The plan, in effect, would merge commands that the Army, Navy and Air Force have run with separate staffs and resources for decades.

Two of three surgeons general, for Air Force and Navy, oppose the move and hope senators will reject it when preparing their own version of the fiscal 2012 defense authorization bill, and then again when House-Senate conferees meet to negotiate away any differences between the two bills.

The plan to restructure military medicine, which the Army and Navy had embraced five years ago, assumes cost savings of $460 million a year by ending duplication of effort and staff redundancies across the services.

But Lt. Gen. Charles B. Green, Air Force surgeon general, said his service continues to oppose a unified command, in part because it disagrees the restructuring will save money.

“We believe a more effective and efficient joint medical solution can be attained without the expense of establishing a unified medical command,” Green said. “Changes to doctrine can be made within current authorities and do not require a new unified medical command.”

The Navy no longer supports medical command consolidation, at least not now. Vice Adm. Adam M. Robinson, Jr., Navy surgeon general, warned “there is currently no joint construct or doctrine to permit the seamless and safe care for our service members and their families” under a unified command.

But Lt. Gen. Eric Schoomaker, Army surgeon general and commanding general of Army Medical Command, finds “merit in considering the most effective and efficient command structures to support the strategic goals of the military health system, the services and the combatant commanders.”

Under the House bill, the unified medical command would be a major combatant command similar to U.S. Special Operations Forces Command (SOCOM), and reporting directly to the secretary of defense.

The four-star officer selected to run it would be given unprecedented authority over medical staffing, training, purchasing, operations and readiness, just as SOCOM is responsible for all aspects of combined special forces.

Medical personnel still would be trained for service-unique missions in the culture of parent services. But overall medical training, assignments, procurement and operational support would be centrally controlled.

The unified command would oversee three subordinate commands led by three-star officers. One would be responsible for all fixed military treatment facilities. A second would run all medical training and education plus research and development.

The plan is silent on functions such as logistics and information technology, allowing the department to organize those as it deems fit.

A third subordinate command, called the Defense Health Agency, would assume all functions now performed by the TRICARE Management Activity including the multibillion dollar TRICARE support contracts that support vast networks of civilian health care providers to deliver a triple health care option to family members and retirees.

The House directs the secretary of defense to present details for implementing these changes to defense committees by July 1, 2012.

In 2006, while Donald Rumsfeld was defense secretary, the department came near to recommending a similar restructuring plan to Congress. But it was vigorously opposed by the Air Force.

Military Update asked each current surgeon general his views on the unified command plan the House passed in HR 1540 (Section 711).

Green said the Air Force recognizes that service and joint medical doctrine “must be improved to assure service capabilities are fully interoperable and interdependent to bolster unity of effort. The services should continue integrating common medical platforms to reduce redundancy and lower costs.”

But a unified medical command might “not achieve the intended synergy or unity of effort,” Green said. No unified command model so far has included funds or oversight of “medical forces intrinsic to service line units.”

Because “line-funded” medical personnel represent 48 percent of Army medics, 25 percent of Navy medics but only 5 percent of Air Force medics, Green worries Air Force’s “ability to meet operational medical requirements would be disproportionately compromised” under a unified command.

Also, Greed said, a unified command “will require new systems and structure to oversee component headquarters and assigned forces. This will drive even higher costs. If a unified medical command follows the example of the current JTF CAPMED (Joint Task Force, National Capitol Region Medical), it is highly unlikely there will be cost savings.”

A unified command, he suggested, would create a “fourth” military medical service “without the discipline and historical rule sets that govern existing services” and that too will “likely drive costs much higher. Even more critical, a unified medical command may not be as responsive to the needs of service war fighters as is the current oversight by the services.”

Robinson argued the medical community “is already highly integrated” with Army, Navy and Air Force working “seamlessly to care for patients from battlefield to bedside. If we were to create a new unified command, it would require extensive study on how it would be best implemented so that we don't jeopardize our current capability or add excessive cost to the system.”

