The two-day passport style event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 30, and Sunday, July 31.

Participating wineries will offer food, wine, music, art displays and agritourism events.

Presented by the Lake County Winery Association, the Wine Adventure will welcome more than 1,200 people from Lake County and neighboring regions.

Wine Adventure brochures are available at Lake County wineries. The event brochure contains all the event information, an adventure map, and a list of all participating wineries.

Tickets will be available for purchase at each participating winery on both days of the Wine Adventure, July 30 and 31. The ticket price the day of the event is $40 each for two days of wine country fun.

Each ticket entitles the holder to a logo glass and recyclable bag, tasting booklet and map, and a raffle ticket.

Every Wine Adventure ticket holder has a chance to win the raffle’s grand prize, a cellar collection of Lake County wines, as well as many other outstanding prizes, says Bonnie Sears, chair of this year’s Wine Adventure.

“The 2011 Wine Adventure raffle drawing has never been better thanks to the Lake County wineries and businesses,” said Sears. Raffle prize winners will be announced shortly following the Wine Adventure event.

A complete list of the local businesses that have contributed raffle prizes this year will be posted at each Wine Adventure winery.

Additional winery donations have been offered by several of the participating wineries. Grand raffle prize is the Lake County Cellar Collection of wines.

Local businesses also played a major part in this year's Wine Adventure, both with the generous donation of great raffle prizes and in the promotion of the event, said Sears.

All printed and promotional materials were designed and printed by Lake County talent.

“We are extremely pleased with the quality of the Wine Adventure support materials,” she said. “The tri-fold brochure is classy and useful. Just wait until you see the tasting booklet on July 30 – people will want to keep it.”

Sears encourages individuals wishing to enjoy this year’s event to buy their tickets early. “Don't miss out on the 2011 Wine Adventure; you’ll have to wait a whole year for the next one.”

The Lake County Winery Association promotes responsible hospitality and encourages all participants to designate drivers.

Designated drivers are invited to enjoy nonalcoholic drinks, food and entertainment free of charge at each site, compliments of the association.

Special Wine Adventure “designated driver” badges will be provided. These badges are sponsored in part by the Lake County AODS and the Clearlake Police Department.

For more information, visit www.lakecountywineries.org or call 707-355-2762.

Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews, on Tumblr at www.lakeconews.tumblr.com, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews.

The fire was reported at 6:44 p.m. Friday, July 15, according to a Saturday report from Cal Fire Battalion Chief Greg Bertelli.

South Lake County Fire Protection District and Cal Fire responded to the fire, which was located on Cobb Boulevard, according to Bertelli.

Bertelli said Cal Fire also dispatched a full wildland response due to the threat of the surrounding homes and vegetation.

The fire was contained to the garage area. Bertelli said the estimated dollar loss is $20,000, while the estimated amount saved by firefighting efforts – including the structure and the contents – is $75,000.

Bertelli said there were no injuries.

The fire cause is under investigation, Bertelli said.

Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews, on Tumblr at www.lakeconews.tumblr.com, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews.

A new law that took effect July 1, the Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2010 (SB 183), requires homeowners, landlords, apartment managers and builders to install carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors in an effort to prevent accidental deaths.

Failure to comply with the law could result in 30-day compliance notices or fines up to $200.

The state said owners of multi-family leased or rental dwellings – including apartment buildings – have until Jan. 1, 2013, to comply with the new law.

State officials say that the new law will save lives, with carbon monoxide claiming an estimated 480 people each year nationwide and between 30 and 40 annually in California alone.

Acting State Fire Marshal Tonya Hoover said carbon monoxide sends more than more than 20,000 people to emergency rooms across the nation each year.

Local fire officials also are urging use of the devices to keep people safe.

“Carbon monoxide is a very deadly gas,” said Kelseyville Fire Chief Mike Stone.

Stone said carbon monoxide is both odorless and colorless, “so it sneaks up on people,” and is very difficult to notice unless a detector is in place.

Cal Fire said carbon monoxide is produced by heaters, fireplaces, furnaces, many types of appliances and cooking devices.

The agency suggested that the best way for homeowners to stay protected from carbon monoxide is to have a detector installed on every floor and outside each sleeping area.

