MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Area Town Hall and the Middletown Senior Center will hold the second annual Middletown Square Chili and Salsa Cook Off on Saturday, May 21.

The cook off will take place at the Middletown Library and Senior Center and Middletown Square Park at 21256 Washington St.

Contestants will arrive for registration and set up between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. The judging will begin at 2 p.m. The awards ceremony takes place at 4 p.m.

A barbecue tri-tip and hot dog lunch will begin at noon. Public tasting, beer and wine, arts and crafts and live music will take place until 6 p.m.

Individual entry fee for chili is $60, $40 for salsa or $80 for both. The business entry fee for chili is $75, salsa is $60 or both for $110.

First prize for best chili is $1,000, and the best salsa first prize is $500.

Second and third prizes will range from $50 to $200. This year there also will be a people’s choice award, with prizes ranging from $25 to $50.

All proceeds will benefit the Middletown Senior Center. Last year's event brought in $5,000 for the center, according to organizers.

For more information about participation call MATH Board Chair Fletcher Thornton at 707-245-6822.

Entry forms and sponsorship forms can be obtained from the Middletown Senior Center at 21256 Washington St. or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and requesting an entry form or sponsorship form.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Effective May 1, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, will require a Cal Fire burn permit for any outdoor open burning in State Responsibility Areas within the counties of Colusa, Lake, Marin Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo.

State Responsibility Areas are generally the unincorporated, rural, grass, brush and timber covered lands.

Individuals who conduct open burning must keep the fire size within the issued permit requirements at all times.

All open burning permit requirements include but may not be limited to:

– Burning only on permissive burn days as declared by the Lake County Air Quality Management District.
– Continual monitoring of the fire by an adult.
– Minimum clearance of at least 10 feet to bare mineral soil around the fire.
– Adequate control resources (tools, water, etc.).
– Avoiding burning on a windy days.

Failure to maintain control of an open fire will result in the permit being voided and the permit holder could be potentially held responsible for fire suppression cost, civil damages and fines.

Cal Fire burn permits are in addition to any air quality control district and local fire agency permits.

For information on complying with local burn requirements, contact the Lake County Air Quality Management District at telephone 707-263-7000 or visit the district online at http://www.lcaqmd.net/ .

Cal Fire Unit Chief Shana Jones and Marin County Fire Chief Jason Weber remind local residents that open burning requires local landowners to do their due diligence to ensure they are meeting all conditions set forth by authorizing agencies prior to conducting an open burn.

For more information on burn permits or wildland fire safety, residents can contact their local Cal Fire facility at www.fire.ca.gov or by visiting www.readyforwildfire.org .

An address-searchable map of the State Responsibility Area can be found at http://www.firepreventionfee.org/sraviewer_launch.php .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – A public memorial service for Deputy Jake Steely will be held at Clear Lake High School’s Don Owens Stadium in Lakeport on Saturday, April 30.

Steely and his 11-year-old son were rescued from the ocean at Mendocino Headlands State Park on April 18. He was reported to have been mortally injured while trying to save his son.

He was flown to Enloe Hospital in Chico on the same day, but was declared brain dead late last week.

Law enforcement from Lake County and around Northern California brought Steely's body home by procession on Sunday.

The Saturday memorial service is scheduled to begin promptly at noon.

Parking for vehicles will be provided at the Lake County Fairgrounds, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Brooks said the public will be shuttled from the fairgrounds to the Clear Lake High School and then back to the fairgrounds after the memorial service. 

No privately owned vehicle will be permitted to park on the school grounds due to the lack of available spaces, Brooks said.

Personnel will be available at the fairgrounds to assist the public as where to park, as well as where to catch the shuttle. Shuttle services will begin at 10 a.m. to transport the public to the high school, according to Brooks.

Brooks said more details will be provided as the planning process progresses throughout the week.

Updates will be provided through local media outlets, as well as the Nixle service, which also is available at www.lakesheriff.com , Brooks said.

Accounts to help Steely's family are receiving donations online at https://www.gofundme.com/29y4dxk4 , and at Mendo Lake Credit Union in Lakeport under the name “Deputy Jake Steely Family.”

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake Animal Care and Control has five dogs and a cat needing homes this week.

The dogs offered to new homes this week include mixes of Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Shepherd, Chihuahua, Labrador Retriever, shepherd and wirehaired terrier.

Then there is “Kit Kat,” a playful gray tabby.

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

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

Below are this week's available dogs.

'Blue'

Blue is a male Australian Cattle Dog (blue heeler) and Australian Shepherd mix.

He had been hanging out at an elementary school every day until Clearlake Animal Control picked him up. It appeared that Blue thought his owner was at school. He loved hanging out with all the kids and everyone wanted to take him home.

He loves cocking his head sideways when he hears a funny noise and is an inquisitive boy.

Shelter staff said he is loads of fun. He can dance in place on his back two legs and he gets along great with other dogs.

Blue's adoption fee is only $40, as he already is neutered and vaccinated.

'Chip'

“Chip” is a young male chocolate Labrador Retriever and shepherd mix.

Shelter staff said he is a highly intelligent dog who needs a firm handler.

He is a happy dog and loves to go for long walks, walking well on leash.

Chip would thrive in a home where he will receive training, time and love.

'Dixie'

“Dixie” is a female wirehaired terrier and Chihuahua mix that came in with another dog, “Pixie.”

Shelter staff said Dixie is very sweet to everyone – even strangers – and has energy to burn. She loves to go for walks and is very playful.

“Her personality will steal you heart,” shelter staff reported.

While it would be ideal to keep Dixie and Pixie together, shelter staff said they can be separated for adoption.

'Kit Kat'

“Kit Kat” is a young female domestic short hair mix with a light gray coat.

Shelter staff said Kit Kat is a very playful teenager that also is extremely loving, and that she must be seen to be believed.

“She has the most gorgeous green eyes that will melt your heart,” according to shelter staff.

'Pixie'

“Pixie” is an adult female wirehaired terrier and Chihuahua mix that came in with “Dixie.”

Shelter staff said Pixie is a very sweet, nice and friendly little girl who just wants someone to love and cuddle with her.

While Pixie and Dixie have lived together and it would be ideal to adopt them out to a home together, shelter staff said they can be separated.

'Walter'

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

Shelter staff said he is a very loving boy.

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

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.