LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – As forecasters had predicted, snow came to Lake County on Monday, dusting mountaintops, covering cars and making mountain roads more precarious.
The National Weather Service has Lake County and other parts of Northern California under a winter storm warning that continues through 7 a.m. Tuesday. That warning noted the possibility of rain and snow down to elevations of 750 feet, with snowfall accumulations expected from the 1,000 foot elevation and above.
On Monday, there were reports of snow throughout the county, as well as rain and brief periods of hail.
By early evening, Mount Konocti and the hills along the Northshore were adorned with a bright white layer of powder.
Throughout the afternoon there were snow flurries. As the snow fell steadily in Lakeport, it didn’t stick to the ground but left a cold white layer over vehicles. Readers in Clearlake reported snow falling off and on, and on the Northshore there also was intermittent snowfall into the night.
The National Weather Service had predicted less than an inch of snow in low-lying areas of Lake County, with the possibility of 6 inches or more in the mountains.
On Monday night, the California Highway Patrol reported that chains were needed on Highway 175 into Cobb due to increasing snowfall.
More snow is forecast to fall before 10 a.m. Tuesday, forecasters said.
Conditions from Tuesday on are predicted to be mostly sunny through Thursday, before rain returns to the forecast through early next week. Daytime temperatures will range from the mid 40s to low 50s and fall as low as 30 degree mark at night through the weekend. Light winds also are in the forecast.
Ahead of the snow, in Lake County overnight Sunday and into early Monday there was several hours of steady rain. Total precipitation totals for the 24-hour period from 12 a.m. Monday through 12 a.m. Tuesday are as follows, in inches:
– Bartlett Springs: 0.88. – Boggs Mountain: 0.83. – Colusa County line: 0.56. – Hidden Valley Lake: 0.57. – Indian Valley Reservoir: 0.51. – Kelseyville: 0.45. – Knoxville Creek: 0.73. – Lakeport: 0.49. – Lower Lake: 0.62. – Soda Creek (near Lake Pillsbury): 0.65. – Upper Lake: 0.78. – Whispering Pines: 0.64.
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.
NICE, Calif. – A spay-neuter clinic held this weekend offered free or low-cost surgeries for more than 100 cats and dogs with a view to preventing the birth of more unwanted pets, which is part of a local rescue group’s plan for solving Lake County’s pet overpopulation problem.
Orphan Dog Rescue held its second “Big Fix” event at the Robinson Rancheria gym in Nice. The event ran from 8 p.m. Friday until Sunday night.
Orphan Dog Rescue, a 15-year-old rescue organization based in Lake County, has rescued and rehomed 3,000 animals, and counting.
However, the group also has a mission of tackling the pet overpopulation problem by stopping it before it can start – in this case, holding spay-neuter clinics.
If anyone would know the impossibility of stopping pet overpopulation simply by adoptions, its Orphan Dog Rescue Executive Director Karen Schaver, who has been personally involved with each of the animals her organization has rescued.
A teacher by day and an animal rescuer just about every other waking hour, she’s pulled animals from desperate situations – either homes where they can’t be cared for or even from shelters – and found them new homes through her group’s Web site and adoption events, many of them in the Bay Area.
Based on her personal experience, Schaver is firm in believing that Lake County’s pet overpopulation problem can’t be solved by adoption alone. She’s tried it for a decade and a half, and it hasn’t worked.
Her conclusion is borne out by statistics offered by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The ASPCA reported that female cats can breed three times a year and have an average of 4 kittens per litter; in seven years, one unspayed female cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 kittens.
Dogs can breed twice a year and produce litters of up to 10 puppies each. As a result, the ASPCA said one unspayed female dog and her offspring can produce as many as 97,000 puppies.
That leads to other heartbreaking statistics, including ASPCA’s estimate that 6.5 million animals enter shelters across the United States each year. Of those, 3.2 million are adopted and 710,000 are returned to their owners.
That leaves 1.5 million companion animals that are euthanized annually across the country, according to the ASPCA’s numbers.
And those numbers don’t take into account feral animals that live on the margins and don’t have basic food or protection.
In Lake County, while pet euthanasia rates have mostly gone down over the past decade, they are still high. In the 2016-17 fiscal year, Lake County Animal Care and Control said it had a 27-percent euthanasia rate, most of them cats. That was up 2 percentage points from the previous fiscal year. It’s also important to note that those numbers don’t include the city of Clearlake, which has its own separate animal control program.
So Schaver’s answer is bringing no-cost/low-cost spay and neuter clinics to Lake County, like the one that took place this weekend.
“It’s a cool event for a lot of reasons,” said Diane Davis, one of Orphan Dog’s stalwart volunteers and an event organizer.
Orphan Dog had previously organized a spay-neuter clinic in 2017 in Clearlake, where about 120 animals had surgeries.
The group is aiming at spaying and neutering a total of 20,000 animals by 2020. “It’s a big goal,” said Davis, and one that they acknowledge is going to require a lot of work and a great deal of support from the community.
Schaver said 56 animals went through the spay-neuter clinic on Saturday and 52 on Sunday.
Both days were furiously busy, as volunteers – all told, about 36 between medical and Orphan Dog – worked on intake, filled out forms, helped with animals recovering from surgery, did cleanup, contacted owners to let them know when to pick up their pets and gave them post-operation instruction.
The total cost for the event was about $13,000, which Schaver said broke down to about $120 per animal.
