LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Police Department is looking for a male subject who attempted to rob a city grocery store at gunpoint Sunday afternoon.

The agency said the incident occurred at Bruno's Shop Smart on Lakeport Boulevard.

Police officers responded to the store at 12:45 p.m. on the report of the attempted robbery, the agency said.

Before the officers arrived, the male subject had fled the scene in an unknown direction of travel, according to police.

During the investigation officers learned that the male subject approached the customer service counter, displayed a black-colored handgun and demanded cash. He then fled the scene before getting money and his whereabouts are unknown, police reported.

Police said the man responsible for the attempted robbery was described by witnesses as a white male adult with a brown mustache, standing approximately 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighing approximately 220 to 240 pounds

He was wearing a blue beanie style cap with yellow lettering, black mirror sunglasses, a black canvas jacket, brown button up collared shirt, blue utility jeans and brown work boots, police said.

The police department is encouraging citizens not to approach the suspect if seen and to call 911 as he is considered armed and dangerous.  

Anyone with information is asked to call the Lakeport Police Department at 707-263-5491.

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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County's unemployment rate went up in October while the state's remained flat and nationwide joblessness had a slight decline.

The California Employment Development Department's latest report said Lake County was ranked No. 38 out of 58 counties for its October unemployment rate, which was 6.4 percent, up from a revised 6 percent rate in September, but still improved over the year-ago estimate of 7.3 percent.

California had an unemployment rate of 5.5 percent for October, the fourth month in a row it has registered that rate, according to the report. The state's unemployment rate in October 2015 was 5.9 percent.

The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics said the nationwide unemployment rate was 4.9 percent in October, down from 5 percent in September and 5 percent in October 2015.

Nonfarm jobs in California totaled 16,586,800 in October, an increase of 389,500 jobs, or a 2.4-percent increase, since October 2015, based on a survey of 58,000 California businesses.

The Employment Development Department said California employers added 31,200 nonfarm payroll jobs in October, bringing the state's job gains since the economic expansion began in February 2010 to a total of 2,400,300.

A federal survey of 5,500 California households showed an increase in the number of employed Californians over both the month and year.

It estimated the number of Californians holding jobs in October was 18,369,000, an increase of 91,000 from September, and up 518,000 from the employment total in October of last year, based on the state report.

The number of unemployed Californian’s was 1,069,000 in October – down by 2,000 over the month, and down by 59,000 compared with October of last year, the Employment Development Department said.

In Lake County, the “total farm” category of jobs dropped by 500 positions, or 34.5 percent, from September to October, according to the report.

The “total nonfarm” category grew by 0.1 percent. Subcategories that showed growth included goods producing, 7 percent; total private, 0.7 percent; and private service providing, 0.2 percent. The subcategory of service providing showed a 0.3 percent decline.

Statewide, in October, eight industries gained jobs: leisure and hospitality; educational and health services; jobs, and trade, transportation and utilities; construction; information; financial activities; professional and business services; and other services. Posting losses were mining and logging, manufacturing and government.

Nine of California’s 11 industry sectors added a total of 409,200 jobs since October 2015: educational and health services; professional and business services; trade, transportation and utilities; information; financial activities; leisure and hospitality; other services; and government.

The two remaining sectors that showed job declines were mining and logging, and manufacturing, the state reported.

San Mateo County continued to hold onto the No. 1 spot for lowest unemployment statewide, 3.1 percent, while Imperial County had the highest joblessness statewide with 22 percent.

The Employment Development Department also reported that there were 323,124 people receiving regular Unemployment Insurance benefits during the October survey week, compared with 362,253 in September and 334,244 in October of last year.

In October, new claims for Unemployment Insurance were 44,808, compared with 38,277 in September and 46,203 in October of 2015.

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. – Thanksgiving week promises to be rainy and cool, according to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service.

The agency said there are chances of showers throughout this week, with breaks anticipated on Monday and Wednesday nights, and Tuesday morning and early afternoon.

The only day with specific rainfall amount predictions so far is Tuesday, when less than a tenth of an inch is expected during the daytime.

On Thanksgiving, rain is forecast both during the day and at night, to be followed by chances of rain through the weekend and into next week.

Cool temperatures also are in the forecast, with daytime highs in the upper 50s and nighttime lows in the mid 30s, based on the county forecast.

Light winds are forecast on Monday and Tuesday, the National Weather Service said.

Lake County got a dose of rain late Saturday and early Sunday, with rainfall amounts ranging between 0.19 of an inch near Lakeport up to 0.56 of an inch in the Cobb area, based on National Weather Service observations.

