KE COUNTY, Calif. – A little girl who was taken by her noncustodial father from her San Bernardino County home early in May has been found in Idaho.
Ava Rian Riggle, 3, was taken by her father Nicholas Riggle, 22, from her home in Phelan on May 6, as Lake County News has reported.
Early Saturday morning, Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen reported that he had received word that the little girl had been located in Idaho and was set to be brought back to California.
During the week of May 23 Ava had reportedly been spotted in and around Lakeport with Marcy Gearhart, who was Nicholas Riggle's companion.
At that point, the Lakeport Police Department became involved in the effort to find her, investigating the sightings and offering updates on the situation.
In the past several weeks the investigative trail has appeared to go cold.
On Friday, a reader posted a question on Lake County News' Facebook about the case's status.
In response, Lake County News followed up with Rasmussen, who on Friday afternoon said his officers had continued to work the case since May.
Rasmussen said officers had made numerous contacts and checked locations in an attempt to find the girl and her father, but without success.
He said San Bernardino County authorities had issued a protective custody warrant for the little girl, and Lakeport Police alerted other area law enforcement agencies and continued to assist San Bernardino County District Attorney investigators.
Then early Saturday Rasmussen contacted Lake County News to report that San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office Investigator Karen Cragg was on a flight to Idaho to pick up the little girl, where she had been found.
Rasmussen said he had no other details on the case at that point, but he said San Bernardino County officials said they were very grateful for Lakeport Police's help in the case.
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – A woman died Thursday afternoon as the result of a crash near Middletown.
The California Highway Patrol reported that the collision occurred just after 3 p.m. on Highway 29 near Hartmann Road.
A witness said the woman, driving a newer model Ford Mustang, collided with a semi truck delivering groceries to local businesses.
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene, while the semi truck driver was flown out of county via REACH air ambulance, according to reports from the scene.
The CHP did not issue additional details on Thursday as to the cause.
Winemaker Scott Simkover, owner of Smiling Dog Ranch, took home gold/first place for his Backyard Zin and dry-farmed Merlot, as well as Best in Show for best red wine of the day at the 2010 Winefest. Photo by Terre Logsdon.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Scratch one of Lake County's professional winemakers and you're likely to find an amateur lurking inside.
That's because many of the men and women who craft the county's premium vintages started out as home winemakers.
On Saturday, June 25, many of them will have the chance to impart much of the knowledge they've gained to the many amateurs who gather for the Lake County Home Wine Makers Festival, taking place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Lakeport's Library Park.
Since its inception nearly a decade ago the Winefest – an abbreviated version of the name – has always had most of the area's leading wineries rubbing shoulders with their less-skilled contemporaries, and it's been a happy mixture for all involved.
Although the pros are not eligible for awards they do provide attendees the opportunity to taste the best that the county has to offer, all in one place at one time.
They also provide judges to reward the winners – and sometimes advise the losers – among the dozens of wines submitted for judging by the home wine makers.
The same applies to home brewers, who profit from the know-how of the commercial brewers attending the show.
Amateur wine makers submitting samples for judging should deliver them to 125 Park St. next to Bigg's Cafe, across the street from the Library Park Festival venue, no later than 9 a.m. on the day of the event. It is the future site of Bell Hill Vineyard 's downtown wine tasting room.
Home brewers should deliver their entries no later than 6 p.m. on Friday, June 24, to Guidos Pizza, 5440 Live Oak Drive, Kelseyville.
Commercial wineries providing tastes at this year's Winefest include Rosa D'Oro, Tulip Hill, Vigilance, Bell Hill, Cougar's Leap, Moore Family Winery, Lavender Blue Wines, Steele Wines, Laujor Estate Winery and High Valley Vineyard.
Award-winner Jean Ownbey of Wild Diamond Vineyards took home gold for Mourvedre, silver for Sangiovese and bronze for Barbera at the 2010 Winefest. Photo by Terre Logsdon.
Wine Judges are Pietro Buttita of Rosa D'Oro, Stephen Dilley of Lavender Blue, Valerie Ramirez of Wildhurst, Charlie Hossom of Snows Lake, Pamela Shine-Duncan of Steele Wines, Stephanie Green of Focused on Wine and Restauranteur Jack Vos.
Home brews and ales will be judged by Jerry Worswick, a Beer Judge Certification Program-certified judge; Weston Siefert of the Saw Shop restaurant in Kelseyville; and Paul Lew, local president of the Home Brewing Club.
The annual Home Wine Makers Festival is sponsored by nonprofit Clear Lake Performing Arts, and all proceeds go to support its music activities including the Lake County Symphony, the CLPA Youth and Junior Youth Orchestras and scholarships.
