Clear Lake flooded the roadway at the corner of E and Esplanade streets in Lakeport, Calif., on Tuesday, March 22, 2011. Photo by Sharon Thornton.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County got a brief break from the rain on Tuesday, but with the winter storms ramping back up and as the lake gets closer to flood stage, local officials have urged community members to be prepared.

Clear Lake was at 8.63 feet Rumsey just before midnight Tuesday, with the Cache Creek Dam releasing at 3,350 cubic feet per second.

Lake County Water Resources predicted Tuesday that the lake would be at flood stage, or 9 feet Rumsey, by Thursday morning and could hit 9.4 feet Rumsey by Sunday.

With rains and rising lake levels, the National Weather Service in Sacramento issued a flood watch for southern Lake County, which is in effect through late Thursday night, along with winter weather and wind advisories for Lake County.

Forecasters are predicting two strong storms will hit the interior of Northern California over the next two days, with the first bringing moderate to heavy rain and strong winds into Wednesday, with a second storm bringing another round of moderate to heavy rains and stronger winds on Thursday, according to the advisories.

The Lake County Office of Emergency Services issued a public advisory warning of a potentially severe weather event over the next three to four days due to the storm systems moving through the area, with the potential to drop 2 to 4 inches of rain.

Intermittent thunderstorms also are expected to pass through the county, officials reported.

The National Weather Service's wind watch warns of strong southerly winds of between 20 and 30 miles per hour, and gusts up to 45 miles per hour. The watch is in effect until 5 p.m. Wednesday.

The city of Lakeport on Tuesday issued the following list of areas that could experience flooding, including: Martin Street from Main to Starr streets; Main Street to Martin, C and 10th streets; Forbes Street at Sixth, Ninth, 10th and 11th streets; Armstrong Street between Brush and Starr streets; Russell Street between First and Second streets; Spur Street between Berry and Sixth streets; High Street north of 17th Street; Lakeshore Boulevard between Rainbow Road and Giselman Street; North Street at 10th Street; 10th Street between Forbes and Manzanita streets; First Street between Russell and Starr streets; Brush Street between Armstrong and First streets; 16th Street between Mellor Drive and Hartley Street; and Esplanade. Low-lying areas near Clear Lake will also be affected by the rising waters and wave action.

If flooding does occur, Lakeport city crews will install barricades. Barricaded roadways are not passable and are to be avoided. The city's report said barricades are placed in order to prohibit vehicles from entering high water areas, and drivers are advised that Lakeport Police may cite non-authorized vehicles found driving past barricades. Cars traveling through high water in these barricaded areas can stall out and also cause property damage by creating waves.

City officials said that in order to protect Library Park, aqua dams – expected to arrive on Thursday – had been ordered.

They also had closed the Library Park playground, with the entrance to the main walkway adjacent to the shoreline in Library Park set to be barricaded in the interest of public safety. The walkway, because of the high water, wave action and debris, is closed to the public and is to be avoided. The public is urged to stay out of this area in order to remain safe.

Clear Lake was going over the sea wall at Library Park in Lakeport, Calif., on Tuesday, March 22, 2011, in the wake of heavy rains. Photo by Sharon Thornton.

Flood related problems in the City of Lakeport can be reported to the Lakeport Public Works Department during regular working hours by calling 707-263-0751. Emergency situations, or after hour problems, should be reported to the Lakeport Police Department at 707-263-5491.

During this weather event, the Office of Emergency Services strongly urges the public to avoid any unnecessary travel. As winds and rain increase starting late Wednesday or early Thursday, road surfaces may become hazardous and adverse conditions could limit visibility.

Those who must drive are advised to use extreme caution, the agency said. Speeds should be lowered and distances between vehicles should be increased as appropriate. Motorists are encouraged to be equipped with flares, flashlights, a cell phone, a first aid kit, boots and other extra clothing if they must travel.

