MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Lake County fire survivors, including children and families who continue to rebuild their lives and community, will benefit from a generous donation of nearly $60,000 from Fire Family Foundation.

Combined with a previous Fire Family Foundation donation of $80,000, a total of $140,000 has been provided by the foundation to provide care, counseling, housing and community support to assist children and families in recovering from last fall’s devastating fires in Lake County.

Fire Family Foundation provides assistance to individuals and families affected by fire-related disasters throughout California and is the charitable hand of Firefighters First Credit Union.

The foundation worked with Mendo Lake Credit Union and Redwood Credit Union along with the California Credit Union League and local Lake County leaders to identify the greatest needs of fire survivors and provide the funding.

The needs identified in this phase of funding include child counseling services, support for a community center and pool, a school garden program and water supplies.

Middletown Unified School District Superintendent Catherine Stone identified counseling for kids struggling with the aftermath of the fires as their top priority.

Stone said Middletown was the largest district impacted by the fires in terms of students and residents affected, and she and her staff continue to see students struggling with recovering psychologically and emotionally in the aftermath of the fires.

The foundation provided funds for the school district to hire a counselor to support the students in their recovery.

During and after a traumatic experience, amplified and confused emotions are common, especially in children.

“It means so much to us to receive this generous donation to help our community’s children. As educators, whenever our students suffer, we’re impacted as well,” said Stone. “This generous donation allowed us to hire a qualified counselor who is helping bring peace of mind to our students who are still struggling to cope after the fire, and it’s a huge relief to all of us in the district. We can't thank the Fire Family Foundation enough for this generous donation.”

The Fire Family Foundation funding also will go toward repairing the Pine Summit Recreation and Social Club, a member-owned, not-for-profit pool center donated to the community in the 1960s and run by a volunteer board. It serves as a gathering place for local children and the Lake County community, and will support community rebuilding.

Volunteers saved the pool area from being destroyed in the fire, however, the property sustained significant damage, which was not covered by insurance.

The Fire Family Foundation donation will allow repairs to be made so this important community recreation center can reopen this summer.

The foundation also provided $3,000 to support school garden programs throughout the burn area. The ability for children to help replant the post-fire landscape has proven to be a form of “dirt therapy.”

Finally, the Fire Family Foundation provided $1,000 to help the Cobb Mountain Lions Club Relief Center, which due to the remote location of the community, provides high-need supplies such as bottled water for local residents.

The water system in the Cobb area is being replaced, and residents are experiencing a high number of “boil water” days, often without advance warning.

Mike Mastro, foundation board chair and president/CEO of Firefighters First Credit Union, highlighted the foundation’s choices.

“Last fall we watched as hundreds of families evacuated their homes, while many of our firefighters were on the front lines battling the fires,” Mastro said. “The foundation, committed to helping after such disasters, strongly believes in offering a helping hand. Helping children, families, and schools move forward ensures the recovery efforts can continue.” 

Anyone wishing to donate to support Lake County fire recovery efforts may still do so through North Coast Opportunities at https://www.ncoinc.org .

For more about the Fire Family Foundation visit www.FireFamilyFoundation.org .

Lucerne, Calif -- The first graduating class from the first four year univeristy in Lake County, California. Marymount California University students don traditional academic regalia to mark the historic occaion. Live stream begins at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday May 11, 2016.

Moving to bolster California’s climate and drought resilience, Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Monday issued an executive order that builds on temporary statewide emergency water restrictions to establish longer-term water conservation measures, including permanent monthly water use reporting, new permanent water use standards in California communities and bans on clearly wasteful practices such as hosing off sidewalks, driveways and other hardscapes.

“Californians stepped up during this drought and saved more water than ever before,” said Governor Brown. “But now we know that drought is becoming a regular occurrence and water conservation must be a part of our everyday life.”

Californians have responded to the call to conserve water during the drought by dialing back sprinklers, replacing lawns, fixing leaky faucets and installing more efficient toilets and washing machines.

