LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Vietnam veteran will receive his long overdue high school diploma during a special event next week.
John Goulart, who served our country from 1972 to 1978, will receive his diploma from the Lake County Office of Education during a ceremony beginning at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 22, in the Kesey Room at the Lake County Office of Education, 1152 S. Main St. in Lakeport.
Certificates of appreciation also will be presented to Goulart by representatives of Congressman Mike Thompson, state Sen. Mike McGuire and Assemblyman Bill Dodd.
The ceremony honoring Goulart is open to the public.
Through Operation Recognition, a project of Lake County Office of Education, high school diplomas are awarded to qualifying individuals whose secondary education was interrupted due to circumstances of service in the U.S. military or who were interned in World War II relocation centers for Japanese Americans.
Many people in local communities were unable to graduate with their high school class due to military service in World War II (Dec. 7, 1941-Dec. 31, 1946), the Korean War (June 25, 1950-Jan. 31, 1955) or the Vietnam War (Feb. 28, 1961-May 7, 1975).
Demand for travel to Europe remains strong, and AAA summer travel bookings show that Rome and London are at the top of many international travelers’ itineraries this summer.
Americans are also flocking to warm-weather destinations in the U.S., Mexico and Caribbean, and increasingly traveling to Canada to take advantage of favorable exchange rates.
The top international summer destinations, based on AAA bookings for travel June 1 through Aug. 15, are:
“Europe remains very popular with American travelers despite recent terrorism concerns,” said Rene Schneeberger, travel agency manager, AAA Northern California. “A strong dollar, discounted pricing and a continued sense of resilience are motivating millions of Americans to venture across the pond for their summer vacations this year.”
On May 31, the U.S. State Department issued a travel alert for Europe, citing the risk of potential terror attacks.
Travel alerts are issued for short-term events that travelers should be aware of when planning to visit a country.
This differs from a travel warning in which the State Department urges travelers to consider carefully whether to visit a country or region at all.
“AAA urges travelers to exercise vigilance when traveling and be aware of their immediate surroundings. Determining when and where to travel is very personal,” continued Schneeberger. “The strong interest in Europe and even Paris shows that many Americans are undeterred by recent global events.”
Domestically, the great American road trip is back, with nearly 56 percent of Americans planning a drive vacation this summer, according to a recent AAA survey.
AAA’s top domestic summer travel destinations include:
· Orlando. · Seattle. · Los Angeles/Anaheim. · Honolulu. · Las Vegas. · Anchorage. · New York. · Maui. · San Francisco. · Denver.
State Department recommendations for summer travelers:
· Exercise vigilance when in public places or using mass transportation. Be aware of immediate surroundings and avoid crowed places. · Follow the instructions of local authorities, especially in an emergency. · Monitor media and local event information sources and factor updated information your travel plans. · Be prepared for additional security screening and unexpected disruptions. · Stay in touch with your family, have a plan if you are separated and ensure thy know how to reach you in the event of an emergency. · Enroll in the State Departments Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the embassy or consulate to contact them in case of an emergency. · Make extra copies of all travel documents, including passports, itineraries and contact information. Leave an extra set in your luggage should you lose the original copies.
Before setting out on a summer vacation, download the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android.
Travelers can use the app to map a route, find the lowest gas prices, access exclusive member discounts, find more than 58,000 AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants, request AAA roadside assistance and more.
For in-person travel planning, seek the expert advice of a trusted travel advisor, who can provide personalized service and first-hand destination knowledge to create a memorable vacation.
For more information and to begin planning a trip, visit www.AAA.com/Travel .
LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Lakeport man was arrested over the weekend after police said he broke into a woman's home and tried to touch her.
Nathaniel Fulton Hendrickson, 44, was taken into custody early on Saturday morning, shortly after the incident occurred, according to the Lakeport Police Department.
Around midnight on Saturday Lakeport Police officers – assisted by Lake County Sheriff's Office deputies – responded to the report of a burglary to an occupied residence in the city, police said.
The lone 22-year-old female occupant of the home reported that a male subject who she didn't know entered her residence and approached her, stating he wanted to touch her. Police said the woman armed herself with a knife and the man fled the residence.
Officers canvassed the area and quickly got information which led to the positive identification of Hendrickson as the suspect, according to police.
Police reported that Hendrickson was located by officers at his residence several blocks from the victim's home. Further investigation determined that he was under the influence of methamphetamine and on probation.
Hendrickson was arrested for first-degree burglary, being under the influence of methamphetamine, a probation violation and attempted sexual battery, according to the police report.
On Tuesday, the Lake County District Attorney's Office formally charged Hendrickson with residential burglary and being under the influence of methamphetamine, police reported.