The event is open to the public and families are welcome. However those wishing to taste samples of either the commercial wines, or the amateur efforts, need to purchase a commemorative wine glass. This also makes them eligible to vote in the Peoples Choice competitions for the homemade wines.
The tickets for the glasses are $20 at the gate or $15 when purchased in advance at Kitchen Gallery, Watershed Books, Shari's Secret Garden, Catfish Books or the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, all in Lakeport; Rosa D'Oro or Wildhurst in Kelseyville; Steele Wines in Finley; Tulip Hill in Nice; and High Valley Winery in Clearlake Oaks.
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Two local men were injured on Thursday when they were involved in a vehicle collision.
The crash occurred just before 12:30 p.m. on Highway 29 at Highway 175/Bottle Rock Road, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Kory Reynolds.
Reynolds said Juan Lopez, 20, of Lower Lake was driving southbound on Highway 29 in a 1984 BMW when, for unknown reasons, Lopez allowed his vehicle to cross the double yellow lines and travel into the path of a 2003 Ford F-350, driven by William Sauer, 76, of Kelseyville.
Lopez was flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital and treated for a low back contusion and Sauer was treated for minor injuries at the scene and released, Reynolds said.
The Lake County Sheriff's Marijuana Suppression Unit discovered this device, which looked like an explosive but was inoperable, during marijuana eradication operations on Tuesday, June 21, 2011. Photo courtesy of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Marijuana Suppression Unit's discovery of an apparent explosive device – later determined to be inoperable – during eradication operations resulted in a coordinated response by multiple allied agencies on Tuesday.
Sheriff's Capt. James Bauman said that on Tuesday, June 22, at approximately 8:45 a.m., sheriff’s deputies, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) agents, and a C.A.M.P. team with the California Department of Justice (DOJ) were inserted by helicopter into an illegal marijuana growing operation in the area of Dry Creek Road and Highway 175 near the Sonoma County Line.
Shortly after their insertion, deputies were approaching an unoccupied camp they had located in the middle of the grow when they discovered an apparent explosive device at the entry point into the camp, Bauman said.
The device consisted of 15 to 20, 12 gauge shotgun rounds taped together with a small circuit board and positive/negative leads attached to a small ATV sized battery. Bauman said the device also had a trip-wire leading across the entrance to the camp.
Upon discovering the device, the eradication team backed off and secured the immediate area of the camp, Bauman said. After reporting their discovery to personnel at the operation’s nearby landing zone, they notified sheriff’s command staff and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services coordinator to begin requesting responses from allied agencies to assist with abating the device.
Members of the Napa County Sheriff’s Bomb Response Team were deployed to Lake County shortly before 11 a.m. and while they were en route, the Lake County Department of Public Works responded to the area with sandbags and other materials to support the bomb team, according to Bauman.
Shortly after the Napa County bomb team arrived at around 1 p.m., a Cal Fire engine and medic unit, as well as a REACH air ambulance, were staged as a precautionary measure, Bauman said.
Two bomb technicians were inserted into the marijuana grow by helicopter and after disabling the device, the bomb team determined the device was not functional to begin with, Bauman said.
He said officials believe the device was left by illegal growers to stall potential eradication efforts and allow suspects to flee the operation without being pursued by law enforcement.
After the illegal grow was secured and rendered safe, the marijuana suppression operation resumed and deputies ultimately eradicated more than 21,000 marijuana plants. Bauman said the operation concluded at approximately 5 p.m. and no suspects were located.
Sheriff Frank Rivero thanked Cal Fire, Lake County Department of Public Works and REACH for supporting the operation and expressed his deepest gratitude to the Napa County Sheriff’s Bomb Response Team for rendering the eradication operation safe.
Sheriff's officials reminded members of the public to always be aware of their surroundings when venturing into wilderness areas and to immediately back out and notify authorities any time indications of a possible marijuana grow are discovered.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Proactive enforcement efforts by the Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Detail have resulted in two arrests and the seizure of methamphetamine.
Arrested were Raymond Carl Mills, 49, of Nice, and Vince Edward Mussat, 31, who deputies had sought during a search warrant service earlier this week, according to Capt. James Bauman of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
On Thursday, June 23, at approximately 7:30 p.m., a sheriff’s deputy assigned to the Special Enforcement Detail stopped a 1998 Ford van on S. Main Street near Armstrong Street in Lakeport for displaying false registration tabs, Bauman said.
