Saturday, 19 April 2025

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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said its arrest of a Lakeport man marks “a significant development” in the ongoing investigation into a series of property crimes across the county.

Jeremy Wayne Griffin, 38, was taken into custody on March 26 after a brief foot pursuit, said sheriff’s spokesperson Lauren Berlinn.

Griffin had multiple outstanding warrants from Lake County and neighboring counties and was a primary suspect in numerous burglaries, Berlinn said.

Berlinn said the “diligent efforts” of the Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit, Community Oriented Policing and Targeted Restoration Unit, and Lake County Narcotics Task Force established probable cause linkingGriffin to thefts in Loch Lomond and Kelseyville.

Earlier in the investigation, Griffin evaded detectives in a high-speed vehicle pursuit, reaching speeds over 100 miles per hour before fleeing on foot, Berlinn reported.

Berlinn said a subsequent search of the abandoned vehicle yielded significant evidence, including multiple cell phones, burglary tools, cash, checks, stolen property from local businesses, as well as drugs and drug paraphernalia.

Detectives dedicated extensive hours to surveillance and investigative work to track Griffin’s whereabouts, according to Berlinn’s report.

Berlinn said that on March 26 detectives received a report that Griffin had forcibly kidnapped his estranged wife in front of their children. Ring doorbell footage confirmed that Griffin had forced her into a vehicle.

Detectives quickly located Griffin at a property on Gold Dust Drive in Kelseyville. Despite attempting to flee, Griffin was apprehended and arrested without further incident, Berlinn reported.

He now faces multiple charges, including burglary, kidnapping, evading a peace officer, possession of a controlled substance for sales, and numerous felony and misdemeanor offenses tied to his outstanding warrants.

Griffin is currently being held at the Hill Road Correctional Facility, with his bail set at $636,000 according to his booking sheet.

Berlinn said multiple cases have been referred to the Lake County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution, and the investigation into additional property crimes remains ongoing.

Lake County Superior Court records indicate Griffin has a lengthy criminal record, including previous convictions for assault, burglary, drugs and evasion.

The sheriff’s office commended the dedication of its deputies and detectives who worked tirelessly to apprehend Griffin and bring justice to the victims of these crimes.

Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Major Crimes Unit Tipline at 707-262-4088.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A road closure is planned to begin this week for Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest.

Starting on Tuesday, April 1, road access to Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest will be closed to facilitate essential road improvements.

Cal Fire reported that road access is anticipated to reopen on May 1.

The project will focus on restoring roadside drainage and grading the road surfaces, aiming to enhance environmental conditions and improve emergency access that has been impacted by winter weather.

During this period, vehicle access will be limited to the main parking area below the heliport.

For safety reasons, visitors are advised to avoid areas with heavy equipment while work is underway.

“We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding as we complete these necessary upgrades,” Cal Fire said.

For more information, please contact the forest office at 707-928-4378.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Lakeport City Council this week is scheduled to consider a final subdivision map for a property that is slated to be the site of a large affordable housing development and which a new fire map places in the highest fire severity zone in the city limits.

The council will meet Tuesday, April 1, at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

The agenda can be found here.

If you cannot attend in person, and would like to speak on an agenda item, you can access the Zoom meeting remotely at this link or join by phone by calling toll-free 669-900-9128 or 346-248-7799.

The webinar ID is 973 6820 1787, access code is 477973; the audio pin will be shown after joining the webinar. Those phoning in without using the web link will be in “listen mode” only and will not be able to participate or comment.

Comments can be submitted by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To give the city clerk adequate time to print out comments for consideration at the meeting, please submit written comments before 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1.

The meeting on Tuesday will begin with a proclamation designating April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month and a presentation by the Lakeport Rotary Club.

On Tuesday’s agenda, the council will hold a public hearing to adopt a resolution approving the final parcel map for the Parkside Subdivision project, next to Westside Community Park.

The resolution calls for dividing the 15.26-acre property at 1310 Craig Ave. into four separate
residential parcels.

In February, the council adopted a resolution approving the issuance of $35 million in facility bonds to help fund the Parkside project, the first phase of which includes 64 units of affordable housing.

The project has faced fierce opposition from neighbors over the lack of roads going in and out of the area, which already has traffic congestion during events.

In September, the developer promised to build a new vehicle access bridge. However, City Manager Kevin Ingram told Lake County News that the current plan only includes an emergency vehicle access bridge, not a bridge with full vehicle access.

