CLEARLAKE, Calif. – As night fell on Sunday officials still had not located a missing Clearlake child, who last was seen at her family’s home earlier that afternoon.

The search continued through the night for 9-year-old Mikaela Renee Lynch, who was reported missing by her father shortly before 1:30 p.m. Sunday, as Lake County News has reported.

The girl, who has autism and cannot speak, is considered at risk, police said.

Shortly after 3 a.m. Monday, Clearlake Police reported that an active search was still under way, with dogs brought in to join the effort.

Mikaela was last seen in her family’s yard at 15197 Harbor Drive, according to bulletin police issued not long after the girl disappeared.

Clearlake Police Department quickly put officers and volunteers into the field to search for the girl. They were joined by personnel from Lake County Fire, Northshore Fire and K-Corps.

In addition, witnesses saw helicopters flying over nearby Cache Creek, including a California Highway Patrol helicopter searching near the water for the child.

The Lakeport Police Department put out an advisory on the missing girl shortly before 8:30 p.m., with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office releasing a brief advisory just after 10 p.m.

It was just after 10 p.m. that reports from the scene indicated that police and fire units were responding to the area of Meadowbrook Preschool after someone heard crying in the area.

However, at around 11:30 p.m. a Clearlake Police dispatcher told Lake County News that police had no luck finding the girl, and the search was continuing.

Shortly before 11:30 p.m. and continuing until after midnight, residents of various parts of Lake County reported receiving reverse 911 calls about the missing girl from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Mikaela is described as a white female, 4 feet tall and weighing 70 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact the Clearlake Police Department at 707-994-8251 or call 911.

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

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The 100 fourth to sixth graders who attended the Children’s Museum of Art and Science science camp on Saturday, May 4, had some unexpected company.

While learning about the Ely Stage Stop and checking out the three quarter sized stage coach, Lake County’s most talkative handsome highwayman, John “Bent Nose” Parker, showed up in chaps, mask, hat and a gun to relieve passengers of their valuables and take away the strong box.

After negotiating their freedom, students went on to other stations manned by costumed Lake County Historical Society docents where they made butter and washed clothes with an old-fashioned washboard and bar of soap.

When it came time for students to move to the next station, a large bell was rung. This bell, which now hangs on the Stage Stop porch, was from the Henderson ranch in Kelseyville and was rung to signal meal times for the hands as well as signify an emergency situation.

The other activity stations at Ely included a chance to dissect owl pellets. Shula Shoup and Tracy Mostin reminded students that owl pellets are like cat hairballs; owls cough up what they cannot digest, the hair, fur and bones of their prey. Students used charts to identify the skulls and bones in the pellets.

Anthropologist Doug Prather demonstrated how to make arrowheads and Lori Anthony and Sarah Fred taught students how to play a Native American gambling game. Students guessed which hand held a small rock and if they were correct, they won a “horse” (a decorated stick).

After a delicious lunch provided by the Rotary Clubs of Lake County, students headed for the new barn for an hour long raptor show sponsored by the Redbud Audubon Society.

Jenny Papka from Native Bird Connections brought four rescued raptors, a kestral and three owls. Students were enthralled by the birds and obviously enjoyed the chance to see the see amazing creatures up close and personal. They had many good questions for Ms. Papka.

For the second half of their day students were bussed to the Taylor Observatory in Kelseyville. Here Barbara McIntyre presented a show in the planetarium.

Billy Gear and Carrieann Lopez directed hands-on time with microscopes looking at local pond creatures. Kinene Barzin had hand bells and percussion instruments outside under the trees where students learned the melody and rhythm for two songs.

This free day long camp was the seventh annual camp hosted by the Children’s Museum of Art and Science.

Students from every school district as well as charter schools and home schooled students were invited.

CMAS deeply appreciates the support of its partners the Lake County Office of Education, the Redbud Audubon Society and the Lake County Historical Society. Foods Etc graciously provided water and snacks. Boy Scout Troop 44 helped direct morning traffic. Teens from the Kelseyville High School Interact Club assisted in groups and activity stations. Many adult volunteers made this an educational, exciting and fun day for all.

Carolynn Jarrett is president of the Children’s Museum of Art and Science.