A recent study found that nearly nine in 10 California households did not have a carbon monoxide detector, Cal Fire reported.

There have been local occurrences of carbon monoxide poisoning, including a March 2005 case in which the Lake County Sheriff's Office concluded that a couple found dead in their Lower Lake home had died as a result of the gas.

Even so, it's not common, with Sutter Lakeside Hospital reporting that in the last two years none of its emergency room visits had a carbon monoxide poisoning-related diagnosis.

Although he hasn't seen issues with carbon monoxide poisoning locally since arriving in Lake County two years ago, Stone said in Marin County, where he previously lived and worked, he periodically saw problems arising from faulty heating systems – including fireplaces – or when people used barbecues indoors to try to heat their homes.

Lake County Building Official Dave Jezek said the county's building department will monitor compliance in new construction, additions and remodels.

Whenever a permit is valued at more than $1,000, Jezek said the county requires that the homeowner fill out a document that attests to the fact that they've installed carbon monoxide and smoke detectors for the home.

“For new construction they all have to be hard wired and interconnected,” Jezek said, while existing dwellings can use battery operated detectors that can be purchased from home improvement stores.

Stone said installing the simple devices can save a lot of lives.

The portable plug-in devices, which can be purchased at hardware stores or online, typically run between about $13 and $40, based on an Internet search. Check reviews and ask your local hardware store staff for suggestions on high quality devices.

For more information on how to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning visit the Cal Fire Web site at www.fire.ca.gov/communications/communications_firesafety_carbonmonoxide.php .

For a list of approved carbon monoxide detection devices visit the Office of the State Fire Marshal's Web site at http://osfm.fire.ca.gov/strucfireengineer/pdf/bml/CSFM%20listed%20carbon%20monoxide%20devices%20as%20of%20June%2021%202011.pdf or see the list posted below.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews, on Tumblr at www.lakeconews.tumblr.com, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews.

State-Approved Carbon Monoxide Devices as of 062111

A Cal Fire helicopter heads toward the Jerusalem Valley fire on Saturday, July 16, 2011. Photo courtesy of Jeri Shaw and Dan Driver.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – A fire near Middletown that broke out Saturday afternoon destroyed an outbuilding but was contained by firefighters before it could damage nearby homes.

Cal Fire Battalion Chief Greg Bertelli said firefighters responded to the incident at approximately 1 p.m. Saturday in the area of Burnt Ranch Road in Jerusalem Valley.

Firefighters from Cal Fire, South Lake County Fire Protection District and Lake County Fire Protection District responded to a vegetation fire, Bertelli said.

Bertelli said Cal Fire dispatched a full wildland response due to the threat of the surrounding homes and vegetation.

Cal Fire resources sent to the scene included one helicopter, two air tankers, an air attack, one bulldozer, four engines and a battalion chief, Bertelli said.

At one point the fire threatened 10 nearby homes, which Bertelli said were saved due to firefighters' aggressive efforts.

The fire destroyed one outbuilding but the blaze was contained within an hour at four acres, Bertelli said.

He said no injuries resulted from the fire, the cause of which is under investigation.

The estimated dollar loss caused by the fire is $5,000, Bertelli said.

Cal Fire's resources were seriously tapped Saturday afternoon, as the fire broke out while paramedics and firefighters were responding to a fatal crash on Highway 29 just inside the Lake County line, as well as another crash on Butts Canyon Road a short time later.

Mop up on the Jerusalem Valley fire continued for about five hours, Bertelli said.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews, on Tumblr at www.lakeconews.tumblr.com, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews.

Jeri Shaw and Dan Driver lost a barn in the Jerusalem Valley fire on Saturday, July 16, 2011, and had their above-ground pool burned and other damages to their property, but were otherwise OK. Photo courtesy of Jeri Shaw and Dan Driver.

In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the founding of Lake County this year, Lake County News is publishing a series of historical stories about the county, its people and places. This week's topic, the county's Old Toll Road, is covered in an excerpt from the files of Lake County historian Henry K. Mauldin, edited by Linda Lake, curator of the Lake County Museum.

In the early 1860s the old and tortuous Soldier Road – in close proximity to what is now Butts Canyon Road – was the only route from the southern part of Lake County to the Napa Valley.