Access is particularly important in light of the release last month of a new Cal Fire fire hazard severity zone map for “Local Responsibility Areas,” including Lakeport. That map added more than 600 acres in the city, including where the Parkside development will be located, to the “very high” fire hazard severity zone.

In other business, the Blue Ribbon Committee for the Rehabilitation of Clear Lake will present a slideshow on their activities.

On the consent agenda — items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote — are ordinances; minutes of the City Council’s regular meeting on March 18; approval of application 2025-015, with staff recommendations, for the SafeRx Youth Summit event; approval of application 2025-017, with staff recommendations, for the 2025 Health & Wellness Expo; approval of application 2025-018, with staff recommendations, for the Abuelitia’s Kitchen Street Fair; and adoption of a proposed resolution adopting a records retention schedule, and authorizing destruction of certain City records and rescinding Resolution No. 2943 (2024).

The council also will hold a closed session to discuss existing litigation, City of Lakeport et al. v. Amerisourcebergen Drug Corporation et al. and a case involving Amerisourcebergen Drug Corporation.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, and on Bluesky, @erlarson.bsky.social. Find Lake County News on the following platforms: Facebook, @LakeCoNews; X, @LakeCoNews; Threads, @lakeconews, and on Bluesky, @lakeconews.bsky.social.
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. — The Clearlake City Council this week will hold the first reading of an ordinance regarding charity bingo games and hold a hearing to close out a city project.

The council will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 3, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

The agenda can be found here.

The meeting will be broadcast live on the city's YouTube channel or the Lake County PEGTV YouTube Channel.

Community members also can participate via Zoom. The webinar ID is 827 7105 3751, the pass code is 715698. One tap mobile is available at +16694449171,,82771053751#, or join by phone at 669-444-9171 or 646-931-3860.

On Thursday, the council will hold the first reading of an ordinance authorizing bingo games for charitable purposes only, and set the second reading and adoption for the next council meeting.

The council also will hold a public hearing to discuss the closeout package to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for the Community Development Block Grant Storm Drain Master Plan. Council members will consider adopting Resolution 2025-14 to authorize the city manager to submit the closeout package, confirming successful project completion and financial reconciliation.

Also on Thursday, the council also will offer a proclamation declaring April 2025 as Child Abuse Awareness Month, receive a presentation by North Coast Opportunities on the BUILD Program and receive the annual animal control report by North Bay Animal Services.

On the meeting's consent agenda — items that are considered routine in nature and usually adopted on a single vote — are warrants; review of the 2024 Annual Housing Element Progress Report; continuation of the local emergency proclamation for the Boyles Fire; continuation of the local emergency proclamation for the winter storms; and authorization of fee structure changed to special events applications, authorizing the city manager to implement special event fees and
deposits based on an hourly rate.

The council also will hold a closed session to discuss a liability claim filed by Anthony Oldfield.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, and on Bluesky, @erlarson.bsky.social. Find Lake County News on the following platforms: Facebook, @LakeCoNews; X, @LakeCoNews; Threads, @lakeconews, and on Bluesky, @lakeconews.bsky.social.
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On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom announced the official launch of efforts to celebrate California’s 175th year of statehood.

Monday’s announcement initiates an effort to commemorate the rich and full history of the Golden State — its people, its progress and its promise — and invites Californians across all regions and backgrounds to take part in honoring the milestone.

This will include celebrations across the state, including on Sept. 9, 2025, to mark 175 years since California joined the Union on Sept. 9, 1850.

As part of the statewide commemoration, Gov. Newsom and First Partner Siebel Newsom are launching a working group — supported by an Ambassador Circle of state and external leaders — to coordinate and amplify efforts that invite communities across the state to celebrate 175 years of growth, innovation, and diversity.

“Throughout American history, California has been a beacon of innovation, shaping the very essence of the American Dream,” said Gov. Newsom. “The state has played a monumental role in igniting movements that have redefined industries, expanded rights, and shaped society. From the farmworker revolution that championed labor rights to the free speech movement that set new democratic standards, California has consistently been at the forefront of progress.”

“California has always been a place of possibility — a state where dreams are realized. Like our nation, our history is far from perfect, but it has been the people of California who have demanded the progress we celebrate today,” said First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom. “Californians themselves are what make the Golden State so special, driving our culture, innovation, and resilience. As we celebrate this milestone, we honor the generations who have shaped California into what it is today so we may continue to work together to build a future where every Californian has the opportunity to thrive.”

