SOUTH LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A team of 13 AmeriCorps volunteers have been working the last two months, in the Middletown/Cobb area, helping to rebuild homes for uninsured – or underinsured – Valley fire survivors.

They’ve been given lodging in a home donated for their use by longtime local merchant, Grant Hardester.

These volunteers – who are sponsored by two Team Lake County humanitarian agencies, Hope City and North Coast Opportunities – also are helping to build the new volunteer dorms in Middletown Central Park.

In early November the AmeriCorps team was introduced at Team Lake County’s monthly general membership meeting in Middletown.

Twenty-four-year old AmeriCorps spokesperson and team leader, Colleen Moran, addressed Team Lake County members, saying, “There are 13 of us. We’re 18- to 24-four-year olds, coming together to do volunteer service. We’re unskilled labor without any experience. It’s up to the sponsors to teach us.”

Besides learning job skills, Moran explained, “AmeriCorps is about developing interpersonal and leadership skills.”

Each year AmeriCorps volunteers join up for 10 months in single teams that will take on four different, two-month projects.

This has been the first project of the year for Moran’s team. Their last day with Hope City will be Wednesday, Dec. 21. A new AmeriCorps team will take their place here in Middletown on Jan. 11.

On a rainy afternoon in early December, team members were doing inside work on a house on Wardlaw Street near the St. Helena Creek Bridge in Middletown.

Foreman John Ferguson from Clearlake Oaks shouted out, “All right, I need a 6-foot board.”

The framing, roofing and siding was pretty much done and sheetrock was being installed indoors.

“I’ve done a lot of siding. There’s a lot of physically demanding work; like holding up drywall in place while others screw it into the ceiling,” said Darren Wilber, 21.

“It’s rewarding to see the ‘before and after’ results,” Wilber said.

“It took awhile to learn how to hammer nails in straight,” said Raya Koch, a 20-year-old from Connecticut. She prefers battery-powered, portable screwdrivers.

Koch counts teamwork as a blessing, “One of the best things about being in AmeriCorps is working with 12 other people every single day.”

She added, “Coming to Middletown has been totally awesome. I love it here. It makes a difference to work in a place where people are so sweet, kind and generous. Our team volunteered at the community Thanksgiving dinner at Twin Pines Casino Event Center, and it was really cool.”

“My dad had been in the Peace Corps. He said, ‘Not only can you help others as a volunteer, but you can see the country,'” said Justin Meyers, a 24-year-old from San Antonio, Texas, who recently graduated from college with a bachelor's degree in mathematics.

“I’ve never seen the West,” Meyers added. “I saw the Golden Gate Bridge last weekend. And I saw how crazy it is driving up those steep hills in San Francisco.”

He also observed, “I’m surprised how receptive Middletown is. We’re not viewed as outsiders. It’s cool to hear their story and help them at the same time.”

As their two-month project in Lake County comes to an end, Moran reflected on her team’s time here.

“As an AmeriCorps member, I’ve never had a project so well thought out. Hope City is definitely the most organized, passionate and dedicated program I’ve worked in. The supervisors are focused and hard workers. The community and the sponsors make it easy for all of us to love the work,” she said.

Kevin Cox, chief executive officer of Hope City, said during Team Lake County’s general membership meeting in December, “I want to acknowledge AmeriCorps. Thanks to them, the building continues, and they’re learning some skills. It’s a good ‘give and take.'”

Recent winner of the Stars of Lake County Humanitarian of the Year Award, Sharon Dawson, who lives across the street from where the volunteers have been working, said, “Every morning they come marching down the street like they’re on a field trip. They’re doing something tangible for our community. I love having them here.”  

Dennis Purcell is communications committee chair for Team Lake County.

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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin and Cal Fire Battalion Chief Michael Wink were recognized as 2016 Public Safety Heroes of the Year for Lake County by U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson at a Saturday ceremony held in Vallejo.

This award is given to one law enforcement officer and one first responder from each of the five counties that make up the Fifth Congressional District.

“Sheriff Martin has a long and admirable track record of public service,” said Thompson. “After enlisting in the U.S. Army Military Police in 1992, Sheriff Martin served as a paratrooper, a team leader and sniper, and as deputy sheriff, sergeant and lieutenant in the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. His work during the devastating fire season of 2015 was especially heroic, as he oversaw the evacuation of nearly 20,000 people in response to the historic Valley fire.”

“Battalion Chief Wink expertly managed a large team and acted quickly and effectively to put out both the Clayton and Valley fires,” said Thompson.

Thompson said Wink is owed a great deal of gratitude, “as he put his life on the line to protect both the people of Lake County and as many homes and businesses as possible. His work undoubtedly limited the damage to Lake County during those devastating fires.”

