How to resolve AdBlock issue? LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Republican Central Committee plans to start off 2017 with an organizational meeting.
The meeting will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 10, at Round Table Pizza, 821 11th St. in Lakeport.
Social time will start at 6 p.m. with no host food and beverages, with the organizational meeting start at 6:30 p.m.
Those interested in serving on the committee are asked to attend the meeting.
They will elect the county chair, fill party committee openings and elect officers.
Their goal is to support Republican President-elect Donald Trump on the local level with a active Republican Party.
Follow the local Republican Party on Facebook or for more information contact Lake County Chair Dee Cuney at 707-235-2902.
Thursday, 19 September 2024
News
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is amending its regulation on copayments for veterans’ outpatient medications for non-service connected conditions.
VA currently charges non-exempt veterans either $8 or $9 for each 30-day or less supply of outpatient medication, and under current regulations, a calculation based on the medication of the Medical Consumer Price Index (CPI-P) would be used to determine the copayment amount in future years.
“Switching to a tiered system continues to keep outpatient medication costs low for veterans,” said VA Under Secretary for Health Dr. David J. Shulkin. “Reducing their out-of-pocket costs encourages greater adherence to prescribed outpatient medications and reduces the risk of fragmented care that results when multiple pharmacies are used; another way that VA is providing better service to veterans.”
This new regulation eliminates the formula used to calculate future rate increases and establishes three classes of outpatient medications identified as Tier 1, Preferred Generics; Tier 2, Non-Preferred Generics including over-the-counter medications; and Tier 3, Brand Name.
Copayment amounts for each tier would be fixed and vary depending upon the class of outpatient medication in the tier.
These copayment amounts will be effective Feb. 27, 2017:
– $5 for a 30-day or less supply - Tier 1 outpatient medication;
– $8 for a 30-day or less supply - Tier 2 outpatient medication;
– $11 for a 30-day or less supply - Tier 3 outpatient medication.
These changes apply to veterans without a service-connected condition, or veterans with a disability rated less than 50 percent who are receiving outpatient treatment for a non-service connected condition, and whose annual income exceeds the limit set by law.
Medication copayments do not apply to former prisoners of war, catastrophically disabled veterans, or those covered by other exceptions as set by law.
Copayments stop each calendar year for veterans in priority groups 2 to 8 once a $700 cap is reached.
More information on the new tiered medication copayment can be found here.
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Clearlake Animal Control: 'Alexis,' 'Garfield,' 'Madison,' 'Rusty,' 'Tigger,' 'Tommy'
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake Animal Control has both dogs and cats ready for new homes this week, plus a holiday adoption special.
This week's featured animals include three cats and three dogs, in a variety of ages and types.
Community members interested in taking home a new pet also are urged to ask about the city's holiday special on adoptions.
To meet the animals, contact Marcia Taylor, the animal control outreach technician, at 707-994-8201, Extension 103, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, or contact Animal Control Officer Jenna Tuller at Extension 115 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. those same days or leave a message on Fridays or weekends.
Also follow Clearlake Animal Control on Facebook for the latest updates.
Below are this week's available pets.
'Alexis'
“Alexis” is a 7-month-old female boxer and American Staffordshire Terrier mix.
Shelter staff said she just loves everyone, and likes to run and play, and give kisses. She needs a home for the holidays.
'Garfield'
“Garfield” is a male orange tabby with a short coat.
Shelter staff said he's a young teenager looking for his new family. He is playful and loves a warm lap.
'Madison'
“Madison” is a one-and-a-half-year-old female black Labrador Retriever and German Shepherd mix.
Shelter staff said she likes people and gets along with other dogs. Just show her a leash and she is ready to go with you.
'Rusty'
“Rusty” is a male Chihuahua and Pomeranian mix with a medium-length apricot-colored coat.
He's a very friendly boy who walked right up to the animal control officer in the middle of the street with tail wagging. The owners never even came looking for their lost baby.
He is easy to handle and gets along well with other dogs. If you are looking for a great small dog Rusty is your guy. He also is available for a reduced fee of $60.
'Tigger'
“Tigger” is a young male domestic short hair mix with an orange tabby and white coat.
Shelter staff said he is a “kickback cool cat,” who is ready to go home with you.
'Tommy'
“Tommy” is a young male domestic short hair and Cymric mix cat.
Shelter staff said he is a very nice cat, with a beautiful black and white coat.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Friday, Dec. 16, a group of concerned citizens will hold a candlelight vigil that organizers said will be dedicated to uniting citizens in support of a national movement of electors voting their conscience.
