LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Law enforcement officials from around Northern California and Lake County community members dedicated Sunday to giving a Lake County Sheriff's deputy a heartfelt welcome home.
The body of Deputy Jake Steely was brought home Sunday afternoon via a miles-long procession of police and fire agency vehicles.
The procession was the long unwinding of a shattering week for Steely's family, friends, and his brothers and sisters in the law enforcement community, who honored the 39-year-old father and husband and his work as an officer and deputy with a mix of deep affection, pride and protectiveness.
On Monday, Steely and his 11-year-old son were rescued from the ocean at Mendocino Headlands State Park. It has been reported that Steely was mortally injured trying to save his son from the water.
That same day Steely was flown to Enloe Hospital in Chico, where he remained in intensive care.
By Thursday afternoon, however, doctors had determined he was brain dead. But Steely's death would end up saving more lives, as it has been his wish that his organs be donated.
On Sunday at around noon, Sheriff Brian Martin reported that he and group escorting Steely and his family left Chico.
A larger contingent of law enforcement agencies waited to join the procession at Williams, where ladder trucks held a flag over Highway 20.
From there the procession moved quickly westward, through the hills and over Highway 20's winding route, toward home.
The group of dozens of law enforcement vehicles arrived at the intersection of Highway 20 and Highway 53 east of Clearlake Oaks shortly ahead of the scheduled time of 2:30 p.m. before turning south to travel around the lake through Lower Lake and Kelseyville, on the way to Lakeport.
Agencies represented came from all over Northern California, including police, fire, sheriff's offices, California State Parks, Cal Fire, California Highway Patrol and the US Forest Service. Among them was the Redwood City Police Department, an agency where Steely was reported to have accepted a job offer. Patriot Guard riders on motorcycles also accompanied the procession.
Lining the route were hundreds of Lake County residents, many holding signs and American flags.
In downtown Lakeport, preparations for Steely's passage through town had begun early Sunday morning, when Boy Scout Troop No. 42 placed American flags along the route on Main Street.
About an hour before the procession arrived, two ladder trucks parked on either side of Main Street at Third Street, flying a large American flag that whipped in the unseasonably cold, sharp wind.
Well ahead of the procession's arrival, downtown Lakeport filled up quickly, with people spilling into the streets.
When the procession neared, a REACH air ambulance hovered overhead, signaling its arrival from a distance.
It took close to 10 minutes for the approximately 113 vehicles – all but about six of them were police and sheriff's cruisers and fire trucks – and nearly 30 motorcycles traveling with the procession to pass under the American flag on their way to the final point in the route, Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary.
A public funeral for Steely is expected to take place later this week. Details are still forthcoming.
Accounts to help Steely's family are receiving donations online at https://www.gofundme.com/29y4dxk4 , and at Mendo Lake Credit Union in Lakeport under the name “Deputy Jake Steely Family.”
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.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – “The Book-to-Action: Oral History” project will hold a wrap party on Saturday, April 30.
The event will begin at 2 p.m. at the Lakeport branch of the Lake County Library, located at 1425 N. High St.
The public is invited to attend as participants discuss their experiences with the project and their plans to continue conducting oral history. Refreshments will be provided.
All during April the Book-to-Action: Oral History project of the Lake County Library and the Lake County Museums has hosted book discussions and training sessions to teach people how to conduct oral history interviews.
Volunteers have begun creating their own independent oral history projects and are recording interviews.
The Book-to-Action program is a variation on the traditional library book group—participants have collectively read and discussed the book The Oral History Workshop and are putting their newfound knowledge into action by interviewing people who have stories to tell.
One goal of Book-to-Action is to give participants the tools they need to record the oral histories of their friends, family, and community, including stories about the 2015 fires.
Some participants are interviewing their relatives, friends and fellow tribal members, some are interviewing clients and others are meeting their subjects for the first time.
For more information call the Lakeport Library at 707-263-8817.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – It’s been many years since many older Lake County residents got their driver’s licenses, yet the driving experience is significantly different from even a decade ago with changing vehicles, changing technology, changing road rules and even changing roadways.
