Celestial Summer Dove Cassman, 35, of Santa Cruz, Calif., died Thursday, September 1, 2011. Courtesy photo.

The memorial service for Celestial Summer Dove Cassman, 35, will be held at 3 p.m. at Lighthouse Point in Santa Cruz on Saturday, Sept. 24.

Her family is holding the service at the spot overlooking the ocean, which she loved.

Cassman was found murdered near Nakalele Point in Maui on Sept. 1, a day after she and her ex-boyfriend, Gerald W. Galaway Jr. arrived on the island, according to authorities.

Galaway attempted to escape from police by jumping off a 100-foot cliff into the ocean. He was later rescued and hospitalized, and last week was formally arrested and charged with her murder.

Hawaiian media reported that Galaway has entered a not guilty plea in the case.

Cassman, who graduated from Clear Lake High School in Lakeport in 1994, received a bachelor's degree from University of California, Santa Cruz, later going on to receive a law degree from UC Davis' law school.

A much-loved woman and a well-respected attorney, Cassman returned to Santa Cruz in 2007 to accept a job with the law firm Atchison, Barisone, Condotti and Kovacevich.

Cassman's family said she often could be seen pedaling her bicycle or riding her pink motor scooter to work, complete with high heels, business suit and a flower in her hair.

Working in the field of public law, she served as deputy city attorney for the coastal cities of Santa Cruz, Capitola and Half Moon Bay, according to her family.

Cassman's obituary can be found here: http://lakeconews.com/content/view/21451/938/.

A memorial Web page can be viewed at www.ilasting.com/celestialdovecassman.php .

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.

Ronald Ralph Shields, 59, of Clearlake, Calif., was arrested on Tuesday, September 13, 2011, for burglary and a felony parole violation. Lake County Jail photo.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Police have arrested a suspect in a residential burglary.

Ronald Ralph Shields, 59, of Clearlake was arrested on the afternoon of Tuesday, Sept. 13, according to a report from the Clearlake Police Department.

At 3:30 p.m. that day Clearlake Police officers were dispatched to the 13900 block of Lakeshore Drive for a report of an in progress burglary, the agency reported.

Police said the reporting party directed officers to a vacation residence where it was believed the suspect was located. Officers discovered a broken window and other evidence which corroborated the witnesses statements.

While searching the property a male subject, later identified as Shields, was located near the residence. The police report said evidence linked Shields to the crime and he was detained.

During the investigation it was discovered that Shields allegedly was on active parole out of Shasta County for driving under the influence, police reported.

Ronald Shields was charged with felony burglary and a felony parole violation. He later was booked into the Lake County jail, with a no-bail hold placed on him due to the alleged violation of parole, according to jail records.

The Clearlake Police Department thanked all the witnesses involved in apprehending Shields.

Any citizens who witness any type of suspicious activities are encouraged to contact the Clearlake Police Department at 707-994-8251.

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 walk and gathering will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Austin Park, 14077 Lakeshore Drive.

The first walk starts at 10:30 a.m.

Andy Rossoff, Without A Net and gospel artist Phil McAlpin with the Clearlake Oaks Community

Methodist Choir will perform live music at the event.

Special speakers will be District 3 Supervisor Denise Rushing and Dr. Marshal Kubota.

The day also will include raffles and silent auctions, homemade pulled pork sandwiches and free health screenings.

Come join Community Care HIV/AIDS Program & community partners Moran's Pharmacy, St Helena Hospital Clearlake, Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Lake Family Resource, Sierra Club, Clearlake Mayor Overton & City Council members, Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Business Association, Stonewall Democratic Club and other concerned community service providers.

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 sweep occurred on Wednesday, Sept. 14, and Thursday, Sept. 15, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Participating in the effort were the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Gang Task Force, Lake County Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force, a Lake County Probation officer, Lakeport Police’s gang officer and a Clearlake Gang officer in conjunction with 12 Homeland Security investigators, the sheriff's office reported.

