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LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Adventist Health Clear Lake executives and Project Restoration community partners gathered on Friday to celebrate the opening of Restoration House.

The five-bedroom house in Lower Lake will provide transitional housing to vulnerable members of the community.

Restoration House was funded by a $300,000 grant from Adventist Health, Adventist Health Clear Lake’s parent corporation.

“We are so proud to see this example of our commitment to community wellness open its doors,” said David Santos, Adventist Health Clear Lake president and chief executive officer. “It is a tangible response to a community need and is aligned with our mission to inspire health, wholeness and hope.”

Restoration House will house clients enrolled in the Project Restoration collaboration, which involves Clearlake city government, local law enforcement, fire district/EMS leaders and public and private community agencies in a united effort to serve individuals in the community who are high utilizers of local services, whether that be time in the hospital or encounters with the local police.

Project Restoration involves the partners in addressing an individual’s whole needs, instead of each agency focusing on a particular issue.

The goal of this approach is to better serve these “super-utilizers” while freeing up time and resource for local agencies to address other community concerns and goals.

Russ Perdock, mayor of Clearlake, first prompted the creation of Project Restoration in response to homelessness in the city.

“We have a lot of work to do, and this partnership lays a great foundation for our greater vision,” Perdock said at a gathering of the Project Restoration partners following a ribbon cutting. “Kudos to Adventist Health and all the partners for pushing the red tape out of the way to say ‘what can we do to help people and make our city better?’”

Marylin Wakefield, manager of grants and community outreach at Adventist Health Clear Lake, shared stories about the first client enrolled in the program and the success he is seeing so far.

Wakefield is managing the Restoration House program with Rev. Shannon Kimbell-Auth.

Clearlake Mayor Russ Perdock adds his signature to a frame that will be hung on the walls of Restoration House on Friday, September 8, 2017, in Lower Lake, Calif. Courtesy photo.


The home will welcome its first client on Oct. 3 and will have on-site management 24 hours a day.

All clients will be enrolled in Adventist Health Clear Lake’s intensive outpatient case management program.

“With this home and our approach to address all 16 domains of care, we have the ability to create wholeness beyond shelter,” Kimbell-Auth said.

Tim Celli, acting Clearlake Police chief, echoed Wakefield’s happiness in the client’s success.

“Through this project, we are seeing real results,” Celli said. “It encourages our officers, builds community trust and ultimately helps those who need us most.”

Adventist Health Clear Lake’s Community Wellness team has been working hard to set up the home as an inviting space.

“Project Restoration is approaching one client at a time,” said Shelly Mascari, director of community wellness. “However, we hope that this is a seed that helps Lake County reach a point where we are effectively addressing homelessness.”

If individuals would like to learn more about Project Restoration or donate needed items to Restoration House, they are invited to contact Marylin Wakefield at 707-995-5831.

A furnished room at the Restoration House on Friday, September 8, 2017, in Lower Lake, Calif. Courtesy photo.
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Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017

00:00 EXTRA PATROL 1709030001
Occurred at Senior Center on Bowers Rd. , Clearlake. COMMUNITY GARDEN AREA 594 TO THE GARDEN AND HOSE. Disposition: Log Note Only.

01:04 MUSIC/DOGS/ETC 1709030002
Occurred at Walnut Grove on Smith Ln. , Clearlake. Loud music. Disposition: Log Note Only.

01:06 RESIDENTIAL ALARM 1709030003
Occurred on 43D Av, Clearlake. Master bedroom closet. Disposition: False Alarm.

03:30 EXTRA PATROL 1709030004
Occurred at People Services on Lakeshore Dr. , Clearlake. NEAR THE BUSES DUE TO SUBJS SIPHONING THE GAS. Disposition: Log Note Only.

03:59 SUSP CIRCS 1709030005
Occurred on Konocti St, Clearlake. Left of rp wma jumping over fence into rps yard lives in travel trailer rp could see flames not sure if it is a bar b que. Disposition: Counseled.

06:59 SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE 1709030006
Occurred on Pamela Ln, Clearlake. WHITE VAN ON THE PROPERTY WITH ONE SUBJ WALKING AROUND IT. RP CALLED BACK STATED THERE ARE 3 SUBJS AROUND THE VAN. Disposition: Counseled.

08:12 PETTY THEFT 1709030007
Occurred on Cedar Ave, Clearlake. CAUGHT A SUBJ STEALING GAS CANS OFF THE PROPERTY RPS HUSBAND IS OUTSIDE WITH THE SUBJ NOW. Disposition: Log Note Only.

08:35 SUSP CIRCS 1709030008
Occurred on Cedar Ave, Clearlake. DAUGHTER / AT THE RESD RP WAS GRANTED AN ORDER AFTER HEARING WITH A MOVE OUT ORDER/ THE RESTRAINED HAS NOT BEEN SERVED WITH THE CH130 DAUGHTER IS CAUSING THE RP AND ANIMALS TO BE AGITATED. Disposition: Log Note Only.

09:23 SUSP CIRCS 1709030009
Occurred on Locust, Clearlake. **2nd hand information** on the property breaking security lights and harassing the rps brother. Disposition: Log Note Only.

10:17 SUSP CIRCS 1709030010
Occurred at Jims Mini Storage on Industrial Ct. , Clearlake. TAN BWM RIGHT AT THE GATE MALE IN THE VEH UNRESPONSIVE. Disposition: Arrest Made.

10:35 911 WIRELESS HANGUP 1709030011
Occurred on Ridgeview Dr, Clearlake. COULD HEAR 415V AND AND MENTION OF JL MARKET VOICEMAIL ON CALL BACK
2ND CALL FEMALE MENTIONED RESTRAINING ORDER WOULD NOT GIVE ADDRESS VM COMES BACK TO HX OF CALLS FROM NUMBER 6300 RIDGEVIEW DR / ATTEMPTED MULTIPLE CALL BACK NEG ANSWER. Disposition: Log Note Only.

10:57 VANDALISM 1709030012
Occurred on 27TH Ave, Clearlake. RP STATES THAT HE HAS A WITNESS THAT THE MALE NEXT DOOR TO THE RESD ATTEMPTED TO GET INTO HIS CARGO TRAILER/ THERE ARE SCRATCHES ON TRAILER. Disposition: Counseled.

11:00 ROBBERY COLD 1709030013
Occurred at Mendo Mill And Lumber Company on Old Highway 53. , Clearlake. STOLE ITEMS WITH A FAkE RECEIPT AND ATTEMPTED TO RUN THE RP OVER BLK FORD LSH TOWARDS LAKE SHORE HMA WEARING ALL BLACK TANK TOP AND BLACK SHORTS. Disposition: Report Taken.

13:03 HIT AND RUN COLD 1709030015
Occurred on 34TH Ave, Clearlake. Whi sports car w/ 2 hma's hit the fence between the rps and neighbors resd and drove away heading towards irving. Disposition: Log Note Only.

13:26 RESIDENTIAL ALARM 1709030016
Occurred on 38TH Ave, Clearlake. Aud front door neg resp. Disposition: False Alarm.