It was popular opinion that a better route was needed, no doubt encouraged by the fact that the northern Clear Lake area was now being served by the new Lakeport-Cloverdale Toll Road.

By Legislative Act on March 17, 1866, John Lawley and Associates were granted the right to build a toll road from the foot of Mt. St. Helena, near Calistoga, up over the pass and into Seigler Valley in Lake County.

Before being completed however, this route was shortened to extend only to the mouth of St. Helena Creek at Mirabel Mine south of Middletown.

John Lawley, Henry Boggs and a Mr. Patterson built the toll road for $14,000. It was completed in early 1868.

The route from the Middletown end was about the same as Highway 29 until the Mt. Mill House was reached just inside the Napa County line. It then followed up the east side of St. Helena Creek, crossed where Highway 29 now is, and then went west up to the toll house which was 100 yards to the west of the Highway and several feet higher in elevation.

John Lawley owned the toll road until his death on May 26, 1906, at the age of 91. It then went to his heirs, sons Charles and Harry, and his daughter Mollie Patten.

Mollie was the gatekeeper for the last years of the road and according to Milt Kugelman, she was a tough old gal who could cuss like a man, and no one dared slip past her gate without paying the toll.

At the Toll House, a long Douglas Fir pole was swung across the roadway about 30 inches above ground level. It was removed on payment of the toll, which varied from time and time, but was once $1.50 for an eight horse team and wagon, $.50 for a horse and rig, $.10 for a horse and $.30 for a sheep.

This route was frequently used for livestock being driven by foot to the Bay Area markets. Hogs were the slowest, taking one full day to go from the Mirabel Mine to the Toll House.

It took three hours for a fast horse stage to go from Calistoga to Middletown. During this time, any stage robberies that took place on the Toll Road were the jurisdiction of Napa County.

About two-tenths of a mile down the road toward Calistoga was the Martz place. Old steam stages would stop there when going up and take on water, or if coming down the mountain, drivers would get out and throw water on the brakes to cool them off.

Auto Stages took over from horses in 1907 and Bill Spiers began a very profitable business with the help of contracts for carrying the U.S. Mail.

In 1922 with the prospect of Highway 29 being built, the counties of Lake and Napa bought the Old Toll Road from the Lawley family for $30,000. They collected fees until it was paid for.

It is believed this road was the last of the toll roads into Lake County.

For more information about the Lake County Sesquicentennial, visit www.lc150.org, join the celebration at https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Lake-County-Sesquicentennial/171845856177015 and follow it on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCo150 .

Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews, on Tumblr at www.lakeconews.tumblr.com, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews.

The grant is part of federal health care reform, which for the first time in history designates a federal funding stream specifically for school-based health centers (SBHCs), according to a Friday report from the Lake County Office of Education.

Of the 278 grantees nationwide, 35 are in California, school officials reported.

Research has shown the inextricable link between good health and success in school.

“These grants will make a tremendous difference in the lives of thousands of children and their families by funding new and expanded services at school-based health centers,” said Serena Clayton, executive director of the California School Health Centers Association, the statewide organization that helped get SBHC funding in the health care reform law.

“These grants embody the spirit of health care reform – making health services affordable and accessible and putting prevention first,” Clayton said. “Putting health care right where kids spend most of their day gives every child the opportunity to be healthy and successful.”

The process began early last year, when representatives from several Lake County agencies, along with Lower Lake High School, gave fresh energy to this dream that has existed for some time.

Joan Reynolds, director of the Healthy Start program at Lake County Office of Education, is quick to share that this success is attributable to the strong collaborations that exist throughout agencies and programs in Lake County.

“So many people got on board with this idea and really made it happen,” Reynolds said. “I wish we could list them all.”

The grant funds will be used for the conversion of the old weight room at Lower Lake High School into the Student Wellness Center, with counseling and health services available for students and the community. A complete listing of proposed services and resources will be available in the coming months.

“This student wellness center is going to be a tremendous asset to our students, families and the entire Clearlake/Lower Lake community,” said Lower Lake High School Principal Jeff Dixon. “Congratulations to the entire team for their work on this project and especially to Karen MacDougall, consultant and grant writer, for getting all of our ideas on paper in a comprehensive manner.”