Arrested were Evered Allan Billings, 39, of Clearlake, for a probation violation; Donald Ray Cervelli, 36, of Lucerne, for a bench warrant; Gregory Howard Penn, 51, of Lucerne, for an outside agency warrant; Joni Jo McCabe, 52, of Clearlake Oaks, for possession of a controlled substance, possession of controlled substance paraphernalia and use or under the influence of a controlled substance; Robert Eugene Bradley, 30, of Clearlake Park, on a bench warrant; Miguel Alvarez-Barajas, 35, of Clearlake, for an immigration violation; Joel Velazquez-Ornelas, 27, of Kelseyville, an immigration violation, specifically, reentry of a deported alien; and Luis Rodriguez-Lomeli, 27, false compartment in a vehicle and immigration violation.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Gang Task Force or Narcotics Task Force can be contacted through the sheriff's office's anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.

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 commission voted 3-0 to close the fishery in the entirety of Sonoma County. Commissioners Daniel Richards and Richard Rogers were not in attendance.

This action was taken in the wake of confirmed reports of dead red abalone and other invertebrates on beaches and inside coves along the coast in these areas, the Department of Fish and Game reported.

Data continue to be collected that shows an abalone die-off along the Sonoma coast beginning Aug. 27. According to Department of Fish and Game biologists, these abalone deaths coincided with a local red tide bloom and calm ocean conditions.

Although the exact reasons for the abalone deaths are not known, invertebrate die-offs have occurred in the past along the Northern California coast due to lack of oxygen and/or poisoning when similar weather and bloom conditions existed but not at the magnitude of this event, according to a Department of Fish and Game report.

The agency is assessing the impact of the situation and provided the commission with information at Thursday’s meeting.

Reports of dead abalone and a variety of invertebrates have come from Bodega Bay, Russian Gulch, Fort Ross, Timber Cove and Salt Point State Park in Sonoma County and as far north as Anchor Bay in Mendocino County, the agency said.

Other Department of Fish and Game biologists and game wardens have collected abalone, mussels and water samples since the beginning and are continuing to document reports from the public.

The public is encouraged to report the location, number and date of dead or dying abalone to Ian Taniguchi at 562-342-7182 or by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The exact implementation date of the emergency closure will be determined by the regulatory process and is expected soon. Information will be available at the commission’s Web site at www.fgc.ca.gov.

Divers are encouraged to avoid diving in the affected areas, according to Fish and Game.

Abalone fishermen are advised to contact a physician immediately if they feel sick, and to report symptoms to the local county health department (www.sonoma-county.org/health/about/publichealth.asp).

The latest red tide updates from the California Department of Public Health are posted online at www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/Pages/DDWEM.aspx.

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.

Thomas Galavitz, 37, of Tempe, Ariz., was arrested on Tuesday, September 13, 2011, on an Arizona warrant and several other felony charges. Lake County Jail photo.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – An Arizona man was taken into custody earlier this week for an out-of-state warrant and several felonies relating to drugs and falsified documents.

Thomas Galavitz, 37, of Tempe, Ariz., was arrested on Tuesday, Sept. 13, according to Sgt. Rodd Joseph of the Clearlake Police Department.

On Tuesday Clearlake Police officers, investigators with the Lake County District Attorney’s Office and officers from the Lake County Probation Department served a search warrant at a residence in the 16400 block of Dam Road in Clearlake, Joseph said.

Joseph said the search warrant was obtained from information provided to Lake County officials from law enforcement officials in Arizona. The information received by Lake County officials concerned the illegal trafficking of narcotics over state lines and was linked to the Clearlake residence.

During the service of the search warrant, approximately 8 grams of concentrated cannabis was located, along with approximately 1 ounce of marijuana, scales, packaging materials, false state identification and a loaded .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol, Joseph said.

Investigators also seized more than $15,000 in cash and a 2011 Harley Davidson motorcycle, pending asset forfeiture proceedings. Joseph said three large dogs from the property were taken for safekeeping by the Clearlake Animal Control officer.

Joseph said Galavitz was located inside the home and was subsequently arrested for several misdemeanor and felony charges including a felony warrant out of Arizona, possession of concentrated cannabis, possession of marijuana for sale, sales of marijuana, armed during the commission of a felony, possessing a false/forged state seal, false identification to a police officer, possession of a fictitious driver’s license and possession of more than an ounce of marijuana.

Galavitz was later booked into the Lake County Jail, where he remains on a no-bail hold.

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.

