CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – One man died and another was seriously injured in a crash involving a pickup and a motorcycle on Highway 20 near Clearlake Oaks on Thursday afternoon.

Officer Kory Reynolds of the Clear Lake Area office of the California Highway Patrol said the agency was not releasing the identity of the man who died, a 59-year-old from Yolo driving a 2011 Ford F-350 pickup, pending the notification of next of kin.

Reynolds said the second crash victim, a man from Clearlake Oaks riding a 2017 BMW motorcycle, was transported via air ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.

“Due to his injuries we were unable to identify the motorcyclist before he was flown out,” Reynolds said.

The CHP said the crash occurred at 12:10 p.m. Thursday on Highway 20 west of New Long Valley Road.

At the time the crash occurred, the driver of the pickup was traveling westbound on Highway 20 at an unknown rate of speed while the motorcyclist was headed eastbound at approximately 55 miles per hour, according to the CHP report.

For reasons that the CHP said investigators are yet to determine, the pickup crossed the double yellow lines into the eastbound lane.

The motorcyclist attempted to take evasive action but was struck by the left front of the pickup and ejected from the motorcycle, the CHP said.

Radio reports indicated that when firefighters arrived the pickup was on its side, on the side of the road, with one patient trapped and unconscious.

The CHP said the pickup’s driver was declared dead at the scene.

A REACH air ambulance took the motorcyclist to Santa Rosa, the CHP said.

Reynolds said the man suffered major injuries, and that a Santa Rosa CHP unit that had responded to the hospital had been unable to get more information about the man because medics were still working on him.

The CHP said neither drugs nor alcohol appear to be contributing factors in the wreck.

The pickup driver was wearing his seat belt and the motorcyclist was wearing a helmet, the CHP said.

Officer Joel Skeen is leading the crash investigation.

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.

This story has been updated with booking details.

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday that the victim in a fatal Tuesday night Hidden Valley Lake shooting is a young local woman, with her father arrested for having killed her.

Hannah Welch, 20, was found dead by emergency responders who arrived at the scene Tuesday night, according to the sheriff’s office report.

The sheriff’s office said the suspect in the shooting is Welch’s father, 39-year-old Steven Russell Miller.

At 8:15 p.m. Tuesday sheriff’s deputies and medical personnel from Cal Fire responded to an address in the 18000 block of Spyglass Road in Hidden Valley Lake for a report of a call of a man who just shot his daughter, the sheriff’s office said.

Upon arrival, first responders contacted the reporting party who was the grandmother of the victim and mother of the suspect, according to the Wednesday report.

At that time, they also located Welch’s body inside the residence, the sheriff’s office said.

Miller had at that point left the residence, but the sheriff’s office said he was located in the subdivision within minutes by responding deputies and taken into custody without incident.  

As a result of the initial investigation, the sheriff’s office said it appears that Welch was killed by a gunshot wound. An autopsy will be conducted as part of the final investigation.

No other victims or suspects have been identified, authorities said.

Miller was transported to the sheriff’s office for questioning by sheriff’s detectives and then transported to the hospital as part of a standard medical clearing procedure prior to booking at the Lake County Jail.

As of 9 a.m. Wednesday, Miller was still in the booking process, the sheriff’s office said.

Later in the day, his booking sheet was posted, which stated he is being held on $1 million bail. He is tentatively scheduled for arraignment in Lake County Superior Court on Friday.

The sheriff’s office said a motive has not been determined.

Anyone who has information concerning this investigation is asked to contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Detective Richard Kreutzer at 707-262-4233.

Save

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Five high schools and 17 other Lake County organizations have been selected as beneficiaries of this year’s Lake County Wine Auction.

“This year a big portion of our money goes to youth and education, the strongest way to build a solid future for our county,” said Wine Alliance President Kaj Ahlmann.

The Wine Alliance, a nonprofit organization of wineries, winegrape growers, vineyard owners, related businesses and community supporters has contributed $1,401,500 to foster the arts, benefit health services, and support the community since it was founded in the year 2000.

In addition, the organization also has a mandate to promote Lake County as a premier growing region for fine wine grapes and other crops.
 