As part of the state’s effort to commemorate California’s 175th Anniversary beginning September 9, 2025, Gov. Newsom and First Partner Siebel Newsom are launching a working group — across state agencies and departments — to identify different ways people across the Golden State can mark the occasion and celebrate nearly two centuries of growth, innovation and diversity. An “ambassador circle,” composed of cabinet secretaries, legislative designees, constitutional officers and external partners, will help amplify and support activities throughout the state.

America 250

California's celebration comes as the country gears up to celebrate 250 years next July.

The working group will lead commemorations of both California 175 and America 250, with state agencies and departments celebrating efforts that reflect upon and honor the state’s and country’s history, building on that work to better our communities for the future.

Californians can sign up on the newly launched website to learn more about how the state will be marking this occasion – including different events and activities – as well as America’s 250th birthday during Summer 2026.

Learn more about the California’s 175th Anniversary: https://celebrate.ca.gov/.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The East Region Town Hall, or ERTH, will get updates on roads, a new park and general projects when it meets this week.

The meeting will take place beginning at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, at the Moose Lodge, located at 15900 Moose Lodge Lane in Clearlake Oaks.

The meeting will be available via Zoom. The meeting ID is 813 6295 6146, pass code is 917658.

The guest speaker for the event will be John Speka, senior transportation planner for the Lake Area Planning Council.

Speka will discuss the Regional Transportation Plan and Active Transportation Plan which
identifies needs and priority projects over the next 20 years for all modes of transportation including streets and roads, highways, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and public transit.

Also on the agenda is an update on the development of John T. Klaus Park east of Clearlake Oaks. A county meeting was held last week to give updates on the concept design.

In other business, ERTH will discuss updates to its bylaws and website, and a proposed community mailer.

There also will be updates on the Commercial Cannabis Report and Cannabis Ordinance Task Force, General Plan and Shoreline Area Plan, and code enforcement-related matters regarding abandoned RVs, trash and a new county reporting system.

ERTH also will consider a letter of support for the Clearlake Oaks/Schindler Creek Initiative as well as a letter to Public Works regarding High Valley Road.

District 3 Supervisor EJ Crandell also is scheduled to give his monthly report.

ERTH’s next meeting will take place on May 7.

Members are Denise Loustalot, Angela Amaral, Jim Burton, Holly Harris and Maria Kann.

For more information visit the group’s Facebook page.
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The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, or ABC, recognizes the importance of Alcohol Awareness Month every April due to the high number of alcohol-related deaths each year in the U.S.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, excessive alcohol use is a leading preventable cause of death, and these deaths are on the rise.

Between 2016 to 2017, 138,000 deaths were alcohol related — between 2020 to 2021, that increased to 178,000.

Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, says 13,524 people died in alcohol-impaired vehicle collisions in 2022.

"This month serves as an important reminder that customers and licensees need to do their part to limit alcohol-related harm,” said ABC Director Joseph McCullough. “Whether you’re drinking alcohol or serving it, you have to do so responsibly because it can help save lives.”

ABC encourages patrons to always plan for a sober ride home after drinking and to never binge drink. Licensees are encouraged to stringently check IDs to prevent underage drinking and to never serve obviously intoxicated patrons.

Licensees and bystanders are also encouraged to report any signs of excessive or underage drinking to local authorities.

The effects of alcohol misuse are both deadly and expensive. Alcohol is the fourth-leading cause of preventable death in the United States, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and has a role in at least 7.1% of all emergency room visits.

The financial burden of alcohol misuse cost the U.S. an estimated $249 billion per year. NHTSA estimates that drunk driving crashes cost the U.S. $68.9 billion annually.
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This map depicts where there is a greater than 50% chance of drought persistence, development or improvement based on short- and long-range statistical and dynamical forecasts from March 20 through June 30, 2025. Image credit: NOAA.

Forecasters from NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center — part of the National Weather Service — issued the 2025 U.S. Spring Outlook for temperature, precipitation, drought and flooding for the coming months.

Forecasters predict above-average temperatures for the East and Gulf Coast regions, while drought conditions continue in the Southwest.

Experts at NOAA’s National Water Center predict that widespread major flooding is not expected this spring across the CONUS, and significantly reduced flood risk exists over much of the U.S., given above-average temperatures, combined with well-below-average snowpack over the Northern Plains, Midwest and Ohio Valley.

