LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Loris Yiskis passed peacefully on March 27, 2016, at 85.
Preceded in death by husband Clifford Yiskis and daughter Rhea Ellis.
Survived by daughter, Renee Yiskis; son, Louis and his wife Lori; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Loris loved supporting Clifford's racing career roadsters to super modified. Both will be missed.
LUCERNE, Calif. – The Northshore Community Center in Lucerne has announced that it has several new members on its board of directors, with all nine seats now filled.
The board now consists of Chair John Brosnan, Vice Chair Craig Purcell, Treasurer Carey Calvanese, Secretary Dawn Alvarado, and members Nancy Bylund, Dallas Cook, David Eby, Joey Liik and Peter Tibbits.
The next board meeting is at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 14, which is Flag Day. There will be a special Flag Day ceremony by the Lakeport Elks Lodge 2704 at 6 p.m. and an open house to get to know the Board following the Elks ceremony.
Ice cream treats will be available and announcements of upcoming events. This is a great chance to hear about new plans for Northshore Community Center.
The Northshore Community Center is located at 3985 Country Club Drive in Lucerne.
SACRAMENTO – California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith has completely lifted the health advisory for rock crabs caught off the coast of Santa Barbara County in state waters around the Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa and San Miguel islands (Channel Islands).
This comes after recent tests showing traces of domoic acid have declined to low or undetectable levels in crabs caught near the islands.
Friday's decision follows the March 28 announcement partially lifting the advisory from the Channel Islands while keeping an area between Santa Rosa Island and Santa Cruz Island under the advisory.
The advisory remains in effect for rock crabs caught in state waters north of Latitude 36° 58.72′ N. (near Sand Hill Bluff, approximately 9 miles north of the Santa Cruz Harbor entrance).
CDPH and the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment concur that rock crabs caught in the areas around the Channel Islands are safe to consume.
However, as a precaution, consumers are advised not to eat the viscera (internal organs, also known as “butter” or “guts”) of crabs.
The viscera usually contain much higher levels of domoic acid than crab body meat. When whole crabs are cooked in liquid, domoic acid may leach from the viscera into the cooking liquid.
Water or broth used to cook whole crabs should be discarded and not used to prepare dishes such as sauces, broths, soups or stews (for example, cioppino or gumbo), stocks, roux, dressings or dips.
The best ways to reduce risk are:
1) Remove the crab viscera and rinse out the body cavity prior to cooking, or
2) Boil or steam whole crabs, instead of frying or broiling, and discard cooking liquids.
Symptoms of domoic acid poisoning can occur within 30 minutes to 24 hours after eating toxic seafood. In mild cases, symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache and dizziness. These symptoms disappear within several days.
In severe cases, the victim may experience trouble breathing, confusion, disorientation, cardiovascular instability, seizures, excessive bronchial secretions, permanent loss of short-term memory (a condition known as Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning), coma or death. There have been no reported illnesses associated with this year’s domoic acid event.
Domoic acid accumulation in seafood is a natural occurrence that is related to a “bloom” of a particular single-celled plant. The conditions that support the growth of this plant are impossible to predict. While the bloom that occurred last year has dissipated, it takes a period of time for the organisms feeding on the phytoplankton to eliminate the domoic acid from their bodies.
CDPH will continue to coordinate its efforts with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the fishing community to collect rock crab samples from the central and northern California coast until the domoic acid levels have dissipated.
To receive updated information about shellfish poisoning and quarantines, call CDPH’s toll-free Shellfish Information Line at (800) 553-4133. For additional information, visit CDPH’s Natural Marine Toxins: PSP and Domoic Acid Web page and CDPH’s Domoic Acid health information Web page at http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/environhealth/water/Documents/Shellfish/Natural_Marine_Toxins_2015.pdf .
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – An early morning fire on Friday destroyed a home in Clearlake, but firefighters were able to save nearby buildings.
The fire was reported shortly after 2:15 a.m. on Valley Avenue at Hillcrest Avenue, according to Lake County Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Charlie Diener.
Diener said firefighters arrived to find a fully involved single family dwelling.
The person who owns the property wasn't at home but the structure was occupied at the time the fire started by individuals believed to be transients, said Diener, who added that he didn't believe they had broken into the house.
One of those individuals suffered burns and was transported by a friend to the hospital, according to Diener, who said firefighters didn't make direct contact with the injured individual.
