Wednesday, 09 October 2024

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LAKEPORT, Calif. – At its upcoming meeting the Lakeport Planning Commission is set to take up a request from the Lakeport Police Department to revoke a local bar's permit for live entertainment.

 

The commission meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

 

At the meeting commissioners will host a public hearing on the request to revoke Full Throttle Tavern's zoning permit, which allows the establishment to offer live entertainment.

 

Sean Lyon, one of the bar's owners and its manager, said he was “dumbfounded” when he received a letter from the city in the middle of last month, announcing the revocation request from the police.

 

He called dealing with the city a “frustrating process.”

 

“We bent over backwards trying to accommodate the neighbors, the police department,” he said.

 

City Planning Services Manager Andrew Britton said the revocation discussion is based on the complaints regarding the venue.

 

“A lot of the complaints our police department has been dealing with, and they formally brought it to our attention and requested our department take action, and that means taking it before the planning commission for potential revocation,” said Britton.

 

Interim Police Chief Brad Rasmussen told Lake County News that he and police department staff have met with Lyon several times since the summer, when the agency started offering suggestions on how to address the complaint issues.

 

Rasmussen said the bar's owners appear to be trying to make efforts to resolve the issues, “but we continue to get the complaints.”

 

He and Sgt. Kevin Odom will attend the Dec. 8 planning commission meeting, where he said they will present their case about revoking the zoning permit.

 

The tavern, located at 650 S. Main St., was formerly known as The Fireside Lounge, an establishment open for more than 30 years. Lyon and his partners purchased the business from Vivian Kroppmann and reopened it as the Full Throttle Tavern in April.

 

Lyon, who has worked in other areas of business, said he was intrigued by the idea of owning a bar, since such businesses seem to survive all financial climates.

 

He said he wanted to take a unique approach to the business, and has hosted theme parties, as well as live music, which is a big draw since the bar has what he said is the city's largest dance floor.

 

The business also has conducted fundraisers for people in need, and tries to be a contributing member of the business community, he said.

 

Lyon said he's received overwhelmingly positive feedback from customers.

 

But the same hasn't been true of city officials, which have found numerous issues with the establishment.

 

Because of the bar's close proximity to a residential area, when Full Throttle was getting set to open, Britton said, “We were concerned about the proposal initially and there were conditions of approval that were tied to the zoning permit.”

 

The permit conditions include live entertainment not being audible beyond the premises, limiting use of the rear smoking deck/patio to 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. when there is live entertainment and prominently displaying a sign for maximum occupancy of 49 people.

 

Even with the conditions, “We're still seeing the problems,” said Britton.

 

Odom said in a report to the commission report that it's the police department's opinion that there are two primary causes for the noise complaints: the building's age and the fact that it wasn't built to accommodate amplified sound, which creates an issue for the nearby residential area; and the bar management's alleged failure to resolve the insulation issue or to police the exterior of the building where people gather.

 

He said bar patrons loitering outside has led to littering, wandering in and out of traffic and physical confrontations.

 

Lyon said he has tried to address the city's concerns, meeting with Lakeport Police and implementing suggestions such as outside lighting and soundproofing – both the walls and a recent soundproof floor installation – and shutting off a back smoking area.

 

He said he plans to install new windows and a new door, and wants to enclose the back smoking deck in order to provide smokers a place that won't disturb the neighbors. However, he said he had waited for some time for a city planning official to tell him what was needed to complete that project.

 

Lyon said he has walked the nearby neighborhood and found no serious complaints. However, over the summer one neighbor from across the street began to raise issues, making numerous police reports and calling the bar every 15 minutes on some busy nights.

 

Lakeport Police logs showed a Nov. 6 report from a bartender who said she received a threatening call from a subject calling her names and telling them to turn down the music. Lyon said it was the same neighbor lodging most of the complaints.

 

Police issue complaint concerns in report

 

Since Full Throttle opened, Lakeport Police has had dozens of calls to the business, with reports of everything from late night noise levels to fights, sex in public and an employee being intentionally run over with a vehicle, according to Odom's report.

 

The situation involving Lyon's bartender occurred late in October, Lyon said. The Upper Lake man alleged to have hit the bartender with his car was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon.

 

The bar has had a few fight incidents, with only one occurring inside, Lyon said. The patrons responsible were told not to come back.

