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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Officials said Tuesday that firefighters held the growth of the lightning-caused August Complex over the course of the previous day to less than 200 acres while pushing containment up by several percentage points.

All three zones of the complex – burning on the Mendocino, Shasta-Trinity and Six Rivers National Forests – have burned a total of 846,898 acres, with containment up to 38 percent, the US Forest Service reported.

Officials said fire crews continued burning operations to the north of Lake Pillsbury on Monday, further increasing protection of communities and overall progress toward containment.

As smoke lifted during the afternoon Monday, firefighters were able to utilize both ground crews and aerial resources in ignition efforts along the M1 from the summit south to Cabbage Patch at the M1-M6 junction, officials said.

The use of helicopters allows operations to take place in areas that are unsafe or inaccessible by firefighters on the ground and complete the operations more quickly to take advantage of favorable weather conditions, the Forest Service reported.

Crews and equipment continue to improve both primary and alternate control lines to the west
and northwest of Lake Pillsbury near Sunset Gap. Officials said the improvements include setting up pumps and hoses and removing trees and vegetation that could cause control problems during future firing and holding operations.

Meanwhile, Cal Fire crews on the West Zone of the August Complex have been working eastward and constructing additional control lines along the fire edge.

No new structure losses have been reported, with the damage reports so far remaining at 35 structures destroyed while 1,595 remain threatened, the Forest Service reported.

In the South Zone of the August Complex, evacuation orders are in effect for portions of Mendocino and Lake counties. In Lake County, orders remain active for Pillsbury Ranch and the entire Lake Pillsbury basin.

Evacuation information can also be found here.

The August Complex as mapped on Tuesday, September 22, 2020. Map courtesy of the US Forest Service.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council on Thursday voted to approve a new ordinance to implement changes to rules regarding commercial cannabis operations, allowing more of them to open in the city.

Thursday’s discussion about the rule changes was the third meeting in a row in which the council discussed them.

The item begins at the 1:29:15 mark in the video above.

The discussions initially had begun at the Aug. 25 meeting, when staff asked the council if it wanted to increase the maximum number of permittees allowed.

At the time, City Manager Alan Flora said the city had a continued demand for licenses and the city’s existing cannabis businesses were seeing success with their operations.

At the Sept. 3 meeting, Flora returned with more information at the request of the council – relating to the number of permittees, police calls at the facilities, available commercial zoning and financial impacts.

The council at that point gave the go-ahead for changes to the number of businesses allowed and locations.

In his report for the Sept. 17 meeting, Flora said retail dispensaries would continue to be limited to three as they currently are in the city municipal code.

The rule changes would lift the caps on delivery-on dispensaries, which is two, and other cannabis businesses, which is 12, and rather than using a total number as the basis would instead limit them to locations on the city’s Commercial Cannabis Combining District map, Flora said.

In an email before Thursday’s meeting, Flora told Lake County News that there is immediate interest for at least four additional permits.

During the council discussion, staff read a public comment from city resident Joan Mingori, who asked if they wanted the city to be the cannabis capital. She added that she believed it was criminal to not let people speak to the council face-to-face about the matter, a reference to the fact that the council meetings continue to remain closed to in-person participation by the public.

She said there is a growing black market issue and asked why staff continued to bring up the matter, questioning how many of them live in the city.

Councilman Russ Perdock said he disagreed with removing the number cap, pointing out that at the Sept. 3 meeting he had suggested increasing the cap numbers by six.

Councilwoman Joyce Overton, maintaining that she was the only one to be against allowing the cannabis businesses to begin with, said she didn’t think the new rule changes would be a big issue.

Councilman Phil Harris moved to approve the first reading of the ordinance, which was seconded by Vice Mayor Dirk Slooten. The council approved the ordinance 4-1, with Perdock voting no.

In other business on Thursday, the council got an update on animal shelter operations, heard a presentation from Pacific Gas and Electric Co. on public safety power shutoffs, approved the first reading of an ordinance adopting the city’s development impact fee program for transportation, awarded a $455,000 contract to the California Engineering Co. for professional engineering services for the Sulphur Fire Road Rehabilitation Project, approved a radio voting receiver site for the police department, adopted a third amendment to the Fiscal Year 2020-21 budget to appropriate funding for professional services, equipment and supplies, and gave Overton direction on voting for resolutions as the city’s delegate at the 2020 League of California Cities Annual Conference, which is virtual this year.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Firefighters made more containment gains on the August Complex, which burned another 4,000 acres.