With the soil already saturated from previous rains, mud and rock slides are likely and high winds may result in falling trees and power outages. If generator power becomes necessary, the Office of Emergency Services urges homeowners to first contact Pacific Gas & Electric before starting up as utilizing generators can re-energize power lines and potentially cause serious injury or death to responders and utility workers.

Officials said residents in low-lying or flood prone areas who will need sand bags and sand should obtain them now.

Both sand and sandbags are available at Mendo Mill, 2465 S. Main St., Lakeport, 707-263-8400; Kelseyville Lumber, 3505 Merritt Road, Kelseyville, 707-279-4298 (the store expects a new shipment of 10,000 empty sand bags to arrive on Wednesday); and the city of Clearlake corporation yard, located at Old Highway 53 and Airport Road.

Sandbags only can be picked up at Rainbow Agricultural Services, 1975 County Road 524, Lakeport, 707-279-0550; Lake Builders Supply, 3694 E. Highway20, Nice, 707-274-6607; and Mendo Mill, 5255 Old Highway 53, Clearlake

Sand only can be picked up R.B. Peters, 78 Soda Bay Road, Lakeport, 707-263-3678; Pivniska Trucking, 85 West Highway 20, Upper Lake, 707-275-3203; Layne Paving and Trucking, 3700 Old Highway 53, Clearlake, 707-994-6324; and Clear Lake Lava, 14572 East Highway 20, Clearlake Oaks, 707-998-1115.

The Office of Emergency Service offers the following public safety tips for severe storms or other adverse weather conditions:

• Standing water on roadways can cause a vehicle to hydroplane and a loss of the vehicle’s brake system. Decrease your speed and maintain awareness of your surroundings while driving.

• Dress appropriately with head and hands covered when going outdoors in temperatures below freezing.

• Bring pets inside and provide shelter for farm animals.

• Have an emergency household supply kit, including nonperishable foods and drinking water stored in bottles or other containers in case water or other utility services are interrupted.

• Ensure flashlights and battery-powered radios are in good working order and have an ample supply of batteries on hand. Candles and other open-flame light sources are not recommended.

• If there is a power outage, do not call 911. Use a customer service number for information.

Important numbers to keep on hand are published below.

• Sheriff’s dispatch, nonemergency: 707-263-2690.

• Clearlake Police Department: 707-994-8251.

• Lakeport Police Department: 707-263-5491.

• Lakeport Public Works Department: 707-263-0751.

• PG&E: 800-743-5000.

• ATT: 611 or 866-346-1168.

• American Red Cross Emergency: 800-696-3873; Local office: 707-263-8451.

Additional disaster resource information can be found in the local yellow pages of the phone book.

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The city of Lakeport closed the playground at Library Park in Lakeport, Calif., on Tuesday, March 22, 2011, due to the stormy conditions. Photo by Sharon Thornton.

LEGGETT, Calif. – A woman who attempted to flee law enforcement during a Tuesday chase drowned while trying to swim across a Mendocino County river.

The body of Nicole Pollard, 27, a Mendocino County transient, was located Wednesday morning following a search, according to Capt. Kurt Smallcomb of the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office.

On Tuesday the Mendocino County Sheriffs Office assisted the California Highway Patrol on a missing person incident, Smallcomb said.

He said deputies learned that at 4 p.m. that day a CHP initiated a traffic stop in the 60000 block of Highway 271 in Leggett on Pollard, who he knew, in an attempt to arrest her on a local misdemeanor warrant as well as for driving on a suspended license.

Pollard stopped her Jeep Cherokee near the area adjacent to the Eel River commonly referred to as the “Judges Hole,” and then fled on foot, eventually diving into the Eel River in attempts to evade the officer, Smallcomb said. She attempted to swim across the river but did not make it to the shore.

Smallcomb said water rescue teams from local fire agencies were summoned and attempted to retrieve Pollard from the water, but they were unsuccessful.

As night time approached they did observe Pollard, who was caught up in the debris in the middle of the swift current, but submerged below the water level, he said.