“The Spring Outlook provides critical information for our partners — including those in agriculture, shipping and recreation — allowing them to prepare for what’s ahead this spring and maximize their economic potential,” said Ken Graham, director of NOAA’s National Weather Service.

Moderate-to-exceptional drought conditions currently exist across more than 40% of the continental U.S. Drought conditions are likely to persist in the Southwest and parts of the Rocky Mountains, while drought improvement is forecast for the Great Lakes region. Drought development is likely across the central and southern Great Plains.

Much of the western U.S. is favored to receive below-average precipitation, with the greatest odds of below-average precipitation in the central and southern Rockies, including the Four Corners region. Precipitation is favored to be above-average in some areas of the Great Lakes and in northern and western Alaska.

Above-average temperatures are likely across much of the U.S., including locations that experienced colder-than-average temperatures and unusual snowfall during the winter.

For April through June, above-average temperatures are favored along the southern tier of the country and for the Eastern seaboard with the highest chances for central and south Florida, and an area stretching from the Texas and Louisiana coasts to southern Utah and eastern Nevada.

La Nina conditions emerged during the winter — with cooler-than-average conditions observed in the waters of the equatorial Pacific — but the event is weakening entering the spring months. There is a 75% probability that ENSO-neutral conditions — neither El Nino nor La Nina — will return in the February-April 2025 time frame.

“La Nina’s influence on the Spring Outlook is limited as it weakens entering the spring months,” said Jon Gottschalck, chief of the Operational Prediction Branch, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. “Other factors such as soil conditions and shorter-term climate patterns are more evident and influential when a strong ENSO signal is not present.”

This map depicts the locations where there is a greater than 50% chance of moderate flooding during mid-March through mid-June, 2025. Image credit: NOAA.


Spring flood risk

NOAA’s National Hydrologic Assessment, issued by NOAA’s National Water Center, evaluates a number of factors, including current conditions of snowpack, drought, soil saturation levels, frost depth, streamflow and precipitation.

This year’s assessment focuses on significant flood potential, defined as moderate and major flooding, and those locations with the potential for a higher degree of impact to life and property.

The East Coast and much of the western U.S. have had below-average precipitation during the winter months, resulting in a low threat of significant spring flooding. However, heavy rainfall at any time can lead to flooding.

"We do not anticipate widespread moderate or major flooding this year,” said Ed Clark, director of NOAA’s National Water Center.

NOAA’s Office of Water Prediction unveiled its Flood Inundation Mapping services in 2023, which provide actionable information to emergency and water managers to prepare for and respond to flood impacts. FIM provides the extent of flooding in Geospatial Information System format on an hourly basis, as well as a five-day flood inundation forecast.

These flood inundation mapping services are available now for 30% of the U.S. with expansions planned for release in the coming months. Services are accessible from the OWP’s National Water Prediction Service, or NWPS, launched last spring.

The NWPS website centralizes water-related products and services by combining local and regional forecast information with new national level capabilities.

Finally, spring is typically the busiest time of year for tornadoes, so this also is a good time to read up on tornado safety and prepare for the season ahead.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — March is going out with more rain and frosty temperatures.

The National Weather Service said Lake County can expect rainfall, wind and overnight frost through the middle of the week.

The forecast calls for rainy conditions through Tuesday night, with up to 2 inches of rain during that time frame.

Rainfall totals in inches for the 48-hour period ending at 1:30 a.m. Monday are as follows:

— High Glade Lookout (above Upper Lake): 0.80.
— Kelseyville: 0.58.
— Knoxville Creek: 0.42.
— Lake Pillsbury: 1.32.
— Lyons Valley: 1.16.
— Middletown: 0.72.
— Upper Lake: 0.64.

Through midweek, windy conditions also are in the forecast, with wind speeds topping 30 miles per hour.

On Monday, temperatures are expected to hover in the 40s during the day and at night, with daytime temperatures continuing in the 40s on Tuesday, dropping into the 30s that night.

Early Wednesday, the National Weather Service said areas of frost are expected, with temperatures forecast to remain in the 30s that night.

From Thursday through Sunday, temperatures will begin to warm up. By Sunday, daytime conditions are expected to reach the low 70s, with nighttime temperatures in the high 40s.