13:46 PETTY THEFT 1709030018
Occurred on .clearlake, Clearlake. MOTHERS PHONE WAS STOLEN OFF OF A PORCH SOMEWHERE IN CLEARLAKE LAST NIGHT COULD NOT PROVIDE LOCATION STATES WHOEVER HAS THE PHONE IS SENDING MESSAGES DEMANDING MONEY FOR THE RETURN OF THE PHONE. STATES MOTHER CAN NOT TALK TO MAKE THE REPORT BECAUSE SHE IS TOO UPSET OVER IT RP WANTS TO TELL THE PEOPLE HE WILL MEET THEM WITH THE MONEY AND HAVE AN OFFICER WITH HIM TO ARREST THEM. Disposition: Log Note Only.

13:50 SUSP CIRCS 1709030019
Occurred at Rays Food Place on Dam Rd. , Clearlake. 2ND HAND INFO ON THE TRAIL TO THE TRANSIENT CAMP BELIEVES SAW A 1144 BODY. Disposition: Log Note Only.

14:07 VANDALISM 1709030020
Occurred at Leisure Mobile Home Park on Park St. , Clearlake. DAUGHTER SLASHED RPS TIRES AND WOULD LIKE HER ARRESTED. Disposition: Gone On Arrival.

14:56 SUSP CIRCS 1709030021
Occurred on Olympic Dr, Clearlake. WMA BRO SHAGGY HAIR BLUE HOODIE SWEATER WITH SLEEVES CUT OFF MAN WITH A LARGE KNIFE AND A SHARPENER SHARPENING THE KNIFE LAST SEEN WALKING WITH IT TOWARDS SAFEWAY. Disposition: Gone On Arrival.

15:24 TRAFFIC COMPLAINT (SPEEDING, ETC) 1709030022
Occurred on Arrowhead Rd, Clearlake. The rps neighbor across the street spinning his tires on the road in front of the house sil 2door sports car. Disposition: Counseled.

17:00 EXTRA PATROL 1709030023
Occurred on Madrone, Clearlake. SUSC ACTIVITY IN THE AREA. Disposition: Log Note Only.

17:25 WELFARE CHECK 1709030024
Occurred on 7TH St, Clearlake. WAS TELLING THE RP THAT HE IS DEPRESSED AND WANTED TO 1056 /CALLED THE NUMBER SPOKE TO ANOTHER MALE STATES THAT THE SUBJ WAS WITH HIM AND IS NO LONGER THERE BELIEVES HE WENT HOME/ STATED THAT TOLD HIM THAT HE IS JUST SAD AND LONELY / RP STATED THEY USED TO LIVE ON AND HAVE JUST MOVED TO DOES NOT BELIEVE HE WOULD GO BACK TO THE ADDRESS MOST LIKELY WOULD HAVE WENT TO THE ADDRESS. Disposition: Log Note Only.

17:40 SUSP CIRCS 1709030025
Occurred on Pomo Rd, Clearlake. RP IS ADVISING THE RESD ACROSS FROM THE EMPTY RESD DIRECTLY BEHIND HER RESD / THE SUBJS IN THE HOUSE ARE SHOOTING OFF FIREARMS HAPPENS ALMOST EVERYDAY ADDRESS POSSIBLY. Disposition: Counseled.

18:00 AREA CHECK 1709030026
Occurred at Lakeshore Dr/Kern, Clearlake. MALE IN A ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR PARTIALLY IN THE ROADWAY IN A PARTIAL BLIND SPOT ON A HILL REQ TO HAVE THE MALE CHECKED ON DUE TO THE LOCATION. Disposition: Gone On Arrival.

18:05 PATROL CHECK 1709030027
Officer initiated activity at Burns Valley Mall, Olympic Dr/Old Highway 53, Clearlake. Disposition: Log Note Only.

18:17 PATROL CHECK 1709030028
Officer initiated activity at Redbud Park, Ballpark Ave, Clearlake. Disposition: Log Note Only.

19:13 DRUNK IN PUBLIC 1709030029
Occurred on 31ST Ave, Clearlake. AX ST TWO DOORS TO THE RIGHT TOWARDS BOYLES/BEIGE HOUSE W/ CHAIN LINK FENCE BLU CHEV PK SIL CAR IF/SUBJ ON PORCH OF HIS HOUSE WHI/RED PLAID SHORTS TENNIS SHOES NO SHIRT WMA -- BEEN OUT THERE FOR ABOUT HALF HOUR/RP STATES HE HAS BEEN RUNNING IN THE ST YELLING @ CARS AND CAME TO RPS HOUSE THREATENING AND HARASSING HER AND HER COMPANY /NO WEAP. Disposition: Log Note Only.

19:24 BATTERY COLD 1709030031
Occurred on Mullen Ave, Clearlake. MOM WAS ATTACKED BY RPS SISTER GMC TAHOE DRK GRN WHILE GETTING DROPPED OFF AT RPS HOUSE/STATES THE MOTHER CAME BACK WITH BLOOD ON HER FACE/UNSURE WHAT HAPPENED BUT MOTHER IS WANTING TO MAKE A POLICE REPORT. Disposition: Log Note Only.

19:25 ANIMAL CONTROL CALL 1709030032
Occurred at Lower Lakeshore Dr/Lakeshore Dr, Clearlake. 1 K9 ON CORNER OF LOWER LAKESHORE/LAKESHORE RESD DESC BLU W/ MOTORHOME IF HAVE BEEN ATTACHED TO THE PORCH ALL WEEKEND WHI/BLK DOG UNKNOWN BREED WATER BOWL IS TURNED OVER. Disposition: Log Note Only.

19:26 PATROL CHECK 1709030033
Officer initiated activity at 13TH St, (Unknown Address), Clearlake. Disposition: Log Note Only.

19:48 SUSP CIRCS 1709030034
Occurred at 15TH Av/Boyles Ave, Clearlake. /BOYLES. BELIEVES SOMEONE IS TRYING TO HURT HIM/WAS HYSTERICAL AND VERY HARD TO UNDERSTAND. Disposition: Log Note Only.

19:57 RESIDENTIAL ALARM 1709030035
Occurred on Country Club Dr, Clearlake. POE: BACK DOOR ALARM RESP: UTC. Disposition: Disregard From Alarm Company.

20:49 ANIMAL CONTROL CALL 1709030038
Occurred at Grant/Jefferson, Clearlake. WHITE HOUSE W/ GRAY MINIVAN IN FRONT YARD BUT APPEARS NO ONE IS THERE/SMALL DOG ON THE CORNER BEEN OUT ON THE BACK PORCH OF RESD ALL DAY W/ NO FOOD AND WATER. Disposition: Log Note Only.

20:54 SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE 1709030039
Occurred at Davis Av/Phillips Ave, Clearlake. WHITE SUV UNK LIC PARKED IFO HOME W/ REAR WINDOW BUSTED OUT AND SOMEONE WAS DIGGING THROUGH IT A FEW DAYS AGO/SAW SOMEONE NEAR THE SUV W/ A FLASHLIGHT, HOOD OPEN, AND A BICYCLE -- STATES IT'S BEEN THERE ABOUT A WEEK. Disposition: Log Note Only.