On Sunday the complex – burning for a month on the Mendocino, Shasta-Trinity and Six Rivers National Forests – reached 836,871 acres and 34-percent containment, the US Forest Service said.

The number of structures it has destroyed remained at 35 on Sunday, with 1,595 structures still threatened, officials said.

The Forest Service said steady progress continues on the South Zone of the August Complex. The east side of the complex is now contained, and resources are being shifted to other areas of the fire.

On Saturday, crews continued to improve lines near Pillsbury Ranch and conducted additional burning when weather and other conditions were favorable. The strategically applied burning will increase the protection of structures in Lake Pillsbury by removing vegetation between control lines and the main fire perimeter, officials said.

Officials said the 14th Brigade Engineer Battalion from Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington has 233 soldiers deployed on the complex, and they continue to support the August Complex.

These firefighting soldiers have been engaged in fireline construction, mop up and patrol, and many are now assisting with structure protection and holding lines as firing operations continue in the Lake Pillsbury area, officials said.

An updated Forest Order No. 08-20-13 was issued for the August Complex on Sept. 19. This Forest Order adjusted the southern boundary of the previous closure to encompass more of the area around Lake Pillsbury due to firefighting activities and to protect the public from potential injury caused by hazards within the fire area.

Residents and property owners may return to their properties within the Mendocino National Forest in Glenn County, but should use extreme caution when entering the burn area, as hazards may be present.

Properties accessed by a Forest Service road will require a permit from the US Forest Service. Access to the Forest Service closure area for other purposes, including hunting and recreation, is prohibited.

In the August Complex South Zone, evacuation orders are in effect for Mendocino and Lake counties. In Lake, the orders are for Pillsbury Ranch and the entire Lake Pillsbury basin.

Evacuation information can also be found at Inciweb.



The August Complex as mapped on Sunday, September 20, 2020. Map courtesy of the US Forest Service.
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Baraquiel Simon Ruiz, 33, of Lakeport, California, was arrested on Sunday, September 20, 2020, for setting a fire near Upper Lake, California. Lake County Jail photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Sunday Lake County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a Lakeport man who a witness said set a small vegetation fire near Upper Lake.

Baraquiel Simon Ruiz, 33, was taken into custody in the case, according to Lt. Corey Paulich.

At 6:50 p.m. Sunday, deputies responded to the 6600 block of Westlake Road in Upper Lake for a reported arson. Paulich said a witness reported observing a male starting a fire in the area.

When deputies arrived, they contacted the witness, who told them he saw a male lighting a fire on the side of the road that was approximately a 5-foot by 5-foot area, Paulich said.

Paulich said the witness yelled at the subject to stop and the subject started to stomp out the fire. Once the fire was mostly out, the male subject who set it left the area toward Highway 29. The witness was able to capture the subject on video using his cell phone.

The deputies searched the area, locating a male subject identified as Ruiz, who matched the description provided by the witness, Paulich said.

The deputies conducted an in-field line up and the witness identified Ruiz as the individual who set the fire. Paulich said Ruiz admitted to starting the fire to burn some trash. He could not provide a reason why he was burning trash on the side of the road.

The fire ultimately burned a 10-foot by 10-foot grassy area, Paulich said.

Fire personnel reported there had been a separate fire in the same area around 2 p.m. that day. Paulich said it is unknown at this time if Ruiz was responsible for that fire.

Ruiz was placed under arrest at 8 p.m. Sunday and booked at the Lake County Jail for arson, according to jail records. He remained in custody on Tuesday with bail set at $250,000.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation or the fire earlier in the day is asked to contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at 707-262-4200.
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Officials said the hard work of firefighters is paying on the South Zone of the vast August Complex, as additional burning operations are conducted and containment continues to increase.

The US Forest Service said Monday that the August Complex as a whole had reached 846,752 acres.

The complex was sparked by lightning storms in mid-August. It is burning on the Mendocino, Shasta-Trinity and Six Rivers National Forests and has been divided into three zones – the South, which includes Lake County – as well as the North and West zones.