Due to the dangerous waters, nightfall and the fact that the decedent had been under the water for a few hours prior to emerging, recovery efforts were halted until first daylight on Wednesday, Smallcomb said.

On Wednesday morning Southern Humboldt Counties Swift Water Rescue and Recovery Team arrived and removed Pollard's body from the water, according to Smallcomb.

Smallcomb said an autopsy will be conducted.

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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – State wildlife officials are seeking the public's help in tracking down poachers who killed a deer in the city of Clearlake this week.

California Fish and Game Warden Patrick Foy said a pregnant doe was killed in an incident that occurred Tuesday night.

Foy said the Clearlake Police Department received a 911 call just before 10 a.m., with the reporting party stating that she heard a gunshot from Arrowhead Street in Clearlake.

Clearlake Police responded and determined that a female deer was killed. Foy said Fish and Game was called and responded to the area.

The witnesses described the suspect vehicle as a late 1980s or early 1990s GMC Jimmy – which was gray or a dull bluish color, possibly a primer color – or a black van, which was parked on Arrowhead Street in the middle of the road between Alpine and Modoc, according to Foy.

One witness saw the passenger holding a handgun out the passenger-side window and then saw the muzzle flash, Foy said. Another witness stated the vehicle stopped in the roadway and was occupied by two white male adults. The passenger fired a large caliber handgun at a deer.

The vehicle then turned and drove north on Modoc Street, Foy said.

Fish and Game determined from the evidence that a large caliber handgun was used to kill the pregnant doe, which Foy said was shot from the roadway in a residential neighborhood.

Homes at the scene were merely 40 feet from the location of the doe. Foy said the poacher put the public at great risk by firing a handgun in a residential neighborhood.

Fish and Game is requesting the help of the public in locating two male adults, driving a GMC Jimmy or black van, who probably live in the Clearlake area, he said.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Cal-Tip at 1-888-334-2258. Foy said Cal-Tip is an anonymous hotline that the public can turn in poachers to and possibly receive rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Fish and Game violators.

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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Layoff notices went out last week to teachers around the county, and while the numbers are not as large as in past years, educators remain concerned about the ultimate impact of deeper cuts in classrooms on students.

The preliminary pink slip notices, required to be made by March 15, went out to 19 teachers countywide, according to a survey conducted by the Lake County Office of Education.

The survey found that four districts sent out the notices – Konocti, 15; Middletown, 2; Lakeport, 1; and Upper Lake Elementary, 1.

Statewide, more than 19,100 layoff notices went out to teachers, according to an estimate provided by Middletown Unified teacher Larry Allen, who is a California Teachers Association Board member.

He said that number is slightly under the number of notices sent in 2010. “Last year we had about 24,000 pink slips at this time.”

A deadline for classified employees arrives later in April, according to the Lake County Office of Education.

Classified employees also are expected to be hit hard statewide and locally.

Carolyn Constantino, a spokesperson for the California School Employees Association – which represents 70 percent of the state's classified employees – said so far this school year more than 3,000 classified employees statewide who are in the group's membership have been notified of layoffs based on district budget projections, and another 3,000 are expected to be laid off at the end of the school year.

There could be more layoffs outside of the group's membership, she added.

Allen – who represents teachers from the Oregon Boarder down the coast to San Francisco, along with Lake, Napa and Solano counties – said more than 3,000 pink slips were issued just in that region alone.

Last year, the California Teachers Association lost 16,000 members, and lost another 16,000 members the year before that, Allen said.

“It's devastating to everybody,” he said.

Kelseyville Unified was one of the districts able to avoid layoff notices.

“We had two retirements so that helped us for this year,” said district Superintendent Dave McQueen.

Those two elementary teaching jobs were slated to be cut as part of Kelseyville Unified's financial recovery plan, which the board of trustees approved last week, he said.

Konocti Unified Superintendent Bill MacDougall did not return calls seeking comment about his district's layoff notices.