Hendrickson remained in custody on Wednesday at the Lake County jail and the investigation is ongoing, police said.
Jail records indicated that bail for Hendrickson – whose booking sheet lists him as a bartender – is set at $50,000.
FOX LAKE, IL. – The Second (Indianhead) Division Association is searching for anyone who served in the Army's 2nd Infantry Division at any time.
For information about the association and its 95th annual reunion in Springfield, Miss., from Sept. 20 to 24, contact Secretary-Treasurer Bob Haynes at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 224-225-1202; or visit www.2ida.org .
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Planning Commission has given unanimous approval to a plan to convert an existing retail space in the city's downtown to a new pub and grill slated to open later this summer.
Carrie Caron and Carma Jordan of Twisted Sisters Eatery and Events LLC went before the commission last Wednesday to ask for approval of their project, located at 350 N. Main St.
The commission considered a minor architectural and design review, and zoning permit for outdoor dining and live entertainment at the rear of the property.
The building, which the sisters have purchased, has housed retail shops. The conversion they're planning – turning it into the Twisted Sisters Pub and Grill – includes remodeling of the exterior and interior, a new entry, new signage and the outdoor dining area.
Associate Planner Dan Chance presented the report to the commission, explaining that the restaurant would include a bar, banquet room, new kitchen and bathrooms, plus the outdoor dining area and deck at the building's rear.
The remodel will include removing some interior walls, and a glass sculpture of a tree will grace the new entry way, with a metal awning along 46 feet of the front of the property and galvanized metal lettering, according to Chance.
Chance said the exterior colors will be gray and black. “We did look at the colors. They were kind of a surprise to us.”
Originally barn wood siding had been suggested, however Chance said city planning staff had concerns it would impact the historical integrity of the building.
With regard to the colors, Chance said staff visited downtowns around the region – St. Helena, Napa and Petaluma – and found buildings with colors similar to those Caron and Jordan are proposing to use.
Staff offered support of the project, with Chance noting that they felt it would improve the building and clean up the back of the property.
As for live entertainment, Chance said the city has developed criteria for implementing rules for that activity, and added that it would have to cease by 10 p.m.
Questions from commissioners included whether there would be enough parking. Community Development Director Kevin Ingram said he didn't necessarily agree that there is a parking problem in downtown Lakeport, although he acknowledged that a lack of parking is perceived to be an issue. He added that, at some point, he would like to do a full audit of the city's downtown parking.
Caron and Jordan were on hand to give additional details on their project and to answer questions from commissioners.
Caron said they are excited to come to Lakeport and are having fun. “We purchased the building so we are definitely here. We want to be here, we're not renting.”
Jordan added that they want to make their new venture the best they possibly can for Lake County.
They explained that the building occupancy will be about 100 customers, with room for overflow in the banquet room. The bar itself will have 20 seats.
Caron said their venue is a beautiful building. Now in the remodeling stage, she said they've removed layers of linoleum and tile and are now down to the original wood floors, which they're restoring.
Commissioner Tom Gayner asked about the theme and what bands they would host. Jordan said they would offer a variety of performers, and that they plan to stage them in the banquet room so people can either sit there and listen to the music or can sit elsewhere in the restaurant without music.
The women also explained that they are running a family business that is meant to be comfortable and inviting to a wide range of customers, and won't be stuffy or high priced.
They are working with a chef from Napa who is acting as their advisor as they create a menu that will use local produce to create what Caron called “comfort food with a twist” and flavor.
Commissioner Suzanne Russell said she didn't like the color scheme of dark gray and black, finding it too jarring. Caron and Jordan maintained that the coloring was part of their theme.
This is their first restaurant. They said they are incorporating into their plan ideas they've gathered during extensive travels.
“This is a good project,” and Lakeport needs it, said Commission Chair Ken Wicks Jr. “This is a step in the right direction.”
He said he hoped to see more such projects coming to the city, and called it an exciting adventure. “I'm very pleased that it showed up.”
The commission unanimously passed three separate motions – giving a categorical exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act, and approving the architectural and design review and zoning permit.
Caron and Jordan they are hoping to open at the start of August.
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. – Home winemakers and brewers have only until this Friday, June 17, to sign up to show off their talents at this year’s Lake County Home Wine and Beer Makers’ Festival.
The festival takes place Saturday, June 18, at Lakeport’s Library Park.
The Winefest – its abbreviated name – is now in its 15th year. It is sponsored as a major fundraiser by the Lake County Symphony Association, with all proceeds going to support the Lake County Symphony and Youth Orchestra.
Amateur winemakers wishing to pour tastes of their beverages to attendees may call 707-569-6880 for a space reservation.