Residents can refresh their skills and have the opportunity to save money on their car insurance with the new, enhanced AARP Smart Driver Course being offered at the Lakeport Senior Activity Center, 527 Konocti Ave., telephone 707-263-4218.
The two-day course is being offered on May 24 and 25, from 1 to 5 p.m. each day.
The volunteer instructor is Steve Hendricks, telephone 707-972-7884.
The cost of the course is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-AARP members.
The new curriculum was developed following a two year research study conducted by Eastern Virginia Medical School.
The course helps drivers 50 and older stay current with driving laws and new technologies inside and outside of vehicles.
Participants also will learn defensive driving skills, proven safety strategies and how to manage and accommodate common age-related changes in vision, hearing and reaction time.
Attendance is required but there are no tests required to pass the course.
“Since 1979, AARP Driver Safety has helped over 15 million drivers stay safe, educated and confident behind the wheel. Every driver can benefit from a refresher,” said Julie E. Lee, retired vice president and national director of AARP Driver Safety.
Many participants may be eligible for a multi-year insurance discount after taking the course. Participants are encouraged to check with their insurance agent to see if they are eligible.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Seven adult cats are waiting for adoption at Lake County Animal Care and Control this week.
The cats include three males and four females – tabbies, calicoes and a Siamese.
In addition to spaying or neutering, cats that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are microchipped before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.
If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets there, hoping you'll choose them.
In addition to the animals featured here, all adoptable animals in Lake County can be seen here: http://bit.ly/Z6xHMb .
The following cats at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (other cats pictured on the animal control Web site that are not listed here are still “on hold”).
Domestic short hair
This female domestic short hair mix has calico markings.
She's in cat room kennel No. 8, ID No. 4747.
'Garfield'
“Garfield” is a male domestic short hair mix with an orange tabby coat.
Shelter staff said they are calling him Garfield because he looks and acts just like the cartoon cat. They've not said if that includes a taste for lasagna.
He's in cat room kennel No. 13, ID No. 4750.
'Chip'
“Chip” is a female domestic short hair mix cat with gray tabby and white coat.
She's in cat room kennel No. 28, ID No. 4669.
'Misty'
“Misty” is an adult female domestic short hair mix with a gray and white coat.
She's in cat room kennel No. 32, ID No. 4727.
Male Siamese
This male Siamese has a short white coat with dark markings.
He's in cat room kennel No. 34, ID No. 4739.
Gray male tabby
This domestic short hair mix has a gray tabby coat with white markings.
Shelter staff said he is recovering from an injured – possibly broken – leg.
Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.
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.
I can't help wishing that dogs lived as long as we do. I have buried a number of them, and it doesn't get any easier. In fact, it gets harder.
Here's Mark Vinz, a Minnesota poet, from his book Permanent Record and Other Poems, from Red Dragonfly Press.
The Way We Said Goodbye
So many years later, the old dog still circles, head lowered, crippled by arthritis, nearly blind, incontinent. We repeat the litany, as if we need convincing that the end is right.
I'll get her an ice cream cone if you'll drive her to the vet, my wife says. So there we sit on the front steps with our friend, and in the car, as always, when she senses the doctor's office drawing near, she moans and tries to burrow underneath the seats.
What remains, the memory of how she taught us all the way we need to learn to live with wasting. There we sit, together, one last time as all that sweetness slowly disappears.
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5), senior member of the House Committee on Ways and Means and Co-Chair of the Congressional Wine Caucus, introduced the Wine Excise Tax Modernization Act (H.R. 4934), bipartisan legislation to modernize federal excise taxes on wine to allow winemakers of all sizes and grape growers to create new, innovative products and keep pace with advances in viticulture. U.S. Rep. David Reichert (R-WA) joined Rep. Thompson in introducing this legislation.
“The tax code should not be an impediment to growth and innovation,” said Thompson. “That’s why I’m proud to introduce this legislation, which modernizes an outdated tax structure to allow our wine community – which produces the finest wines in the world – to keep pace with changing consumer demands in the years ahead.”
“Winegrowers across the North Coast have been focused on quality and innovation for decades,” said Debra Sommerfield, president of the Lake County Winegrape Commission. “We are grateful for Congressman Thompson’s in-depth understanding of the issues and appreciate him taking steps to support this innovation.”
