LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The latest report on local real estate sales shows that Lake County's prices have remained steady into the late spring.

The Lake County Association of Realtors reported that the median sales price for single family residential sales gained a modest 4 percent when comparing May 2016 sales to April 2016.

The median sales price in May was $236,500 and in April it was $227,500, the report said.

The number of sales rose from 63 in April to 66 in May, accounting for a 4.76-percent increase on a month-to-month basis, based on the report.

On a year-to-year comparison, the report said the number of sales dropped 8.3 percent, with the number of sales in May 2015 totaling 72.

Prices, however, increased 14.25 percent. The May median sales price for 2015 was $207,000, compared to the $236,500 median price reported last month.

The median days on market for May sales was 77, which was up from the April median days on market of 60. The association reported that the days on market is measured from the time a listing agreement is signed by all parties until all contingencies are released during the escrow process.

“The area that has seen the most sales year to date is Hidden Valley Lake with 63 sales and a median sales price of $255,000,” said 2016 LCAOR President Erin Woodward. “The Clear Lake Riviera had 41 sales with a median sales price of $235,000. The Lakeport area reported 52 sales with a median price of $264,000 and the Clearlake area had 39 sales with a median price of $110,000.”

Cash financing was used in 26 percent of the sales while conventional and FHA loans accounted for over 54 percent of the transactions, the report said.

On a statewide basis the California Association of Realtors reported that homes sales edged up slightly and that the market was being driven by tight housing inventories and reduced affordability.

May’s median sales price was $518,760, up 1.8 percent from April’s median of $509,590. The year-to-year increase was 6.3 percent when compared to the May 2015 median of $487,960.

LAKE COUNTY NUMBERS AT A GLANCE

May 2016
Median price: $236,500
Median days to sell: 77
Units Sold: 66

April 2016
Median price: $227,500
Median days to sell: 60
Units Sold:63

April 2015
Median price: $207,000
Median days to sell: 67
Units Sold: 72

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A Sunday night crash that injured two teenagers has led to the arrest of a Clearlake man who police said was driving recklessly.

Earl Lee Vogt, 34, was arrested on felony charges of child endangerment and reckless driving, according to Clearlake Police Sgt. Travis Lenz.

Just after 8:30 p.m. Sunday Clearlake Police officers were dispatched to the intersection of 33rd and Phillips avenues on the report of a collision involving a vehicle and numerous juveniles, Lenz said.

Once on scene, Lenz said officers determined a 2005 Dodge Dakota, driver by Vogt, had collided with a street legal enduro motorcycle ridden by two 15-year-old male juveniles.

Lenz said the driver of the motorcycle sustained moderate injuries as a result of the collision, while the rear passenger sustained major injuries.

Lake County Fire Protection District personnel arrived on scene and began treating the motorcycle riders for their injuries, Lenz said.

As a result of the investigation, Lenz said it was determined that Vogt – who had three juveniles in the rear seat of his vehicle – was following a red Ford Mustang while driving recklessly throughout the city of Clearlake prior to the collision.

Once on Phillips Avenue, the two vehicles proceeded southbound until they came up behind the motorcycle, according to Lenz's report.

Lenz said the driver of the Mustang crossed over the double yellow lines into the oncoming lane of traffic to pass the motorcycle.

While traveling at an unsafe speed, Vogt also crossed over the double yellow lines into the oncoming lane of traffic in an attempt to overtake the motorcycle and keep up with the Mustang he was following, Lenz said.

As Vogt was rapidly approaching the motorcycle, the motorcycle began to make a left turn onto 33rd Avenue in front of Vogt’s vehicle, at which time Vogt collided with it, Lenz said.

Lenz said both riders were ejected from the motorcycle. The driver of the motorcycle was transported and treated at St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake, while the passenger of the motorcycle was flown to an out-of-county hospital for medical treatment. Vogt was uninjured.

Phillips Avenue was shut down for several hours after the collision as the scene was investigated by Clearlake Police Department Traffic Officer Michael Perreault, according to Lenz.

Based on statements obtained and the evidence located at the scene of the collision, Lenz said it was determined Vogt caused the traffic accident by crossing over the double yellow lines while driving at an unsafe speed.

It does not appear alcohol or drugs contributed to the collision, Lenz said.

Vogt was arrested, transported and booked into the Lake County Jail, with his bail was set at $75,000. Jail records indicated he later was released.

He is tentatively set to appear in court on Aug. 16, according to his booking sheet.

Anyone with information in regard to this investigation is asked to contact Officer Perreault at the Clearlake Police Department at 707-994-8251, Extension 543.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The popular Living History Day series continues at the Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum at noon on Saturday, June 25, with local biologist Dr. Harry Lyons.

On the fourth Saturday of each month local historians come to the main house to visit with guests and answer questions regarding different aspects of Lake County history.

As these visits are recorded, the stories of Lake County’s history are being preserved for future generations.

This month Dr. Harry Lyons, retired Yuba College biology professor, will join Ely guests for Living History Day. 