The vigil will take place on the steps of the Lake County Courthouse in downtown Lakeport, beginning at 6 p.m.
Saro Deacon, one of the event's organizers, said the vigil will be in support of electors in the Electoral College voting for a Republican “compromise candidate” rather than Donald Trump.
She said the primary goal of the vigil is to bring citizens of all political persuasions together to put party aside and put the good of America first. Participants will wear purple and hold lighted candles as a symbol of unity and wisdom. This will be a peaceful and respectful gathering.
Christopher Suprun, a Republican elector from Texas, and Polly Baca, an elector from Colorado, have spoken out to say that electors need to choose an alternative candidate.
Many of the presidential electors who have stepped forward in opposition to Trump refer to Alexander Hamilton’s words in Federalist 68: “The process of election affords a moral certainty, that the office of President will never fall to the lot of any man who is not in an eminent degree endowed with the requisite qualifications.”
The vigil is in anticipation of a larger, nationwide vigil to be held in every state capitol around the nation on the evening of Dec. 19, when electors will cast their votes to decide who will be the next president.
- Editor
- Posted On
New anti-steering regulations issued to protect consumers
SACRAMENTO – Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones on Tuesday issued new Anti-Steering in Auto Body Repair regulations that increase consumer protections to prevent consumers from being misled or claims delayed when a collision-damaged vehicle needs to be repaired.
The new rules prohibit insurers from making untruthful, deceptive, or misleading statements to consumers that unreasonably influence a consumer's right to select the repair facility.
These new regulations complement existing state consumer protection laws that prohibit insurance companies from requiring that repairs be done in an insurance company-chosen shop and guarantee that consumers have the absolute right to select where they have their vehicles repaired.
The new rules also provide guidelines for reasonable timeframes for insurers to inspect damaged vehicles and identify what constitutes unreasonable distances in cases where an insurer requires the consumer to travel to obtain a repair estimate or have a vehicle repaired.
"Consumers who suffer from collision damage should not be misled by insurance companies or forced to wait weeks for an inspection in order to steer them away from their chosen shop and into insurer-contracted repair shops just so the insurance company can save money at the expense of proper and safe repairs," said Commissioner Jones.
These new regulations follow the recently approved Auto Collision Repair Labor Rate Survey regulations, which set forth standards for insurers, which, if followed, will ensure that auto body repair labor rate surveys are accurate and reliable so that insurers pay the reasonable and proper amount and consumers are therefore not paying out-of-pocket for collision repairs.
The Office of Administrative Law, which independently reviews all new regulations, approved the commissioner's regulation on Monday.
The regulation goes into effect by operation of law on Jan. 1, 2017. However, these newly adopted regulations are part of the Fair Claims Settlement Practices Regulations, which contain a delayed compliance date in order to give insurers additional time to comply.
The compliance date for the Anti-Steering in Auto Body Repair regulations is March 12, 2017.
- Connel Murray
- Posted On
Symphony celebrates Christmas with Dec. 18 concert
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The annual Christmas concert of the Lake County Symphony has traditionally played to a packed house, and it looks like this year’s version – taking place on Sunday, Dec. 18, at 3 p.m. – will be the same.
Symphony association members, as well as the general public, who have not yet ordered their tickets are urged to do so. They are $25 each, with premium reserved seats at $30, but are discounted $5 each for members.
They are available online at www.soperreesetheatre.com or at 707-263-0577.
There will also be a full dress rehearsal starting at 11 a.m. to which youths under 18 are admitted free. Others may also attend for an entry fee of just $5.
As is traditional the young musicians of the Symphony Association Youth Orchestra will open the concert when, under the direction of Sue Condit, they perform Henry Mancini’s “Carol for Another Christmas.”
They will also play a medley of Celtic Christmas music by David Giardiniere entitled “A Highland Holiday” featuring “The Sussex Carol,” “Good Christian Men, Rejoice,” and an Irish fiddle tune “A Merry Christmas.” For the latter Condit has added an Irish hand drum called a bodhran as well as a pennywhistle and guitar to reinforce the “fiddle music” sound.
John Parkinson, music director and conductor of the 60-piece symphonic orchestra, promises a full measure of holiday cheer with selections ranging from many of the popular Christmas favorites to the score of Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker.”
The latter piece will feature four of the most memorable pieces from this beloved ballet, including “Waltz of the Flowers” and, of course, “The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.”
