CLEARLAKE, Calif. – One of the three men accused of taking part in a June shooting that killed a child and wounded five others has reached a plea agreement with the District Attorney’s Office.

On Friday afternoon, during a hearing to determine trial dates for the three suspects in a fatal June 18 shooting – Kevin Ray Stone, 29, of Clearlake, and Paul William Braden, 21, and Orlando Joseph Lopez, 23 – District Attorney Don Anderson told Judge Stephen Hedstrom that a plea agreement had been reached with Stone.

All three of the men are charged with murder, mayhem, attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and numerous special allegations for the late-night shooting that killed 4-year-old Skyler Rapp, and wounded his mother, Desiree Kirby, her boyfriend, Ross Sparks and his brother, Andrew Sparks; and friends Ian Griffith and Joseph Armijo.

Anderson explained that he would be filing an amended complaint that would allow for Stone to plead to charges of conspiracy to commit a robbery, a special allegation of being armed at the time of the crime and being an accessory after the fact in a homicide.

During a preliminary hearing for the three men held last month, a video was presented of an interview with police in which Stone insisted he had known nothing about plans for a shooting at Kirby and Sparks’ home, and that he had only given Lopez and Braden a ride to the scene. Still other evidence suggested Stone may have taken a weapon with him to the scene.

Based on further investigation, Anderson concluded that Stone’s story checked out, thus the agreement for the pleas.

Hedstrom had been preparing to render a verdict on Anderson’s motion to join all three of the men’s cases in a single trial, as well as motions from the defense attorneys to sever the cases.

The judge was concerned about time constraints, as the trial was set to start on Dec. 7. However, attorneys Doug Rhoades and Stephen Carter – representing Braden and Lopez, respectively – indicated they would waive time constraints in order to give the court additional time to work though the motions.

Rhoades added that he did not want to start the trial on Dec. 7 with the prospect of having the proceedings interrupted by the holidays.

Hedstrom ruled that with all of the defendants in the case facing virtually the same allegations, “A joint trial is basically the rule and a separate trial is the exception.”

Based on the cases, “One trial as to all three in the court’s view would be appropriate,” he said.

While there may be one trial, because there is the possibility of the codefendants submitting testimony that could go against each other, there will be separate juries for each of the men on trial.

Anderson would tell Lake County News after the hearing that no one can remember the last time such a multijury trial was held in the county.

Hedstrom said he had considered how to deal with as many as 45 jurors for the three defendants.

“You can imagine the complications,” he said, with six opening statements and nine final arguments.

However, he said two juries – now the scenario due to Stone’s plea agreement – would be more manageable.

Hedstrom granted Anderson’s consolidation motion and ordered a joint trial for Braden and Lopez, with a jury for each man.

While Anderson and Stone’s attorney, Komnith Moth, were prepared to submit Stone’s plea agreement on Friday, because it was well past 5 p.m. and the documents required corrections, Hedstrom ordered them to come back on Monday, Nov. 21, at 10:30 a.m. in Department One in Lakeport in order to submit the plea.

He also set the trial for Braden and Lopez to being on Jan. 11 in a department yet to be determined.

Anderson said after court that having two juries in the case will save time and allow his office to present the case all at once rather than having to run separate, lengthy trials.

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Pablo Solorio Nunez, 22, of Mexico, was identified as the fatality in the incident, according to Capt. Kurt Smallcomb.

Nunez was shot by 22-year-old Covelo resident Joey Long early on Thursday morning after Long allegedly found Nunez and another man in his home, as Lake County News has reported.

Long shot Nunez with a .357-caliber handgun, according to Smallcomb. The other man fled in a white car described as a Chevy Cobalt-type sedan.

An autopsy conducted on Friday concluded that Nunez died as the result of a single gunshot wound to the chest, Smallcomb reported.

Authorities believe the two men broke into Long’s home to steal some of the 100 pounds of processed marijuana that was stored there.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is encouraged to contact the Mendocino County Sheriffs Office at 707-467-9159. Callers can remain anonymous.

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Capt. Kurt Smallcomb said the incident was reported to the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office via a cell phone call at 5:40 a.m. Thursday.

He said 22-year-old Covelo resident Joey Long called the agency stating that someone had forcibly entered his residence and he had shot them.

Mendocino County Sheriffs deputies and medical personnel responded to Long's residence. They found the dead man lying just outside a broken sliding glass door. Smallcomb said evidence showed the man had been stricken with a single gunshot injury to his upper chest.

Long advised deputies and detectives, that he had been asleep in bed with his wife and young child when he heard his sliding glass window break inside the residence. He got a 357-caliber handgun when he observed two suspects inside his residence, according to Smallcomb.