All proceeds from the Wine Auction activities will benefit the selected beneficiaries.

Twenty organizations, agencies and programs submitted their funding requests to the Wine Alliance, demonstrating the number of worthy programs in Lake County seeking financial assistance. 

This year's beneficiaries are:

• The five comprehensive high schools of Lake County for their arts programs;
• The Lake County Sheriff’s Activity league for their anti-bullying program;
• United Christian Parish for their food pantry;
• Totes4Teens to support children living in poverty;
• Lake County senior centers for Meals on Wheels;
• Worldwide Healing Hands for Lake County medical outreach;
• LC Campus Culinary Arts Club for their mobile kitchen classroom program;
• LCOE Dolly Parton Imagination Library for books;
• EcoArts of Lake County to subsidize school field trips;
• Lake County Symphony Association for their youth music program;
• Children’s Museum of Art and Science for their annual art and science camp;
• Channel Cats swim team for new equipment;
• United Veterans Council for emergency help for veterans in trouble;
• Church Women United for shoes for needy children;
• Lake County Mock Trial program for scholarships for needy students;
• Operation Tango Mike in support of Lake County service personnel;
• Sponsoring Survivorship to assist those with breast cancer;
• Lake County 4-H for student programs.    

This year’s auction, the 17th, will take place at Cache Creek Vineyard and Winery on Highway 20 in Clearlake Oaks on Saturday, Sept. 16, from 5 to 10 p.m.

This exciting venue, which was the scene of last year’s event, has been used for numerous social and community events over the years provides guests with a unique view into the diversity of Lake County's agricultural community.

The Lake County Wine Auction open to guests 21 years and older.  

Honorary co-chairs for the Wine Auction are John and Joanne Van Eck, proprietors of Cole Creek Equestrian center.

Members of the all-volunteer Wine Alliance Board are Kaj Ahlmann, president; Dr. Judy Luchsinger, vice president; Sharron Zoller, secretary; Rob Roumiguiere, treasurer; and Marie Beery and Bill Groody directors.

Tickets for the Wine Auction will be available through the Wine Alliance Web site, www.winealliance.org , or by calling 1-866-279-WINE to make reservations. Information about sponsorship opportunities is available from Marie Beery, 707-278-0129.

This year’s major sponsors include Tribal Health, Mendo Lake Credit Union, Beckstoffer Vineyards, American AgCredit, Trinchero Family Estates, Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Savings Bank of Mendocino County, Cache Creek Vineyard & Winery, Artist John Clarke, Umpqua Bank, Bella Vista Farming, Tricorbraun, Wildhurst Winery, The Travel Center and Boatique Winery.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The National Weather Service said an incoming storm system is expected to bring light amounts of rain to interior Northern California on Wednesday.

The low pressure area is moving in from the Pacific, the agency said Tuesday.

Forecasters said that it’s a weak system that’s expected to drop most of its rain over the region’s mountains and foothills on Wednesday, although some valley areas could get light rainfall amounts.

In addition to the rain, the specific Lake County forecast calls for temperatures this week that range from daytime highs in the low 80s to nighttime lows in the high 50s.

Wednesday is expected to see some rain and cloudy skies, with partly cloudy skies on Thursday. Conditions will clear, bringing sunny skies through the weekend, based on the forecast.

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. – A fast response by firefighters led to the containment of a small wildland fire on Wednesday.

Lakeport Fire Chief Doug Hutchison said the fire occurred on property behind 810 Scotts Valley Road on Wednesday afternoon.

The grass fire burned less than a quarter of an acre, Hutchison said.

Lakeport Fire responded with three engines and a chief; Kelseyville Fire sent one wildland engine, one water tender and a chief; and Cal Fire sent two engines, a crew and a battalion chief, according to Hutchison.

Northshore Fire initially sent an engine and chief but they were returned, he said.

Hutchison said the fire’s cause is so far undetermined.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – A Lakeport man was arrested by Mendocino County authorities late last week after he is alleged to have assaulted his ex-wife and endangered their children.