While Lake County can expect more rain and colder temperatures, to the east, areas around Sierras are forecast to see heavy snow this week.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, and on Bluesky, @erlarson.bsky.social. Find Lake County News on the following platforms: Facebook, @LakeCoNews; X, @LakeCoNews; Threads, @lakeconews, and on Bluesky, @lakeconews.bsky.social.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The latest report on California’s jobless rate shows the state numbers holding relatively steady with slight improvement for Lake County.

The Employment Development Department’s report for February said California’s overall unemployment rate remained the same as in January, 5.4%, while there was a 0.1% increase nationally. The state’s February 2024 rate was reported to be 5.3%.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics said the national rate was 4.1% for February, up from 4% in January and 3.9% in a year-over comparison.

In Lake County, the unemployment rate was 7.7% in February, down from 8% in January. Lake County’s February 2024 rate was 7.2%.

Lake County ranked No. 45 for its February rate, according to the report.

Lake’s neighboring county jobless rates and ranks in February were: Colusa, 18.5%, No. 58; Glenn, 7.5%, No. 43; Mendocino, 6.2%, No. 30; Napa and Sonoma, tied at No. 8 with 4.3%; and Yolo, 5.9%, No. 25.

Statewide, the Employment Development Department said the job market expansion reached 58 months in February 2025. California has gained 3,083,700 jobs since April 2020, averaging 53,167 jobs per month.

The number of Californians employed in February was 18,645,700, an increase of 10,900 persons from January’s total of 18,634,800 and up 81,000 from the employment total in February 2024.

In Lake County, there were 24,780 employed individuals and 2,050 people out of work in February.

The number of unemployed Californians was 1,061,000 in February, a decrease of 8,200 over the month but up 60,600 in comparison to February 2024.

Year-over, California’s total nonfarm jobs increased by 78,200 between February 2024 and February 2025, according to the report.

Additionally, February 2025 marked the fourth consecutive month-over decline (-8,200) in unemployed people.

The number of jobs in the agriculture industry decreased from January by 200 to a total of 423,100 jobs in February. The agriculture industry had 16,700 more farm jobs in February 2025 than it did in February of last year.

In Lake County, the number of farm jobs was down by 6.9%, from 1,020 jobs in January to 950 jobs in February. However, farm jobs are up by 15.9% over February 2024.

A look at specific job sectors

The report said three of California's 11 industry sectors gained jobs in February with private education and health services (+18,400) showing gains for the 37th straight month with above average gains in private elementary and secondary schools, and large gains in outpatient care services on the health services side.

In Lake County, private education and health services rose by 1.85% over the month, or 100 jobs, and 9% over the year.

Government (+3,600) also showed a month-over job gain with the largest gains in local government (+5,000), according to the report.

In Lake County, total government jobs rose by 0.4% over the month and 2.2% over the year, with local government jobs growing by 0.5% over the month and 3.1% over the year.

Both the federal (-1,200) and state (-200) government sectors posted job losses. This was the largest loss in federal government since February 2021, according to the report.

Lake County’s numbers showed a loss of 6.7% of federal jobs in February and a year-over loss of 12.5%. State government showed no change over the month but 5.6% since February last year.

Professional and business services (-7,700) posted the state’s largest month-over loss with most of the losses coming from computer systems design and related services as well as with legal services and management, scientific, and technical consulting.

In Lake County, the professional and business services category was down 1.3% over the month but up by 5.7% compared to last year.

In other employment news, the Employment Development Department said there were 407,881 people certifying for Unemployment Insurance benefits during the February 2025 sample week. That compares to 394,387 people in January and 425,760 people in February 2024.

Concurrently, 42,655 initial claims were processed in the February 2025 sample week, which was a month-over decrease of 3,454 claims from January, but a year-over increase of 1,395 claims from February 2024, the state reported.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, and on Bluesky, @erlarson.bsky.social. Find Lake County News on the following platforms: Facebook, @LakeCoNews; X, @LakeCoNews; Threads, @lakeconews, and on Bluesky, @lakeconews.bsky.social.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Board of Supervisors this week will discuss sending a letter to federal officials in a bid to save an important funding stream for Lake County’s schools and roads, along with considering an appointment to the Lakeport Fire Protection District Board and an appeal of the Planning Commission’s denial in December of a cannabis project.

The‌ ‌board will meet beginning ‌at‌ ‌9‌ ‌a.m. Tuesday, April 1, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.

The‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌can‌ ‌be‌ ‌watched‌ ‌live‌ ‌on‌ ‌Channel‌ ‌8, ‌online‌ ‌at‌ ‌https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx‌‌ and‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌county’s‌ ‌Facebook‌ ‌page. ‌Accompanying‌ ‌board‌ ‌documents, ‌the‌ ‌agenda‌ ‌and‌ ‌archived‌ ‌board‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌videos‌ ‌also‌ ‌are‌ ‌available‌ ‌at‌ ‌that‌ ‌link. ‌ ‌

To‌ ‌participate‌ ‌in‌ ‌real-time, ‌join‌ ‌the‌ ‌Zoom‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌by‌ ‌clicking‌ ‌this‌ ‌link‌. ‌ ‌

The‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌ID‌ ‌is‌ 865 3354 4962, ‌pass code 726865.‌ ‌The meeting also can be accessed via one tap mobile at +16694449171,,86533544962#,,,,*726865#. The meeting can also be accessed via phone at 669 900 6833.

On the agenda is an untimed item to consider sending a letter of support for H.R. 1383, the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025.

The bill is cosponsored by Lake County’s member of the House of Representatives, Mike Thompson.

The report to the board from Supervisor Jessica Pyska explains that Secure Rural Schools Act funding “is vital for sustaining essential services, particularly education and infrastructure in rural communities like Lake County's that contain significant federal lands.”

Pyska said that in Fiscal Year 2023, Lake County entities were allocated $465,316.51, in consideration of the 258,602 acres of the Mendocino National Forest located within the county’s boundaries.

Nearly half of that amount was allocated for rural road improvements, Pyska said.

“The Secure Rural Schools program has been instrumental in providing stable funding for our schools and infrastructure, compensating for the decline in timber revenue for more than two decades. Rural roads that ensure access to schools, ingress and egress in the event of wildfire emergencies, and promote rural economic opportunity are maintained using this crucial funding source,” Pyska said in her report.

She said the letter “will demonstrate our Board's strong support for this legislation; public safety, long-term economic vibrancy, and access to critical services will all be affected if it is not reauthorized.”

County staff also recommends the board sign the letter, Pyska’s memo said.

In other business, at 9:30 a.m., the board will consider an appointment to the Lakeport Fire Protection District Board of Directors.

The fire board held a special meeting on March 25 to interview six candidates: Terry Cherney, Gary Deas, Joseph Iaccino, Gregory Scott, Joseph Szupello and Jennifer Williams-Richardson.

In a letter to Supervisor Brad Rasmussen dated March 27, Fire Chief Patrick Reitz reported, “After an in-depth interviewing process with six potential candidates, the Lakeport Fire Protection District Board of Directors motioned to recommend Dr. Joseph Iaccino for the open position on the Lakeport Fire Protection District Board.”

At 10 a.m., the board will hold a public hearing to consider an appeal by Nina Star Farms LLC and Nevelina Bogdanova regarding the Planning Commission’s Dec. 12 denial of a major use permit for the cannabis project, located at 23180 Shady Grove Road, Middletown.

The staff report said the project would include licenses for 37,446 square feet of mixed-light canopy within a 48,529 sf cultivation area and a transport license.

The full agenda follows.

CONSENT AGENDA

5.1: Adopt a proclamation designating April 2025 as Poetry Month in Lake County.

5.2: Adopt proclamation designating the month of April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

5.3: Adopt resolution amending Resolution No. 2024-100 establishing position allocations for fiscal year 2024-25, Budget Unit 1012, Administration.

5.4: a) Approve budget transfer of funds in Agricultural Commissioner from 001-2601-726.17.00 in the amount of $5,000 to 001-2601-726.62-74 and authorize chair to sign; and b) approve increase in heavy-duty weight truck capital asset to $30,037.02.

5.5: Approve Amendment No.1 to the agreement between County of Lake and Archway Recovery Services, Inc. for ASAM Levels 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.5 and Withdrawal Management Levels 1 and 2 for FY 2024-25 with no change to the contract maximum and authorize the board chair to sign.

5.6: Adopt resolution authorizing the approval of Amendment 2 to the standard agreement between the Department of Health Care Services and the County of Lake to extend the term date by twelve months for an end date of June 30, 2026, and incorporating revisions to Exhibit A-Program Specifications and authorize the Behavioral Health director to sign the standard agreement amendment.

5.7: Adopt proclamation designating the week of April 6-12, 2025 as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

5.8: Approve long-distance travel for Dean Eichelmann, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, to attend the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Preparedness Summit in San Antonio, Texas, from April 28 to May 2, 2025.