Long said he observed one of the suspects holding something in his handm which he believed was a possible weapon. At that time Long fired several rounds from his handgun until it was empty. He then retrieved a second handgun from the closet and fired two more rounds towards the suspects, Smallcomb said.

One of the suspects fell to the ground just outside the broken sliding glass door and a second suspect ran from the residence, got into a white Chevy Cobalt-type sedan then fled the scene, Smallcomb reported. Long then contacted 911 via his cellular telephone and summoned assistance.

Detectives learned that Long had approximately 100 pounds of processed marijuana inside and around the residence property. Smallcomb said it appeared that the suspects were attempting to steal Long's marijuana.

Smallcomb said detectives are continuing the investigation and attempting to positively identify the decedent so they can contact his next of kin. Once his family is notified, law enforcement can release his name to the public.

A forensic autopsy will be conducted on Friday, Smallcomb said.

He added that Mendocino County Sheriff’s detectives will eventually forward the case to the district attorney for review.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is encouraged to contact the Mendocino County Sheriffs Office at 707-467-9159. Callers can remain anonymous.

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The nonprofit organization reported that it served 35,000 people in Northern California counties through 22 programs – including food distribution – last year, and has offices Santa Rosa, Napa and Middletown.

Questions about the program arose earlier this week when it was announced that, due to budget cuts, the regional director position at the Middletown office was eliminated. The job had been held by Hedy Montoya.

In the wake of that important layoff, there were concerns that the office at 21085 Bush St. in Middletown – where the office had moved earlier this year – might close.

However, on Friday, in response to questions from Lake County News, Catholic Charities Executive Director Chuck Fernandez issued an “unequivocal” statement that the organization has no intention of closing its Middletown office.

“We are not closing this office and did not intend to do so,” he said. “We will continue to distribute food in Kelseyville and Middletown with the help of volunteers.”

While affirming that the agency has had some layoffs due to budget constraints, he reinforced that the Rural Food Program will continue to collect, buy and distribute food to feed people in need in Lake County.

“The program has always operated primarily on volunteer energy and community donations,” Fernandez said. “We still need the charitable donations of time and funds from people in Lake who want to help their neighbors in need. They will still see our Rural Food truck come over the mountain with food resources twice each month to distribute in Kelseyville and Middletown.”

Catholic Charities’ Rural Food distributions take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 21085 Bush St. in Middletown, on the third Wednesday of every month, and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Glebe Hall at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Kelseyville, 4085 Main St., on the fourth Monday of every month. The November Kelseyville distribution will take place on Monday, Nov. 21, due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

For information about the program call Linda at 707-528-8712, Extension 103.

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LUCERNE, Calif. – Times may be tough, but amidst all of the dire news there are many positive things happening in the community, according to local leaders who spoke at a Thursday afternoon town hall.

District 3 Supervisor Denise Rushing hosted the meeting, one of many such town halls she hosts annually.

Previous town halls have been held at the Lucerne Senior Center, but Thursday’s event was held at the Lucerne Hotel, purchased last year by the Lake County Redevelopment Agency.

About 75 people – more than had been expected – attended the meeting in the building’s dining room, overlooking the lake. After the hour-and-a-half-long meeting, Deputy Redevelopment Director Eric Seely led a number of community members on a tour of the building.

The building itself has become a symbol for community building and, in some cases, rebuilding.

A 1920s project that was completed on the cusp of the Great Depression, “the Castle” had passed through numerous hands and uses before its 2010 purchase.

Rushing told the group, “This building needed to be saved and it had one last shot.”

It also was a chance to save Lucerne, which was built around the hotel.

In addition to the hotel, there are many other projects under way in the Northshore town that are positive, community members heard Thursday.

“There’s so many things happening, and it's a real celebration of Lake County,” said Rushing, explaining that despite the difficult times, “There’s so much promise.”

Rushing pointed to the Konocti Regional Trails system, the food system that has developed in Lake County and the fact that the county is a net energy generator.

County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox updated the group on his activities, including responding to congressional redistricting plans, focusing on the county budget – which is structurally sound with no general fund debt – and the new county economic development and marketing plan.

Cox said he thinks he’ll be retiring before going through the next budget cycle, but noted that the Lucerne Hotel means a lot to him and he plans to be the county’s No. 1 volunteer after retirement.

He also pointed out that the county purchased the hotel building for cash.

Lake Transit Agency Manager Mark Wall was on hand to give an update on increases in ridership, new bus shelters and benches, proposed changes to routes and new fee increases that will go up in 2012.

