LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A Novato woman charged with vehicular manslaughter for a double-fatal car crash in March has been found mentally competent.
Keilah Marie Coyle, 22, appeared in Lake County Superior Court on Tuesday, May 11, for a hearing on her mental competence after her attorney raised concerns last month.
Coyle is facing several counts of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated plus special allegations for causing great bodily injury and the death of more than one person for the March 13 wreck near Middletown that claimed the life of Clearlake residents Cassandra Elaine Rolicheck, 53, and Miguel Maciel Dominguez, 47.
At an April court appearance, Tim Hodson of Sacramento, Coyle’s attorney, declared a doubt about her competency, which triggered a mental competency review process before the criminal case could proceed.
On May 11, the court received a doctor’s report and Coyle was found to be competent.
Hodson told Lake County News that he didn’t object to the finding and they’re moving forward with additional proceedings.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff said a bail review hearing has been set for May 25.
At that point, Coyle — who has remained in custody since her arrest early on the morning of March 14 — will make a bid for release or a reduction of her $2 million bail, Hinchcliff said.
Hinchcliff said Coyle’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 12.
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. — The Clearlake City Council this week will discuss a property deal to bring 85 new housing units to the city and a plan to reoffer another city-owned property to developers.
The council will meet for a 5 p.m. budget preparation workshop before the regular meeting convenes at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 20, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
The public may attend, however, the council chambers will have limited capacity and attendees must adhere to masking and social distancing mandates.
Comments and questions can be submitted in writing for City Council consideration by sending them to Administrative Services Director/City Clerk Melissa Swanson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can also visit the city’s town hall site and submit written comments at https://www.opentownhall.com/portals/327/forum_home. Identify the subject you wish to comment on in your email’s subject line or in your town hall submission.
To give the council adequate time to review your questions and comments, please submit your written comments before 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 20.
Each public comment emailed to the city clerk will be read aloud by the mayor or a member of staff for up to three minutes or will be displayed on a screen. Public comment emails and town hall public comment submissions that are received after the beginning of the meeting will not be included in the record.
Under council business, City Manager Alan Flora will ask the council to authorize him to execute an exclusive negotiation agreement with DANCO Communities for a portion of a property at 14795 Burns Valley Road.
The city previously closed escrow on a 31-acre property on Burns Valley Road with the intent of creating a mixed-use development, as Lake County News has reported.
Flora said staff have been working with the Burns Valley Sports Complex Ad Hoc Committee regarding designs for the recreation amenities at the property and have been in discussion with DANCO Communities, a housing developer from Arcata, about developing mixed income housing on a portion of the site.
“The project is still in the early design phase, but we currently expect development of approximately 85 units of mixed income housing. The project will be funded primarily with Disaster Tax Credits, which DANCO will be applying for on July 1st,” Flora said.
He said the city expects to commit a portion of the $7.5 million of the 2018 Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funding that is allocated to the cities of Clearlake and Lakeport to this project.
Flora said the city and DANCO expect construction to begin in 2022.
Total investment in this project is expected to be approximately $50 million, Flora said.
In other business, Flora will ask the council, in its dual role as the Clearlake Redevelopment Successor Agency, to take action to declare a 29 acre property at 2890 Old Highway 53 as surplus so it can offer the property to developers.
In December, Flora said the successor agency approved an exclusive negotiating agreement with Summitt Development for future purchase of the property.
“Negotiations with the developer have been unfruitful and on May 9th Summitt Development notified the City they would like to withdraw from the agreement,” Flora wrote in his report.
To be able to reoffer the property, Flora said there are several steps that must be initiated, including declaring it surplus.
Also on Thursday, the council will get an update on May’s adoptable dogs, present proclamations declaring May 22 to 28 as Safe Boating Week and May as California Tourism Month, hear a presentation by Pacific Gas and Electric regarding the outlooks for its public safety power shut-offs and wildfire safety efforts, and get the Lake County Tourism Improvement District’s annual report.
On the meeting's consent agenda — items that are not considered controversial and are usually adopted on a single vote — are warrants; minutes of the April 14 Lake County Vector Control District Board meeting; and receive and file the Clearlake Waste Solutions notice of intent to adjust rates July 1.
The council will meet in closed session following the public portion of the meeting to hold another conference in ongoing negotiations with the Clearlake Municipal Employees Association, Clearlake Police Officers Association and Clearlake Middle Management Association.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Board of Supervisors will honor the upcoming Safe Boating Week, and discuss a program for children and assessment-related matters this week.
The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 18, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
The meeting ID is 987 0009 0403, pass code 439955. The meeting also can be accessed via one tap mobile at +16699006833,,98700090403#,,,,*439955#.
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.
At 9:06 a.m., the board will present a proclamation designating the week of May 22 through 28 as National Safe Boating Week
At 9:45 a.m., Sen. Mike McGuire will give the board a presentation on the Smart Start Bright Future Initiative, which focuses on supportives services for county children.
