LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A Yuba City woman was arrested over the weekend after she attempted to run through a California Highway Patrol driver checkpoint in Lower Lake.
On Saturday, Dec. 17, CHP Clear Lake Area personnel conducted a driving under the influence checkpoint on southbound State Route 53 in Lower Lake.
CHP officers contacted nearly 500 drivers, issued 14 citations, impounded two vehicles and conducted four DUI investigations, said Commander Dan Fansler.
Nearing the end of the checkpoint's scheduled operation time, a Mini Cooper ran through the screening area at high speed and failed to stop for officer's commands and a posted stop sign.
The driver, Kiara Renee Fears, 22, fled the scene and a CHP patrol vehicle pursuit ensued.
Fears accelerated to approximately 100 miles per hour traveling northbound on State Route 29, south of Point Lakeview Road.
Due to the vehicle’s unsafe speed, she was unable to safely negotiate a turn in the roadway and traveled off the north shoulder of Point Lakeview Road and crashed into a fence.
Fears fled from her vehicle on foot but was quickly apprehended by CHP officers and taken into custody for DUI and additional charges. “Thankfully, no members of the public or our CHP officers were injured during the incident,” Fansler said.
Fansler said Fears was charged with felony evading, DUI, driving on a suspended license, violating probation for DUI, and two additional enhancements for speeding and upon conviction, additional penalties for three or more DUIs in 10 years.
The CHP offered a special thank you to Caltrans District 1, Clearlake Oaks Maintenance crew, for their assistance with lighting, signage and cone placement, which was instrumental in making the enforcement campaign a reality.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Two special meetings planned for Wednesday will discuss the Scotts Valley Pomo’s plan to purchase the Lucerne Hotel with a state grant and turn it into a homeless facility.
The Lake County Board of Education and the Lucerne Area Town Hall will hold their special meetings about an hour apart on the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 21.
At 5 p.m., the Lake County Board of Education will meet at the Lake County Office of Education, 1152 S. Main St., in Lakeport.
The grant was written by the tribe’s administrator, Tom Jordan, and Ana Santana, a Lake County Office of Education employee.
The grant language claims that the Office of Education was the “primary partner” in the plan, but Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg said the agency knew nothing about the plan or the grant.
It was not until Falkenberg investigated the matter that he reported finding out that the grant writers had intended for LCOE to run the facility, which he said they will not do because it’s not within LCOE’s scope.
Dozens of other secondary “partner” organizations also were named, but so far none have confirmed being part of the project or knowing about it.
At 6 p.m., the Lucerne Area Town Hall will hold a special meeting at the Lucerne Elementary School Multipurpose Room, 3351 Country Club Drive, also to discuss the plan for the hotel.
The meeting also will be available via this Zoom link.
The meeting ID is 871 6990 6960, password: 13931
The town hall, or LATH, had been meeting at the Lucerne Hotel but last week the owner, Andrew Beath, told them they could no longer meet there if they were going to discuss his proposed sale of the building to the Scotts Valley Pomo.
District 3 Supervisor EJ Crandell followed up by sending out a cancellation notice and setting the next meeting date for January. However, the town hall bylaws give the authority for scheduling meetings to the chair.
LATH Chair Kurt McKelvey wanted to hold the meeting before the end of the month, when it’s been reported that escrow may close on the 94-year-old building, around which the community was built.
McKelvey has once again invited Jordan to attend and speak to the community, but he has declined because of other plans. Jordan has asked to be on the agenda for January.
The meeting will include consideration of a resolution condemning the plan.
LATH also will discuss county maintenance issues within Lucerne, consider making the third request to Public Services for a definite date on when the harbor will be dredged, and discuss a community cleanup initiative and a resolution on the syringe exchange program.
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. — Forecasters are predicting warmer temperatures are in store for the Christmas weekend.
The National Weather Service said there are chances of up to a tenth of an inch of rain for Lake County on Tuesday during the day and at night, with chances of rain on Thursday night as well.
This week there also is a forecast of patchy fog on Wednesday night and Thursday morning.
Later in the week, conditions are expected to be mostly cloudy on Friday, and then mostly sunny during the day on Saturday and on Sunday, Christmas day, before chances of rain return on Monday.
Daytime temperatures will be in the mid to high 50s through Friday, in the low 60s on Saturday and mid 60s on Christmas day, before dropping down closer to 60 degrees on Monday.
At night, the temperatures will range from the high 30s to low 40s on Tuesday and Wednesday, hovering in the low 40s through Monday.
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.
The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comments on a plan to expedite fuels reduction treatments and fire protection efforts near high fire-risk areas on public lands in 44 counties throughout California and northwest Nevada.
The statewide Wildland-Urban Interface fuels treatments programmatic environmental assessment aims to facilitate projects on approximately 900,000 acres of public land near rural communities.
“The BLM is adding another tool to our wildfire prevention and protection toolbox,” said BLM California State Director Karen Mouritsen. “This initiative is designed to streamline on-the-ground projects to reduce hazardous fuels and double down on our efforts to protect local communities”
Fuels reduction projects aim to reduce the intensity, severity, and the spread of wildfire on public lands by reducing overgrowth, creating fuel breaks and thinning forest density.
As a result, communities in and around BLM lands will experience reduced likelihood of loss of life, property, and community infrastructure from wildfires.
These treatments will also improve firefighting conditions when wildfires happen, allowing for greater success of fire suppression and fire perimeter control, contributing to increased safety for firefighters and decreased suppression costs by reducing potential fire damage and fire size.