Diener said there were approximately nine pieces of fire equipment – including mutual aid from Cal Fire and Northshore Fire's Clearlake Oaks station – at the incident. Firefighters remained on scene until 7 a.m. Friday.
While the stick-built structure in which the fire started was destroyed, Diener said firefighters were able to keep the blaze from damaging the property's garage and a nearby home on Hillcrest Avenue
As for what caused the fire, “It's still under investigation,” said Diener.
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.
On Monday, June 6, astronaut Jeff Williams will enter the first human-rated expandable module deployed in space, a technology demonstration to investigate the potential challenges and benefits of expandable habitats for deep space exploration and commercial low-Earth orbit applications.
Williams and the NASA and Bigelow Aerospace teams working at Mission Control Center at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston expanded the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) by filling it with air during more than seven hours of operations Saturday, May 28.
The BEAM launched April 8 aboard a SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, and was attached to the International Space Station’s Tranquility module about a week later.
Williams’ entry will mark the beginning of a two-year data collection process. He will take an air sample, place caps on the now closed ascent vent valves, install ducting to assist in BEAM’s air circulation, retrieve deployment data sensors and manually open the tanks used for pressurization to ensure all of the air has been released.
He will then install sensors over the following two days that will be used for the project’s primary task of gathering data on how an expandable habitat performs in the thermal environment of space, and how it reacts to radiation, micrometeoroids and orbital debris.
During BEAM's test period, the module typically will be closed off to the rest of the space station. Astronauts will enter the module three to four times each year to collect temperature, pressure and radiation data, and to assess its structural condition.
After two years of monitoring, the current plan is to jettison the BEAM from the space station to burn up on re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.
Expandable habitats are designed to take up less room when being launched but provide greater volume for living and working in space once expanded.
This first test of an expandable module will allow investigators to gauge how well the habitat performs and specifically, how well it protects against solar radiation, space debris and the temperature extremes of space.
The BEAM is an example of NASA’s increased commitment to partnering with industry to enable the growth of the commercial use of space.
The BEAM, which Bigelow Aerospace developed and built, is co-sponsored by Bigelow and NASA's Advanced Exploration Systems Division.
The expansion process already has provided numerous lessons learned on how soft goods interact during the dynamic event of expansion.
The module measured just over 7 feet long and just under 7.75 feet in diameter in its packed configuration.
BEAM now measures more than 13 feet long and about 10.5 feet in diameter to create 565 cubic feet of habitable volume. It weighs approximately 3,000 pounds.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Ted Mandrones is the most qualified candidate running for District 4 supervisor. This is based upon his business experience, his experience in local city government, his ethics and integrity, his charitable endeavors, and his ability to work towards common sense solutions to complex problems.
With regards to the annexation of South Main Street, Ted’s solution of developing a 10-year plan to make that transition, if South Main community wishes it to happen, is the sensible solution. It does not create a sudden 25-percent drain on the county’s treasury and the ability to serve county needs, but does start allowing the city of Lakeport a path to the future.
Those promoting “instant” annexation are not doing the public any favor with their plan. An “instant” plan would limit the county’s ability to provide the services that are of dire necessity. An example would be the inability to provide and support law enforcement with wage equity and cost of living increases.
Ted sees the need for developing key fundamental improvements including providing reliable and fast Internet capabilities countywide and making sure that ordinances are modified and improved in order to get homes and infrastructure rebuilt as quickly as possible.
His skills and experience make him well suited to deal with the challenges that the county faces. Those challenges include:
· Finding better paths towards making county law enforcement financially competitive in order to retain good officers.
· Continuing to find better ways and means to help the folks trying to get back into homes following the fires.
· Getting a consensus amongst parties involved in the erosion at Lakeside Heights.
· Increasing interest in the development of local business.
· Developing a workable agreement with the owners, the county and potential buyers of Konocti Harbor Resort.
· Creating opportunities to invite business to this county and using the airport as part of the solution for that activity.
· Continuing to develop tourism and support it by aiding in the infrastructure improvement necessary to grow it.
· Bring in the most reliable, fastest Internet capabilities available to Lake County.
Ted Mandrones believes in the rule of law, in supporting at risk youth, ensuring the rights of the elderly on fixed incomes and promoting our county in reasonable ways to provide a better future.
For information on Ted’s experience, please visit his Web site at www.tedmandrones.com . If you have concerns, please give him a call at 707-263-4836.