5.9: Approve the 2025-2026 Juvenile Justice Realignment Block Grant Plan.

5.10: Approve Amendment No. 6 to the Tower and Ground Space License Agreement with AT&T and U.S. Cellular, which includes the county as signatory and ratifies the terms of the fifth amendment for equipment modifications made by U.S. Cellular and authorize the chair to sign.

5.11: Adopt resolution amending Resolution No. 2024-100 establishing position allocations for fiscal year 2024-2025, Budget Unit 8695, Special Districts.

5.12: Sitting as the Lake County Sanitation District Board of Directors, a) Waive the competitive bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 2-38.4 Cooperative Purchases;
b) authorize Special Districts Administrator/Assistant Purchasing Agent to issue a purchase order not to exceed $170,000 to Peterson CAT for the purchase of a backhoe.

TIMED ITEMS

6.2, 9:03 a.m.: Pet of the Week.

6.3, 9:04 a.m.: New and Noteworthy at the Library.

6.4, 9:06 a.m.: National Poetry Month Poem of the Week.

6.5, 9:10 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation designating April 2025 as Poetry Month in Lake County.

6.6, 9:15 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation designating the week of April 6-12, 2025 as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

6.7, 9:20 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation designating the month of April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

6.8, 9:30 a.m.: Consideration of appointment to Lakeport Fire Protection District Board of Directors.

6.9, 10 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of appeal (AB 24-05) of the Planning Commission’s denial of major use permit (UP 20-14), Nina Star Farms, LLC/ Nevelina Bogdanova, applicant and appellant; location: 23180 Shady Grove Road, Middletown (APN 004-006-16).

UNTIMED ITEMS

7.2: Consideration of letter of support for Assembly Bill 993 regarding the Rural Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) Reimbursement Program.

7.3: Consideration of letter of support for H.R. 1383, the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025.

7.4: Consideration of: a) Construction contract with Weeks Drilling & Pump Co. in the amount of $151,500 for a test well for the Spring Valley CSA-2 Water District (Pueblo Trail), and authorize the administrator to sign the contract; b) Construction contract with Weeks Drilling & Pump Co. in the amount of $177,500 for a test well for the North Lakeport CSA-21 Water District (Crystal Lake Way), and authorize the administrator to sign the contract; c) Construction contract with Weeks Drilling & Pump Co. in the amount of $177,500 for a test well for the North Lakeport CSA-21 Water District (Worley), and authorize the administrator to sign the contract.

CLOSED SESSION

8.1: Public employee evaluation: Registrar of Voters Maria Valadez.

8.2: Public employee evaluation: County Librarian Christopher Veach.

8.3: Conference with labor negotiator: a) Chief negotiator: C. Torrez; County negotiators: S. Parker, S. Carter, C. Moreno, P. Samac, and D. Rico; b) Employee organizations: LCDDAA, LCDSA, LCCOA, LCEA, LCSEA, and LCSMA.

8.4: ADDENDUM - Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.9(d)(1) – In re Wellpath Holdings, Inc., et al.

8.5: ADDENDUM - Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.9(d)(1) – FERC Proceeding No. P-77, Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project.

8.6: ADDENDUM - Conference with legal counsel: Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9(d)(2), (e)(1) – Two potential cases.

8.7: ADDENDUM - Public employee discipline/dismissal/release.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, and on Bluesky, @erlarson.bsky.social. Find Lake County News on the following platforms: Facebook, @LakeCoNews; X, @LakeCoNews; Threads, @lakeconews, and on Bluesky, @lakeconews.bsky.social.
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Community members at a training on how to identify and track the Clear Lake hitch in the creeks in Lake County, California. Photo courtesy of Chris Childers.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — As the weather warms and the Clear Lake hitch begins its annual spawn, trained community members are heading to local creeks to observe the threatened species and collect data as part of a community science program.

This year, 31 residents have volunteered to be part of the Community Science Hitch Spawner Observation Survey organized by the Lake County Watershed Protection District, in collaboration with California Department of Fish and Wildlife, or the CDFW.

Each volunteer has adopted at least one preselected observation site and is committed to monitoring the site every week on a chosen day for 10 consecutive weeks, starting the week of March 9.

The observation points are spread throughout the county, from Burns Valley Creek to Schindler Creek, Clayton Creek to Scotts Creek, totaling 33 public sites and two private property-sponsored sites, covering a wide range of local tributaries.