There is no fee, but if they want any of their wines judged by a panel of professionals, there is a fee of $7 per bottle.
Samples must be submitted to the judge’s station at the Lakeport Yacht Club, adjacent to the park, by 8:30 a.m. the day of the event.
Home brewers should call 707-279-1280 for both space reservations and also to learn how their beers and ales can be entered in the popular “Peoples’ Choice’ awards.
This year for the first time the Winefest will share the park with the Lakeport Camp n’ Shine Chapter of the Norcal Aircooled Group Car Club, with some three dozen vintage collectible cars on display from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
As always, many of Lake County’s premium commercial wineries will be pouring tastes, and there also will be a major silent auction and the traditional “Barrel of Wine” raffle, as well as a host of vendors of arts, crafts and foods.
There is no charge for entry to the event and children and leashed pets are welcome, but a fee is charged for those 21 and older wishing to taste the adult beverages.
Tasting tickets are $20 in advance or $25 per person at the gate and include a commemorative wine glass.
Almost all local winery tasting rooms offer tickets for sale, as well as the Lake County Chamber of Commerce.
Connel Murray is a member of the Lake County Symphony Association.
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson’s (CA-5) bipartisan legislation, the Small Business Healthcare Relief Act (H.R. 5477), passed the House Committee on Ways and Means today.
This legislation allows small employers to continue to offer Health Reimbursement Arrangements, or HRAs, to their employees so that they can choose a quality, affordable health insurance plan that fits their individual budget and health care needs.
Existing Treasury Department guidance under the Affordable Care Act limits the use of HRA’s for small businesses.
“HRA’s ease the administrative and financial burden of providing traditional insurance and allow small business owners to focus on what they do best – running their businesses,” said Thompson. “I thank my colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee for recognizing the value of HRA’s for our small business owners and for voting in support of my legislation.”
“The Small Business Healthcare Relief Act is a common-sense, bipartisan solution ensuring our small businesses aren’t penalized for trying to do the right thing. HRAs are an affordable solution for both employees and employers to combat the escalating cost of health insurance. I urge House leadership to bring this bill to the House floor as soon as possible to grant relief to small businesses suffering under these harsh penalties,” said Rep. Charles Boustany (R-LA).
On Sept. 13, 2013, The Department of Treasury issued guidance disallowing businesses from using HRA’s as a tax-free means to reimburse employees, stating these arrangements were disqualified under Affordable Care Act’s annual dollar cap.
The Small Business Healthcare Relief Act restores flexibility and choice into the marketplace by:
– Ensuring that small businesses are allowed to use pre-tax dollars to give employees a defined contribution. – Allowing employees to use these funds as an HRA to purchase health coverage on the individual market, as well as for qualified out-of-pocket medical expenses. – Protecting small business employers from being unnecessarily financially penalized for providing this option to employees.
The legislation is budget-neutral, meaning it won’t add a single dollar to our deficit. The bill is supported by the United States Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB), the National Association for the Self-Employed, and the Coalition for Affordable Healthcare (CAHC).
The legislation is now eligible for consideration by the full House of Representatives.
Thompson is proud to represent California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Rain is back in the forecast as a storm system arrives over Northern California in the middle of the week.
The National Weather Service said the winter-like system is expected to reach Northern California on Wednesday and will remain over the region until Thursday.
The system is anticipated to bring with it showers, isolated thunderstorms and snow in high elevations, the National Weather Service reported.
Lake County's specific forecast calls for a 30- to 40-percent chance of showers beginning after 11 p.m Wednesday, with less than a tenth of an inch of rain expected.
On Thursday, there is a 50-percent chance of rain during the daytime, tapering off to 20 percent on Thursday night before 11 p.m., based on the forecast.
Along with the rain, the forecast calls for winds. Winds ranging up to 17 miles per hour with gusts of up to 24 miles per hour are forecast on Wednesday, but much lighter winds of up to 8 miles per hour are predicted for Thursday.
Temperatures both days are forecast for the low 60s, dropping into the high 40s at night.
From Friday through the weekend and into early next week, conditions are expected to clear, with warming, sunnier conditions and temperatures in the high 80s over the weekend and into the low 90s during daytime hours Monday and Tuesday, according to the forecast.
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.
SACRAMENTO – Director Tanya N. Garfield of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Disaster Field Operations Center – West reminded California private nonprofit (PNP) organizations of the July 8 deadline to apply for an SBA federal disaster loan for economic injury caused by the Valley fire and Butte fire that occurred between Sept. 9 and Oct. 30, 2015.
PNPs that provide essential services of a governmental nature are eligible for assistance.