21:49 COMMERCIAL ALARM 1709030044
Occurred on 18TH Ave, Clearlake. Poe: silent panic alarm emergency room resp: haven't been contacted. Disposition: Disregard From Alarm Company.

22:06 ANIMAL CONTROL CALL 1709030047
Occurred on 21ST Ave, Clearlake. STATES NEIGHBORS SENT THEIR DOG TO COME AFTER RP AS RP WALKED PAST THEIR HOUSE/RP STATED THE DOG (GERMAN SHEPARD) WAS COMING AFTER HIS AGGRESSIVELY BUT NEVER BIT HIM/RP IS NOW INSIDE HIS RESD BUT WOULD LIKE OFC TO TAKE THE DOG BACK TO ITS RESD IF IT'S STILL OUT/STATES ANY TIME HE WALKS PAST THE HOUSE THEY SEND THE DOG AFTER HIM. Disposition: Log Note Only.

22:07 PATROL CHECK 1709030048
Officer initiated activity at 13TH St, (Unknown Address), Clearlake. Disposition: Cited.

22:24 SUICIDE ATTEMPT 1709030049
Occurred on Cass Ave, Clearlake. COUSIN IS WANTING TO DRINK HIMSELF TO DEATH/NO WEAP BUT IS CURRENTLY INTOXICATED/WHILE ON 21 RP STATED THE SUBJ HAD GOTTEN INTO A VEH (BURGUNDY HONDA) W/ HIS MOTHER WHO IS A MENTAL HEALTH WORKER AND SHE IS TAKING HIM TO HER RESD TO STAY W/ HIM FOR THE NIGHT AND TAKE HIM TO THE HOSPITAL TOMORROW. Disposition: Gone On Arrival.

23:00 EXTRA PATROL 1709030050
Occurred at Redbud Park on Ballpark Av. , Clearlake. PATROL THE PARK AND LOCK THE BATHROOMS /COP PROJECT. Disposition: Log Note Only.

23:39 911 WIRELESS HANGUP 1709030051
Occurred on Pineview Dr, Clearlake. BARELY CONNECTED. Disposition: Log Note Only.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild is presenting the 16th annual Falling Leaves Quilt Show in Lewis Hall at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport on Saturday, Oct. 7, and Sunday, Oct. 8.

The hours on Saturday are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The show includes over 170 quilts in 28 categories including art quilts, innovative quilts, traditional piecing, wearable items and miniature pieces.

There are also home décor items such as table runners and placemats.

The judges award ribbons for first, second and third place in each category, best of category in the art, innovative and traditional groups, best of show and judges’ choice.

VIP community members each give out a ribbon for their favorite quilt. During the show attendees will be asked to vote for their favorite quilt. At 3 p.m. on Sunday, the viewer’s choice ribbon is announced.

Lynn Wilder, the featured quilter, presents her quilts and talks with attendees about her quilts on display.

“I enjoy designing and making traditional quilts, combining my love of appliqué with pieced blocks,” Wilder said.

Among the quilt show’s other attractions will be vendors, demonstrations, prize drawings, a silent auction, theme basket raffles, opportunity quilt drawing and the Country Store Boutique.

Lunch will be available across from Lewis Hall.

Discount presale tickets are available at Kerrie’s Quilting, 1853 N. High St. in Lakeport now through Oct. 6.

Presale tickets are $8 and at the door $10. Tickets for children ages 5 to 12 are $2 and children under age 5 may attend for free.

For more information call show chair Linda Morrison at 707- 245-5217 or visit the guild's Web site at http://www.llqg.org/quilt-show.html.

Suzanne Lee is a member of the Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild and publicity chair for the quilt show.
"Under the Sea in 3-D" was awarded second place in the 2016 Falling Leaves Quilt Show in Lakeport, Calif. It was pieced, appliquéd and quilted by Suzanne Lee.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – In July, packets were sent to individuals who received debris removal services from government contractors in the wake of the Valley fire.

These packets included invoices, to be submitted for insurance consideration and reimbursement.

Around 1,050 packets were distributed to survivors who had insurance coverage at the time of the fire.

In August, letters with statements to be signed under penalty of perjury were sent to those who had stated they were uninsured at the time of the Valley Fire.

Second notices are going out to parties who have not responded this week.

If you or someone you know received services from a county contractor, and have not received any letters or invoices from the county, don’t wait for your second notice. Please contact the County Administrative Office immediately, at 707-263-2580. It is likely the county does not have your current contact information.

All documents can also be emailed, upon request. Please send those requests to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Many Valley fire survivors attended a series of three July public meetings for those who had insurance.

District 5 County Supervisor Rob Brown and District 1 Supervisor Moke Simon attended and co-facilitated all three meetings, alongside County Administrative Officer and Valley Fire Recovery Coordinator Carol Huchingson and county staff. The California Department of Insurance also sent representatives to two meetings.

“Those meetings were powerful reminders of the enormous reach of the Valley Fire disaster,” shared Huchingson, “So many families were impacted, and we continue to hear from people who, nearly two years later, are battling to settle insurance claims and still deeply struggling with the effects of the fire.”

Some insured individuals have expected that the county will be filing insurance claims on behalf of Valley fire survivors. This is not the case, it is the property owner’s responsibility to file a claim with their insurance.

Survivors who received state services have been asked to complete an insurance authorization form. The county will be verifying and fulfilling insurance company requests for additional information, only, not submitting claims.

“Right now, we want to make sure you get the county’s invoices to your insurance company, so we can all meet our obligations to the state and continue to recover as a community,” said Supervisor Brown. “Some insurance companies insist you file your claim within two years of your date of loss, and we are getting close to that date.”

While it is customary for all insurance claims, even those related to a declared state of emergency such as the Valley fire, to be filed within two years of the date of loss, the California Department of Insurance, State Sen. Mike McGuire’s office and county staff have confirmed that there is no formal two-year limitation in statute.

In fact, “No time limit of less than 24 months” can be imposed, and extensions can be granted in the event that “good cause” is demonstrated, per California Insurance Code section 2051.5. The text specifically states, “Nothing in this section shall prohibit the insurer from allowing the insured additional time…”

Some have suggested that this two-year guideline is most specifically related to payment of replacement cost for a loss, and reimbursement for debris removal should be excluded.

January 23, 2017, California’s Supreme Court, in Association of California Insurance Companies, et al, v. Dave Jones [California’s Insurance Commissioner], ruled 7-0 that “debris removal and demolition expenses, and overhead and profit,” are included in consideration of the replacement cost of a home.

If anyone has difficulty getting appropriate insurance reimbursement, with good cause, a request for assistance may be filed with the Department of Insurance at https://cdiapps.insurance.ca.gov/CP/login/.

Many members of the public have expressed concern and frustration regarding the costs of the State-facilitated programs.