But Schoomaker, for Army, noted that “numerous” past studies have endorsed a unified medical command to improve the health of the force and to reduce redundancies. “Like all major organizational transformation efforts, however, the devil resides in the details,” he said.

“Army Medicine recognizes the merit inherent in these efforts, providing that the continuum of care remains fully integrated,” he said.

To comment, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., write to Military Update, P.O. Box 231111, Centreville, VA, 20120-1111 or visit: www.militaryupdate.com.

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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County is home to numerous fireworks shows during the July 4 holiday, many of which dazzle the skies over Clear Lake, illuminating the water’s surface.

The following is a sampling of fireworks shows and festivals.

Saturday, July 2

City of Clearlake Independence Day festivities, Clearlake

A lively parade from Redbud Park to Austin Park, street fair, musicians, a car show, arts and crafts, food, a worm race competition (following the parade) and children’s activities complement the evening fireworks show over Clear Lake at dusk at Austin Park. Admission is free. Information: 707-994-3600 or 707-994-3070.

Sunday, July 3

Hidden Valley Lake Independence Weekend Celebration

Hidden Valley Lake community members will gather at the Big Beach, 18600 Lakeridge Circle, beginning at 10 a.m. for a sand castle building contest and casting contest. A poker run for all paddle boats, rowers and canoers at the Little Beach will be held at 11 a.m.; at 1 p.m. a boat parade for best decorated powerboat and paddle-power boat will take place. There will be a pre-fireworks celebration from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Big Beach with a water slide, face painting, jumpy house, crafts for kids and volleyball competition. From 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. there will be live music from the California Cowboys plus Tony Neves' Steamroller Music. Other events: 5 p.m., water balloon tossing contest; 6 p.m., three-legged race; 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., barbecue; with fireworks (conditions permitting) beginning at dusk. Information: Hidden Valley Lake Association, 707-987-3138, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Maxine Sherman Memorial fireworks show, Clearlake Oaks

For a spectacular show, the best viewing area for the Maxine Sherman Memorial Fireworks display is on the water, anchored east of Rattlesnake Island, where the fireworks twinkle overhead and reflect off the waters of Clear Lake. From the shore, Clearlake Oaks Beach on Island Drive is a great spot. Show begins at dusk. Admission is free. Information: 707-998-9563, www.clearlakeoaks.org.

Lakeport Speedway Deake Lyndall Memorial and fireworks, Lakeport

The 2011 Deake Lyndall Memorial will be held at the Lakeport Speedway, located at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St., Lakeport. Following a night of racing, the Lakeport Speedway will have fireworks from the infield, put on by the speedway and Robinson Rancheria Resort and Casino. Information: http://lakeportspeedway.com/.

Monday, July 4

Lakeport Independence Day festivities, Lakeport

An all-day street fair with music, arts and crafts, food, and beverages. The day features a cardboard/duct tape boat race at Library Park. The event ends with fireworks over Clear Lake at Library Park at dusk. Sponsored by the Lakeport Main Street Association and the Lake County Chamber of Commerce. Library Park, between First and Third streets. Festivities begin at 8 a.m. Admission is free. 866-525-3767, 707-263-5092, www.lakeportmainstreet.com, www.lakeportchamber.com.

For more information, call the Lake County Visitor Information Center at 800-525-3743.

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The sheriff's office called the fire “an apparent arson.”

Capt. James Bauman said that at 4:20 a.m. Saturday, June 25, Northshore Fire Protection firefighters and several sheriff's deputies were dispatched to the Elem Indian Colony on Sulphur Bank Road on a report that a mobile home was on fire and that at least one occupant was still inside.

The mobile home at 22 Pomo Drive was reportedly “fully involved” when emergency personnel arrived, Bauman said.

Upon arrival, firefighters began battling the blaze, Bauman said, while sheriff’s deputies quickly learned that all occupants had made it out of the mobile home unharmed.

Within less than 15 minutes of their arrival, firefighters had the blaze under control. However, the home was later determined to be a total loss as a result of the fire, Bauman said.