Jessie Edward Slotte, 31,  was arrested on Saturday for assault with a deadly weapon, felony domestic violence battery and child endangerment, according to a report from Sgt. Mike Dygert of the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.

Dygert said that at 7:40 p.m. Saturday Mendocino County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a reported domestic violence incident in the 11000 block of East Road in Potter Valley.

Upon their arrival the deputies learned that Slotte and a 31-year-old adult female from Lakeport had previously been married and had children in common, Dygert said.

Dygert said both Slotte and the adult female were in a vehicle together with a 3-year-old male and a 5-month-old female.
 
Slotte’s ex-wife was driving the vehicle down the road when she and Slotte became engaged in an argument. Dygert said the argument escalated and Slotte reached down and pushed on the vehicle's accelerator pedal while one of his hands grabbed the steering wheel, causing the woman to temporarily lose control of the vehicle.

Slotte then brandished a pocket knife and held it at the adult female’s neck and threatened to kill her, Dygert said.

Dygert said the woman stopped the vehicle and attempted to get the children out when Slotte attacked her by pushing her to the ground and kicking her once on the left side of her torso.

The woman got up and was attempting to retrieve the children when Slotte started driving away in the vehicle while the adult female was partially in the vehicle, Dygert said. This caused the adult female's feet to be dragged on the ground several feet while striking some roadside mailboxes before Slotte stopped the vehicle.
 
Dygert said the woman managed to get one of the children out of the vehicle before Slotte drove off at a high rate of speed.
 
Deputies observed visible injuries on the adult female’s legs, Dygert said.
 
At 9:11 p.m. Saturday Lake County Sheriff’s deputies located Slotte in the city of Lakeport and arrested him, according to Dygert.

Slotte was booked into the Mendocino County Jail where he was to be held in lieu of $30,000 bail, Dygert said.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. -- A gravel truck and trailer went off the road on Hwy 20 Wednesday afternoon creating a traffic hazard and delays. Further West, between Bruner and Rosemont, road repairs are taking place resulting in controlled one way traffic. 

According to the CHP, a West bound semi truck with a trailer went off the road at approximately 1:00 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, losing its load and blocking both lanes briefly.

Crews were at the accident scene cleaning gravel from the roadway to open the East bound lane for controlled one way traffic. The CHP report indicates that the container broke loose from the trailer during the accident.

Save

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake Animal Care and Control once again has a full house of dogs ready and waiting to meet their new families.

This week’s dogs include mixes of American Staffordshire Terrier, Catahoula, Chihuahua, Labrador Retriever, mastiff, shepherd and terrier.

To meet the animals, call Clearlake Animal Control at 707-994-8201, Extension 103 or 105, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, or leave a message.
 
Below are this week's available pets.

‘Boots’

“Boots” is a male Chihuahua puppy.

He has a short black coat.

Shelter staff said that since Boots is just a baby, he needs lots of love and attention.

‘Brandy’

“Brandy” is an adult female Chihuahua with a short white coat with red markings.

Shelter staff said she’s sweet and would make a great companion.

‘Butternut”

“Butternut” is a very sweet female Chihuahua mix with a short brown coat.

She already is spayed.

Shelter staff said she gets along with cats but wants to be an only child around dogs. “She will keep your lap warm and be your best friend.”

‘Carmel’

“Carmel” is an adult female Chihuahua.

She came in with “Brandy” and the puppy, “Boots.”

She has a short red and white coat.

 
‘Courtney’
 
“Courtney” is a female Catahoula mix.
 
She has a short brown brindle coat and big brown eyes.

Shelter staff said she is about 2 years old and very sweet.

‘Hansel’

“Hansel is a handsome male terrier and shepherd mix puppy.

He has a short brown coat with black and white markings.

‘Mya’
 
“Mya” is a female mastiff-Labrador Retriever mix with a short black coat.
 
Shelter staff said her owner moved and couldn’t take her. She is very sweet.

 
‘Xena’
 
“Xena” is an American Staffordshire Terrier and Labrador Retriever mix with a short tan and white coat.
 
Shelter staff said she is a kind 2-year-old who loves to go for walks and is very well-mannered.
 
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.