The notices to teachers went out at about the same time California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson warned districts to plan for the worst in case temporary taxes aren't approved by voters and expire July 1.

Torlakson had declared a financial state of emergency in California's schools in January.

State education officials reported that California's schools have been hit by $18 billion in cuts over the last three years, which they said is roughly equivalent to one-third of the state's annual spending on K-12 schools each year.

“Californians cherish their schools,” Torlakson said in a statement. “Before we miss the chance to help our state's 6.2 million schoolchildren weather this financial emergency, people have a right to know the consequences.”

In a letter to county school superintendents sent earlier this month, Torlakson said time is running dangerously short to place a tax extension before voters.

Torlakson's office estimated that without the tax extensions the state may cut school spending by as much as $4.5 billion or 10 percent of the K-12 annual budget.

The California Teachers Association has joined with Torlakson in urging passage of the taxes in a special vote this summer.

“The first stop gap is if the governor can get his proposed tax extensions on the ballot and passed,” said Allen, noting that will help schools to begin to plug the budget hole.

“If that doesn't happen it's going to be even worse,” he said. “I can't imagine how we're going to function with up to 50 kids in a classroom.”

Allen said there also are efforts under way to change the way schools are funded in order to make education funding more stable.

If that doesn't happen, he said the impact on schools and all of their associated programs – such as sports and after school programs – will be significant.

“It's going to look third world,” Allen said.

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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Thursday the Lake County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services compiled a situation status report on weather, flooding and road conditions relating to the series of storm systems currently passing through the area.

The following information is a compilation of data gathered as of 10 a.m. from local public safety and government agencies charged with monitoring weather and flood related conditions in Lake County, according to Capt. James Bauman.

In Lakeport, minor flooding of the roadway due to the rising lake level has been reported in the areas of Lakeshore Boulevard between Ash and Beach Streets, and in the area of Rocky Point in North Lakeport, Bauman said.

He said several residential streets, including Oak Knoll Avenue, Lily Cove Avenue, Helena Avenue, Lupoyoma Avenue, Konocti Avenue, K Street, E Street and Esplanade are closed due to flooding.

In Kelseyville, Bauman said there are reports of minor flooding from the rising lake level to areas of the Ferndale Resort on Soda Bay Road. Holdenried Road at Hill Creek is closed to all traffic due to a bridge closure.

Also in Kelseyville, the Merritt Road crossing at Adobe Creek is closed, and the Dry Creek Cutoff and Dorn Crossing on Kelsey Creek have both also been closed, he said.

In the Clearlake and Lower Lake area, a minor mud and rock slide has been reported on Highway 53, just north of Highway 29. Bauman said minor flooding and standing water from heavy rains has also been reported in the same area of Highway 53.

In the Cobb and Loch Lomond areas, heavy snow accumulations are reported but all primary roadways are currently open. Bauman said four wheel drive or chains are highly recommended.

In the Northshore communities of Blue Lakes, Upper Lake, Nice and Lucerne, no flooding has been reported, while Bauman said minor flooding has been reported on Lake Street in Clearlake Oaks.

He said a mudslide on Highway 20 between Glenhaven and Lucerne is being cleared, and Widgeon Way between Hillside and Shady Lane is closed due to a slip-out.

Bartlett Springs Road in Lucerne is open but four wheel drive and chains are recommended, he said.

Shortly before 3 p.m. Thursday Clear Lake's water level was 8.87 feet Rumsey. Flood stage is at 9 feet Rumsey, which Lake County Water Resources is predicting the lake will reach by Friday morning, rising to 9.4 feet Rumsey by Monday morning.

Bauman said the Office of Emergency Services will continue to report significant changes in potential flooding and other weather related conditions as they occur.

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NICE, Calif. – An Arizona woman injured in a Tuesday night crash has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.

Articia Allen, 33, of Kaibeto, Ariz., was arrested following the crash, and was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital for treatment of her injuries, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Steve Tanguay.