Officials said the east side of the South Zone is fully contained, and the containment of the entire complex is now 34 percent.

To put this into perspective, officials said the perimeter of the August Complex is more than 568 miles, a greater distance than the drive from Boise, Idaho, to Red Bluff, California.

On Sunday, smoke prevented the use of aircraft to assist in the firing operations around Pillsbury Ranch, but firefighters continued to utilize hand ignition where possible to remove vegetation and increase protection of structures, officials said.

While hand ignition by ground crews is slower than aerial ignition, the Forest Service said it allows for continued progress when smoky conditions make it unsafe to fly.

Dozers and crews continue structure protection and strengthening the control lines west and northwest of Lake Pillsbury. Officials said these lines will be used as both primary and alternate locations for containment of the fire.

Fire crews are widening lines and installing pumps and hose to prepare for future firing and holding operations, the Forest Service said.

The number of structures the complex has destroyed remained at 35 on Monday. Also unchanged is the number threatened – 1,595.

Full containment is still expected on Nov. 15, the Forest Service said.

Evacuations in the complex’s south zone remain in effect for Mendocino and Lake counties.

In Mendocino County, evacuation orders have been reduced to evacuation warnings for zone A, zone C, and a part of zone E, while Pillsbury Ranch and the Lake Pillsbury basin in Lake County are still under mandatory orders. Evacuation information can also be found here.

Forest Order No. 08-20-13 remains in effect for the August Complex. Residents and property owners may return to their properties within the Mendocino National Forest in Glenn County, but access to the Forest Service closure area for other purposes, including hunting and recreation, is prohibited.

Properties accessed via a Forest System road may require a permit from the US Forest Service. Contact the Mendocino National Forest at 530-934-3316 for more information.


The August Complex as mapped on Monday, September 21, 2020. Map courtesy of the US Forest Service.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors this week will continue a discussion, postponed from its Sept. 1 meeting, regarding a proposed vote of no confidence against the county’s treasurer-tax collector after she said she was unprepared to respond to a list of concerns brought forward by one of the board members.

The discussion is scheduled for 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22.

At its Sept. 1 meeting, the board was due to consider a vote of no confidence and asking for the resignation of Barbara Ringen, who has served as treasurer-tax collector since 2013.

Supervisor Bruno Sabatier had asked for the board to consider the action against Ringen, whose performance has been under scrutiny due to a list of concerns, from a lack of tax-defaulted property sales to issues with check deposits for property tax payments, inability to implement new taxes or enhance collection of current taxes such as those for cannabis and vacation rentals, and a host of other matters.

However, after Ringen said she was unprepared to respond to all of Sabatier’s concerns, the board agreed to give her until Sept. 22 to return with a response.

Ringen’s performance has been a source of discussion for the board and the County Administrative Office going back to September of 2018. Issues previously cited have run the gamut from lack of consistent tax default sales, collection of taxes, lack of transparency regarding the county’s investment practices and status, and customer service.

That led to the board in early 2019 creating an ad hoc committee to work with Ringen’s office. In June 2019, Ringen emailed the ad hoc committee to offer her resignation effective January 2020.

However, during an August 2019 board meeting, Ringen appeared to make an about-face, refusing to give a firm resignation date.

Ultimately, Ringen – who was reelected in November 2018 – didn’t go through with leaving her job. Her term continues until January 2023.

Also last year, the state Legislature approved and the governor signed AB 632, legislation requested by the Board of Supervisors and carried by Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry and State Sen. Mike McGuire, that will allow the county government to combine the elected positions of auditor-controller and treasurer-tax collector into a single elected office.

However, county officials said no movement has been taken on that department combination yet.

Sabatier outlines concerns

At the Sept. 1 meeting, Sabatier read through a portion of his nine-page report raising concerns with Ringen’s performance, which can be seen below.

Sabatier raised five key topics: Delayed deposits which impact our partner agencies as well as individuals; inability to implement new taxes or enhance the collection of current taxes; inability to problem solve the issues of the department whether through creative staffing strategies or the addition of technology; inability to follow through and make the necessary changes to make progress in mitigating the problems of the department; and inability to trust that change will occur in a meaningful way or that the answers the board is given are honest or truthful.