Since its American debut in 1944 by the San Francisco Ballet Co. the “Nutcracker” has grown to be the most-performed ballet in the country, with some dance groups gaining more than 40 percent of their annual revenues from this one composition, almost all of it taking place during the holiday season.
Parkinson has also invited two local vocalists to join the orchestra in presenting Christmas music. They are Cory Cunningham, who is not only an accomplished trombonist – he plays this instrument in the symphony – but also a vocalist who has sung in the past with the orchestra.
Also billed on the program is 92-year-old Lorraine Gatton, who last year wowed the Soper Reese audience with her Tony Bennett-like delivery of a favorite holiday tune.
But Gatton and Cunningham are not the only singers on tap for the performance. In another tradition the entire audience will be invited to join in singing the “Hallelujah Chorus” to conclude the concert.
Volunteers from the Symphony Association will also serve complimentary cookies and juices during intermission, and a selection of premium Lake County wines will also be available at moderate prices, with all proceeds going to support the symphony and Youth Orchestra and their other music-related activities.
- Editor
- Posted On
Roadwork planned on Lakeport Boulevard, Main Street Dec. 15
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The city of Lakeport reported that two areas of the city will be impacted by roadwork on Thursday, Dec. 15.
From midnight Thursday to 6 a.m. and again from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. on Friday the turn lane will be closed at Lakeport Boulevard just west of Main Street. Please follow traffic control devices in the area.
Additionally, on Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. work will take place in the right-of-way roadway shoulder at the corner of Second and Main streets. There will be no lane closures, but please drive safely in the area.
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
National Weather Service issues storm advisories; wind, large amounts of rain expected
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A storm making its way over Northern California is bringing heavy rain and winds, and has resulted in weather advisories for area residents.
The National Weather Service issued a wind advisory that's in effect through noon on Thursday and a flood watch that ends at 4 a.m. Friday.
The wind watch urges area residents to be prepared for strong, gusty southerly winds that are expected to increase Wednesday night and into Thursday as a powerful weather system moves in from the Pacific and across Northern California.
Winds in Lakeport are forecast to have gusts up to 26 miles per hour Wednesday night and 23 miles per hour Thursday morning, with Cobb likely to have gusts into the low 30s Wednesday night and mid-30s on Thursday morning, based on the specific forecast.
In the Clearlake area, gusts are predicted in the low 30s both Wednesday night and Thursday morning, with similar wind speeds expected on the Northshore.
At the same time, a large amount of rain is in the forecast.
The National Weather Service said moisture from the Pacific will interact with a cold front and bring periods of heavy rainfall and snow in the higher elevations through early Friday, when it starts to taper off.
The forecast calls for conditions to clear on Friday and continue early into next week, when the next chances of rain are expected on Wednesday.
On Wednesday the Lakeport Public Works Department issued its own advisory about the series of storm systems developing over the eastern Pacific and approaching the area, in addition to the heavy winds.
Officials said several inches of rain could fall in the area through midday Thursday.
The department warned that downed limbs are likely and downed trees are possible. Officials asked that people be aware of the possible driving hazards and of emergency crews out in the storm, and that they drive with care and be safe.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
- Lake County News reports
- Posted On
Countywide Wreaths Across America commemoration planned Dec. 17
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Saturday, Dec. 17, ceremonies across Lake County will honor veterans during the holiday season as part of the annual Wreaths Across America Day commemoration.
On this brisk December morning the community is invited help to show the veterans and families of veterans that attend that they will not be forgotten.
Youth organizations and veteran organizations have volunteered to conduct the Wreaths Across America Ceremony this year at Hartley Cemetery, Kelseyville Cemetery, Lower Lake Cemetery, Upper Lake Cemetery and St. Mary’s Cemetery on Saturday starting promptly at 9 a.m.
Seven ceremonial wreaths will be placed to remember all soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who served, honor their sacrifices and teach younger generations about the high cost of our freedoms.
Wreaths Across America pursues its mission with nationwide wreath-laying events amid the holiday season, and year-round educational outreach inviting all Americans to appreciate our freedoms and the cost at which they are delivered.
Specially designated wreaths for the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine and POW/MIA will be placed on memorials during a ceremony that will be coordinated simultaneously at more than 1,100 participating locations all across the country and overseas.
In 2015, Wreaths Across America and its national network of volunteers laid more than 901,000 memorial wreaths with help from 2,507 fundraising groups, corporate contributions, and donations of trucking, shipping and thousands of helping hands.
The wreaths for Hartley Cemetery will arrive by truck and trailer on Friday and will proceed down Main Street escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders.