Dr. Lyons will weave the stories of two nutrient-rich aquatic ecosystems, the Hudson River and Clear Lake, addressing the problems and promises of such rich biological communities.

Although differing in their geological and hydrologic histories, the two systems face similar problems with over-enrichment and point-source contamination.

Most feel the biological condition of the Hudson has improved; some feel the biological condition of Clear Lake has not.

Dr. Lyons’ talk will address whether political action taken on behalf of the Hudson River serves as a model for pushing improvement of water quality in Clear Lake, and will explore if there is a chance of success through political action dependent on the type of pollution and its causes.

He grew up swimming and fishing in the Hudson River. His life-long interest in water led him to pursue his PhD in oceanography from the Scripps Institution of the University of California after academic work at Rutgers and Stanford. He has lived by, sampled from, and swum in Clear Lake for over thirty-five years.

His talks are always peppered with the spirit of relevant songs. His presentation will begin at noon.

The Lake County Historical Society’s Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum is located at 9921 State Highway 281 (Soda Bay Road) in Kelseyville, near Clear Lake Riviera, just north of Highway 29-Kit’s Corner.

Current hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday. Private tours can be arranged by appointment.

Visit www.elystagestop.org or www.lakecountyhistory.org on Facebook at www.facebook.com/eleystagestop or call the museum at 707-533-9990.

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“Nature holds the key to our aesthetic, intellectual, cognitive and even spiritual satisfaction.” – E. O. Wilson

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport's lovely Library Park is a world unto itself, sitting on three sprawling acres at 222 Park St.

While sitting on one of the many park benches, Clear Lake appears to effortlessly expand its shores with a view of Mount Konocti in the distance.

It's not hard to imagine what stories that sacred mountain could tell, if only it could.

Mount Konocti, a dormant volcano, erupted 300,000 to 600,000 years ago. This unique land formation played a special part in Lake County's Indian mythologies.

A stroll in Library Park reveals towering weeping willows. These provide cooling shade along the shores.

The park is home to a variety of flowering trees, including elegant dogwood trees.

Here at Library Park you will find a place to launch your kayak, you may take a swim, hold a barbecue, and the children may enjoy the playground structures.

Entertainment, in the form of music performances is frequently held in the park's handsome gazebo.

Many intriguing discoveries can be made in this little corner of our county.

The park's namesake is derived from the historic Carnegie Library building that graces the entrance on Park Street.

It opened its doors on Feb. 18, 1918. When space became limited in the Carnegie Library, Lakeport gained a new county library in 1986.

Since Lake County's Carnegie Library met the numerous criteria for historic value, it was listed on the National Parks Service's National Register of Historic Places.

In Library Park one can be privy to the voluminous heaving of cloud cover one minute, witness a pair of grebes rushing in another instant, then, without warning you may be privy to the loud language and comings and goings of the nesting black-crowned night herons in the park's trees.

Follow Library Park's Facebook page for updates about activities.

Kathleen Scavone, M.A., is a retired educator, potter, writer and author of “Anderson Marsh State Historic Park: A Walking History, Prehistory, Flora, and Fauna Tour of a California State Park” and “Native Americans of Lake County.” She also writes for NASA and JPL as one of their “Solar System Ambassadors.” She was selected “Lake County Teacher of the Year, 1998-99” by the Lake County Office of Education, and chosen as one of 10 state finalists the same year by the California Department of Education.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – California summers are an exciting time to enjoy traveling, vacations and road trips.

Many people consider the summer months a perfect opportunity to spend time with family and friends. During this time, vehicle traffic increases and so do the temperatures.

The California Highway Patrol wants everyone to have a safe and enjoyable summer. However, driving safely during the summer months requires some preparation.

“No matter how much you prepare for your road trip, something can always go wrong,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “By following a few simple safety tips, motorists can help minimize the risks associated with travel.”

The CHP encourages motorists to be prepared to manage the summer heat by adhering to a few safety tips:

– Never leave children or animals unattended in a vehicle. It only takes minutes for the interior temperature of a vehicle to reach dangerous levels and have tragic results.

– Make sure your vehicle is ready for summer travel. Check your vehicle’s tires and radiator system. Summer temperatures place extra demands on your vehicle and it should be properly checked to ensure safe travels.

– Be prepared. Even well-maintained vehicles break down sometimes. Carry an emergency kit, water, cellular telephone and charger, jumper cables, flashlight with extra batteries, a good spare tire and a jack.

– Get directions to your destination and check the road and weather conditions in advance. Consult travel applications on your mobile phone or visit either the CHP’s or California Department of Transportation’s Web site.

– Buckle up! Make sure everyone in your vehicle is wearing a seat belt. Young children must be properly buckled in a car seat or booster seat.

– Check your surroundings for children, pets, or other pedestrians before backing out of a garage or driveway. Driver visibility can be significantly reduced on sport utility vehicles, trucks and other large vehicles.

The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of safety, service and security to the people of California.