repair issues, the Clear Lake Animal Welfare Society closed down its Clearlake thrift store Wednesday morning and laid off all four of its employees.

CLAWS Board President Laurelee Roark emphasized that CLAWS itself will continue its work on behalf of animals, and that the layoffs and closure were necessary in order to keep the nonprofit's spay-neuter voucher program safe.

Board members Roark, Leslie Woods and Marilyn Ferrante called an emergency 11 a.m. meeting with staff in front of the store, where they made the announcement, handed out final checks and collected keys and CLAWS materials from staff.

Three police officers stood nearby as Roark read a letter to employees explaining the board's decision, which was attributed, in part, to the store running at a $3,000-per-month deficit for the past nine months and building repair issues.

“It's hard to believe you guys are acting in good faith,” Veronica Morgan, one of the employees laid off, said to the board members Wednesday.

The store itself was closed Tuesday after Lisa Pecchenino, the executive director, said they opened the shop that morning to find it flooded with water. Roark and Pecchenino said they were unable to locate the leak.

On June 5, the state division of Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) sent a letter to CLAWS, notifying them of a complaint involving possible health and safety violations filed with their office.

Employee Veronica Morgan said Wednesday she filed the complaint last month, citing black mold and mushrooms growing out of the building's middle wall; plumbing issues with raw sewage entering the work area; holes in the roof and collapsing walls; extension cords being used as permanent wiring; and rodents and spiders in the building.

An individual who supports the CLAWS employees took the City of Clearlake a copy of the OSHA complaint. City Administrator Dale Neiman confirmed Wednesday that the city had received the OSHA document.

Scott Spivey, the city's chief building inspector, said he and Senior Code Enforcement Officer Janine Lowe spent an hour at the store Tuesday to see what the situation was.

“We had no intention of red-tagging the place,” Spivey said.

Walking into the building, which is located a few doors down from City Hall, Spivey said, “I smelled mold right away.”

In addition, he and Lowe found a number of different violations and safety issues for the workers.

Neiman said that, because of the seriousness of the health and safety concerns, he directed Code Enforcement staff to contact the county's Environmental Health Department.

“We have an obligation to deal with the problem and I think Environmental Health does, too, so it's best if we coordinate,” Neiman said.

Spivey said OSHA is the lead enforcement agency on this. He added that with CLAWS closing their doors, the problem is over. If the building is sold, the new owners will be responsible for bringing the building up to code, Spivey added.

As to the responsibility for making the repairs, Pecchenino and Roark told contrasting stories. Pecchenino said the board wouldn't let her move ahead with repairs; Roark said they had given Pecchenino instruction to deal with the mold issue, which she said Pecchenino told her was completed.

The Clearlake store's closure follows that of the Lakeport store, which Roark said took place last spring after the landlord doubled their rent to $2,000 a month.

Plans for moving forward

Roark said CLAWS has several plans for moving forward.

First, CLAWS is considering selling or leasing the Clearlake store, which it bought several years ago from Supervisor Ed Robey, said Roark. However, they've made no definite decision.

As to the store's inventory, Roark said the plan is to have a couple of sidewalk sales and liquidate the store's inventory.

On the grant side, she said former board member Myra Wendt has agreed to volunteer time to follow up on the largest grant CLAWS receives.

Regarding vouchers, Roark said, “The plan right now is to write vouchers in Lakeport and in Clearlake. Where exactly and when exactly we don't know.”

In addition, CLAWS will have a big dog fix at Wasson Memorial Veterinary Clinic in Lakeport toward the end of August.

The three board members will take on most of the responsibilities formerly covered by employees, but they'll need extra volunteer help, Roark said. They're already receiving calls from people willing to help.

For those wishing to volunteer, calls the CLAWS main number, 994-9505.

Tomorrow, Lake County News will take a look at CLAWS' financials and the rift between the board and employees.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Soda Bay, an Appaloosa/Thoroughbred gelding, at Animal Care & Control before he went to his new foster home. Photo courtesy of Animal Care & Control.

LAKEPORT – In the past few years, Lake County Animal Care & Control has had several high-profile cases where horses were malnourished and neglected so severely that it rose to the level of abuse.

Animal Care & Control Director Denise Johnson recently found her department in possession of another such horse, but while a sad story, Johnson said it looks like a happy ending could be on the horizon.

