On Wednesday, an informational hearing was held in Sacramento on California’s two competing sports-betting initiatives.
The hearing provided the public with a clear opportunity to receive an objective review of both measures from the state Legislative Analyst’s Office ahead of the Nov. 8 election.
The hearing also allowed supporters and proponents of both measures, including members of the public, to voice their positions.
“Today’s hearing reinforced key points about two proposals to legalize and regulate sports wagering in California,” Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Napa) said Wednesday. “We held the measures side by side, reviewed them in detail and heard input from stakeholders. The hearing underscored that illegal sports wagering is happening now without regulation, safeguards or benefits to our state. This illegal activity should be taken out of the shadows, generating revenue to improve our state, and I believe this hearing highlighted issues the voters should weigh in that regard.”
The information about Propositions 26 and 27 came at a joint hearing of the Assembly and Senate Governmental Organization committees, co-chaired by Sen. Dodd.
The Legislative Analyst’s Office presented details on how the measures would legalize sports betting and found:
· Proposition 26 would authorize on-site sports wagering at facilities operated by federally recognized Native American tribes and large horseracing tracks. The measure would generate tens of millions of dollars, a portion of which would be used for K-12 education and community colleges. The LAO estimated enforcement costs to the state Department of Justice would also be in the tens of millions of dollars.
· Proposition 27 would authorize statewide online and mobile sports wagering for gaming tribes. The vast majority of illegal sports betting currently takes place online, and to address that market proponents asserted the need for legalizing and regulating mobile wagering. Revenue was estimated to be up to $500 million per year and funding would be dedicated to programs in three areas: homelessness, gambling addiction and tribal development. Enforcement costs were also estimated to be in the tens of millions of dollars.
Speaking in support of Proposition 26 were Anthony Roberts, chair, Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation; Lovina Saul Redner, chair, Santa Rosa Band of Cahuilla Indians; and Jeff Butler, general counsel, Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation.
Speaking in support of Proposition 27 were Jose “Moke” Simon, chair, Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California; and Jennifer Friend, CEO, Project Hope Alliance
Committee members asked questions but did not take positions on the measures. Both propositions go before voters Nov. 8.
LAKEPORT, Calif. — With Lakeport Unified School District students set to return to class on Thursday, Aug. 11, officials have issued a traffic advisory to ensure children get to school safely.
The Lakeport Police Department and Lakeport Unified staff are reminding all drivers to use extreme caution when traveling in the area of the schools and on school grounds.
Officials said they expect heavier than normal vehicle and pedestrian traffic near the school grounds in the mornings and afternoons.
Officers will be increasing traffic enforcement in the area.
Motorists are urged to watch for students who may be waiting for buses or walking or riding bicycles to and from school.
Also, remember to stop for school buses when red lights flash.
Henry Tran, University of South Carolina and Douglas A. Smith, Iowa State University
California, for example, allows teacher candidates to skip basic skills and subject matter tests if they have taken approved college courses. New Mexico is replacing subject skills tests with a portfolio to demonstrate teaching competency.
Similarly, Oklahoma eliminated the Oklahoma General Education Test as a certification requirement. Missouri no longer looks at a prospective teacher’s overall grades – just the ones earned in select courses required to become a teacher. Alabama has moved to allow some who score below the cutoff scores on teacher certification exams to still get a teacher’s license, and Arizona’s education requirements for teachers now allow people without a college degree to begin teaching – so long as they are currently enrolled in college.
Disrespect to the profession is driving teachers away
Even before COVID-19 hit, teachers were leaving the profession at an increasing rate. In the late 1980s, annual teacher turnover was 5.6%, but it has grown to around 8% over the past decade.
We found that the reasons teachers are leaving primarily revolve around the disrespect they and the profession consistently face. For example, teachers earn about 20% less than similarly educated professionals.