Special recognition goes to Lower Lake High School students who participated on the team and were a wealth of great ideas and enthusiasm. Dr. Mark Cooper, a member of the Lake County Office of Education Board of Trustees, was especially instrumental in the process.

Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews, on Tumblr at www.lakeconews.tumblr.com, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews.

This purslane was sold by Full Moon Farms at the Lake County Farmers' Finest market at Steele Winery in Kelseyville, Calif. As the sign indicates, purslane is a highly nutritious plant. Photo by Esther Oertel.

I’d say it’s a miracle crop; however, many call it a weed. Today’s highlighted veggie, purslane, is a victim of such unfortunate mistaken identity.

Purslane, a succulent, is native to India and Persia (modern-day Iraq), though some opine that South Africa is its original home. It enjoys favor as an edible plant throughout much of the world, including Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Mexico.

While it’s primarily considered a weed in the United States, this attitude is slowly changing, particularly because of its health benefits. Many have turned their attention to this garden creeper come desirable food source, from the U. S. Department of Agriculture to upscale restaurant chefs.

I first made purslane’s acquaintance two weeks ago at a local farmers’ market. It was piled high at the stall of Full Moon Farm of Kelseyville and, curious, I stopped to take a look.

Farmer Sean Mooney filled me in on its benefits and offered me a taste. I was immediately taken by its fresh, lemony flavor, reminiscent of the sidewalk sour grass my friends and I ate as kids, albeit far milder.

The bunch I took home was lovely in our salad at dinner that evening, along with other, milder greens, a bit of olive oil and a splash of balsamic vinegar.

Though purslane is delightful as a green in salads, sandwiches, tacos and the like, its weight and mouth feel are more substantial than lettuce. I find the extra heft and crunch satisfying.

I checked in with Mooney about its current availability, and he reported that the small window for harvesting the crop is over; however, readers may have it as a volunteer in home gardens, so I thought information on the plant would be useful.

Perhaps this article will inspire some to seek it out at local nurseries for home plantings.

Purslane trails and creeps along the ground as it grows, making it a popular landscaping plant. Its thick, reddish stems are crowded with clusters of oval leaves that look like those of the jade plant, though not as thick and spongy.

In the wild the blooms of common purslane are small and yellow; however, other varieties have larger flowers in a wide swath of other shades, including white, pink, red and magenta.

These are sometimes called the “Dolly Parton flower” because of their tendency to bloom from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., a reference to her 1980 song and comedic movie.

Because purslane grows readily in the wild, it is often foraged. If so, one should be cautious of spurge, a somewhat similar-looking but toxic plant that is sometimes found growing near it, even intertwining. Unlike purslane, spurge has wiry, not thick, stems and gives off a white, milky sap when broken.

As already mentioned, purslane has tremendous stores of Omega-3 fatty acids, containing more than any other green plant. These are beneficial to the heart, as well as help in prevention of certain cancers.

In addition, purslane has antifungal, antimicrobial and antibiotic properties and is a rich source of vitamins A, B, C and E. It contains the minerals calcium, magnesium, potassium and folate, as well as high amounts of beta carotene.

Purslane has a long history of medicinal use, going back some 2,000 years, including by ancient cultures in China, Greece, and Rome, by African Zulus and Australian aboriginal peoples.

In Mexico, purslane is called “verdolaga” and is a favorite comfort food. There it’s added to omelets, soups and stews, cooked as a side dish and rolled into tortillas.

The leaves of the purslane plant are pleasantly crisp and crunchy, with a mild lemon flavor. Photo by Esther Oertel.

Purslane can be substituted for spinach or other greens in lasagnas, filled pastas and Greek-style savory tarts, such as spanakopita.

My mother’s ancient, original “Joy of Cooking” suggests purslane be used in place of sorrel in a cream soup or blanched for a side dish. Interestingly, the authors refer to it as Mahatma Gandhi’s favorite vegetable, not unlikely due to its popularity in India.

Purslane may be paired with potatoes in a creamy soup or as part of a vinaigrette-dressed potato salad. Other recipes include pairing it in a stew with pork, lamb or lentils, using it in pasta salad or adding it to gazpacho.

One of the more creative uses for purslane I’ve seen is its addition to a tzatziki-like Greek salad made with cucumbers, yogurt, and mint.