Sunset is a special time of day. Low-hanging clouds glow vivid red and orange as the background sky turns cobalt blue. The first stars pop out in the heavenly dome overhead, eliciting wishes from backyard sky watchers.

The sunset of May 26th will be extra special. On that date, Venus, Jupiter and Mercury will gather in the fading twilight to form a bright triangle only three degrees wide.

Triple conjunctions of planets are fairly rare. The last time it happened was in May 2011, and it won't happen again until October 2015.

This triple is especially good because it involves the three brightest planets in May's night sky: No. 1, Venus; No. 2, Jupiter; and No. 3, Mercury. The triangle will be visible even in places with heavy urban light pollution.

The best time to look is about 30 to 60 minutes after sunset. The three planets will be hugging the horizon, so a clear view of the western sky is essential.

Let Venus be your guide. It pops out of the fading twilight long before the others. As soon as you locate Venus, look in that direction using binoculars.

If your binoculars are typical, all three planets will fit in the eyepiece simultaneously. As the twilight continues to fade, set the optics aside; eventually the triangle will become visible to the naked eye.

You don't have to wait until May 26 to enjoy the show, however. The planets start gathering weeks earlier.

Dates of special interest include May 11 through May 13, when the crescent Moon, Venus, and Jupiter form a long diagonal line jutting upward from the sunset; May 23, when Jupiter and Venus converge to less than 5 degrees apart, close enough for simultaneous binocular viewing; and May 24, when Mercury passes Venus less than 2 degrees away, giving shape to the triangle that reaches maximum compactness two nights later on May 26.

The triangle begins to disperse on May 27, but even then the show is not over. On May 28, Venus passes Jupiter at a distance of 1 degree, forming a truly spectacular pair.

From beginning to end, the three naked-eye planets will be close enough to fit inside the field of ordinary binoculars from May 23 until early June. May 26 is just the best among many very good nights.

Step outside, face west and observe the planets. It's a beautiful way to end the day.

Dr. Tony Phillips works for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Five adoptable cats are waiting for new homes at Lake County Animal Care and Control this week.

The cats range in age from 2 to 9 years, and all have been altered in anticipation of going to new homes.

In addition to spaying or neutering, cats that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are microchipped before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.

If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets there, hoping you'll choose them.

The following cats at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (other cats pictured on the animal control Web site that are not listed here are still “on hold”).

Male brown tabby

This male brown tabby is 2 years old.

He has a short coat and gold eyes, weighs 10 pounds and has been neutered.

He’s in cat room kennel No. 1, ID No. 36268.

White domestic medium hair

This female white domestic medium hair cat is 9 years old.

She weighs 24 pounds, has blue eyes and has been spayed.

Find her in cat room kennel No. 22, ID No. 36285.

Female brown tabby

This female brown tabby is 3 years old.

She has a long, luxurious coat with white markings and gold eyes, and she has been spayed.

She’s in cat room kennel No. 29, ID No. 36214.

Domestic short hair mix

This female domestic short hair mix is 8 years old.

She has a gray and white coat, green eyes, weighs nearly 8 pounds and has been spayed.

She’s in cat room kennel No. 105, ID No. 36162.

‘Susie Q’

“Susie Q” is an 8 year old domestic medium hair mix.

She has green eyes, a gray and white coat, weighs 14 pounds and has been spayed.

Find her in cat room kennel No. 106, ID No. 36161.

Adoptable cats also can be seen at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Cats_and_Kittens.htm or at www.petfinder.com .

Please note: Cats listed at the shelter's Web page that are said to be “on hold” are not yet cleared for adoption.

To fill out an adoption application online visit http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dog___Cat_Adoption_Application.htm .

Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm .

For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.

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

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – This is an above-normal year for wildfires, which does not bode well for Lake County, with its expanse of rangeland and combustible brush.

But the county can take a certain amount of comfort in knowing that, thanks to Lake Evacuation and Animal Protection, it is prepared for what may lie ahead.

LEAP, as the fully trained all-volunteer organization is known, functions as a safeguard for animals, ranging from house pets to horses in the event of a major fire.

Created by a dozen visionary individuals, it marries the knowledge of firefighters with that of experts in the world of animals.

In the case of Greg and Lynnette Bertelli, that marriage of interest and expertise is a literal one; he a Cal Fire battalion chief, she an equestrian who drove the establishment of LEAP two and a half years ago. Lynnette is Lake County regional manager for the investment firm that owns Spruce Grove and TnT Storage and the finance officer for the Ratel Investments firm.