Supervisor Simon consistently reminded survivors, “You are only responsible for the amount reimbursed by your insurance. We are collecting these funds because this is mandated by the State. We know how hard this is for all of you; our districts were completely devastated. I’ll say it again, you are only responsible for the amount reimbursed by your insurance.”

For most residents’ properties, the amount covered by homeowner’s insurance is less than the state’s costs for trucking and disposal, alone.

A few Valley fire survivors have reported that they received funds from their insurance company for debris removal, and no longer have the money to reimburse the state.

If an individual is unable to pay their full obligation at this time, they may request a meeting with county staff to develop a repayment agreement. Once your final obligation is determined, they may be able to allow repayment over 12 to 24 months.

“We hope that survivors know we are working alongside you,” Simon stated. “We are here to help.”

For more information, please contact the County Administrative Office at 707-263-2580 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake officials shared an upbeat presentation on the latest efforts to improve the city’s offerings, its image and its commerce in the second annual “State of the City” address last week.

The event, held Aug. 30 at the city’s community center, is the second that the city leadership has hosted to update community members on the progress it’s making in turning Clearlake toward a brighter future.

City Manager Greg Folsom, under whose leadership the annual updates have been implemented, said the city is at the beginning “of a long journey” to reach the vision the city council has created for it, which includes a wide variety of improvements and a new image.

An estimated 150 people attended the three-hour event, which began with an hour-long open house in which community members could speak to representatives of various city departments, view the student art mural project that was sponsored by the Children’s Museum of Art and Science and the Art House Gallery, and cast votes for the city’s photo contest submissions, with the top vote-getters to be displayed at city facilities and on the city’s Web site.

Leading off the evening’s presentations was Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce President Denise Loustalot.

Loustalot recognized the volunteers and donations that made the opening of the new visitor center possible this spring.

In particular, the extraordinary efforts of Mike Vandiver and Doug Herren – both of whom put in enormous hours on the project – were lauded.

Mayor Russ Perdock also spoke, asking for reflection on the loss of several prominent community members and some of the troubles happening in the nation before introducing members of the Clearlake Planning Commission, the Clearlake City Council, city department heads and other VIPs in the audience.

During his part of the presentation, Folsom offered an extensive overview of the city’s numerous accomplishments over the last year, including completing the general plan update, the passage of the Measure V road sales tax, the recently passed universal solid waste collection ordinance, code enforcement statistics, cleanup efforts and crime reduction efforts, the city’s strategic plan and specific steps being taken to reach the council’s vision for the future of Clearlake.

He said that Measure V, passed by voters in November, went into effect in April. Beginning in July, the city started receiving proceeds from the tax, which so far have amounted to more than $350,000. Of that amount, more than $100,000 was allocated to the project on Phillips and 18th Avenue, which has primarily been funded with about $2 million in grants.

The city also is planning frontage improvements – including curb, gutter and sidewalk – at the civic center property at the corner of Olympic and Lakeshore, plus a rehabilitation on Country Club, he said.

There also are big plans for Highlands Park and Austin Park, where master plans have been completed and the city is pursuing grants for improvements, Folsom said.

Folsom said plans for Highlands Park include a gazebo, horseshoe pits and bathrooms, while they want to build a bandshell for outdoor concerts at Austin Park, with other improvements to include a new pier, relocation of the playground equipment and a dog park.

He said the city is moving forward with the work to move its corporation yard from the airport property – which is to be the location of a new shopping center – to land the city purchased on Ogulin Canyon Road.

At the same location on Ogulin Canyon Road, Folsom said the city plans to build a new animal control facility, a project which has been delayed due to the loss of its city engineer. A new engineer is expected to start soon and the goal is to go out to bid on the project in the spring.

Folsom also reported on new commercial projects, including the opening of a new bakery, Classy Cakes, to be located at 15090 Olympic Drive; a new gas station that’s been approved at the site of an old station at Lakeshore Drive and Old Highway 53; and expansion projects for Subway, Walmart and the Patriot gas station.

He said there also are plans for a market rate housing project, a motel expansion and a possible office project, and said work is moving forward “slowly but surely” on the airport shopping center.

Folsom said the city is preparing to issue a request for proposals to sell the Austin Resort property, which has been identified as a catalyst site. He said they’re hoping to attract a hotel use for that location.

Among the projects that received special notice at the event was Two Dude Brew, a brewery and restaurant to be located at 14265 Lakeshore Drive, just north of Highlands Park.

“I’m very excited about this project,” said Folsom.

He added, “This is going to be a really big deal. It’s going to be a catalyst project for the whole Lakeshore Drive, I think.”

Folsom said it will be the only lakeside brewery in California.

There also was an update on the former Ray’s Food Place property on Dam Road, which has been purchased by the Eureka-based Carrington Co., which is negotiating leases with several national retailers and planning complete upgrades to the building and property.

With all of the good news, Folsom said the city’s leadership needs the support of residents.

“We can’t do this alone. We need community support,” he said.

“Just imagine if everyone cleaned their yard, put a fresh coat of paint on their house. That alone would make a huge difference,” said Folsom. “Take a look at your own little spot in the world and see what you can do to make your little spot better.”

Folsom compared the process of improving Clearlake to eating an elephant – it has to be done one bite at a time.

He also put out a call to action, asking people to promote the positive. “Let people know that the city is changing,” he said, adding that Clearlake is not waiting around for the state or the federal government to save it. “We’re doing something about it.”

People voted for change, and the mantra moving forward, said Folsom, is to make Clearlake cleaner, safer and better.

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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Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017

00:00 EXTRA PATROL 1709020001
Occurred at Senior Center on Bowers Rd., Clearlake. COMMUNITY GARDEN AREA 594 TO THE GARDEN AND HOSE. Disposition: Log Note Only.

00:10 SUSP CIRCS 1709020002
Occurred at 23D Av/Boyles Ave, Clearlake. 5 M HIS CHILD NO CHILD JEANS BLACK SHIRT HOLDING CHILD HEADED TOWARDS 18TH. Disposition: Report Taken.

00:20 WELFARE CHECK 1709020003
Occurred at Clearlake Police Department on Olympic Dr. , Clearlake. CRAIGSLIST AD LISTED FOR TODAY/HEADLINE "SO MANY WAYS TO DIE" FIRST PICTURE WAS NOOSE WITH GUN AND 3 PICS OF THE MALE/STATED IT WAS FROM LAKE CO. Disposition: Log Note Only.

00:55 SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE 1709020004
Occurred at Cass/Brown Ave, Clearlake. RP WAS TOLD BY NEIGHBOR THERE WAS A SUSPICIOUS VEH IN THE AREA THAT WAS DRIVING AROUND/THEN ANOTHER VEH SHOWED UP WHEN RP RETURNED/WHEN VEH WAS APPROACHED RP STATED THE PERSON WAS VERY FORMAL AND WAS JUST "DOING WHAT HE WAS DOING". Disposition: Cancelled by RP.

