CLEARLAKE, Calif. – An elderly Clearlake man reported missing early Tuesday morning was found safe following a search, but police are still looking for a handgun the man was reported to have had in his possession.

Clearlake Police Sgt. Tim Celli said Tuesday that police received a report shortly before 1 a.m. that 91-year-old Russell Eckels was missing from his residence in the 16000 block of 43^rd Avenue.

Celli said Eckels' wife reported him missing, telling police that she had last seen him about 8:30 p.m. Monday when she went to bed.

When the woman awoke at about 12:40 a.m. Tuesday and discovered her husband wasn't there, she called the police, according to Celli's report.

Both the Eckels' vehicles were at the residence, but Celli said it was believed that Eckels was armed with a handgun that appeared to be missing from the home. There were no indications Eckels was suicidal, although he appears to be suffering from dementia.

Celli said “be on the lookout” messages were sent out to surrounding law enforcement agencies, and Clearlake Police and Lake County Sheriff's deputies checked the Avenues area throughout the night.

Eckels was later found in the 4100 block of Eureka Avenue, according to Celli. A Google map estimate puts the distance at about a mile from Eckels' home.

Celli said Eckels was transported to St. Helena Hospital Clearlake for treatment.

Police searched the area near Eckels' home as well as the vicinity of where he was located but found no sign of the handgun. Celli said it's still not clear if Eckels actually had a handgun in his possession.

Celli said the department reminded citizens to call the police department immediately at 707-994-8251 when weapons are located.

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 .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Sheriff's deputies arrested two men over the weekend on weapons and drug charges, along with allegations that one had a warrant for his arrest and the other a parole violation.

Arrested were William Ralph Smith, 40, of Kelseyville, and Santiago Garcia, 32, of Mount Vernon, Wash., according to a report from Lt. Brian Martin.

Shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy stopped a truck driven by Smith on Lakeshore Boulevard in north Lakeport for an equipment violation, Martin said. Riding in the truck with Smith was Garcia.

Law enforcement records showed that Smith was on parole and that Garcia was a convicted felon with a warrant for his arrest out of Washington state. Martin said Garcia was arrested pursuant to the warrant, and a search of the truck was conducted.

During the search of the truck, deputies discovered a .223 caliber Sturm Ruger “Ranch Rifle” with a 30-round clip. Martin said a law enforcement records check showed that the rifle had been reported stolen to the police department in Lebanon, Ore. No ammunition for the rifle was located.

Also found during the search was approximately 20 grams of a white powdery substance in a metal baking sheet under the driver’s seat, Martin said. Field tests of the substance were inconclusive and the material was collected for further testing by the California Department of Justice Crime lab.

Martin said both Garcia and Smith were also suspected of being under the influence of methamphetamine.

Garcia was booked at the Lake County Jail for the Washington state arrest warrant, for being in possession of stolen property, being a felon in possession of a firearm and for being under the influence of a controlled substance. Jail records indicated that Garcia, whose bail was listed as $10,000, remained in custody on Monday.

Smith was booked on a no-bail parole hold, being under the influence of a controlled substance, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He also remained in custody on Monday.

Lab test results of the white powdery substance are not yet available, Martin said.

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 .

I’ve spent the last week immersed in the rustic cuisine of root vegetables. Turnips and rutabagas have been on my menu, not to mention a parsnip or two.

It all started innocently enough, with a dare from an old college friend. He expects to be pulling a large number of turnips from the ground over the next couple of months, and he challenged me to share five recipes using this rustic root. Loving a rousing bit of food research, I was happy to comply.

Shortly afterward, I received a plea from a high school friend who’s got rutabagas spilling forth from her coastal garden.

“What can I do with them?” she wondered.

I decided it was only right to add rutabagas to my recipe odyssey.

You would be surprised how many cookbooks ignore these humble roots, but I did manage to find a few that gave them mention. At times turnips were honored while rutabagas were not; other cookbooks had both included.

While thumbing through Julia Child’s classic, “Mastering the Art of French Cooking,” in search of rooty inspiration, my husband joked (while imitating her fluty voice) that surely she would recommend smothering them in butter and animal fat.

When I opened the page with general information on turnips, I found this: “The turnip is a wonderful vegetable when given the treatment required to bring out its delicious qualities. It wants and needs to absorb butter or meat fats …”

Uncanny, isn’t it?

She goes on to say this is why they’re particularly succulent when finished off in a stew or braised dish, or in the juices of roasting meat.

She also mentions that in France rutabagas are practically unheard of as food for humans (my mother, once a French chef, says they use them as animal fodder), but they may be used interchangeably with turnips.

Substituting rutabagas and turnips for one another in recipes was a theme I found in my research. This makes sense, as they have quite a bit in common.

Both are in the brassica family, along with cabbage, kohlrabi, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, mustard and cauliflower. It’s believed that rutabagas originated in the wild as a cross between turnips and wild cabbage. They’re sometimes referred to as the yellow turnip.

While turnips have broad appeal worldwide (they’re pickled in Japan, used to flavor a Turkish juice made from carrots, boiled in Iran as a remedy for fever, used in a variety of dishes in India, and were well established in ancient Rome), the geographical popularity of rutabagas doesn’t seem to extend too far beyond northern Europe. Maybe that’s because its history as a vegetable is not as long.