“LEAP’s main mission is to coordinate people in the evacuation of animals,” explained Greg, who was one of the dozen organizers.

“When we evacuated people in years past we opened up the gate and let the animals run so that they could get away from the fire,” he said. “Over time we developed a fire service organization that we needed in order to be better coordinated and attempt – if fire conditions allow – to not only evacuate people but evacuate their animals.

“Most people’s animals are their family,” he added. “If they’re not their family they are a part of their economic livelihood.”

The expertise available to animal owners through LEAP is impressive. It includes operatives from Animal Care and Control, Lake County Animal Services, stable owners and livestock haulers.

Lynnette Bertelli’s original goal, along with that of two other horse owners – John Gay (since deceased) and Dr. Paul Marchand – was equine rescue.

“I went to the first horse council meeting where I met John and Paul and we all stood up and said we have a need for an equine rescue group,” she recalled. “The horse council said, ‘Yes we do. You three get together and figure it out.’ So the three of us started going to various county meetings.”

As a next step, she, along with a group of animal control volunteers connected with Bill Davidson, director of the county’s Animal Care and Control department, and gained inclusion in that organization.

Greg Bertelli is a major resource for LEAP through an ongoing series of half-day seminars he conducts. From these sessions LEAP’s members learn how to function during a fire, covering such matters as fire-site radio communications and proper attire for crossing a fire line.

“We have been working with animal control, local fire chiefs and people who understand how things have to be coordinated and have a good strong background in communication, fire line safety and proper equipment so that firefighters can go beyond the fire lines in with trained animal control volunteers.” he said. “We want to be coordinated with the whole operation.”

Conversely, firefighters are not always well versed in animal control. “But having someone from animal services support them they can make a halter and lead them out calmly,” said Greg. “At a fire I’ll let Lynnette handle the animals and I’ll support her any way I can.”

LEAP got its first test by fire, so to speak, during the Wye Fire of 2012, in Spring Valley, one of the county’s most difficult spots to combat a fire because of access and egress.

“A horse and trailer jack-knifed at the very beginning of that fire,” Lynnette recalled. “It was a big mess. You have to have the coordination and the expertise in a situation like that so that you don’t create a bottleneck or a block.

“If the wind would have shifted or anything different happened in that scenario it could have been catastrophic. It was an incredible training for us. People were walking their animals down the road with no leash, no halter, no nothing. Livestock were stuck here and horses were stuck there and these people needed to get in and get their dogs. But nobody’s lives were at risk; it was awesome.”

The critical necessity for a program for the safe evacuation of animals and their owners in a fire was pointed up as early as the 1990s.

“A woman back then, like so many people, didn’t want to leave her home,” said Greg. “She waited, waited, waited until a fire engine came by and (firefighters) literally grabbed the dogs she had and grabbed her to put her in the fire engine. But one of the dogs broke free and ran back into the house. To the woman the dog was her family. She ran into the house and a fireman ran into the house after her. The firefighter had severe burns, the woman perished and the animal died as well.”

The safe evacuation of animals can be a slippery slope. Horses tend to run back into burning barns out of fear and confusion, because it is their safe zone.

“If the horse or animal has a familiar area and their barn is on fire, they’re going to want to go where it’s safe,” said Greg. “It’s like a child would feel safest under their bed. Animals react the same way.”

Said Lynnette: “Our biggest goal is to have people understand that they have permission to evacuate with their animals because we don’t have the manpower to evacuate all of them. We recommend having a go-kit for your pet with food and a blanket ready so that you can grab it and go.”

Davidson said LEAP was “invaluable” during the response to the Wye Fire.

Indeed, LEAP has developed a system of coordination at fire sites.

“We will always have an expert and that expert will be familiar with the fire service,” said Greg. “LEAP will have communication with a commander and the person in charge will have permission from the division for how many people are going in, how many animals they're getting, the address of the fire site and what to do once they’ve got the animals.”

The latter is no small issue.

“People have organic goats and they have to be treated differently than other group of goats,” said Lynnette. “The same for organic cows. If not that cow is no longer organic.”

The Bertellis are delighted by agency as well as community support for LEAP.