In untimed items, the board will consider several assessment appeals for properties around Lake County.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Adopt proclamation designating the week of May 22 through 28, 2021, as National Safe Boating Week in Lake County.
5.2: Adopt resolution authorizing the standard agreement between the county of Lake and the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission for the period beginning upon Contract Execution through March 31, 2025, and authorize the Behavioral Health Services director to sign the standard agreement and grant award claim form.
5.3: Appoint the Public Services director and Public Works director, or their designees, to serve as the negotiating team relative to the purchase of property for the Eastlake Landfill Expansion Project.
5.4: Adopt resolution authorizing the Public Works director to sign the notice of completion for the Clayton Creek Road at Clayton Creek Bridge Replacement Project; Federal Aid Project No. BRLO-5914(077); Bid No. 20-10.
5.5: Approve fifth amendment to the lease agreement between county of Lake and NL Family Trust/KLA Family Trust for the property located at 1216, 1222 and 1228 S. Main Street in Lakeport, for the amount of $20,890.32 per fiscal year, from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022, and authorize the chair to sign.
5.6: Approve lease agreement between county of Lake and Schall Investments Corp. for the property located at 805 and 809 S. Main Street, Lakeport, in the amount of $34,020 Per fiscal year, from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022, and authorize the chair to sign.
5.7: Approve letter of support to the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Sub. No. 3 and Assembly Budget Sub. No. 1 California State General Fund Request; from the County Welfare Directors Association who is co-sponsoring a budget request with Children Now to Invest $50 Million State Funds in Year 1, and $100 million on going, to support statewide implementation of the prevention services provisions of the Family First Prevention Services Act for child welfare services and authorize the chair to sign.
TIMED ITEMS
6.2, 9:06 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation designating the week of May 22 through May 28, 2021, as National Safe Boating Week in Lake County.
6.3, 9:45 a.m.: Presentation to the board regarding the Smart Start Bright Future Initiative.
UNTIMED ITEMS
8.1: Approve stipulation on the following assessment appeal applications: Appeal Number 09-2019 Locke, Appeal Number 27-2019 and 28-2019 Nguyen, Appeal Number 42-2019 Ireland, Appeal Number 43-2019 Sperling.
8.2: Accept request for withdrawal on the following assessment appeal applications: Appeal Number 20-2019 American Tower, Appeal Number 22-2019 Brookes, Appeal Number 26-2019 Flores, Appeal Number 32-2019 to 34-2019 Turner, Appeal Number 35-2019 Dolgen, Appeal Number 36-2019 Mather, Appeal Number 39-2019 Aitchison and Appeal Number 40-2019 Shannon Wine.
8.3: Continue the following assessment appeal applications: Appeal Numbers 01-2019, 04-2019, 05-2019, 06-2019, 07-2019, 08-2019, 10-2019, 11-2019, 12-2019, 13-2019, 14-2019, and 15-2019 Weston, Appeal Number 23-2019 Weese, Appeal Numbers 37-2019 and 38-2019 Safeway, Appeal Number 41-2019 Worldmark.
8.4: Deny the following assessment appeal applications on timeliness, as no request for hearing received: Appeal Number 18-2019 Rachynsky, Appeal Number 25-2019 Dunker, Appeal Numbers 29-2019, 30-2019 and 31-2019 Shekou Management.
CLOSED SESSION
9.1: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9(d)(1) -Center for Biological Diversity v. County of Lake, et al.
9.2: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9(d)(1) – California Native Plant Society v. County of Lake, et al.
9.3: Public employee appointment pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54957(b)(1): Appointment of Public Health officer.
9.4: Conference with legal counsel: Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Gov. Code section 54956.9 (d)(2), (e)(1) – One potential case.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. — The Middletown Cemetery District will hold Memorial Day services to honor our veterans on Monday, May 31.
The event will begin at 9 a.m. in the Mary Hardesty building, on the top of the hill on the cemetery grounds at 16357 Butts Canyon Road. Parking is provided at the locations.
The office building will not be open to the public due to COVID-19 restrictions, but refreshments and water will be provided outside.
The ceremonies include colorful flowered wreaths, made by the floral design class at Middletown High School. The wreaths are presented in honor of veterans who have given so much to our country.
Commander Rich Feiro and Sergeant of the Guard Bob Perez from the Lake County Military Honors Team will begin the ceremonies and Veteran Chaplin Woody Hughes will do the invocation and Taps.
The Lake County Military Honors Team will perform the 21-gun salute. They will be ushered in by Rick Rice of the Patriot Guard Riders.
The 4-H Club is in charge of the flag ceremony and Girl Scouts Troop No. 10403 will help with wreath placement, programs and will place the flags on the 219 veteran’s graves, assisted by Daisy Troop No. 10917 will help.
District 1 Supervisor Jose “Moke” Simon III, who also serves as tribal chair for the Middletown Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians, will be the guest speaker and read the names of the veterans buried at Middletown Rancheria.
Jim Comstock, former District 1 supervisor, will read the names of the veterans buried in the Middletown Cemetery.