In addition, teachers have been experiencing diminishing control over what and how they teach. They are also regularly exposed to a continued tide of disrespectful student behavior and parental hostility, as highlighted by a survey of 15,000 educators that revealed a growing trend of students verbally and physically harassing teachers, as well as parents engaging in online harassment and retaliatory behaviors for teachers simply doing their jobs.
This overall lack of respect drives turnover from existing teachers and discourages potential teachers from considering the profession.
One college student told us, “I looked into teaching as a career pretty strongly … and every person I talked to, be it a grade school teacher or college professor, told me the same thing – that it was a lot of work, it was an unstable work environment, and the pay was very poor for the amount of work that you put in.” Unsurprisingly, she chose another career path.
The wrong solutions for the problem
A growing number of states have eliminated or have proposed to remove basic skills and subject matter exam requirements for teacher certification. Those prerequisites have long served as quality control checks for prospective teachers. While they do not guarantee effective teaching, they do serve as a minimum qualification threshold.
We believe efforts to loosen requirements for new teachers will bring more disrespect to the profession. History also suggests that they will make it so that schools that serve mostly students of color will have even fewer certified and experienced teachers than they already do.
But more directly, these efforts to boost teacher recruitment don’t address the reasons teachers are leaving the profession in the first place, which drive 90% of the demand for new teachers.
Lowering the standards to allow more people to enter the teaching profession may, for a short period, boost the number of people available to stand in front of classrooms. But that approach does not make teaching an attractive profession to consider, nor worthwhile for someone to stay and thrive in. Solving the teacher shortage problem requires solutions that reduce the numbers of teachers leaving the field and specifically address the lack of respect, low pay, hyperscrutiny and poor working conditions that they regularly endure.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Planning Commission is set to discuss several cannabis grows and a proposal for a new school this week.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
The agenda is here.
To participate in real-time, join the Zoom meeting by clicking this link.
The webinar ID is 975 2826 9622, the pass code is 362891.
Access the meeting via one tap mobile at +16694449171,,97528269622#,,,,*362891# or dial in at 669-900-6833.
The meeting also can be viewed on the county’s website or Facebook page.
In an item scheduled for 9:15 a.m., the commission will hold a public hearing to consider a major use permit and mitigated negative declaration based on initial study for 10 A — Type 3 “Outdoor” cultivation permits with a total canopy area of 432,800 square feet.
Lamperti Farms is seeking the permit. The grow would be located at 1111 Sulphur Bank Dr., 13405 Jensen Road, 565 Sulphur Bank Drive, 1070 Sulphur Bank Drive, 14499 E. State Highway 20, 1350 Sulphur Bank Drive and 1200 Sulphur Bank Drive in Clearlake Oaks.
The last item on the agenda is a request from Konocti Christian Academy for a major use permit for a new private school, serving prekindergarten through ninth grade, at 5805 Live Oak Drive, Kelseyville.
The school currently is located on the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport.
The staff report said the project consists of seven portable classrooms, separate office and restroom buildings, a playground, basketball court, grassy area, gravel parking lot, shade structure and eating area and a large grass field, with the entire property to be enclosed by a 6-foot-tall chain-link fence.
It’s estimated the school will have 150 pickups and drop-offs daily.
The full agenda follows.
AGENDA
Approval of minutes from the July 14, 2022, and July 28, 2022 Planning Commission meetings.
9:05 a.m.: Continued from July 14, with staff requesting it be continued again to Aug. 25, public hearing, consideration of proposed parcel map to create three commercially-zoned lots (PM 21-31), and consider an inclusion under the original final environmental impact report and addendum; Applicant: Valley Oaks Partners LLC/Keith Gapusan; located at 18196 and 18426 S. State Highway 29, Middletown (APNs 014-260-51, 36 & 24).
9:07 a.m.: Discussion and consideration of recommendations to the Board of Supervisors regarding amendments to the county code pertaining to early activation permit regulations.
9:10 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of proposed major use permit (UP 22-20) and mitigated negative declaration based on initial study (IS 22-21); Applicant is Comsites West, located at 20226 E. Highway 20, Clearlake Oaks (APNs: 010-009-42 (tower site), 010-009-39, and 40 (access sites). Staff requests this item be continued to Aug. 25.