Retired Alameda County Superior Court Judge William McKinstry – appointed to handle the case in the wake of the recusals of the entire Lake County Superior Court bench – handed down the decision Tuesday in the case filed by Sgt. Corey Paulich against the Lake County Sheriff's Office and the county of Lake.

County Counsel Anita Grant said her office received the decision from McKinstry on Thursday. Deputy County Counsel Lloyd Guintivano had represented the county in the case.

Paulich's attorney, Christopher Miller, said Thursday evening that he understood a decision had been issued but he had not yet seen it.

The suit, filed in July, alleged that Sheriff Frank Rivero personally had violated Paulich's rights under the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act.

Paulich alleged that the violations arose from several interrogations following a March high speed chase. Two deputies under Paulich's supervision had participated in the chase, which was initiated by Clearlake Police, as Lake County News has reported.

Paulich had sought $150,000 in civil damages for the six alleged violations and attorney's costs, as well as the setting aside of a disciplinary investigation and the letter of reprimand that Rivero was proposing to place in Paulich's file.

McKinstry heard arguments in the case on Monday, Sept. 9.

In his six-page decision, McKinstry said that under law there are some investigations and interrogations of peace officers that don't fall under the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act.

He cited portions of the act, including Government Code Section 3303(i), which states that it does not apply “to any interrogation of a public safety officer in the normal course of duty, counseling, instruction, or informal verbal admonishment by, or other routine or unplanned contact with, a supervisor or any other public safety officer ...”

“This entire matter, therefore, hinges on the nature of the conversations between Sheriff Rivero and Sergeant Paulich: Was it an interrogation that could lead to a punitive action – in which case the Sergeant should have been afforded the Act's procedural protections – or was it a routine interrogation in the normal course of duty, counseling, or informal verbal admonishment, such that no violation of his rights occurred?” McKinstry wrote.

Citing the county of Lake's and Rivero's declarations in the suit, McKinstry found that Rivero had the phone conversations and e-mail exchanges with Paulich in an effort to get more information on the high speed pursuit, which began over an expired vehicle registration.

McKinstry pointed out that there were discrepancies between the sheriff's watch commander logs' statement that the suspect vehicle, driven by Matthew Bronsert, crashed into the deputy's vehicle, and a statement by Clearlake Police Sgt. Tim Hobbs that the deputy forcibly stopped Bronsert's vehicle by ramming it.

The judge's analysis also stated that the watch commander log was Rivero's first notification of the chase. “The Sergeant had a duty to report serious incidents to him after they occurred,” McKinstry wrote.

On March 14, a day after the exchanges between Rivero and Paulich, Paulich was served with an internal affairs investigation, according to case documents.

“Petitioner attacks Sheriff Rivero's credibility, labeling his declaration as self-serving,” McKinstry wrote. “Petitioner argued that Sheriff Rivero lost control and was angry. The Court accepts Sheriff Rivero's explanation.”

McKinstry found that the nature of the conversations between Rivero and Paulich were those governed under Government Code Section 3303(i). “They occurred in the normal course of duty, counseling, and informal verbal admonishment, such that no violation of Sergeant Paulich's rights occurred.”

Further, McKinstry found that Rivero didn't act maliciously and that the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act – which governs labor-management relationships in counties and other local governments – was not violated.

While McKinstry also ruled that Paulich is to pay court costs and filing fees, Grant said that the county – as a government agency – doesn't pay those fees in the first place.

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.

On Thursday a citizens' group filed a petition for writ of mandate or prohibition in the California Supreme Court, challenging the Citizens’ Redistricting Commission’s recently adopted new state Senate district maps.

The lawsuit is being supported by Fairness & Accountability in Redistricting (FAIR), the group currently circulating referendum petitions against the Senate plan.

It is the first lawsuit filed challenging the maps produced by the redistricting commission, according to the group's Thursday statement.

“It is very important that these legal questions go before the court now, so they can examine the full scope of constitutional issues and be prepared to draw new maps once we finish gathering signatures on the referendum,” said FAIR consultant Dave Gilliard.

The petition alleges the Senate maps violated four provisions of the California Constitution.

Specifically, the group alleges that 11 of the new Senate districts as drawn by the commission violate compactness, contiguity and respect for geographic integrity of counties and communities of interest.