Altogether, Orphan Dog received 286 applications for 399 animals. They were hoping to do 160 spay-neuter surgeries, but one volunteer veterinarian didn’t come, which caused them to need to scale back.
Schaver said 90 percent of the people whose pets were serviced in the free clinic have annual incomes of up to $10,000, with the income for the remaining 10 percent ranging up to $15,000.
The expertise that made the two-day clinic possible came with Dr. Tracy Huang, DVM, and a group of volunteers she formed.
Huang, a veterinarian based at the East Bay SPCA, said her main goal is to address pet overpopulation, as well as service areas like Lake County that do not have as much access to veterinarian care, and to help low-income and indigenous populations.
Joining Huang and the veterinarians operating both days were several students from UC Davis Veterinary School. They were able to get important clinical experience under the close supervision of the seasoned vets.
Several operating tables were set up at the opposite end of the gym from where intake took place. There, vets were at work with students, and volunteers did prep and cleanup.
The surgeries continued until Sunday night. Several students looked on as Huang performed one of the event’s final operations.
With a methodical and deft touch, Huang showed how to perform a procedure, moving the surgical tools with precise movements and explaining her techniques.
As it looks ahead to trying to meet its ambitious spay-neuter goal, Orphan Dog Rescue said scheduling future events will depend on the dedicated group made up of Huang and her fellow volunteers. They decide which weekends they can devote to the clinics and Orphan Dog schedules them.
Orphan Dog’s leadership said the group can’t do these kinds of events without volunteers and donations, and they said the community has heavily supported them both in terms of donations and volunteering.
Donations for future events and Orphan Dog’s ongoing operations can be made online at www.OrphanDog.org or by mail to Orphan Dog, P.O. Box 662, Lakeport, CA 95453. You can also follow the group on its Facebook page.
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.
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Lake County’s Academic Decathlon on Saturday once again challenged some of the brightest young minds in the county, with Willits High and Upper Lake High advancing to the state competition in March.
The public portion of the event, including the Super Quiz and awards ceremony, took place in the cafeteria at Upper Lake High School.
For several years, Willits High has traveled to Lake County to participate in the competition, as no other high schools from Mendocino County have Academic Decathlon teams.
This year, Willits’ team put on a winning performing, topping both Upper Lake and Clear Lake High School and racking up dozens of medals for its students.
Mary Colvig, now in her third year coaching Willits High’s Academic Decathlon team, said her team has strong students in each of the 10 disciplines, and that they were very focused on winning.
She said they’ve been very motivated and worked hard all year to be ready for Saturday’s competition.
They were definitely ready, and in some categories, such as economics and essay, all of the medals went to Willits High students.
Savanna Hofmaister was one of Willits’ most decorated competitors, and she repeated her title this year as the top scoring student from her school. Overall, she earned the highest number of points of any academic decathlete, 8,526 points.
Sarah Williams of Upper Lake High School, also a returning academic decathlete, was the highest point earner in her school overall and second highest for the scholastic category, which is a 3.0 to 3.74 grade point average, while Katelyn Rolfe was the high scorer for Clear Lake High School.
Moving to the state competition along with Willits is Upper Lake High School, which won the Lake County title for the fourth year running.
Coach Anna Sabalone brought to this year’s competition a young team, more than a third of which were freshmen.
Adding to the mix was a large portion of last year’s team members who had competed at the state level, and the freshmen members had the chance to work with, and learn from, the upper class members.
“Fingers crossed, this will be the beginning of a good cycle,” she said.
Usually, Sabalone gives the team a week or so to rest up before diving back into the preparation for competition.
But not this year, she said.
Nodding toward her friend Colvig and the Willits team, Sabalone said that, considering the tough level of competition they will encounter at state, it’s back to work immediately.
The California Academic Decathlon will take place March 21 to 24 in Sacramento.
For information on making a donation to help the Upper Lake team travel to the state competition, call Upper Lake High at 707-275-2338.
The full results of the competition are below.