9:15 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of proposed major use permit (UP 20-51) and mitigated negative declaration based on initial study (IS 20-75) for 10 (10) A — Type 3 “Outdoor” cultivation permits with a total canopy area of 432,800 sq. ft.; Applicant is Lamperti Farms; located at 1111 Sulphur Bank Dr., 13405 Jensen Road, 565 Sulphur Bank Drive, 1070 Sulphur Bank Drive, 14499 E. State Highway 20, 1350 Sulphur Bank Drive, 1200 Sulphur Bank Dr., (APNs: 006-520-10; 006-520-11; 006-520-12; -006-540-02; 006-540-08; 010-002-37; 010-002-53).
9:20 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of proposed rezone (RZ 22-01) and general plan amendment (GPA 22-01); applicant is Valerie Peng; project located at 11377 Highway 29, Lower Lake (APN: 049-300-02).
9:25 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of an amendment (MMU 21-24) to a major use permit (UP 18-32); and mitigated negative declaration based on initial study (IS 21-37); to allow the conversion of one acre of outdoor cannabis cultivation to 22,000 square feet of mixed light cultivation; applicant is Jason Jones on behalf of Center Grow; project located at 26066 and 27084 Jerusalem Grade Road, Middletown (APNs: 013-017-62 and 66).
9:30 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of proposed major use permit (UP 21-52) mitigated negative declaration based on initial study and addendum (IS 21-54); applicant is Kelseyville Christian Academy; project located at 5805 Live Oak Drive, Kelseyville (APN: 008-061-72).
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lakeport Planning Commission is set to consider projects this week that include a new warehouse and a housing project that features both apartments and houses near Westside Park.
The commission will meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
The council chambers will be open to the public for the meeting. Masks are highly encouraged where 6-foot distancing cannot be maintained.
Please indicate in the email subject line "for public comment" and list the item number of the agenda item that is the topic of the comment. Comments that are read to the council will be subject to the three minute time limitation (approximately 350 words). Written comments that are only to be provided to the council and not read at the meeting will be distributed to the council before the meeting.
The first of the two main items on the Wednesday agenda is an application from BND Holdings of Warren, New Jersey, for an architectural and design review that would allow a 3,599 square foot commercial metal building for storage/distribution to be located on property owned by Maryann Spinali of Lakeport at 2225 and 2232 Specht Court, a block from S. Main Street and near the former Kmart site.
The staff report explains, “The purpose of the structure is to receive, store, and deliver packaged snack foods.”
Specifically, the report said the interior of the building will be used as a Frito-Lay Product Exchange Center with an adjoining office for the purpose of receiving, storing and delivering packaged snack foods.
The building will consist of a 2,722 square foot warehouse space, and an 877 square foot office space.
There also will be 16 parking spaces, paved with asphalt, and an extension of an Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible parking stall and ramp to the new building.
Tractor trailers will deliver products from the distribution center which will be unloaded via a pallet jack at a dock height door directly into the proposed building. The products would then be received by box trucks and delivered to retail locations such as convenience stores, staff reported.
In peak seasons, the operations proposed would be around the clock, seven days a week, the report said.
The report said the nearest residence is located about 400 feet west of the project property, which is separated by Highway 29, “therefore deliveries/pickups would not have an impact to surrounding residences.”
Staff is recommending the application’s approval.
The second key item for Wednesday is Waterstone Residential’s application for a zone change, tentative subdivision map, environmental review and general plan amendment for 128 apartment units and 48 cluster homes at 1310 Craig Ave.
The 128 apartments would be located in 10 two-story buildings, split evenly between two- and three-bedroom units. There also would be 48 attached single-family homes.
In addition to the 176 dwelling units, the project would consist of community facilities leasing office, related parking and landscaping, and internal access roads.