He said sheriff’s deputies at the scene learned from witnesses that several men had been seen running away from the fire as it broke out. It also was reported that the owners had been threatened the previous day that the home would be burned down.

Nathan Mark Brown, 60, had just taken delivery of the new mobile home the previous day from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Bauman said detectives with the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit were called out to assist with the investigation.

Bauman said that the investigation has so far revealed that Nathan Brown and his son, 40-year-old Robert Anthony Brown, were both in the mobile home when the fire started. Robert Brown told deputies he had stayed awake all night due to the threats made the previous day.

Nathan Brown told deputies that he was in one bedroom of the home when he heard a “crackling” sound outside, according to Bauman's report. When Nathan Brown went outside, he saw that one end of the mobile home was on fire so he quickly went back in and woke up his father.

The father and son ran out of the trailer and considered trying to fight the fire with an extinguisher but it was already out of control, Bauman said.

Bauman said sheriff’s detectives are currently trying to positively identify the male subjects who witnesses reported seeing running away from the fire in order to determine their involvement in what appears to be an arson.

The criminal investigation, as well as the exact cause and origin of the fire, are pending further investigation, Bauman said.

Northshore Fire Deputy Chief Pat Brown, who had released a report to Lake County News on the fire over the weekend, said the district had asked for the assistance of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in investigating the incident.

Brown said Northshore Fire is very concerned about increasing problems at the colony.

He told Lake County News on Monday that he's spoken with BIA officials and is awaiting an answer about his request from BIA on Tuesday.

For Northshore Fire's part, “The fire is still under investigation,” he said.

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“Celebrating our great country’s birthday with friends and family is a holiday tradition for many people,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow.

“Many Californians will be taking to the roadway and we encourage motorists to celebrate safely; designate a non-drinking driver, buckle up, minimize distractions and allow yourself plenty of time to get to your destination so that you don’t feel the need for speed on the highway,” Farrow said.

The CHP will join travelers on the roadway this coming weekend. The Independence Day weekend is a Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) for the CHP.

Officers will be on duty during the MEP, which begins at 6 p.m. Friday, July 1. and continues through 11:59 p.m. Monday, July 4.

“With many people taking to roadway this holiday weekend, motorists can rest assured our officers will be on the lookout for those in need of assistance,” said Farrow.

In addition to providing service to motorists, throughout the Independence Day MEP, CHP officers also will focus on removing impaired drivers from the roadway, discouraging speeders from exceeding the posted speed limit and encouraging all motorists to buckle up; those are three primary causes of death on the roadway.

During last year’s Independence Day MEP, 23 people were killed statewide; among the 11 vehicle occupants killed in CHP jurisdiction, three were not wearing a seat belt.

In addition, CHP officers made 1,438 arrests for driving under the influence.

“We want you to travel safely through this great state and enjoy your weekend with friends and family,” added Commissioner Farrow.

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Annually, the July 4 event draws a large crowd of people to the parklands thus causing safety

concerns.

Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen said the city is expecting heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic in on July 4, with peak flows being just before and after the fireworks show. Citizens are asked to drive with caution.

Park Street between First and Third streets and Second Street between Park and N. Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffic on July 4.

The Lakeport Police Department has set up a public information cellular telephone text alert function through Nixle to provide public safety alerts, other important information, such as lost children, safety concerns, street closures or location information for the safe and sane discharge area to members of the public who are attending the activities during the event.

In order to receive these important public information text messages, members of the public can opt-in by texting the word fireworks to 888777.

As in previous years, the city of Lakeport is allowing the sale and use of Safe and Sane fireworks within the incorporated area of Lakeport.

Any person who wishes to purchase and use Safe and Sane Fireworks shall adhere to the following dates, times and locations for discharging the fireworks.

Dates and hours of discharge

• Friday, July 1: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Saturday, July 2: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Sunday, July 3: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Monday, July 4: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Designated places for discharge

All Safe and Safe fireworks are permitted on any street within the incorporated area of Lakeport from July 1t through July 4, which does not violate section 5.30.180B, which states: “It is unlawful for any person to ignite, discharge, project or otherwise fire or use any safe and sane firework, or permit the ignition, discharge or projection upon or over or onto another’s property without his/her permission or within 10 feet of any residence, dwelling or other structure used as a place of habitation by human beings.”