Clear Lake High School Superintendent Patrick Iaccino, Principal Jill Falconer, Coach Becky Lawler Team members: Nicabec Casido, Anna DelBosco, Trinity Ingersoll, Robert Lasher, Jacob Lopez, Mackenzie Markham, Edward Medina, Stacey Partridge, Breana Pierce, Nathaniel Porter, Oscard Quilala, Neydi Rodriguez, Katelyn Rolfe, Rosa Ruiz, Cole Saiz, Felix Salinas, Allison Scott
Upper Lake High School Superintendent Giovanni Annous, Principal Sandy Coatney, Coaches Anna Sabalone, Angel Hayenga and Christal Coatney Team members: William Cromwell, Jeff Fannon, Jasmine Haro, Jenaya Horne, Jisel Horne, Joslyn Huntley, Deeya Kalan, Jessica Lee, Emily McKelvey, Kehlani McKelvey, Diana Mendoza-Razo, Katlyn Minnis, Robert Porterfield, Hugh Ramos, Isabel Sanchez, Annalise Smith, Seneca Snow, Maria Tinoco, Sarah Williams, Amantae Wyman
Willits High School Superintendent Mark Westerburg, Principal Michael Colvig, Coach Mary Colvig Team members: Amy Andrade, Jacob Arms,Tyler Bailey, Joscelyn Beebe, Mikayla Blake, Jaeva Cash, Spencer Copperfield, Brieana Evans, MaKenzie Hansen, Elizabeth Henning, Karen Hernandez, Savanna Hofmaister, Teophil Labus, McKenna McNelley, Mara Moratti, Ariel Reyes, Logan Simms, Micah Stamps, Lillian Turner, Emerald Water, Ian Watson, Grady Williams
TEAM PLACEMENT
Lake County
First place: Upper Lake High School, 36,628 points Second place: Clear Lake High School, 33,356 points
Mendocino County
First place: Willits High School, 42,474 points
AWARDS
Super Quiz
First place: Willits High School, 63 Second place: Upper Lake High School, 46 Third place: Clear Lake High School, 37
SUBJECTS
Art
First place: Savanna Hofmaister, Willits High School Second place: Ian Watson, Willits High School Third place: Kehlani McKelvey, Upper Lake High School
Economics
First place: Grady Williams, Willits High School Second place: Jaeva Cash, Willits High School Third place: (tie) Logan Simms, Elizabeth Henning and Brieana Evans, all of Willits High School
Essay
First place: Ian Watson, Willits High School Second place: Savanna Hofmaister, Willits High School Third place: McKenna McNelley, Willits High School
Interview
First place: (tie) Nicabec Casido, Clear Lake High School; Savanna Hofmaister, Willits High School Second place: Mikayla Blake, Willits High School Third place: Micah Stamps, Willits High School
Language and Literature
First place: Savanna Hofmaister, Willits High School Second place: Brieana Evans, Willits High School Third place: Sarah Williams, Upper Lake High School
Mathematics
First place: (tie) Ian Watson, Willits High School Second place: Jacob Mars, Willits High School Third place: Stacey Partridge, Clear Lake High School
Music
First place: Savanna Hofmaister, Willits High School Second place: Ian Watson, Willits High School Third place: (tie) Sarah Williams and Maria Tinoco, both of Upper Lake High School
Science
First place: Savanna Hofmaister, Willits High School Second place: Nicabec Casido, Clear Lake High School Third place: Emerald Walters, Willits High School
Social Sciences
First place: Katelyn Rolfe, Clear Lake High School Second place: Savanna Hofmaister, Willits High School Third place: Ian Watson, Willits High School
Speech
First place: (tie) Jeff Fannon, Upper Lake High School; Spencer Copperfield, Willits High School Second place: Brieana Evans, Willits High School Third place: Mikayla Blake, Willits High School
TOP FINISHERS FOR EACH ACADEMIC LEVEL
Honors category (3.75-4.00 grade point average)
First place: Savanna Hofmaister, Willits High School, 8,526 points Second place: Ian Watson, Willits High School, 7,663 points Third place: Brieana Evans, Willits High School, 7,475 points
Scholastic category (3.00-3.74 GPA)
First place: Logan Simms, Willits High School, 6,980 points Second place: Sarah Williams, Upper Lake High School, 6,953 points Third place: Micah Stamps, Willits High School, 6,503 points
Varsity category (2.99 GPA or below)
First place: Grady Williams, Willits High School, 5,855 points Second place: Mikayla Blake, Willits High School, 5,689 points Third place: Jeff Fannon, Upper Lake High School, 5,407 points
HIGHEST SCORING STUDENTS, PER SCHOOL
Clear Lake High School: Katelyn Rolfe Upper Lake High School: Sarah Williams Willits High School: Savanna Hofmaister
SECOND HIGHEST SCORING STUDENTS, PER SCHOOL
Clear Lake High School: Mackenzie Markham Upper Lake High School: Maria Tinoco Willits High School: Ian Watson
The Lodge at Blue Lakes provided $100 scholarships for each of the schools' top-scoring students, along with additional gift certificates to the lodge.
Correction: A previous version of the article said Sarah Williams of Upper Lake was the highest scorer in the varsity category. She actually was the second-highest scorer in the scholastic category.
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.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council has selected a local businesswoman to join the Clearlake Planning Commission.
At its Jan. 24 meeting, the council voted unanimously to choose Lisa Wilson, owner and general manager of Clear Lake Campground, to fill an open commission seat that resulted when Dirk Slooten was elected to the City Council in the fall.
City Clerk Melissa Swanson’s report to the council explained that the city received applications from Wilson, as well as Steve Gibson and Erin McCarrick for the four-year term, ending in March 2023.
“This is an extremely important position to our community,” Mayor Nick Bennett told the three applicants as the council began its interview and selection process, which lasted under an hour. “Many things go through the planning commission before it ever comes to the council.”
Each of the applicants was interviewed while the others were out of the room. All of them offered enthusiasm and a love for Clearlake, as well as a desire and a commitment to improving the community.
Wilson, who also serves on the city’s marketing committee, said her parents bought the resort she now owns in 1980. She went off to school and a career in e-commerce, living in both the Bay Area and New York, before eventually returning due to illness in the family.
She decided to keep the resort and invest in the community, adding she feels good about that investment.
Wilson also told them that, thanks to her work in the community, she knows what is going on in the county, not just the city.
She said she’s a critical thinker, curious, open-minded and fair, and has good communication skills. “I think those characteristics would be of value to you on the planning commission.”
During her interview, she also demonstrated her knowledge of current city projects and planning priorities.
Councilman Phil Harris asked her about her future vision for the city.
“What I would like to see here is an engaged community, happy and proud to live in the city of Clearlake, living the lake life,” she said.
As the council deliberated on its choice, Councilwoman Joyce Overton thanked all three applicants for stepping forward, noting that she can tell their care about the city and have heart.
Both Councilman Russ Cremer and Bennett encouraged them to apply for other committees as well, with Bennett also suggesting they attend council meetings.