The public may submit written comments on the issues, potential impacts, alternatives, and project design features presented in the preliminary environmental assessment and the findings of no significant impact by visiting https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2016583/510 or by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The BLM will consider all substantive comments received by Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, in finalizing the environmental assessment.
NORTH COAST, Calif. — A 6.4-magnitude earthquake that struck near the city of Ferndale in Humboldt County early Tuesday has resulted in a local emergency by the sheriff and a state emergency declaration by the governor.
The earthquake occurred at 2:34 a.m. Tuesday offshore. It was centered 7.7 miles west southwest of Ferndale, according to the United States Geological Survey.
It has spawned dozens of aftershocks. As of Tuesday night, the USGS site showed nearly 60 aftershocks, the biggest of which was a 4.9-magnitude earthquake that occurred just five minutes after the main quake.
On Tuesday afternoon, as county emergency officials were preparing to hold a press conference on the situation, they were startled by still another aftershock that shook Rio Dell City Hall.
Also during that meeting, the battery backup system went down momentarily, a reminder that across the region, tens of thousands of people remained without power. As of 7 p.m. Tuesday, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office reported 40,000 people were still without power.
Officials also reported that the aftermath of the quake included damage to schools, structure fires, offline water systems that led to boil water orders, damaged gas lines and other critical utility infrastructure such as cell towers, as well as damage done to bridges and roads leading to closures, and dozens of homes had been red-tagged due to earthquake damage.
Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsel said 12 people were confirmed injured, with the expectation that reports of still more injuries may come in.
His agency also reported two people had died as the result of medical emergencies that occurred at the time of the quake.
Shortly after 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Honsel’s office reported that he had declared a local emergency in response to the quake.
An hour later, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office proclaimed a state of emergency for Humboldt County to support the emergency response.
Newsom activated the State Operations Center to coordinate with local and tribal governments and provide any needed resources such as shelter, food and water, and aid in damage assessments of buildings and roadways.
The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services reported that it was working with local utilities to rapidly restore power.
The emergency proclamation enables Humboldt County to access resources under the California Disaster Assistance Act, directs Caltrans to formally request immediate assistance through the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program and supports impacted residents by easing access to unemployment benefits and waiving fees to replace records such as marriage and birth certificates, among other provisions.
Newsom also directed state agencies and departments to take appropriate action as necessary to provide support to local communities, including the California Department of Transportation to ensure the safety of roadways, the California Highway Patrol to protect public safety, the California Department of Public Health and Emergency Medical Services Authority to aid local hospitals, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to help address any possible additional emergencies and the California Geological Survey for continued earthquake monitoring.
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.
During the holidays, it’s typical for people to indulge in special foods. Being a pet owner myself, I know that many pet parents want to give their fur babies special treats as well.
Here are some of the most common food-related crises we veterinarians encounter in the animal ER during the holidays, and what to do if they happen.
Fatty food risks
Turkey with gravy is probably among the most popular holiday meals. And most dogs or cats would certainly agree with their humans that roast turkey is delicious.
However, the fat contained in turkey skin – and the excess of fatty, greasy foods that can accompany it, such as gravy, butter and bacon – don’t go down well with cats and dogs. Pets that ingest an overload of fats may develop pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas, the organ that helps break down fat, protein and carbs.
Pancreatitis causes the pancreas to leak digestive enzymes and ultimately “digest” itself. If untreated, pancreatitis can affect other organ systems such as the kidneys and the liver and even cause blood clotting.
The most common symptoms of pancreatitis include vomiting and diarrhea. Pets that may have pancreatitis should be rushed to the closest veterinary hospital or ER. The vet will perform diagnostic blood tests, including a specific test for pancreatic enzymes called pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity or cPLI/fPLI.
Treatment for pancreatitis mostly involves dealing with its symptoms. The pet receives IV fluids to help establish electrolytes balance, with added anti-nausea and pain medications to stop the vomiting. Antibiotics may be necessary, as well as liver protectants and probiotics, and a special diet.
Onion offenses and bread badness
If only turkey were the sole problem! Many other common holiday ingredients can also harm pets.
Several allium species common to holiday cooking, such as leeks, garlic, onions, chives and shallots, can be healthy for people. For dogs and cats, though, alliums are toxic. If ingested, they can cause hemolytic anemia – a decreased number of red blood cells.
The signs of hemolytic anemia, which normally appear a few days after ingestion, include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and jaundice.
To treat hemolytic anemia in pets, veterinarians do blood tests to determine whether a transfusion is necessary. They address the symptoms of allium intoxication with IV fluids, antioxidants and anti-nausea drugs.
Yeast-risen foods like rolls and breads are also holiday dinner staples that people should keep away from their pets. The yeast in these foods can ferment in a pet’s warm stomach and produce toxic levels of ethanol. In pets, ethanol toxicity may lead to metabolic acidosis, which can cause sudden drop in blood glucose, respiratory depression, seizures and cardiac arrest.
Normally, pet owners do not suspect metabolic acidosis until it is almost too late, because it has few outward symptoms. So if there’s a possibility that a pet has swallowed any type of cooked or raw yeast dough, get it to a veterinary ER right away.
By the way, pets can also experience ethanol toxicity by lapping up cocktails or beer, so keep alcoholic drinks out of their reach as well.
No chocolate for pets
Now, what about a favorite holiday treat – chocolate?