Specifically, the Wine Excise Tax Modernization Act:
– Simplifies the small producer tax credit and expands eligibility to all producers: This ensures a level playing field for wineries of all sizes, while also encouraging small- and mid-sized producers to grow without fear of facing the steep phase-out of the current small producer credit.
– Increases the allowable carbonation limit for still wine to 6.4 grams/liter: The current limit is preventing wine producers from developing new products for consumers. The Tax Code should not be an impediment to innovation
– Eliminates the luxury tax on sparkling wine: The current tax rate for sparkling wine, which is significantly higher than that of still wine, was established after World War II when champagne was viewed as a luxury from France and U.S. consumption was low. It is long past time for this rate to be reduced.
– Raises the Alcohol-By-Volume (ABV) limit from 14 to 16 percent: Changes in winemaking and vineyard practices have led to a steady increase in the ABV level of table wines, but the Tax Code hasn’t kept pace with these developments.
The Wine Excise Tax Modernization Act has been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means for further consideration.
Congressman Mike Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – On Thursday, April 21, the Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College Clear Lake Associated Students hosted its annual Earth and Wellness Fair.
More than 30 booths were present offering information about health care, the environment, local parks, and other activities such as hula hooping, planting alyssum starters and more.
Musicians Corey Snipes and Richey Bronson were well received by the crowd who reacted with loud applause after each set.
The Kehaulani Hula Studio also provided a beautiful hula dance accompanied by Hawaiian music.
This is one of the more popular events held at the Lake County Campus and Clear Lake Associated Students work hard every year to organize this event for both students and the community.
“The Earth and Wellness Fair was the best one yet,” said Danielle Stennet, the Associated Students secretary and chair of the event. “We had a fantastic turnout with a wonderful atmosphere.”
During the event, Aromas Café served a sushi lunch special. The student-run campus restaurant was busy throughout the event. With the popularity of the event and of the fabulous food for which Aromas Café is well known for, it was a given that they would be busy during this wonderful event.
For more information about Lake County Campus or the classes offered during summer and fall 2016, call 707-995-7900 or visit the campus at 15880 Dam Road Extension in the City of Clearlake.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Senior Activity Center is hosting a fundraiser with dinner and dancing on Friday, May 13.
Enjoy a three-course meal featuring prime rib and dance with live music by the High Notes with a spring fling theme from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the center, 527 Konocti Ave.
The center is proud to offer this fine dining experience prepared by Chef Jacobus Vandebroek for only $20 per person, or $25 at the door.
This will be the second time the center is offering this dining experience. Those who attended the sweetheart dinner dance in February were so impressed by the food, volunteers and atmosphere that it prompted one attendee to write a letter to the local newspaper.
This time around tickets are going faster than ever. To get a ticket go to the Lakeport Senior Activity Center Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., or the Meals on Wheels Thrift store between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Purchasing a table of eight for $160 will include a complimentary bottle of local Cabernet Sauvignon.
Proceeds benefit the Meals on Wheels programs for Lakeport and Kelseyville.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) reminds 2015-2016 Spiny Lobster Report Card holders to return their cards by April 30, 2016, as required by law.
The cards must be returned even if no lobsters were taken or no attempts were made to take lobsters.
Card holders should review their report cards carefully and check that the information recorded is complete and accurate.
Information collected from the cards provides CDFW with data necessary to monitor and manage California's spiny lobster fishery.
Any 2015-2016 Spiny Lobster Report Card holder who fails to return their card(s) by April 30 will be charged a non-return fee of $21.60 upon issuance of a Spiny Lobster Report Card in the subsequent fishing season.
Otherwise they may choose to skip one fishing season to be able to purchase a spiny lobster report card the following season at no extra cost.
If multiple spiny lobster report cards were purchased, please report all cards, including lost cards, to avoid the non-return fee when purchasing a spiny lobster report card next lobster fishing season.