Seely told the group that the future has been uncertain regarding redevelopment, with a California Supreme Court ruling expected in mid-January in a suit over new legislation that would eliminate agencies or require them to make payments to the state.

The county redevelopment agency is working on a partnership with Southern California-based Marymount College, which is looking at locating a campus at the Lucerne Hotel. Cox said that if the partnership is finalized, it’s anticipated that the educational facility would be open by 2013’s fall semester.

Cox said he was more optimistic than Seely that redevelopment would continue in some form, adding that he believes reforms are necessary.

“There are places where it does work,” he said of redevelopment.

Cox said he thinks the Lucerne Hotel is key to the town. “I’m very optimistic about Lucerne,” which he said has a lot of potential.

He added, “With or without redevelopment we'll make things happen.”

Rushing asked everyone how they felt about being a college town, and the room applauded.

“I think we can turn our economy around and everyone gets to benefit,” Rushing said.

The town hall also included updates on the new Mental Health administration building, with architecture resembling the Lucerne Hotel’s, being built on 13th Avenue. Forty staffers are expected to be located there once the building opens in January 2012.

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The Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement campaign is running through Sunday, Nov. 27.

During this time, law enforcement throughout the state actively look for drivers and passengers who are unbuckled.

Getting in your car and putting on your seat belt should be second nature, whether you are a driver or a passenger, according to the CHP. Take a second of your time and always buckle up before heading out on the highway.

Click It or Ticket has a successful track record since its inception in 2005; the CHP reported that California’s seat belt usage rate has increased from a 90.4 percent in 2001 to a record-high, 96.02 percent in 2010.

This increase represents more than 1.25 million more vehicle occupants who buckle up, the CHP said.

“It’s encouraging to see seat belt usage is up and fatalities are at a record-low in California,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “Through this heightened statewide enforcement effort our goal is to further increase seat belt and child passenger safety seat use, and continue to save lives.”

According to the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, in 2009 there were 544 vehicle passengers killed who were not wearing a seat belt or using a child safety seat; more than 9,400 others were injured under similar circumstances.

Last year, CHP officers issued more than 155,000 citations to drivers and or passengers who failed to buckle up.

The minimum cost of an adult seat belt violation in California is $142, and up to $445 for not properly restraining a child under 16 years of age. If the parent is not in the car, the driver is issued the ticket.

“We would prefer not to write the ticket,” added Commissioner Farrow. “I’d like to see everyone make safe choices and eliminate preventable tragedies on our roadways.”

Click It or Ticket is a cooperative effort among the five traffic safety-related departments under the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency: CHP, Office of Traffic Safety, Department of Transportation, Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and the Department of Motor Vehicles.

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Josue Fabian Valencia, 21, of Lower Lake, and Clearlake residents Leopoldo Bravo of Clearlake, 18, and 19-year-old Ivan Rodriguez were arrested in the case, according to gt. Rodd Joseph.

Joseph reported that on Wednesday shortly after 12:30 p.m. Clearlake Police Department dispatch received a call about a possible pending fight at Redbud Park. The witness stated she had overheard two groups of people arguing at the Tower Mart in Lower Lake and during the argument, the groups agreed to meet at Redbud Park in the city of Clearlake to fight.

The witness described one of the groups as three Hispanic male adults in a black midsized car, Joseph said. The other group was described as a group of black males however, no vehicle description for this group was given to police dispatch.

Joseph said a Clearlake Police sergeant responded to Redbud Park within three minutes of the call, locating at the scene a black midsized car driving through the parking lot containing three Hispanic male adults. The sergeant recognized one of the vehicle occupants as a known and documented Clearlake Sureño gang member.

The sergeant followed the car onto Lakeshore Drive, where it quickly pulled into the gas station pumps at Notts Liquors at 14772 Lakeshore Drive. Joseph said the sergeant lost sight of the vehicle and occupants for less than a minute, and then observed the vehicle park in the rear of the lot near the self service car wash.

He said the sergeant watched the three occupants exit the vehicle and begin cleaning the inside of the car. The sergeant continued the observation for a few more minutes, not yet knowing whether the subjects were the ones reported to police.

While the officer watched the group, a witness approached him and advised that she had just seen the three occupants in possession of a shotgun while the vehicle was parked at the gas pumps a few minutes earlier, Joseph said.

When the group of subjects began to separate, the officer – who was by himself – engaged the three subjects with his handgun and held the three at gunpoint until other officers arrived to assist. Joseph said the three subjects were detained in handcuffs without further incident, and all were determined to be documented Sureño gang members with ties to the Angelino Heights Sureño criminal street gang.