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. – After almost six years, and with the help of numerous donors, the Lake County Land Trust reported that it has completed its first purchase of land in the Big Valley Wetlands preservation area.

Purchase of the 34-acre shoreline and inland wetland piece of property from George and Lisa Melo was completed in October, the group said.

This property is a keystone parcel for what the Land Trust hopes will eventually be protection of the largest remaining area of wetland/riparian habitats adjacent to Clear Lake.

The vital Clear Lake shoreline stretches from Clear Lake State Park, west to Lakeport and maintains high value habitats with pristine lakeshore vegetation and mature oaks used by a variety of species.

The Melo property, located on Clipper Lane off of Soda Bay Road, includes beautiful native wetland and shoreline forests as well as upland wet meadow, pasture and oaks.

The Land Trust will steward this property for its wildlife values including its littoral shoreline that provides nesting habitat for both wildfowl and fish, and tules that provide a filtration system important to the water quality of Clear Lake.

A management plan will be developed for this parcel that may include some public access opportunities taking into consideration the ultimate goal of the project which is to protect the natural values of the land and shoreline.

The property is part of the Big Valley Wetlands Conceptual Area Protection Plan, or CAPP, developed by the Lake County Land Trust and approved by the State Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The existence of the CAPP, which includes numerous properties along this shoreline, makes the area eligible for funding from the Wildlife Conservation Board the land acquisition arm of the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The purchase price was $215,000 plus appraisal and closing costs, of which $110,000 was contributed by the Wildlife Conservation Board. The remainder of the funds came from individual donations, foundations and businesses.

Of note was an original $20,000 donation from John Sheridan and Andrea DuFlon which kicked off the fundraising campaign in 2014. The Pitzer Family Foundation of Southern California also donated $35,000.

Donors included the Priest Foundation and the Keeling-Barnes Family Foundation, and funds from both the Robert Morse and John Graham bequests were used as were donations from numerous individuals and businesses that will be listed in full in the upcoming Lake County Land Trust newsletter.

“George and Lisa Melo need to be commended for their patience during this whole process,” said Lake County Land Trust President Val Nixon. “Six years is a long time for a property transaction, but they were extremely patient and supportive the whole time.”

The Land Trust owns the Rodman Preserve near Nice and the Rabbit Hill chaparral preserve in Middletown, and holds conservation easements on three privately owned parcels.

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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has a mix of cats and kittens ready to go to new homes this week.

The available cats include torties, a tuxedo and various tabbies.

If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets there, hoping you'll choose them.

For those looking for a barn cat to keep the rodents at bay, be sure to ask about the barn cat adoption program. Feral barn cats are adopted out for $1 each, which includes altering, ear notching and vaccines. 

In addition to the animals featured here, all adoptable animals in Lake County can be seen at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Shelter_Animal_Search.htm .

The following cats at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (other cats pictured on the animal control Web site that are not listed here are still “on hold”).

Domestic short hair kitten

This domestic short hair kitten has an all-white coat and blue eyes.

She's in cat room kennel No. 15, ID No. 6473.

'Cleo'

“Cleo” is a female domestic short hair cat has a white coat with dilute calico markings and gold eyes.

She's in cat room kennel No. 49, ID No. 6501.

Tuxedo cat

This male tuxedo cat has a medium-length coat and gold eyes.

He is in cat room kennel No. 60a, ID No. 6440.

Domestic medium hair cat

This female domestic medium hair cat has a dilute tortie coat and green eyes.

She's in cat room kennel No. 111, ID No. 6459.

Domestic short hair

This female domestic short hair has a gray tabby coat and gold eyes.

She's in cat room kennel No. 120, ID No. 6416.

Orange tabby kitten

This male orange tabby kitten has a short coat and gold eyes.

He already has been neutered.

He's in cat room kennel No. 122a, ID No. 6483.

Domestic short hair kitten

This male domestic short hair kitten has an all-black coat.

He already has been neutered.

He's in cat room kennel No. 122b, ID No. 6484.

'Dusty'

“Dusty” is a male domestic medium hair kitten.

He has an all-gray coat and green eyes.

He's in foster care, ID No. 6439.

Clayton fire cat

This male domestic medium hair cat was injured during the Clayton fire. He was taken into care on Aug. 18 in Lower Lake.

He has a medium-length gray and white coat and gold eyes, and is recovering from injuries suffered during the Clayton fire. He has been neutered.

He's in the Animal Care and Control clinic, ID No. 5856.

To fill out an adoption application online visit http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dog___Cat_Adoption_Application.htm .

Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm .

For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.

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.

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