In tallying up the council members’ rankings, City Clerk Melissa Swanson said they ranked the candidates with Wilson first, followed by McCarrick and Gibson.
Slooten moved to appoint Wilson, which was seconded by Harris and approved unanimously.
The Clearlake Planning Commission meets the first and third Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
The commission’s Feb. 5 meeting was canceled, so Wilson’s first meeting as a commissioner is expected to take place on Feb. 19.
She joins commissioners Richard Bean, Kathryn Fitts, Nathalie Antus and Robert Coker.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council this week will hear from staff on the plans to move forward on the annexation of the South Main Street corridor and the next steps that need to be taken, including a fiscal analysis.
The council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
Community Development Director Kevin Ingram will present the annexation update to the council, along with a requested budget adjustment in the amount of $17,980 for the completion of an annexation fiscal analysis study.
The council also will be asked to direct staff to finalize the required application for annexation with the Local Area Formation Commission, or LAFCO, and prepare a resolution of application for the city council’s approval.
That commercial corridor is reported to be the most lucrative in county jurisdiction, and nearly a decade ago was the source of a clash between the city and county when the city had previously moved forward with an attempt to annex the area, as Lake County News has reported.
Ingram’s report explains that the proposed annexation area includes approximately 125 acres and consists of 52 individual properties along South Main Street and Soda Bay Road south of the existing city limits.
He said the area has been within the city’s recognized sphere of influence – a planning boundary outside of the city’s limits – since at least the mid-1980s.
“There are number of reasons that this area of unincorporated South Lakeport is recognized as an area of logical expansion for the City but perhaps the greatest reason is the fact that Lakeport’s municipal sewer district already provides service to these properties,” Ingram wrote. “The need to annex this area into the City in the near future exists for two primary reasons: 1) the need to provide public drinking water and adequate fire suppression (fire hydrants) to this highly developed commercial and industrial area, and 2) the need to install necessary public water system infrastructure (water main, individual service laterals and fire hydrants) prior to the completion of a planned road widening project in this area.’
He continued, “Additionally, it should be noted that the current out of district provision of sewer service to this area creates a precarious situation whereby the City of Lakeport does not have control over land use development decisions that have direct impacts upon the City’s municipal sewer service district.
Ingram’s report explains that city staffers have been working “over the past several months on the necessary studies and documents to formally submit an annexation application for this area of South Lakeport.”
He said the city intends to submit this formal application this spring to LAFCO.
Also on Tuesday, Public Works Director Doug Grider will present to the council a request to approve the concept of a “black box”theater in Westside Community Park Phase III, to be developed by the Lake County Theater Co.
In other business, Police Chief Brad Rasmussen will give the council an update on the department’s calls for service, response times, arrest numbers and investigations data, and Finance Director Nick Walker will present the city’s quarterly financial statement and mid-year report.
The council also will consider adopting a resolution accepting grant funds from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Office of Spill Prevention and Response, for oil spill response equipment, and authorize the city manager to sign a purchase order with Global Diving & Salvage Inc. for the construction and delivery of the oil spill response trailer.
On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances; minutes of the council’s regular Jan. 15 meeting and its special meeting of Jan. 22; the Jan. 29 warrant register; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency in the city of Lakeport; receipt and filing of the draft minutes of the Jan.16 Measure Z Advisory Committee meeting; introduction of an ordinance amending Chapter 9.80 of Title 9 of the Lakeport Municipal Code regarding the hours of use of city parklands, and set a public hearing for Feb. 19.
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.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With rain forecast to continue through Tuesday, along with chances for snow overnight on Monday, the National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for much of Lake County and other areas where there are significant wildland fire burn scars.
The watch is in place through 6 p.m. Monday, particularly for the Mendocino Complex burn area in Lake, Glenn and Colusa counties, and the Camp fire burn area in Butte County.
The National Weather Service issued the watch in response to a forecast of heavy rain for interior Northern California through the weekend.
The forecast calls for thunderstorms every afternoon and evening through Monday, with concerns that heavy rain from thunderstorms over a burn area can generate life-threatening debris flows.
Lake County already has had a few days of rainfall. As of 1 a.m. Sunday, 36-hour rainfall totals, in inches, recorded by National Weather Service stations around Lake County were as follows:
– Bartlett Springs: 2.41; – Boggs Mountain: 3.35; – Colusa County line: 1.77; – Hidden Valley Lake: 1.96; – High Glade Lookout: 1.15; – Indian Valley Reservoir: 1.20; – Kelseyville: 1.28; – Knoxville Creek: 1.68; – Lakeport: 0.98; – Lower Lake: 3.55; – Lyons Valley: 1.39; – Soda Creek (near Lake Pillsbury): 1.37; – Upper Lake: 1.04; – Whispering Pines: 2.52.
Looking ahead, the Lake County forecast predicts a chance of rain and snow on Monday night and into early Tuesday, with total accumulation estimated to be under an inch and a half. Overnight temperatures are expected to hover around 30 degrees.
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.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, the California Optometric Association and VSP Global Eyes of Hope are partnering to provide no-cost eye exams and, if prescribed, glasses to Clearlake’s low-income seniors, people experiencing homelessness, veterans and recently displaced Camp fire residents in need of eye care.
The clinic will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, in the rear parking lot at the Clearlake Senior Community Center, 3245 Bowers Ave.