A loaded 12-gauge shotgun was found to have been discarded in a trash can next to the gas pumps. Joseph said several 12-gauge shotgun rounds were located in and around the weapon, and additional rounds also were located in the parking lot of Howard’s Grotto. No weapons were found in the vehicle.

During the investigation it was determined that this group of Sureño gang members were involved in a confrontation with a group of black male subjects at the Lower Lake Tower Mart. Joseph said both groups made threats to each other and agreed to meet at Redbud Park to possibly engage in a gun battle.

While the three Sureños were driving to Redbud Park, the rear passenger loaded his 12-gauge shotgun, which was on his lap. Joseph said the suspects drove into the parking lot of Redbud Park with the intent to shoot the other suspects.

When the suspects spotted the lone police officer in the park, they fled in an attempt to discard the gun as the gun was still on the rear passenger’s lap, Joseph said. They dumped the gun into the trash can at Notts Liquors when they no longer saw the police officer behind them.

Joseph said they also threw several 12-gauge rounds into the parking lot of Howard’s Grotto in an attempt to conceal them from police. All three suspects were arrested for several weapon charges.

Text messages on one of the suspect’s cellular phones showed that other Sureño gang members were trying to get a hold of another firearm possibly located at one of the arrested Sureño gang member’s Lower Lake residence, Joseph said.

Clearlake police officers and detectives later searched the suspect’s Lower Lake home, however, no other firearms were located. Joseph said it is believed that this second firearm had been removed from the home prior to the search by police and is still outstanding.

Valencia, the vehicle’s driver, was charged with a misdemeanor count of driving without a license, and felony charges of possession of a firearm while a member of a criminal street gang, participating in a criminal street gang, possession of a firearm while attempting to commit a street gang crime, possession of a firearm while attempting to commit a felony, armed criminal action and conspiracy. He also is being held on a no-bail immigration hold.

Bravo was charged with felonies including possession of a firearm with a member of a criminal street gang, participating in a criminal street gang, possession of a firearm while attempting to commit a street gang crime, possession of a firearm while attempting to commit a felony, armed criminal action and conspiracy.

The rear passenger of the vehicle, Rodriguez, was charged with felony possession of a firearm while a member of a criminal street gang, participating in a criminal street gang, possession of a firearm while attempting to commit a street gang crime, possession of a firearm while attempting to commit a felony, armed criminal action and conspiracy, ineligible possession of a firearm and ineligible possession of ammunition.

Officers obtained bail increases for all three suspects totaling $250,000 each. Joseph said the black male subjects possibly involved in the altercation have not yet been identified.

Joseph said the Clearlake Police Department thanked the courageous witnesses who came forward with information which led to the arrest of these three violent gang members and contributed to the possible prevention of further violence in this case.

The Clearlake Police Department is working to rid the city of gang violence and continued gang violence will be sought and prosecuted, Joseph said.

Any person with information about this investigation, or any other crime occurring in the city of Clearlake is asked to contact the Clearlake Police Department at 707-994-8251. Callers may remain anonymous.

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KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The woman who introduced a healthy and delicious approach to feeding Kelseyville Unified School District’s students was featured on a nationwide news program this week.

Michelle Malm, head of the district’s food program, was profiled by CBS Early Show reporter Erica Hill as part of an ongoing series spotlighting people who represent the American spirit.

Under Malm’s leadership, Kelseyville Unified’s food program went from being $70,000 in debt and serving up boxed, unhealthy food, to being profitable and filled with fresh fruits and vegetables grown locally.

The school also participates in the Farm to School Program, the goals of which include not just bringing healthy foods to school cafeterias but also supporting local farmers.

Also featured in the profile was Upper Lake’s Colleen Seely Rentsch, one of the local farmers whose produce makes its way onto Kelseyville students’ plates.

Best of all, the students appear to enjoy eating the healthier, more wholesome foods. They also participate in growing some of the food in school gardens.

The five-minute profile can be viewed above.

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The quake, measuring 3.0 in magnitude on the Richter scale, occurred at 2:59 a.m., according to the US Geological Survey.

It was centered three miles northwest of The Geysers, seven miles west of Cobb and nine miles east northeast of Cloverdale, at a depth of 1.7 miles, the survey reported.

The US Geological Survey received eight shake reports from seven zip codes – Clearlake Oaks, San Ramon, Oakland, Cloverdale and Redwood Valley, Campbell and Morgan Hill.

A 3.0-magnitude was most recently reported in the Cobb area on Nov. 8, two miles northeast of The Geysers, as Lake County News has reported.