Discharge of Safe and Sane fireworks will be permitted in a new location north of Library Park during the July 4 event. The location will be cordoned off by barrier tape and will be in the 50 block of Fourth Street.

Discharging Safe and Sane fireworks in any other location in or near Library Park is prohibited.

Alcohol use

Alcohol will be permitted by persons in the parklands during the July 4 event. The event has been issued a “special permit” for alcohol consumption with certain restrictions which are listed below.

These restrictions are in place as a precautionary measure to protect public safety, damage to city property or private property and to protect any and all persons in attendance.

Failure to abide by these conditions may result criminal actions, the immediate suspension of the alcohol permit for the responsible person as well as seizure of their alcoholic beverages and the possible forfeiture of future alcohol permits for the responsible person at special events in the city of Lakeport.

Alcohol restrictions

The following alcohol use restrictions will be in place:

• No kegs or other large alcohol storage/dispensing containers.

• No glass containers.

• No sales of alcohol will be allowed.

• Public intoxication is prohibited.

• Authorized hours for consumption/possession: 12 p.m. to fireworks display.

Noise restrictions

• No amplified music outside of facility or event location.

Park rules

• Park lands will be closed between midnight and 6 a.m.

• Obey all posted rules and regulations.

The Lakeport Police Department will also have a command post set up at City Hall Chambers, 225 Park St., during the event for those who wish to stop by or have questions.

For more information call the Lakeport Police Department, 707-263-5491.

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On Saturday, June 25, the Lake County Sheriff’s Marine Patrol Unit conducted the boating under the influence checkpoint from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. off of Beakban Island and Leubow Point, according to Capt. James Bauman.

Bauman said it was the third BUI checkpoint coordinated by the sheriff’s office in conjunction with “Operation Dry Water” since 2009.

Law enforcement personnel from California State Parks and the California Department of Fish and Game assisted with Saturday’s operation, he said.

The BUI checkpoint was intended to reduce the number of alcohol-related accidents and injuries, and to enforce other California boating laws on the waters of Clear Lake. Boaters were stopped briefly and questioned, according to Bauman.

He said that any boat operators showing signs of alcohol use, intoxication or impairment, were subjected to further testing.

During the operational period, a total of 33 boaters were contacted and screened. Bauman said seven operators were given field sobriety tests and no arrests were made for boating under the influence of alcohol.

“Operation Dry Water” was launched in 2009 by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) in partnership with the United States Coast Guard and has been a highly successful effort to draw public attention to the hazards of boating under the influence of alcohol and drugs, Bauman reported.

Held in June just prior to the July 4 holiday, Operation Dry Water is a national weekend of BUI detection and enforcement aimed at reducing the number of alcohol and drug-related accidents and fatalities and fostering a stronger and more visible deterrent to alcohol and drug use on the water. Bauman said Operation Dry Water is coordinated by NASBLA, in partnership with the states, the U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies.

Bauman said the Lake County Sheriff’s Office considered Saturday’s operation a great success in that no arrests were necessary.

Members of the Marine Patrol Unit and officers assisting from other agencies received a great deal of positive feedback from boaters going through the checkpoint on Saturday, he said.

Sheriff Frank Rivero expressed his deepest gratitude to those members of the California Department of Fish and Game and California State Parks for their participation and support of the BUI checkpoint operation.

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Paul William Braden, 21, of Clearlake Oaks appeared with his defense attorney, Jacob Zamora, before Judge Stephen Hedstrom in Lake County Superior Court's Clearlake division Tuesday afternoon, according to District Attorney Don Anderson.

Anderson said Braden pleaded not guilty to all of the counts against him, as well as a number of special allegations.

Braden is one of three men accused of opening fire on a family and their friends at a residence on Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake late on the night of Saturday, June 18.