In addition to helping members of the Clearlake community gain the clear vision they need to read, work and drive safely, the comprehensive eye examinations offered are an important window into overall health – including detecting signs of diabetes, hypertension, eye cancers and other diseases that can cause vision loss.
Annual comprehensive eye exams are essential for seniors and diabetic patients in particular to preserve their vision, because catching these complications early on can save patients’ lives and sight.
“Horrible health impacts like diabetes-related deaths, amputations and vision loss are completely avoidable,” said Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters). “I want our Clearlake community to know that these consequences are preventable and manageable through routine care. I’m proud to work with VSP Global Eyes of Hope and the California Optometric Association to help our most vulnerable people access exams that will foster greater awareness of prevention, lower their risk of serious complications and improve their overall health.”
“A comprehensive eye exam is often where diseases like diabetes are first detected, making eye care particularly crucial among the population of Californians who are underserved by our health system,” said Brian Park, O.D. “Optometrists are seeing more vision impairment, blindness and worse health outcomes for our patients as eye care is often put off until absolutely necessary. Optometrists are determined to change this deadly trend by diagnosing diseases early on to save our patients’ lives and sight.”
Appointments are open to the public and will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis until filled.
Patients need to call 707-994-3051 to make an appointment.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors this week will discuss possible action to take regarding expired permits for temporary Valley fire dwellings, get an update on the Mendocino Complex recovery and consider continuing several local emergency proclamations.
The board will meet beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
The meeting can be watched live on Channel 8 and online at https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx. Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.
At 9:20 a.m., the board will discuss possible action to take regarding Valley fire temporary dwellings.
A memo to the board from Community Development Director Michalyn DelValle explains that, pursuant to a gubernatorial executive order, county staff issued permits for temporary dwellings for a period of three years for Valley fire survivors.
“The Valley Fire Temporary Dwelling permits expired October 1, 2018. Recently, staff conducted an audit of those records and approximately 19 of those temporary dwellings are still being occupied. Those occupants have not applied for a building permit to rebuild a home,” DelValle wrote.
She added, “Staff is seeking direction from the Board of Supervisors concerning notification of the expiration of the Temporary Dwelling Permits and initiation of Code Enforcement action, if applicable.”
In other timed items, at 9:10 a.m., the board will consider an amended declaration of a local health emergency and order prohibiting the endangerment of the community through the unsafe removal, transportation and disposal of fire debris before getting an update on the Mendocino Complex recovery.
That item will be followed by the board’s consideration of continuing proclamations of local emergency due to the Mendocino Complex, as well as the Pawnee, Sulphur and Clayton fires, and the atmospheric river storm of 2017.
In an untimed item continued from Jan. 29, the board will consider the future of Local Emergency Medical Services Agency for Lake County and status of North Coast Emergency Medical Services.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1: Adopt Resolution expressing support for Lower Lake Parade and Barbecue on May 26, 2019.
5.2: Approve Amendment 1 to the agreement between the county of Lake and Paragons LLC. for the coordination of activities involved with the No Place Like Home grant for Fiscal Year 2018-19.
5.3: Approve Amendment No. 1 to the agreement between the county of Lake and North Valley Behavioral Health LLC for acute inpatient psychiatric hospital services and professional services associated with acute inpatient psychiatric hospital services for Fiscal Year 2018-19 for a new contract maximum of $250,000 and authorize the chair to sign.
5.4: Adopt resolution approving Amendment A01 to the standard agreement for the multi-year contract between the county of Lake and the Department of Health Care Services for Substance Abuse Block Grant for Fiscal Year 2017-18 through Fiscal Year 2019-20, and authorizing the Behavioral Health administrator to sign the amendment.
5.5: Approve Amendment 1 to 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 2018-19 in the amount of $105,700 and authorize the board chair to sign the amendment.
5.6: Approve Amendment 1 to the agreement between the county of Lake and Mountain Valley Child and Family Services for specialty mental health services for Fiscal Year 2018-19 in the amount of $75,000 and authorize the board chair to sign the amendment. not available.
5.7: Adopt the resolution approving the sales order and services agreement between the county of Lake and Cerner Corp. for the purchase and maintenance of the Cerner Integrated Behavioral Health System Known as Millennium for the term of Jan. 1, 2019 through June 30, 202, and Authorizing the Behavioral Health Services administrator to sign the sales order and services agreement.
5.8: Authorize long distance travel for Chief Building Official Mary Jane Montana and Plans Examiner Jack Smalley to attend the International Code Council Educode Training in Las Vegas, Nev. from March 11 through March 15, 2019.
5.9: Approve reimbursement to extra-help grading and stormwater Inspector Ron Yoder for Erosion, Sediment and Stormwater Inspection, and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Certificate reinstatement, late and renewal fees, in the amount of $551; and authorize the auditor-controller to pay.
5.10: (a) Adopt resolution approving the Lake County Sheriff's Office to apply for state of California, Department of Parks and Recreation Off-Highway Vehicle Grant funds and (b) authorize the sheriff/coroner or his designee to sign the project agreement .
TIMED ITEMS
6.2, 9:10 A.M. - (a) Consideration of amended declaration of a local health emergency and order prohibiting the endangerment of the community through the unsafe removal, transportation, and disposal of fire debris; and (b) update on the Mendocino Complex - River and Ranch Fires Recovery.
6.3, 9:11 a.m.: Consideration of continuing a proclamation of a local emergency due to the Mendocino Complex fire incident (River and Ranch fires).
