LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) reported that his office has recouped more than $1.6 million owed to residents of the Fifth Congressional District by federal agencies in 2016, including money that was for Lake County residents.
“Providing first-rate constituent services has always been a top priority,” said Thompson. “I’m proud to announce that my office has been able to help residents of our Congressional District recoup over $1.6 million owed to them by federal agencies like the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs among others, including over $23,700 for Lake County residents.”
He added, “If you ever encounter any trouble with a federal agency, please contact my Napa District Office. We’re here to help.”
After receiving assistance with the IRS from Thompson’s office, Barbara and Dave Galvan of Cobb, said: “After waiting for nearly a year for our amended tax return refund we contacted Mike Thompson's office. A week or so later we were notified that our refund would arrive the following week, which it did. It feels great to receive the assistance we're looking for when we contact Mr. Thompson's office. He and his staff are sincere and care about our needs.”
Thompson can assist individuals, nonprofits and businesses in our Fifth Congressional District to navigate and resolve issues with federal agencies, including: the Social Security Administration (SSA); the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); the Internal Revenue Service (IRS); the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS); the Department of State; the Office of Personnel Management (OPM); the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); the Department of Labor (DOL); the Department of Education; the Department of Defense (DOD); and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).
Thompson helps constituents resolve a wide variety of issues with the above mentioned federal agencies, including issues related to veterans’ benefits; Social Security and Medicare benefits; immigration; passport and visa issues; IRS and tax-related issues; small business concerns; students loans; HUD housing issues; disaster assistance; and USPS issues.
In Lake County, Thompson helped constituents recoup more than $19,600 from the IRS in the form of delayed refund checks and over $4,050 from FEMA in the form of disaster assistance.
To inquire about whether or not Thompson’s office may be able to assist you or a family member, contact his Napa District Office at 707-226-9898 or send an email via this link.
All constituents will be asked to complete an advocacy authorization form before Thompson’s staff inquires with an agency on his or her behalf.
Please note that while Thompson’s office cannot guarantee a particular outcome, his staff does their best to ensure that constituents receive a fair and timely response from the agency in question. Thompson’s office is unable to offer legal advice or recommend an attorney.
Thompson represent California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Joyce Anderson, president of Lake County Division 35 of the California Retired Teachers Association, announced that the organization’s quarterly meeting will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
This luncheon meeting will be at the Riviera Hills Restaurant, 10200 Fairway Drive, Kelseyville.
Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. A business meeting will be called to order at 10 a.m. to be followed by this month’s program.
The two-part program will include music by Don and Saro Deacon and a silent auction to benefit the Division’s Scholarship Program. Attendees are asked to bring an item for the silent auction.
The Deacons are a local married couple who have performed at a variety of venues and events. They sing a mix of folk-rock-type songs with a few Celtic tunes as well. Don Deacon plays guitar and Saro Deacon plays Celtic harp.
The scholarship program awards $1,000 scholarships to local community college students who plan to pursue a career in education.
Donations to the scholarship fund are welcome and can be made by contacting the scholarship chairperson, Dick Bode, at 707-263-5892 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
All CalRTA members are invited to attend as well as recently retired teachers, family members or other interested individuals.
This is an opportunity to learn how the California Retired Teachers Association is working to protect the retirement and pensions of California teachers.
In addition the Lake County Chapter provides scholarships to students, grants to local teachers and supports education in Lake County in numerous other ways.
At the conclusion of the program, lunch will be served. The menu consists of turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, salad and dessert. Beverages are included. The cost of lunch is $15 including tax and gratuity.
Reservations may be made by calling Julie at 707-279-2625. Transportation can be arranged for those in need by contacting Julie at the above number.
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Middletown residents had a chance to hear from the two candidates in the District 4 Assembly race at the Middletown Area Town Hall's October meeting.
Charlie Schaupp and Cecilia Aguiar-Curry spoke to the group for just under an hour Oct. 13. The forum for the two Assembly candidates begins at the 13:00 minute mark in the video above.
Schaupp and Aguiar-Curry are running to succeed Assemblyman Bill Dodd, who after one term in the Assembly is now running for State Senate.
Schaupp, a Republican, is from the farm town of Esparto in Yolo County, where his family began farming in the 1880s. His family's 3,600-acre farm depends on water from Clear Lake and Indian Valley Reservoir.