Linda Diehl Darms, chairwoman of the Middletown Cemetery District, will act as mistress of ceremonies.
The benediction will be given by Voris Brumfield, president of the Historical Society and pastor of the Middletown Methodist Church.
David Neft will provide the sound and keyboard accompanying Kathleen Escude vocalist.
The Lion’s Club faithfully provides the chairs, tables and ice and helps with many set up items on this special day.
In addition, this year there will be a headstone dedication ceremony performed by Dean Enderlin, past department commander of the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War, and Cindy Eddy, past department president of the Auxiliary for three Civil War veterans, Hiram Cook, Phillip Maxwell and David Henry Thorne.
Health officials said Monday that California will keep its existing guidance around masks in place until June 15 when the state plans to fully reopen the economy.
That announcement was in response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s new guidance last week that said fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.
The California Department of Public Health said that, as of May 3, face coverings are no longer required outdoors except at crowded events, and for unvaccinated people, when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
In indoor settings outside of one's home, including public transportation and schools, face coverings continue to be required regardless of vaccination status, CDPH said.
“California has made amazing progress in our fight against COVID-19. With more than 34 million vaccines administered, we now have among the lowest case and positivity rates in the nation,” said California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly.
On June 15, California plans to implement the CDC’s guidelines around masking to allow fully vaccinated Californians to go without a mask in most indoor settings, Ghaly said.
“This four-week period will give Californians time to prepare for this change while we continue our relentless focus on delivering vaccines, particularly in underserved communities,” Ghaly reported.
He added, “We urge all Californians to get vaccinated to ensure that infection and hospitalization rates remain low across the state and that we can all return to the activities we love.”
Just about every indicator of drought is flashing red across the western U.S. after a dry winter and warm early spring. The snowpack is at less than half of normal in much of the region. Reservoirs are being drawn down, river levels are dropping and soils are drying out.
It’s only May, and states are already considering water use restrictions to make the supply last longer. California’s governor declared a drought emergency in 41 of 58 counties. In Utah, irrigation water providers are increasing fines for overuse. Some Idaho ranchers are talking about selling off livestock because rivers and reservoirs they rely on are dangerously low and irrigation demand for farms is only just beginning.
Scientists are also closely watching the impact that the rapid warming and drying is having on trees, worried that water stress could lead to widespreadtree deaths. Dead and drying vegetation means more fuel for what is already expected to be another dangerous fire season.
U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told reporters on May 13, 2021, that federal fire officials had warned them to prepare for an extremely active fire year. “We used to call it fire season, but wildland fires now extend throughout the entire year, burning hotter and growing more catastrophic in drier conditions due to climate change,” Vilsack said.
Several types of drought are converging in the West this year, and all are at or near record levels.
When too little rain and snow falls, it’s known as meteorological drought. In April, precipitation across large parts of the West was less than 10% of normal, and the lack of rain continued into May.
Rivers, lakes, streams and groundwater can get into what’s known as hydrological drought when their water levels fall. Many states are now warning about low streamflow after a winter with less-than-normal snowfall and warm spring temperatures in early 2021 speeding up melting. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation said Lake Mead, a giant Colorado River reservoir that provides water for millions of people, is on pace to fall to levels in June that could trigger the first federal water shortage declaration, with water use restrictions across the region.
These factors can all drive ecosystems beyond their thresholds – into a condition called ecological drought – and the results can be dangerous and costly. Fish hatcheries in Northern California have started truckingtheir salmon to the Pacific Ocean, rather than releasing them into rivers, because the river water is expected to be at historic low levels and too warm for young salmon to tolerate.
Snow drought
One of the West’s biggest water problems this year is the low snowpack.
The western U.S. is critically dependent on winter snow slowly melting in the mountains and providing a steady supply of water during the dry summer months. But the amount of water in snowpack is on the decline here and across much of the world as global temperatures rise.
Several states are already seeing how that can play out. Federal scientists in Utah warned in early May that more water from the snowpack is sinking into the dry ground where it fell this year, rather than running off to supply streams and rivers. With the state’s snowpack at 52% of normal, streamflows are expected to be well below normal through the summer, with some places at less than 20%.
More people are moving into the U.S. West, increasing demand for water and irrigated farmland. And global warming – driven by human activities like the burning of fossil fuels – is now fueling more widespread and intense droughts in the region. These two factors act as additional straws pulling water from an already scarce resource.
As demand for water has increased, the West is pumping out more groundwater for irrigation and other needs. Centuries-old groundwater reserves in aquifers can provide resilience against droughts if they are used sustainably. But groundwater reserves recharge slowly, and the West is seeing a decline in those resources, mostly because water use for agriculture outpaces their recharge. Water levels in some wells have dropped at a rate of 6.5 feet (2 meters) per year.
The result is that these regions are less able to manage droughts when nature does bring hot, dry conditions.