The driver, later identified as Mills of Nice, was determined to be on searchable probation and his driver’s license was suspended. Bauman said one of the passengers was Mussat of Lakeport, was also on formal probation for a prior narcotics conviction.
He said both men are alleged to have displayed symptoms of being under the influence of a controlled substance and were detained.
The van was searched pursuant to both men’s probation terms. During that search, a baggie of methamphetamine was found tucked between two seat cushions in the back of the van where Mussat had been seated, Bauman said. After conducting tests on both men, they were arrested for being under the influence of a controlled ssubstance.
Mills and Mussat were both transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility for booking, Bauman reported.
He said Mills was charged with being under the influence of a controlled substance, driving on a suspended license, and displaying false registration tabs on the van. Mussat was charged with possession of a controlled substance and being under the influence of a controlled substance.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – A probation search conducted by the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force in Lakeport Tuesday resulted in four arrests and the seizure of narcotic medications and narcotics paraphernalia.
On Tuesday, June 21, at approximately 6:30 p.m., narcotics detectives conducted a probation search at the Polk Street home of 31-year-old Vince Edward Mussat, according to Capt. James Bauman of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
Bauman said Mussat was on formal probation for a prior narcotics conviction. Uniformed sheriff’s patrol deputies and officers with the Lakeport Police Department assisted with the probation search.
As deputies approached the home, a woman started to open the front door and then slammed it shut when she saw law enforcement approaching. Bauman said that woman was later identified as 30-year-old Tasha Lorraine Cattani of Lucerne.
The deputies immediately announced their presence and demanded entry to the home, Bauman said. After getting no response, deputies began attempting to force entry until Cattani eventually opened the door. Cattani was detained in the living room while the rest of the home was searched for additional occupants.
While checking one of the bedrooms, deputies located a concealed door leading to the sub-floor crawl space of the home. When deputies searched the crawl space, they located 31-year-old Richard Brendon Hinds and 27-year-old Michael Sean Shaffer, both of Lucerne, hiding beneath the house, Bauman said.
Both Hinds and Shaffer were on California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation parole and Shaffer was wanted for being a parolee at large. Bauman said both were placed under arrest.
A fourth subject, 29-year-old Michael Joseph Santos Lakeport was located near the back of the home. Santos was later determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance and arrested, Bauman said.
A search of the home revealed several glass “meth” pipes and hypodermic syringes located in one of the bedrooms. Bauman said more narcotics paraphernalia was located inside of a backpack in the living room.
Cattani admitted to slamming the door on deputies because she knew Shaffer was in the home and that he was a wanted parolee at large, Bauman said. After she was arrested for being an accessory to a crime, she divulged to detectives that she had Vicodin pills concealed in her bra. She was allowed to remove a small pouch which contained several of the narcotic medications.
All four subjects were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility for booking, Bauman said.
Hinds and Shaffer were both booked for parole violations and resisting or obstructing a peace officer, according to Bauman. Cattani was booked for accessory to a crime, possession of a narcotic controlled substance, and resisting or obstructing a peace officer. Santos was booked for being under the influence of a controlled substance. Vince Mussat was not located at the home during the search.
The Lake County Sheriff's Narcotics Task Force encourages anyone with information on illegal drug activities to call its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Wednesday two of the three suspects in the June 18 Clearlake shooting that killed a child and injured five others were formally charged with murder and a number of other counts that could result in lifetime prison sentences for both if they're convicted.
At an afternoon hearing before Judge Andrew Blum in Lake County Superior Court's Lakeport division, Paul William Braden, 21, and 29-year-old Kevin Ray Stone were charged in the case, filed by Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff.
Stone is not yet in custody, but Braden and another suspect, Orlando Joseph Lopez, were arrested earlier this week, as Lake County News has reported.
Lopez so far has not been charged, Hinchcliff said.
“At this point we don't have sufficient evidence to charge him,” he said of Lopez, who remained in the Lake County Jail Wednesday afternoon with bail set at $500,000.
However, Hinchcliff said the investigation is continuing. “The Clearlake Police Department is going to be working on this case for a long time.”
Police have confirmed that it's the largest single shooting incident in the city of Clearlake's history.
Braden and Stone face a long list of charges that, according to an initial calculation, could send them both to prison for life if they're convicted.
Hinchcliff has charged both Braden and Stone with one count of murder for the death of 4-year-old Skyler Rapp, who succumbed to his wounds not long after the late night shooting.
The murder count carries either 15 years to life on a second-degree conviction or 25 years to life on a first-degree conviction, Hinchcliff explained.