Substances that may actually attract humans to chocolate – methylxanthines like theobromine and caffeine – are toxic to both dogs and cats. When vets provide emergency treatment for chocolate ingestion, we typically hear that children shared their candy with their beloved pet.
Pets that ingest chocolate can develop “chocolate intoxication,” a condition in which methylxanthines accumulate in the body and make them sick. Signs of chocolate intoxication in pets include tremors, increased heart rate, vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness and even seizures.
Chocolate intoxication in pets is a medical emergency. The pet needs to have its stomach emptied and receive support therapy with IV fluids and activated charcoal. The vet will probably want to know the type and how much chocolate the pet ate, because some kinds of chocolate, such as baking chocolate, can have worse toxic effects.
Chocolate also has a lot of fat, so the cat or dog’s pancreas will not enjoy it either.
Grapes and dogs don’t mix
How about fruits? Well, there is a fruit very toxic to dogs that often shows up at holiday gatherings: grapes, both fresh and dehydrated into raisins.
If eaten, the tartaric acid in grapes or raisins may cause acute kidney disease. Common signs of acute kidney disease in dogs are vomiting, intermittent diarrhea and increased intake of water.
Acute kidney disease in dogs is a medical emergency. If it is suspected, the pet should be rushed to a veterinary hospital or ER right away. Treatment is typically limited to stabilizing the pet with IV fluids.
Sweet for people, poison to pets
While xylitol toxicity is one of the more common emergencies we veterinarians see these days, it’s still largely unknown among pet owners.
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener often used in sugar-free products. While safe for humans, for cats and dogs it’s a fast-acting and potentially deadly poison.
Ingesting even the smallest amount of xylitol can cause a pet’s liver to rapidly release insulin, causing hypoglycemia – unusually low blood glucose levels. Within 30 minutes, the pet will experience symptoms such as vomiting, lethargy and seizures and lose coordination of its limbs – called ataxia.
Emergency treatment for a pet with xylitol toxicity involves giving the animal IV fluids containing dextrose to raise its blood glucose level and carefully monitoring its progress.
The bottom line? Several delicious foods that are safe for humans can be very dangerous for pets in general – not just cats and dogs, but also birds, reptiles and pocket pets like mice, hamsters and gerbils. So make the holidays special for furry or feathery babies by giving them treats from the pet food store or veterinarian’s office, and keep them away from the kitchen counter and trash can.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — With 10 days left before Sheriff Brian Martin retires, the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday appointed Lake County’s longtime Probation Department chief to fill the sheriff’s post for the next two years.
The board selected Rob Howe, who served with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for 19 years beginning in October 1992, reaching the rank of captain before leaving in September 2011. He took the role of chief probation officer in March 2012.
Howe told Lake County News that he’s glad to be given the opportunity to lead the department which he once oversaw as chief of staff.
Over the course of two hours on Tuesday morning, the board held public interviews of Howe and the second candidate, Lt. Lucas Bingham.
Howe, whose given name is Eutice but more commonly goes by the first name of Rob, will serve until Jan. 2, 2025, at which point the next sheriff — who will be elected — will take office.
Capt. Chris Chwialkowski will be acting sheriff in the gap after Martin retires on Dec. 30 and until Howe takes the oath of office on Jan. 2. A ceremonial swearing-in ceremony for Lake County’s elected officials will take place on Jan. 10, the board’s next meeting.
On Tuesday afternoon, Howe told Lake County News he was being inundated by phone calls and emails in the wake of the board’s decision.
“My reaction is excitement. I’m certainly looking forward to getting back to the sheriff’s office,” Howe said. “I think I’m going to do a good job for this county in the interim position.”
Howe said he had never been through a public interview process before. While he had some nerves, he said he was pleased with how it went.
“I’m happy with how I did but I thought Luke Bingham did well too,” said Howe.
He acknowledged it will be different, noting that he’s “not a Facebook guy” like Martin, but that he will be embracing social media as part of the department’s community outreach efforts.
Two qualified candidates
Board members said it was a hard decision due to the qualifications and merits of the two men.
Both Howe and Bingham grew up in Lake County, raised their families here and have worked their entire careers in county law enforcement agencies. Bingham also is a veteran of the United States Air Force.
Each gave thoughtful, careful answers to the board’s questions. They offered visions for the future of the agency that relied heavily on community policing, transparency, respect and integrity, with goals of addressing the sheriff’s office’s staffing challenges and continuing Martin’s successful outreach efforts, with a view to future improvements.
During the discussion that followed after the board’s lunch break, supervisors said the decision was a difficult one because of the quality of both candidates.
The board ultimately selected Howe because of a unique advantage he offered — namely, that he does not intend to run for sheriff in two years, which allows other potential sheriff candidates to come forward.
A campaign can be divisive for the sheriff’s office when it involves a sitting sheriff, Howe said. “I’ve been through it twice in my years, and there’s just no winning in it.”
Howe said he doesn’t say “never” in such matters, and would only run if he didn’t think there were suitable candidates available.
That’s not expected to be the case. Howe said he’s hearing about people who plan to run who he would support.
The interviews also revealed that Bingham — who ensured the board he would support Howe if appointed — intends to run for sheriff in 2024.
The only public comment offered during the meeting was from Chwialkowski, who recognized the tough decision the board had to make. He said both Howe and Chwialkowski are capable individuals.
Chwialkowski said sheriff’s office staff is excited that Bingham has decided to run for sheriff, and that he has support in the agency.