Rising global temperatures also play several roles in drought. They influence whether precipitation falls as snow or rain, how quickly snow melts and, importantly, how quickly the land, trees and vegetation dry out.
Extreme heat and droughts can intensify one another. Solar radiation causes water to evaporate, drying the soil and air. With less moisture, the soil and air then heat up, which dries the soil even more. The result is extremely dry trees and grasses that can quickly burn when fires break out, and also thirstier soils that demand more irrigation.
Alarmingly, the trigger for the drying and warming cycle has been changing. In the 1930s, lack of precipitation used to trigger this cycle, but excess heat has initiated the process in recent decades. As global warming increases temperatures, soil moisture evaporates earlier and at larger rates, drying out soils and triggering the warming and drying cycle.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Parts of the North Coast, including northern Lake County, are under a hazardous weather outlook due to chances of frost this week, with the potential for thunderstorms also in the forecast along with high winds in other parts of the county.
The National Weather Service issued a frost advisory for Wednesday morning and also for frost conditions expected Thursday and Friday morning.
The area in Lake County expected to be affected is north of Upper Lake, including the Mendocino National Forest and Lake Pillsbury.
During the day on Wednesday and on Wednesday night, that area also is forecast to have double-digit winds — topping out at more than 20 miles per hour.
On Thursday, there is a 20-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 a.m.
Conditions in that area are forecast to have daytime highs in the low 60s and nighttime temperatures that drop into the high 30s.
Temperatures are expected to warm up as the weekend arrives, with temperatures during the day rising into the mid-70s and nighttime temperatures reaching the mid-40s.
Elsewhere around the county this week, in Kelseyville, patchy frost is expected on Wednesday night and into Thursday morning.
On Wednesday, the south county could see winds of more than 20 miles per hour during the day and up to 44 miles per hour at night, when wind gusts could hit 55 miles per hour.
On Thursday night, south county winds are forecast to be around 16 miles per hour, with gusts of up to 21 miles per hour.
South county temperatures are predicted to rise into the mid 80s by early next week, with nighttime temperatures reaching about 46 degrees, the forecast said.
During the same time frame, the rest of the county is expected to see daytime temperatures in the high 70s with temperatures ranging form the mid-40s to the mid-50s at night.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Bureau of Land Management announces seasonal fire restrictions, including temporary limitations on target shooting, effective May 21.
The restrictions are for public lands managed by the Central Coast, Mother Lode and Ukiah field offices due to dry conditions and wildland fire danger.
These seasonal restrictions are in addition to the year-round statewide fire prevention order, issued on April 28, 2020, and will remain in effect until further notice.
BLM-managed public lands affected by the restrictions are primarily located in Amador, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, western Fresno, Glenn, Lake, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Tuolumne, Yolo and Yuba counties.
The fire restrictions will also apply at popular recreational areas along the American, South Yuba and Merced rivers, as well as at Panoche, Tumey and Griswold hills; Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument; North Cow Mountain Rifle Range; and Indian Valley Management Area.
Campfires and target shooting are also always prohibited at Fort Ord National Monument due to munitions hazards and public safety.
Fire prevention orders for the Central Coast, Mother Lode and Ukiah field offices are available online.
On average, human-caused wildfires make up 95% of all wildfires in California.
Records show recreational target shooting has sparked more than half the wildland fires within some field office boundaries in the last decade.
Many of these wildfires occur close in proximity to roadways, communities and recreational areas, posing considerable threat to public safety.
Taking individual responsibility to reduce wildfire risk while recreating on public lands, around homes and communities, before a fire occurs, can help keep property, the public, and wildland firefighters safe.
In 2020, approximately 275 wildland fires burned nearly 200,000 acres of BLM-managed public lands in California.
An increase in wildfire severity is expected based on forecast climate scenarios, as well as an expansion of wildfire season over much of the western United States.
The following restrictions will remain in place until the fire danger subsides:
— No campfires, barbecues or open fires, except in a developed campground. Portable stoves with gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed with a valid California campfire permit available free at all BLM, U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire offices, or at https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prevent-wildfire/campfire-safety/ . — No target shooting — hot bullet fragments, exploding targets and metal from recreational shooting can spark a wildfire. Use of firearms for hunting is still allowed. Hunters must abide by state of California laws and regulations. Visit www.wheretoshoot.org for alternative recreational target shooting locations. — No motorized vehicles off BLM designated roads or trails. — No tools powered by internal combustion engines off BLM designated roads or trails (such as chain saws or lawn mowers). — No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, at a developed recreation site, or other designated areas. — No welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.
Anyone found guilty of violating a fire prevention order may be fined not more than $100,000 and/or imprisonment for not more than 12 months. Restitution for total fire suppression and damage costs incurred may be borne by the trespasser.
A listing of fire restrictions throughout BLM California is available at https://go.usa.gov/xmUEG.
For specific questions, please contact the Central Coast Field Office at 831-582-2200, Mother Lode Field Office at 916-941-3101 or the Ukiah Field Office at 707-468-4000.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — One year ago, the Lake County Symphony Association Youth Orchestra was practicing for its annual June concert when COVID-19 closed down all rehearsals.
