NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Veteran Cassidy Nolan, a 26-year-old Napa Valley Community College (NVC) student, was honored Wednesday in the State Capitol as the 2016 Veteran of the Year for the Fourth Assembly District.

Each year, the state Assembly honors one veteran from each of the state’s Assembly Districts who has significantly contributed to their local communities and served their country with honor and distinction.

“I’m humbled to receive this recognition, and I’d like to thank Assemblymember Dodd for honoring me as his Veteran of the Year,” said Nolan. “It was a privilege to be recognized along with veterans of all different generations from across California. This was a special day that highlighted the contributions of veterans.”

Cassidy Nolan joined the military immediately after graduating high school in 2008, enlisting in the Marine Corps.

He served two deployments in Afghanistan from 2008 to 2013 as Senior Intelligence Analyst and later as Intelligence Chief and Assistant Security Manger.

During his service, Nolan received a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. After completing his service in July of 2013 with the rank of E-4 Corporal, Nolan enrolled at NVC to study business management.

“I’m honored to recognize the service and character of Cassidy Nolan as my district’s Veteran of the Year,” said Assemblymember Bill Dodd. “As we look ahead toward our Independence Day it’s important to honor veterans like Nolan who have protected this nation and are now supporting other veterans as they return home.”

At NVC Nolan became president of their Student Veterans Organization in 2013. As president he acts as an ambassador between veterans and the college, and as a veteran he understands the difficulties and challenges that fellow veterans face when leaving the military.

He provides outreach, college assistance, scholarships and other financial support for veterans attending NVC.

In his three years as president, Nolan has been instrumental in the transition and development of a new version of a Pathway Home in Yountville which helps empowered veterans through education and adequate medical treatment.

Looking to the future, Nolan has plans to transfer to UC Berkeley to finish his studies in business management.

When Nolan is not advocating on behalf of veterans or pursuing his education, he spends time with his wife and two little girls.

The Fourth Assembly District includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Yolo, Sonoma, Lake and Colusa counties. You can learn more about the district at www.asm.ca.gov/dodd .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Le Roy Gill passed away suddenly at home on June 25, 2016. He was 85 years old.

Le Roy was born on October 18, 1930, in Santa Ana, Calif., the youngest of three brothers.

His mother, Notra Gill, died when he was young. Along with the help of Le Roy’s older brother’s wife, June, Le Roy was raised by his father, Mike Gill, a migrant farm and factory worker (who proudly earned his US citizenship).

As a young man Le Roy worked in the packing houses in Huntington Beach. He graduated from Tustin High School in 1949 and in 1950 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. That same year, he was sent overseas to fight in the Korean War. Le Roy was proud of being a Marine and upon return from Korea, he finished out his service in Japan and at Camp Pendleton.

He married Wanda Holland in 1952, and they had two children, Cathy and Sharon.

After his service ended in 1953 Le Roy went to work in the booming oil and gas industry in Southern California. In 1965, he moved to Contra Costa County and continued to work in the foil and gas field.

He and Wanda had two more children, Gloria and Donna, to complete the family.

Le Roy worked on drilling rigs all of his life, a pipe man through and through. In 1977, he got the opportunity to do something different when he was offered the position of production supervisor at The Geysers in Lake County, so he moved his family to Kelseyville, and worked for Calpine for over 20 years until he retired.

After retirement and the passing of his wife in 1991, Le Roy enjoyed spending time outside, working in his yard, fishing and watching his family grow.

In 2006 Le Roy married Vivian Bucknell and they began their life together. They enjoyed traveling and were diehard basketball fans. They built a beautiful home together.

Le Roy loved his family and spending time with them. He and Vivian hosted many family gatherings year after year, getting all of the family together for giant Christmas parties and even bigger Easter Sundays.