He was charged last week with one count of murder for the death of 4-year-old Skyler Rapp; and five counts of attempted murder for shooting Desiree Kirby, 22, Skyler Rapp's mother, along with her 25-year-old boyfriend, Ross Sparks and his brother, Andrew Sparks, 23, as well as Ian Griffith, 19, and Joey Armijo, 15.

Braden also faces six counts of assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of mayhem and special allegations including personally using and discharging a firearm causing great bodily injury, the District Attorney's Office previously reported.

Each attempted murder charge carries a potential life sentence, and the special allegations also could carry 25-years-to-life prison terms, Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff said last week.

Hinchcliff said the prosecution will not be a death penalty case because the evidence doesn't support any of the 22 required conditions for capital prosecution.

State law sets out standards that require prosecutors prove conditions that include lying in wait; gang affiliation; torture; killing of a law enforcement officer, political leader, judge or witness; and drive-by shootings, among numerous other scenarios.

Charged last week along with Braden was Kevin Ray Stone, 29, of Clearlake, who is still at large.

Acting Clearlake Police Chief Craig Clausen indicated Tuesday afternoon that he had no updates yet on the efforts to locate and arrest Stone.

Braden's arraignment came several hours after a third suspect in the case, 23-year-old Orlando Joseph Lopez, was rearrested, as Lake County News has reported.

Lopez and Braden both had been arrested on June 20, with Lopez released from the Lake County Jail late last week as investigators continued to work to build a case against him.

On Tuesday morning, Clearlake Police Det. Tom Clements picked Lopez up after he was able to assemble the needed evidence to charge him, according to Hinchcliff.

Lopez is being held in the Lake County Jail with bail set at $1,510,000. His booking records indicate he is to appear in court for arraignment on Thursday, June 30.

Braden's preliminary hearing has been set for Aug. 1, Anderson said.

Anderson – who indicated he will be handling the prosecution of Braden, Lopez and Stone – said it's too early to tell if all of the men will be tried together.

“We just don't know yet,” he said.

The Clearlake Police Department also is continuing it extensive work on the case, he said.

The victims who survived the shooting are continuing their own work along the road to recovery.

On Tuesday, UC Davis Medical Center spokesman Charles Casey said Kirby, the most seriously injured of the survivors, was listed in fair condition.

Ian Griffith and Andrew Sparks were discharged late last week, according to Casey.

Ross Sparks had been discharged a few days after the shooting and Armijo had been treated and released at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, as Lake County News has reported.

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Orlando Joseph Lopez, 23, of Clearlake Oaks was arrested Tuesday morning, according to Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff.

Hinchcliff said Clearlake Police Det. Tom Clements developed the evidence necessary to charge Lopez and at about 9 a.m. Tuesday made the arrest.

The evidence Clements put together ties Lopez to the shooting that killed 4-year-old Skyler Rapp and left five other people – including the boy's mother and her boyfriend – wounded, Hinchcliff said.

Lopez and Paul William Braden, 21, of Clearlake Oaks had both been arrested on June 20 on allegations that they had participated in the shooting, as Lake County News has reported.

Police are still seeking a third suspect, 29-year-old Kevin Ray Stone of Clearlake in the case.

Hinchcliff formally charged both Stone and Braden on June 22 with murder, attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and numerous special allegations for shooting the little boy, his mother, Desiree Kirby, 22; her boyfriend, Ross Sparks, 25, and his brother, Andrew, 23; Ian Griffith, 19; and Joey Armijo, 15.

Lopez had been released from the Lake County Jail late last week after Hinchcliff said they didn't have the evidence to charge him.

However, Hinchcliff had said at the time that the investigation was continuing, and Tuesday's arrest was the result of those continued efforts.

Hinchcliff said he will charge Lopez with the same counts as Stone and Braden. If convicted on all of the counts, the men would spend the rest of their lives in state prison.

In the wake of the shooting, which police have confirmed claimed the largest number of victims of any shooting in the city's history, many community members discussing the case on Facebook and in article comments sections have clamored for the District Attorney's Office to seek the death penalty.