Purslane is best used when freshly picked; however, it should keep for a few days when wrapped in a moist paper towel and stored in a plastic bag in the vegetable crisper section of the fridge.

There seem to be differing opinions regarding the use of purslane’s stems. While edible, they lack the tenderness of its leaves and only the most delicate of stems should be used.

The following recipe for purslane salsa is courtesy of www.prodigalgardens.info, a Web site on medicinal herbs and wild foods. Made with tomatillos, this is a green-colored salsa.

You can also use your favorite existing salsa recipe and throw in some fresh purslane leaves for added taste. They also serve as a thickener. Either way, salsa’s bound to be delicious with herbaceous purslane!

This salsa (or the salsa of your choice with added purslane) may be added as part of the cooking liquid for rice for an interesting take on Spanish rice. When finished, some fresh purslane leaves may also be added.

Purslane salsa

4 cups fresh tomatillos

2 cups fresh purslane leaves

4 to 5 green chiles, roasted and peeled with seeds removed

3 garlic cloves, crushed

¼ fresh minced cilantro

Salt to taste (about ¼ to ½ teaspoon)

Puree tomatillos in a food processor or blender, then simmer on stove top for about 15 minutes. Chill.

Coarsely chop purslane leaves.

Mix all ingredients and add salt to taste.

Recipe courtesy of www.prodigalgardens.info.

Esther Oertel, the “Veggie Girl,” is a culinary coach and educator and is passionate about local produce. Oertel teaches culinary classes at Chic Le Chef in Hidden Valley Lake, Calif., and The Kitchen Gallery in Lakeport, Calif., and gives private cooking lessons. She welcomes your questions and comments; e-mail her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews, on Tumblr at www.lakeconews.tumblr.com, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews.

NASA's Dawn spacecraft, illustrated in the artist's concept above, is propelled by ion engines. Courtesy of NASA.

NASA's Dawn spacecraft on Saturday became the first probe ever to enter orbit around an object in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

Dawn will study the asteroid, named Vesta, for a year before departing for a second destination, a dwarf planet named Ceres, in July 2012.

Observations will provide unprecedented data to help scientists understand the earliest chapter of our solar system. The data also will help pave the way for future human space missions.

“Today, we celebrate an incredible exploration milestone as a spacecraft enters orbit around an object in the main asteroid belt for the first time,” NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said. “Dawn's study of the asteroid Vesta marks a major scientific accomplishment and also points the way to the future destinations where people will travel in the coming years. President Obama has directed NASA to send astronauts to an asteroid by 2025, and Dawn is gathering crucial data that will inform that mission.”

The spacecraft relayed information to confirm it entered Vesta's orbit, but the precise time this milestone occurred is unknown at this time.

The time of Dawn's capture depended on Vesta's mass and gravity, which only has been estimated until now.

The asteroid's mass determines the strength of its gravitational pull. If Vesta is more massive, its gravity is stronger, meaning it pulled Dawn into orbit sooner. If the asteroid is less massive, its gravity is weaker and it would have taken the spacecraft longer to achieve orbit.

With Dawn now in orbit, the science team can take more accurate measurements of Vesta's gravity and gather more accurate time line information.

Dawn, which launched in September 2007, is on track to become the first spacecraft to orbit two solar system destinations beyond Earth.

The mission to Vesta and Ceres is managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., for the agency's Science Mission Directorate in Washington.

Dawn is a project of the directorate's Discovery Program, which is managed by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.

The University of California, Los Angeles, is responsible for the overall Dawn mission science. Orbital Sciences Corp. of Dulles, Va., designed and built the spacecraft. The German Aerospace Center, the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research, the Italian Space Agency and the Italian National Astrophysical Institute are part of the mission's team.

Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews, on Tumblr at www.lakeconews.tumblr.com, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews.

Lake County's state fair booth won the Gold Award as well as the award for the best design of all the county's booths. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County's state fair exhibit received high honors at the fair's debut this week.

On Thursday, July 14, the California State Fair's opening day, the county of Lake exhibit was presented with a Gold Award and an award for the Best Design of all county exhibits, according to Lake County Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Melissa Fulton.

The Lake County Chamber of Commerce has been responsible for the design, construction and staffing of the exhibit for eight years.