FAIR alleges that the maps fail to assure Latino residents of Monterey and Santa Clara County of effective representation by a single senator from areas that have a history of electing Latino Assembly members.

The group further claims that the maps dilute Latino voting interests in the western San Fernando Valley portion of Los Angeles County in violation of the Federal Voting Rights Act.

The suit also alleges that seven districts unnecessarily split two major counties – San Bernardino and Sacramento counties – giving each county parts of six different districts but no district wholly within either county.

FAIR believes the split of the two counties is worse than the pre-Baker v Carr Senate plan in which each county had at least one senator. The federal courts held the 1960s plan unconstitutional for lacking population equality.

San Bernardino and Sacramento counties could be assured of a senator under the old plan, but they cannot under the commission’s new plan, according to FAIR.

The California Supreme Court also is being asked to convene special masters now to advise the court on the constitutional claims and to be ready to draw interim boundaries for Senate districts upon likely qualification of the referendum.

The filing also suggests to the court several alternative methods of drawing new Senate boundaries for the 2012 elections.

The Sacramento law firm of Bell, McAndrews & Hiltachk LLP is representing FAIR. Expert testimony will be offered in the case by Dr. T. Anthony Quinn, PhD, a well- known expert on California redistricting.

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.

USDA Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Under Secretary Kevin Concannon announced the results of USDA’s Household Food Security in the United States, 2010 report that found that the percentage of very low food security declined from 5.7 percent of households in 2009 to 5.4 percent in 2010.

The number of food insecure households in 2010 was relatively consistent with statistics released in 2008 and 2009.

“This report underscores the critical role that federal nutrition assistance programs play in helping struggling American families put food on the table until they can get back on their feet,” said Concannon. “Many families receive assistance not because they want to, but because they need it as a last resort to make ends meet. As the economy continues to recover and jobs are created, we hope to see the number of families in need of nutrition assistance shrink.”

The report released today indicates that 59 percent of all food-insecure households participated in one or more of the three largest nutrition assistance programs near the time of the survey.

In fiscal year 2010, these programs provided much needed food assistance to millions of individuals, children and families in need.

In an average month of fiscal year 2010 (Oct. 1, 2009, through Sept. 30, 2010), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provided benefits to 40.3 million people in the United States.

In fiscal year 2010, the National School Lunch Program provided meals to an average of 31.6 million children each school day.

Also in fiscal year 2010, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children served an average 9.2 million participants per month.

Food insecurity rates were substantially higher than the national average for households with incomes near or below the current federal poverty line ($22,350 for a family of four), households with children headed by single women or single men, and black and Hispanic households, the report found.

Food insecurity was more common in large cities and rural areas than in suburban areas and other outlying areas around large cities, according to the report.

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs including the Summer Food Service Program; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; National School Lunch Program; Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children; and the Emergency Food Assistance Program. Together these programs make up the federal nutrition safety net. U

USDA administers these programs in partnership with state and local agencies and works with faith and community-based organizations to ensure that nutrition assistance is available to those in need.

Additional information about the programs can be found at www.fns.usda.gov.

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.

Household Food Security in the United States 2010

Jeremy John Stanton, 35, of Hidden Valley Lake, Calif., was arrested just after on Wednesday, September 14, 2011, in Clearlake, Calif., for drugs and weapons charges. Lake County Jail photo.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake Police arrested a Hidden Valley Lake man Wednesday night after he allegedly discharged a firearm and was found to be in possession of drugs and another weapon.

Jeremy John Stanton, 35, was arrested just after 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 14, according to a report from Clearlake Police Sgt. Rodd Joseph.

Shortly after 9:30 p.m. Wednesday Clearlake Police officers were dispatched to the 14300 block of Memory Lane in Clearlake on a report of subjects arguing and gunshots heard, Joseph said.

When officers arrived on scene less than a minute after the call a male subject later identified as Stanton came out of the brush and spoke with officers, Joseph said.

Stanton made delusional statements to the investigating officers about someone shooting at him. Joseph said Stanton allegedly was displaying symptoms of being under the influence of a central nervous system stimulant.

Stanton allegedly admitted to officers being an intravenous drug user. Joseph said a double-barreled 12 gauge shotgun was found on the ground in close proximity to where officers had contacted Stanton. Stanton’s vehicle also was found parked in the parking lot.