Plans for the agency
Howe brings to the job a background that includes time working on patrol, in investigations and at the Lake County Jail, and serving as chief of staff at the rank of captain under former Sheriff Rod Mitchell.
He said he wants to facilitate a smooth transition, with a primary goal of improving staffing at the sheriff’s office. Howe said the agency has been very innovative, including visiting academies and recruiting online. “They’re doing a lot of good things.”
Asked by Supervisor Bruno Sabatier about diversifying staffing, Howe said that in the Probation Department he already has achieved what they are looking for: More than 50% of his staff are female, and more than 50% identify as a racial minority.
He said he didn’t do anything special — his agency just treats people right. “I don’t know how innovative you have to be, you just have to be open and fair from the start.”
Howe credited Martin for setting the bar for community engagement, particularly through social media and online outreach, and he hopes to continue what the sheriff’s office is doing successfully.
During his interview, Bingham, a Middletown High School graduate, spoke about how he and his parents had been Sheriff’s Search and Rescue and Posse volunteers when he grew up. He left to serve in the Air Force, then returned, attended Napa Valley College and was hired by the sheriff’s office, where he has worked for 24 years.
“My entire career has always been about learning something new,” he said. Around the office, there is a joke about him: “I’ll take any training that’s available to me, including underwater basket weaving.”
Bingham has completed more than 2,400 hours of Peace Officer Standards and Training, or POST, certified training, and has achieved every POST certificate. Two weeks ago, he completed the executive development course, generally reserved for police chiefs and seconds-in-command.
He also has been selected for the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s highly competitive National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, in 2024, and expects to complete his bachelor’s degree in 15 months with California Coastal University.
Going forward, Bingham said he wants to get a plan for a leadership program in the sheriff’s office back on track. He had talked to Martin about it and started the ground work, but the pandemic put it on the back burner.
“I would like to get that moving again. I think that’s very important,” he said, along with having an employee assistance program that can help employees deal with the stress of the job while also offering an important recruitment tool.
Sabatier said the quality and experience of both candidates spoke highly to the sheriff’s office and the county as a whole. “I’m very proud that that is the representation that Lake County has.”
The board ultimately chose Howe over concerns about the appointed sheriff having to run a campaign in less than two years.
Supervisor Moke Simon was the lone board member who wanted to choose Bingham.
Supervisor Michael Green moved to appoint Howe as sheriff-coroner, with Supervisor Jessica Pyska seconding. The vote was 4-1, with Simon voting no.
On the advice of County Counsel Anita Grant, Green made a second motion to appoint Howe effective Jan. 2. Pyska also seconded and the vote was 5-0.
On Tuesday evening, Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen updated the Lakeport City Council on Howe’s selection.
“I’m looking forward to working with him over the next two years,” Rasmussen said.
Lakeport Mayor Stacey Mattina called Howe “a perfect choice” as Lake County’s next sheriff.
Editor’s note: This article has been clarified regarding Howe’s date of employment with the Probation Department. He worked for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office until September 2011 and took the chief probation officer job in March 2012.
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.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. — On Monday afternoon, as Clearlake Police Chief Andrew White prepared to leave for the next stop in what already has been an accomplished career, he received praise and shows of affection from officials, colleagues and community members — and a key to the city.
White is the first person in Clearlake’s 42 years as a city to receive such an honor, said City Manager Alan Flora during a heartfelt going away reception for White at City Hall.
Flora explained the key is part of a tradition that goes back to medieval times, when walled city gates were guarded during the day and locked at night.
“The key symbolizes the freedom of the recipient to enter and leave the city at will, and is meant to confer trust and honor, to a friend of city residents,” Flora said.
White, 38, has been police chief since July 2018. He announced at the start of November that he had accepted the police chief’s job in the city of Martinez. His first day is Jan. 3.
While White’s departure is a blow to the city, there is hope for the future. He was lauded for raising the bar for leadership, for building up a stronger, better department that will move forward and — White hopes — will do even better in the days ahead.
Flora said it’s White’s leadership example that created the dramatic change for the city.
In his four and a half years with the city, “every moment you were completely sold out for improving the city,” said Flora.
White has been key to managing the city’s response to wildland fires, the COVID-19 pandemic and the work of improving the city’s image, its prospects and its effective service of its residents.
He’s also forged key relationships with groups like the NAACP, whose members, including Rick Mayo, the local chapter’s president and founder, were on hand to honor him and thank him for his service, presenting him with a plaque.
Before reading a proclamation commending White from the Board of Supervisors, District 2 Supervisor Bruno Sabatier, who was still on the Clearlake City Council when White was hired, lauded him for how he approached his work.
“You have treated every day as day one, where on day one we always show our best,” Sabatier said, noting White’s enthusiasm for constant improvement has never tapered off.
Sabatier said White has helped raise the bar on what leadership is in Lake County, which will be a lasting impact of his work. “I think we’ve all been changed and affected and inspired by his leadership role that he’s taken in our community,” said Sabatier, adding that it impacted the entire county.
“While he may be leaving, we now have a new standard that we need to step up to, all of us, and I can’t thank you enough for doing that,” Sabatier said.
City Attorney Ryan Jones said White has the ability to fill any role and do it well — joking that he could even be city attorney if he wanted.
During the Monday reception, White received not just honors from his colleagues in the city, led by Flora, but from other leaders and community members.