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“The geothermal energy produced in California’s counties is not only good for our environment, it reduces our dependence on foreign oil and helps our economy by spurring green job creation,” said Thompson, who represents Lake County in the US House of Representatives.

“The best way to reduce the deficit is by creating jobs because more jobs means greater revenues and less need for government assistance,” he added. “If a community invests in developing geothermal energy they deserve to get their fair share in returns. I am strongly against cutting counties’ share of geothermal revenue because that means cutting jobs, crippling future green job growth, and stifling our economic recovery – all of which will only make our deficit larger.”

Members joining in the call to preserve geothermal energy revenue sharing include Representatives Mark Amodei (R-Carson City, NV), Lynn Woolsey (D-Petaluma), Shelley Berkley (D-Las Vegas), and Bob Filner (D-San Diego). The Representatives joined in the call to promote energy independence and preserve this vital source of revenue for the counties that produce geothermal energy.

“Geothermal energy is a crucial clean resource for creating jobs and securing our energy independence,” said Garamendi. “It is in our economic and national security interests to make our energy in America, which is why it’s critical for the federal government to continue cultivating an environment for geothermal development.”

Garamendi continued, “Communities that bear the burden of geothermal development deserve a fair share of its revenue. I strongly oppose any attempt to deprive these counties of funds for essential local services, including education and public safety.”

"Geothermal royalties are extremely important to Lake County and it is absolutely essential that the federal government continue allocating a portion of these revenues to counties in order to help mitigate the local impacts of geothermal development,” said Lake County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox.

“Congressman Thompson's leadership on this issue has been outstanding,” Cox continued. “He and Congressman Garamendi completely understand why it would be wrong to take these revenues away from counties. Their continuing efforts to protect our community's interests are very much appreciated.”

"Geothermal energy brings jobs and growth to Nevada with 20 plants in operation providing clean, reliable electrical capacity to the grid and significant additional capacity under development," said Congressman Amodei. "Given the important role of the counties in the development of this domestic energy source, it's only proper that they should share in the revenue of the federal receipts."

“These geothermal receipts provide an important source of income for Imperial County, in my district. By promoting geothermal development and investing in renewable energy, we can create jobs for Americans!” said Congressman Filner.

“Geothermal not only provides vital clean energy to power homes and businesses, it also creates good jobs in Nevada and I strongly support the continued expansion of this industry,” said Congresswoman Shelley Berkley. “At a time when counties in my home state are struggling to fund schools, public safety and other essential services for families, we must protect revenues from geothermal production that are now shared with local communities.”

She added, “Repealing the provision that provides these critical local dollars from geothermal royalties will only hurt county governments – whether in Nevada or other states – by limiting the resources they have available for economic development to create more jobs and to provide for the needs of those who call the towns and cities in these areas home.”

“Geothermal energy is exactly the kind of renewable resource we should be investing in to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and point the way toward a sustainable future,” Congresswoman Woolsey said. “I join my colleagues in urging the Super Committee to preserve these subsidies, which support green jobs and help localities continue delivering vital services.”

The letter can be seen below.

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111711 Members of Congress Geothermal Letter

South Lake County Fire Protection District and Cal Fire responded to a house fire at 15630 Eagle Rock Road in Hidden Valley Lake just after noon on Monday, Nov. 14, according to a Cal Fire report.

When firefighters arrived, they found the house filled with smoke and flames were visible in one wall of the structure. Cal Fire said firefighters were able to quickly knock down the fire and extinguish the flames.

Two dogs and a cat were trapped, unconscious in the home. A nearby Hidden Valley Lake security officer was able to remove one of the dogs while firefighters battled the flames. Cal Fire said firefighters rescued the second dog and a cat.

The cat succumbed to its injuries at the scene of the fire but rescue personnel performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the dogs using special animal oxygen masks carried on their paramedic unit, Cal Fire said.

Firefighters were able to revive both the dogs, which were then transported by Lake County Animal Control to a local veterinarian's office, Cal Fire said.

Despite quick attention by emergency personnel and veterinarian staff, one of the dogs later died from its injuries, officials reported.

The home sustained moderate smoke damage but the structure and its contents were saved by firefighters. Cal Fire said the cause is under investigation; however, investigators are looking at combustible materials placed too close to a free standing propane fueled fireplace as a possible cause.

"We'd like to remind residents that any combustible materials should be placed a minimum distance of at least three feet away from any heat source," said Cal Fire Battalion Chief Scott Upton.

Three South Lake County Fire Protection District/CAL FIRE engines, one paramedic unit, one battalion chief and one volunteer company responded to the fire, Cal Fire reported.

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