Scott Knickmeyer, Lakeport; Jim Goetz, Lakeport; Arlene Hansen, Lakeport; Gail Strong, Nice, and Debbie White, Kelseyville
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Cache Creek Catering and Lake County Wine Studio present a monthly food and wine series featuring gourmet appetizers paired with select Lake County wines.
Locally produced foods are proudly featured as key ingredients in recipes created by Cache Creek Catering.
The series is held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on the second Friday of each month. Reservations are required and include a 30-day complimentary membership to the Local Cuisine Scene (LCS) Club.
Club members will be offered private pairings, pairing consultations, special private catering rates, access to recipes and first option for seatings at LCS for members and their guests.
Friday, June 10, will feature food pairings with Lake County Rosé wines.
The first pairing will be Sol Rouge Rosé with a salad of red quinoa, farro, strawberries, fresh peas and spinach, with orange-shallot dressing.
The second pairing features Olof Cellars Rosé of Barbera with an herb crusted pork tenderloin with plum pan sauce and Cippolini onions over creamy polenta.
The dessert course will be watermelon fruit ice with lavender shortbread paired with Gregory Graham Rosé.
For reservations and additional information, contact Susan at 707-293-8752.
The gallery is located at 9505 Main St. in Upper Lake.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The 1963 adventure drama “The Great Escape,” starring Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough and Charles Bronson, screens at the Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport on Tuesday, June 14, at 1 and 6 p.m.
Based on a true story of Allied prisoners plotting to break out of a Nazi detention camp in World War II, the film is particularly notable for Steve McQueen’s portrayal of the irreverent “Cooler King” and for his spectacular motorcycle chase scene in which he performed his own stunts.
The movie is sponsored by the Law Office of Judy Conard, the Law Office of Mary Heare Amodio and John H. Tomkins Tax Consultants. Unrated with run time of 2 hours 50 minutes.
Entry to the film is by donation.
The Soper Reese Theatre is located at 275 S. Main St., Lakeport, 707-263-0577, www.soperreesetheatre.com .
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Longtime Lake County Congressman Mike Thompson is seeking reelection this year, and he has plenty of goals ahead as he looks to continue representing California's Fifth Congressional District.
“I'm running for reelection this year because I have a lot of work to do,” said Thompson.
Hailing from St. Helena, Thompson – a Democrat – has served in the United States House of Representatives since 1998. Before that, he served in the California Legislature, becoming the first Vietnam veteran elected to the State Senate.
During a May visit to Lake County, Thompson met with Lake County News for a tour of his property and discussed his goals for continuing his service in Congress.
In this video, Thompson addresses some key issues to him, including preventing gun violence.
As a veteran and a gun owner, Thompson also is a believer in the Second Amendment. He said measures can be taken to prevent criminals and the mentally ill from acquiring firearms.
He also touches on water and agriculture, Valley fire recovery, health care, the economy and job growth, and more.
Thompson is being challenged in his run for another two-year term by Nils Palsson, a Cobb resident.
The full interview can be seen above.
The video was produced by John Jensen of Lake County News.
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 next free household hazardous waste dropoff event will be held Friday, June 17, and Saturday, June 18, at Lake County Waste Solutions Transfer Station and Recycling Yard, 230 Soda Bay Road in Lakeport.
Hours will be from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Households can bring up to 15 gallons of toxic items free of charge. Fees will be charged for amounts over 15 gallons.
Items that are accepted include paint, solvents, fuels, five-gallon propane tanks (empty), pool chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, batteries, fluorescent light tubes (up to 60 linear feet) and other toxic materials that cannot be put in the trash.
Items that cannot be accepted include televisions, computer monitors, ammunition, explosives, radioactive materials or infectious wastes.
To learn how and where to properly dispose these items, please visit www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us or contact the recycling hotline at 707-263-1980.
Household hazardous waste dropoff services are provided to Lake County residential households by the Integrated Waste Management Division of the Lake County Public Services Department and the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle).
Businesses also are welcome to use this convenient service to properly dispose of hazardous waste and protect our environment, however, businesses must pay for this county-funded service and first make an appointment. Business appointments can be made by calling Lake County Waste Solutions at 707-234-6400.
Beginning in June, ask about receiving a free puncture-proof sharps container at one of these events to use for free sharps disposal.
Free recycling options for residents and businesses:
· Recycled paint is available to both residents and businesses at Lake County Waste Solutions and South Lake Refuse and Recycling Center first-come, first-served basis in five gallon containers. Colors include tan, brown, gray and pink.