He went to Yuba College, where he got to know many people from Lake County, before going on to get two degrees – in agricultural business and agronomy – at California State University, Chico.
Schaupp then went on to join the US Marine Corp, serving 28 years total on both active duty and as a reservist. He's a veteran of Desert Storm and the Battle of Fallujah, retiring in 2009 at the rank of lieutenant colonel.
“I'm not a professional politician,” he told the group, explaining that he will tell people the truth, not just what they want to hear.
He said there are “huge differences” between he and Aguiar-Curry, a Democrat and the mayor of Winters, and he would seek to emphasize those during the question and answer session.
Aguiar-Curry recounted experience that includes working on her local planning commission, chairing housing and resource commissions, and involvement in bringing more than $200 million in economic development to Winters, a city of 7,000 surrounded by valley farmlands.
Part of that economic development success was in helping bring a $75 million Pacific Gas and Electric training facility to the Winters area. “It's revitalizing my downtown,” she said, noting there are now two new hotels being constructed there, with new restaurants also bringing in more service jobs.
Like Schaupp, she said she's not a politician, but someone who cares about the community.
The first question asked of them at the meeting related to water and what they would do to help safeguard Lake County's water resources.
Aguiar-Curry touted the state's new sustainable groundwater management plan as a way to give Lake County residents control over their own water. She also said she wanted to find out why there can't be a project to protect Clear Lake like the “Keep Tahoe Blue” project.
Additionally, she said she wants to work with local and state agencies, and get them to sit at the table and work together on solving water issues. She added that she will go to the state capitol and find out who is running the shop on water, and will be a voice for the entire region and state.
Noting that he studied water in college, Schaupp said he supports building new dams and reservoirs in order to prevent the water in rivers from running out into the ocean.
He said 20 percent of the water in the Colorado River goes to the Pacific Ocean, while 80 percent of the Sacramento River's water runs to the ocean.
The Sites Reservoir, which is planned to be built in Colusa County, will provide more water for Yolo County and take some of the pressure off of Clear Lake, Schaupp said.
Schaupp said water rights need to be protected, and new sources of water found for the Central Valley and Southern California. That's because the amount of water available used to total an acre foot per family. It's now half that, he said.
He said he would fight to protect the watershed and criticized Aguiar-Curry for her support of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument because he said it gave control of the water to the federal government.
The candidates were then asked about cannabis, and whether it offered a threat, an opportunity, or both.
Schaupp said he's not voting for this November's Proposition 64, which would legalize recreational use of marijuana. He explained that there is a 20-acre marijuana farm next to his where there are pit bulls, fences, people in tents and the overwhelming smell of pot.
“Why would we want to legalize something that the federal government still considers on the narcotics list?” he asked, adding he's concerned about children and what kind of society they'll live in as a result.
Aguiar-Curry said she will honor whatever the voters say. “Do I have concerns? Absolutely.”
She said that if Proposition 64 passes, she expects to see “a lot of cleanup” being done at the Assembly, adding that she is worried about public safety issues like driving under the influence.
Asked about how they would bring in revenue to communities in need, Aguiar-Curry said she would work with local officials to focus in on local needs, and emphasized the availability of the Internet to everyone as a way to help the economy.
Schaupp said he has a different way of doing things, and would let the county do the supervising when it came to determining its needs.
“What my job will be is to go to the Assembly and get the money down to your supervisors,” he said, adding that local control is always the best.
Regarding their priority issues if elected to the Assembly, Schaupp said he wanted to put people back in charge and have transparency in government; improve fire and public safety services, and public education; and increase fiscal responsibility, adding that on the latter restrictions need to be taken off of farmers and businesses.
Aguiar-Curry said she's traveled to Lake County some 40 times over the past year, and some of the key concerns brought to her attention include housing, transportation and infrastructure issues, jail issues, homelessness and veterans' needs.
One of the questions asked the candidates was if sustainable groundwater management looks at future water needs while assessing business needs.
Aguiar-Curry said farmers need to be given credit for using water the best way possible. “If they can find a better, smarter way to do it, they do it.”
She said California doesn't monitor groundwater use and that data on water use is needed.
Schaupp said the push on groundwater sustainability comes from the Democrats and the governor, who he said want to control water above and below ground. “I believe your local county needs to do what's best,” he said.