Hinchcliff said the District Attorney's Office isn't seeking the death penalty because it can't under the law.

He pointed out that death penalty cases must meet one of 22 special circumstances under Penal Code Section 190.2.

Among the special circumstances included in Penal Code Section 190.2 that allow the death penalty are if the murder was motivated by financial gain; if the suspect previously had a first- or second-degree murder conviction; conviction of multiple murders in one case; use of a bomb or other explosive device that either was hidden or mailed; the victim was a peace officer, federal law enforcement officer, firefighter, current or former prosecutor, a judge, elected official or a juror; the victim was a witness to a crime who was intentionally killed to prevent their testimony; the murder was especially heinous and cruel, or involved torture; the defendant killed the victim by means of lying in wait; the victim was killed due to race, color, religion, nationality or country of origin; the murder was committed during the commission of a number of felonies, from robbery and kidnapping to arson and sex crimes; the murder was perpetrated by discharging a firearm from a motor vehicle; and the defendant was an active participant in a street gang.

At the time of the shooting there had been speculation by community members that the suspects involved were gang members, but police and Hinchcliff have said they have not found evidence of gang involvement.

Hinchcliff said there is no firm court date for Lopez yet, although he could be in court on Wednesday for arraignment.

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Scott and Sue Simkover with their award-winning Sauvignon Blanc at the 2011 Lake County Home Winemakers Festival, held at Library Park in Lakeport, Calif., on Saturday, June 25, 2011. Photo by Terre Logsdon.

THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED WITH BEER JUDGING RESULTS.

Along with dozens of wine and beer tastes to sample, artists and value-added agricultural producers also offered their wares once again, making this annual event a fun way to kick off summer in Lake County while raising money for music.

“Another perfect day for tasting wine,” said Ed Bublitz, Clear Lake Performing Arts (CLPA) membership chair and also a home winemaker taking part in Saturday's competition, as he poured his wine for a guest at his booth.

The major fundraiser for CLPA, proceeds from the festival support music activities including the Lake County Symphony, the CLPA Youth and Junior Youth Orchestras, and scholarships.

More than 40 home winemakers and brewers from around Northern California joined many of Lake County's professional wineries, including Rosa D'Oro, Tulip Hill, Bell Hill, Cougar's Leap, Moore Family Winery, Lavender Blue Wines, and Laujor Estate Winery.

Jeff Bertoli (left) and Mark Romano of Tre Amici enjoying their bronze medial for their 2009 Russian River Valley Zinfandel, before winning three more gold medals for their 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, 2009 Merlot and 2009 Chardonnay at the ninth annual Lake County Home Winemakers Festival, held at Library Park in Lakeport, Calif., on Saturday, June 25, 2011. Photo by Terre Logsdon.

A panel of judges tasted the wines and beers beforehand, and the ribbons were awarded during the ceremony (see list below).

Event-goers also voted on the favorite red, white, beer, booth, and label, with acoustic guitarist Travis Rinker providing music for throughout the day.

Peoples Choice:

Red – David Pretari

White – Scott Simkover, Smiling Dog Ranch

Beer – 2 Dudes Brew

Booth – 2 Dudes Brew

Label – David Pretari

Ribbons Awarded by Judges for Wine

Best of show:

2008 Syrah, Andrew Graef, Remembrance Vineyards

Gold medals:

2008 Syrah, Andrew Graef, Remembrance Vineyards

2009 Semillion, Connel Murray, Muritage

2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Jeff and Julie Bertoli, Tre Amici

2009 Meritage, Greg and Jeff Conley, Conley Wines

2009 Petite Sirah, Dwight Holford

2009 Merlot, Jeff and Julie Bertoli, Tre Amici

2008 Gamay, Greg and Jeff Conley, Conley Wines

2009 Chardonnay, Jeff and Julie Bertoli, Tre Amici

2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Danny Morrow, Eastside Winery

2007 Port, Greg and Jeff Conley, Conley Wines

Silver medals:

2010 Syrah, Luciano Meconi

2009 Semillion, Tom and Nancy Harty, Mother Mountain

2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Frank Dollosso

2002 Pinot Noir, Frank Dellosso

2009 Petite Sirah, Danny Morrow

2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Conn Murray, Muritage

2007 Poodle Port, Michelle Schultz

Bronze medals:

2010 Syrah, Michelle Schultz, Remembrance Vineyard

2009 Zinfandel, Jeff and Julie Bertoli, Tre Amici

2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Scott and Sue Simkover, Smiling Dogs Ranch

2010 Cabernet Franc, CLPA Wine Club

BEER

Best of show:

2 Dudes Brew for Playboy White Hefeweizen

Wheat and pilsners:

First place: 2 Dudes Brew, Hefeweizen

Second place: 2 Dudes Brew, American wheat

Third place: Rick White, pilsner

Brown and amber ales:

First place: 2 Dudes Brew, brown ale

Second place: Bruce Lightfoot, brown ale

Third place: Rick White, brown ale

Pale ales and IPAs:

First place: Bruce Lightfoot, pale ale

Second place: 2 Dudes Brew, Crawlspace IPA

Third place: 2 Dudes Brew, Crawlspace Ale

Dark ales:

1st place-Rick White, American barleywine

2nd Place-Rick White, brown porter

3rd Place-Jerry Maughan, oatmeal stout

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Artist Jay Jackson was one of the many artists displaying their works at the 2011 Lake County Home Winemakers Festival, held at Library Park in Lakeport, Calif., on Saturday, June 25, 2011. Photo by Terre Logsdon.

Livia Kurtz of Rosa d'Oro Vineyards, one of the many professional wineries participating in the winefest, an important fundraiser for the Clear Lake Performing Arts. The ninth annual Lake County Home Winemakers Festival, was held at Library Park in Lakeport, Calif., on Saturday, June 25, 2011. Photo by Terre Logsdon.

In addition to the wine and beer tasting, event-goers were treated to the creations of many artists, as well as value-added agricultural producers, at the ninth annual Lake County Home Winemakers Festival, held at Library Park in Lakeport, Calif., on Saturday, June 25, 2011. Photo by Terre Logsdon.

Tommy K. Harty of Mother Mountain Wines displays his silver medal for their 2009 Semillion at the 2011 Lake County Home Winemakers Festival, held at Library Park in Lakeport, Calif., on Saturday, June 25, 2011. Photo by Terre Logsdon.

Jeff Conley proudly displays two gold awards their 2007 Port and 2009 Meritage at the ninth annual Lake County Home Winemakers Festival, held at Library Park in Lakeport, Calif., on Saturday, June 25, 2011. Photo by Terre Logsdon.

On June 23 the California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocated $825 million in new funding to 92 highway, transit, and rail projects that will strengthen California’s economy and upgrade the state’s vast transportation system.

The allocations included nearly $9 million from Proposition 1B, a 2006 voter-approved transportation bond. To date, the state has allocated nearly $8 billion in Proposition 1B funds.

“From one end of the state to the other, transportation projects are providing jobs and improving mobility for people and businesses in California,” said Caltrans Acting Director Malcolm Dougherty.

Lake County will receive $6.15 million for a project to repave about three miles of Highways 29 and 53 in Lower Lake, Caltrans reported.

Caltrans spokesman Phil Frisbie said the project will repave Highway 53 from the junction of Highway 29 and 53 to 40th Avenue. There also will be repaving done on Highway 29 on either side of the intersection of Highways 29 and 53.

There also will be some guardrail repairs, Frisbie added.

The goal is to improve ride quality, prevent further deterioration of the road's surface, extend the roadway life and minimize costly repairs, according to the project list.

Frisbie said the paving project will extend to the south end of another, separate project to rehabilitate Highway 53 and install a traffic signal at the Olympic Drive intersection.

The list of projects also included $236,000 for a pedestrian and bicycle safety outreach program – with emphasis on areas where the state highway is the main street – in Lake, Humboldt, Mendocino and Del Norte counties.