In addition to Mayo, Jones and Sabatier, those coming forward to honor White on Monday included Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin, who is retiring at month’s end; Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen; Lake County Fire Protection Chief Willie Sapeta; and members of the Clearlake City Council.
Congressman Mike Thompson also sent a resolution honoring White that he had read into the Congressional Record.
Elizabeth Kelly, Clearlake Police’s chaplain, highlighted the difference between where the city is now and when he came here, and how that White leads by example. She described coming upon him directing traffic one day, and how that he wouldn’t expect anyone to do what he wouldn’t do himself.
On Monday, during his going away reception at Clearlake City Hall, White formally handed the baton to the city’s new interim chief, Tim Hobbs.
Hobbs, 41, has been with the Clearlake Police Department for 20 years — his entire career — and most recently at the rank of lieutenant. Flora appointed him acting chief effective on Monday.
Flora said the city has watched Hobbs grow and develop as a leader. “I have every confidence that you are ready to step in as acting chief and lead the department during this transition.”
White administered the oath to Hobbs, then took off his badge and gave it to Hobbs’ fiancee, who came forward to pin it on Hobbs’ uniform.
An eventful tenure
White first arrived in Lake County as the Mendocino Complex had triggered evacuations of thousands of residents from Kelseyville to the Northshore.
He spent his first days in Lake County helping the city of Lakeport, which had been evacuated in its entirety due to the monster complex, one of the biggest fires in California history. Rasmussen said White was his partner for two days during that incident, before he even got the chance to work at his own department.
Later, he would be at the core of the city’s response to the August 2021 Cache fire, which burned dozens of homes.
He also oversaw the building of a new animal shelter as the city turned a chapter in offering expanded animal control services, hiring North Bay Animal Services to handle that function. Even so, White has remained hands-on, even fostering dogs in his home.
His tenure has been marked both by collaboration and innovation. White has shown himself to have a wide variety of abilities, helping the city upgrade its IT infrastructure and also acting temporarily as the city finance officer.
Flora recalled first meeting White in the parking lot at the city’s Tractor Supply store with then-City Manager Greg Folsom.
It was an odd meeting, Flora said, as at that point Folsom was considering taking the city manager job in the city of Suisun City — which he later did — and White, working for the Suisun Police Department, was interested in the Clearlake chief’s job. It amounted to what Flora called a “personnel trade.”
He said Folsom stayed around for about eight months more before leaving, and Flora was grateful that White “decided to take the big risk on Clearlake.”
Flora joked that hiring White was the second best thing Folsom did as city manager — next to hiring Flora himself.
White has, during his time in Lake County, created deep connections with his fellow city employees and other local leaders. The reception proved emotional for Flora and White himself as they recounted their time working together and the lasting friendship that resulted.
Flora said he’s had the opportunity to work with many impressive people over the years, and he couldn’t be more proud of the city of Clearlake’s team.
He told White, “I place you in a group of less than a handful of people I have worked with that are truly exceptional.”
He added, “Many people have a talent and habit of attention to detail, but only a couple other people I know also possess a clear grasp of the big picture.”
Flora said White, when needed, has refused to take no for an answer, and places no limit on solving complicated problems.
He said he trusted White’s judgment 100%, and believes in his integrity. Flora said White has also been willing to hold him accountable when needed. He’s a valued leader and mentor, not just to the entire police department, but also the entire city organization.
The city will feel White’s departure deeply as an organization, and Flora said he will feel it personally, calling White his confidant. He said he’ll miss throwing around ideas, discussing ideas and sharing news stories about crazier things than happen in Clearlake.
Beyond his professional accolades, Flora said White is “one of the best people I know.” He and his wife, Charlotte, have opened their home to 18 foster children, which Flora called “nothing short of remarkable.”
With all of those accomplishments, Flora decided it was a key to the city that would best symbolize White’s impact on Clearlake.
Advice for the future
Before Hobbs’ swearing-in, when it came to White’s turn to talk about his time in Clearlake, as Flora predicted he would, White turned the subject toward his staff, saying the accomplishments of his tenure required a team effort.
“We’ve tried to make this a better and safer place,” said White, noting there is still more to do.
White said he may be most proud of the fact that the police department’s staff are now proud of where they worked, which wasn’t what they told him when he did one-on-one interviews when he arrived in Clearlake.
Based on his knowledge of the department, he said it’s never been more prepared to be successful in the future than it is now.
“My challenge for the department is not to continue doing what we were doing, but to take it to that next level,” White said. “And I know that they will. Things will be different. Being different is OK. That’s how the department evolves. But I know you guys are going to make it better.”
The community will accept nothing less, and it shouldn’t, he said.
He praised Hobbs, who he said is ready to do the job, and said he couldn’t be more excited for him.
White told Hobbs that taking on the job of police chief is the pinnacle of his career. “But I would also tell you that it’s at this moment, that your whole career becomes about everybody out there” — at which point White gestured with both hands toward the audience — “and not about you.”
He urged Hobbs to support the people in his department. White also told Hobbs to be mindful of his family, in realization of the job’s demands, and to work closely with the city manager.
White offered his own praise for Flora, saying his care for the city is unrelenting, and he thanked everyone for believing in the department.
He also offered a final token to Flora as the gathering drew to a close.
White said he often has kept his uniforms from previous jobs.
He then pulled a patch out of his pocket, which he had cut from one of his Clearlake Police uniforms.
“This patch has been through a lot,” he said, noting it has been in some dirty spots and scuffles, but that it was battle worn and tested.
Both men were emotional as White handed that patch to Flora and they embraced.