“All of the local fire chiefs, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management and Cal Fire are coming together in support of this and that’s something that’s critical,” says Greg. “We are constantly improving and making things better.

“This could not be possible without the combined efforts of our volunteers and animal control,” he added. “Bill Davidson has been instrumental in the development of our group.”

Added Lynnette: “Many veterinarians have volunteered because maybe some of the animals are going to have burn scars or are injured. The supporters for LEAP are amazing. Karen Schaver has a nonprofit dog rescue. And she is a full-time teacher. Napa Auto in Lakeport donated $1,000 worth of paint. That’s huge.

“Everybody cares about it and it’s wonderful to see. It’s a small community, but people really do get involved. That’s how we make things work.

“We’ll know we have succeeded in doing our job if when the time of a disaster comes and there are minimal or no animals to evacuate,” she asserted. “It is our ultimate goal to educate the public to the extent that they are prepared and evacuate their own animals with any needed supplies and medications necessary. And, to let the public know that if they evacuate with their animals, there will be care and shelter available to them.”

Davidson said LEAP welcomes new volunteers.

The Wildfire Safety Expo, which takes place Saturday, May 18, at Kelseyville Lumber will provide detailed information from LEAP and Lakeport and Kelseyville fire stations.

Those interested in learning more about the group also can contact Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.

Email John Lindblom at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The life cycle of a butterfly – egg to caterpillar to chrysalis and finally winged flight – is a common yet amazing example of life transformation from nature’s book.

There are many comparisons about that transformation that can be made to our human experience.

One comparison is the value of nurturing a young child; enabling it to take flight and reach its full potential in life. Every month of the year, we are reminded of various issues that impact the nurture of young children.  

For instance, April was designated as Child Abuse Prevention Month, and May as Depression Awareness.  

Service providers working across the service spectrum are involved in raising awareness of these impacts, as well as providing on-going family support services that assist children in Lake County to reach their full potential.

Recently St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake was awarded a Community Transformation Grant from the Centers for Disease Control.

This collaborative project to better population health and reduce chronic disease is bringing together public health, hospitals, clinics, behavioral health services, schools, tribal health, child welfare, family support, Lake Family Resource Center, First 5, People Services, NCO Community Action Agency and others to act as the Health Policy Cabinet for the project, entitled Climb to the Peak of Health.

The project is named to represent Mt. Konocti and the breathtaking beauty that awaits at the summit, thereby making each step to the top worthwhile.

Among the objectives of the Community Transformation Grant project is to create awareness of the important role that emotional health plays in chronic disease. Research shows that experiences during early childhood influence brain development and are pivotal for shaping future health and well-being.

Similar to humans, the butterfly starts life as a very small egg. The mother butterfly must lay her tiny eggs on just the right kind of leaves or the caterpillar will not eat the leaves and thus have no food to keep growing. Humans also need good nourishment through every stage of life to keep growing.                                              

This not only means parents providing healthful food for children, but also developing safe emotional attachment, providing supportive guidance through the various stages of development, and showing children how to develop positive relationships with others.  

What happens during a child’s formative years has lifelong implications. We are living in a time when one out of every five children is exposed to domestic violence in our country and about five children die each day due to child abuse. Home may be “where the heart is,” but for many, home is heart-breaking.     

Relationships in the household between parents and children optimally provide the safety of a cocoon. A strong family provides a protective shield for children and a solid foundation that children can depend on. Life has ups and downs and difficult times, but children benefit from seeing their parents cope and bounce back.  This is an important way they learn coping skills.  

Children also benefit from extended family and friends who provide support when needed. A nurturing home life has a lasting influence on a child’s development. Like the butterfly, it enables children to leave the cocoon and launch into a healthy adult life in which they are able to fly on their own.  

However, growing up in a home where safety and well-being is at risk, often takes a toll on the direction of one’s life, one’s health and collectively on the community.   

Research from the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACE) shows that a traumatic childhood takes a significant toll on health. Those suffering substantial childhood trauma have double the risk for early death compared with adults who had not endured adverse childhood experiences.

Types of trauma (known as ACE factors) include child abuse (sexual, physical, and emotional), neglect (physical and emotional), chaotic, dysfunctional households in which the mother is treated violently, or a household member is an alcoholic or drug user, or is imprisoned, or is diagnosed with a mental illness, or parents are separated or divorced and the child feels abandoned by one or both parents.