 

Odom's report, dated Nov. 16, stated that since the bar reopened earlier this year, the police department has received no fewer than 34 noise complaints between the hours of 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. The city also has been contacted by about five residents over the ongoing issues.

 

In addition, Odom said there have been more than a dozen alcohol-related arrests associated with the location.

 

During that time, Lakeport Police has generated at least 60 incidents at the bar, compared to 35 at TJ's Bar and Grill, 29 at the Clearlake Club, 12 at the Buckhorn Club and five at Molly Brennans for the same period.

 

Lyon, however, counters that unfounded complaints and incidents haven't been separated out from those statistics, and he believes other local bars have more serious issues with fights than his.

 

Odom reported that in an incident late in the evening on Tuesday, Nov. 9, officers were dispatched to a noise complaint and discovered a DJ was at the venue. Odom said the zoning permit only allows for live entertainment Thursday through Sunday.

 

“It is evident that the Full Throttle Tavern management is not abiding by their zoning/entertainment permit,” Odom stated.

 

Lyon acknowledged that his bartender allowed the DJ on a night when it wasn't supposed to be allowed. However, he added, “I feel that I run a very responsible bar,” where patrons aren't overserved and they attempt to create a fun, safe environment.

 

All bars have issues, he said. “This is totally unjustified,” adding, “There's a lot more attention than there should be put on my establishment.”

 

Rasmussen said the goal is to assist the business at being successful. “At the same time, our primary responsibility is toward public safety,” Rasmussen added.

 

If Full Throttle can't come into compliance with the city's rules, Rasmussen said the police department will have no choice but to take further action. “That's kind of where we're coming from.”

 

The last time Lakeport Police had to take administrative action against a local business was about two years ago, when they took action regarding Lakeside Lanes' liquor license, Rasmussen said.

 

Lyon said live music is an important part of his business, and losing the permit would be a serious issue.

 

“It's going to impact my business severely,” and could force him to lay off one of his four employees, he said.

 

He asked that community members who support his business show up to the commission's Dec. 8 meeting.

 

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

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Kelseyville's Christmas in the Country poster reflects the old-fashioned country spirit of the annual event, set for Friday, December 3, 2010.





KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Downtown Kelseyville will be decked out in lights, decorations and holiday cheer for the town's annual “Christmas in the Country,” which will be held this Friday, Dec. 3.


The Kelseyville Business Association will host the 17th annual old-fashioned Christmas celebration from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.


The event features what Mary Morse of the Kelseyville Business Association said is the biggest and oldest light parade in Lake County. The light parade starts at 6:30 p.m.


Businesses along Main Street will remain open late, offering coffee and cookies, Morse said.


The festivities will include Christmas music, hot cider and free mule-drawn carriage rides – courtesy of Eleven Roses Ranch – in a relaxed Christmas country atmosphere, she said.


Morse said the event takes people back to a simpler time – filled with good will and the smiling faces of children and adults alike.


“It's Norman Rockwell all the way,” she said.


Morse said downtown Kelseyville is awash in holiday lights and decorations beginning at Thanksgiving and lasting throughout the New Year.


The light parade – the lineup for which begins in front of Gard Street School at 5:30 p.m., an hour before the parade starts – will feature the crowd favorite “bubble machine” courtesy of David Morse of Kelseyville Appliance, the association reported.


Mary Morse said there is no cost to enter the parade, and community members are encouraged to enter anything brightly lit – trucks, cars, boats, floats, horses, wagons and community groups.


She said the 2009 parade was the best ever, and they're hoping to top it this year. Entries will be accepted right up to the time of the parade, she added.


At 7 p.m. the traditional town tree lighting will be held at the Kelseyville Fire Protection District's firehouse, said Morse.


She said Santa Claus also will make an appearance – complete with a sleigh built by Kelseyville Lumber – at WestAmerica Bank, where children can share their Christmas wishes and have a photo taken with Santa.


Local piano man David Neft also will be playing Christmas music at the bank, Morse said.


This year the event will feature free raffles from a number of Kelseyville businesses, Morse said, including Kelseyville Pharmacy, Rosa D'Oro, Darling's Vitamins and Lyndall's Sports Stop Grill.


Other special features Morse said will be offered this year will include a miniature quilt display at the Saw Shop Gallery Bistro, the “Sweet Shoppe” featuring goodies and hot cider at Patti's Petals, and the art of Carolyn Morris at WestAmerica Bank.