At that time, no one realized that it would be more than a year until they would rehearse again.
Due to the COVID-19 protocols, the Youth Orchestra is unable, once again, to present a live concert in June.
The good news: There will be an exceptional virtual live concert to be aired Sunday, June 6, at 2 p.m., through the Soper Reese Theatre.
A special thanks goes to LCSA board president Camm Linden, and son, Slade Darren, for many hours spent filming and editing this project.
It was a lengthy process that began in late January, when the string section of the youth orchestra began practicing three pieces at home they had worked on last season.
By April 11 the young musicians were able to meet outdoors at the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church for a rehearsal; the following week all three pieces were filmed outside at the same location.
The conductor’s welcome and program notes, solos, scholarships and awards were filmed indoors at the Soper Reese Theatre.
Orchestral pieces included in the program are: “Take Five” by Paul Desmond, arranged by Bob Cerulli; “Folk Tune Air” by Alexander Safford, with solo by Rafael Contreras; and “Libertango,” by Astor Piazzolla, arranged by James Kazik.
Concertmaster Rafael Contreras performs Vivaldi’s Violin Concerto in A minor, Opus 3, No. 6, accompanied by Camm Linden on piano.
He concludes with three fiddle pieces- “Wizard’s Walk,” “Ook Pik Waltz,” and “El Cumbanchero” with guitar accompaniment by Camm Linden.
Maya Leonard and Nafisa Jamil, who normally play violin in the youth orchestra, are featured piano soloists in this concert.
Leonard performs “Phantom Rider” by William Gillock. Jamil performs “Menuet, BWV Anhang 116” by Johann Sebastian Bach.
High school graduating seniors Rafael Contreras and Samantha Carter will receive scholarships for ongoing college studies through the LCSA in conjunction with the Allegro Scholarship Program, and both are recognized for their nine years of membership in the Youth Orchestra.
Contreras will receive the prestigious College Scholarship award for playing in the Lake County Symphony.
Maya Leonard and Nafisa Jamil will receive Allegro Scholarships for continued study in piano.
This virtual concert is sponsored, in part, by the Lake County Wine Alliance, Allegro Scholarship Program and Soper Reese Theatre.
The June 6 concert will be available on YouTube through the Soper Reese Theatre as a ticket donation event.
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. — After a year off due to the pandemic, the annual Catfish Derby returned this month, with record registrations and lots of big fish.
Timing is everything. The 37th annual Catfish Derby was canceled in 2020, one of the county’s first major events to be a casualty to the pandemic.
In 2021, the Derby planners had a tough decision to make: Forego the Derby one more year or change it up to meet the COVID-19 restrictions and, hopefully, get enough entries to cover the upfront cash outlay and prizes required.
“We made the right decision,” said Derby Director Dennis Locke. “We actually had a record number of pre-registrants and more total entries than in 2019.”
Locke added, “In 2019 it rained and we registered 781 anglers. This year, we registered 882.”
“The pandemic threw us for a loop. We spun our wheels a little then took a leap of faith,” said Camille Gouldberg, president of the Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Business Association.
For 37 years, the business association has sponsored the Derby. The proceeds support the Clearlake Oaks community including schools, sports, senior programs and other activities.
Throughout the three-day fishing tournament, the grins on the faces of the children and adults spoke volumes.
Seven-year-old Lillie Perez from Clearlake Oaks has been fishing with her parents since she was 2.
Lillie brought in her biggest catch ever, a 17.88-pound catfish, scoring fifth place in the 10 and under kids’ division.
In the same division, Scarlett Riordan of Lakeport scored first place, winning $100 with her 22.43-pound catch. Scarlett is 8 years old and has been fishing with her family since she was a youngster.
In the two kid divisions, seven of the 10 winners were locals, the remaining three were from Citrus Heights, Folsom and Marysville.
A complete list of the winners can be found on the Business Association website under derby standings, www.clearlakeoaks.org.
Robert Cooker, a first-time derby participant from Sacramento, was all smiles holding his $5,000 first prize check for his 23.72-pound catch.
Cooker said he remembered fishing as a kid but had only recently taken up fishing as an adult. “My birthday was May 11,” he said. “It’s been a good birthday week!”
Asked if he would be back next year, Cooker said yes. “Heck, I’ll probably be back next week!”
Donnie Hall, a longtime derby participant from San Jose, took second prize in the adult division, $1,000, for his 23.57-pound catch.
Unlike Cooker, Hall and his brother, Steve Johnson, are derby regulars. “We’ve been fishing in the Derby for 23 years and over time added others to our team, sparking a brotherhood we call the Katfish Posse,” Hall said. “Our numbers change from time to time but at present, there are 15 of us.”
In 2001, Hall’s brother broke the record derby catch with his 32.5-pound catfish, a record he still holds. That year, Johnson won a boat.