Each type of trauma is given a score of one, with 10 the maximum score. A person who was emotionally abused, physically neglected and grew up with an alcoholic father who spent time in prison, would receive a score of four.  

Researchers note that someone with six or more of these factors may die 20 years prematurely because a strong link between these adverse childhood experiences and adult onset of chronic illness was found.

Those with ACE scores of four or more had significantly higher rates of heart disease and diabetes, as well as a 390 percent increased likelihood of pulmonary lung disease; 240 percent increased likelihood of hepatitis; 460 percent increased likelihood for depression; and 1,220 percent for suicide. Those with an ACE score of six had a 4,600 percent increase in the likelihood of becoming an IV drug user.

Adverse childhood experiences are common; 64 percent of those in the original ACE study conducted at Kaiser Permanente in San Diego had experienced one or more categories of the ACE factors.  

In a small pilot study done in Lake County that percentage was higher – about 82 percent had one or more factors.  

Research linking ACE factors to premature death is in early stages, but researchers note that even if cutting life expectancy by 20 years is not an exact statistic, the study definitely bears out that exposure to early trauma is an important public health issue.

Researchers from different disciplines have found that trauma alters the function and development of children’s brains and nervous systems and that a person’s experiences can turn on genes that manufacture chemical stressors that affect the brain.

That’s what’s happening in the brains of traumatized children who become hyper-vigilant, edgy, impulsive, and have hot tempers – and it's happening everywhere, including to our own children in Lake County.  

They develop behaviors that get them into trouble and can lead to getting involved in risky behaviors such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol, eating too much, working too much, and more - all negatively affecting their health.

The cycle repeats and continues through multiple generations, shaping families and in turn impacting the communities we live in.

A healthy community is one in which emotional well-being at all ages is valued and opportunities that offer hope and healing are available for those struggling with unhealed emotions.

Why emotional health is important

There is a strong connection between the body and the mind – and the health of each aspect of your “self” is very important.

From an early age, we realize this when we feel nervous about something or experience “butterflies in our stomach” or sweaty palms.

These are examples of how thoughts affect the body.

– Stress is not something “out there” that happens to you (daily hassles, change, the environment, loss, work or lack of work, finances, relationships, inner conflict, etc.) it’s our internal responses (moods, physical reactions, etc.) to situations as we perceive them. The goal is not a stress-free life, but to keep stress within manageable limits so it doesn’t turn into “distress” (excessive stress that is destructive to physical, mental, and emotional health).

– Our attitude, internal self-talk, support systems, health practices, coping methods, ability to relax, ability to communicate, and the way we see ourselves all factor into how we manage stress.

– Researchers find increased risk for heart attacks in people with increased levels of worry, especially over financial and health concerns.

– There is a higher risk for heart disease in people who carry anger and in people who are depressed, according to researchers.

– People who are anxious, unhappy, or depressed are more likely to develop high blood pressure.

– Sleeplessness and lack of sleep contributes to high blood pressure and being overweight.

– People with strong support systems – such as friends, family, a pastor, physician, or counselor, along with community ties – cope better with stress.

– Physical activity protects physical and emotional health, relieves stress, and makes you feel good. Take a walk every day if you can.

– People who have peaceful minds and actively practice achieving inner peace are more content and happy with the lives.

– Using community resources to address issues of emotional well-being can afford opportunity for hope and healing.

For information on community resources contact Lake Family Resource Center, 707-279-0563.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – As part of its commitment to reducing unwanted births and achieving a lower euthanasia rate in Lake County's feline population, SPCA of Clear Lake is offering its “Spring Feline Fix” event.

The organization is offering discounted spay and neuter services to all Lake County residents.

There is no income eligibility requirement or paperwork to fill out in order to receive the services.

Spring Feline Fix prices are females $55 and males $45.

SPCA of Clear Lake is the longest running nonprofit spay/neuter clinic in Lake County with quality and compassionate care for your pet.

To make an appointment, call the SPCA during business hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, telephone 707-279-1400 or 707-995-2273.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – It’s Mother’s Day, and there is a wide variety of dogs around Lake County that need new human moms.

Big loyal dogs, puppies, small terriers, hounds and many other dogs of various shapes, sizes and temperaments are ready to join your home.