Peter Schellinger of Santa Rosa is the project applicant and owner. In 2005 the city approved a 96-lot residential subdivision at the site, which includes the Parkside Subdivision next to Westside Community Park, built by his father and uncle.
The original project received a minor exception to allow parcels to be less than the minimum lot size required.
The project’s phase one consisted of 35 lots; of those, 14 were constructed with homes and 20 lots remain vacant but available for development, staff reported.
The city said the project’s phase two and three did not submit for a final map and were never developed, although they continued to be disked annually for weed abatement.
The report said, “There are certain items from the approval of the original Parkside Subdivision that need to be reviewed and potentially addressed, such as the avoidance of disturbing Forbes Creek, the establishment of a Lighting and Landscape Maintenance District, construction and dedication of road and streets development, and appurtenant facilities. It is appropriate to identify and include such items with the processing and final design layout of the Tentative Map.”
Six acres of the property is proposed to be rezoned from R-1, low-density residential, to R-3, high density residential, with the remaining parcel proposed to be rezoned from R-1 to planned development combining district.
Staff also is recommending approval of the Schellinger project.
The commission is next scheduled to meet on Wednesday, Sept. 14.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Board of Supervisors will discuss with staff this week a proposal to purchase and renovate the Kelseyville Senior Center, and will get an update on drought conditions.
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
The meeting ID is 972 4365 5590, pass code 716589. The meeting also can be accessed via one tap mobile at +16694449171,,97243655590#,,,,*716589#.
All interested members of the public that do not have internet access or a Mediacom cable subscription are encouraged to call 669-900-6833, and enter the Zoom meeting ID and pass code information above.
In an untimed item, the board will consider a request to appoint a team of county staff to negotiate the purchase of the Kelseyville Senior Center, more recently known as the Kelseyville Event Center, located at 5245 Third St.
A memo to the board from County Administrative Officer Susan Parker explains that the county has received $12.5 million in funds as a result of the American Rescue Plan Act, which President Joe Biden signed into law in March 2021.
The county ARPA Committee has evaluated community needs and their potential fit with the intent of the law and the U.S. Treasury’s guidance for the funds, Parker said. “District 5 Supervisor, Jessica Pyska, brought forth purchase and remodel of the Kelseyville Senior Center for the Committee’s consideration.”
Parker is asking for herself and Stephen Carter, her newly appointed assistant county administrative officer, to be appointed to the negotiating team. “After completing the negotiation process, the Negotiating Team will present the tentative purchase agreement for consideration and approval by the Board of Supervisors in the course of a regularly scheduled and open meeting.”
The board also is scheduled to have a closed session discussion regarding the property negotiations.
In response to questions from Lake County News about the proposed purchase, county staff reported that if the county is successful in purchasing and renovating the Kelseyville Senior Center, use of the facility will be mixed.
“We anticipate many current uses either continuing or being enhanced with renovation of the space: senior-focused services; hosting community group meetings; use of the commercial kitchen, which would be refreshed, for cottage vendors. The space could likewise be used as a Community Resource Center site during a PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff events, or a venue for wildfire recovery community meetings, for example,” the county statement said.
“The County is cognizant more robust library services can be offered in the community of Kelseyville. We anticipate exploring some ongoing provision of services, and this could also be a location where mobile library events are held,” the statement continued.
County staff said public input and the board’s collective discussion will further clarify the position of the county on the matter.
In other business, at 9:45 a.m. the board will consider an ordinance adopting the California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.
At 10:30 a.m., the supervisors will receive an update on drought conditions and Clear Lake.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Approve continuation of proclamation of the existence of a local emergency due to pervasive tree mortality.
5.2: Adopt resolution approving agreement with California Department of Food and Agricultural Industrial Hemp Cultivation Program Agreement No. 22-0756-000-SA for July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2024, in the amount of $23,781.69.
5.3: Sitting as the Lake County Air Quality Management District Board of Directors, authorize participating in the FARMER Grant Program and authorize the air pollution control officer to sign all program documents.