Between June 2015 and March 2016, Californians reduced water use by 23.9 percent compared with the same months in 2013 – saving enough water to provide 6.5 million Californians with water for one year.

While the severity of the drought has lessened in some parts of California after winter rains and snow, the current drought is not over.

For the fifth consecutive year, dry conditions persist in many areas of the state, with limited drinking water supplies in some communities, diminished water for agricultural production and environmental habitat, and severely depleted groundwater basins.

The executive order calls for long-term improvements to local drought preparation across the state, and directs the State Water Resources Control Board to develop proposed emergency water restrictions for 2017 if the drought persists.

California droughts are expected to be more frequent and persistent, as warmer winter temperatures driven by climate change reduce water held in the Sierra Nevada snowpack and result in drier soil conditions.

Recognizing these new conditions, the executive order directs permanent changes to use water more wisely and efficiently, and prepare for more frequent, persistent periods of limited supply.

These new actions will help achieve a top priority in the Governor’s Water Action Plan – to “Make Conservation a California Way of Life.” The administration will seek public input in the coming months on new water conservation and efficiency standards called for in this executive order.

The following is a summary of the executive order issued by the governor:

Use water more wisely

The Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the State Water Board will require monthly reporting by urban water suppliers on a permanent basis. This includes information regarding water use, conservation and enforcement.

Through a public process and working with partners such as urban water suppliers, local governments and environmental groups, DWR and the State Water Board will develop new water use efficiency targets as part of a long-term conservation framework for urban water agencies.

These targets go beyond the 20 percent reduction in per capita urban water use by 2020 that was embodied in SB X7-7 of 2009, and will be customized to fit the unique conditions of each water supplier.

The State Water Board will adjust emergency water conservation regulations through the end of January 2017, in recognition of the differing water supply conditions across the state, and develop proposed emergency water restrictions for 2017 if the drought persists.

Eliminate water waste

The State Water Board will permanently prohibit wasteful practices, such as hosing off sidewalks, driveways and other hardscapes, washing automobiles with hoses not equipped with a shut-off nozzle, and watering lawns in a manner that causes runoff.

These temporary prohibitions have been in place since emergency water conservation efforts began in July 2014.

The State Water Board and DWR will take actions to minimize water system leaks across the state that continue to waste large amounts of water.

DWR estimates that leaks in water district distribution systems siphon away more than 700,000 acre-feet of water a year in California – enough to supply 1.4 million homes for a year.

Audits of water utilities have found an average loss through leaks of 10 percent of their total supply.

Strengthen local drought resilience

In consultation with urban water suppliers, local governments, environmental groups and other partners, DWR will strengthen standards for local Water Shortage Contingency Plans, which are part of the Urban Water Management Plans that water districts must submit every five years.

Under new strengthened standards, districts must plan for droughts lasting at least five years, as well as more frequent and severe periods of drought. These plans must be actionable, so that districts can turn to them to guide their drought response.

For areas not covered by the Water Shortage Contingency Plan, DWR will work with counties to improve drought planning for small water suppliers and rural communities.

Improve agricultural water use efficiency and drought planning

DWR will update existing requirements for Agricultural Water Management Plans so that irrigation districts quantify their customers’ water use efficiency and plan for water supply shortages.

Current law requires agricultural water districts serving 25,000 acres or more to file such plans. The executive order increases the number of irrigation districts who must file water management plans by lowering the threshold to irrigation district serving 10,000 acres or more.

DWR will check the plans to ensure they quantify conservation efforts and adequately plan for water shortages.

DWR will work with the California Department of Food and Agriculture in seeking public input on the updated standards, with a public draft made available by the end of this year.

To ensure compliance with these new targets and water management plan requirements, DWR, the State Water Board and the California Public Utilities Commission will work together to develop methods which could include technical and financial assistance, regulatory oversight and enforcement mechanisms.

To learn more about the state's drought response, visit www.Drought.CA.Gov ; visit www.SaveOurWater.com for information on conserving water.

The full text of the executive order can be seen below.