He added, “It's not good government to come in and control what you've got left.”
They also were questioned about their campaign financing.
Aguiar-Curry said that in all of her years serving as a Winters City Council member, she had only raised $800.
However, in running for the State Assembly, independent expenditures came into play. She explained that independent expenditures are not under her control, and those funds paid for a commercial about her that she knew nothing about until it was aired.
On her own she said she's raised $138,000 through approaching farmers, her family and friends, and thanks to a Mother's Day letter she sent out requesting donations.
Schaupp said about $2.2 million was spent through independent expenditures in the Assembly campaign by those wanting to control the agenda and make sure the candidate endorsed by the state Democratic Party – Dan Wolk – got pushed out.
He said no such funding has been spent on him, and he would have told them to “pound sand” had they tried it, noting he's ran his campaign on $17,000 through the primary.
MATH Chair Fletcher Thornton then asked Aguiar-Curry what she was going to do to change the direction the state is going, pointing out that Democrats have been in charge of the state for 46 of the last 52 years.
Aguiar-Curry said she considers herself a moderate, fiscally conservative Democrat who has worked to help Winters weather rough fiscal times in a responsible manner.
She raised the issue of the state's unfunded liabilities – such as pensions – and said she plans to work across the aisle to solve such problems.
At the same time, she said many people feel left out and underrepresented, and they need to be at the table and have their voices heard. “I work with people,” she said.
Whoever is elected, she said, will need a bigger budget, more money and representation to help Lake County address its needs.
Schaupp, who wanted a chance to respond, said he chose to become a Republican because it fits with his values and beliefs about local control, limited government and personal accountability.
He said he can work with anyone, and again guaranteed community members, “I'll always tell you the truth.”
In her closing comments, Aguiar-Curry told the group, “I'm here for you,” and cited her many local endorsements, as well as her endorsement from Dodd.
She said she welcomes people to the table, and said she will want to draw on the help of community members and their knowledge if elected.
Schaupp emphasized the need for political “nonsense” to stop.
He said people need to be able to get back to work so they can buy homes and prosper.
The MATH Assembly candidates' forum was followed by another forum for District 1 supervisor, which can be seen beginning at the 1:08:05 mark in the video.
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.
The State Water Resources Control Board announced that urban Californians’ monthly water conservation was 18.3 percent in September, up from 17.5 percent in August but below the 26.2 percent savings in September 2015, when state-mandated conservation targets were in place.
The State Water Board stressed the need for continued conservation as California heads into a possible sixth drought year.
The cumulative statewide savings from June 2015 through September 2016 was 23 percent, compared with the same months in 2013. Since June 2015, 2.15 million acre-feet of water has been saved – enough water to supply more than 10 million people, or more than one-quarter the state’s 38 million population, for a year.
Although October storms in Northern California provided an encouraging start to the 2016-2017 water year (Oct. 1, 2016 – Sept. 30, 2017), planning for the possibility of another dry winter is essential.
The State Water Board will continue to monitor conservation levels and water supply conditions, and staff will develop a proposal for extended emergency conservation regulations in January 2017. The proposal may include a return to state-mandated conservation if dry conditions prevail.
“I am glad to see the slide stop, and even reverse a bit overall, especially as we move into traditionally lower water-use months when we would expect percentages to drop significantly,” said State Water Board Chair Felicia Marcus. “Overall, we’re happy to see millions of Californians and many water agencies continue significant conservation. Conversely, we're concerned to see some agencies return to using hundreds of gallons per person per day while saving little. Whether it’s because we know we don’t know what the weather will bring this season, or because it is just the smart thing to do, we need to keep conserving.”
“The early rains are very welcome, and we’ll take every drop we can safely handle. But just because we're ahead in the early innings doesn't mean that we've won the game,” Chair Marcus said. “Considering that the majority of precipitation typically occurs between January and April in any given water year, we have a long way to go before we know whether we’ll make another significant dent in the drought.”
Conservation data
• Statewide water savings for September 2016 was 18.3 percent (116,703 acre feet or 38.0 billion gallons), an increase from August 2016’s 17.5 percent savings, but a decrease from September 2015’s 26.2 percent statewide savings (55.9 billion gallons). September 2016 water savings are 32 percent lower than September 2015.