At 11 p.m. Morgan Weiper, 30, of Lakeport was driving his 2003 Toyota Tacoma truck westbound on Highway 20, approaching Lakeview Drive, and as he entered the intersection with Lakeview Drive, a 1983 silver Mazda RX-7 driven by Allen entered the intersection traveling eastbound, Tanguay said.

Allen turned the Mazda to the left directly in front of Weiper, who Tanguay said veered to the right in an attempt to avoid a collision.

The front of the Mazda struck the left front of the Toyota truck, which continued to the west and struck a stop sign and a fence, Tanguay said.

Weiper was wearing his seat belt at the time of the collision and claimed no injuries, however, Tanguay said Allen – who was not seat belted – suffered injuries to her head. Northshore Fire transported her to Sutter Lakeside Hospital for treatment of her injuries.

Tanguay said CHP Officer Kory Reynolds is investigating the collision.

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NICE, Calif. – A woman was taken to the hospital with a serious head injury following a two-car collision Tuesday night.

The crash occurred at around 11 p.m. at Lakeview and Highway 20 in Nice, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Reports from the scene indicated a small Mazda sports car collided with a four wheel drive pickup.

The woman driving the sports car was found bleeding and unconscious in the vehicle. She was not wearing a seat belt and sustained a major head injury. Northshore Fire transported her to Sutter Lakeside Hospital, radio reports indicated.

The other driver was not reported to be hurt, but there were said to be “walking wounded” on scene in addition to the injured woman.

The CHP said Lakeview was blocked for a short time following the crash.

Initial reports from the scene indicated alcohol use by the woman in the sports car may have been a factor in the collision.

The names of those involved was not available Tuesday night.

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Habematolel Chair Sherry Treppa (seated) and Vice Chair Angelina Arroyo have worked steadily to get the gaming compact with the state of California approved. Here the tribe executives the agreement on Wednesday, March 9, 2011. Courtesy photo.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Seven months after it had its compact with the state turned down by the Department of the Interior, the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake have signed a new compact with California's new governor, clearing the way for groundbreaking on a new casino this spring.

“It is huge for the tribe, it really is,” Habematolel Chair Sherry Treppa said Wednesday.

It's also the first Indian compact negotiated and signed by Gov. Jerry Brown.

The new compact will run through Dec. 31, 2031, and supersedes the 2009 compact the tribe signed with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Brown's office reported.

Treppa said the 33,000 square foot sprung structure will be erected outside of Upper Lake on an 11.24-acre parcel next to the county park on Highway 20.

The facility will include a gaming floor complete with 349 machines, six game tables, sitdown and fast food restaurants, a cocktail lounge, retail shops, a players club and administrative offices, Treppa said. Previous project cost estimates have been at $25 million.

It would be part of a phased project that would include a hotel and would eventually encompass a total of 76,750 square feet, according to a tribal fact sheet.

The tribe plans to open with 349 slot machines, Treppa said, with the compact allowing the tribe to have a maximum of 750 machines at one facility, which is set to create more than 145 new jobs.

The compact's signing marks the latest milestone in the 216-member tribe's effort to open its own casino, which last summer hit an obstacle because of the original compact's terms.

Last August the Department of Interior found the 2009 compact too onerous in its revenue sharing requirements, disapproving the document after ruling that it violated the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

That agreement, said Treppa, would have required the tribe to follow 15-percent revenue sharing on its annual wins for all of its machines.

Because of the debt the tribe would have incurred, “We had to scale back the project twice,” she said, adding that the Schwarzenegger administration “squeezed the life out of us.”

The tribe had to essentially start the process over, going back to its lenders and contractors, the local government districts with which it had reached agreements, and even the chambers of commerce to update them on the situation, she said.

“There were some dicey days in regard to keeping the funding we had,” Treppa said.

They then began the compact negotiation process again, working with the new governor, who both Treppa and the tribe's Sacramento-based attorney, Richard Armstrong with Rosette & Associates, said was markedly different in his approach.