The story begins with a severely malnourished 20-year-old Appaloosa/Thoroughbred gelding whose owner surrendered him to Animal Care & Control May 24 in the hopes that they could find him a new home.

Animal Care & Control staffers dubbed the horse “Soda Bay.”

Johnson said they immediately requested a local veterinarian come out and give Soda Bay a checkup, which they hoped would determine if he had a medical reason for being as thin as he was, or if Soda Bay was the victim of animal neglect that the department would need to investigate.

Dr. Susan Cannon of Wasson Memorial Veterinary Clinic examined and evaluated Soda Bay and the evaluation findings were not good, said Johnson.

“Although the blood work showed no internal problems, he was clearly suffering from malnutrition,” Johnson added.

Next came the hard part: What to do for the horse.

The options, said Johnson, were starkly simple: try to save him, which – though costly – could be assisted through offered donations to cover his feed, which would help defer the “enormous” cost of rehabilitation; or put him down.

Johnson said they called Cannon and the District Attorney's Office to make the best decision for Soda Bay.

Next came serendipity.

Kelseyville resident Valarie Sullivan owns Pikes Peak Appaloosas. She happened to be delivering hay to Animal Care & Control on May 31 when she spotted him, with his ribs painfully visible under his bay hide, his hip bones jutting out at severe angles.

As any true horse lover would do, Sullivan said she stopped and visited with the horse, and then she asked about him.

She said she was told he was slated to be euthanized.

And then she went home and a had a long, sleepless night. Again, as any horse lover would do.

“I was awake all night,” she said. “I thought long and hard about it.”

The next morning Sullivan called Johnson, asking if she could foster Soda Bay.

“I'm just a softy,” said Sullivan, who has loved horses her entire life.

Sullivan offered to pay for his care, said Johnson, including following special feeding instructions which includes a diet of Equine Senior grain, alfalfa meal with molasses, and grass and alfalfa hay. She also promised to follow Cannon's veterinary recommendations to rehabilitate Soda Bay.

Five days later, on June 4, Sullivan took Soda Bay to his new home in Kelseyville.

Sullivan said she gave herself 60 days to see whether or not Soda Bay could be saved. She's seen neglected horses before, she said, but added, “This is the worst case I've ever seen.”

For the first few days, she said Soda Bay seemed very depressed. In the meantime, the farrier came out to trim his hooves and treat the abscesses in his front feet.

In recent days, Soda Bay has begun to seem more at home and is showing improvement, said Sullivan.

He's walking better after his hoof trim, he has new horse friends and the neighborhood kids are coming over to visit. After he's had a chance to put on some more weight, Sullivan said he can start going out for walks.

She said the bay gelding is “super mellow,” enjoys attention and is gentle with the children.

“He likes to be touched, groomed and petted,” she said.

And Soda Bay now has his own Myspace page, designed by Sullivan's sister-in-law, Kenna Sullivan. You can see him online at www.myspace.com/SodaBay and see his wish list, which includes everything from volunteer help to stable supplies, food and horse shampoo.

Sullivan said she has about half a dozen horses now, counting Soda Bay. Some of them have been given to her by people who no longer want them.

Because there's such a need for equine rescue, she's now working on forming a nonprofit to rescue horses, rehabilitate them and find loving families who will give them good homes. Sullivan also wants her organization to provide opportunities for horse ownership for less-privileged children.

Sullivan said it will take a long time to get Soda Bay back to good health. “I expect it to take every bit of a year to get him in some sort of reasonable shape.”

Once he's rehabilitated, Sullivan said she hopes to find him a family of his own.

What does her husband think about her bringing home another horse?

“I think my husband has given up,” she laughed. “There's an imaginary line between the house and the barn, and he never crosses it.”

Johnson said they don't know whether Soda Bay's former owner neglected him, and they're currently investigating the horse's case. She said that she'll review the case with the District Attorney's Office once the investigation is complete, which she estimated could take up to 45 days.

For those interested in making a donation to help with Soda Bay's rehabilitation costs, Dave's Hay Barn in Upper Lake has set up an account; call 275-9246 for more information.

Johnson said Animal Care & Control will be monitoring Soda Bay's rehabilitation on a weekly basis and updates of his progress will be posted on the Animal Care and Control Web site, www.co.lake.ca.us.