While they’ve been cultivated in the U.S. for nearly 200 years, they’re rarely found on our tables, though my mother maintains that it’s impossible to make a proper pot roast without them.

Rutabagas are so closely associated with Scandinavia that in many parts of the English speaking world they’re referred to as Swedes. In the U.S. and Canada, the term rutabaga is employed, which derives from the Swedish word “rotabagge.”

The rutabaga, with yellowy flesh and a bit of purple on its shoulders, is full of beta carotene in the form of vitamin A. As well, it contains vitamin C and good stores of minerals like calcium, magnesium and iron.

Its stepfather, the turnip, with its white flesh (also accented with purple) is high in vitamin C, but doesn’t share the other nutritious reserves of the rutabaga.

The greens of both vegetables are extremely nutritious, however, more so than the roots. Young tender leaves are preferred, as they don’t have the bitterness that can develop as leaves mature and age. If the greens you have are older, you may remove bitterness by boiling them first, discarding the water and then using them as you would normally.

So what can you do with these rustic and nutritious roots?

In addition to using them in a stew or braising with meat, Julia Child has a few other recommendations for turnips (or, alternatively, for rutabagas), such as blanching them and tossing them with butter, lemon juice, and parsley; mashing them with potatoes; glazing them with butter and sugar; and, finally, making a turnip casserole with bacon and onions, flavored with sage.

The Finns use rutabagas in any recipe that calls for root vegetables. There they’re the major ingredient in a traditional Christmas casserole; they flavor soups with them; and they thinly julienne raw rutabagas as a side dish or salad.

Like Julia Child, the Swedes and Norwegians mash rutabagas with potatoes, but they add carrots for color. This puree – with the occasional addition of onion – is a popular accompaniment to many regional dishes.

In Scotland, rutabagas are endearingly referred to as “neeps.” The Scots mash them and potatoes separately for a dish they call “neeps and tatties” (with tatties being their word for potato).

Bubble and squeak, another cutely-named dish from the British Isles, is a pancake of sorts made with mashed winter vegetables. It was developed to use the veggies left over from the roast served for Sunday dinner.

To get the consistency right, it’s recommended that potatoes make up about 60 percent of the mixture. The rest can be any winter vegetables, including turnips, rutabagas, leeks, onions, carrots, Brussels sprouts or cabbage. Simply mash up soft veggies, form into a patty and cook in a hot pan with olive oil or butter.

And what of my own research? I used them in stews and soups, mashed them in varying quantities with potatoes and other vegetables, and found some subtle differences between the two.

I recommend using small to medium roots, though extra large specimens, especially of rutabagas, are sometimes stocked in the produce aisle.

Rutabagas are a bit denser and more fibrous than turnips. I enjoyed eating turnips raw, but not so much rutabagas.

The raw crunch of turnips, with their rather mild flavor and subtle peppery note, appealed to me.

Rutabagas, in my opinion, hold up a bit better when cooked and add more substance than turnips to mashed potatoes.

If you have an extra large rutabaga, you might be interested to know that the Scots and Irish carved faces into them and used them as candle lanterns in their inaugural Halloween festivals.

I’ll leave you with a recipe I developed for a root vegetable pot pie. As with bubble and squeak, any combination of root vegetables may be used. (I just wish I could think of a name for it that’s as clever!) The leftovers are nice warmed up the next day as a stew or thick soup. Enjoy!

Root vegetable pot pie

2 or more tablespoons olive oil1 large yellow onion, sliced

½ pound of mixed mushrooms (e.g., white button, crimini, Portabellas), sliced or roughly chopped

4 garlic cloves, minced

4 cups vegetable or chicken stock, homemade or otherwise

2 parsnips, peeled and diced

2 medium turnips, peeled and diced

2 medium rutabagas, peeled and diced

2 medium carrots, peeled and diced

2 ribs celery with leaves, sliced

¾ cup dry sherry

1 cup frozen green peas, thawed

2/3 cup all purpose flour

1 ½ cups milk of your choice

¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

2 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

1 ½ teaspoon salt (more to taste, if needed)

Freshly ground black pepper

Cooking spray

1 sheet frozen puff pastry dough, thawed

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Bring broth to boil in pot and add parsnips, turnips, rutabagas, carrots, and celery; cover, reduce heat and simmer about five minutes.

Meanwhile, sauté onion and mushrooms in very large skillet or soup pot until just tender.

Add garlic and sauté a minute or so longer; add sherry and sauté another minute or so.

Add broth and vegetables to mushroom mixture.

Mix milk and flour; add to mushroom mixture. Stir to blend and cook for about five minutes or until thickened.

Stir in parsley, thyme, salt, pepper and peas, if using. Taste and adjust seasonings.

Spray individual ramekins with cooking spray and spoon mixture into them.

Place puff pastry dough on floured surface and cut rounds that will fit over ramekins.

Place dough over each ramekin and cut slits in dough to allow steam to escape. Coat dough lightly with cooking spray.

Place ramekins on baking sheet and bake for 16 minutes or until pastry is browned and filling is bubbly. Allow to rest for a few minutes before serving.

Note: In lieu of ramekins, this may be made in an 8-inch by 13-inch oblong pan. Roll out the puff pastry to fit and lay it over the top of the vegetable mixture, making slits in the dough for steam to escape.