On the same night as Christmas in the Country, the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church will host its chili and chowder supper, starting at 5 p.m. in the Friendship Hall.


The church reported that it will serve chili or chowder, salad, cornbread, dessert and a beverage. The cost for the full meal is $8 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under, or $3 per person for dessert and beverage only.


Morse said St. Peter's Catholic Church will provide hot dogs and beans and John's Market will serve up barbecue.


Kelseyville Methodist Church also will hold its annual holiday canned food drive. Community members are urged to be generous and bring a can or two to help everyone have a bountiful Christmas.


For applications or more information on the parade contact Mike Linnell, 707-279-4506. For other event information contact Mary Morse at 707-279-8559.

 

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

CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – Authorities are searching for three men alleged to have committed a home invasion and armed robbery in order to steal marijuana and other valuables Monday night.


The incident occurred at a residence on Plaza Street in Clearlake Oaks, where deputies responded at about 6:40 p.m. Monday, according to Capt. James Bauman of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.


The three suspects, described only as three black male adults, had already fled the home in a light blue, late model extended cab pickup truck by the time the 911 call was made, Bauman said.


Bauman said the alleged victim, 25-year-old Dustin Warner, told deputies that he and his girlfriend, 24-year-old Jerni Hubman, and their young child were in the home preparing dinner when one of the suspects knocked on the front door. Warner answered and saw that it was an acquaintance of his, known only as “T.T.”


Warner told deputies that he started to let the man in as there was no apparent problem but when he went to shut the door, another man walked in.


“T.T.” then pulled out a chrome semi-automatic pistol, grabbed Warner by the shirt and forced him to the floor. Bauman said a third suspect apparently entered the home while Warner was on the floor and one of the suspects ordered Hubman and the child into a bedroom.


Warner was forced into his bedroom with the gun held to his head and then directed the men to his unlocked safe in a bathroom, Bauman said. The three suspects allegedly took two to three ounces of marijuana from the safe and proceeded to go through the rest of the house looking for other property.


Bauman said the men are alleged to have taken a 42-inch flat screen television, a laptop computer and a Nintendo Wii system before fleeing in the pickup.


The first suspect to enter the home, “T.T.,” was described as a black male adult, 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 9 inches tall, thin build with dreadlock-style hair and both arms “sleeved” with tattoos, Bauman said. “T.T.” is believed to be from the Rancho Cordova or Sacramento area.


Bauman said the other two suspects were described only as “clean cut” black male adults with no facial hair.


There were no apparent injuries resulting from the robbery and the case is pending further investigation, according to Bauman.


Anyone with information on the identities of the suspects, the blue pickup truck or the incident is encouraged to call the Lake County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit at 707-262-4200.


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MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – A motorcyclist who was injured in a Sunday crash was arrested for driving under the influence.


Allen Lenart, 47, of Santa Rosa was arrested by the California Highway Patrol following a crash Sunday evening, according to CHP Officer Mark Crutcher.


Lenart was traveling northbound on Highway 29 at the Coyote Grade on a Harley Davidson motorcycle at around 5:30 p.m. Sunday when he failed to negotiate a righthand curve, Crutcher said.


Crutcher said Lenart went off the road and hit a guard rail.


Lenart was ejected from the motorcycle and he went down a dirt embankment, where he sustained a broken right ankle and a broken right arm, according to Crutcher.


An off-duty Hidden Valley Lake security guard came upon the scene, Crutcher said, finding the bike in the roadway and then looking for, and finding, Lenart.


At the scene Lenart was placed under arrest for DUI, Crutcher said. REACH then flew Lenart out to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for treatment.


A review of Lake County Jail records indicate the CHP made two other DUI arrests during its maximum enforcement period, which ran from 6 p.m. Nov. 24 until just before midnight Nov. 28.


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

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – A collision on Highway 29 at the Coyote Grade early Sunday evening left a motorcyclist with major injuries.


The collision was reported to have taken place at around 5:30 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.


The CHP reported than an off-duty firefighter found the male rider on the side of the road, conscious but injured.


It was not immediately clear what caused the collision, which appeared not to have involved another vehicle.


South Lake County Fire Protection and Cal Fire, CHP and the Lake County Sheriff's Office were reported to have responded to the crash scene.