• Cumulative statewide water savings for June 2015 to September 2016 (16 months) was 23.0 percent, compared with the same months in 2013. That equates to 2,145,241 acre-feet (699 billion gallons).
• Statewide average per person water use for September 2016 was 105.9 residential gallons per capita per day (R-GPCD), below the 113.7 R-GPCD in August 2016 but above 96.9 R-GPCD reported for September 2015.
Conservation levels have remained significant for many communities that had certified that they did not need state-imposed mandates to keep conserving.
Under the board’s revised emergency water conservation regulations, urban water agencies have the ability to identify their own conservation standards based on a “stress test” of supply reliability.
Water suppliers had to document that they have sufficient supplies to withstand three years of continuous drought or take additional measures that include state-imposed mandatory conservation standards. The regulation is in effect through January 2017.
In September, more than a third of the suppliers that passed their stress test achieved conservation savings above 20 percent.
These 132 suppliers serve more than nine million people, and include Sacramento, California Water Service Company Bakersfield, Otay Water District, San Gabriel Valley Fontana Water Company, Cucamonga Valley Water District, Contra Costa Water District, Sweetwater Authority, Suburban Water Systems San Jose Hills, Garden Grove, Santa Margarita Water District and Pomona.
Additionally, many water suppliers showed September 2016 conservation levels above September 2015 levels, including California Water Service Company King City, Wasco, Westborough Water District, Santa Barbara, Blythe, La Habra, Goleta Water District, Coalinga and Benicia.
Conservation plunges for some suppliers
However, not all suppliers are sustaining significant conservation.
State Water Board staff continues to look at why conservation levels have dropped in these communities, and is particularly concerned about suppliers with extremely high levels of per-capita water use.
Suppliers with high R-GPCD levels and sharp reductions in conservation include San Juan Water District, Vaughn Water Company, Myoma Dunes Mutual Water Co., Valley Water Co., Folsom and LA County Waterworks District 29 (Malibu).
One question for the board is whether these suppliers need assistance to comply with SB 814(Hill), which takes effect Jan. 1, 2017.
The new law requires urban water suppliers to establish financial penalties for excess water use during droughts. Suppliers can either create excess use ordinances with defined penalty amounts, or they can adopt rate structures that charge their highest users more during drought emergencies.
Some communities continue to maintain low overall per capita residential water use, which may not be reflected in percentage change, but illustrates a long-term commitment to efficient water use.
For instance, Eureka, city of Big Bear Lake, Estero Municipal Improvement District, Arcata,Daly City, South Gate, Paramount and McKinleyville Community Service District are examples of communities saving less than 10 percent in September 2016, yet the daily per capita use isalready well below what a city in the Sacramento Region may be using on a daily basis.
The current conservation regulation, adopted in May, is part of a wider effort to build on short-term, emergency water restrictions to establish permanent conservation measures that improve long-term drought preparedness and eliminate the worst water-wasting practices. These actions will help achieve a top priority of the state’s Water Action Plan – to “Make Conservation a California Way of Life.”
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – First 5 California, together with First 5 Lake County, announces the First 5 California Express will be visiting Lake County on Tuesday, Nov. 15.
The visit will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College, 15880 Dam Road Extension in Clearlake.
The First 5 Express is a statewide tour aimed at educating and entertaining families on the importance of talking, reading and singing in everyday life and its powerful impact on a child’s early brain development.
The First 5 Express features activities that provide parents with tips on ways to keep their children engaged through talking, reading, and singing.
Participants have the opportunity to explore hands-on activities, including First 5 Express staff-led story time sessions, a child-friendly library, an interactive karaoke booth, and nursery rhyme spin wheel.
“The first three years of life are particularly critical for mental stimulation through talking, reading, and singing, which helps billions of neurons inside the brain make strong connections that last a lifetime,” said First 5 California Executive Director Camille Maben. “Partnering with First 5 Lake County through the First 5 Express provides us with a great opportunity to reach local families and teach them about the importance of these types of verbal interactions, and help set their children on a life trajectory for success.”
Children and families who participate in the express activities are given free prizes that encourage them to continue the healthy behaviors at home, including a storybook, toy musical instrument, and activity book. Parents and caregivers also have the opportunity to receive more educational tools, like brain development brochures, tip sheets, Kits for New Parents, and other available resources.