According to Hinchcliff, both men also are facing five counts of attempted murder for shooting Desiree Kirby, 22, Skyler Rapp's mother; Ross Sparks, 25, and his brother, Andrew, 23; Ian Griffith, 19; and Joey Armijo, 15.
Each attempted murder charges carries a potential life sentence, Hinchcliff noted.
Hinchcliff said Braden and Stone also are facing two counts of mayhem for the most seriously injured victims; six counts of assault with a deadly weapon for each shooting victim; and numerous other special allegations, including personally using and discharging a firearm causing great bodily injury.
Those special allegations each carry possible 25-years-to-life sentences, Hinchcliff said.
As for what both men could face if convicted of all charges, Hinchcliff said, “I haven't even tried to calculate what a potential sentence would be,” but added that most of the main counts carry potential life terms.
Hinchcliff said the court assigned Jacob Zamora as Braden's defense attorney.
Braden – and, if he's taken into custody, Stone – are scheduled to return to court at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 28, for entry of plea. Hinchcliff said they will appear before Judge Stephen Hedstrom in the Lake County Superior Court Clearlake division.
Hinchcliff said it's not unusual to charge someone in absentia, as was done in Stone's case. He said it happens quite frequently that the District Attorney's Office has probable cause, files charges and issues an arrest warrant.
Police have still not revealed what they believe spurred the late night shooting, in which the suspects are alleged to have shot the victims while they were at a party.
Hinchcliff said he couldn't discuss the specifics of the investigation, which is ongoing, or the possible motives.
He confirmed, however, that none of the special allegations related to gang involvement.
As for the victims who survived the shooting, the three who remained in care at UC Davis Medical Center had their conditions upgraded from earlier in the week.
On Wednesday afternoon, UC Davis Medical Center spokesman Charles Casey said Kirby is in serious condition, and both Griffith and Andrew Sparks are listed as in good condition.
Ross Sparks was discharged earlier this week, a hospital official said previously. Armijo had been treated at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital and released, according to media reports.
A candlelight vigil for Skyler Rapp and his family will take place on Wednesday beginning at 9 p.m. at the baseball field at Redbud Park, 14655 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake. Hundreds of people are expected to attend.
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – A fire destroyed a Clearlake Oaks home on Thursday, but firefighters were able to keep the blaze from destroying nearby outbuildings and other homes.
The fire, reported late Thursday afternoon according to radio reports, initially involved both wildland and the structure.
Northshore Fire Battalion Chief Steve Hart said the incident occurred at a vineyard property at 500 Old Long Valley Road.
When firefighters arrived on scene they found a fully involved two-story stucco structure that was being whipped up by the wind, Hart said.
“We had a very tough time even keeping it to the structure of origin,” said Hart.
Hart said Cal Fire sent resources including air tankers and helicopters, Northshore Fire sent three engines and a water tender, and Lake County Fire Protection District sent a water tender.
Firefighters were able to prevent the fire from burning up the vineyard, and protected three large outbuildings within 150 feet of the home and two other residences 300 feet away, Hart said.
Altogether, Hart said it took firefighters an hour to contain the vegetation fire and two hours to contain the house fire, with personnel clearing the scene at 7 p.m.
He said the fire was attributed to a spontaneous ignition due to a chemical reaction of organic compounds. Specifically, he said laundry had been taken from the home's dryer, and some remaining moisture in the clothes is believed to have helped cause the chemical reaction that ignited the blaze.
Hart said the 2,500-square-foot home was a total loss, with damage estimated between $600,000 and $800,000.
The home was located on a 21.5-acre property that was listed for sale on local real estate Web sites for $990,000.
This small shrine was set up at a candlelight vigil held in memory of 4-year-old Skyler Rapp of Clearlake, Calif., at Redbud Park in Clearlake on Wednesday, June 22, 2011. The child died as the result of gunshot wounds he sustained in a shooting incident on Saturday, June 18, 2011. That same incident left five other people injured, including the boy's mother, Desiree Kirby, 22. Photo by Elizabeth Larson.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Four days after a shooting devastated a family and left the community both shaken and enraged, hundreds of people gathered for a candlelight vigil in Clearlake.
People of all ages arrived at Redbud Park shortly before 9 p.m., gathering at the baseball field and forming a ring of flickering candles around the baseball diamond.
Behind home plate was a little shrine of candles, mementos, a teddy bear and pictures of a little read-headed boy, Skyler Rapp, whose portrait also adorned t-shirts worn by dozens of people at the park.
The 4-year-old was with his mother, her boyfriend and several friends at a gathering on Lakeshore Drive last Saturday night when armed assailants arrived and allegedly shot at the group.