The trucks are driven across country by veterans who volunteer each year to honor and remember fallen veterans.
Take an hour amid the hustle and bustle of this holiday season and bring your families to attend one of these heartfelt ceremonies that will be performed by youth organizations including Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Clear Lake High School Cheerleaders, 4-H, FFA, CLHS Band, Sheriff Explorers, St. Mary’s Confirmation Kids and K-Corps.
In addition, the Lake County Funeral Honors Team, Patriot Guard Riders and Honor Guard from the Travis Air Force Base will be attending at one of the locations.
Bundle up and show your support for what these veterans and their families have sacrificed. If you can’t make it don’t miss an opportunity to thank a veteran.
Organizers offer their thanks to all of those people, businesses and groups that have so generously sponsored wreaths this year and in the past to assure that veterans in Lake County are honored and remembered.
- Editor
- Posted On
Walks at Rodman Preserve to be suspended during rainy season
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The Lake County Land Trust has suspended its Saturday morning walks at the Rodman Preserve near Upper Lake until April due to the condition of the trails.
“Excessive rain is being expected which renders the trails very soggy and impossible to walk without completely soaking your boots,” said Land Trust Board member Roberta Lyons.
For information about the Lake County Land Trust, go to www.lakecountylandtrust.org .
The Land Trust is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to preservation of open space and natural habitat in Lake County.
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
5.0-magnitude earthquake occurs near The Geysers
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – A 5.0-magnitude earthquake shook The Geysers area and resulted in shake reports from around the region on Wednesday morning.
The quake occurred at 8:41 a.m. four miles west northwest of The Geysers, 14 miles north of Healdsburg and 14 miles southwest of Clearlake, at a depth right at the ground surface, the US Geological Survey reported.
A survey map showed the quake's epicenter was just within the Sonoma County boundaries. The Geysers straddles a portion of the southern Lake County boundary with Sonoma County.
It was one of the largest to be ever be reported near The Geysers, based on survey records.
As of noon Wednesday, the survey reported receiving approximately 1,298 shake reports from 132 zip codes that had been made about the quake.
Those shake reports came from around Lake County, the Bay Area and even parts of Southern California, as well as Oregon and Nevada, survey records showed.
Separately, a Cobb-area resident reported to Lake County News that the quake was so strong that it seemed like it was twisting her home.
The 5.0-magnitude quake was followed five minutes later by an earthquake measuring 3.0 in magnitude, also just below the ground surface, centered four miles west northwest of The Geysers and 12 miles north of Healdsburg and 16 miles southwest of Clearlake, the survey reported.
The second, smaller quake received 11 shake reports from 11 zip codes – including Lakeport, Clearlake, Calistoga and as far away as Galt – as of noon, according to US Geological Survey records.
A 2.6-magnitude quake then occurred mostly within the footprint of the morning's biggest quake at 11:24 a.m., the survey reported.
Those two smaller quakes also were centered in Sonoma County, based on the survey maps.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
- Lake County News reports
- Posted On
County issues reminder to boaters to get 2017 quagga mussel sticker
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – In the ongoing effort to protect Clear Lake and other county water bodies from invasive mussels, the county of Lake is asking boaters to be sure to get their 2017 Lake County quagga mussel stickers.
Boaters must get their new mussel stickers before using their vessels in any Lake County water body.
The Lake County sticker is required in addition to the mussel sticker from the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Boaters should clean, drain and dry boats after every use, and check in with a participating screener when returning from an out-of-county trip with a boat.
The county's screeners stay up-to-date with those counties in the western United States that are infested. If your vessel needs decontamination, the county offers that service for free.
The community is asked to support the program that’s keeping Lake County mussel-free.
The county also asks that community members and boaters spread the word to anyone who may not know about the most serious biofouling pest ever to be introduced to North American freshwater systems.
A few facts:
• Quagga mussels can colonize hard and soft surfaces, mud, plants, docks, boat engine cooling systems and water pipes.
• One pair of mussels produce millions of offspring in a year.
• Densities in Lake Mead since the first introduction in 2005 have grown to more than 10,000 mussels per square meter. Sixty percent of the animal population in Lake Mead is now quagga mussels.
• Beaches become littered with piles of glass-sharp shells.
• They alter the chemistry and biology of the water ecosystem.
• The basis of the aquatic food chain, plankton, is removed by these voracious feeders.
• Three new pristine lakes in the state of Montana have tested positive for quagga mussels in the past month. Up until now Montana was mussel-free.
For the latest list of screening locations see www.nomussels.com or call 707-263-2344.
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