“The First 5 Express is a chance for us to connect with parents one-on-one to provide important health information and resources while kids are engaged in educational activities,” said Vicki Hays, First 5 Lake County staff. “We want to ensure that parents have the tools and local resources they need to raise healthy children who are ready to learn.”
The First 5 Express is a bilingual children’s activity center that travels across California to inspire families with children ages 5 and younger to make healthy choices and understand the importance of a child’s earliest years.
The First 5 Express travels across California to a variety of events including large county fairs, community gatherings, public libraries, preschools and community centers.
The 2016-2107 tour period, which began in August, is scheduled to run through June 4, 2017, and plans to visit more than 100 events during this time.
In this Caltrans News Flash, spokesperson Myles Cochrane talks about Caltrans’ “Share the Road, Arrive Alive” public safety campaign.
The campaign encourages pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists to practice safe behaviors while traveling on or near California’s roadways.
The campaign’s Web site, http://arrivealivenow.org hosts public service announcement videos, radio spots, safety tips, and educational materials to use at home or in the classroom with audiences of all ages.
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Kelseyville Presbyterian Church will hold a “shovunda” sale, on Saturday, Nov. 12.
The sale will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Fireside Room at the church, 5340 Third St.
Donations of gently used winter clothing, Christmas decorations and items suitable for gift giving are needed – you know, those things you shove under a bed or into a closet.
Come shop that day from and find some great gift shopping ideas.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – A man died on Monday after his pickup went off of Highway 29 near Lakeport and overturned.
The man was identified as 35-year-old Michael Valente Kallay, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
Brooks said Kallay was reported to have been living in Richmond but also had a Clearlake address.
The California Highway Patrol's Clear Lake Area office said the crash that claimed Kallay's life occurred on Monday when conditions were rainy and overcast, but the time of it was unknown.
The CHP said Kallay was driving a 2001 Ford Ranger northbound on Highway 29 north of Lakeport Boulevard at an undetermined speed when, for unknown reasons, he allowed the pickup to leave the roadway and travel across the highway's paved shoulder.
The pickup continued off the right paved shoulder and went down a steep dirt embankment where it rolled over multiple times, the CHP said.
Kallay was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the wreck and sustained fatal injuries, according to the CHP's Tuesday report.
The pickup came to rest in an area that was not visible from Highway 29, the CHP said.
The CHP said that at approximately 11:44 a.m. Monday, workers at a nearby business establishment observed the pickup and called 911.
The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing and is being led by Officer Greg Buchholz.
Anyone with information about the wreck is asked to call the CHP's Clear Lake Area office at 707-279-0103.
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 Clear Lake Trowel and Trellis Garden Club invite the community to its annual Chrysanthemum Show on Friday, Nov. 4.
The show will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Lakeport Yacht Club, 15 Fifth St.
This is a free event and is one of the club's gifts to the community.
This year's theme is “Flower Friends with Mums.”
Come and enjoy some cider and cookies while viewing a variety of mums that have been grown in Lake County. Arrangements will be presented for your enjoyment using creative flower designs.
Come with a camera or questions about gardening. Expert gardeners will be on hand to answer your questions. Community members also are invited to attend the club's regular meetings held at the Scott's Valley Club House on most third Tuesdays of the month.
The Clear Lake Trowel and Trellis Garden Club is a member of the Mendo Lake District of the California Garden Club Inc., Pacific Region and National Garden Clubs Inc.
The club welcomes new members and information can be found by visiting www.clttgc.org or call Dana at 707-275-3500.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Public Services announced that the Eastlake Landfill and the Public Services office in Lakeport will be closed on Friday, Nov. 11, in observance of the Veterans Day holiday.
The landfill will reopen Saturday, Nov. 12. The Public Services office will reopen Monday, Nov. 14.
Normal operating hours at the landfill are 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. The Public Services office is normally open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
If you have any questions regarding this subject or any of the solid waste issues in Lake County, please call 707-262-1760.
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – A threat aimed at Middletown High School students that was posted on social media led to an investigation by authorities and caused hundreds of concerned parents to keep their children home from school on Halloween day.
Middletown Unified Superintendent Catherine Stone said a former Middletown High student made the threat against the school over the weekend.
The threat, a copy of which Lake County News obtained, was posted on Instagram on Saturday. In it, the former student threatened that he was coming back “to murder all of you.”