The design was determined by the chamber, using the 150th anniversary of the county of Lake as the exhibit theme. It featured small-scale facade reconstructions of local 1800s storefronts, as well as the Lake County Courthouse Museum and the Lillie Langtry house.

This year three major portions of the exhibit were built by Tim Salisbury Construction of Kelseyville (1800s main street merchant stores), Dave Meek Construction (Lakeport Courthouse Museum) and Jan-Mar Builders (Langtry Estates Ranch House).

On-the-ground construction support prior to and during the Sacramento construction phase was handled by John Fulton with assistance from Walt and Mary Southard.

G&G Printing Service, Pak N Mail, Soul Cooperative and Patrice Wray Graphics handled much of the poster design/printing. Marilyn Holdenried and the Quilt Trail Committee provided artwork for the two quilt reproductions hanging above the exhibit.

Dwain Goforth of the Lower Lake Schoolhouse Museum crafted 10 highlights of the county's 150 years into small “story” posters which surround the 7-foot reproduction of the time line.

Several Lake County wineries provided wines for the display and the Lake County Winery Association provided a map of the various viticulture areas in the County.

Bill Groody made the video which depicts some of the historic moments from the Lake County 150 year celebration, the Lake County Quilt Trail story and stories of tribal basket making, pear, walnut and vineyard farming.

RAH Outdoor Signs created the Lake County “sign,” a 7.5-foot-tall reproduction of the LC150 logo designed by Gerri Groody.

Fulton said this is not a complete list of all who have participated; that list will be printed in the Lake County Chamber August newsletter.

The California State Fair runs from July 14 through July 31. There are more than 60 volunteer Lake County Ambassadors who will be telling the Lake County's story to several thousand fair visitors during that time.

At the close of the state Fair, the chamber will return the exhibit to the Lake County Fairgrounds where the builders and volunteers will reconstruct it for the Lake County Fair, which runs from Sept. 1 through Sept. 4, Fulton said.

There is still time to volunteer to be an ambassador at Cal Expo in Sacramento. Fulton said to contact the Lake County Chamber office at 707-263-5092.

Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews, on Tumblr at www.lakeconews.tumblr.com, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews.

A replica of the Lake County Courthouse Museum that is part of the Lake County state fair booth. Courtesy photo.

Northshore Fire Protection District firefighters take care of a crash victim on Highway 20 near Upper Lake, Calif., on Saturday, July 16, 2011. Photo by Gary McAuley.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – A two-vehicle collision near Upper Lake on Saturday evening injured several people and resulted in a fight.

The crash, involving a Chevrolet Tahoe and a Lexus, occurred at around 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Highway 20 and Main Street, according to the California Highway Patrol, which responded along with Northshore Fire Protection District firefighters and paramedics.

Reports from the scene indicated that the Tahoe was headed westbound and the Lexus pulled out from the area of Main Street into the westbound lane and was hit broadside.

There were reported to be a total of six crash victims, including three minors transported by Northshore Fire ambulances to Sutter Lakeside Hospital. Minor to moderate injuries were reported.

The names and ages of the crash victims, and the extent of their injuries, were not released Saturday evening by CHP.

The CHP reports indicated a subject in another vehicle that was not involved in the crash punched one of the crash victims, but the reasons why weren't immediately clear.

The roadway was closed for a short time as a result of the crash, but reopened just before 7 p.m., according to the CHP.

Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews, on Tumblr at www.lakeconews.tumblr.com, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews.

A total of six people were reported to have been involved in the crash, with several of them injured. Photo by Gary McAuley.

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN UPDATED WITH ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – A Santa Rosa man was killed and five others injured in a head-on crash on Highway 29 near Middletown Saturday early afternoon.

Albert Koran Jr., 60, of Santa Rosa, died after his Toyota Tundra was hit head-on by a Chevy pickup driven by 70-year-old Keith Cronin of Anderson Springs, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Josh Dye, the collision's investigating officer.

The crash was reported shortly after noon just inside the Lake County line, Dye said.

For unknown reasons, Cronin, driving northbound on Highway 29, crossed the double-yellow lines and hit Koran's pickup, which was traveling southbound, according to Dye.

Koran attempted to take evasive action but was unable to avoid the collision, according to Dye's investigation.