· Used motor oil and cooking oil can be dropped off by businesses and residents, at Lake County Waste Solutions, South Lake Refuse & Recycling Center, and the North Shore Fire Protection District station at 6257 Seventh Ave. in Lucerne. Visit www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us for more locations.
· Electronics (e-waste) can be dropped off at Lake County Waste Solutions and at South Lake Refuse & Recycling Center.
Lake County Waste Solutions
230 Soda Bay Road, Lakeport
888-718-4888 or 707-234-6400
Monday-Saturday, 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
www.candswaste.com
South Lake Refuse & Recycling Center
16015 Davis St., Clearlake
Open daily, 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
707-994-8614
www.southlakerefuse.com
The free Household Hazardous Waste drop off program is subsidized by the Lake County Public Services Department, Integrated Waste Management Division and CalRecycle as a public service to Lake County households.
For more information about recycling, reusing and reducing, visit www.recycling.co.lake.ca.us , call the recycling hotline at 707-263-1980 or like Lake County Public Services on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LCPublicServices?fref=ts .
SACRAMENTO – A bill by Assemblymember Bill Dodd (D-Napa) which aims to protect students and teachers during earthquakes took an important step forward this week, passing the state Assembly with unanimous bipartisan support.
Dodd’s bill would require school districts in seismically active zones in California to ensure that the contents of their classroom, like heavy bookshelves or filing cabinets, comply with state earthquake safety guidelines.
"Earthquakes are a part of life in California. We can’t count on earthquakes to strike outside of school hours, and we can’t afford to wait for tragedy before we take common sense steps to protect our children and teachers,” said Assemblymember Bill Dodd. “I’m thankful my fellow Assemblymembers rallied together to advance classroom safety.”
In August of 2014, Assemblymember Dodd’s district and hometown of Napa was rocked by a massive 6.0 earthquake.
Inspections of Napa schools following the South Napa Earthquake revealed significant damage inside classrooms, totaling millions of dollars.
The shifting contents and blocked exists could have been life-threatening had the earthquake occurred during school hours. These findings are not specific to Napa. Similar results have been identified following numerous earthquakes throughout the state.
The notion of securing classroom contents is not new to California. The state of California has already invested time and resources into creating guidelines for securing the contents of classrooms in the event of an earthquake.
However, there is currently nothing in state law that requires school districts to adhere to the established guidelines produced by the Division of the State Architects.
Dodd’s legislation, AB 1783 would require that all seismically active school districts in California proactively inspect school contents and equipment to ensure they are within state guidelines.
“What we found after the Napa Earthquake was alarming … we found classrooms that we couldn’t even get inside because things had fallen in the doorway,” said Don Evans, member of the Napa Valley Unified School District, who testified in support of Dodd’s bill earlier this year. “We believe the preventative approach is the way to go and we believe future damage is controllable.”
Following the South Napa Earthquake, the Napa Valley Unified School District completed an inspection of its facilities and addressed the issues that were identified. While some other school districts have taken these steps, many have not.
Dodd’s bill now advances to the state Senate along with his measures to promote gender pay equity and increase water storage and reliability. Both of which also passed the Assembly this week with bipartisan support.
Assemblymember Bill Dodd represents the 4th Assembly District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Yolo, Sonoma, Lake, Solano and Colusa counties. You can learn more about Assemblymember Dodd and the district at www.asm.ca.gov/dodd .
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The National Weather Services has issued a special weather statement for much of Northern California – including Lake County – due to particularly hot weather and the potential for thunderstorms this weekend.
Forecasters said an early season heat wave is moving over interior Northern California.
On Friday the hot weather is expected to peak, with the forecast predicting temperatures 15 to 20 degrees warmer than normal.
At the same time there are concerns about scattered thunderstorms passing over the region Saturday afternoon through Sunday due to an upper level system moving over the state, based on the forecast.
The National Weather Service said the transition from a hot stretch into a thunderstorm event historically leads to increased fire starts, as thunderstorms may not result in much rain.
Lake County's specific forecast calls for a 20-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in some parts of the county – particularly around Lakeport and the Northshore – on Saturday and Sunday.
The Clearlake area could see storms on Saturday, while conditions are expected to remain clear in the south county area around Middletown, according to the forecast.
Daytime highs across the county are expected to reach into the high 90s on Friday, lowering to the mid 90s on Saturday and Sunday before climbing higher again on Monday and Tuesday.
The forecast predicts that daytime temperatures will drop into the low 90s through Thursday.
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.
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