In March Lake County received $13.3 million to repave sections of Highways 29 and 175, as Lake County News has reported.

Other notable projects around the North Coast include several in Mendocino County, including $9 million for a project that will replace the Greenwood Creek Bridge on Highway 1 near Elk with a wider bridge that will include a protected pedestrian walkway; $9.9 million to repave about 20 miles of Highway 128 from near Boonville to the Sonoma County line; $300,000 for road improvements to reduce collisions near Willits; and $3 million to remove a bypassed northern portion of Highway 101 as part of minimizing the manmade features along the south fork of the Eel River, which has received “wild and scenic” designation.

Among the largest dollar value projects approved statewide include two notable design-build projects in Los Angeles County that received $526 million in allocations: the Gerald Desmond Bridge ($470 million) and the Interstate 10/Interstate 605 Direct Connector ($56 million).

Design-build streamlines a project by overlapping design and construction to speed up construction and potentially reduce costs, Caltrans said. Design-build is currently being used in 32 other states.

Caltrans obtained design-build authority in February 2009 with the passage of Senate Bill 4 (second extraordinary session).

The legislation established a demonstration program, which allows 10 design-build projects for Caltrans and five for local transportation agencies, subject to authorization by the CTC.

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062311 California Transportation Commission Allocations

A fire broke out behind a group of homes on Robinson Rancheria near Nice, Calif., on Monday, June 27, 2011. Photo courtesy of Northshore Fire Protection District.

NICE, Calif. – A fire that burned on Robinson Rancheria Monday afternoon threatened several homes before firefighters contained it.

The fire, on Manzanita Circle across from Acorn Drive, was reported at about 4 p.m. Monday, according to radio reports.

Reports from the scene indicated the fire was going the hill behind the group of residences just east of Robinson Rancheria's casino.

Northshore Fire Deputy Chief Pat Brown said the fire ultimately burned about seven acres and threatened four or five nearby homes, burning some fences and weeds near the residences.

Brown said Northshore Fire sent four engines, a water tender and two chiefs – including himself and Chief Jim Robbins – and Lakeport Fire responded with a unit under mutual aid.

He said Cal Fire took over the wildland portion of the fire, providing three engines, two hand crews, a helicopter and one chief.

Reports from the scene indicated that the fire was close enough to being controlled just after 4:30 p.m. that fixed wing aircraft and additional dozers from Cal Fire were canceled.

Brown said the cause of the fire is under investigation, although they have an idea what may have ignited it.

Also late Monday afternoon, the California Highway Patrol reported a fire along Highway 29 near Lower Lake. Radio reports indicated the fire was contained shortly before 5 p.m. by community members.

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

The fire burned a total of about seven acres on Robinson Rancheria near Nice, Calif., on Monday, June 27, 2011. Photo by Elizabeth Larson.

On the first official day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, June 21 – the summer solstice, when the sun is at its highest point in the skies and the hours of sunlight in the day the longest – Lake County recorded the first 100-plus degree temperatures for the year.

Since June 21, daytime high temperatures have steadily decreased – and forecasters are predicting rain and possible thunderstorms Tuesday into Wednesday, unusual for late June in Lake County.

Clouds are predicted to roll in overnight Monday bringing a 60-percent chance of rain throughout the county, and daytime highs will only reach the mid-60s, according to the National Weather Service in Sacramento.

Showers are likely before 11 a.m. on Tuesday, with possible thunderstorms throughout the day with up to one-half inch of rain predicted.

Rain and thunderstorms are possible throughout the night on Tuesday, according to forecasters as the cool low pressure system moves through Lake County and Northern California, with overnight temperatures dropping into the low-50s.

Snow is predicted for the Sierra Nevada mountain range at elevations down to 8,000 feet.

On Wednesday, chances of rain in the morning continue in Lake County while daytime temperatures are predicted to remain unseasonably cool in the mid-70s.

Forecasters are predicting that temperatures will climb slowly upward throughout the week, but remain in the 80s to low-90s throughout next weekend.

For up-to-the-minute weather information, please visit the Lake County News homepage.

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