After Sabatier gave his review, Supervisor Tina Scott asked if Ringen was attending the meeting virtually. At that point, she was not, and Sabatier said he’d had a short conversation with her the previous Thursday to let her know it was on the agenda.

While they waited for Ringen to join the meeting, Supervisor Rob Brown saidt, “We always think that we can do better, including our office.”

He added, “We just keep getting stuff thrown at us, one thing after another.”

Brown said he wasn’t trying to make excuses, but was pointing out that more things were getting stacked on, and noted that adding on cannabis taxation was “a huge thing, over and above” everything else.

Brown asked about staffing levels. Sabatier said Ringen is budgeted for close to 12 staff, and is only down by one, and also is using extra help staffers.

When COVID-19 appeared, Brown said the board was working on a classification and compensation study that would result in $91,000 to increase salaries in Ringen’s office, which he said would help with turnover and get the department caught up.

Ringen joined the meeting a short time later, saying she wanted time for a fair chance to respond because she didn’t have all of the necessary information at hand.

In a brief prepared response, Ringen said she wasn’t aware of delayed deposits burdening partner agencies and individuals, and acknowledged a slight delay in processing tax payment during tax season.

She said cannabis taxes are paid in two annual installments and transient occupancy tax, or bed tax, is billed quarterly. Her department recently added a TOT billing module.

Ringen said her department can accomplish the tasks in a more effective manner.

She added that her office has received and processed more than 700 COVID-19-related penalty cancellation requests on property tax payments.

During public comment, Lakeport resident Michael Green argued action against Ringen isn’t warranted.

She said tax-default property sales are an unfunded state mandate. “Ultimately it’s really not up the Board of Supervisors to render judgment on her performance,” but it’s a matter for the public, said Green.

Sabatier maintained he was not making a personal attack against Ringen, who he said is a kind and sweet person. He added that he’s been trying to make positive changes with regard to her department for a year and a half and he’s seen nothing, so he wanted to spotlight the issue.

“This is about a specific role, not a specific person,” he said.

He added, “Our community is waiting for us to see change and we need to provide that to them.”

The board agreed to reschedule the discussion to its Sept. 22 meeting to give Ringen a chance to fully respond.

Also at the Sept. 1 meeting, the board held a closed session to discuss the suit filed by the city of Clearlake over issues including the tax sales. County Counsel Anita Grant said the board took no action.

In related news, at its meeting last week, the board approved an item on its consent agenda to approve a contract of up to $95,000 with Harmony Research for the new fiscal year for professional research services related to the tax default land sales.

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.


090120 Lake County Treasure... by LakeCoNews

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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County, like the rest of California and the nation, continued to see improved employment numbers in August, according to the state’s latest report on joblessness.

The Employment Development Department said Lake County’s August unemployment rate was 8.8 percent, down from an adjusted 11.7 percent in July, 14.2 percent in June, 15.5 percent in May and 16.7 percent in April.

Lake County’s August 2019 unemployment rate was 4.5 percent, based on state records.

California’s overall unemployment rate improved to 11.4 percent in August, down from 13.5 percent last month but up from 3.9 percent from August of last year, the state said.

August’s statewide unemployment rate of 11.4 percent marked the first month since March 2020 that California’s unemployment rate was lower than the 12.3 percent mark set during the height of the Great Recession – March, October and November 2010 – according to the report.

The number of Californians holding jobs in August totaled 16,574,300, an increase of 291,700 jobs from a downward-revised (-11,300) July, but down 2,081,600 from the employment total in August of last year, the state said.

The report showed that the number of unemployed Californians was 2,134,600 in August, a decrease of 408,700 over the month, but up by 1,370,800 compared with August of last year.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics said the nation’s unemployment rate in August was 8.4 percent, down from 10.2 percent in July and more than double the 3.7 percent reported in August 2019.

In Lake County, the civilian workforce in August totaled 28,640, up by nearly 2,000 people over July, when the workforce numbered 26,960 members, according to the state report.

Locally, the total farm job category had the most growth in August, 37.2 percent, or 420 jobs, while still being down by 2.5 percent compared to 2019, the state said.