01:38 PATROL CHECK 1709020005
Officer initiated activity at American Legion, Austin Rd, Clearlake. Disposition: Log Note Only.

01:52 ASSIST OTHER AGENCY 1709020006
Officer initiated activity at Cass Ave, Clearlake. AOA Sonoma County SO Follow up. Disposition: Log Note Only.

02:00 EXTRA PATROL 1709020007
Occurred at Tire Pros on Lakeshore Dr. , Clearlake. BELIEVES SUBJ ATTEMPTING TO BREAK INTO THE BUSINESS. Disposition: Log Note Only.

02:48 TC WITH INJURIES 1709020008
Occurred on 40TH Ave, Clearlake. ACCIDENT CAR ACCIDENT SOMEONE/CLOSEST MEDICAL STAGING /WHI CHEVY CAVALIER LIC TOYOTA SIENNA/ BLOCKING THE ROADWAY. Disposition: Arrest Made.

02:49 FIGHT IN PROGRESS 1709020009
Occurred on 5TH Ave, Clearlake. 64M COULD HEAR A MALE YELLING IN THE BACKGROUND/MALE WAS NOT COOPERATING/ON PHONE MALE KEPT SAYING SOMETHING ABOUT MONEY AND THAT THEY WERE GOING TO TAKE THAT PERSON TO JAIL. Disposition: Log Note Only.

03:17 EXTRA PATROL 1709020011
Occurred on Arrowhead Rd, Clearlake. STATES THERE'S A LOT OF NOISY TRAFFIC IN THE AREA AROUND 0600 AND WOULD LIKE EXP. Disposition: Log Note Only.

03:19 MUSIC/DOGS/ETC 1709020012
Occurred at Walnut Grove on Smith Ln. , Clearlake. DOG HAS BEEN BARKING FOR THE PAST TWO HOURS. Disposition: Log Note Only.

03:30 EXTRA PATROL 1709020013
Occurred at People Services on Lakeshore Dr. , Clearlake. NEAR THE BUSES DUE TO SUBJS SIPHONING THE GAS. Disposition: Log Note Only.

03:59 SUSP CIRCS 1709020014
Occurred on 35TH Ave, Clearlake. EX GIRL KEEPS COMING INTO RPS ROOM AND IS REFUSING TO LEAVE HER ALONE/NON THREATENING/NO WEAP. Disposition: Cancelled by RP.

04:44 SUSP CIRCS 1709020015
Occurred at Mullen Ave/Austin Rd, Clearlake. ABOUT 3 VEH DRIVING AROUND WITH NO HEADLIGHTS/LINCOLN TOWN CAR AND SUV/CAN ALSO HEAR PEOPLE TALKING AND WALKING AROUND IN THE AREA FOR 5-10 MINUTES. Disposition: Log Note Only.

05:45 WELFARE CHECK 1709020016
Occurred on 42ND Ave, Clearlake. WELL CHECK ON PATIENT SUPPOSED TO ABOUT THERE HALF HOUR AGO AND SHE IS UNABLE TO REACH HIM OR HIS EMERG CONTACT. Disposition: Log Note Only.

06:18 SUSP CIRCS 1709020017
Occurred at Clearlake Park Post Office on Lakeshore Dr. , Clearlake. QUARTER OF MILE FROM THE POST OFFICE/UNSURE NEAREST CROSS ST --MALE BLK CLOTHES LYING IN THE ROADWAY/UNSURE IF HE NEEDS MEDICAL ATTENTION. Disposition: Log Note Only.

07:03 PROPERTY FOUND 1709020018
Occurred at Time To Shop on Lakeshore Dr. , Clearlake. Rpts there is a pink bike there that has been there since yesterday. Disposition: Log Note Only.

07:42 DRUNK IN PUBLIC 1709020019
Occurred at El Grande on Lakeshore Dr. , Clearlake. Rp rpts there is a wma wearing red shirt and blue jeans is hbd and yelling at people on the 4th floor /rp advised he is now at the front going to his room room 407 or 408. Disposition: Arrest Made.

08:11 BATTERY COLD 1709020020
Occurred at 5TH St/Bush, Clearlake. **lobby** rp rpts punched the rp in the face and stole $300 from him. Disposition: Arrest Made.

09:16 PETTY THEFT 1709020021
Occurred at 31ST Av/Phillips Ave, Clearlake. No suspect info. Disposition: Log Note Only.

09:25 SUSP CIRCS 1709020022
Occurred at Galaxy Resort on Old Highway 53. , Clearlake. **21 detail** rp rpts her aunt is punishing her and won't let her shower. Disposition: Counseled.

10:09 ACCIDENT UNKNOWN INJURY 1709020023
Officer initiated activity at Lamplighter Motel, Lakeshore Dr, Clearlake. 2 veh tc/blocking sb lane. Disposition: Log Note Only.

10:13 PETTY THEFT 1709020024
Occurred at 32D Av/Phillips Ave, Clearlake. Blk dodge pk is stealing gravel from the construction site/wfa wearing gray shirt and black pants. Disposition: Log Note Only.

11:48 KEEP THE PEACE/CIVIL STANDBY 1709020025
Occurred at Trombettas Resort on Old Highway 53. , Clearlake. **lobby** rp wants an officer to go with him to get the renters out of the res and they were already evicted. Disposition: Log Note Only.

12:20 ANIMAL CONTROL CALL 1709020026
Occurred on Lenore Ave, Clearlake. Rpts there is a k9 in the garage and has been there for 5 or 6 days and has been beaten/unsure if the owner is home /rp said the owner is. Disposition: Log Note Only.

12:34 ANY CIVIL PROBLEM 1709020027
Occurred on Old Highway 53, Clearlake. Rp rpts that grand parent of the rps child won't let the child leave with the rps in laws so that they can take him to the airport/rp said that there was an argument and the resp is being threatening with her k9s /2nd rp called saying the family was trying to take her nephew and they were recording her and won't leave/rp said the child is crying and does not want to go. Disposition: Civil Problem.

13:20 SUSP CIRCS 1709020028
Occurred at Rays Food Place on Dam Rd. , Clearlake. Rpts the city manager told her to call because there is campers in the rays parking lot. Disposition: Counseled.

13:33 FIGHT IN PROGRESS 1709020029
Occurred on Arrowhead Rd, Clearlake. RPTS THE FATHER OF HER CHILDREN IS AT THE RES TO GET THE KIDS AND HE IS BLOCKING HER VEH IN THE DRIVEWAY AND SHE SAID IF THE POLICE DON'T GO THERE NOW THERE WILL BE A DEAD MAN ON THE GROUND AND THEN DISCONNECTED. Disposition: Civil Problem.

13:42 SUSP CIRCS 1709020030
Occurred at Ridge/Country Club, Clearlake. RP RPTS HE CAN HEAR 9 GUNSHOTS IN THE AREA APPROX 10 MINS AGO. Disposition: Log Note Only.