6.4, 9:12 a.m.: Consideration of continuing a proclamation of a local emergency due to the Pawnee fire incident.
6.5, 9:13 a.m.: Consideration of continuing a proclamation of a local emergency due to the Sulphur fire incident.
6.6, 9:14 a.m.: Consideration of continuing a proclamation of a local emergency due to Clayton fire.
6.7, 9:15 a.m.: Consideration of continuing a proclamation of a local emergency due to the atmospheric river storm.
6.8, 9:20 a.m.: Discussion and consideration of Valley fire temporary dwellings.
6.9, 10 a.m.: Consideration of report from Bruce Wilson, executive director of the Workforce Alliance of the North Bay.
UNTIMED ITEMS
7.2: Consideration of the following appointments: Animal Care and Control, Fish and Wildlife Advisory Board.
7.3: Continued from Jan. 29 consideration of the future of Local Emergency Medical Services Agency for Lake County and status of North Coast Emergency Medical Services.
CLOSED SESSION
8.1: Public employee evaluations: Agricultural Commissioner Steve Hajik.
8.2: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.9(d)(1): County of Lake, et al. v. PG&E, 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.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has numerous new dogs joining its group of canines waiting for new homes this week.
Dogs available for adoption this week include mixes of Boston Terrier, Chihuahua, French Bulldog, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, pit bull, shepherd, Shih Tzu and terrier.
Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.
If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets hoping you'll choose them.
The following dogs at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (additional dogs on the animal control Web site not listed are still “on hold”).
Male Chihuahua-terrier
This male Chihuahua-terrier mix has a short brown coat.
He’s in kennel No. 2, ID No. 11661.
French Bulldog
This young male French Bulldog has a short brindle and white coat.
He’s in kennel No. 5a, ID No. 11709.
Boston Terrier
This young female Boston Terrier has a short black and white coat.
She’s in kennel No. 5b, ID No. 11710.
Female shepherd mix
This female shepherd mix has a medium-length red and white coat.
She’s in kennel No. 6, ID No. 11689.
Female shepherd
This female shepherd has a medium-length black and tan coat.
She’s in kennel No. 10, ID No. 11685.
‘Alaki’
“Alaki” is a male pit bull terrier.
He has a short brindle coat with white markings. He already has been neutered.
He’s in kennel No. 11, ID No. 6386.
‘Cash’
“Cash” is a male pit bull terrier with a short red and white coat.
He already has been neutered.
He’s in kennel No. 13a, ID No. 11700.
Female pit bull terrier
This female pit bull terrier has a short red and white coat.
She’s in kennel No. 13b, ID No. 11701.
‘Truely’
“Truely” is a female pit bull with a short white and tan coat.
She’s in kennel No. 15, ID No. 11645.
Female shepherd
This female shepherd has a medium-length black and brown coat.
She’s in kennel No. 17, ID No. 11602.
Female shepherd
This female shepherd has a short black and tan coat.
Shelter staff said she is good with other dogs.
She’s in kennel No. 18, ID No. 11641.
‘Marley’
“Marley” is a male terrier with a short black and brown coat.
He already has been neutered.
He’s in kennel No. 19, ID No. 11697.
Female pit bull terrier
This young female pit bull terrier has a short black coat.
She’s in kennel No. 20, ID No. 11712.
‘Tank’
“Tank” is a male pit bull terrier with a short brown brindle coat.
He already has been neutered.
He’s in kennel No. 21, ID No. 7002.
Male Shih Tzu
This male Shih Tzu has a shaved white and brown coat.
He’s in kennel No. 22c, ID No. 11679.
‘Peanut’
“Peanut” is a male Shih Tzu.
He has a shaved black and white coat and has been altered.
He’s in kennel No. 22d, ID No. 11680.
‘Smokey’
“Smokey” is a male pit bull terrier with a short fawn and white coat.
He already has been neutered.
He’s in kennel No. 28, ID No. 11646.
Male German Shepherd
This male German Shepherd has a medium-length tricolor coat.
He’s in kennel No. 33, ID No. 11564.
Male German Shepherd
This male German Shepherd as a medium-length black and tan coat.
He has been neutered.
He’s in kennel No. 34, ID No. 11605.
Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.
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.
Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chairman Mike Thompson (CA-05) announced that the Task Force will have two new Vice Chairs and four new Whips for the 116th Congress.
Thompson also released the full membership of the Task Force for the current Congress, including new members.
“After last year’s historic election and with our new majority ready to hold hearings and cast votes, I am honored to announce the leadership for the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force in this 116th Congress. These members hail from across our country, bring a diverse skillset and have already shown dedication and conviction on this issue. They have what it takes to combat gun violence,” said Chairman Thompson. “Together, I know we can take the action the American people have been demanding.”
New Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Vice Chairs are Representative Jason Crow (CO-06) and Representative Lucy McBath (GA-06).
"I have long said our leaders need to lead from the front. As a country, we can no longer afford to allow the gun manufacturers and special interests to dictate our policy on gun violence prevention. My community knows the horror of gun violence all too well and it is my goal that we never see what happened in Aurora, what happened in Columbine occur ever again.” said Vice Chair Crow. “As Vice Chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, I look forward to advocating for the thousands of families nationwide who have been impacted by gun violence and pushing Congress to take long-awaited action."