The Employment Development Department said the total nonfarm category was up by 9.2 percent in August compared with July, but down by 7.5 percent in the year-over comparison.

Total nonfarm’s main subcategories that showed growth in August were service providing, 10.3 percent; private service providing, 7.4 percent; and total private, 6.2 percent. Goods producing was down by 1.6 percent.

Lake County earned a statewide ranking of No. 24 for its August jobless rate, tying with Mendocino County.

Lake’s neighboring county jobless rates and ranks in the latest report are Colusa, 11 percent, No. 49; Glenn, 8.1 percent, No. 17; Napa, 8.3 percent, No. 19; Sonoma, 7.7 percent, No. 10; and Yolo, 7.5 percent, No. 6.

The county with the highest jobless rate in August remained Imperial, at 22.9 percent, while the lowest unemployment rate, 6.7 percent, was reported in Lassen County.

Details of statewide job picture

In August, California’s employers added 101,900 jobs, following July’s downward-revised gain of 83,500 jobs. The Employment Development Department said California has now regained nearly a third – 33.9 percent – of the 2,615,800 nonfarm jobs lost during March and April as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

California payroll jobs totaled 15,874,400 in August 2020, up 101,900 from last month but down 1,598,200 from August of last year.

The month-over decrease in California’s unemployment rate (-2.1 percentage points) was larger than that of the nation as a whole (-1.8 percentage points).

Total nonfarm jobs decreased by 1,598,200 (a 9.1-percent decrease) from August 2019 to August 2020 compared to the U.S. annual loss of 10,246,000 jobs (a 6.8 percent decrease).

Six of California’s 11 industry sectors gained jobs in August: Government increased by 66,100, the largest job gain, due to federal temporary hiring for the 2020 Census and growth in local government education; trade, transportation and utilities’ increased by 26,000, buoyed by transportation and warehousing and general merchandise stores; professional and business services increased by 19,400; education and health services, 7,900; construction, 6,700; and manufacturing, 900.

Leisure and hospitality posted the largest industry job loss in August (-14,600), and 561,900 of the sector’s 633,000 year-over job losses have occurred since March 2020. Other services showed a drop of 5,700 jobs, information jobs declined by 4,300, mining and logging was down by 400 and financial activities decreased by 100.

The Employment Development Department said the number of jobs in the agriculture industry decreased by 3,400 from July, to 326,800 jobs in August 2020. The agricultural industry has lost 101,100 farm jobs since August 2019.

Update on Unemployment Insurance

The Employment Development Department also reported there were 2,837,209 people certifying for Unemployment Insurance benefits during the August 2020 sample week. That compares to 3,144,098 people in July 2020 and 309,691 people in August 2019.

Concurrently, the state said 196,855 initial claims were processed in the August 2020 sample week, which was a month-over decrease of 47,651 claims from July 2020, but a year-over increase of 162,080 claims from August 2019.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County’s Public Health officer said Monday that the county saw a significant rise in COVID-19 cases over the weekend, as well as the 11th death in the county related to the virus, which he said could lead to further restrictions imposed by the state if the situation doesn’t improve.

On Monday,  Lake County’s COVID-19 caseload rose to 512, up by 53 since the last report on Friday. Of those, 96 are active and continue to be monitored by Public Health, 405 are recovered and one is hospitalized.

Dr. Gary Pace also reported Lake County’s 11th COVID-19-related death, which he said was not associated with a recent outbreak at a skilled nursing facility, Lakeport Post Acute.

Public Health departments in all 58 counties reported Monday a statewide total of about 789,000 cases and more than 15,000 deaths from COVID-19.

As of Monday, all three of Lake County’s skilled nursing facilities have COVID-19 cases – two of them with residents who have contracted the virus and one has cases involving staff only – based on the California Department of Public Health’s skilled nursing facility COVID-19 dashboard.

Lakeport Post Acute has 36 confirmed cases in residents, 21 in staff and seven deaths so far, according to state and local officials.

Pace said another facility – which he did not name – has two resident cases and four staff have tested positive.

The California Department of Public Health’s skilled nursing facility COVID-19 dashboard indicated that that second facility with both residents and staffers who have tested positive for COVID-19 is Rocky Point Care Center in Lakeport.

Meadowood Nursing Center in Clearlake also has staffers – last reported at two by local officials – who have tested positive for the virus.