5.4: Sitting as the Lake County Air Quality Management District Board of Directors, approve travel of more than 1,500 miles for district staff to attend the 2022 National Ambient Air Monitoring Conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, utilizing Federal EPA Grant funding.
5.5: Sitting as the Lake County Air Quality Management District Board of Directors, approve the Community Air Protection Incentives Program Lake County Office of Education School Filtration Project, and authorize the air pollution control officer to sign the funding contract and issue payment upon project completion.
5.6: (a) Approve reissuance of payroll check number 515476, issued to Casse Forczek on 11/1/2018, for $1,098.36; and (b) approve reissuance of payroll check number 517827, issued to Kelly Kobetsky on 10/1/2019, for $827.09.
5.7: Approve Board of Supervisors minutes for July 26, 2022.
5.8: Approve late travel claims for a total amount of $211.89 for the Community Development Department.
5.9: Approve continuation of resolution authorizing teleconferenced meetings during a state of emergency continue to exist.
5.10: Adopt resolution authorizing the 2023-2024 Grant Project-Lake County Child Advocacy Center Program and authorize the chair to sign the grant subaward certification of assurance of compliance.
5.11: Adopt a resolution approving the renewal application and certification statement for the State Department of Health Services, CMS Branch’s Child Health & Disability Program (CHDP), Health Care Program for Children in Foster Care Program (HCPCFC), Monitoring Oversight of Foster Children Treated with Psychotropic Meds (HCPCFC-PMMO) and Caseload Relief (HCPCFC-CR) Grant for FY 2022-2023 and Authorize the Board Chair to Sign Said Certification Statement.
5.12: Approve continuation of a local health emergency related to the 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) as proclaimed by the Lake County Public Health officer.
5.13: Approve continuation of a local health emergency and order prohibiting the endangerment of the community through the unsafe removal, transport, and disposal of fire debris for the LNU Complex Wildfire.
5.14: Sitting as the Lake County Watershed Protection District, adopt resolution authorizing the Lake County Watershed Protection District to sign and enter into Amendment No. 1 of agreement with CivicWell for independent contractor services through the AmeriCorps CivicSpark Fellowship in the amount of $29,000 for one CivicSpark Fellow to develop an aquatic invasive species outreach assessment and improvement plan.
5.15: Approve continuation of a local emergency in Lake County in response to the LNU Lightning Complex wildfire event.
5.16: Approve continuation of a local emergency due to COVID-19.
5.17: Approve continuation of an emergency declaration for drought conditions not available.
5.18: Approve continuation of a local emergency by the Lake County Sheriff/OES director for the Cache fire.
5.19: (a) Authorize the sheriff/coroner to negotiate a food services agreement with Summit with a Sept. 6, 2022, effective date, to supervise the preparation and service of meals at the Lake County Jail/Hill Road Facility for a period of three years, with two one year extensions; and approve a purchase order with Trinity in an amount not to exceed $65,000 for the period 7/29/2022 to Sept. 6, 2022.
5.20: Authorize the Social Services director to sign a purchase order, executing the purchase of 100 computer workstations, from CDW-G, in the amount of $101,106.90 and authorize the chair to sign.
TIMED ITEMS
6.3, 9:07 a.m.: Election of vice chair of the Board of Supervisors to replace Supervisor Scott.
6.4, 9:10 a.m.: Consideration of update of 2022 committee assignments for members of the Board of Supervisors due to the resignation of Supervisor Tina Scott.
6.5, 9:45 a.m.: Public hearing where The Board of Supervisors will consider an ordinance adopting the California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.
6.6, 10:30 a.m.: Update on 2022 drought conditions, Clear Lake.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: Consideration of request to appoint negotiating team for the purchase of the Kelseyville Event Center, a property located at 5245 Third St., Kelseyville, CA (APN: 025-083-06).
7.3: Consideration of agreement between county of Lake and Vista Pacifica Enterprises Inc. for adult residential support services and specialty mental health services for fiscal year 2022-23 in the amount of $130,000 and authorize the board chair to sign.