Le Roy is survived by his wife, Vivian Gill; daughters, Cathy Kruenegel (Roy), Sharon Sonafrank (Greg), Gloria Rivas (Marc) and Donna Gill; stepchildren, Karen Brett (Matt) and Tim Bucknell; grandchildren, Ronald Russo, Justine Gill, Meranda and Evan Pogroszewski, Marc Daniel Rivas, Nathan Taffi, Julian Reeder, Zachary Brett, Barrett Brett, Sarah Brett; and nine great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary on Friday, July 1, at 10 a.m. with military funeral honors immediately following at Hartley Cemetery.

Family prefers donations be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2015, c/o Dennis Yows, P.O. Box 744, Lakeport, CA 95453.

For further information please contact Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611 or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – New pastoral assignments and retirements have been announced in the United Methodist Church's Lake Circuit.

The Lake Circuit is composed of seven United Methodist Churches within Lake County.

The California Nevada Annual Conference of United Methodists meets each June to recognize pastoral assignments for the coming year, worship, acknowledge programs, honor pastors who complete their studies, retire or have died.

Several changes to pastoral assignments were announced by Great Northern District Superintendent Rev. David Samelson and Bishop Warner Brown on Thursday, June 23, in Burlingame for the Lake County United Methodist Congregations.

"We first give thanks for the church leaders who are retiring or completing their assignments: Rev. Wanda Celli of Upper Lake, Pastor Cindy Lawer of Clearlake and Pastor Claudia Listman in Middletown,” said Rev. Shannon Kimbell-Auth, leader of the Lake Circuit.

Pastors continuing in their current United Methodist assignments are Rev. Dawn Karen Roberts of Clearlake Oaks, Rev. John Pavoni of Lower Lake and Pastor Voris Brumfeld of Kelseyville, who were reappointed to their United Methodist churches.

Rev. Kimbell-Auth will lead the Middletown and Clearlake United Methodist congregations beginning July 1 after serving 17 years at Lakeport's United Christian Parish.

There will be new Sunday worship times at Clearlake United Methodist, 9:30 a.m., and at Middletown Community United Methodist at 11:30 a.m.

Rev. Bob Green is incoming pastor for the Upper Lake United Methodist Church.

United Methodists practice “Open Hearts, Open Minds and Open Doors” making disciples of Christ for the transformation of the world.

If you would like more information about the services and programs of Lake County's United Methodist Churches, call 707-295-7174 or check the Lake Circuit Facebook page.

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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Have you ever felt the excitement of catching a fish? This summer, angling novices can experience the thrill for free.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) invites all Californians to fish on July 2 and Sept. 3 – no fishing license required.

If you would like to fish the rest of the year, you can purchase a license online through CDFW’s Web site, https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing .

“Free Fishing Day is always great opportunity to try an all-American pastime that is one of my favorites,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “If you’re already an experienced angler, I encourage you to invite a friend, relative or neighbor who’s never tried it or who wants more experience.”

A basic annual resident sport fishing license in California currently costs $47.01, but CDFW offers two Free Fishing Days each year – usually around the Fourth of July and Labor Day weekend – when it’s legal to fish without one.

This year, the first of the two Free Fishing Days falls on the Saturday of Independence Day weekend.

All fishing regulations, such as bag and size limits, gear restrictions, report card requirements, fishing hours and stream closures remain in effect.

Every angler must have an appropriate report card if they are fishing for steelhead or sturgeon anywhere in the state, or salmon in the Smith and Klamath-Trinity river systems.

Anglers can review the sport fishing regulations online ( www.wildlife.ca.gov/regulations ) or use CDFW’s mobile Web site to view limits and regulations specific to a body of water ( https://map.dfg.ca.gov/sportfishingregs/ ).

NORTH COAST, Calif. – People are looking forward to the upcoming July 4 holiday weekend and the American Red Cross has steps they can follow to stay safe when enjoying the fireworks or taking a trip to the beach.