“It appears the usual course is a staff member becoming infected in the community, and bringing it to work,” Pace said of the spread of the virus in skilled nursing facilities. “Multiple other situations of COVID infection are arising in care workers and local businesses.”

He continued, “Labor Day was two weeks ago today, and post-holiday increases are common. We have all been sacrificing many normal experiences for six months now. It is tough to maintain a high level of vigilance; masking, avoidance of social gatherings and proper social distancing all seem to be decreasing in our communities.”

Given the increase in cases, Pace said Lake County’s latest numbers are consistent with the state’s most restrictive tier, purple or Tier 1, in its Blueprint for a Safer Economy.

Pace said if the local case growth trend continues, the state will force Lake County to close indoor dining and add other restrictions.

“Schools not open for on-site instruction by the time we get to that point will not be able to open until we get back into the Red Zone – Tier 2 – and stay there for two weeks. These are state mandates. We sacrifice local control when we fail to take basic precautions known to slow the spread,” he said.

“Most of us want to keep businesses open, and resume on-site learning at schools as soon as it is safe,” Pace said. “How do we accomplish this? Slowing transmission in the community by wearing masks and avoiding gatherings with people outside of our households. Indoor gatherings are high risk, and may have particularly serious consequences if you or someone in your family works in a setting with vulnerable people – like a nursing home, homeless shelter, hospital or jail.”

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Planning Commission is set to continue its consideration this week of updates to the city’s zoning ordinance.

The commission will meet virtually beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22

The agenda can be found here.

Submit comments and questions in writing for commission consideration by sending them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit the Town Hall site and submit written comments there. Identify the subject you wish to comment on in your email’s subject line or in your Town Hall submission.

Community members also can participate via Zoom.

To give the planning commission adequate time to review your questions and comments, please submit written comments prior to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22.

The meet will be broadcast live on the Youtube channels for the city of Clearlake or Lake County PEG TV.

Commissioners on Tuesday will consider election of the chair and vice chair.

Also on the agenda are public hearings, including one continued from the July and August meeting, as well as to consider adopting a resolution with amendments to the zoning map, and design review procedures and that implement the new zoning ordinance.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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A previous Kelseyville Pear Festival, with streets packed with locals and visitors alike coming to celebrate Lake County, California’s farming heritage. Courtesy photo.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Kelseyville Pear Festival is a one-day celebration of Lake County’s harvest of pears, walnuts, olives and winegrapes.

This has always been a family-focused event that showcases the rich agricultural heritage of many generations.

It features a grand parade, historical displays, local businesses, craftsmen, food vendors, musicians, dancers, horses, kids’ town, and community services.

This is the best-attended, one-day event in Lake County.

For the past 27 years Lake County families and those from beyond have planned reunions, enjoyed outdoor concerts and cheered at high school homecomings, all to coincide with the Kelseyville Pear Festival held on the last Saturday of each September.

A recent feature is the sold-out farm-to-fork dinner centered in the middle of Main Street on Friday night.

Sadly, 2020 has seen traditional community events canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And again, Lake County endures horrific fires and weather conditions that make any sort of outdoor event nearly impossible this September.

With all the defugalties, the all-volunteer Kelseyville Pear Festival Committee will be planning to bring everything back on Sept. 25, 2021. Mark that day on your calendar and we will see you then.

For more information go to www.pearfestival.com or contact C. Richard Smith at 707-278-7268.

Vicky Parish Smith has worked with the pear festival organizing committee.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors this week will discuss a referendum submitted in opposition to its Public Health order enforcement ordinance and continue its consideration of issues with the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office.

The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22.

The supervisors will meet in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport, for a hybrid meeting format which also will include the opportunity for community members to continue to participate virtually.

The meeting can be watched live on Channel 8, online at https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx and on the county’s Facebook page. Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.

To participate in real-time, join the Zoom meeting by clicking this link at 9 a.m. The meeting ID is 993 7987 0523, password 835361.

To submit a written comment on any agenda item please visit https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx and click on the eComment feature linked to the meeting date. If a comment is submitted after the meeting begins, it may not be read during
the meeting but will become a part of the record.