In addition to Skyler, his mother, 22-year-old Desiree Kirby and her boyfriend, 25-year-old Ross Sparks, were wounded, as was Ross Sparks' 23-year-old brother, Andrew, 19-year-old Ian Griffith and 15-year-old Joey Armijo.
The little boy died a short time after the shooting. His parents and the rest of the shooting victims were flown to area hospitals. On Wednesday, Kirby remained in serious condition at UC Davis Medical Center, with Andrew Sparks and Ian Griffith reported by a hospital official to be in good condition.
Ross Sparks, released earlier in the week, was present at the event, as was Sunni Forney, Kirby's mother. Sparks was surrounded by friends and well-wishers, offering support and consolation.
Interim Clearlake Police Craig Clausen, several of his officers and a number of District Attorney's Office investigators were on hand to monitor the event, which was peaceful.
Clausen has confirmed that the June 18 incident claimed the most casualties of any shooting in the city's history.
The response from the community during the past several days community members has been one of outrage.
Some community members have gone so far as to post messages on their own Facebook pages, on the Lake County News Facebook page and in article comments sections calling, in some cases, for revenge.
But on Wednesday night, as darkness fell on the crowd and faces were framed in candlelight, those gathered heard a call for peace and healing.
Pastor Mitch Rodgers of Clearlake's Harvest Fellowship Church was asked to speak at the gathering. Like some others at the event, he hadn't known of the family before the tragedy, and the events of June 18 have filled his thoughts and prayers since then.
He thanked the community for its “overwhelming” support of the family, pointing out the size of the gathering said something about the heart of Clearlake's community, which was experiencing a ripple effect from the shooting.
“We can have a vengeful and retaliatory attitude,” said Rodgers, but that, in the end, only puts the person who takes that route in the same place as the men accused of shooting the family and their friends.
Rodgers suggested there was another option.
“We can change the atmosphere of this county,” he said, adding they had the ability to come together as a community.
“There are evil forces at work and we can put a stop to them,” Rodgers said.
He suggested community members could choose to be people of love, peace, harmony and joy, and could take back their city.
After Rodgers finished speaking, a rap song in Skyler's honor was performed and people began to gather in close to home plate, their candles held high.
People continued to stay and talk for more than an hour after the event ended.
Police still have not disclosed a possible motive in the case, but earlier this week they arrested 21-year-old Paul William Braden and 23-year-old Orlando Joseph Lopez, both of Clearlake Oaks, and are seeking 29-year-old Clearlake resident Kevin Ray Stone.
In a brief arraignment in Lake County Superior Court on Wednesday afternoon, both Braden and Stone were formally charged with murder, attempted murder, mayhem, assault with a deadly weapon and a number of special allegations, according to Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff.
Charges have not so far been filed on Lopez, Hinchcliff said.
LAKE PILLSBURY, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal boating accident that occurred on Lake Pillsbury on Monday night.
Gary Anthony Archer, 55, of Santa Rosa, died as a result of the incident, according to Capt. James Bauman of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
Bauman said that on Monday at approximately 9:45 p.m. sheriff’s deputies responded to the Lake Pillsbury Resort to investigate a reported drowning.
As deputies were en route to Lake Pillsbury, Sheriff’s Dispatch received further information that the victim had actually been struck by a boat. Bauman said deputies with the Sheriff’s Marine Patrol Unit were called out to respond as well to investigate the boating accident.
When deputies arrived at the Lake Pillsbury Resort, they located Archer lying on the dock of the resort surrounded by rescue personnel and witnesses. Bauman said a Bay Area doctor who had been vacationing at the resort had already pronounced Archer deceased.
Northshore Fire Chief Jim Robbins told Lake County News that one of his agency's medic units was called out to transport Archer and was released after he was declared dead. However, they later were called back to transport a woman who had dived into the water to help Archer and was injured.
Bauman said deputies learned that Archer had been water skiing behind a Glasstron GT 150 powerboat, operated by 39-year-old Christian John Speckman of San Francisco.
Speckman had reportedly maneuvered the boat towards the lake’s shoreline with Archer in tow, Bauman said. Speckman apparently made a sharp turn before reaching the shoreline with the intent that Archer would release the ski line and glide into shore. Somehow, Archer was struck by the boat while he was still in the water.
Several key witnesses who were either friends or relatives of Archer had apparently left the area prior to the deputies’ arrival to respond to Santa Rosa and console his relatives, Bauman said. Deputies have contacted those witnesses in order to determine the exact cause of the fatal accident.
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