REACH air ambulance flew the injured man out of county to medical care, according to radio reports from the scene.


The man's name and where he was taken for care were not available Sunday evening.


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KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – A total of five people were injured in a head-on collision near Kelseyville Monday afternoon.


The crash occurred at approximately 3:17 p.m. on Highway 29 at the Main Street exit, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Dallas Richey.


Tammy Dias, 44, of Clearlake was driving her green 2005 Mazda Tribute northbound on Highway 29, approaching the Main Street exit in Kelseyville at approximately 55 miles per hour, Richey said.


Andrew Layton, 39, of Upper Lake, who was traveling in an orange 2007 Chevy HHR, turned southbound onto Highway from Main Street in Kelseyville. Richey said Layton turned into the northbound lane of Highway and collided head-on with the Mazda.


Richey said both drivers were transported by REACH air ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for treatment of major injuries.


Layton's two minor children sustained minor to moderate injuries and were transported by ambulance to Sutter Lakeside Hospital. The CHP said a 19-year-old female passenger from the Mazda sustained minor injuries but was not transported.


CHP Officer Mark Crutcher is investigating the crash.


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MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – A Thanksgiving day wreck sent two people to area hospitals.


The crash occurred at approximately 6:40 p.m. Nov. 25, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Joe Wind.


Carolyn Meridith, 59, of Santa Rosa was making a left turn from Hartmann Road onto southbound Highway 29 in her 1999 Ford Contour, said Wind.


Meridith is alleged to have pulled out in front of a 2001 Chrysler Sebring driven northbound on Highway 29 by Jeanne E. Guiles, 70, of Fort Bragg, Wind said.


Wind said Guiles was transported to St. Helena Hospital Clearlake because she was complaining of pain.


REACH air ambulance transported Meridith to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. Wind said Meridith had moderate injuries.


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

Military members and retirees have more financial darts to dodge after a second bipartisan task force on reducing the nation’s debt unveiled a different set of cost-cutting recommendations Nov. 17.


The Debt Reduction Task Force, co-chaired by former Republican Sen. Pete Domenici and economist Alice Rivlin, takes sharper aim at the military community including active duty forces still at war in Afghanistan.


In the unlikely event Congress approves the Domenici-Rivlin plan for cutting military retirement, members who haven’t served more than 15 years would find themselves under a cheaper, “more flexible” and complex plan.


Proponents argue that many more members under the proposed plan would qualify for some retirement, at age 60, if they serve 10 years or more. But completion of a traditional 20-year career no longer would qualify for an immediate annuity on leaving service. Retired pay would begin at age 57.


Debt Panel II, as it might be called, began its work in January at the Bipartisan Policy Center, a Washington D.C. think tank founded by four former Senate majority leaders.


Like a report released Nov. 10 from the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, co-chaired by Alan Simpson and Erskine Bowles, this latest report warns of an approaching debt tsunami that could destroy America prosperity if government spending isn’t slashed and taxes raised.


Among scores of initiatives are recommendations to raise social security payroll taxes, cap medical malpractice awards, freeze defense spending for five years and reduce active force strength by 275,000.


Both this and the Nov. 10 report recommend adoption of a modified Consumer Price Index to dampen annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for federal entitlements including military and federal civilian retired pay, social security, veterans’ compensation and survivor benefits.


Both reports also call for cutting military retirement and having TRICARE beneficiaries pay more out of pocket for coverage. But the Domenici-Rivlin panel would wield a shaper knife on both major benefits.


On retirement, Debt Panel II embraces reforms proposed by the 10th Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation in 2008. The idea is to allow more members to earn some retirement – making the plan more “fair” and, for force managers, more flexible – while slashing overall program costs.


Two of four features – a defined annuity and a government-funded Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with vesting after 10 years – would apply to all members who get pushed under the new plan.


The annuity formula is familiar at 2.5 percent of average annual basic pay (but for their highest five earning years not the highest three average) multiplied by total years served. Payments would start at age 60 for those who serve 10 to 19 years and at 57 for those who serve 20 or more.


Government contributions to TSP accounts would start in year two and equal two percent of basic pay. They would climb to three percent in year three and four, to four percent in year five, and to five percent thereafter.


The services would control the plan’s other two features: “gate pays” to help draw members to time-in-service milestones, and separation pay.