Recipe by Esther Oertel.

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

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

LAKEPORT, Calif. – A judge weighing whether or not to impose temporary sex offender registration requirements on an actor and model who exposed himself in public has set a Feb. 10 hearing for testimony to be submitted by a doctor who has worked with the man.

Justin Force Lazard, 44, flew out from Florida to appear in Judge Richard Martin's Department 2 courtroom on Monday morning, the same time as his trial had been set to start.

On Friday District Attorney Don Anderson and Lazard's defense attorney Paul Swanson appeared before Martin to present the outline of a plea deal they had reached in Lazard's case, which stems from a July 2006 incident in Library Park, as Lake County News has reported.

Lakeport Police officers arrested Lazard after they confronted him while he was exposing his genitals and masturbating near the children's playground in Library Park, where a juvenile and several other witnessed the incident.

That incident followed by roughly three weeks Lazard's arrest in Monterey County in which he was found by police to be exposing his genitals in the drive-through of a Soledad mall.

Regarding his Lake County case, in exchange for a guilty plea to misdemeanor lewd conduct in public, the District Attorney's Office agreed to drop two additional misdemeanor charges of annoying or molesting a child under age 18 and indecent exposure, the latter which would have required sex offender registration.

The additional terms of the deal include three years' probation, 30 days in county jail with 30 days credit for time served, 100 hours community service, three years' psychiatric counseling with quarterly updates on his progress and a $7,500 payment to Lake Family Resource Center.

When Martin arrived in court Monday and called Lazard's case, Swanson said he was waiting for Lazard to come in. When Lazard arrived, Martin scolded him for being 10 minutes late, to which Lazard responded that he had been waiting for his case to be called.

While a lewd conduct conviction does not require sex offender registration, the judge may impose it at his discretion.

At the Friday court appearance, Martin had stated that he was considering the registration requirement, which Swanson argued wasn't in the agreement. Both Swanson and Anderson argued against registration, stating that Lazard – in their view – had no proclivities toward children that would make it a necessity.

While Martin considered that Friday, on Monday he wanted to revisit the issue.

“The court's given this thought all weekend,” he said.

Based on Anderson's statements and his own training, Martin believed Lazard's cases were the result of a transitory life issue, noting there had been no recurrences in the nearly five years since the alleged incidents occurred.

However, Martin said that for the purposes of public safety he wanted to impose some form of registration, to which Lazard had a mild outburst that Swanson attempted to quiet.

Martin said he didn't want to give a lifelong registration mandate, as he didn't think that would be fair. But he felt a temporary requirement, that Lazard later could petition the court to lift, was the right thing to do.

“I'm not comfortable with where we're at right now,” Martin said.

However, Martin said that if, at the end of Lazard's three years of probation, he didn't get into any more trouble, “then I would be comfy with discharging the registration.”

While Martin said he had assurances from both the prosecution and defense about Lazard's progress, he didn't have the advantage of a psychologist or psychiatrist to give testimony to the issue.

“I don't want it on my conscience if something happens,” Martin said.

Throughout the hearing Swanson had to continue to quiet Lazard, who kept trying to interject. Swanson said Lazard had flown in from Miami with the understanding that there was going to be the plea deal.

Swanson wanted to offer up a statement from an East Coast psychiatrist which he had also provided to the District Attorney's Office. Martin said that was OK as long as the district attorney stipulated to it.

Martin added that he would be much more comfortable if the doctor appeared in court so he could look him in the eye.

Swanson looked through his papers and was unable to find the document, and said he may have to ask Anderson for his copy. He then went over to where Anderson sat at the prosecution table and began looking at his papers. Martin told them to take a short recess and when they found the document they could reconvene.

When the one-page document was located it was given to Martin in chambers so he could read it over.

About a half hour later, shortly before 9 a.m., court was back in session.

Martin, having read the letter, noted that it stated Lazard had made significant progress, “but the issues that are in here give the court further concern.”

The letter made a statement about Lazard's problems resulting from a psychotic episode due to drug use.

Martin said that opened up the possibility for a recurrence of the behavior. “I think there is a potential and even the doctor is somewhat equivocal,” he said, adding that Lazard is still dealing with those issues.

Swanson, noting he would have had an updated report if he knew there were going to be concerns, said the letter from the doctor, written in December 2008, “reflects what had gone on with Justin Lazard prior to that time,” adding that Lazard had struggled with cocaine use and, as a result, was in a state of psychosis in the summer of 2006.

However, Lazard has no proclivity for inappropriate behavior toward children, said Swanson, who talked during the break via phone to the doctor, who indicated he would fly out to give testimony.

Swanson offered to have Lazard consult with the doctor once a month for the three years of his probation in addition to the quarterly medical reports that will be required submitted to the court.

“Mr. Lazard, I feel, has made such strides,” said Swanson.

At that point Lazard broke in, asserting that he had no impulses toward children. “It is nothing I need to suppress.”

He said he doesn't want to hurt children – “as God is my witness, may he strike me dead in this court.”

Martin cautioned Lazard that what he said could be used against him.

Swanson said that as a result of the Jan. 28 hearing, at which time the court indicated being agreeable to the plea deal terms, he went to Lake Family Resource Center and presented a check for $7,500 on Lazard's behalf. He submitted a copy of the check and receipt information to the court, which made it an exhibit.