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. — Just in time for Christmas, members of the Board of Supervisors are set to vote to give themselves a raise and they also will interview candidates to fill the sheriff’s role for the next two years after Sheriff Brian Martin retires.
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
The meeting ID is 992 4103 5475, pass code 546818. The meeting also can be accessed via one tap mobile at +16699006833,,99241035475#,,,,*546818#.
All interested members of the public that do not have internet access or a Mediacom cable subscription are encouraged to call 669-900-6833, and enter the Zoom meeting ID and pass code information above.
On Tuesday morning, the board will hold public interviews of two applicants to fill the sheriff’s job in the wake of Sheriff Brian Martin’s retirement at month’s end.
They’re looking to fill Martin’s post from Jan. 2, 2023, to Jan. 2, 2025, at which point the sheriff elected in the next general election will take office.
At 10 a.m., the board will interview Rob Howe, Lake County Probation chief. Howe served in the Lake County Sheriff’s Office from October 1992 to September 2011, at which point he was a captain and chief of staff. He was hired as chief probation officer in March 2012.
At 11 a.m., the board will interview the second candidate, Lt. Luke Bingham. He has served with the sheriff’s office since 1998, and currently heads its training program and recently was assigned as the agency’s lead for the project to remodel the former Lakeport National Guard Armory into the sheriff’s office’s new headquarters.
The supervisors will then consider the two candidates in a 1 p.m. discussion.
In an untimed item, the board will introduce an ordinance to amend county code to give its members a 28% raise.
The report from administrative staff says that at the board’s Nov. 1 meeting, it discussed a recommendation to increase the board’s salary to 28.316% of the Lake County Superior Court Judges salaries, with an additional 5% increase for the chair of the board.
However, that’s not what happened, as the county’s own documents show.
Rather, County Administrative Officer Susan Parker had presented a suggestion to raise the board’s pay to 38.618% of the $229,125 annual salary of Superior Court judges — in effect as of July 1 — which would total $88,483.20. That would be a 38.8% raise.
If the raises actually are 28.316% of the Superior Court judge’s salary, it would put them at $64,879 a year, about $1,000 higher a year than the board’s current pay amounts.
The staff report does not explain the very large differences in the two proposals, although it gives an overall cost for the raises, $165,847, that suggests the raises in the new proposal would be on par with what the board previously discussed. It is unclear if this is a typo in the county documents and the proposed ordinance.
The ordinance must be read twice and then would go into effect 60 days after approval.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Adopt proclamation commending and honoring Kelly Kobetsky of the Lake County Law Library.
5.2: a) Waive the formal bidding process, subject to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and b) approve agreement between county of Lake and AirMedCare Network for Air Ambulance Services, and authorize the chair to sign.
5.3: Adopt resolution of consent requesting the cities of Clearlake and Lakeport, through their City Councils, to renew the Lake County Tourism Improvement District.
5.4: Approve advance step increase for substance abuse counselor senior, Step 5 for Denise Newman.
5.5: Approve amended purchase order in the amount of $32,950.85 for one 2023 Ford Bronco Sport base four-door utility vehicle for Code Enforcement Division, and authorize the Community Development director/assistant purchasing agent to sign.
5.6: Approve agreement between county of Lake and Persimmony Software for Electronic Health Records Software in the amount of $39,396 and a one-time fee of $10,000 for implementation through June 30, 2023, and $78,792 per year plus CPI increase for the period of July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2027.
5.7: Approve addendum to agreement between the county of Lake and Tyler Technologies to add additional services for the period of March 24, 2020, to March 23, 2023 for an amount of $78,300; and authorize the chair to sign.
5.8: Approve the purchase of a 2022 Ford F-150 for the Parks and Recreation Division of the Public Services Department and authorize the Public Services director to sign a purchase order not to exceed $39,000 to Folsom Lake Ford of Folsom, California.
5.9: Approve the purchase of a 2022 Ford F-150 for the Buildings and Grounds Division of the Public Services Department and authorize the Public Services director to sign a purchase order not to exceed $43,000 to Folsom Lake Ford of Folsom, California.
5.10: Adopt resolution approving the application for the California Museum Grant Program for the Lake Pomo Gallery Project.
5.11: Adopt Resolution Amending Resolution No. 2022-118 to Amend the Adopted Budget for FY 2022-23 by Increasing Revenue in Fund 098 Road Division Budget to appropriate unanticipated revenue.
5.12: Approve purchase order for the purchase of a service truck for the ISF Heavy Equipment Division, and authorize the Public Works director/assistant purchasing agent to sign the purchase order.
5.13: Approve purchase order for the purchase of a Fecon CEM 36 for county road maintenance, and authorize the Public Works director/assistant purchasing agent to sign the purchase order.
5.14: (a) Adopt Resolution approving the Lake County Sheriff's Office to apply for state of California, Department of Parks and Recreation Off-Highway Vehicle Grant funds and authorize the Lake County sheriff/coroner or his designee to sign the project agreement and (b) consideration of a delegation of authority to Lake County Sheriff/Coroner Brian Martin or his designee to execute the attached Project Agreement, Number G22-03-64-L01 and to act as the county’s agent in the negotiation, execution, and submittal of all related documents, including amendments to the project agreement and requests for payments.
5.15: (a) Approve Amendment 1 of Agreement between the county of Lake and the state of California Department of State Hospitals, or DSH, to allow for the DSH to compensate the county when the Sheriff’s Office coordinates telehealth video interviews with inmates in the sheriff’s custody and (b) authorize the sheriff to sign all documents.