Critics argue the plan is too complex and would leave members confused as to the real value of their retirement. The QRMC proposed that the plan be tested on a few thousand volunteers. That wasn’t done. Yet Debt Panel II proposes transitioning most current members to the new plan.


“Under such a plan,” it reports, “current pay will have to rise to make up for the reduced incentive for members to remain in service. Even with such adjustments, however, this reform is projected to reduce the retirement system’s cost by at least 50 percent.”


Recommendations targeting TRICARE also, in effect, are pulled off the shelf. That is, they were part of President George W. Bush’s final defense budget request, provisions that Congress simply had ignored.


Domenici and Rivlin note again that TRICARE fees haven’t been raised since they were set in 1995 and, at the time, covered 27 percent of program costs. Now the frozen fees cover only 11 percent. And Medicare-eligible retirees, the report says, “currently do not share in their TRICARE costs.”


So Debt Panel II says TRICARE fees for working-age retirees should be raised high enough to again cover 27 percent of costs. A pay expert who worked for the task force said the plan assumes that enrollment fees for TRICARE Prime, the managed care option, would be raised from $460 a year for families and $230 for individuals and tiered based on gross retired pay.


For example, a married retiree with less than $20,000 in annual retired pay would pay $730 in year one, $900 in year two. These larger incremental raises would stop in year five when the yearly fee hit $1260.


Those with retired pay of $20,000 to $40,000 would pay more. The highest enrollment fees, for those drawing more than $40,000 in retired pay, would top off in year five at $2460, or $2000 higher than they pay now.


These rates then would be adjusted to keep pace with inflation.


Fees for outpatient visits would more than double, to $28. And working-age retirees using the fee-for-service TRICARE Standard plan or TRICARE Extra would be charged an enrollment for the first time of $150.


Pharmacy co-pays in TRICARE retail network – now $3 for generic, $9 for brand-name drugs on formulary and $22 for non-formulary drugs – would be reset at zero for generic drugs, $15 for brand names on formulary and $45 for brand names off formulary.


Without specifying numbers, the panel also recommends that Medicare-eligible retirees using TRICARE for Life as a supplement to Medicare begin paying “minimal cost-sharing” amounts. But active duty members and families would continue to be spared TRICARE premiums or co-pays.


Domenici quoted Adm. Mike Mullen, Joint Chiefs chairman, as calling rising U.S. debt “the most serious threat to America’s national security.”


To comment, send e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or write to Military Update, P.O. Box 231111, Centreville, VA, 20120-1111.


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KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – A Monday afternoon head-on collision resulted in injuries to several people.


The two-vehicle crash occurred on Highway 29 and Main Street in Kelseyville at around 3:19 p.m., according to reports from the California Highway Patrol.


Initial reports from the scene indicated as many as five people were injured in the wreck, which blocked the merging lane of traffic.


Kelseyville Fire Protection District – with mutual aid from Lakeport Fire Protection District – responded along with CHP and the Lake County Sheriff's Office, according to the CHP report.


In all, three people were transported to the hospital, with one of them taken via air ambulance out of the county, officials at the scene indicated.


The roadway was reported to be clear about an hour after the crash.


Family members reported that county resident Andy Layton and his two children were involved in the crash, but they had no updates on his condition.


Further details about the cause of the crash and the others involved in it were not available Monday evening.

 

Gary McAuley contributed to this report.


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

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Tommy Kraussman (26), shown here being tackled By Middletown's Andres Fernandez, led the Lions with 74 yards rushing on 14 carries during the North Coast Section division IV playoffs in Middletown, Calif., on Saturday, November 27, 2010. Photo by Ed Oswalt.
 

 

 





MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – They finally did it: The Middletown Mustangs advanced to the third round of the North Coast Section (NCS) Division IV tournament Saturday night in Middletown, reaching the semifinals with a 27-13 win over the visiting El Molino Lions.


The victory marks a significant milestone for the Mustangs, who’ve suffered close, late-game losses in the second round of the tournament the last two years.


“Hey, that’s off my back,” Head Coach Bill Foltmer said about the prior-year losses.


“El Molino is a good team,” Foltmer went on to say, “so that’s off my back also, as far as: we finally played somebody that’s a decent team and we beat them. So that gives a little credibility to us.”