Swanson said “it does cause a bit of consternation” for Lazard to have to fly in from Miami with 72 hours' notice – and after having paid the money – to find out there may be additional terms imposed.

He said the doctor indicated he would be willing to fly out and appear in court on Thursday, Feb. 10. Martin agreed to set a hearing for that day at 3:30 p.m.

Martin said that he understood the concern about the fact that Lazard paid the money. However, he added, “I did announce my feelings about this and the concerns I had, and I gave it a lot of thought over the weekend and I just was bothered because it was more than one offense.”

He said he didn't have proof that Lazard had a “transitory problem,” and noted the concerns the letter raised for him, specifically, that Lazard remains at risk for psychosis if drug use recurs.

“The court is not trying to fashion some onerous punishment for the defendant, although punishment is part of any sentence,” Martin said.

Martin said a major factor in such cases is the protection of children. He said he would be more comfortable if there is assurance of more treatment and no more abuses by Lazard. “The court wants some evidence to do that.”

He added, “I don't feel like I'm adequately doing my job with the amount of information I have.”

Swanson argued that under Penal Code 290, the section that covers sex offender registration, those convicted of such offenses only are required to register if they're residing in California, or attending school or working in the state. He pointed out that Lazard lives in New York and his wife and child are in Florida, where the child is receiving medical treatment.

Swanson offered as an alternative that there could be an additional stipulation that if Lazard ever does reside, attend school or work in California that he would have to register at that time. He told the court that he had not, however, discussed that option with his client.

Martin asked if Lazard was living in California at the time of the Lakeport incident. Swanson said no, that Lazard was living in New York but had visited California to purchase a property in Desert Hot Springs. He said the property currently is rented.

Anderson said if there was a desire to have additional, more restrictive terms of probation like Swanson suggested, he would support it.

In looking at the case, Anderson said it was his understanding that Lazard would be living in New York and not be coming back to California. “That was part of my consideration in making this offer.”

Martin said he still wanted to hear from the doctor, and asked if Swanson was suggesting that the court didn't have jurisdiction to impose registration. Swanson said that's how it appeared from the face of the statute.

Martin said that while they've had issues with people who are convicted in other states being required to register in California, “we haven't had the reverse.”

Martin asked for both Anderson and Swanson to submit points and authorities on the matter by Monday, Feb. 7, in advance of the hearing.

“If you are correct on no registration then we have a different ball game,” Martin told Swanson.

Swanson asked if the judge required Lazard be present for the Feb. 10 hearing. Martin said yes, indicating he wanted Lazard to be present when he gave him the probation terms and had him sign and accept them.

He said he wasn't sure how the case got so old, but said it should have been handled more quickly and he didn't want to delay it any further.

Part of the delay in the case has stemmed from Lazard's own actions. In May 2009 he was scheduled for trial but failed to appear, which led to a bench warrant being issued for his arrest.

He was arrested last year while returning to the US from a trip to the Caribbean, following the Lakeport Police Department's stepped up effort to bring him back for trial, including issuing a statement identifying him as the agency's most wanted person.

While the court is set to examine whether or not it has jurisdiction to cause Lazard to register according to California laws, New York state has its own sex offender registry, which oversees registrants – including those who move into the state from other areas and those who leave New York.

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 .

MENDOCINO COUNTY, Calif. – The Mendocino County District Attorney's Office is stepping up the effort to find a suspect who fled the scene of a fatal 2002 car crash.

District Attorney C. David Eyster said in a Monday statement that he is seeking information about Elio Carrillo, 33.

A report issued by Eyster's office explained that just after 2 a.m. Nov. 28, 2002, Fort Bragg Police officers were called to an injury traffic collision that occurred on the Noyo River Bridge.

The investigation revealed that a white 1994 White Ford Probe driven by Carrillo rear-ended a red Toyota Pickup, pushing it into the opposite lane of traffic and into an oncoming vehicle.

The red Toyota Pickup was hit broadside by the oncoming vehicle and the passenger, Eli Herrick, suffered major injuries as a result of the collision.

Herrick was transported to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital where he later died from his injuries.

Carrillo fled the scene on foot and to this date has not been located, Eyster said.

On Dec. 2, 2002 the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office obtained an arrest warrant for Carrillo. It is believed that Carrillo may have fled to Mexico.

District Attorney Investigator Andrew Alvarado said Eyster – who took office earlier this month – is going through several older cases like this one in the hopes of bringing them to a conclusion.

Anyone with information about Carrillo’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Mendocino County District Attorney Investigations Bureau at 707-463-4211.

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 .

A Cassini image of vaporous, icy jets emerging from fissures on Enceladus, taken on November 24, 2009. Courtesy of NASA.

For years researchers have been debating whether Enceladus, a tiny moon floating just outside Saturn's rings, is home to a vast underground ocean. Is it wet – or not?

Now, new evidence is tipping the scales.

Not only does Enceladus likely have an ocean, that ocean is probably fizzy like a soft drink and could be friendly to microbial life.

The story begins in 2005 when NASA's Cassini probe flew past Enceladus for a close encounter.

“Geophysicists expected this little world to be a lump of ice, cold, dead, and uninteresting,” said Dennis Matson of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. “Boy, were we surprised!”