“The pain of losing a child to gun violence never ends. That pain drives me to fight for common-sense gun reform every single day. Thank you to Congressman Thompson for his leadership, and for the opportunity to serve as a vice chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, where I will continue to work to keep families like mine from experiencing the horror and heartbreak brought on by gun violence,” said Vice Chair McBath. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Task Force to ensure the safety of our communities. Our nation deserves common-sense solutions for every student who has ever been afraid to go to school, for the parents who have ever worried if their child would come home, and for all who know that our country can do better.”
New Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chief Whip is Representative Ted Deutch (FL-22) and Deputy Whips include Representative Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Representative Jahana Hayes (CT-05) and Representative Mark A. Veasey (TX-33).
“Last November, the American people sent to Washington a historic gun safety majority in the House of Representatives,” said Chief Whip Deutch. “With this mandate, we will pursue sensible and effective policies to reduce gun violence plaguing every part of our nation. We have a responsibility to pass laws that will make all Americans safer from gun violence, whether they’re our children in schools or our law enforcement officers patrolling the streets. Through this Task Force we will work to guarantee gun violence prevention remains a top priority for Congress.”
“It’s unconscionable that so many of our fellow Americans are killed and wounded by gunfire every year – especially when we have the tools to stop this violence,” said Deputy Whip Madeleine Dean. “We can save lives right now by requiring universal background checks and other commonsense gun safety measures.”
“Thank you to everyone for their consideration in selecting me to serve as Whip for the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force,” said Deputy Whip Hayes. “I am committed to working with my colleagues on common sense gun reform legislation that will keep our communities safer and protect the rights of responsible gun owners. It has been a generation since Congress passed any major legislation to address this growing concern and we owe it to our children to no longer remain silent on this issue.”
“I look forward to working with Chairman Thompson as a Whip for the Gun Violence Prevention Taskforce,” said Deputy Whip Veasey. “It’s critical that we work across the aisle to pass common sense firearm safety in the 116th Congress to end the cycle of violence from mass shootings that are haunting this country.”
Returning Vice Chairs include Representatives David Cicilline (RI-01), Val Demings (FL-10), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Grace Napolitano (CA-32), Ed Perlmutter (CO-07), David Price (NC-04), Kathleen Rice (NY-04), Bobby Scott (VA-03), José E. Serrano (NY-15) and Jackie Speier (CA-14).
Full membership of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force for the 116th Congress includes Representatives Alma S. Adams (NC-12), Pete Aguilar (CA-31), Nanette Diaz Barragan (CA-44), Ami Bera (CA-07), Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (VA-08), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Brendan F. Boyle (PA-13), Anthony G. Brown (MD-04), Julia Brownley (CA-26), G.K. Butterfield (NC-01), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Tony Cardenas (CA-29), André Carson (IN-07), Matt Cartwright (PA-17), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Judy Chu (CA-27), Gil Cisneros (CA-39), Katherine M. Clark (MA-05), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Wm. Lacy Clay (MO-01), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Gerald Connolly (VA-11), J. Luis Correa (CA-46), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Angie Craig (MN-02), Jason Crow (CO-06), Elijah Cummings (MD-07), Danny Davis (IL-07), Susan Davis (CA-53), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Lloyd Doggett (TX-35), Michael F. Doyle (PA-14), Elliot Engel (NY-16), Anna Eshoo (CA-18), Dwight Evans (PA-02), Bill Foster (IL-11), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Marcia Fudge (OH-11), Chuy Garcia (IL-4), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), Al Green (TX-09), Raul Grijalva (AZ-03), Deb Haaland (NM-01), Alcee L. Hastings (FL-20), Denny Heck (WA-10), Brian Higgins (NY-04), Katie Hill (CA-25), Jim Himes (CT-04), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30), Henry “Hank” Johnson (GA-04), William Keating (MA-09), Joseph P. Kennedy III (MA-09), Daniel Kildee (MI-05), Andy Kim (NJ-03), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), James Langevin (RI-02), John Larson (CT-01), Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Susie Lee (NV-03), Andy Levin (MI-09), Mike Levin (CA-49), John Lewis (GA-05), Al Lawson, Jr. (FL-05), Ted Lieu (CA-33), Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), Nita Lowey (NY-17), Elaine Luria (VA-02), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Tom Malinowski (NJ-07), Carolyn Maloney (NY-12), Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18), Doris Matsui (CA-06), Lucia McBath (GA-06), Betty McCollum (MN-04), A. Donald McEachin (VA-04), James McGovern (MA-02), Jerry McNerney (CA-09), Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Grace Meng (NY-06), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Joe Morelle (NY-25), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26), Stephanie Murphy (FL-07), Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), Joe Neguse (CO-02), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-DEL), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Bill Pascrell (NJ-09), Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10), Scott Peters (CA-52), Dean Phillips (MN-03), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Katie Porter (CA-45), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Cedric Richmond (LA-02), Max Rose (NY-11), Harley Rouda (CA-48), Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-02), Bobby Rush (IL-01), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), John P. Sarbanes (MD-03), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-07), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Adam Schiff (CA-28), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Kim Schrier (WA-08), David Scott (GA-13), Donna Shalala (FL-27), Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Brad Sherman (CA-30), Albio Sires (NJ-08), Adam Smith (WA-09), Darren Soto (FL-09), Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), Greg Stanton (AZ-09), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Thomas R. Suozzi (NY-03), Eric Swalwell (CA-15), Mark Takano (CA-14), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Norma J. Torres (CA-35), Lori Trahan (MA-03), David Trone (MD-06), Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Juan Vargas (CA-51), Nydia Velazquez (NY-07), Peter J. Visclosky (IN-09), Debbie Wasserman Shultz (FL-23), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Jennifer Wexton (VA-10), Frederica Wilson (FL-24) and John Yarmuth (KY-03).