It was a seesaw battle in the scoreless first quarter, with both teams trying to establish an offensive game and coming up empty, either losing the ball on downs or opting to punt.

 

 

 

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David Pike protects the ball on a first quarter carry. Pike, Jake Davis and Jereomy Hoefer combined for 386 yards rushing as Middletown eliminated the El Molino Lions in the North Coast Section division IV playoffs in Middletown, Calif., on Saturday, November 27, 2010. Photo by Ed Oswalt.
 

 

 


It wasn’t until the second quarter, after Middletown’s defense forced the Lions into a three-and-out punt, that Jacob Davis broke open the game by running over players, stiff-arming opponents and weaving 79 yards downfield to put the Mustangs on the scoreboard.


“You know, he’s a guy, in crunch time, that’s going to make a play for you,” Foltmer said about Davis. “I’m glad to see him breaking out right now, and playing the kind of football that he is.”


After a high snap botched the point after attempt, Middletown led 6-0, but the long run seemed to motivate the Mustangs – both offensively and defensively – and they scored twice more before the first half ended.


Both scores came with less than two minutes left on the clock – first on a one-yard handoff from Kyle Brown to Jacob Davis for his second touchdown of the night, and then on a 29-yard pass from Brown to John-Wesley Davis with 29 seconds left in the half.


“Our first drive, we were moving the ball, we got some first downs, and took it all the way down,” Lion’s coach Mike Roan said about his team’s first-half performance. “Then after that, they kind of stuffed us for the rest of the first half.”

 

 

 

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Jake Davis breaks tackles of Garrit Affman (16) and Chet Lambert (20) to get free on his 79-yard touchdown run, giving Middletown a 6-0 lead in the second quarter on their way to a 27-13 victory during the North Coast Section division IV playoffs in Middletown, Calif., on Saturday, November 27, 2010. Photo by Ed Oswalt.
 

 

 


The Mustangs went into halftime leading El Molino 20-0, and they also struck first in the second half, driving 62 yards downfield on their opening possession and scoring on a 4-yard touchdown run by Middletown’s other running back powerhouse, David Pike.


But the Lions answered Middletown’s drive with a 73-yard drive of their own, capped by a 16-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Mike Pierson to wide receiver Joe Douglass.


“We came back, and we found our rhythm a little bit offensively,” Roan said of his Lions, adding, “Yeah, I’d say the second half was a little more competitive than the second quarter.”


And they didn’t stop there. El Molino struck again in the fourth quarter, when Pierson connected with Jordan Nordby with 2:32 left in the game.


But when Middletown’s Jereomy Hoefer blocked the Lions’ extra point attempt, the Lions still trailed 27-13, the final score of the game.


By the end of the night it seemed Middletown’s running game had proved too much for El Molino. David Pike carried the ball 22 times for the Mustangs and posted 151 yards rushing while Jake Davis gained 189 yards on 15 carries.


“We felt good, we felt confident coming into the game, but you know, that’s a heck of a football team out there,” Roan said about the Mustangs after the game.

 

 

 

 

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Middletown's Connor Chick got open behind El Molino cornerback Levi Karns for this pass from Kyle Brown in the third quarter of the North Coast Section division IV playoffs in Middletown, Calif., on Saturday, November 27, 2010. Photo by Ed Oswalt.
 

 

 

 


“We knew they were good,” he added, “but up close and in person, they were as good as advertised, if not better.”


Defensively, Jake Davis led the Middletown squad with nine tackles, while Hoefer and linebacker DJ Brookshire tied for second-most with seven apiece.


Foltmer had high praise for Davis, who sat out five games earlier in the season with a broken jaw.


“He got hurt, and then when he came back, he was maybe a little tentative the first couple of games, but I thought in the last playoff game you saw the real, true Jake Davis – punishing tackles, punishing runs, second efforts and things. I can’t say enough about him today,” Foltmer said.


Roan also praised the Mustang defensive squad.


“I’m really impressed with their defense,” he said. “I didn’t really know what to expect, because – of the team’s we’ve seen on film, obviously, Middletown was just killing them – so I’m very impressed with their defense. We thought we’d be able to block them up a little better in the run game.”


Middletown’s next game is Friday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. in Middletown against the Healdsburg Greyhounds (8-3 overall, 3-3 in league) in the NCS semifinal game.