The governor corrected the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act violations of the prior administration, and treated the tribe with fundamental fairness and respect, Armstrong said.

“It was a true government to government negotiation,” said Treppa. “They were extremely respectful of us and our time frame.”

She lauded Jacob Appelsmith, a senior advisor to Brown, for his respectful work with the tribe.

The main difference between the 2009 and 2011 compacts, said Treppa, is the revenue sharing requirements.

From left, interim Habematolel Executive Council Secretary David Tomas; Jacob Appelsmith, senior advisor to Governor Jerry Brown; Habematolel Chairperson Sherry Treppa; Governor Jerry Brown; Vice Chairperson Angelina Arroyo, Member-At-Large Martina Jackson gather on on Monday, March 21, 2011, the day the tribe picked up the compact. Courtesy photo.

Under the compact signed with Brown, the Habematolel have a tiered revenue sharing structure with the state, she said.

The tribe will not be required to pay any revenue sharing on the first 350 machines, with a 7 percent revenue sharing requirement of its net win for machines 351 to 600 and 15 percent from 601 to 750, according to the compact's terms.

In addition, the document states that the tribe will annually pay the state Revenue Sharing Transfer Fund $900 for every machine from 351 to 750.

Treppa said the agreement with Brown makes the casino project viable.

“It's only under the expansion scenario that we'll have to pay that level of revenue share, which is a lot more reasonable,” Treppa said.

The net win proceeds will be paid to the legislatively controlled Special Distribution Fund, which provides grant funds to local communities for mitigation of local impacts of gaming, funding for the California Gambling Control Commission and Bureau of Gambling Control, as well as provides funding for problem-gambling prevention, the tribe reported. The nonmonetary aspects of the compact are consistent with prior compacts entered into by the state.

Brown's office said the document also includes provisions to protect employees and patrons, and measures that the tribe must take to protect the environment during the construction and operation of gaming facilities.

The compact requires regular audits of gaming operations, the governor's office said.

With the signed compact now in hand, the tribe still has several steps to go, including ratification by the state Legislature. Treppa said Assemblyman Wes Chesbro will carry the bill for the tribe. She credited Chesbro and his staff for being “phenomenal” in their assistance throughout the process.

Treppa expects the legislation could be approved within a month.

Once it's past the Legislature, the compact will go back to the Department of Interior for approval. Treppa believes the new document will not take the full 45-day approval process to be approved in this second attempt.

“We do have an expectation that they will expeditiously approve it,” she said.

Once the Department of Interior has approved the compact, building the casino can begin, said Treppa.

“I am so certain that we're going to be in the ground in the spring,” which will help the tribe fulfill its obligations to its contractor, Treppa said.

The tribe has overcome a lot of obstacles in pursuing its casino, a process which Treppa believes has become more difficult due to the “hot button” nature of gaming.

“It's amazing that we've gotten to this point,” Treppa said.

The tribe has received high marks from local governments and agencies for its efforts to work cooperatively.

“The tribe has gone well beyond the county of Lake’s expectations in its extraordinary efforts to include county officials and the community at-large in the preparation and planning of its gaming project, over a period of several years,” said County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox.

Habematolel entered into a local intergovernmental agreement with the county of Lake in 2006 to help mitigate the operations impacts on the community.

The tribe also formed a fire and emergency service agreement with the Northshore Fire Protection District to provide an annual payment of $80,000 to the fire district to offset the cost of potential service calls the district may make to the tribe’s casino.

In 2008, Habematolel invested $378,000 with the Lake County Special Districts for wastewater system improvements and service to the proposed facility.

“This tribe has done everything possible to ensure that its gaming project will benefit our community and that there will be a long-standing positive working relationship between the tribe and the county of Lake,” said Special Districts Administrator Mark Dellinger.