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control is offering several adult cats to new homes this week.
The following cats at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption.
‘Percy’
“Percy” is a male domestic short hair cat with a gray tabby coat and gold eyes.
He already has been neutered.
He’s in cat room kennel No. 26, ID No. 11715.
Domestic short hair
This female domestic short hair cat has a tortie coat and gold eyes.
She is in cat room kennel No. 36, ID No. 11669.
Domestic short hair
This female domestic short hair cat has a tortie coat and gold eyes.
She already has been spayed.
She is in cat room kennel No.105, ID No. 11671.
Domestic short hair
This female domestic short hair cat has a gray coat with white markings and gold eyes.
She already has been spayed.
She is in cat room kennel No. 120, ID No. 11672.
‘Thelma’
“Thelma” is a domestic short hair cat with a calico coat and gold eyes.
She already has been spayed.
She’s in cat room kennel No. 143, ID No. 11713.
Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.
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.
According to legend, if the groundhog sees his shadow on February 2nd, there will be six more weeks of winter; if not, an early spring is predicted.
Of course groundhogs – also known as woodchucks – don’t emerge at this time just to be furry weather predictors. So what’s the real reason? Research into groundhog biology shows they have other priorities in early February than mingling with the people of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
It’s Groundhog Day!
Groundhog Day appears to have European roots. Early February is midway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, and throughout history this seasonal crossroads has been celebrated. The ancient Greeks and Romans observed a mid-season festival on February 5th in anticipation of spring. In the Celtic tradition, this period was celebrated as the festival of Imbolog to mark the beginning of spring. Early Christians in Europe embraced this tradition and celebrated Candlemas Day on February 2nd, to commemorate the purification of the Virgin Mary. Customarily on this day, clergy would bless candles and distribute them to the people in the dark of winter in anticipation of spring.
In northern Europe, farmers needed some indication when to start spring planting. They looked for the emergence of hibernators, such as the hedgehog or badger, to signal the coming of spring. Since their emergence occurred in early February, it was believed that if Candlemas Day was sunny, and the hibernator saw its shadow, more wintry weather was ahead. But if it rained or snowed on Candlemas Day, the rest of the winter would be mild.
This tradition was brought to America by the Germans who migrated to eastern Pennsylvania. They found groundhogs in profusion in many parts of the state and decided this mammal was a perfect replacement for the hibernators they’d left behind in Europe. Thus, the tradition continued in America.
Hibernation helps survival
In my study area in southeastern Pennsylvania, the average date groundhogs emerge from their burrows is February 4. This fits the folklore and the timing of Groundhog Day. However, predicting the weather is not their objective.
The real reason is related to Darwinian fitness – a measure of an organism’s ability to contribute its genes to the next generation. The process defines natural selection and is based on an organism’s ability to survive and to reproduce successfully. High Darwinian fitness suggests an individual will pass on its genes to many healthy offspring.
Hibernation contributes to Darwinian fitness value. It enhances survival by saving energy during times of limited food availability. The ability to hibernate is found in several mammalian groups, including all marmots, many species of ground squirrels, chipmunks, hamsters, badgers, lemurs, bats and even some marsupials and echidnas. Curled up in their burrows, they pass the winter months, when food would be hard to come by.
Hibernation: alternating torpor and arousal
Hibernation is characterized by a significant drop in body temperature and metabolic function. This process is commonly called torpor. During torpor, body functions including heart rate, breathing rate, and brain activity are reduced. The overall benefit for the animal is saving metabolic energy at a time when it isn’t eating.
However, for some still unexplained reason, hibernators arouse periodically during their hibernating season. These arousals come at a great energy cost. Therefore, arousing must be critical to survival in some way or animals wouldn’t waste the energy on it. Some possibilities include maintaining cellular functions or disposing of bodily wastes.
In Pennsylvania, these bouts of torpor and arousal continue throughout the hibernation season, starting on average in mid-November and ending by the beginning of March; a total of about 110 days. In one study, an average of 15 bouts of torpor occurred during this period, with arousals in between. Groundhogs aroused for about 41 hours and then returned to torpor for about 128 hours for males and 153 hours for females.
In a 2010 study, we determined that the hibernation periods for groundhogs increase in length with increasing latitude. The hibernation period matches winter’s duration. The celebration of Groundhog Day would need to change by latitude in order to perfectly match groundhog emergence.
It all boils down to sex
One of the drawbacks of hibernation is the reduced time available for reproduction. Thus, hibernators have developed mating strategies to maximize reproductive success. Groundhog mating strategies involve temporary emergence in early February, mating in early March during during their final arousal, and giving birth in early April. This behavior enhances reproductive success because young are born as early as possible (but not too early) and are able to start feeding in May when lots of food is available. That way they have enough time to gain sufficient weight to survive their first winter hibernation.
But why do groundhogs emerge in February, when mating won’t occur until next month? The answer lies in their social structure. Most of the year, male and female groundhogs are solitary and antagonistic against each other. They aggressively maintain a feeding territory around their burrows and rarely have any contact with each other. February is used to reestablish the bonds necessary for mating and ensures that mating can then proceed without delay in early March.
So for the animals themselves, Groundhog Day is more like Valentine’s Day. On February 2nd, groundhogs don’t emerge to predict the weather, but to predict whether their own mating season will be a success!