Hall and Johnson began fishing off the shore and soon learned boat fishing was a better way to go. “I helped my brother get his first boat and he always said if he ever won a boat, he’d give me his. He kept his word and the next year we had two boats and room for friends,” Hall said.
Of the decision to cancel the Derby in 2020 and the changes this year, Hall said the past year had been hard on everyone.
“I’m in the construction business and had to make big adjustments, so I understood why the 2020 derby was canceled,” he said. “Although I was not able to bring my wife, a disabled veteran, because of the weigh-in location, I’m so glad you brought back the Derby this year. Thank you all for what you do.”
On his way out, Hall thanked his old friend Locke, giving him a quick hug.
Locke, who led the Derby planning team through the ups and downs of a tough decision, said, “That’s what makes this all worthwhile. Guys like Donnie, who come back year after year, bringing their friends and families to Clear Lake.”
He added, “No awards ceremony, no music, no food and no raffles this year. Just fishing with family and friends and reconnecting after a long year of isolation, a build-it-and-they-will-come kind of moment.”
As in past years, Lower Lake High School student volunteers helped out the entire three days of fishing.
On the last day, Evelyn, a sophomore, was on hand early in the morning. Evelyn had already completed her community service hours but decided to volunteer anyway.
“Drama is my love and this is my first-time volunteering at the Derby,” she said. “I like the Derby and want to come back next year.”
This year, 66% of the Derby participants came from out of county and 34% from within Lake County.
For more information about the 37th Annual Catfish Derby and a complete listing of the winning entries, check the website, www.clearlakeoaks.org; the Facebook page, Catfish Derby At The Oaks; or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council this week will meet the new fire chief and consider moving forward with pension obligation bonds to deal with unfunded liabilities.
The council will meet in closed session at 5:15 p.m. to discuss labor negotiations before the public portion of the meeting begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 18.
To speak on an agenda item, access the meeting remotely here 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 prior to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18.
Indicate in the email subject line "for public comment" and list the item number of the agenda item that is the topic of the comment. Comments that read to the council will be subject to the three minute time limitation (approximately 350 words). Written comments that are only to be provided to the council and not read at the meeting will be distributed to the council prior to the meeting.
On Tuesday, the council will present proclamations designating the week of May 22 through 28 as Safe Boating Week and the month of May as California Tourism Month.
The Lake County Tourism Improvement District Board also will give the council an update.
The council also will get a formal introduction to new Lakeport Fire Protection District Fire Chief Jeffery Thomas, who started work with the district at the start of April.
On Tuesday, Police Chief Brad Rasmussen will present the Illegal Fireworks Operation Plan for the 30-day period — June 17 through July 16 — surrounding July 4.
Finance Director Nick Walker will present staff’s recommendation to adopt a proposed resolution which would approve the future issuance of one or more series of pension obligation bonds, approve a form of indenture of trust pursuant to which the bonds would be issued and authorize the commencement of a judicial validation action related to the issuance of pension obligation bonds.
“If the resolution is adopted, City staff would return to the City Council for a future approval of the final terms of any series of bonds, following the conclusion of the validation action, and prior to actual issuance,” Walker said in his written report.
Walker said the city’s unfunded accrued liability for its CalPERS Miscellaneous and Safety Plans has grown 22%, from $6.9 million to about $8.4 million.
That unfunded accrued liability represents the shortfall or gap between what is needed to pay retiree benefits versus how much in current assets the city actually has in its accounts with CalPERS, Walker said.
Walker explained that, combined with remaining principal on the lease agreement with Umpqua Bank that the city entered into in 2015 to restructure a portion of its then-existing unfunded accrued liability, the city has about $10.4 million in pension liability on its balance sheet.
He said Mayor Kenny Parlet is also being asked to appoint two council members to a Unfunded Accrued Liability Policy and Restructuring Ad Hoc Committee for policy recommendations and evaluating restructuring options.
On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances, minutes of the regular council meeting on May 4; the May 10 warrant register; approval of event application 2021-006, with staff recommendations, for the 2021 Old Time Machines Car Show on Aug. 14; approval of event application 2021-009, with staff recommendations, for the Lakeport Inside Out events to be held on the second Thursday of each month through Oct. 14; approval of event application 2021-010, with staff recommendations, for the 2021 Fourth of July Arts & Crafts Fair on July 4, 2021; approval of event application 2021-011, with staff recommendations, for the 2021 Taste of Lake County event on Aug. 28; approval of event application 2021-012, with staff recommendations, for the 2021 Pumpkin and Dia de los Muertos Festival on Oct. 2; approval of event application 2021-013, with staff recommendations, for the 2021 Trick or Treat Main Street event on Oct. 29; Approval of event application 2021-014, with staff recommendations, for the 2021 Dickens’ Faire on Nov. 27, 2021; review and filing of the draft minutes of the Measure Z Advisory Committee meeting of April 21; and rejection of all bids for the standby water generator procurement because doing so best serves the interests of the city.
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.