At 9:02 a.m., the board will consider a reference filed with the Registrar of Voters Office to challenge the ordinance the board passed on Aug. 18 to provide for graduated levels of enforcement of Public Health orders, including the imposition of fines.

At 10 a.m., the board will present several proclamations, including to Bob Malley, who has spent more than a decade on the Lake County Planning Commission, to Det. Jerry Pfann of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office who is retiring this month, another marking the 100th anniversary of Disabled American Veterans, one declaring Friday, Sept. 25, as Native American Day in Lake County, and will honor Lakeport resident Lydia Meraz for her heroic actions in saving the life of 3-year-old Darius Apar.

At 11:15 a.m., the board will continue a discussion from Sept. 1 regarding issues with the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office, including a proposed vote of no confidence and request for resignation of Treasurer-Tax Collector Barbara Ringen.

The full agenda follows.

CONSENT AGENDA

5.1: Adopt proclamation commending Bob Malley for his 10+ years of service as a planning commissioner.

5.2: Adopt proclamation honoring the 100th anniversary of Disabled American Veterans.

5.3: Adopt proclamation declaring Friday, Sept. 25, 2020, as Native American Day in Lake County, California.

5.4: Adopt proclamation commending Lydia Meraz for heroic actions in saving the life of 3-year-old Darius Apar.

5.5: Adopt resolution amending Resolution No. 2020-133 adopting the Final Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2020-21.

5.6: Approve change to board’s annual meeting calendar for 2020.

5.7: (a) Waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and (b) approve the agreement between the county of Lake and Resource Development Associates for implementation and maintenance of the Network of Care Website for Fiscal Year 2020-21 for a contract maximum of $48,000 and authorize the board chair to sign the agreement.

5.8: (a) Waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and (b) approve the agreement between the county of Lake and Vista Pacifica Enterprises Inc. for adult residential support services and specialty mental health services for Fiscal Year 2020-21 for contract maximum of $78,000 and authorize the board chair to sign the agreement.

5.9: Adopt resolution to amend the budget for FY 2020-2021 by appropriating unanticipated revenue for Public Health Services and authorize the Health Services director to sign necessary documents to secure these funds.

5.10: Sitting as the Kelseyville County Waterworks #3 Board of Directors, (a) approve Proposed Private Lateral Grant Program to assist property owners for the replacement costs of private laterals to reduce inflow and infiltration; and (b) adopt resolution canceling reserves in the amount of $15,000 to fund the program.

5.11: (a) Adopt resolution revising the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 adopted budget of the county of Lake by canceling reserves in Fund 295 Special Districts Administration Equipment, in the amount of $30,000 to make appropriations in Budget Unit 8695, Object Code 786.62-74; (b) authorize the Special Districts administrator / assistant purchasing agent to issue a purchase order not to exceed $30,000 to Industrial Electrical Co. for the purchase of a 15 KW generator for the Special Districts Administration building.

5.12: Adopt proclamation commending Jerry Pfann on his retirement.

5.13: Approve mileage reimbursement for Al Acrey, quagga mussel monitor in the amount of $983.32 and authorize the auditor to pay.

TIMED ITEMS

6.1, 9:01 a.m.: Public input.

6.2, 9:02 a.m.: Consideration of direction to the Registrar of Voters regarding the referendum against Ordinance No. 3097, “An Ordinance of the County of Lake to Provide for Graduated Levels of Enforcement of Public Health Orders Through Education and Training and the Imposition of Administrative Fines”, adopted by your Board on Aug. 18, 2020.

6.3, 10 a.m.: Presentation of (a) proclamation commending Bob Malley for his 10+ years of service as a planning commissioner; (b) proclamation commending Jerry Pfann on his retirement; (c) proclamation honoring the 100th anniversary of Disabled American Veterans; and (d) proclamation declaring Friday, September 25, 2020, as Native American Day in Lake County; and (e) proclamation commending Lydia Meraz for heroic actions in saving the life of 3-year-old Darius Apar.

6.4, 10:10 a.m.: Presentation of Employee Service Awards.

6.5, 11:00 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration/discussion of naming existing unnamed roads in the Jerusalem Valley area of Middletown.

6.6, 11:15 a.m.: Continued from Sept. 1, presentation on continuing issues regarding Treasurer/Tax Collector’s Office, vote of no confidence and request for resignation of Barbara Ringen.