“This coming weekend, millions of people will hold cookouts and barbecues, visit beaches and pools, and watch fireworks to celebrate the Fourth of July,” said Jeff Baumgartner, CEO, American Red Cross of the California Northwest. “The American Red Cross has developed simple steps that will help ensure everyone enjoys a safe and prepared holiday. Additionally, we also invite the public to  download our First Aid and Swim Apps to have important safety information at their fingertips.”

FIREWORKS SAFETY

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks show put on by professionals. Stay at least 500 feet away from the show.

Many cities and states outlaw most fireworks.

If someone is setting fireworks off at home, follow these safety steps:

· Never give fireworks to small children.
· Always follow the instructions on the packaging.
· Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution.
· Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
· Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight "a dud."
· Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
· Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.
· Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.

BEACH SAFETY

If holiday plans include visiting the beach, learn how to swim in the surf. Swim only at a beach with a lifeguard, within the designated swimming area. Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards.

While enjoying the water, keep alert and check the local weather conditions. Other safety steps include:

· Swim sober and always swim with a buddy. Make sure you have enough energy to swim back to shore.
· Have young children and inexperienced swimmers wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
· Protect your neck – don’t dive headfirst. Walk carefully into open waters.
· Keep a close eye and constant attention on children and adults while at the beach. Wave action can cause someone to lose their footing, even in shallow water.
· Watch out for aquatic life. Water plants and animals may be dangerous. Avoid patches of plants and leave animals alone.

RIP CURRENTS

Rip currents are responsible for deaths on our nation’s beaches every year, and for most of the rescues performed by lifeguards. Any beach with breaking waves may have rip currents. Be aware of the danger of rip currents and remember the following:

· If you are caught in a rip current, try not to panic. Swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current. Once you are free, turn and swim toward shore. If you can't swim to the shore, float or tread water until you are free of the rip current and then head toward shore.
· Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties. Permanent rip currents often exist near these structures.

DOWNLOAD SWIM, FIRST AID APPS

The Red Cross Swim App promotes water safety education and helps parents and caregivers of young people learning how to swim.

The app has features specifically designed for children, including a variety of kid-friendly games, videos and quizzes.

It also contains water safety information for parents on a variety of aquatic environments including beaches and water parks.

The First Aid App provides instant access to expert guidance on a variety of situations from insect bites and stings to choking and Hands-Only CPR.

People can download the apps for free by searching for “American Red Cross” in their app store or at http://redcross.org/apps .

HOME POOL ESSENTIALS COURSE

The Red Cross and National Swimming Pool Foundation® (NSPF) have developed an online safety course for pool and hot tub owners.

Home Pool Essentials helps people understand the risks of pool ownership, how to maintain a safer and cleaner pool, what safety equipment is appropriate, how to prevent pool and hot tub entrapment hazards, and how to respond to an emergency.

SACRAMENTO – In less than a week’s time, Sen. Mike McGuire’s bill to combat the over-prescription of powerful psychotropic medication among our state’s foster youth has been approved overwhelmingly by two Assembly committees on its way to creating a formal on-going process for the California Medical Board to review and confidentially investigate psychotropic medication prescription patterns outside the standard of care.

In addition to securing key support for the legislation this week, Senator McGuire is pushing back and crying foul at the failure of the California Department of Health Care Services for not releasing data to the State Auditor regarding prescription rates and methods for prescribing to foster children, as well as the nature of non-medication therapy that children were receiving.

Two-thirds of the required data was not turned over by the department, causing a delay in the release of this important audit.

“It is unconscionable that the state is not acting in the best interest of these foster kids,” McGuire said. “This legislation stems from a culture that has developed in our State’s foster care system where excessive prescription of psychotropic medication has taken hold and it has lifelong negative impacts on young lives. We know that psychotropic and antipsychotic medication prescription rates in California’s foster care system have soared over the last 15 years by 1400 percent. Yet we have no system for evaluating the medical soundness of these prescribing rates.”

On Tuesday, McGuire, along with colleagues in the state legislature including the entire Senate Human Services Committee, sent a letter to California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Diana Dooley calling on the department to address the inefficiencies and investigate why the data was not turned over.