Cassini found the little moon busily puffing plumes of water vapor, icy particles and organic compounds out through fissures (now known as “tiger stripes”) in its frozen carapace.

Mimas, a nearby moon about the same size, was as dead as researchers expected, but Enceladus was precociously active.

Many researchers viewed the icy jets as proof of a large subterranean body of water. Near-surface pockets of liquid water with temperatures near 32o F could explain the watery plumes. But there were problems with this theory. For one thing, where was the salt?

In initial flybys, Cassini's instruments detected carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and various hydrocarbons in the plume gasses. But there were none of the elements of salt that ocean water should contain.

In 2009 Cassini's cosmic dust analyzer located the missing salt – in a surprising place.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Lower Lake man set to go to trial next week on charges that he hit and killed a Kelseyville restaurateur may see further court proceedings put off until this spring.

James Walter Nightingale, 31, is charged with vehicular manslaughter, hit-and-run, driving on a suspended license and probation violations.

Last Sept. 24 Nightingale – driving a Chevrolet Suburban – allegedly hit and fatally injured 57-year-old Zino Mezoui, who was riding his motorcycle along Highway 29 near Siegler Canyon Road, as Lake County News has reported.

Investigators allege that Nightingale then left the scene and abandoned his vehicle not far from the crash.

Nightingale, who has remained in custody since his Sept. 29 arrest, appeared in Lake County Superior Court in Lakeport late Monday afternoon along with his appointed counsel, Jacob Zamora.

Zamora filed a motion asking the court for a 60-day continuance because he said he had been unable to get expert witnesses lined up, and had to bring in a second investigator as his main investigator had a conflict on the case.

Deputy District Attorney John Langan said he didn't have an objection to Zamora's request.

Zamora said Nightingale previously had no time waiver on his case, but he was now offering a limited time waiver moving forward.

Langan asked to schedule the next appearance a few weeks after April 18, and Judge Andrew Blum suggested May 2.

Nightingale asked for time to think about it, and Blum said he could continue the hearing to give him time to make the decision.

Blum ordered Nightingale to return to court, this time Department 4 in Clearlake, first thing Tuesday morning, at which point the court will hear Nightingale's decision on the time waiver issue and if he'll be agreeable to the May appearance.

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 .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The decadent and delicious annual Wine & Chocolate Festival will be held at Mt. Konocti Growers on Saturday, Feb. 19, from noon to 4 p.m.

An extensive offering of ultra-premium Lake County wines – everything from pear champagne to award-winning Syrah and Port – will be masterfully paired with luscious chocolates and other tasty food bites by Sommelier Stephanie Green, owner of Focused on Wine in Kelseyville.

Green will lead workshops on wine sensory and pairing food with wines and a variety of other classes and demonstrations will be held, such as olive oil sensory, chocolate demonstrations, and biodynamic vineyards.

This year’s event also will feature a silent auction with wine, dining, travel and art packages, as wells as an array of olive oils and appetizers to stimulate the palate.

Event-goers will stroll through the venue tasting wines from more than 30 area wineries, nibble on delicious chocolates, and can purchase a “wine country” lunch.

Wines from the event also will be available for sale. Auto enthusiasts and admirers will have an opportunity to see vintage cars and trucks up close throughout the event, weather permitting.

Proceeds from the Wine & Chocolate Festival benefit the programs and services of the Lake Family Resource Center.

Mt. Konocti Growers, 2550 Big Valley Road, Lakeport. Admission is $35 per person in advance; $40 at the door. Noon to 4 p.m. For information, call 707-279-0563.

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 .

A fire on Friday, January 28, 2011, destroyed a home near Lakeport, Calif. Photo by Tera DeVroede.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Friday afternoon fire destroyed a Lakeport home.

The fire, reported just after 3 p.m., occurred at 1100 Park Way at Hill Road East.

Lakeport Fire Chief Ken Wells said the fire in the doublewide mobile home began in rear of the structure and went through it.

“It was a total loss,” he said.

No humans were injured but a family dog perished in the blaze, Wells said.

Two engines and a ladder truck from Lakeport and an engine from Kelseyville responded, along with about 18 firefighters, according to Wells.

He said it took about 30 to 45 minutes to contain the fire, but mop up was still going on well after 7 p.m.

The cause of the fire is not known, Wells said.

On the Northshore, there was a happier ending for a man whose cabover camper caught fire later in the day.

At around 4:30 p.m. a fire was reported in the camper in space No. 14 at Len-Lee Trailer Resort, located at 3427 East Highway 20 in Nice.

Northshore Fire Battalion Chief Steve Hart said a small propane explosion ignited the fire.

The owner, who is deaf and cannot speak, got distracted and walked outside, and when he returned the fire ignited and burned a small 1-foot by 1-foot area of insulation behind the stove, Hart said.

Firefighters didn't have to use any water but were able to pull out the burned material by hand, which Hart said pleased the owner, who was afraid of losing all of his possessions in case a fire hose was brought in.

Hart estimated total damage to be between $100 to $150.

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 .

A plume of smoke rises from a home on Park Way near Lakeport, Calif., that was destroyed by fire on Friday, January 28, 2011. Photo by Tera DeVroede.

Lakeport Fire Protection District Chief Ken Wells said the home was destroyed by the fire. Photo by Terre Logsdon.