Updates on Soda Bay's condition and future also will be posted on www.lakeconews.com.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Dave Thompson led the field and won $10,000. Photo by Harold LaBonte.

LAKEPORT – Elite level athletes from around the world came to swim, bike and run their way through 101 miles of grueling competition on Sunday during Triathlon One O One's inaugural Lake County event.

More than 150 athletes took part in Sunday's competition, which was the culmination of months of preparation. Organizers and athletes began final preparations on Friday, with athlete check-ins, practice swims and meetings.

Twenty-nine-year-old Leandra Cave of Hilperton, England, a professional triathlete, won in the women's competition in a time of 6:39:05, which earned her a $10,000 prize, and also put her in seventh place overall.

David Thompson of St. Paul, Minn, another 29-year-old pro triathlete, led the entire field and won the men's division, taking $10,000 for his performance, timed at 6:03:07.

The race began at 7 a.m. Sunday with a 1.86-mile swim that included two laps around a rectangular course which began and ended at Third Street.

Next, competitors completed an 80.6-mile bike ride, which consisted of three laps from downtown Lakeport, along Lakeshore Boulevard and into Scotts Valley, and back to Library Park.

The triathlon's last leg was an 18.6-mile run that lapped twice around a course that extended from downtown Lakeport, along Hartley Road to East Hill Road and back.

Several hundred spectators gathered for the finish, to see Thompson, Cave and the rest of the field come across the finish line.

The race offered a $50,000 purse, with cash prizes in both the mens and womens divisions down to seventh place.

Top finishers after Thompson in the men's division were: second place, Jordon Rapp, Scarborough, NY, 6:07:36, $6,000 prize; third place, Brian Lavelle, Los Gatos, 6:09:15, $4,000; fourth place, Victor Plata, Sacramento, 6:17:15, $2,000; fifth place, Ted Aas, Molndal, Sweden; 6:18:48, $1,500; sixth place, Chris Hauth, Mill Valley, 6:24:52, $1,000; seventh place, Jeffrey Piland, San Carlos, 6:42:42, $500.

In the women's division, top finishers following Cave were: second place, Kim Loeffler, Colchester, VT, 6:44:06, $6,000; third place, Alexis Waddel, Monterey, 6:51:31, $4,000; fourth place, Karen Holloway, Richmond, VA, 7:00:38, $2,000; fifth place, Kelly Liljeblad, Burlington, VT, 7:00:52, $1,500; sixth place, Erin Ford, The Dalles, OR, 7:02:34, $1,000; seventh place, Gabriela Loskotova, Prague, Czech Republic, 7:09:08, $500.

Most of the competitors came from California and the U.S., with international competitors coming from Canada, Great Britain, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Belgium and Sweden.

Several local competitors also put in strong efforts. Paul Farley of Lakeport finished 68^th overall, with a time of 9:21:41; Michael Murray of Lakeport finished 81^st overall in 9:53:24; and Mike Clifton of Lakeport ranked 119^th, but no time was recorded for finishers after 99^th place.

Shannon Kurek, executive director of Triathlon One O One, told Lake County News that this is the inaugural year of the 101-mile race. It's a middle-distance competition, not the shortest on the circuit but not as long as the 140-mile Ironman Triathlon, the competition that he said helped bring triathlon into the public consciousness.

The One O One race, Kurek said, is the “longest, most raceable distrance.”

Lake County came to the attention of competition organizers after they began looking for more Northern California venues for triathlon events, Kurek explained.

An athlete then told them about Lake County, suggesting they check it out. After he visited, Kurek was sold. “This is postcard perfect,” he said, adding that the county's scenery offered an amazing race venue.

Event director Doug Grout said preparations for the event began in December.

“We typically work 11 months organizing Tri 101 events,” he said. But when they came across Lakeport, toured the area and realized they'd found someplace special, they decided to make a push to put the event on this summer.

Denise Combs helped lead preparations locally, which included numerous tasks such as recruiting volunteers, organizing volunteer meetings, sending out publicity and more.

"We are so very pleased with the results, and we look forward to even greater participation next year, on both sides – the public as well as the athletes,” said Grout. “We hope to announce within a month or so a date for next year."

Kurek said he hopes to see the event grow from the four Triathlon One O One events planned this year to 20 events worldwide within three years. The legion of triathletes is growing, he said, and it includes professional athletes as well as those who only compete in one event a year. He believes the demand will help the competition grow.