“Another student saw it on social media and notified the school staff,” Stone said.
Stone said Middletown High Principal Bill Roderick was notified of the issue, and he then contacted her. After discussing it, Stone said they immediately contacted the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
The Lake County Sheriff's Office worked with a police department in Sonoma County where the former student now lives to make contact with the teen and evaluate him, said Lt. Steve Brooks.
Police concluded that the teen’s posting was not a credible threat, Brooks said.
Just before 11 a.m. on Sunday, parents received the following message via phone and email from the Middletown High School administration:
“Late Saturday night a threat was posted towards students at Middletown High School on a social media website. Although not specific, law enforcement was immediately notified. At 4 a.m. Sunday morning, law enforcement notified administration that the threat had been addressed. We take all of these situations very seriously, and student safety is and always will be our top priority. With this, please be advised that students are not to wear any masks to school on Halloween.”
A followup message sent to parents Sunday afternoon stated, “At the request of the Lake County Sheriff's Office, please do not contact dispatch with questions regarding student safety in regards to the social media threat, they are aware of the situation. School is in regular session on Monday morning and the safety of our students is the highest priority.”
After families were notified of the situation on Sunday, discussions that appeared on Facebook amongst parents indicated that they felt they had not been given enough information, and many didn't believe that school was a safe place for their children to be on Monday.
To help ease fears about the situation, Brooks said Undersheriff Chris Macedo, along with a lieutenant and a deputy, were on campus on Monday.
On his Facebook page, Sheriff Brian Martin also answered questions from community members about the threat, reassuring them that law enforcement would be on hand for Monday’s school session and adding that his office was not recommending keeping students out of school.
However, because of the concerns the threat raised, a large number of students stayed away from school on Halloween day, said Stone.
She said 170 of Middletown High's 450 students were not at school on Monday. Other school sites did not see large absences because they had not been targeted by the threat.
A parent who spoke to Lake County News but did not want to be named publicly said she chose to keep her child home because the message from the high school was so vague that it raised more questions. She questioned why school wasn't simply canceled altogether for the day, as the district has emergency days banked.
Additionally, she said she and other parents were concerned because of reports circulating that the former student who had made the threat had been seen in Middletown on Sunday.
She said she would have had a different view of the situation had the school communicated on Sunday that there would be a law enforcement presence on campus, and if the school had offered more details about the steps taken to protect students.
Stone said some parents had called “but not that many.”
She added, “We've been very assertively communicating with parents about what we knew and what concerns we had,” with the goal of giving parents every opportunity to make the best decisions for their families.
For the students who were at the high school on Monday and in costume, they had to observe a “no masks” policy that has been in effect for some time and is common in other districts, said Stone.
“Especially in the recent era of threats toward high schools, you always want to be able to see people's face,” she said.
The only new thing added this year, said Stone, was a “no clowns” policy due to stories circulating around the country over the last several months regarding a spike in creepy clown sightings.
As for what steps are being taken going forward with regard to this recent incident, “The former student was advised to stay away from the high school campus,” said Stone.
Brooks added that it was his understanding that Middletown High School was seeking a restraining order against the former student who had made the threat.
Stone said that there is no school on Tuesday, which already had been planned as a school holiday for students and an in-service day for teachers.
In responding to criticism of how the situation was handled, officials indicated they were trying to strike the difficult balance between informing concerned parents and observing privacy rules that protect juveniles.
Both Stone and Brooks acknowledged that many details about the threat and investigation couldn't be detailed publicly because they involve a juvenile, who has confidentiality protections under the law.
“We'll share what we can but there's a limit on it,” said Stone, adding that the district is both diligent and careful in handling such delicate situations while addressing parents’ concerns.
She expects students to be back in school as usual on Wednesday.
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 Long-Term Recovery Task Force will meet on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 6 p.m.
This public meeting will be held in the second floor auditorium at the Lower Lake Schoolhouse Museum, 16435 Main St.
District 5 Supervisor Rob Brown, and County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson, co-coordinators for the county's Clayton fire recovery effort, encourage fire survivors to attend and hear recovery updates first-hand.
The task force is a partnership of local, state and community representatives working together to provide comprehensive services to aid in the recovery of Clayton fire survivors and the rebuilding of Lower Lake.
Meetings provide an opportunity for fire survivors to share any concerns and ask questions of members of the task force.
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