7.4: Consideration of agreement between county of Lake and Women's Recovery Services for substance use disorder residential treatment services for fiscal year 2022-23 in the amount of $105,850 and authorize the board chair to sign.
7.5: Consideration of Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement between county of Lake and Paragons LLC for consultant services to the Lake County Continuum of Care on behalf of Lake County Behavioral Health for fiscal year 2021-22 increasing the contract maximum to $30,723.00 and authorize the board chair to sign.
7.6: Consideration of purchase order for Adventist St. Helena and Vallejo Hospital for acute inpatient psychiatric hospital services in the amount of $69,103.00 for fiscal year 2021-22 and authorize Lake County Behavioral Health Services Department head to sign the purchase order.
CLOSED SESSION
8.1: Public employee appointment pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54957(b)(1): Interview of Public Health officer; appointment of Public Health officer.
8.2: Conference with real party negotiators pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.8: Property: Purchase of property located at 5245 Third Street, Kelseyville, CA (APN: 025-083-06)(Kelseyville Senior Center property). Negotiating parties: (a) Negotiators for the County: S. Parker and S. Carter and (b) property owner: Kelseyville Senior Center Inc. Under Negotiations: Price and terms.
8.3: Public employee evaluation: Community Development Director Mary Darby.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. — Hidden Valley Lake residents Chris Ochs and Annette Lee announced that they are running for the Middletown Unified School Board in this November’s election.
As a team, they believe they have a strong set of complementary skills that can help successfully navigate and overcome the challenges faced by Middletown Unified and move it forward in a positive direction, benefitting its students, staff and community.
Chris Ochs is a 14-year resident of Hidden Valley Lake, current MUSD board member, and director of facilities, maintenance, operations, and transportation for Calistoga Joint Unified School District.
Ochs’ expertise has already been an invaluable asset to MUSD as the district begins to aggressively invest in much-needed facility improvement projects using Measure H bond dollars.
Ochs is known in the community as a down-to-earth, accessible and very involved parent. He plans to continue to be available and accessible to all district members as a sounding board and to take parent viewpoints into account when making decisions as a board member.
He also is a long-time MUSD volunteer who has actively been involved in multiple PTO projects including the installation of Coyote Valley Elementary’s playground equipment.
“Students, teachers, and staff need a modern, safe, and clean environment to learn and teach in. I know that I can be a valuable contributor to accomplish this work at MUSD, and I will approach this duty with an open mind and the expertise needed to help MUSD succeed,” said Ochs.
For years MUSD has been challenged by a lack of stability, and Ochs believes that he and Lee can provide the strong and knowledgeable leadership necessary to help the District get back on course and attract and retain high-quality, compassionate educators.
“Most importantly, Annette and I agree that we must prioritize the educational and social-emotional needs of our children to guarantee they become strong, knowledgeable and confident members of society,” said Ochs.
Annette Lee is a graduate of Middletown High School, whose family has lived in Hidden Valley Lake for 38 years.
After spending a decade in Silicon Valley working in high tech and supply chain management, Lee decided to shift gears and dedicate herself to public education. And what better place to give back than the place where she grew up.
“Shane and I wanted to move back to my hometown to become educators and raise our children,” said Lee.
Since moving back to Hidden Valley Lake in 2006, Lee has worked alongside her parents, Bonnie and Jay Albertson, and her husband Shane Lee in the field of education.
Currently the interim dean of Woodland Community College’s Lake County Campus, or LCC, Lee has also served Lake County schools as a dance and business teacher for Lower Lake High School and as a Professor of Business for Woodland Community College LCC.
She has also served as the executive dean of centers for Woodland Community College.
Lee has successfully co-authored multiple grants for the college and will help MUSD access more funding as well.
She has a doctorate in educational administration, a master’s degree in business administration, a K-12 teaching credential and is certified in K-12 school business management.
Lee has worked with children of all ages and wants to see South Lake County’s children have access to every opportunity for success.