In 2009, the tribe and Caltrans completed a safety corridor improvement project along Highway 20 just east of Upper Lake, which provided over $500,000 in highway safety improvements including safety lighting, lane widening, bike lanes and sidewalks, according to the tribe.

In addition to the numerous intergovernmental agreements, the tribe said it has worked cooperatively with the county to ensure the Middle Creek Flood Protection Project adjacent to the casino site will not be impeded in any manner with the construction of the casino.

As part of that effort, Habematolel set aside more than 55 acres that will eventually be turned over to the county of Lake as part of the joint flood protection project.

To view the compact and related appendix please visit http://gov.ca.gov/docs/Compact-3_22_11.pdf .

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SACRAMENTO – On Wednesday, California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris released the 2009-10 annual report for CAL WRAP, a program that provides millions of dollars for the relocation of witnesses in cases that send gang members to prison for committing violent crimes including murder, rape, and kidnapping.

The California Witness Relocation and Assistance Program, or CAL WRAP, demonstrates a close collaboration between the Attorney General's Bureau of Investigation and Intelligence, which runs the program, and local District Attorneys, who prosecute the cases and relocate witnesses.

Thirty-three district attorneys around the state participated last year, including the Lake County District Attorney's Office, which offered a testimonial in the report thanking CAL WRAP “for consistent, professional assistance when we have an emergency in our county.”

In the last fiscal year ending in July, the program provided $4,636,300 in reimbursements to local District Attorneys for 870 witness relocation cases. That included 375 new cases, of which 304 (or 81 percent) were gang related. The new cases involved 418 witnesses and 689 family members.

At least one of the cases handled was in Lake County, according to Jim Finefrock, an Attorney General's Office spokesman. More specific information was not immediately available.

Finefrock said program records Lake County was reimbursed approximately $35,101.27 for the 2009-10 fiscal year.

The witnesses testified in trials including a homicide case in Kern County in which a gang member shot into a vehicle, a Los Angeles homicide in which the victim was stabbed multiple times and then run over by a car, and a San Francisco homicide in which the victim was a 17-year-old high school student who had been accepted at a major university.

Altogether, the witnesses testified against 670 defendants accused of violent crimes in 2009-2010, and 251 cases were closed with reportable convictions.

The report breaks down the crimes by category: homicide and attempted homicide 73.9 percent, assault 9.6 percent; robbery 4.5 percent; threats 4.5 percent, home invasion 2.1 percent, kidnapping 1.6 percent, carjacking 1.3 percent, narcotics 1.2 percent, rape 0.8 percent, and criminal conspiracy 0.5 percent.

Gang-related crimes increased from 73 percent of all crimes reported by CAL WRAP in 1999-2000 to 81.1 percent in 2009-2010.

Among the successful prosecutions listed in the new report:

• A homicide in Imperial County in which defendants in a gang-related shooting killed one person and wounded another. After other witnesses were assaulted and intimidated by members of the defendants' gang, police requested relocation for the surviving victim of the attack, who had agreed to testify.

• Acting in retaliation, a gang member in Los Angeles County shot two people within 10 minutes, wounding both. Police requested relocation for the witness, a door-to-door salesman.

• A rival gang member was shot to death in front of his 10-year son on the street in Monterey County. The son helped police identify the shooter and became the target of gang retaliation, so he and his family were relocated.

• A gang member in Riverside County kidnapped a man, held him at gunpoint, assaulted him and threatened the man that if his mother testified in an upcoming case, he would kill him, his mother and his girlfriend. Nonetheless the man cooperated with law enforcement, and was relocated.

• After the victim of a gang-related carjacking in Tulare County reported the crime to police, he was threatened, so he moved out of the area, only to be discovered and threatened anew. Authorities relocated him and his family again.

Attorney General Harris is traveling to the border region of Imperial County on Thursday, along with other state law enforcement officials, to highlight the growing crime problems perpetrated in California by transnational gangs.

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SANTA ROSA, Calif. – Following the devastating earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters in Japan, the American Red Cross has made an initial contribution of $10 million to the Japanese Red Cross Society to assist efforts to provide medical care and relief assistance.