Provence, a region in southern France, burst onto the radar screens of many Americans thanks to “A Year in Provence,” a 1989 bestseller by Peter Mayle.
Mayle and his wife, then 50-somethings from Britain, moved into a 200-year-old farmhouse in the Lubéron to experience rural life in the French style.
The result is a series of essays that whimsically portray life in a French village where the tempo is governed by the seasons of the Rhône Valley.
In addition to rural villages and swaths of countryside planted with lavender (the likes of which are painted by artists such as Cezanne), Provence includes the Côte D’Azur, also known as the French Riviera, and its cities, the most famous of which include Nice, Cannes, and Saint-Tropez.
The French Alps form the eastern border of Provence, and the Pyrenees are along its western edge.
The people of Provence speak with a strong regional dialect. The traditional language of the region is Provençal, a language of southern Europe that’s closer to Spanish and Catalan than the French spoken in Paris.
In the eastern part of the region, towards Nice and the Italian border, local dialects and culture mirror Italy more than they do the rest of France.
Long before the first Republic of France was formed in 1792, Greeks from the ancient city of Phocaea established a port city on the Mediterranean in 600 B.C., which they named Massilia. That city is now known as Marseilles (which happens to be the original home of bouillabaisse, a classic seafood stew made famous in the region).
What is now Provence was eventually ruled by the Romans, who claimed the area in southern France between the Alps and the Pyrenees as the first Roman province west of the Alps.
Their common monikers for the region were Provincia Nostra (meaning our province), Provincia Romana, or just plain Provincia. This eventually became La Provence, as it’s now known in today’s modern French.
Well preserved classical remains of Roman culture can be seen throughout the region, particularly in the Rhône Valley, such as the intact amphitheater in Arles still in use today.
Going back further, the coast of Provence has some of the earliest known sites of human habitation in Europe, with primitive stone tools dating back to well over a million years ago discovered there.
Olive trees, dry rocky coastline studded with stunted pines, vineyards, and villages are emblematic of large stretches of the Mediterranean coastline in Provence, similar to what’s found in other countries along this sea.
Other things found in Provence (some of which may surprise you) are bull fighting, flamingos, French cowboys, salt flats tinted from pastel pink to fuchsia, and the Verdon Gorges, Europe’s smaller but still spectacular version of the Grand Canyon.
It’s said that the light is special in Provence. Since the 19th century, renowned artists like Picasso, Matisse and Chagall have chosen to live and paint there because of it. Van Gogh painted Starry Night over the Rhône River in Provence.
Like much of the Mediterranean region, Provence is home to fields of wine grapes and is especially known for its rosé varieties. While wine is beloved there, pastis, a liqueur flavored with anise, is considered the traditional drink of Provence.
The region has a mild climate (like California, Provence is home to warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters), and this allows for the enjoyment of fresh meats, fish, fruits and vegetables throughout the year.
The cuisine is also influenced by other culinary cultures along the Mediterranean Sea, particularly Italy and, to a lesser degree, Spain.
This isn’t surprising, considering that the three pillars of Provençal cuisine, which are olive oil, tomatoes and garlic, are woven into the dishes of the region. When food is said to be served “a la Provençale,” meaning in the style of Provence, it typically indicates that these three food pillars are components of the dishes presented.
The city of Nice was initially part of Italy, and when it became part of France in 1860, other Italian favorites were incorporated into Provençal cuisine, such as polenta, fresh pasta, and pistou, which is the Provençal version of pesto.
Ratatouille, a Provençal vegetable stew, can include a variety of summer vegetables, like eggplant, tomato, zucchini, bell peppers, onions, and garlic. In a traditional preparation, the vegetables are cooked separately to maintain the integrity of their flavor and texture, then combined. Photo by Esther Oertel.
As an example of Italian influence, soupe au pistou is similar to minestrone, full of vegetables, legumes, pasta, tomatoes and herbs, and finished with pistou.
The traditional French version of pistou sauce has just four ingredients - basil, garlic, olive oil, and salt – and is made with mortar and pestle. More modern versions may include Parmesan cheese.
As you may have guessed, the biggest difference between pistou and pesto is that pesto contains pine nuts.
Interestingly, pistou is not a modern French word; rather, it’s from Occitan, a French dialect, and means “pounded,” a reference to its traditional preparation.
The olive oil that’s prevalent in foods such as pistou was introduced to the region when the Greeks established the ancient version of Marseilles in 600 B.C.
With the Mediterranean coastline on its southern border, Provence has a seafood-dense cuisine. In addition to all kinds of local fish, shellfish such as shrimp, mussels, clams, and langoustines (spiny lobsters) are eaten in abundance.
Bouillabaisse, a seafood stew in a saffron-infused tomato broth, is comprised of these gifts of the sea. Traditionally made with at least three types of Mediterranean-caught fish in addition to the shellfish, it’s often served with baguette slices spread with aioli, another Provençal specialty.
Ground anchovies flavor sauces and salad dressings, and tuna, sardines and mullet are popular main courses.