“MUSD was once a destination school district and I think we can be that again. Together I believe Chris and I can help the MUSD community create a healthy, positive learning and working environment to retain and attract the best teachers, staff, and administrators. We will work hard to ensure MUSD provides the very best education and learning environment for our children,” said Lee.
Lee and Ochs have both given many hours of volunteer time and in-kind donations in support of the schools and have been regularly attending board meetings since 2021.
Annette and Shane Lee have two children currently attending MUSD schools. Heather and Chris Ochs are parents of two MUSD students as well.
As board members and as parents themselves, Lee and Ochs said they will streamline access for parents to MUSD board meetings and will work hard to support and promote parent involvement, better academic achievement for the kids, and make MUSD a reason that families move to and stay in Lake County.
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. — The Middletown Area Town Hall will meet this week to get updates on local projects and consider a bylaws amendment.
MATH will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, in the Middletown Community Meeting Room/Library at 21256 Washington St, Middletown. The meeting is open to the public.
To join the meeting via Zoom click on this link; the meeting ID is 659 964 1209. Call in at 669-900-6833.
Speakers scheduled to give presentations at the meeting include Lisa Kaplan, who will discuss the Rabbit Hill water tanks beautification project; Chef Matt Metcalf will speak to the group about the Hidden Valley Lake Greenview Restaurant; and there also will be an update on the Maha Gueno Project.
MATH also will consider a proposed amendment to the bylaws and discuss a clarification for the qualifications for board nominees.
At 8 p.m., District 1 Supervisor Moke Simon is scheduled to give a brief report.
The MATH Board includes Chair Monica Rosenthal, Vice Chair Ken Gonzalez, Secretary Todd Fiora, Rosemary Córdova and Bill Waite.
MATH — established by resolution of the Lake County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 12, 2006 — is a municipal advisory council serving the residents of Anderson Springs, Cobb, Coyote Valley (including Hidden Valley Lake), Long Valley and Middletown.
For more information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Home sales and prices across Lake County are down when compared to last year, according to the latest report from the Lake County Association of Realtors.
The association, or LCAOR, said that for the 30-day period ending July 24, total homes sold through the multiple listing service totaled 89, compared to 122 during the same time last year.
Those sales include traditionally built “stick-built” houses as well as manufactured homes on land.
There were nine sales of mobile homes in parks compared to 12 for the same time last year, and 25 bare land (lots and acreage) sales, compared with 50 for the same time last year.
During that time period, 32% of homes were bought for all cash, compared to 33% for the same time last year.
Of those, 35% were financed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac (“conventional loans”) compared to 43% for the same time last year; 13% were financed by FHA (same as last year this time); and 3% were financed by the VA or CalVet compared to 5% for this time last year).
Another 11% had other financing such as private loans or seller financed notes, which was the same as last year.
There are 421 homes on the market right now. If the rate of sales stays the same at 89 homes sold per month, there are currently 4.7 months of inventory on the market at the moment. That means that if no new homes are brought to the market for sale, in 4.7 months all of these homes would be sold and there would be none available.
Less than six months of inventory is generally considered to be a “sellers’ market” while more than six months of inventory is often called a “buyers’ market.”
The inventory has been growing steadily over the past several months and again is a record of most homes available at any time in the last two years, LCAOR said.
Most homes were selling very close to the asking price, at an average of 97% of the asking price. This is in contrast to other areas, where homes sell for more than the asking price.
The median time on the market last month was 23 days, compared to 17 days for this time last year.
The median sale price of a single family home in Lake County over the last 30 days was $300,000 compared to $328,000 during this time period last year.
In the past 30 days, 26% of homes sold had seller concessions for an average of $9,462; a year ago 26% of homes sold had an average seller concession of $8,959.
A more detailed breakdown by the different areas is below.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA — Caltrans is hosting a community open house next week to seek public comments about a proposed wildlife overcrossing on State Highway 20 in Colusa County.