“It is inexcusable that the Department did not release the data needed to make appropriate policy decisions about the way our foster children are prescribed psychotropic medications,” the letter stated.

Last year, McGuire, as chair of the Senate Human Services Committee, held two hearings on over-prescription of psychotropic medication among foster youth and heard first-hand the devastating and potentially life-long impacts this practice has had on countless foster youth in California.

The two measures, SB 1174 and the audit, were brought forward out of concern for these children.

Nearly one in four teens in foster care are prescribed psychotropic medication, and 6 in 10 adolescent foster youth on psychotropic medications are prescribed antipsychotics, the strongest class of drugs.

Teens in foster care are three and a half times more likely to be prescribed psychotropic medication than their peers who are not in foster care.

“It is simple, without data, the medical board and the auditor’s office cannot perform their mandated duties. This is, unfortunately, another example of the state not stepping up and protecting our foster youth and these types of moves erode the public’s trust,” McGuire said.

SB 1174 will be heard in Assembly Appropriations Committee before heading to the Assembly floor for a vote.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Stop by the Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum on Sunday, July 3, to celebrate America’s Independence with some toe-tapping Americana music.

Musicians will play in the Ely barn from noon until 2 p.m.

Attendees will be treated to “old timey” tunes and sing-a-longs with the musicians likely adding some patriotic ditties for this special weekend. Bring the whole family to this free event.
 
Enjoy the music with beverages and tasty treats provided by the Ely volunteers.  Enjoy a picnic in the oak grove. Bring your own wine and sip it in Ely Stage Stop wine glasses that are available for purchase.

There will be the regular monthly raffle near the end of the jam and the opportunity to purchase tickets for a “quilt” raffle that will celebrate a winner later in the year. Those items will be on display in the barn during the jam.

Come early and enjoy the latest exhibits in the house and on the grounds. Take a hayride or stroll the new barn trail. See our new permanent outdoor stage, built the Mendocino College Construction Fundamentals Class, taught by Lake County contractor Glenn Mueller.

Donations made during the jam benefit both the Ely Stage Stop, helping to fund the construction of the blacksmith shop, and the Old Time Fiddlers Association District 10, who uses it to partially fund their scholarship programs.

Lake County Historical Society’s Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum is located at 9921 State Highway 281 (Soda Bay Road) in Kelseyville, near Clear Lake Riviera, just north of Highway 29-Kit's Corner. Current hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.

Visit www.elystagestop.org or www.lakecountyhistory.org , check out the stage stop on Facebook at www.facebook.com/elystagestop or call the museum at 707-533-9990.

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Mike McGuire’s bill that will again require the State to make Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) payments to counties received unanimous bipartisan support in the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee this morning.

PILT payments were established in 1949 to offset adverse impacts to county property tax revenues that result when the state acquires private property within a county for wildlife management areas.

Currently, the State Department of Fish and Wildlife owes nearly $8 million in payments to California’s 36 rural counties and a change in 2015 to the Fish and Game Code makes it even easier for the state to continue to forgo making these payments.

“The state needs to step up and follow through on a promise and advance Fish and Wildlife PILT payments to rural counties,” McGuire said. “Since 2001, California has been depositing millions of PILT dollars that should have been going to rural counties into the State General Fund and it’s time to give counties their due.”

Holding back these payments to counties on the North Coast has had a detrimental impact on the counties and their bottom line.

For example, in PILT payments alone, Del Norte is owed more than $220,000, Humboldt County is owed more than $160,000, Lake County is owed $93,000, Sonoma County is owed $116,000 and Marin County is owed over $150,000.

“This was an agreement made decades ago and the state has reneged on these payments for far too long,” Senator McGuire said. “Let’s continue to level the playing field for our rural counties.”

SB 1188 is a bipartisan effort to make PILT payments to counties a requirement. It passed unanimously, 15-0, in the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee. It will now head to Assembly Appropriations.