During a search of the vehicle, a small quantity of methamphetamine was located along with

several unexpended shotgun rounds, numerous used hypodermic syringes and an illegal knife, Joseph said.

Witnesses interviewed told officers that Stanton was the only person in the parking lot and no other persons were seen, Joseph said.

Based on the investigation, Joseph said it was determined that the shotgun found belonged to Stanton as did the illegal knife, methamphetamine and syringes.

Police believe Stanton – who was alleged to be under the influence of a controlled substance – removed the shotgun from the trunk of his car and fired the shotgun in a negligent and reckless manner. No injured persons were located and no property damage was found as a result of the discharge of the shotgun, Joseph said.

Joseph said Stanton was arrested and charged with several felony counts, including possession of a controlled substance, illegal possession of hypodermic syringes, possession of an illegal weapon, negligent discharge of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance while armed with a firearm.

Stanton later was booked into the Lake County Jail, with bail set at $30,000. Jail records indicated that Stanton remained in custody on Thursday evening.

The Clearlake Police Department thanked the persons who came forward to not only call 911 about the criminal activity, but also who remained on scene and spoke with the investigating officers once Stanton was safely in custody.

Anyone with additional information about this incident or any other crime occurring in the city of Clearlake is asked to contact the police department at 707-994-8251. Callers may remain anonymous.

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.

Robinson Rancheria Tribal Chair Tracey Avila was arrested on a felony bench warrant on Friday, September 9, 2011. She is alleged to have stolen more than $60,000 from the Elem Indian Colony in Clearlake Oaks, Calif., where she worked from 2006 to 2008. Lake County Jail photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – An investigation initiated more than two years ago and carried out by federal officials has led to the arrest of Robinson Rancheria's tribal chair on a charge of felony grand theft for allegedly stealing tens of thousands of dollars from another Lake County tribe.

Tracey Isabelle Avila, 50, of Nice was arrested on a felony bench warrant on Friday, Sept. 9, according to jail records. She posted bail, set at $20,000, and was released later that same day.

Avila is alleged to have taken more than $60,000 from Elem Indian Colony of Clearlake Oaks between February 2006 and September 2008, during which time she worked as the tribe's fiscal officer and also was Robinson's tribal chair, according to Deputy District Attorney Rachel Abelson, who is prosecuting the case.

Abelson said Avila is due to appear in for arraignment in Lake County Superior Court's Clearlake division before Judge Stephen Hedstrom on Oct. 31.

According to the case file, the Berkeley firm Karshmer & Associates, Elem Colony's general legal counsel, sent a letter dated June 1, 2009, to Laura Yoshii, acting regional director for the US Environmental Protection Agency's Pacific Southwest Region 9, requesting an investigation into the alleged embezzlement.

The letter, written by attorney Sarah Dutschke, said that after Avila's termination as bookkeeper the tribe uncovered evidence which they alleged showed that during her 30 months of employment Avila had taken funds from the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act grant as well as from grants the tribe had received from the US EPA and US House and Urban Development.

Elem's own investigation led to the conclusion that Avila had allegedly taken the funds through three principal methods – increasing her hourly pay rate without authorization, giving herself unapproved pay advances and signing several of her family members up for health care coverage but not having the required premiums deducted from her paycheck, Dutschke's letter stated.

On June 15, 2009, the US EPA's Grants Management Office opened the investigation, which later was taken over by special agents with the EPA Office of the Inspector General and HUD's Office of the Inspector General, the documents state.

A review of Avila's pay records conducted as part of the investigation revealed that Avila is alleged to have given herself just over $44,000 in unauthorized pay raises, as well as more than $16,000 in additional paychecks and annual leave.

During the same time a check for more than $14,000 was stolen from the tribe and cashed by a Hispanic male suspect in the Chico area, where Avila is reported to have family, according to case file.

According to the investigation, Elem alleged that Avila hired auditors from Robinson Rancheria to conduct an audit of Elem's financial records. The audit reportedly came back clean.

Avila's work records showed she was frequently late or ill, and rarely worked entire weeks, yet still drew full wages, the report said.

The special agents interviewed Avila on June 9, 2010, at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula.