The event will be Thursday, Aug. 18, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Williams City Hall, 810 E St.
Community members can view displays and review maps and other materials, including a draft environmental document. Caltrans staff members will be available to answer questions and receive comments from the public.
Caltrans is proposing construction of a $9 million wildlife overcrossing on Highway 20 about 10.5 miles west of Williams.
The Cortina Ridge Wildlife Overcrossing would restore Tule Elk range and habitat connectivity between Cortina Ridge and Bear Valley.
The Environmental Document, referred to as an initial study and proposed negative declaration, is available for review from Aug. 10, through Sept. 9. The document may be viewed at the following locations:
• Caltrans District 3, 703 B St., Marysville, CA 95901. • Colusa County Administration Office, 547 Market St., Colusa, CA 95932. • Williams City Hall, 810 E St., Williams, CA 95987 • The environmental document also will be available to view online.
The public is asked to submit comments or questions about the project via postal mail or email by 5 p.m. Sept. 9.
Submit comments to Caltrans District 3, Environmental Management M2 Branch, 703 B St., Marysville, CA 95901, Attn: Michael Ferrini, email, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
LAKEPORT, Calif. — The city of Lakeport is seeking proposals for mid-range to large-scale sculptural and/or innovative, mixed or multimedia installations to be showcased in the new lakefront park development in downtown Lakeport at 800 and 810 N. Main St.
Awards to successful applicants will range from $5,000 to $20,000, depending on the scale and budget of the proposed work, which includes materials, artist’s labor, installation needs, and any necessary travel expenses.
Proposals with interactive components are encouraged.
Lake County artists and Black, Indigenous and people of color, or BIPOC, are strongly urged to submit proposals; there are no geographic restrictions for applications.
All proposals must be submitted no later than 4 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 19.
Proposed art works must be made of materials that can endure the outdoors and extreme weather in a public setting.
All object-based sculptures must be securely mounted to the ground or a plinth base at the designated site; all work must be safe for pedestrian traffic.
The call for artists may be viewed on the city’s website.
The request for proposal includes specific application requirements and a map of the lakefront park with designated spaces for art.
In January 2020, the city of Lakeport was awarded a competitive grant from the California Department of Parks and Recreation funded by Proposition 68, the California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018.
After two years of design, the project is ready for construction.
The new park consists of approximately 6.9 acres and will include, in addition to the public art, a basketball court, splash pad, skate park, concession building with restrooms, shade structures, picnic areas, fitness equipment, a pavilion, lighting, irrigation and landscaping.
Estimated completion date is spring 2023.
For more information, contact Community Development Director Jenni Byers at 707-263-5615, Extension 201, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The following cats at the shelter have been cleared for adoption.
Female domestic shorthair kitten
This female domestic shorthair kitten has a gray and white coat.
She is in cat room kennel No. A21, LCAC-A-3636.
‘Olive’
“Olive” is a female domestic medium hair kitten with a black coat.
She is in cat room kennel No. A117, ID No. LCAC-A-3742.
‘Willow’
“Willow” is a female domestic shorthair cat with a gray and white coat.
She is in cat room kennel No. 47, ID No. LCAC-A-3762.
Male domestic shorthair kitten
This male domestic shorthair kitten has an orange tabby coat with white markings.
He is in cat room kennel No. A1a, ID No. LCAC-A-3662.
Male domestic shorthair kitten
This male domestic shorthair kitten has a gray tabby coat with white markings.
He is in cat room kennel No. A1b, ID No. LCAC-A-3663.
Female gray tabby
This 2-year-old female gray tabby has a short coat with white markings.
She is in cat room kennel No. 28, ID No. LCAC-A-3661.
Domestic shorthair kitten
This female domestic shorthair kitten has an all-black coat.
She is in cat room kennel No. 84b, ID No. LCAC-A-3615.
Domestic shorthair kitten
This male domestic shorthair kitten has an all-black coat.
He is in cat room kennel No. 84c, ID No. LCAC-A-3616.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.