050916 Gov. Brown water executive order

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake Animal Control has six dogs – big and small – ready for new homes this week.

The dogs available to new homes include mixes of Belgian Malinois, bull terrier, Chihuahua, coonhound, Labrador Retriever, Pomeranian, Rottweiler and shepherd.

To meet the animals, contact Marcia Taylor, the animal control outreach technician, at 707-994-8201, Extension 103, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, or contact Animal Control Officer Jenna Tuller at Extension 115 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. those same days.

Also follow Clearlake Animal Control on Facebook for the latest updates.

Below are this week's available dogs.

'Apple Jack'

“Apple Jack” is a 2-year-old Pomeranian and Chihuahua mix.

Shelter staff said he needs a new start after having been found in a dumpster.

He is happy and loving, enjoys sitting in your lap, going for a walk and just being your best friend.

'Howdy'

“Howdy” is a male Belgian Malinois mix, estimated to be about 8 months old.

Shelter staff said he likes to play, go for walks or jogging, and is full of happy energy.

He likes people and will make a wonderful family dog, shelter staff said.

'Kiszie'

“Kiszie” is a female coonhound and bull terrier mix who is estimated to be a year and a half old.

Shelter staff said she is microchipped, loves to play and is well mannered. She has the biggest smile.

'Pumpkin'

“Pumpkin” is a 3-year-old male Chihuahua.

He's a happy guy with a great big smile that just needs a new best friend.

Shelter staff said he is “wonderful.”

'Walter'

“Walter” is a young male yellow Labrador Retriever and shepherd mix.

Shelter staff said he is a very loving boy.

They said he will make a wonderful family addition or be a best friend for someone, whether you are going for a walk, jogging and just for a drive.

'Wilbur'

“Wilbur” is a 2-year-old bluetick coonhound and Labrador Retriever mix.

He's a big bundle of love that needs his own family, according to shelter staff.

Wilbur loves to go for walks, is good with other dogs and is very mellow.

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. – Volunteers are continuing to make progress on the city of Clearlake’s Visitor Center/Chamber of Commerce building.

The city-owned property is located at 14295 Lakeshore Drive, next to Highlands Park.

The windows have been uncovered, a new front door has been installed and forms have been set for the concrete work.

Interior and exterior wall work has been put out to bid with a closing date of May 19, 2016.

The committee supporting the work is looking for volunteers to help with interior projects.

People with basic construction know-how are needed for hanging light fixtures, cabinetry work and wood flooring work, along with experienced tile workers and painters.

To volunteer contact Jim Scholz at 707-994-1545.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A Clearlake man who led the California Highway Patrol on a high speed chase was injured and later arrested after crashing his vehicle into a garage.

Ramos A. De Jesus, 21, received moderate injuries in the crash, which occurred shortly after 9 p.m. Monday, according to a report issued by the CHP early Tuesday morning.

The report said that at 9:10 p.m. Monday De Jesus was driving a 1997 Toyota Camry southbound on Old Highway 53 at Lakeshore Drive when CHP Officer Thomas noticed the Camry was impeding the flow of traffic and driving on the shoulder.

Thomas attempted to initiate a traffic enforcement stop on the Camry, which rapidly accelerated southbound on Old Highway 53 at Wayland Way, the report said.

The CHP said Thomas pursued the Camry. For reasons yet to be determined, De Jesus accelerated to a speed at which he could not follow the curvature of the roadway, and at Old Highway 53 at Park Street the front of the Camry left the roadway and hit a city traffic control sign.

De Jesus' vehicle continue southbound, hitting a backyard fence and a guy wire, which severed a telephone pole, according to the report.

The Camry continued into a garage containing a Pontiac Trans Am, went out the side of the building and hit a boat, finally coming to rest facing in a southern direction, the CHP said.

The CHP said a REACH air ambulance transported De Jesus to Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa.

De Jesus subsequently was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and felony evading, the CHP said.

The crash remains under investigation by CHP Officer Burger.

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.