14:05 AUTO THEFT 1709020032
Occurred at Gaytan Sales 2 on Austin Rd. , Clearlake. RPTS HE RENTED A UHAUL AND IT HAS NOT BEEN RETURNED AND HE CAN NOT GET A HOLD OF HIM/I ADVISED THE RP TO COME 10-19 TO SIGN 180. Disposition: Report Taken.

15:23 PETTY THEFT 1709020033
Occurred at Walmart on Dam Rd. , Clearlake. RPTS A WMA WEARING GRAY SHIRT AND BK PANTS PUSHED OUT A CART OF ITEMS/RP WANTS TO PRESS CHARGES/LAST SEEN GOING TOWARDS MCDONALDS. Disposition: Log Note Only.

17:00 EXTRA PATROL 1709020035
Occurred on Madrone, Clearlake. SUSC ACTIVITY IN THE AREA. Disposition: Log Note Only.

18:37 FIGHT IN PROGRESS 1709020036
Occurred on 21ST Ave, Clearlake. Rp rpts her neighbors are at the res/male and female are inside fighting and they left their infant outside/6 or 8 months/unk weapons. Disposition: Log Note Only.

18:37 ANY CIVIL PROBLEM 1709020037
Occurred at Clearlake Apartments on Old Highway 53. , Clearlake. Rpts her neighbor under her appt always has loud music/rp says he is racist to her. Disposition: Log Note Only.

18:38 MUSIC/DOGS/ETC 1709020038
Occurred on Ridge Rd, Clearlake. Loud music. Disposition: Log Note Only.

19:04 MUSIC/DOGS/ETC 1709020040
Occurred at No Name on Old Highway 53. , Clearlake. Loud music rp does not want an officer to come just wants documentation. Disposition: Log Note Only.

19:17 MISSING PERSON 1709020041
Occurred at Fairfield on (Unknown Address). , Clearlake. has not been heard from since wednesday she is on foot has mental problems/ last seen in fairfield. Disposition: Report Taken.

20:03 SUSP CIRCS 1709020042
Occurred on Redwood St, Clearlake. Rp states no one should be at the res rp states the neighbor called said lights are on and someone inside/ rp states he had alarm installed but it did not go off. Disposition: Log Note Only.

20:32 SUSP CIRCS 1709020043
Occurred at Cheaper Cigarettes Olympic on Olympic Dr. , Clearlake. Wma 508 gray hat blk shirt dark pants white shoes walking towards safeway has a taser. Disposition: Log Note Only.

20:47 SUSP CIRCS 1709020044
Occurred at Uhl Av/Howard Ave, Clearlake. Older el camino dark color has been driving up and down the streets with lights off rp heard a metal sound then saw a tire fly by. Disposition: Log Note Only.

21:31 SUSP CIRCS 1709020045
Occurred at Lakeside Mobile Park on Old Highway 53. , Clearlake. Neighbors outside making noise rp heard glass break also someone hit her trailer. Disposition: Log Note Only.

21:37 SUSP CIRCS 1709020046
Occurred on 32D Av, Clearlake. Wma shorts no shirt thin appears to be under the influence acting aggressive walking into traffic. Disposition: Gone On Arrival.

22:00 SUSP CIRCS 1709020047
Occurred on Jackson, Clearlake. Vacant res no one should be there rp saw a vehicle back into the driveway and she can smell someone smoking. Disposition: Log Note Only.

23:00 EXTRA PATROL 1709020048
Occurred at Redbud Park on Ballpark Av. , Clearlake. PATROL THE PARK AND LOCK THE BATHROOMS /COP PROJECT. Disposition: Log Note Only.

23:44 SUSP CIRCS 1709020049
Occurred at Safeway on Olympic Dr. , Clearlake. Wfa dark hair green shorts white shirt. Disposition: Log Note Only.
Posted On

Many people rely on joint accounts and pay on death, or “POD,” accounts to manage their finances and to transfer what remains at death without probate.

These are sometimes used as alternatives to trusts where the remainder of a person’s estate is less than $150,000 in gross value and there is no intention for any inheritances to be held in further trust.

A joint account is a financial account payable upon request by any one or more of the joint parties to the account.

In California, if the parties are married to each other then the account is presumed to be a community property asset and subject to all community property laws, unless clear and convincing evidence to the contrary is provided.

A joint account, therefore, between spouses is a very appropriate place to deposit retirement monies and social security earned during the marriage.

Some people also create joint accounts to add their children as parties in order to allow them to manage their finances without the necessity of a power of attorney.

This approach can sometimes lead to unintended gifts at the parent’s death to any child who was added as a party when other children were not also added.

Any account where more than one party can withdraw funds is a joint account regardless of whether there are explicit survivorship rights transferring a deceased party’s interest to the surviving parties.

In California, while parties to a joint account are alive, each party’s interest in the account is based on his or her net contribution; how much each party deposited less how much they withdrew from the account, plus their share of any interest.

If any party to a joint account withdraws more than his or her net share, then the remaining party, or parties, each have a claim for their share of the excess withdrawal against the withdrawing party.

California amended its Probate Code in 2013 to overturn a 2005 California court decision involving one party to a joint account who made a very large excess withdrawal after she learned that her engagement to her fiancé (the other party) was over.

The court found that the fiancé made a gift of the excess withdrawal, albeit unintended, because he had contributed the money into a joint account that allowed either party to withdraw all the money on deposit.

When a party to a joint account dies, unless there is clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, the deceased party’s share of the account is divided equally amongst the surviving parties.

Thus, each surviving party increases his or her original share of the joint account and the deceased party’s share in the account does not pass by the decedent’s will.

Only when the last surviving party to a joint account dies is the account included in that party’s estate at which time it passes pursuant to the deceased party’s will, or else by intestacy.

Another frequently used bank account is a pay on death account.

A POD account is one which is payable to one or more parties during their lifetime(s) and then payable outright to one or more POD “payees” after the last party has died.

As each party to the POD account dies any remaining parties share equally in the deceased party’s share of the POD account.

A POD account can, therefore, be completely exhausted during the lifetime of the parties leaving nothing for any surviving POD payee(s).

If none of the designated POD payees survive, however, the POD account is included in the estate of the last party who died and passes according to that party’s will, or else intestacy.

Joint accounts and POD accounts each have their place in estate planning. While they do not cost any money to establish they are also very limited in what they can accomplish and can sometimes have unintended results.

Dennis A. Fordham, attorney, is a State Bar-Certified Specialist in estate planning, probate and trust law. His office is at 870 S. Main St., Lakeport, Calif. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and 707-263-3235. His Web site is www.DennisFordhamLaw.com.
Posted On

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A new owner has taken possession of the former Ray’s Food Place property, and has plans to renovate the property and bring new retailers to the city of Clearlake.

Last fall, Medford, Ore.-based C&K Market, the parent company of Ray’s Food Place, announced its plans to close the store, which took place by year’s end, as Lake County News has reported.

C&K had owned the property, located at 15930 Dam Road, since 1995.

However, the property is now under new ownership. The Carrington Co., based in Eureka, finished its purchase of the site this spring, according to Greg Cutler, the company’s regional director of acquisitions.