CLOSED SESSION

8.1: Public Employee Evaluations: IT Director Shane French, Social Services Director Crystal Markytan.

8.2: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1) Center for Biological Diversity v. County of Lake, et al.

8.3: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1) California Native Plant Society v. County of Lake, et al.

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.
Posted On

Three-year-old Darius Apar, center, with his mom Adelia (third from left) and Guest Services Manager Lydia Meraz, second from left, next to Darius, on Monday, September 7, 2020, the day after Meraz resuscitated Darius, who was found unconscious in the WorldMark Clear Lake Resort’s pool in Nice, California. Photo courtesy of WorldMark General Manager Greg Bennett.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A Lakeport woman credits faith, training and focus with helping her to save the life of a 3-year-old boy found unresponsive in the pool at a local resort over Labor Day weekend.

Lydia Meraz, a 20-year employee of WorldMark Clear Lake Resort in Nice, resuscitated 3-year-old Darius Apar after the child was pulled from the swimming pool by his mother.

At 10 a.m. Tuesday Meraz will receive a commendation from the Lake County Board of Supervisors in recognition of her heroic actions.

The story has a happy ending, but as resort General Manager Greg Bennett pointed out, “It was very, very close.”

Bennett said there were moments when they didn’t think the child was going to make it. “It was quite a battle to get him to breathe again.”

Meraz, who serves as the resort’s guest services manager, was in her office taking care of invoicing and some other duties on Sunday, Sept. 6, when she said she heard a woman screaming for help.

Getting up from her desk, Meraz told her team members to call 911 while she set out to find out what was happening.

She said she didn’t know if someone was having a seizure or heart attack, or being stabbed. “I didn’t know what I was getting myself into.”

Meraz, along with team members Diana Starkey and Ali Staub, arrived at the pool to find a hysterical Adelia Apar, who told her that her son Darius wasn’t breathing.

Adelia Apar had been swimming laps when she turned around and found the child face down in the pool, Meraz said.

When Meraz arrived, the child was lying next to the pool. He was unconscious and blue. “I’ve never been exposed to anything like that.”

Meraz told everyone to stand back and then got down on her knees next to the child. She said she prayed, asking Jesus to help her save the boy’s life.

At that point, Meraz said it was like she was in a bubble. “It got really quiet around me.”

She began cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Darius. At the second round of compressions, Meraz said she saw him starting to come back. On the third set of compressions, she prayed that he would pull through, and he started to cough.

Meraz quickly turned him over onto his side, he began throwing up water, opened his eyes and started to cry.

“I told him, ‘you’re going to be just fine,’” and then Meraz said she started to cry, too.

The child’s family immediately came to her side, calling her their guardian angel.

Bringing the child back “was an amazing feeling,” and it means a lot to her, Meraz said.

The rest of the WorldMark team set up roadblocks and guided the ambulance and first responders to the scene. Bennett said both Adelia Apar and her son were taken to the hospital for treatment.

The next day, the Apar family came back to see Meraz, bringing her flowers, and there were more hugs and tears. She said Darius gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Meraz said the Apars have told her she’s now an extended member of their family. Adelia Apar has even sent her Darius’ preschool picture.

Bennett said the day after the incident, Darius was back swimming, now with a brand new life jacket, and the whole family was able to have a good time. “That’s all you can ask for,” he said.

In a high-stress situation, how did Meraz remain calm?

Both Bennett and Meraz said the resort puts a strong emphasis on training for its staff. Bennett said CPR training is required for guest services, housekeeping, maintenance and management. “It paid off in this particular case, that’s for sure,” he said.

Meraz gave special credit to her trainer, Kimberly Miinch of Emergency Care Training and Supply in Middletown, for helping prepare her.

She said she remembered having told Miinch that she wasn’t sure she would be able to act to save someone if necessary. Meraz said Miinch reassured her that she could do it when the time came.

The day after she saved Darius, Meraz said Miinch called her. Miinch had heard scanner traffic about the incident and called to check in.

Meraz said she told Miinch that her training had made all of the difference.

Also important for Meraz is her faith in God, which she said was another key to saving the little boy.

“I give it all to the Lord,” she said.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

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