Other traditional proteins include rabbit, veal and escargot.
In addition to the three pillars, foods are enhanced with fresh herbs like parsley, oregano, fennel, basil and rosemary. Other flavorful ingredients include Niçoise olives, capers, shallots and leeks.
Nutmeg, mace, almonds and lemons flavor desserts, and saffron is used in stews, sauces, and egg dishes like omelets and quiches.
Peppers, mushrooms, artichokes, potatoes, beans, Swiss chard, and squashes are common vegetables used in cuisine, and fruits and nuts include citrus, melons, apricots, peaches, cherries, quinces, figs, pine nuts, and hazelnuts.
Other local ingredients often incorporated in cuisine are chickpeas, lentils, goat cheese and truffles.
Ratatouille is a classic Provençal stew made from a variety of vegetables – eggplant, tomatoes, zucchini, bell peppers, onions and garlic – all cooked in olive oil.
What makes ratatouille truly special is that each vegetable is cooked separately to preserve the integrity of its flavor and texture, then combined. The traditional method is to use a sauté pan; however, the vegetables can also be roasted. Some recipes call for layering the vegetables for a one-pan bake.
Salad niçoise originated in Nice and is a layered entrée with crisp greens, tomatoes, boiled potatoes, haricots vert (small, tender green beans) dressed with a vinaigrette dressing and topped with hard-boiled eggs and a seared tuna steak.
Other Provençal specialties include aioli, an egg-based emulsion flavored with garlic and olive oil, and tapenade, a spread made with olives and olive oil, often flavored with anchovies.
“Herbes de Provence” refers to marketed blends of herbs used in Provençal cooking and can contain any combination of thyme, rosemary, marjoram, chervil, fennel, oregano, basil, tarragon, lovage, savory, sage, and bay leaf.
The term gained attention in the 1960s through a Julia Child recipe published in “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.” Poulet Sauté aux Herbes de Provence (Sauteed Chicken with Provence Herbs in English) used just three Provençal herbs: a teaspoon of thyme or savory, a teaspoon of basil and a quarter teaspoon of ground fennel.
A trend was born, and in the 1970s French companies began bottling their versions of herb blends representing Provençal flavors. Most have quite a few more herbs than Julia Child’s more edited offering.
Some say lavender is the soul of Provence; however, these blends typically don’t include it unless marketed in North America. In Provence lavender is used in cuisine but in sweet offerings like ice cream, crème brûlée, and infused teas and honeys.
Today’s recipe is a white bean stew in the style of Provence which can be made with dry or canned beans. And though I’ve offered it in the past, also included is my olive tapenade recipe (sans anchovies). Enjoy!
The three pillars of Provençal cuisine are olive oil, tomatoes and garlic. Photo by Esther Oertel.
White Beans Provençal
1 16-ounce bag dried Great Northern beans 1 ½ quarts vegetable or chicken stock, homemade, or commercial packaged broth 1 tablespoon kosher salt ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil 2 yellow onions, chopped 2 – 3 carrots, diced 2 large stalks celery, strings removed and diced 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained 3 – 4 garlic cloves, minced ¼ cups chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped, plus extra for garnish ¼ cup chopped celery leaves (optional) 2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary 2 tablespoons minced fresh thyme 2 – 3 lemon wedges (optional) Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
Soak beans overnight in a bowl with water to generously cover the beans.
Drain the beans and place in a large pot with the stock and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, until the beans are tender (but not mushy). Add 1 tablespoon of kosher salt during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
Drain beans, reserving the stock they were cooked in.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and add the onions, carrots, and celery. Cook over low heat for 10 to 15 minutes until tender.
Add the parsley, celery leaves (if using), garlic, rosemary, and thyme and cook for another 1 – 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add the beans, tomatoes, and 1 cup of the cooking stock. Cook for 15 minutes, until the stock creates a sauce. Add more stock as needed.
Taste and add a squeeze or two of lemon as needed to balance the flavor.
Serve garnished with the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and extra chopped parsley.
Serve with baguette slices if desired.
Note: This can be made with canned white beans instead of dried beans for a quicker preparation.
Tapenade
1 cup high-quality black and green olives, any combination 1 tablespoon capers 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon lemon juice Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Coarsely chop olives in food processor fitted with steel blade; add remaining ingredients and pulse to combine. Be careful not to over-process, as tapenade should not be smooth.
If stored in tightly covered container, tapenade should keep for up to a month in the fridge. Add some extra virgin olive oil to moisten when needed before serving.
Tapenade can be serviced with crackers or baguette slices spread. For a treat, spread crackers or baguette slices with a mild goat cheese first.
Esther Oertel is a writer and passionate home cook from a family of chefs. She grew up in a restaurant, where she began creating recipes from a young age. She’s taught culinary classes in a variety of venues in Lake County and previously wrote “The Veggie Girl” column for Lake County News. Most recently she’s taught culinary classes at Sur La Table in Santa Rosa. She lives in Middletown, California.