“I’m proud to recognize both Sheriff Martin and Battalion Chief Wink today as Public Safety Heroes of the Year for Lake County,” Thompson said at the Saturday event.

The full list of the 2016 Public Safety Heroes of the Year for the Fifth Congressional District is below:

· Firefighter Marcus Faumui of the Rodeo-Hercules Fire Department.
· Officer Greg Sanchez of the Hercules Police Department.
· Sheriff Brian Martin of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
· Cal Fire Battalion Chief Michael Wink.
· Firefighter and paramedic Cesar Lopez of the City of Napa Fire Department.
· Officer Luis Paniagua of the Calistoga Police Department.
· Sgt. Brenton Garrick of the Vallejo Police Department.
· Fire Capt. Melissa Leitzke of the Vallejo Fire Department.
· Officer Cecile Focha of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office.
· Christina Gossner, Paramedic with American Medical Response (AMR) Sonoma.

Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake Animal Control has three pets available to go directly to new homes.

This week's featured animals include two cats and a dog.

Community members interested in taking home a new pet also are urged to ask about the city's holiday special on adoptions.

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 or leave a message on Fridays or weekends.

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

Below are this week's available pets.

'Alexis'

“Alexis” is a 7-month-old female boxer and American Staffordshire Terrier mix.

Shelter staff said she just loves everyone, and likes to run and play, and give kisses. She needs a home for the holidays.

'Tigger'

“Tigger” is a young male domestic short hair mix with an orange tabby and white coat.

Shelter staff said he is a “kickback cool cat,” who is ready to go home with you.

'Tommy'

“Tommy” is a young male domestic short hair and Cymric mix cat.

Shelter staff said he is a very nice cat, with a beautiful black and white coat.

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 unemployment edged up again slightly in November while statewide and nationwide numbers improved.

The California Employment Development Department's latest report on joblessness put Lake County's November unemployment rate at 6.6 percent, up from the 6.4 percent reported in October but improved over the 7.7 percent reported in November 2015.

California's unemployment in November dropped to 5.3 percent after holding at 5.5 percent for three months straight. The state's November 2015 rate was 5.9 percent.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics said nationwide unemployment also decreased in November, dropping from 4.9 percent to 4.6 percent, the lowest national jobless rate since August 2007. The November 2015 nationwide rate was 5 percent.

In November employers added 13,600 nonfarm payroll jobs in California and 178,000 nonfarm payroll jobs nationwide, according to the report.

With November’s new jobs, the state has gained a total of 2,417,100 jobs since the economic expansion began in February 2010, the Employment Development Department said.

Nonfarm jobs in California totaled 16,603,600 in November, according to a survey of 55,000 businesses, a year-over increase of 377,200 jobs, up 2.3 percent.

A federal survey of 5,500 households showed the number of Californians holding jobs in November was 18,417,000, an increase of 47,000 from October, and up 551,000 from the employment total in November of 2015.

The report also said that the number of unemployed Californians was 1,038,000 in November, down by 32,000 over the month, and down by 86,000 compared with the previous November.

In Lake County, the report showed that in November there were 1,950 unemployed people, compared to 1,890 in October and 2,210 in November 2015.

The number of jobs in Lake County in November totaled 16,240, down 0.9 percent from October, when there were 16,390 jobs, but up by 4.9 percent over November 2016, when there were 15,480 jobs, according to the report.

Lake County's “total farm” industry category had a 21.1 percent drop in jobs from October to November, while total nonfarm grew by 0.3 percent, the report showed.

In November, eight of California’s 11 industry sectors added a total of 29,300 jobs: trade, transportation and utilities; manufacturing; mining and logging; construction; financial activities; professional and business services; other services; and government.

Month-over job losses occurred in three sectors: information; educational and health services; and leisure and hospitality, according to the report.

In year-over comparisons, nine sectors added jobs: educational and health services; government; construction; trade, transportation and utilities; information; financial activities; professional and business services; leisure and hospitality; and other services, the state said.

The state report showed that two sectors, mining and logging, and manufacturing, showed year-over job losses.

Lake County's unemployment rate ranked it No. 39 statewide out of 58 counties. The lowest unemployment, 2.8 percent, was reported in San Mateo County, and the highest, 20.3 percent, was in Imperial County.

The November jobless report also showed there were 358,096 people receiving regular Unemployment Insurance benefits during the November survey week. That's compared with 323,124 in October and 355,913 in November of last year.

New claims for Unemployment Insurance were 54,252 in November, compared with 44,808 in October and 54,438 in November of last year, the state reported.