5.16: Approve to award bids for the purchase of inmate clothing and authorize the sheriff or his designee to issue purchase orders to various vendors.
5.17: Approve contract between county of Lake and Binti Inc. for Resource Family Approval Software, in the amount of $46,363.50, from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2025, and authorize the chair to sign.
5.18: Approve contract between county of Lake and Evolve Youth Services for temporary wraparound services, in the amount of $34,000, from July 1, 2022, to Oct. 31, 2022, and authorize the chair to sign.
5.19: Approve Agreement with Lake Marine Construction for the abatement services of lakebed structures in the amount not to exceed $250,000.
5.20: Approve joint funding agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior, or USGS, for annual maintenance of the Kelsey Creek Flow Gauge Station in the amount of $17,710 and authorize the chair to sign.
5.21: ADDENDUM - (a) Waive the competitive bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2(1), as it is not in the public interest due to the fact the work was required to respond to an emergency situation, and (b) approve a purchase order for environmental services for the cleanup of a waste-oil spill on county-owned property, and authorize the Public Works director/assistant purchasing agent to sign the purchase order.
TIMED ITEMS
6.2, 9:07 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation commending and honoring Kelly Kobetsky of the Lake County Law Library.
6.3, 9:15 a.m.: Consideration of an agreement with CBG Communications Inc. for Broadband Action Plan Consulting Services, not to exceed $245,000.
6.4, 9:30 a.m.: Consideration and discussion of agreement for medical services in Lake County's Detention Facility with California Forensic Medical Group in the amount of $3,947,351 for the term of Jan. 1, 2023, through Jan. 1, 2024, with option to continue through Jan. 1, 2028, and authorize chair to sign.
6.5, 10 a.m.: Sheriff-Coroner interview – Eutice R. Howe.
6.6, 11 a.m.: Sheriff-Coroner interview – Lucas J. Bingham.
6.7, 1 p.m.: Review and consider sheriff-coroner candidates to serve the term of Jan. 2, 2023, to Jan. 2, 2025.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: Introduction of an ordinance amending Section 2-3A.1 of Article I, Chapter 2 of the Lake County Code, Compensation of the Board of Supervisors.
7.3: Consideration of resolution authorizing the Behavioral Health Director to Sign the Standard Agreement for HHAP Funds and Public review and approval of the County of Lake Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) Round 4 application.
CLOSED SESSION
8.1: Public Employee Evaluation: Behavioral Health Director Todd Metcalf.
8.2: Conference with legal counsel: Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9(d)(2), (e)(1) – One potential case.
8.3: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9(1) – Flesch v. County of Lake.
Editor’s note: This article has been clarified regarding Howe’s date of employment with the Probation Department. He worked for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office until September 2011 and took the chief probation officer job in March 2012.
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. — On Tuesday night, the Lakeport City Council welcomed two newly appointed members and elected its 2023 leadership in its last meeting of the year.
When the meeting convened, Mayor Stacey Mattina, Mayor Pro Tem Kenny Parlet and Councilman George Spurr were on the dais, with Councilman Michael Froio absent.
Their first order of business was accepting the certification of the Nov. 8 general election and receiving the resignation letter of Mireya Turner.
Turner resigned in August to accept the Lake County Community Development director job but at that point already had filed to run for a third term. Since she was elected on Nov. 8, she had to once again resign.
Then it was time to bid goodbye to Spurr, who the council had appointed in September to serve out the remaining months of Turner’s unfinished term. He had previously served one term on the council before deciding not to run for reelection and leaving the council at the end of 2020.
Mattina gave Spurr a big wrapped package. “We could not have done this without you,” she said, adding he hadn’t had the easiest meetings during the last few months.
Spurr thanked them before stepping down off the dais.
Mattina, who was elected to her fourth term in November, then went to stand along with new council members Kim Costa and Brandon Disney to take their oaths of office.
The council held a special meeting on Dec. 12 and 13 in order to select two community members to fill the seat Turner had been elected to as well as the seat vacated by Michael Green, who was appointed to the Board of Supervisors.
Costa and Disney, who were selected during that special meeting, will serve two years until the next municipal election in 2024, at which point Froio and Parlet also will be up for election.
After they took their oaths, the three took their seats along with Parlet, who moved to make Mattina mayor for another year. That vote was 4-0.
Parlet also nominated Froio as mayor pro tem, noting he had spoken to him about it and Froio was amenable to filling the role. The council also voted unanimously for that motion.
Also on Tuesday, new Lakeport Fire Chief Patrick Reitz came to the meeting to say hello.
Reitz joined the Lakeport Fire Protection District as chief on Nov. 1.
He said he’s been meeting with City Manager Kevin Ingram and other city staff. “I think that we’re going to make a good team,” Reitz said.
In other business, the council approved professional services agreements with NHA Advisors LLC, part of the city’s finance team, and with the Lake Family Resource Center for the Crisis Intervention Responder Program, and Chief Building Official Bethany Moss updated the council on the Clean Water Program.
There were several announcements about city leadership during Tuesday’s meeting.
As part of the consent agenda, the council approved the first amendment to Ingram’s employment agreement. That amendment gives him a raise of 6% effective on Dec. 6, which will raise his annual salary to $149,295. On July 1, he will receive another 3% increase, giving him an annual salary of $153,774.