This week adoptable dogs from Lake County Animal Care and Control, Clearlake Animal Control and the SPCA of Clear Lake are featured. A number of breed mixes are available.

In addition to the animals featured here, all adoptable animals in Lake County can be seen here: http://bit.ly/Z6xHMb .

CLEARLAKE ANIMAL CONTROL

'Bruiser'

"Bruiser" is a gentle giant.

This beautiful pit bull/mastiff mix loves to play ball and give kisses.

Shelter staff says he is very loyal and loving. Bruiser is so loyal that he would be best for a home without other dogs, so he can get all the one on one attention he craves.

He is neutered and up-to-date on all his vaccinations.

Call 707-994-8251, Extension 115 for more details.

If interested in Bruiser, please contact Officer Frankie Blavet at 707-994-8201, Extension 118, or visit the kennels at 6820 Old Highway 53 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Visit Clearlake Animal Control on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CityOfClearlakeAnimalControl .

SPCA OF CLEAR LAKE

            
‘Comet’

"Comet" is a Cairn/wirehair terrier mix.

He is neutered, microchipped and current on all his vaccinations.

He is a very friendly and energetic guy who loves to play.

‘Ginger’

"Gingera' is a gorgeous and sweet hound.

She is spayed, microchipped and current on all vaccinations.

She is a sweet girl in need of a loving home.

‘Sweet Pea’

"Sweet Pea" is a beautiful boxer.

She is spayed, microchipped and current on all vaccinations.

Sweet Pea is an affectionate girl. She loves walks and being by your side.

For more information, contact the SPCA of Clear Lake, 707-279-1400.

LAKE COUNTY ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL

Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.

If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets hoping you'll choose them.

The following dogs at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (additional dogs on the animal control Web site not listed are still “on hold”).

Female pit bull terrier mix

This female pit bull terrier mix is 7 months old.

She weighs nearly 26 pounds, has been spayed, and has a short brown and white coat.

She is currently in foster, ID No. 35880.

Chihuahua-wirehaired terrier

This male Chihuahua-wirehaired terrier is 7 months old.

He weighs nearly 10 pounds, has a long tan coat and has been altered.

He’s currently in foster, ID No. 36211.

Female pit bull terrier mix

This female pit bull terrier mix is 7 years old.

She weighs 51 pounds, and has a short gray and white coat. Shelter staff did not report if she had been spayed.

She’s in kennel No. 6, ID No. 36265.

Pit bull terrier-hound mix

This male pit bull terrier-hound mix is 2 years old.

He weighs 45 pounds, has a short tricolor coat and has been neutered.

He’s in kennel No. 11, ID No. 36261.

Female pit bull terrier mix

This female pit bull terrier mix is 3 years old.

She has a short tan and white coat and weighs 52 pounds. It was not reported if she had been spayed.

Find her in kennel No. 15, ID No. ID: 36313.

Male Chihuahua mix

This male Chihuahua mix is 7 years old.

He weighs 10 pounds, has a short tan coat and has been neutered.

Find him in kennel No. 18, ID No. 36150.

Lhasa Apso mix

This male Lhasa Apso mix is 3 years old.

He weighs nearly 13 pounds, has a long white coat and has been neutered.

Find him in kennel No. 19, ID No. 36315.

Pit bull terrier-hound mix

This female pit bull terrier-hound mix is 15 weeks old.

She weighs 18 pounds, has a short tan and white coat, and has been spayed.

She’s in kennel No. 22a, ID No. 36133.

Pit bull terrier-hound mix

This female pit bull terrier-hound mix is 15 weeks old.

She weighs 18 pounds, has a short tan and white coat, and has been spayed.

She’s in kennel No. 22c, ID No. 36135.

Pit bull terrier-hound mix

This female pit bull terrier-hound mix is 15 weeks old.

She weighs 18 pounds, has a short tan and white coat, and has been spayed.

She’s in kennel No. 22d, ID No. 36136.

Pit bull terrier-hound mix

This male pit bull terrier-hound mix is 15 weeks old.

He weighs 18 pounds, has a short tan and white coat, and has been spayed.

He’s in kennel No. 23a, ID No. 36137.

Pit bull terrier-hound mix

This male pit bull terrier-hound mix is 15 weeks old.