Grout commended the gracious participation of the local sponsors, city and county officials. However, he emphasized the contributions of the dozens of volunteers who helped make the event possible – from working on the courses, to directing traffic, organizing personnel, standing by with medical services and running special errands.

For more information about the Triathlon One O One events, visit www.trioneoone.com.

For a full gallery and slideshow of the event, visit our Gallery page, http://lakeconews.com/component/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,37/.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Harold LaBonte contributed to this report.

Leandra Cave traveled from Great Britain for the triathlon event, where she won the women's division and a $10,000 purse. Photo by Harold LaBonte.

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LAKE COUNTY – The county reached its highest temperatures of the year so far on Wednesday, and temperatures are forecast to reach the century mark today.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Sacramento, today should be the hottest day since last summer's heatwave of 11 consecutive days of triple-digit temperatures, which claimed the lives of 141 people and tens of thousands of livestock across California.

Local weather stations in Lower Lake recorded a high temperature on Wednesday of 95, with Lakeport topping out at 93.

Last year's sizzling temperatures – which toppled records in Upper Lake on July 23, 2006 at 105 degrees – not only caused the loss of human and animal life, but also cost California farmers millions in crop destruction and damage.

With the beginning of high and dry daytime temperatures, the NWS reminds us that extra precautions are necessary when dealing with summer heat. Drink extra fluids, seek shade or go indoors. Also remember to check on the elderly and the young who are less able to deal with the heat.

Also remember to give extra water to your livestock and pets. Do not leave pets unattended in your vehicle – even in the shade.

Under a new California law that went into effect January 2007, the owner of an unattended hot vehicle containing a pet will face a fine of up to $500 and as much as six months in jail.

Highs today are expected to reach 100, with lows in the mid-50s, with Friday being a few degrees cooler, according to the NWS. Saturday and Sunday should return to the mid-80s with lows near 48.

E-mail Terre Logsdon at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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NICE – A solo-vehicle accident late Tuesday afternoon sent one woman to the hospital.

The accident, which took place on Highway 20 at Carson in Nice, was reported to the California Highway Patrol at 4:50 p.m.

A white Toyota Corolla went off the roadway and into a ditch, striking a light pole and sustaining major front-end damage, according to the CHP incident log.

The female driver reportedly suffered moderate injuries and was flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Responding to the accident were CHP, Lake County Sheriff and Northshore Fire Protection District.

No further information about the victim or her injuries was available.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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CLEARLAKE – A collision Sunday evening between a vehicle and a California Highway Patrol pickup truck resulted in minor injuries.

The collision was reported at 7:14 p.m. along Highway 53, according to the CHP incident logs.

Initial log reports did not detail how the accident happened, but that the CHP vehicle was not at fault.

The drivers appeared OK, however, there were reportedly medical transports to Redbud Hospital, but who was taken and the extent of their injuries was not stated.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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SACRAMENTO – Evergreen Lakeport Healthcare skilled nursing facility in Lake County has received a "AA" citation, the most severe under state law, and a $100,000 fine, the highest fine under state law, from the state of California after an investigation by the California Department of Health Services (CDHS) concluded that poor care of a 44-year-old resident led to her death, State Public Health Officer Dr. Mark Horton announced today.

Records show that the resident required total assistance with daily living activities.

On June 2, 2006, three days after admission, the resident suffered a seizure and aspirated material into her lungs. When staff responded, suction equipment was unavailable in the resident’s room. When an emergency cart was found, it was not stocked with the necessary equipment to set up emergency suction to clear the resident’s airway. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was initiated, but was stopped before paramedics arrived. The death certificate indicated "aspiration and seizure disorder" as the cause of death.

CDHS determined that the facility failed to assess for and prevent aspiration, failed to ensure staff were adequately trained in emergency response procedures and CPR techniques and failed to ensure emergency airway equipment was stocked and available to nursing staff during a life-threatening situation.

All nursing facilities in California are required to be in compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations governing health care facilities. Facilities are required to comply with these standards to ensure at least a minimal level of quality of care.

California has the statutory authority to impose fines against nursing facilities it licenses as a tool in its arsenal of enforcement remedies for poor care. The "AA" citation process is part of CDHS’ ongoing enforcement efforts in improving the quality of care provided to residents of the state’s approximately 1,400 skilled nursing facilities.