Dye said Koran suffered major injuries and was trapped in the vehicle.

Koran's wife, Kathleen – whose age was not immediately available – and their 25-year-old son, Jason, were with him in the pickup and both suffered minor injuries, Dye said.

Both Kathleen and Jason Koran, as well as passersby, performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Albert Koran until firefighters arrived. However, Dye said Albert Koran died at the scene.

Cal Fire Battalion Chief Greg Bertelli said Cal Fire and South Lake County Fire Protection District also responded to the incident, and he was at the scene just minutes before being dispatched to a crash on Butts Canyon Road involving a vehicle versus a motorcycle, which CHP indicated later was a noninjury incident.

Before he left the scene, Bertelli said he tried to clear a large crowd that was forming at the fatal crash site.

The CHP incident logs indicated that county road crews were called to the scene to clear the debris from a large tree that resulted from the crash.

Dye said Kathleen and Jason Koran, along with Cronin's passengers – his son, Robert Cronin, 41, of Santa Rosa and Rebecca McGough of Sunnyvale, whose age was not available – were transported by ambulance to St. Helena Hospital Clearlake for treatment.

Robert Cronin and McGough also suffered minor injuries, Dye said.

Cronin was transported via air ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with major injuries, including a collapsed lung and broken pelvis, according to Dye.

The roadway was closed for nearly an hour and a half while the victims were transported and the damaged vehicles were cleared. Dye said the northbound lanes were reopened just after 1:30 p.m.

CHP incident logs reported that a Santa Rosa CHP unit was requested to respond to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for a blood draw on Cronin.

Dye said he was at the crash scene for some time investigating it before heading off to St. Helena Hospital Clearlake to speak with the passengers of the two vehicles.

On the way, CHP officers had to stop to make an arrest for driving under the influence, he said.

“It was pretty busy,” said Dye, who had just gotten back to the CHP's office in Kelseyville shortly before 7 p.m. Saturday.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews, on Tumblr at www.lakeconews.tumblr.com, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews.

From left, Tonya Patterson and Ronald Mishler, both of Kelseyville, Calif., were arrested on Thursday, July 14, 2011, on drug-related charges following a warrant search. Lake County Jail photos.

Arrested were 39-year-old Tonya Raynell Patterson of Kelseyville 46-year-old Walter Ronald Mishler, both of Kelseyville, according to Capt. James Bauman of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

On July 13, narcotics agents secured a search warrant for Patterson's person, home and vehicles.

On Thursday, July 14, at approximately 3 p.m., detectives served the warrant at Patterson’s Wheeler Drive home in Kelseyville with the assistance of the Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Detail, Bauman said.

When narcotics detectives announced themselves at the door to the home, they received no response, according to Bauman.

As detectives entered the home through the unlocked front door, a suspect fled out of the home through a rear sliding door but was detained in the back yard by Special Enforcement Detail deputies. Bauman said the man was later identified as Mishler, who was determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance and arrested. Patterson was not located in the home.

Bauman said that when detectives entered the home, they located a police scanner actively monitoring the sheriff’s primary radio frequency in the master bedroom.

He said a search of that same bedroom revealed approximately one ounce of methamphetamine packaged for sales in several individual bags beneath a night stand. Several glass “meth” pipes, digital scales, and other items of methamphetamine sales paraphernalia were also found in the bedroom. Several more “meth” pipes were located in various locations throughout the house.

Mishler was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility for booking. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sales, possession of narcotics paraphernalia, and being under the influence of a controlled substance.

Bail was set at $10,000, jail records indicated Mishler later posted bail and was released.

Shortly after narcotics detectives left Patterson's home on Wheeler Drive, she was located by a Special Enforcement Detail deputy in her vehicle on Big Valley Road in Finley, Bauman said.

She too, was arrested for the controlled substances and paraphernalia found in her home, and for being under the influence of a controlled substance, according to Bauman.

He said Patterson was subsequently booked at the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility for possession of a controlled substance, possession of narcotics paraphernalia, and being under the influence of a controlled substance.

Her bail was set at $10,000; she also later posted bail and was released, jail records indicated.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.

Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews, on Tumblr at www.lakeconews.tumblr.com, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews.

Sheriff