SACRAMENTO – Warning that California will not create the jobs it needs “unless we get our financial house in order,” on Monday Gov. Jerry Brown challenged state legislators to allow people to vote on his three-part plan to solve the state’s financial crisis.

“My intention is to make California again a leader in job creation, renewable energy and state of the art efficiency, innovation of all kinds and primary and secondary education,” Brown said in his State of the State address before a joint session of the state legislature.

In response, the Republicans in the Legislature indicated their willingness to work with the governor and the Democrats to get the state back on track.

Brown said the state must ensure that public employee pensions are fair to both taxpayers and workers, and he called for elimination of unreasonable regulations that hamper investment and job creation.

“Our universities are world renowned and I intend to see that they continue to enjoy the respect of students and scholars throughout the world,” Brown said. “We also have to restructure our criminal justice system, carefully realign state and local government functions, and streamline state government. All of this can happen if we find the courage and summon the will to tackle our budget deficit head on and deal with it honestly and without purpose of evasion.”

Brown warned that this is not a time for “politics as usual.”

“Voters are clearly telling us that our state and our nation are going in the wrong direction,” he said. “Yet, our two main political parties both in Washington and in California are as far apart as I have ever seen them.”

Brown has proposed $12.5 billion in budget cuts, temporary extension of current taxes and an historical realignment of government – a program that would require a vote of the people in a special election before it could become effective.

“If you are a Democrat who doesn’t want to make budget reductions in programs you fought for and deeply believe in, I understand that,” Brown said. “If you are a Republican who has taken a stand against taxes, I understand where you are coming from. But things are different this time. In fact, the people are telling us – in their own way – that they sense that something is profoundly wrong. They see that their leaders are divided when they should be decisive and acting with clear purpose.”

Brown said “it would be unconscionable” for legislators to block a special election.

“When democratic ideals and calls for the right to vote are stirring the imagination of young people in Egypt and Tunisia and other parts of the world, we in California can’t say now is the time to block a vote of the people,” he told the legislators. “In the ordinary course of things, matters of state concern are properly handled in Sacramento. But when the elected representatives find themselves bogged down by deep differences which divide them, the only way forward is to go back to the people and seek their guidance. It is time for a legislative check-in with the people of California.”

The governor said the voters have a right to decide whether taxes should be temporarily extended or whether additional budget cuts should be enacted, including new cuts to public schools, universities, public safety and health programs.

“My plan to rebuild California requires a vote of the people, and frankly I believe it would be irresponsible for us to exclude the people from this process,” he said. “They have a right to vote on this plan. This state belongs to all of us, not just those of us in this chamber. Given the unique nature of the crisis and the serious impact our decisions will have on millions of Californians, the voters deserve to be heard.”

Brown acknowledged that his rescue plan is not universally popular.

“From the time I first proposed what I believe to be a balanced approach to our budget deficit – both cuts and a temporary extension of current taxes – dozens of groups affected by one or another of the proposed cuts have said we should cut somewhere else instead. Still others say we should not extend the current taxes but let them go away. So far, however, these same people have failed to offer even one alternative solution.”

The governor said that he sees both difficult choices and a bright future.

“When we get our budget in balance, California will be in a strong position to take advantage of its many assets and its strategic location on the Pacific Rim. As the countries of Asia and south of our border continue to thrive and expand their trade, our state will play a leading role, as it always has, and reap unimagined benefits,” he said.

“We have the inventors, the dreamers, the entrepreneurs, the venture capitalists and a vast array of physical, intellectual and political assets,” Brown continued. “We have been called the great exception because for generations Californians have defied the odds and the conventional wisdom and prospered in totally unexpected ways. People keep coming here because of the dream that is still California, and once here, their determination and boundless energy feeds that dream and makes it grow.”

Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway, who gave the GOP response to Brown's speech, said the Republican Party shares Brown's goal of passing “an honest and on-time budget.”

She added, “It is our hope that Gov. Brown focuses on cutting spending and on long-term reform.”

Conway said the state needs to break away from a failed status quo, which she said includes rejecting higher taxes and attacking wasteful spending.

“The people have made it clear: they don't want to pay higher taxes,” she said. “Voters have rejected every tax increase on the last two statewide ballots. It's time for Sacramento to finally to listen to the people.”

She said California's Republicans believe the best solution to California's problems is creating private sector jobs, which she said will be done by lifting regulations and by reducing frivolous lawsuits.

“For far too long, the Legislature has strangled our economy by imposing mandates, regulations and taxes,” Conway said. “It's no wonder that companies have been leaving California for other states.”

Conway said Republicans “look forward to working across party lines to cut the deficit, encourage new hiring and end the 'tax-and-spend' mentality with true common sense.”

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 .

Airmen check clearances as they load missiles while Global Strike Challenge inspectors observe during Air Force Global Strike Command's first load competition. The competition consisted of a uniform inspection, general knowledge test, tool inspection, munitions build, weapons load and B-1 Bomber pre-flight inspection. Photo by Air Force Airman 1st Class Chelsea Browning.

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, Louisiana – The son of a Lakeport man is helping rewrite military history books as a competitor in a competition within the Air Force's newest command shouldered with the responsibility for nuclear missiles and bombers throughout the nation.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Matt M. Gerrits, son of Thomas Gerrits, is an aircraft armaments technician who converged on this traditional B-52 bomber base in northern Louisiana to compete in Global Strike Challenge 2010.