At Clearlake’s second annual “State of the City” event on Aug. 30, City Manager Greg Folsom called the property and the plans for it a “significant economic development project” for the city, and one he’s asked about a lot.

So he introduced Cutler, who gave a brief overview of the Carrington Co.’s plans.

Cutler said the company purchased the property from C&K Market, with the sale closing about three months ago.

“Our intent is to redevelop the property and bring in some new business and some new activities,” said Cutler.

Cutler, who is based in Sacramento, said the Carrington Co. owns properties in 27 states.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to find something local,” he said, noting, “We found something literally between Sacramento and Eureka and so we’re motivated to work this out.”

The Carrington Co. likes to focus its efforts on well-positioned properties with potential in more rural “tertiary” markets, rather than looking for sites in San Francisco or Portland, he explained.

“One of our niches is buying vacant boxes, repositioning those boxes, leveraging our capital, our speed and our relationships with national and super-regional retailers to come back in and fill voids where there is currently an opportunity,” he said.

The Carrington Co. now is speaking with a handful of national, publicly traded retailers to come in and fill the property. He said those proposed lease agreements are still being worked out, with many moving pieces.

“But we’ve made significant progress,” he said.

Cutler also lauded Folsom for his efforts. He said he works in a lot of communities and markets where government officials are roadblocks.

“I can tell you that that’s the absolute opposite here,” Cutler said, noting that Folsom has been an ally, which is aiding the negotiations with the retailers.

Cutler asked the community to bear with the company as it’s working on the project.

“Our intentions are a full redevelopment of that property,” he said.

Cutler said the expectation is there will be two to three tenants who will fill the building.

Plans include a complete exterior remodel and new facade – which will include three entrances for the different retailers – as well as a new parking lot, new LED parking lot lights, enhanced landscaping throughout the property, a complete remodel of the building’s interior, new roof, new paint, and services of sweeping, landscape and security, he said.

Cutler said they believe the project will be well-received with the retailers, and that the retail offerings to be housed there will fill a void in Clearlake.

“We’re excited about it,” he said, noting he will continue to pass along updates on the progress to Folsom, “as he’s kind of riding shotgun with me on this project till we get it finished up.”

He said they hope to make traction on the leases with the new tenant retailers within the next couple of months.

And while it may turn out that they’ll be ready for construction as soon as the rain starts again, Cutler said they’ll make sure they’re ready to hit the ground running.

Cutler said architects, surveyors and construction crews already have been all over the building in anticipation of beginning the extensive remodeling process as soon as they can.

He thanked everyone for the opportunity to speak and said he looked forward to being a contributing member of the community.

Folsom said the company will be making big changes and bringing new businesses to town.

“I’m really excited about that project,” said Folsom.

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.
Posted On

LAKEPORT, Calif. – A woman who formerly worked for the county and her boyfriend have pleaded guilty in what a local prosecutor said is the biggest welfare fraud case she’s ever seen.

April Melissa Wilson, 40, a former county social worker and correctional staffer, and her boyfriend, 36-year-old Brian Noel Jones, both of Hidden Valley Lake, entered guilty pleas in the case, which involved receipt of more than $90,000 in public assistance from a combination of programs – In-Home Supportive Services, North Coast Opportunities, CalWorks and CalFresh, according to Deputy District Attorney Rachel Abelson.

Wilson and Jones were arrested last year, as Lake County News has reported.

Abelson said that on June 20 Wilson pleaded guilty to a felony count of filing a fraudulent or false health claim for In-Home Supportive Services assistance for her son. She also pleaded to felony perjury.

On the same date, Jones also pleaded guilty to filing a fraudulent or false health claim for IHSS, as well as a felony count of grand theft, Abelson said.

Abelson said both Wilson and Jones were sentenced that day to five years’ probation and 180 days in jail.

“They are both due to turn themselves in the end of this month,” Abelson said regarding their jail terms.

Wilson also has been ordered to repay $34,207.26 to IHSS and $27,796.38 to NCO for funds received from its Rural Communities Child Care program. To the Lake County Department of Social Services she must repay $3,033 for CalWorks and $30,147 for CalFresh proceeds she received, Abelson said.

The fraud occurred over the course of several years – from January 2011 and continuing through November 2015, according to the case records.

Lake County Human Resources previously confirmed to Lake County News that Wilson was an office assistant in Social Services from October of 2012 to April of 2013, and worked as a correctional aide for the Lake County Sheriff's Office from June 2014 to April 2015. From April to May 2015 she worked as a correctional officer before going back to the aide position and leaving 10 days later, at the end of May.

Abelson said the case began with Wilson not reporting child support her ex-husband was paying her directly for their four children.

Wilson also was receiving IHSS for one of her children, creating a false medical issue to justify it. Abelson said Wilson was the only person who witnessed her son’s alleged health problems, and when the boy went to a science camp for a week, it was noticed that he didn’t display any symptoms.

Jones was providing the child care for Wilson’s son and also helped her by filling out forms, Abelson said.

Lake County Probation – which is contracted with the Lake County Department of Social Services to conduct welfare fraud investigation services for programs including In-Home Supportive Services – arrested both Wilson and Jones on March 1, 2016, according to the original booking sheets.

Abelson, who handles fraud cases for the Lake County District Attorney’s Office, said it’s the biggest – and most bizarre – welfare fraud case she’s ever seen.

“I have never seen somebody commit so many different types of fraud,” Abelson said.

Abelson said Lake County Probation will handle setting up the restitution payment requirements as part of Wilson’s probation terms.

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.
Posted On

As the Cassini spacecraft nears the end of a long journey rich with scientific and technical accomplishments, it is already having a powerful influence on future exploration.

In revealing that Saturn's moon Enceladus has many of the ingredients needed for life, the mission has inspired a pivot to the exploration of "ocean worlds" that has been sweeping planetary science over the past decade.

"Cassini has transformed our thinking in so many ways, but especially with regard to surprising places in the solar system where life could potentially gain a foothold," said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate at Headquarters in Washington. "Congratulations to the entire Cassini team!"

Onward to Europa

Jupiter's moon Europa has been a prime target for future exploration since NASA's Galileo mission, in the late 1990s, found strong evidence for a salty global ocean of liquid water beneath its icy crust.

But the more recent revelation that a much smaller moon like Enceladus could also have not only liquid water, but also chemical energy that could potentially power biology, was staggering.

Many lessons learned during Cassini's mission are being applied to planning NASA's Europa Clipper mission, planned for launch in the 2020s.

Europa Clipper will fly by the icy ocean moon dozens of times to investigate its potential habitability, using an orbital tour design derived from the way Cassini has explored Saturn.

The Europa Clipper mission will orbit the giant planet – Jupiter in this case – using gravitational assists from its large moons to maneuver the spacecraft into repeated close encounters with Europa.

This is similar to the way Cassini's tour designers used the gravity of Saturn's moon Titan to continually shape their spacecraft's course.

In addition, many engineers and scientists from Cassini are serving on Europa Clipper and helping to develop its science investigations.