He weighs 18 pounds, has a short tan and white coat, and has been spayed.

He’s in kennel No. 23c, ID No. 36139.

Pit bull terrier-hound mix

This male pit bull terrier-hound mix is 15 weeks old.

He weighs 18 pounds, has a short tan and white coat, and has been spayed.

He’s in kennel No. 23d, ID No. 36140.

Please note: Dogs listed at the county shelter's Web page that are said to be “on hold” are not yet cleared for adoption.

To fill out an adoption application online visit http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dog___Cat_Adoption_Application.htm .

Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm .

For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.

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

The world is changing. As greenhouse gases accumulate in the atmosphere, global temperatures are on the rise. Sea levels inch upward as polar ice retreats. Crops are growing in new places.

The world is changing. The question is, can life change with it?

A batch of genetically engineered plants orbiting Earth on board the ISS may have something to say about this.

“Our environment on Earth is changing, so we need to know how plants respond to novelty,” said molecular biologist Anna-Lisa Paul of the University of Florida. “Spaceflight is outside the evolutionary experience of any terrestrial organism. Learning how plants respond to this unique environment can also tell us how plants respond to new challenges on Earth.”

Paul and colleague Rob Ferl are principal investigators of an experiment on the ISS called TAGES, the Transgenic Arabidopsis Gene Expression System.

For the past two years, they have been using the ABRS experimental growth chamber on board the space station to grow a garden of Arabidopsis thaliana, also known as “thale cress.” Cameras captured growth rates, root patterns, and a strange green glow.

“We genetically modified the plant to glow when it is under stress,” explained Paul. “This can tell us a lot about how Arabidopsis adapts to the microgravity environment.”

Learning how plants adapt to new situations is crucial to climate change research. In terms of global biomass, plants outweigh mammals by a factor of 1,000.

They are a dominant part of the biosphere, playing a key role in the carbon cycle. Scientists and farmers have been experimenting with plants for centuries, yet at a fundamental, genetic level, much remains unknown.

This is why Paul and Ferl have been putting Arabidopsis through its paces, exposing the plant to extremes of pressure, temperature, and drought. Most of their work has been done on Earth – but some extremes can only be found in space.

“Removing gravity from the equation reveals unique aspects of cell growth and development that we cannot discover in any other way,” said Ferl. “The International Space Station is a great place to do this.”

In a recent issue of the journal Plant Biology, they presented some of TAGES’ first results.

“We have seen some things that surprised us,” reported Paul.

Paul and Ferl inserted a glowing “reporter gene” into the DNA of Arabidopsis that would be triggered by the plant hormone auxin.

Auxin is important to how plants move and respond to their environment. By watching parts of Arabidopsis light up, they tracked the action of the hormone at the cellular level without actually dissecting the plants.

“We expected to find [auxin signals] in the gravity-sensing cells at the tip of the roots. Instead it showed up in the hypocotyls, the stem-like region between the roots and leaves,” she said.

An even bigger surprise was “skewing,” a pattern of root movement that, on Earth, helps plants navigate sticks and stones in soil as they search for water and nutrients.

Paul recalled being with Rob Ferl and watching some of the first images of Arabidopsis come down from the ISS. “Are those roots skewing?” they asked. The pattern was definitely there.

“It was pretty exciting,” she said. “This is something we thought only happened in gravity.”

Paul and Ferl also observed how Arabidopsis used light as a gravity-substitute for telling “up” from “down.” With lamps shining overhead, roots grew clearly away from leaves, just like on Earth.

“Arabidopsis has proven remarkably adaptable to the space environment,” noted Ferl.

The details are not yet fully understood, but, thanks to TAGES, data at the cellular and genetic level are now available for study.

“The more we learn,” said Paul, “the better partners we can be for life in a changing world.”

Dr. Tony Phillips works for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Police Department has issued a bulletin seeking information on the whereabouts of a 9-year-old autistic girl reported missing on Sunday afternoon.

A report from Det. Ryan Peterson said Mikaela Lynch was reported missing by her father, Bari Lynch, just before 1:30 p.m.

Peterson reported that the girl, who is unable to speak, was last seen in the yard of her family’s home at 15197 Harbor Drive, Clearlake, just before her father contacted police.

Mikaela is described as a white female, 4 feet tall and weighing 70 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. Peterson said police did not have a clothing description for her.