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 California Highway Patrol wants all motorists on the roadways to drive safely during their travel this holiday season.

As part of its upcoming maximum enforcement period, the CHP reminds motorists to buckle up, avoid distracted driving, designate a sober driver, and always travel at a safe speed for conditions.

The CHP Christmas Maximum Enforcement Period will begin at 6:01 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 23, and will end at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 26.

Although the focus of this maximum enforcement period is on speed enforcement, officers also will be looking for distracted drivers and those who are not buckled up.

In addition, officers and drug recognition experts will be looking for all signs of impaired driving as well as assisting motorists wherever needed.

“The Christmas holiday is a wonderful time of year for family and friends to get together and enjoy lasting memories. The CHP wants all motorists to slow down and arrive safely at their destination,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow.

During the 2015 Christmas Maximum Enforcement Period, 35 people died on California’s roadways.

Among the 12 people who died in the CHP’s jurisdiction, 50 percent were not wearing seat belts. Wearing a seat belt is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in the event of a traffic collision.

During last year’s maximum enforcement period period, the CHP made 700 arrests for driving under the influence.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration calls impaired driving an immediate crisis in the United States, and reported that 35,092 people were killed in motor vehicle collisions in 2015, ending a five-decade trend of declining fatalities.

Research shows almost one in three fatalities involved impaired drivers or speeding.

“Making wise decisions, such as wearing your seat belt, traveling at a safe speed, and designating a sober driver, will help improve your safety on the roadways,” Commissioner Farrow emphasized. “These choices could save your life or the life of someone you love.”

The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of safety, service, and security to the people of California.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Planning Commission's last regular meeting of the year will include discussion of an appointment to an ad hoc committee and consideration of a plan for a drive-thru addition to a restaurant.

The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

The Tuesday's agenda's two main items include consideration of the appointment of a member of the city's ad hoc committee to review and make recommendations for amendments to the dispensary and marijuana cultivation ordinances.

Also on the agenda is consideration of the approval of a use permit to allow LETAP Real Estate LLC to construct a drive-through service area and 2,100 square feet of retail space at 15060 Lakeshore Drive.

The addition would be on the east side of an existing 1,600-square-foot building that houses a Subway restaurant.

There also will be reports from the city manager and commissioners.

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.

On Monday, California State Senators Scott Wiener and Mike McGuire announced that they will be co-authoring legislation to require that any future presidential or vice presidential candidate must make their tax returns public to appear on the California ballot.

The two senators said they are offering the legislation in response to President-Elect Donald Trump’s refusal to release his tax returns to the American public, despite the fact that presidential candidates have been doing so voluntarily for decades.

The bill will be modeled on similar legislation that has been proposed in New York by State Senator Brad Hoylman.

“Transparency is a nonpartisan issue. Voters not only deserve full disclosure of their future leader’s tax returns, they should be entitled to them,” Sen. McGuire said. “The world is a dangerous place and all potential conflicts of interest a future president may have, let alone dangerous ties a candidate may have with a foreign government, must be disclosed. This legislation will help make transparency great again.”

“The American people deserve honesty and transparency from their president. Unfortunately, we are getting lies and obfuscation from President-Elect Trump, especially in regards to how his business interests may impact his administration,” said Sen. Wiener. “While the impetus for this legislation is the refusal of Donald Trump to partake in what has become standard practice among presidential candidates, this is also a larger, non-partisan issue. The American public deserves to know that the individual they are selecting to be president will have their best interests at the heart of every decision, not the best interests of any business venture or investment fund. Requiring that this basic financial information be made available to voters will help build critical public trust.”

Prior to Trump’s refusal to release any tax returns, every president since Jimmy Carter has released at least one year of tax returns.

During the 2016 Presidential election, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and Jill Stein, candidate for the Green Party, both released their tax returns.

McGuire and Wiener plan to require that presidential and vice-presidential candidates release five years of tax returns in order to appear on the California ballot for future elections.

In New York, State Senator Brad Hoylman has introduced Senate Bill S8217, which has called the TRUMP Act – the Tax Returns Uniformly Made Public Act.

New York’s S8217 requires that any presidential candidate must file five years of tax income returns no less than 50 days prior the general election in which they wish to run. If they do not file, they will not appear on the ballot.

American voters also agree that presidential candidates should release their tax returns. In an August Quinnipiac University poll, 74 percent of all likely American voters responded and said they wanted then Candidate-Trump to release his tax returns. In that same poll, 62 percent of Republicans said they wanted Mr. Trump to release his tax returns.

Senators Wiener and McGuire will formally introduce the legislation in January.