For example, several members of the Cassini Ion and Neutral Mass Spectrometer and Cosmic Dust Analyzer teams are developing extremely sensitive, next-generation versions of their instruments for flight on Europa Clipper.

What Cassini has learned about flying through the plume of material spraying from Enceladus will help inform planning for Europa Clipper, should plume activity be confirmed on Europa.

Returning to Saturn

Cassini also performed 127 close flybys of Saturn's haze-enshrouded moon Titan, showing it to be a remarkably complex factory for organic chemicals – a natural laboratory for prebiotic chemistry.

The mission investigated the cycling of liquid methane between clouds in its skies and great seas on its surface.

By pulling back the veil on Titan, Cassini has ushered in a new era of extraterrestrial oceanography ­– plumbing the depths of alien seas – and delivered a fascinating example of earthlike processes occurring with chemistry and at temperatures markedly different from our home planet.

In the decades following Cassini, scientists hope to return to the Saturn system to follow up on the mission's many discoveries.

Mission concepts under consideration include spacecraft to drift on the methane seas of Titan and fly through the Enceladus plume to collect and analyze samples for signs of biology.

Giant planet atmospheres

Atmospheric probes to all four of the outer planets have long been a priority for the science community, and the most recent Planetary Science Decadal Survey continues to support interest in sending such a mission to Saturn.

By directly sampling Saturn's upper atmosphere during its last orbits and final plunge, Cassini is laying the groundwork for an eventual Saturn atmosphere probe.

Farther out in the solar system, scientists have long had their eyes set on exploring Uranus and Neptune.

So far, each of these worlds has been visited by only one brief spacecraft flyby (Voyager 2, in 1986 and 1989, respectively).

Collectively, Uranus and Neptune are referred to as "ice giant" planets, because they contain large amounts of materials (like water, ammonia and methane) that form ices in the cold depths of the outer solar system.

This makes them fundamentally different from the gas giant planets, Jupiter and Saturn, which are almost all hydrogen and helium, and the inner, rocky planets like Earth or Mars.

It's not clear exactly how and where the ice giants formed, why their magnetic fields are strangely oriented, and what drives geologic activity on some of their moons.

These mysteries make them scientifically important, and this importance is enhanced by the discovery that many planets around other stars appear to be similar to our own ice giants.

A variety of potential mission concepts are discussed in a recently completed study, delivered to NASA in preparation for the next Decadal Survey – including orbiters, flybys and probes that would dive into Uranus' atmosphere to study its composition. Future missions to the ice giants might explore those worlds using an approach similar to Cassini's mission.

The Cassini-Huygens mission is a cooperative project of NASA, ESA (European Space Agency) and the Italian Space Agency. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of Caltech in Pasadena, manages the mission for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Washington. JPL designed, developed and assembled the Cassini orbiter.

More information about Cassini visit https://www.nasa.gov/cassini and https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov.
Posted On

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Art Center invites the public to attend “Witnessing,” a poignant art exhibition commemorating the 2015 and 2016 wildfire anniversaries.

The opening reception is Saturday, Sept. 9, from 6 to 9 p.m., with music and spoken word performances from local musicians and poets.

The event is free to the public.

Marking the second anniversary of the Valley fire and the first anniversary of the Clayton fire, the Middletown Art Center extended an invitation to local artists and the community at large to submit work in any media that speak to the fire and recovery experience.

Many pieces included in the exhibit depict or utilize natural elements or objects burned or altered in the blazes. Others speak to the emotional impacts of the experience or the resilience of nature.

“The arts have helped us heal and cope with this traumatic and challenging experience by allowing us to express and transform the chaos around us into beauty and meaning,” said center Director Lisa Kaplan. “We can shift our attention from pain and devastation to the striking contrasts and changes we witness daily as the natural world revitalizes.”

Along with giving artists a space to share their work, Kaplan said, “Witnessing” is an opportunity for the community to come together and collectively hear, see, speak and feel the broad range of emotions brought on by the disaster.

“Sharing expressions of our collective experience at the first-year anniversary exhibition and concert Ashes to Art, was powerful and healing for all who attended,” she added. “We encourage everyone to join us for this milestone event.”

Since the Valley fire, the art center has provided continuity, community space, subsidized classes and enrichment through the arts to residents of the fire-impacted areas and beyond.

Whether personally, psychologically, environmentally or economically, the devastating fires have affected all Lake County residents. This especially rings true for at MAC as nearly half of the sixty artist members and nine of 10 board members lost their homes, studios, artwork and/or place of employment in the Valley fire. While many friends and neighbors left the area, others are in the midst of rebuilding.

“Witnessing” will be on view through Oct. 22. Gallery hours are Thursdays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fridays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment at 707-809-8118.

The Middletown Art Center is located at 21456 Highway 175. Visit the center online at www.middletownartcenter.org.

Scot Klingenmaier and Arpita Ohsiek return to Middletown, Calif., to participate in Ashes to Art in 2016. The couple was displaced by the Valley fire and relocated to Mendocino while assessing rebuilding. Their home in Anderson Springs, Calif., is currently under construction. Courtesy photo.
Posted On

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – After the temperatures that were well over the century mark this past week, the National Weather Service is forecasting cooler temperatures into next week, with the potential for rain on Thursday.

The National Weather Service also has issued a red flag warning for areas of Northern California including the northern part of Lake County due to the potential for thunderstorms and lightning from Thursday morning through the evening. That warning remains in effect through Thursday at 11 p.m.

The forecast calls for scattered to numerous thunderstorms over Northern California with some wetting rain. Storms are expected to move quickly from southeast to northwest, and may feature abundant cloud-to-ground lightning strikes.

There also is potential for erratic, gusty winds with gusts of more than 40 miles per hour in some areas, plus hail, based on the forecast.

Across Lake County, the forecast calls for a 20- to 30-percent chance of rain on Thursday, with about a tenth of an inch of rain anticipated. In the higher elevations, there is a 20-percent chance of rain on Thursday night.

There also is a chance of winds of up to 13 miles per hour across the county, according to the forecast.

Temperatures on Thursday are forecast to range from the high 70s during the day and the low 60s during the night.

Daytime temperatures will rise into the high 80s and high 60s at night through Friday. From Saturday through Tuesday, temperatures during the day will be back up into the mid-90s during the day and high 90s at night, forecasters predicted.

Chances of rain will return on Wednesday, when daytime temperatures are predicted to roll back into the 80s, according to the forecast.

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.

Upcoming Calendar

19Sep
09.19.2024 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Clearlake City Council
19Sep
09.19.2024 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Redbud Audubon Society
21Sep
09.21.2024 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Farmers' Market at the Mercantile
21Sep
09.21.2024 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Passion Play fundraiser
21Sep
09.21.2024 4:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Lake County Wine Auction
24Sep
09.24.2024 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Farmers' Market at Library Park
28Sep
09.28.2024 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Farmers' Market at the Mercantile
5Oct
10.05.2024 7:00 am - 11:00 am
Sponsoring Survivorship
5Oct
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