“Our hearts go out to the people of Japan and all of the survivors of the earthquake and tsunami, in Japan and California,” said Tim Miller, chief executive officer of American Red Cross in Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake Counties. “We are grateful that local donors have been so generous and that we are able to contribute to the fundraising effort that enables the Red Cross to help so many.”

American Red Cross and Japanese Red Cross have a history of mutual support. The Japanese Red Cross sent support to the American Red Cross after September 11 and Hurricane Katrina. The American Red Cross aided the Japanese during the Kobe earthquake in 1995.

The Japanese Red Cross is a highly experienced disaster relief organization with two million volunteers.

These local volunteers in Japan are distributing relief items, hot meals and deployed nearly 171 medical teams, as well as 2,400 nurses trained to provide emotional support and counseling for those affect by the disasters.

Evacuations from the exclusion zone around the nuclear power plant are also being supported by the Japanese Red Cross.

According to the federal government, Hawaii, Alaska, the U.S. Territories and the U.S. West Coast are not expected to experience any harmful levels of radioactivity. Public health officials for the state

of California and counties are updating information frequently (links to their sites are available at the local Red Cross Web site, www.arcsm.org).

The American Red Cross works in close coordination with local and federal government agencies to be ready to respond to the large-scale needs created by catastrophic events.

Searching for U.S. citizens and other loved ones

Those trying to contact U.S. citizens living in or traveling in Japan should contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services, at 888-407-4747 or 202-647-5225.

People in Japan and other countries in the Pacific can register at www.redcross.org (or

http://www.icrc.org/familylinks) to inform their family and friends that they are safe and provide their current contact details.

People in the U.S. looking for loved ones can check the ICRC list for information. They can also register the names of family members and friends, encouraging them to get in touch.

As of March 16, the Red Cross family linking site, available in six languages, had logged more than 4,500 inquiries of people looking for loved ones or others letting them know they are safe.

Currently, all American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces staff stationed at military installations in the Far East are preparing for noncombatant evacuation operations in Japan to support military

operations involving registration of evacuees, escort duty and assisting in military sheltering operations.

Scam/fraud alert

There are several scams and frauds in the form of email and text messaging for donations on behalf of the American Red Cross for Japan, New Zealand and Haiti; the purchase of American Red Cross first aid supplies that are to be shipped abroad; and the impersonation of the British Red Cross.

Red Cross is asking the local media and the public to be aware of these scams, which may:

• Direct individuals to phony or fake Web sites;

• Request donations of monies through money transfer companies, such as Western Union;

• Offer “employment” for individuals to collect monies on behalf of the American Red Cross for a percentage;

• Attempt to buy American Red Cross first aid kits, etc. from chapters to be shipped overseas (South Africa, India, Japan, etc.), but first the chapter must pay “a shipper” via Western Union, with cash or use of a credit card. The “buyer” of American Red Cross first aid kits will supply the chapter with either stolen or unauthorized credit cards to send money to the “shipper;” and/or state there is an appeal from the “British Red Cross” and request individuals to send monies to an email address, Western Union or via other transfer companies.

How people can help

Individuals can assist the Red Cross response effort, both internationally and locally, by making a financial donation in a variety of ways:

• All of Redwood Credit Union’s branches are now accepting donations from members and the public to assist the Red Cross response effort in Japan; along Friedman Brothers who has donation cans available in Santa Rosa and Ukiah stores and G & G markets, with donation cans located in Santa Rosa and Petaluma stores.

• Secure online sites: www.arcsm.org or www.redcross.org .

• By phone: 707-577-7600.

• By texting REDCROSS to 90999; this enables donors to make a $10 donation to help those affected by the earthquake in Japan and tsunami throughout the Pacific.

• By U.S. mail to: American Red Cross, Sonoma, Mendocino, & Lake Counties, 5297 Aero Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95403.

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