Clearlake Police Department personnel and volunteers are currently searching for Mikaela, Peterson said. Reports from the scene also indicated REACH, Lake County Fire and the Northshore Dive Team had joined the search.

Due to Mikaela's mental state, age and circumstances, she is believed to be an at risk missing juvenile, according to Peterson.

Peterson said a flier on the missing girl originally was issued as an Amber Alert, but police later were later advised that Mikaela’s case does not meet the alert’s criteria at this time.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact the Clearlake Police Department at 707-994-8251.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Welcome to Lake County Skies, a monthly column that highlights what’s visible in the night skies of Lake County.

With some of the country’s darkest, clearest skies, Lake County is ideal for star gazing. A chart of the May night skies is displayed below.

The May night skies are dominated by the constellation Bootes.

Bootes looks like a kite, but owing to the flow of human history, he is not a kite – he is a herdsman/hunter.

Bootes was first named in Homer’s Odyssey in the 8th century BC, long before the kite was introduced in Europe by Marco Polo in the late 13th century AD. Had the ancients known about the kite, one can only imagine what this constellation would have been named!

Bootes has the brightest star in the Northern Hemisphere, Arcturus. Arcturus lies at the base of Bootes. It’s a giant orange star, many times larger than our Sun. Images of Bootes and the difference in size between our Sun and Arcturus are shown below.

Directly to the north and west of Bootes is Ursa Major, the Big Bear. This constellation has a distinct pattern of stars we call “The Big Dipper.

The Big Dipper has been recognized by cultures all over the world by various names: The Plough in England, The Saucepan in Holland, the Salmon Net in Finland, and Goncol’s Cart in Hungary,

Look at the second star from the end of handle of the dipper, Mizar. If you have really good eyesight, you will see it is really two stars close together – the second star is named Alcor.

If you have a telescope you will see that Mizar has a companion star very close to it. The following image shows the Big Dipper and Alcor and Mizar through a telescope.

Our star chart shows the planet Saturn rising in the east. The bright star Spica is to the west of Saturn. As we mentioned in our April article, a star twinkles, a planet does not.

Saturn is one of the most beautiful planets in the solar system. It is the sixth planet from the sun, second in size only to Jupiter.

Saturn is what we call a “gas giant.” It has no solid land mass like our Earth. Instead, it is a giant ball of gas – mostly hydrogen and helium. If we had a large enough body of water, Saturn would float!

What makes Saturn unique is its ring system. Through even a small telescope Saturn’s rings are beautiful to behold. The rings are believed to be composed of tiny rock particles.

Two images of Saturn are shown below. The one to the left is typical of what can be seen through a large observatory telescope. The one to the right is typical of a medium (8” or more) amateur astronomer’s telescope.

Lake County’s Taylor Observatory ( www.taylorobservatory.org ) is open to the public on the third Saturday of each month, affording an excellent opportunity to view Saturn.

John Zimmerman is a resident of Lake County and has been an amateur astronomer for over 50 years. For more information about Astronomy and local resources, visit his Web site at www.lakecountyskies.com .

CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – A man reported missing from Spring Valley Thursday night has been found safe.

The 63-year-old developmentally disabled man, whose name was not released, was found at about 11:30 a.m. Friday, according to a report from Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Brooks said that at 9 p.m. Thursday Lake County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies responded to an address in the 17000 block of Cache Creek Road in Spring Valley on the report of a missing person.

The missing man was reported to have walked away from his residence. Brooks said an immediate search of the area was conducted and deputies were unable to locate the subject.

Lake County Search and Rescue was notified and immediately responded to the location and started a systematic search of the area, according to Brooks. The search continued through the night with negative results and additional resources were requested to assist.

An aircraft with forward looking infrared capabilities was requested for aerial support early in the search, but was unavailable due to weather conditions, Brooks said.

Lake County Search and Rescue and K-Corp were assisted by Mendocino County Search and Rescue, Sonoma County Search and Rescue, Sonoma County Sheriff’s Helicopter (Henry 1), Solano County Search and Rescue and Marin County Search and Rescue, according to Brooks.

The sheriff’s office thanked the assisting agencies that responded with their personnel and assets to assist with the search, bringing the incident to successful conclusion with the man’s discovery on Friday morning.