 

 

 

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El Molino's 6-foot, 4-inch 220-pound quarterback Mike Pierson led the Lion's pass-oriented attack all season, but the Mustangs held him to 133 yards on 11 for 34 passing in their quarterfinal win during the North Coast Section division IV playoffs in Middletown, Calif., on Saturday, November 27, 2010. Photo by Ed Oswalt.
 

 

 


The Greyhounds are the NCS tournament top seed, and advanced to the semifinals with a 41-20 win over the Ft. Bragg Timberwolves Friday night.


Having faced and lost to both teams this year, Roan sized up next week’s game with this: “Healdsburg’s got a very aggressive, fast defense. The same could be said for Middletown. Both teams want to establish a run around the football, so I’m looking for a great, great high school playoff game next weekend.”


Coach Foltmer put it this way: “It doesn’t get any easier from here. The Healdsburgs and the Salesians and the Ferndales are what’s left – so some very, very good football teams. But it’s nice to be in there with those four football teams.”


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U.S. and Portuguese air traffic controllers work together to watch the airspace above Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal, for aircraft. Portuguese airmen also work hand-in-hand with U.S. forces to provide support for the base. Photo by Benjamin Faske.
 

 



LAJES FIELD, AZORES, Portugal – Ever since it was created during the early years of America's entry into World War II, the airfield on this small island in the northeast Atlantic has been an important crossroads for ships and planes carrying people and cargo to strategic locations throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East.


Today, the son of a Middletown woman is one of only a little more than 600 U.S. Air Force men and women who operate a sort of “pit stop” for military and commercial aircraft.


The small air base is a refueling station where aircrews can get fuel, rest, maintenance and supplies before heading to their final destination.


Air Force Staff Sgt. Glenn Traylor, son of Carol Mac Donnel of Middletown, Calif., is a structures journeyman with the 65th Civil Engineer Squadron.


“I work in contract management,” said Traylor, a 2001 graduate of Martinez Education Center in Martinez, Calif. “I ensure that the services we pay for are completed in a satisfactory manner.”

 

 

 

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Air Force Staff Sgt. Glenn Traylor is a structures journeyman with the 65th Civil Engineer Squadron at Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal. Traylor is spending more than a year at this remote assignment on the island of Terciera, Azores, located 900 miles off the Southwest coast of Portugal. Photo by Benjamin Faske.
 

 

 

 


Traylor and his fellow airmen are part of the 65th Air Base Wing tasked with playing an important role in the fight against terrorism by assisting with the movement of war fighters, planes and global communications for commanders.


This small base with its huge runway is located on the small island of Terceira in the Azores chain of islands. With rolling hills and green pastures, it's an idyllic setting for such an important mission.


“Lajes is a strategically located for global operations,” said Traylor. “We refuel aircraft transiting the Atlantic Ocean and heading to overseas contingency operations.”


Although it is 900 miles from the mainland, the Azores is a part of Portugal and contains many of the customs and traditions of that country.


From the running of the bulls in the nearby city of Praia da Vitoria just outside of Lajes to the outdoor markets and European-styled houses and farms, the small island gives Americans stationed here a slice of life that is thoroughly European.

 

 

 

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An Air Force airman works on a high-frequency antenna at a remote location on the island of Terciera, Azores, Portugal. Photo by Benjamin Faske.
 

 

 


“The people are very friendly and have deep traditions,” said Traylor. “The island is beautiful and I like being near the ocean.”


Assignments to Lajes range from 15 months to 24 months, depending upon whether or not an airman is single or married. As with any overseas location, the experience they take away from here greatly varies from person to person.


“I will remember the food, bullfights, the people and spear fishing,” said Traylor.

 

 

 

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Two Air Force airmen unload the weekly shipment at Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal. This Boeing 747 is just one type of aircraft airmen here work with on a daily basis. Photo by Benjamin Faske.
 

 

 


Traylor has been in the Air Force for more than 10 years.


Just as their predecessors have done for the past 67 years, Traylor and his fellow airmen will continue to be a strategically vital stop between the U.S. and important military missions overseas.


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

 

 

 

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Air Force airmen prepare to refuel an aircraft at Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal. Strategically located on the Southwest coast of Portugal, Airmen here have all the resources needed to service any aircraft before they continue to their destinations. Photo by Benjamin Faske.
 

 

 

 

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