The volunteers have attended mandatory training sessions, including in-class and on-field components. They learned how to identify hitch — distinguishing them from other fish in the local streams such as the Sacramento sucker — as well as how to observe environmental factors and use the Survey 123 system to report their findings.

This program of community science is “a form of research that provides everyone, regardless of their background, an opportunity to contribute meaningful data to further our scientific understanding of key issues,” said Chris Childers of Lake County Water Resources — who is one of the hitch program coordinators — during a public presentation on March 13.

Childers noted that the volunteers this year came all from “over the board” in terms of their backgrounds, including a district supervisor, a park ranger, tribal members and agricultural community members

Such community outreach and involvement play a crucial part in hitch preservation, Childers said.

“The more we can get the community involved, and the more we can educate them about these fish, the better the restoration is going to go in the future,” he said. “If nobody knows about this fish, then nobody’s going to care, right?”

Childers said this is the program’s first year and that it will continue annually.

District 4 Supervisor Brad Rasmussen at his hitch observation point at Adobe Creek at Bill Hill Road in Kelseyville, California. Photo courtesy of Brad Rasmussen.

Reporting hitch activity, scientifically

State and local agencies such as the CDFW, Lake County Water Resources, Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake and Robinson Rancheria all have their own hitch monitoring and surveying programs. Most of them are conducted by hitch experts.

The community observation survey, however, is designed for public participation.

“Theirs is much simpler. I just want 10 weeks of data collection; I just want to know if hitches are present and how many of them are there. So I made it very, very easy for them,” Childers explained in a phone call, adding that the expert version of hitch survey is “more technical.”

“We collect water quality, which means, dissolved oxygen and temperature and pH — these kinds of parameters,” he said. “But for the community scientists, a water quality probe can be anywhere from $5,000 to $30,000 right? I'm not gonna expect people to purchase that kind of equipment.”

Yet, the community scientists make meaningful contributions to monitoring relative hitch population trends over time that will help with “long term management decisions” related to the hitch, Childers said in his presentation.

Such monitoring is beneficial because “we want to see [hitch] presence/absence before and after creek restoration projects and barrier removal efforts,” he said.

Data collected from the volunteers across the sites will also help answer key questions such as: When do hitch enter specific creeks? How long do they remain in each creek?

Trained hitch observers at Xabatin Park in Lakeport, California. Photo courtesy of Chris Childers.

Observations from the field

“The first two weeks, I didn’t see any hitch,” said District 4 Supervisor Brad Rasmussen, who is also a volunteer. “And then this week, on Monday, I observed 25 hitches from the observation point.”

Rasmussen’s site is Adobe Creek at Bill Hill Road. He has chosen Sunday as his observation day and usually arrives at noon. But it is OK to deviate by a day, he mentioned, recalling from the training he received.

Childers said that reporting from a day before or after the chosen day is “not a problem.” But going to the site on the same day is the ideal.

“To keep it standardized, the same day is what we’re asking for,” said Childers. “That’s how you eliminate bias from a survey.”

Rasmussen also learned that it is recommended to go to the site between 10 a.m and 4 p.m. because “the sun’s higher and it’s easier to see on the water.”

The observers have been trained to be precise in their reporting.

“I did see more hitch up above the observation point,” said Rasmussen. “But when you’re doing the data entry, you know you have to just report what is from the survey point that you’re assigned.”

So he reported 25 hitches for his site last week with pictures of the fish and the environment. As required, he also uploaded pictures he took of the downstream and upstream from where he stood.

When it comes to identifying hitch in the creek, Rasmussen said he was very confident.

“So that's part of the training to learn what the difference is. And once you learn that, you can easily identify,” he said.

“I’m interested in the hitch and what’s happening with them,” said Rasmussen of why he volunteered. “And also, just to help support the program.”

In fact, the community scientists are asked to report information more than just the number of hitches they see.

They can report mortalities — if they see dead fish, or anything alarming such as trash or oil on the water, Childers explained.

Childers said he was “amazed” and “impressed” by the data quality from the first few weeks’ reporting.

“Just everything that came in the reports were very similar to what I have been seeing in the creeks right now,” he said.

“It could go south or it could go well,” Childers said, referring to the uncertainties surrounding this first-time program. “And it’s going well. So our department is really, really happy about everything that’s going on.”

Email staff reporter Lingzi Chen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 



Hitch video by Rebecca Harper of the Lake County Farm Bureau.

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