Spiny Lobster Report Card data can be submitted either online at www.wildlife.ca.gov/licensing or by mail to CDFW – Lobster Report Card, 3883 Ruffin Road, San Diego, CA 92123.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Lupoyoma Parlor No. 329 of the Native Daughters of the Golden West will meet on Thursday, May 12, for a membership social and organizational meeting.
The group meets at 5 p.m. for social time and 6 p.m. for the business meeting at Round Table Pizza, 821 11th St. in Lakeport.
If you were born in California and are over 16 you are a Native Californian eligible for membership in the Native Daughters of the Golden West organization.
The Native Daughters is a fraternal and patriotic organization founded in 1886 on the principles of:
– Love of home; – Devotion to the flag; – Veneration of the pioneers; – Faith in the existence of God.
All Native Daughters are welcome to attend.
For more information contact Parlor Worthy President Carla Dore, 831-524-5588, or V.P. Dee Cuney, 707-235-2902.
For information about Lake County Konocti No. 159 Chapter of the Native Sons of the Golden West contact Tony Braito at 707-245-7663.
For the 26th birthday of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, astronomers are highlighting a Hubble image of an enormous bubble being blown into space by a super-hot, massive star.
The Hubble image of the Bubble Nebula, or NGC 7635, was chosen to mark the 26th anniversary of the launch of Hubble into Earth orbit by the STS-31 space shuttle crew on April 24, 1990.
“As Hubble makes its 26th revolution around our home star, the sun, we celebrate the event with a spectacular image of a dynamic and exciting interaction of a young star with its environment. The view of the Bubble Nebula, crafted from WFC-3 images, reminds us that Hubble gives us a front row seat to the awe inspiring Universe we live in,” said John Grunsfeld, Hubble astronaut and associate administrator of NASA's Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters, in Washington, D.C.
The Bubble Nebula is 7 light-years across – about one-and-a-half times the distance from our sun to its nearest stellar neighbor, Alpha Centauri, and resides 7,100 light-years from Earth in the constellation Cassiopeia.
The seething star forming this nebula is 45 times more massive than our sun. Gas on the star gets so hot that it escapes away into space as a “stellar wind” moving at over 4 million miles per hour. This outflow sweeps up the cold, interstellar gas in front of it, forming the outer edge of the bubble much like a snowplow piles up snow in front of it as it moves forward.
As the surface of the bubble's shell expands outward, it slams into dense regions of cold gas on one side of the bubble. This asymmetry makes the star appear dramatically off-center from the bubble, with its location in the 10 o'clock position in the Hubble view.
Dense pillars of cool hydrogen gas laced with dust appear at the upper left of the picture, and more “fingers” can be seen nearly face-on, behind the translucent bubble.
The gases heated to varying temperatures emit different colors: oxygen is hot enough to emit blue light in the bubble near the star, while the cooler pillars are yellow from the combined light of hydrogen and nitrogen.
The pillars are similar to the iconic columns in the “Pillars of Creation” Eagle Nebula. As seen with the structures in the Eagle Nebula, the Bubble Nebula pillars are being illuminated by the strong ultraviolet radiation from the brilliant star inside the bubble.
The Bubble Nebula was discovered in 1787 by William Herschel, a prominent British astronomer. It is being formed by an O star, BD +60º2522, an extremely bright, massive, and short-lived star that has lost most of its outer hydrogen and is now fusing helium into heavier elements. The star is about 4 million years old, and in 10 million to 20 million years, it will likely detonate as a supernova.
Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3 imaged the nebula in visible light with unprecedented clarity in February 2016. The colors correspond to blue for oxygen, green for hydrogen, and red for nitrogen. This information will help astronomers understand the geometry and dynamics of this complex system.
The Bubble Nebula is one of only a handful of astronomical objects that have been observed with several different instruments onboard Hubble. Hubble also imaged it with the Wide Field Planetary Camera (WFPC) in September of 1992, and with Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2) in April of 1999.
The Hubble Space Telescope is a project of international cooperation between NASA and the European Space Agency. NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, manages the telescope. The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in Baltimore, Maryland, conducts Hubble science operations. STScI is operated for NASA by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy in Washington, D.C.
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – On Thursday, April 21, the Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College Clear Lake Associated Students hosted its annual Earth and Wellness Fair.