During council and staff communications, Ingram reported that Paul Harris, who has been the city’s utilities superintendent, will now be utilities director, and Ron Ladd, who has been Public works superintendent, will now be Public Works director.
Ingram called those title changes “very well deserved” for both men.
He said the council will next meet on Jan. 3, at which time they will discuss council member appointments to various committees.
Disney and his wife are expecting a baby and so he said he will not be able to make that meeting. “We are very excited for you,” said Mattina.
Costa thanked everyone for the warm welcome. She said she is looking forward to the experience on the council, adding that she thinks it will be an “enjoyable adventure.”
Mattina said she is glad to be on the council for another term and grateful to be reelected.
“We have a lot going on in the city. I’m really excited for this next year. It’s going to be busy and fun. I’m glad you guys are along for the ride,” she said.
After wishing everyone a merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Mattina adjourned the council’s final 2022 meeting.
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. — Lake County’s interim Public Health officer warned Monday that the county’s COVID-19 infection rate is moving up at the same time as concerns are rising over the spread of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.
Dr. Karl Sporer and the Lake County Health Services Department reported that Lake County has moved to the “medium” level of COVID community spread, according to the latest metrics released by the California Department of Public Health.
Additionally, and of great concern to health officials is that influenza and RSV are together driving a national wave of respiratory illnesses parallel to the ongoing pandemic.
Lake County’s health officials are particularly concerned for the community’s first responders as this development poses innumerable challenges for them as they go about fulfilling their duties this winter.
“Our first responders are burdened by the direct effects, indirect effects, and changes in their operational environments posed by this increased risk of exposure,” the Lake County Health Services Department said in a Monday afternoon statement.
“Directly, they’re threatened by the risk of severe illness, which leads to absenteeism, stress, and quarantines. Indirectly, this changes how services are delivered, training slows down, or first responders face increased healthcare costs. The availability of resources, their working conditions, and the level or type of demand for services is also affected,” the agency reported.
The community level of spread is determined by the number of new COVID cases in the county over the past seven days, the number of newly admitted patients with confirmed COVID, and the percentage of staffed inpatient beds that are occupied by patients with coronavirus.
With Lake County moving into the “medium” level of transmission, the CDPH mask mandate requires that congregate settings, such as jails and homeless shelters, implement universal mask mandates.
While officials said they are concerned for first responders given this development, their focus continues to be on Lake County’s vulnerable elderly and youth populations.
Lake County Health Services recommends that all people, but especially those who are more at risk for severe illness or live with someone who is, take the following extra precautions at this time:
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. • Clean commonly touched surfaces. • Consider wearing a well-fitting, good-quality mask when indoors or in crowded spaces. • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Throw the tissue away after using it. • Stay home when sick and limit contact with others. • Take a COVID test. People who develop flu-like symptoms should take a COVID test, especially if they have underlying conditions that put them more at risk for severe illness or hospitalization from flu or COVID. Free rapid antigen COVID tests may be ordered through the United States Postal Service here. • Wash hands frequently with soap and running water. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
Officials also strongly recommend getting vaccinated and boosted against COVID and influenza to prevent more severe illness and hospitalization.
The updated bivalent booster offers increased protection against strains that are currently circulating, including omicron and its subvariants.
It is also recommended that everyone ages 6 months and older receive a yearly flu vaccine. People may receive their flu shot at the same time as their COVID vaccine or booster at one of many vaccination sites throughout our community.
For additional information about COVID-19 and this development, please visit the following websites.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lakeport City Council will welcome two new members this week and select its new leadership as part of the annual council reorganization.
The council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
The council chambers will be open to the public for the meeting. Masks are highly encouraged where 6-foot distancing cannot be maintained.
If you cannot attend in person, and would like to speak on an agenda item, you can access the Zoom meeting remotely at this link or join by phone by calling toll-free 669-900-9128 or 346-248-7799.
The webinar ID is 973 6820 1787, access code is 477973; the audio pin will be shown after joining the webinar. Those phoning in without using the web link will be in “listen mode” only and will not be able to participate or comment.
Comments can be submitted by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To give the city clerk adequate time to print out comments for consideration at the meeting, please submit written comments before 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 20.
At the start of the meeting, the council will hold its annual reorganization.
City Clerk/Administrative Services Director Kelly Buendia will present the certification of the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office, the results of the official canvass and the adoption of the resolution reciting the facts of the Nov. 8 general election.
The council also will receive and file the resignation of newly elected Council Member Mireya Turner.
Mayor Stacey Mattina will honor outgoing Councilmember George Spurr before the oaths of office are given to newly selected council members, Brandon Disney and Kim Costa.
The council will then select its mayor and mayor pro tem for 2023.
During Tuesday’s meeting, the council also will meet new Lakeport Fire Chief Patrick Reitz; consider authorizing professional services agreements with NHA Advisors LLC, part of the city’s finance team, and with the Lake Family Resource Center for the Crisis Intervention Responder Program; and get an update from the chief building official on the Clean Water Program.
On the consent agenda — items usually accepted as a slate on one vote — are ordinances; minutes of the regular council meeting on Dec. 6 and the special meeting of Dec. 12 and 13; adoption of an ordinance of the City Council of the City of Lakeport Repealing and Replacing Chapter 13.08 of Title 13 of the Lakeport Municipal Code to adopt a cross connection control program to protect the public water system; and approval of amendment No. 1 to the employment agreement with City Manager Kevin M. Ingram and authorize the mayor to sign.
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.