It is the new Global Strike Command's competition to determine the best missile, bomber and security forces teams within the command.

It began back in April with a bomb loading competition at a bomber base in North Dakota and ended with the security forces competition at Barksdale.

“The competition was a lot of hard work,” said Gerrits, a 2003 graduate of Kendrick High School, Columbus, Ga. “We worked really hard to show the world that we're the best.”

Air Force Air Force Staff Sgt. Matt M. Gerrits is an aircraft armaments technician for the 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., who participated in the bomb competition portion of Global Strike Challenge 2010. Photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Sean Worrell.

All of the nearly 400 competitors, including Gerrits and his teammates, were highly trained in their specialties and tested extensively in their knowledge and abilities in their field.

In addition to active duty airmen, members of all of the Air Force's National Guard and Reserve elements also participated in the competition.

“We didn't actually do any special training for the competition,” said Gerrits, who is assigned to the 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La. “We train on what the competition covered monthly. We were ready for it.”

This year's competition is a combination of two older competitions, a bomb competition and a missile competition, that date back to the 1940s.

From 1948 to 1992 Strategic Air Command (SAC) held a bombing and navigation competition to test its best crews.

Members of a Global Strike Challenge team practice possible competition scenarios in the missile procedures trainer. This year's competition is a combination of two older competitions, a bomb competition and a missile competition, that date back to the 1940s. Photo by Beau Wade.

In 1966 SAC held their first missile combat competition. Today, Global Strike Challenge combines both of these storied contests into a single highly competitive whole.

Air Force Global Strike Command, activated in April 2009, puts the command and control of the Air Force's nuclear assets under the control of a single organization.

Its creation began in 2008 when Air Force leaders took a critical look at its nuclear mission after discovering shortcomings in its procedures. They decided the service needed a single command focused on nuclear operations.

“This competition allows all of the participating units to increase their readiness and capabilities,” said Gerrits, who has been in the Air Force for seven years. “But it's also important to the competitors because it lets us exercise our competitive sides and try to take home as many awards as we can.”

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 .

Weapons load crew members direct a trainer cruise missile into place for load on a B-52H Stratofortress during the weapons load portion of the Global Strike Challenge. Nearly 400 airmen were able to compete in this year's challenge. Photo by Air Force Senior Airman Amber Ashcraft.

Security forces team members race for the finish line after a grueling series of obstacles during the mental and physical challenge portion of the security forces competition during Global Strike Challenge 2010. The security forces competition included firing several different weapons including pistols, rifles, machine guns and grenade launchers, as well as tests of their mental and physical endurance. Photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Sean Worrell.

Members of a security forces team react to a threat during a scenario designed to test their ability to gauge and react to various threats during the security forces portion of Global Strike Challenge 2010. Photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Sean Worrell.

Two security forces members work together to accurately fire an M240 machine gun during the security forces portion of Global Strike Challenge 2010. This portion of the challenge included firing several different weapons including pistols, rifles, machine guns and grenade launchers, as well as tests of their mental and physical endurance. Photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Sean Worrell.

A security forces team low crawls under wires, trying to touch none of them, as part of a series of obstacles during the mental and physical challenge portion of the security forces competition during Global Strike Challenge 2010. Photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Sean Worrell.

THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS SOME GRAPHIC DESCRIPTIONS THAT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE FOR YOUNG READERS.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The District Attorney's Office has reached a plea agreement with an actor and model who allegedly exposed himself in public during Lakeport's annual July 4 celebration in 2006 and later was arrested again after not appearing for trial.

District Attorney Don Anderson and defense attorney Paul Swanson appeared before Judge Richard Martin on Friday morning to discuss the agreement on behalf of 44-year-old New York resident Justin Force Lazard, who was not in court for the matter.

Lazard was arrested on July 4, 2006, after several Lakeport Police officers witnessed him exposing his genitals and masturbating near the children's playground in Library Park, as Lake County News has reported.

Later that month he was charged with three misdemeanor counts – indecent exposure, annoying or molesting a child under age 18, and engaging in lewd conduct in public.

Acting Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen, the arresting officer in the case, said he and fellow officers witnessed Lazard's alleged activities, which were done in view of several witnesses, including a juvenile.

In the process of taking Lazard into custody, Lakeport Police used a Taser on him because he was resisting arrest, Rasmussen said.

Rasmussen said the District Attorney's Office did a followup investigation in the case, which resulted in the addition of the charge of annoying or molesting a child under age 18.

Lazard – who, in an unusual development, made a gift of playground equipment to Library Park in 2008 – was scheduled to appear for trial in May 2009, but didn't show up, resulting in a bench warrant being issued for his arrest.

Last March, Lazard was arrested by US Customs officials as he was entering the country after a trip to the Caribbean, as Lake County News has reported.

Anderson told Judge Martin Friday that Lazard would be pleading guilty to lewd or dissolute conduct in public, which does not automatically require registration as a sex offender, although the judge can use his discretion to impose it.

Based on a review of the penal code, if Lazard had been convicted of the indecent exposure charge, he would be required to register as a sex offender. The deal will dismiss that charge, along with the allegation of annoying or molesting a child.