During the interview Avila said that Elem's system for receiving the grant funds was a “mess,” and that others were writing checks on tribal accounts without her knowledge. She said that she eventually quit her job after becoming increasingly frustrated with the situation.

Avila also told the agents that she paid back the pay advances, insisted that the tribal council had authorized her pay raises and accused another tribal leader of taking the missing funds.

Elem tribal members the agents interviewed stated that Avila had threatened to implicate others if she got in trouble, and that over time her work hours dropped from eight hours a day to four. She also allegedly got a better car and started wearing more expensive clothes.

Abelson said Avila could face a maximum of three years in state prison if convicted. Due to the state's realignment, Avila's time could be served in the county jail, which is where prisoners convicted of certain felonies will be housed.

Court records show that Avila has previous convictions for assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm in 2000 and driving on a suspended license.

Over the last several years she's been at the center of a disenrollment controversy at Robinson Rancheria, where dozens of members of the Quitiquit family and others who opposed Avila as tribal chair were removed from the tribe's membership rolls, as Lake County News has reported.

In 2008 Avila lost the election for tribal chair to Eddie Crandell and followed up by having members of her family on the tribe's election committee invalidate the election.

She has managed to hold onto the tribal chair seat through postponing or delay elections, but in July Bureau of Indian Affairs Central California Agency Superintendent Troy Burdick sent Avila a letter notifying her that she must go forward with holding a new tribal election.

The agency has received a request for a secretarial election – a special federal election overseen by the BIA to revise a tribe's constitution – to ensure a fair election process, Burdick's letter said.

While the tribal citizens business committee and legal counsel had assured the BIA that they would respond with information about how they were ensuring a fair election process, Burdick said BIA had not received the information.

In addition Burdick pointed out that several committee members were on expired terms.

“In order to maintain a government-to-government relationship with the Tribe, the Agency is responsible to ensure we are working with duly elected Tribal officials that were property voted into office in accordance with tribal law,” Burdick wrote. “Failure to hold tribal elections can be viewed as failure to accord Tribal members due process and equal protection as mandated by the Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968.”

Burdick went on to state that the BIA is concerned that the tribe may be violating the Indian Civil Rights Act by not holding tribal elections.

Those elections still have not taken place. Tribal members have reported that they have been unable to get the required candidacy papers from Avila and that the election has once again been delayed.

This week, in the wake of her embezzlement arrest, there also were calls for Avila to step down from her position as tribal chair, which she has reportedly refused to do.

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.

This unique and enduring opportunity is raising money to build new play structures for both the large school playground, as well as the kindergarten playground, with the monetary donors featured in a prominent brick display at the school.

The need for new playground structures had become increasingly apparent to both staff and parents alike.

“The Coyote Valley Elementary playground equipment gets constant use, considering we have nearly 500 students using it during recesses and after lunch each day. Natural wear and tear over a decade of use has brought us to a point where we need a long range plan for replacement,” said school Principal Tom Hoskins.

He added, “The Buy-A-Brick fundraiser will allow individuals, families and businesses to donate funds towards building a new play structure over time while providing a venue for recognizing supporters with permanent in-lay bricks.”

Says the “Buy-a-Brick” campaign manager Carol Luis, “As a parent of two children who have attended Coyote Valley Elementary, I have watched the current playground deteriorate over the years. It seems less and less of the current structures are usable and the Kindergarten playground area has never even had a proper play structure.”

Commemorative bricks can be purchased year-round by individuals, families, businesses, alumni, groups, teams, etc. and they also make a great gift.

All buyers will receive a certificate with their brick information. Costs range from $100 for a 4-inch by 8-inch brick, to $250 for an 8-inch by 8-inch brick, and up to $500 for an 8-inch by 8-inch that also includes the engraving of a company logo or graphic along with two lines of text.

This will be an ongoing fundraiser with a goal of ultimately raising $100,000. The first phase of bricks is tentatively scheduled to be laid in the gall of 2012 near the front office, in an area of high traffic and plenty of visibility for all to see and enjoy.

“We are very fortunate to have a school with wonderful teachers, a caring principal, and an extremely active and supportive PTO and community,” said Luis. “Providing our children with a fun and safe playground will only add to what is already a positive educational experience.”

To purchase your brick, or for more information, contact Carol Luis at 707-318-2661 or 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.