State citations that require a civil monetary penalty be imposed are categorized as Class B, A or AA. The associated fines range from $100 to $1,000 for Class B, $2,000 to 20,000 for Class A and $25,000 to $100,000 for Class AA.

The citation class and amount of the fine depend upon the significance and severity of the substantiated violation, as prescribed and defined in California law. By providing nursing facilities it licenses with consequences for substantiated violations, CDHS strives to protect the health and safety of vulnerable individuals.

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NORTHSHORE – Fires along the Northshore kept firefighters busy over the weekend.

Jim Robbins, chief of Northshore Fire Protection District, reported Monday that his district responded to three fires on Saturday.

The first, according to witnesses, took place at about 4 p.m. Robbins said it was located outside of Glenhaven in the direction of Clearlake Oaks.

The cause? “A young man playing with a magnifying glass, trying to cook some bugs,” said Robbins.

Northshore Fire sent three fire engines, and Cal Fire assisted in fighting the acre-and-a-half-sized blaze.

Robbins said Cal Fire's juvenile fire setter program is going to talk to the youngster about being careful and not starting more fires.

Firefighters had barely gotten their units back in from the Glenhaven fire when they had to leave once again to fight a fire that had broken out along Highway 20.

The fire, located two miles east of Highway 53 past Old Long Valley Road, came across the scanner at 6:17 p.m. Saturday. Robbins reported the blaze was located in heavy timber, and estimated it burned between six and eight acres.

Northshore Fire sent five units and Lake County Fire Protection District sent two units, Robbins said. Cal Fire added an air attack, two air tankers, two hand crews and five engines, according to Cal Fire's incident command center.

That fire was contained by 7:02 p.m. Saturday, but Robbins said he thought Cal Fire still had some firefighters on the scene Monday for mop up. Cal Fire said that fire's cause is still under investigation.

At about 9 p.m. Saturday, Northshore Fire responded with three units to a small fire off Carson behind the Aurora RV Park and Marina in Nice. The fire was quickly contained but Robbins didn't have a final report on the cause.

With it already shaping up to be a busy fire season, Robbins and his staff are in the midst of their weed abatement program. He said they're consolidating the property owner databases from the several departments that have since combined under the Northshore district. They recently sent out about 900 letters asking property owners to keep weeds and grass cut short.

Weeds and grass cut now aren't likely to come back very much during the rest of the summer due to dry conditions, Robbins advised.

For those who don't comply, the district will have the lots mowed and then send out a bill, he said. If the property owners don't pay, a lien may be attached to their property.

Robbins said he was grateful to those property owners who make sure their lots aren't fire hazards. “We really don't want to be in the weed abatement business,” he said.

The Northshore Fire Protection District's main office can be reached at 274-3100.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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CLEARLAKE – A head-on collision early Friday afternoon claimed the life of a Clearlake Oaks man and sent two other Oaks residents to the hospital with major injuries.

The California Highway Patrol's Clear Lake office reported that the accident took place along Highway 53 approximately one-half mile south of Highway 20 at 12:52 p.m.

Ronald Neville, 53, of Clearlake Oaks was driving his 1990 Mazda pickup southbound on Highway 53, the CHP reported. Coming from the opposite direction was 63-year-old Carla Sawyer of Clearlake Oaks in a 1993 Dodge minivan. Both drivers were traveling at between 50 and 55 miles per hour.

For an unknown reason, Neville's pickup drifted to the left and into the opposing lane, which was directly in Sawyer's path, the CHP reported.

Sawyer was unable to avoid the collision, and the two vehicles hit head-on in the Highway 53's northbound lane, according to the CHP report.

The CHP incident logs reported that there was “utter chaos” at the scene, with both cars blocking the roadway and emergency personnel on scene to help the three accident victims.

At just after 2 p.m., CHP confirmed that Neville had died of his injuries.

Sawyer and her passenger, 56-year-old Craig Sawyer of Clearlake Oaks, both sustained major injuries. Carla Sawyer suffered a fractured pelvis and a fractured upper arm. Craig Sawyer had a fractured neck, fractured leg, a broken sternum and broken ribs.

One of the injured was flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, but CHP did not specify which.

Highway 53 was completely shut down for about 15 minutes before one lane was reopened, CHP reported. Both lanes once again were clear by 2:16 p.m.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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