Lazard is on the court's calendar for trial on Monday, Jan. 31. Martin wanted to leave that date on for the formal entry of the plea. Swanson asked for a week's delay, but Martin didn't want to put it off.

“I'll tell you what my concerns are,” said Martin, who pointed out that the case goes back to 2006 and that he believed the nature of the conduct required it should have been dealt with much earlier.

Martin also said there have been numerous scheduled court appearances where Lazard didn't show up. “I want to assure he's going to come.”

Swanson said he was willing to personally go back to Miami and accompany Lazard back to Lake County but wanted the extra week.

“What's going on in Miami that he can't be here?” asked Martin.

Swanson said that Lazard's young daughter is undergoing medical treatment there for a congenital heart defect.

Said Anderson, “We don't mind putting it off for a short time but we actually would like to have Mr. Lazard here because there are some issues with mental health.”

Martin told Swanson that Lazard needed to appear. “The concern I had was the child,” said Swanson.

Anderson told the court that as part of the agreement for Lazard's plea to engaging in lewd conduct in public, Lazard would receive three years' probation, 30 days in county jail with 30 days credit for time served, 100 hours community service which may be performed in New York where he lives, and psychiatric counseling for the length of the three-year probation period, during which regular updates on Lazard's progress are to be submitted.

Anderson said Lazard also has agreed to give $7,500 to the Lake Family Resource Center for the benefit of women and children.

Martin said one reason why he was weighing sex offender registration for Lazard was because the alleged offenses occurred in front of the Library Park playground area.

“This plea bargain does not include that,” said Swanson, who noted he wouldn't agree to that requirement.

“Well, we can confirm the trial if you wish,” said Martin.

Anderson told the court, “I don't think this amounts to a registrable sex offense,” arguing that Lazard had a mental breakdown, which Anderson said was the root cause of the issue.

He said Lazard was masturbating in public when three police officers surrounded him. Anderson said the District Attorney's Office has received letters from psychologists saying it was an unusual situation, and Lazard now seems to be performing well.

Martin asked if Lazard had prior violations. Anderson said there was a prior arrest in Monterey County about three weeks before the Lakeport arrest.

“He was not aware of what he was doing at that time,” said Anderson, noting that as far as his office knew Lazard had not reoffended, and that he was now married and had a 2-year-old daughter.

Swanson said Lazard's psychologist does not believe the issues will reoccur, and said Lazard has no proclivities for inappropriate behavior towards children.

Martin agreed not to impose a sex offender registration requirement due to Lazard's psychological breakdown. Having been the judge during Lazard's initial court appearances, Martin said Lazard's alleged actions near the playground was a particular concern for him.

Swanson said he had discussed the deal in its entirety with Lazard, and he was agreeable to the terms.

Lazard was ordered to be present for the Jan. 31 entry of plea.

DA explains reason not to take case to trial

Court documents show that Lazard was arrested in Wickenburg, Ariz., in March 2006 for first degree criminal trespass after being told to leave The Meadows treatment center, which the Wickenburg Police Department confirmed to Lake County News.

The previous arrest Anderson referred to in court occurred in Soledad, Calif., on June 15, 2006, according to Lt. Jaime Fernandez of the Soledad Police Department.

Fernandez said police received a report of a shirtless male subject standing in the drive-through of a store at a shopping center, exposing himself.

When officers arrived they found Lazard exposing his genitals. The officers told Lazard to stop and he replied that God wanted him to do it, Fernandez said.

Lazard was arrested for indecent exposure, according to Fernandez, who said Lazard later received three years of supervised probation, one year of therapy, an order not to be around children under age 18 and a $1,000 fine. That disposition also included a reduction from indecent exposure – which requires sex offender registration under Penal Code section 290 – to lewd conduct in public.

Anderson said later Friday that there had been offers back and forth between the District Attorney's Office and Swanson previously to settle the case. “The only issue was whether or not he would be a registered sex offender,” he said of Lazard.

He said he reviewed the case and during a district attorney's training this week in Costa Mesa he went over the case with some other district attorneys. “They came to the same conclusion that I did, that this should not be a registered sex offense,” Anderson said, adding the alleged offense did not include touching a child.

Anderson said Lazard has serious psychological problems that appear to be under control thanks to medication and counseling, both of which must continue, with his psychiatrist required to submit reports every three months.

“I just came to the opinion that based on all these circumstances that he didn't deserve to have to register for the rest of his life,” Anderson said.

The case previously was handled by Deputy District Attorney Ed Borg, who handles sex offense-based prosecutions and was in court looking on during the Friday morning proceedings.

While Borg could have continued on the case, “Because of the deal I preferred to do it myself,” Anderson said.

Anderson's appearance in the misdemeanor case had raised some questions about the potential for an ethical conflict and his reasons for getting involved in settling the case following discussions with Swanson, who was his second largest campaign contributor in last year's election, according to finance reports submitted through October.

Swanson donated $1,375 of the more than $23,000 Anderson raised, which Anderson said “was no small amount but it wasn't a large amount either.”

He said he has a lot of respect for Swanson but not because of the campaign.

Lazard is due to return to court on Monday morning. If he decides, as he's done in some past instances, not to appear, Anderson said a bench warrant will be issued for him.

Asked if he will retract the plea agreement if Lazard doesn't appear, Anderson said, “That I don't know,” noting he will wait to see what happens.

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 .