According to Garfield, eligible PNPs of any size may apply for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) of up to $2 million to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster.
“EIDLs may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of the disaster’s impact. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the PNP suffered any property damage,” Garfield said.
These low-interest federal disaster loans are available in Calaveras and Lake counties.
The interest rate is 2.625 percent with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela .
Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call 800-877-8339. For more disaster assistance information or to download applications, visit https://www.sba.gov/disaster .
Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – This year’s recipients of the J. Fletcher and Anne Elliott Educational Scholarship awarded last week at Kelseyville High School are seniors Noah Lyndall and Ricardo Covarrubias.
This year’s award is $10,000 to each recipient.
Lyndall and Covarrubias both have outstanding academic and athletic high school careers.
Both ranked very high in their class. And both had exemplary athletic success through their high school years with Lyndall playing four years of baseball and Covarrubias four years of soccer.
Lyndall is going to Sonoma State to major in biological sciences while Covarrubias is going to UC Davis, majoring in civil engineering.
“This scholarship will really help reduce stress on my family, and allow me to participate in daily baseball practice. It’s a huge help,” Lyndall said.
“This will allow me to focus on schoolwork where I don’t have to have a full-time job, and it will really help me adapt to the first year of college life,” said Covarrubias.
This scholarship foundation was originally established by the late Anne Elliott with the help of Rian Sommerfield at Nestegg Investment Consulting and is expected to fund future scholarships for decades to come in memory of her husband J. Fletcher.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Library’s free lecture series “Know Lake County” will feature the Lake County Fair on Saturday, June 18, at 2 p.m.
The presentation will take place at the Lakeport branch of the Lake County Library, 1425 N. High St.
Debbie Strickler, the chief executive officer of the Lake County Fair will be the guest speaker.
Strickler’s program will cover a brief history of fairs in Lake County, and she will discuss opportunities to enter exhibits in the fair, how to enter exhibits, and will distribute contest premium handbooks.
The 2016 Lake County Fair will take place Sept. 1 to 4. The Web site for the fair is www.lakecountyfair.com .
Fairs in Lake County go back to 1880 when the first was held in Grantsville, now known as Lower Lake.
Fairs were held sporadically over the years until the 49th District Agricultural Association was formed in 1938.
The locations have varied over the years before getting the Martin Street location in 1947.
The fairgrounds expanded several times during the 1950s and 1960s until reaching the current configuration.
Fairs have happened almost every year, except during World War II, when no fair was held.
Lake County PEG TV records the Know Lake County presentations for re-broadcast on PEG TV Channel 8 and on www.lakecountypegtv.org . The presentations are also available on DVD to check out from the Lake County Library.
California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith announced on Tuesday the addition of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles to the network of hospitals in California capable of providing inpatient care for individuals with a confirmed case of Ebola virus disease or another highly infectious disease.
Cedars-Sinai also will serve as a regional treatment center, accepting Ebola patients from the western United States and U.S. territories in the Pacific that do not have these specialized treatment centers.
“We are excited to welcome Cedars-Sinai Medical Center into the network of hospitals in California that are capable of treating patients with Ebola,” said Dr. Smith. “With this announcement, California and the western regions will be better prepared to immediately and effectively treat people with Ebola and other highly infectious diseases.”
As a California-based Ebola regional treatment center, Cedars-Sinai has agreed to receive patients with severe infectious diseases within eight hours of notification.
The medical center will maintain infectious disease isolation capacity to prevent the spread of microorganisms and have the capacity to treat up to two Ebola patients concurrently.
In addition to treating California patients, Cedars-Sinai will serve as a regional treatment center for Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada and the U.S. territories in the Pacific.
“We are honored to take on this important leadership role in the nation’s healthcare system,” said Thomas M. Priselac, Cedars-Sinai president and CEO. “Doing so is consistent with our mission and commitment to the community and beyond in light of our role as a national leader providing the most advanced treatments to acutely ill patients with complex medical conditions from California and across America.”
California now has a total of nine medical centers that are prepared to care for patients with highly infectious diseases such as Ebola.
Those centers include UC Davis Medical Center (Sacramento), Kaiser Permanente Medical Center (Oakland, Sacramento and Los Angeles), UCSF Medical Center (San Francisco), Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center (Los Angeles), UC Irvine Medical Center (Orange), UC San Diego Medical Center and Cedars-Sinai (Los Angeles).
Cedars-Sinai’s designation as a regional treatment center for patients with severe infectious diseases is made possible with a $3.25 million federal grant administered by CDPH to strengthen the delivery of specialized emergency care.
Cedars-Sinai will use the grant to fund ongoing training of its Ebola Response Team and purchase medical equipment, including personal protective equipment.
How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
