A family enjoys a snow day in the hills above the Northshore of Lake County, Calif., on Friday, February 25, 2011. Photo by Ron Keas.

While the now melted off quickly on parts of the Northshore and in Lakeport, parts of Kelseyville had a thicker blanket that lasted longer into the day, and the snow stuck around in higher elevations like Cobb.

County Road Superintendent Steve Stangland his crews reported 2 to 3 inches of snow in the Soda Bay and Clear Lake Riviera areas, and up to 8 inches in the Cobb area.

Schools districts that reported closures for the day included Konocti, Kelseyville, Lakeport, Upper Lake Elementary, Upper Lake Middle, Upper Lake High School, Aspire and Clearlake Community School.

Doug Rhoades photographed this surprised looking snowman on a bench in front of the courthouse museum in Lakeport on Friday, February 25, 2011.

Lucerne Elementary was reported to be closed due to snow for the first time in 21 years.

Lake County International Charter School in Middletown also reported that it closed for the day.

The Lake County Office of Education closed its doors Friday after officials there reported being impacted by a power outage that occurred in Lakeport during part of the morning.

Middletown and Hidden Valley residents reported no snow, a contrast to last week's storm that saw them with a thick blanket of it following the storms.

Middletown Unified's school's were open, following a two-hour delayed start, with the exception of Cobb Elementary, which Superintendent Korby Olson reported early Friday morning was closed.

Ellen Karnowski shared this picture of snow in Kelseyville, Calif., on Friday, February 25, 2011. She reported that this is the most snow she's seen in her 29 years of living in Lake County.

Lake County Public Works' Road Division had its crews at work around the county Friday.

Stangland said his crews worked to open up arterial and major collector streets early Friday before continuing onto the local roads. Top priorities were opening routes to both Sutter Lakeside Hospital in Lakeport and St. Helena Hospital Clearlake.

By late Friday afternoon, Stangland said Bottle Rock Road at Sulphur Creek Drive and Highway 175 was open, but crews were going to close part of the road on Monday to resume clean up operations due to snow and damage from the recent storms.

He said Schwartz Road at High Road in the Cobb area was closed due to a downed tree, but both roads were accessible from the other ends.

Elk Mountain Road from the Middle Creek Campground to Lake Pillsbury required chains or four-wheel-drive. Stangland said crews are going to attempt to open it Friday on the return trip from Lake Pillsbury. Elk Mountain Road from Potter Valley to Lake Pillsbury was open.

Bartlett Springs Road required four-wheel-drive and chains. Stangland said road crews will plow the road on Monday.

This photo, courtesy of Kevin Village Stone, was taken from the Kelseyville area and shows a storm forming over Lucerne on Friday, February 25, 2011.

After a day of plowing, Stangland said the concern was shifting to the hard freeze forecast to take place overnight on Saturday – with temperatures down in the low 20s.

He said crews will be out sanding area roads, as needed, this weekend.

Late Friday the California Highway Patrol had warned of icy road conditions from Scotts Valley Road's junction with Highway 20 to the Mendocino County line.

The National Weather Service warned of the potential for record or near-record cold temperatures over the weekend in Lake and neighboring counties.

Temperatures are expected to drop well below freezing in the early morning hours of both Saturday and Sunday, with a hard freeze possible. The agency said that the shelter is required for people, pets and livestock, and crops and plants due to the potentially dangerous conditions.

Part of the Mendocino National Forest above Lucerne was under a layer of new snow on Friday, February 25, 2011. Photo by Lenny Matthews.

The Lake County Office of Emergency Services has offered several important contact numbers to help area residents in case of emergency during the winter weather.

They include: PG&E, 800-743-5000; ATT, 611 or 866-346-1168; American Red Cross, emergency, 800-696-3873; local office, 707-263-8451; sheriff’s dispatch non-emergency, 707-263-2690.

In addition, for animal-related issues Lake County Animal Care and Control can be contacted at 707-263-0278 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. The after hours emergency number is 707-263-2690; the department also can be visited online at www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm .

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 .

Linda Moyles Swesey shared this picture of a snow-bedecked Mt. Konocti on Friday, February 25, 2011.

Ron Keas captured this Northshore view of Mt. Konocti and the lake after the snow storm on Friday, February 25, 2011, in Lake County, Calif.

Snow and winter weather can't keep a fisherman down. On Friday, February 25, 2011, Sue Stout photographed Digger Oswald, a Lakeport schools employee, who made the most of the school district's snow day by trying his angling luck from the Library Park pier near Fifth Street in Lakeport, Calif.

Lauren Trippeer and Linda Bushta, the Upper Lake librarian, with a frozen friend on Friday, February 25, 2011. Photo by Nancy Brier.

Arcata point guard Will Taylor was guarded tightly by Middletown's Jereomy Hoefer during the North Coast Section Division 4 tournament in Middletown, Calif., on Wednesday, February 23, 2011. Photo by Ed Oswalt.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – After riding a six-game league win streak into a North Coast Section Division 4 tournament berth as the #12 seed, the Middletown Mustangs boys basketball team was ousted by the fifth-seeded Tigers of Arcata in Middletown Wednesday night.

Middletown scored on a breakaway basket by Bo Sheffer off the opening tip, but managed only one more basket in the opening quarter, falling behind 13-4.

After trailing 36-23 late in the third quarter, Middletown energized themselves and the crowd with a 10-0 run to close to within 36-33 with five and a half minutes left in the game, but never got closer than three points and ultimately lost 50-44.

Middletown finished their league season strong, with wins in their last five regularly scheduled league games to tie Fort Bragg at 6-2, and then a win in a tiebreaker game to claim the NCL North league title in GJ Rockwell's first season as head coach.

Middletown's Nick Delia grabs a rebound over Arcata's Brandon Pomeran during the North Coast Section Division 4 tournament in Middletown, Calif., on Wednesday, February 23, 2011. Photo by Ed Oswalt.

After the game, victorious Arcata Coach Eric Vollmers praised Middletown, saying, “They played real well, real hard, and we're just glad we're advancing.”

Arcata's big advantage was their tall front line players, including 6 foot, 11 inch Max Schmidt, who Vollmers was not even sure would play due to his having the flu.

“He played more than I thought he would, and for a while it seemed like he was getting every rebound out there,” Vollmers said.

Middletown scorers were seniors Chris Oatman and John Wesley Davis with 11 each, senior Bo Sheffer with 9, junior Nick Delia 8 and junior DJ Brookshire, 5.

Arcata scoring was led by Tom Witzel with 24 points and Will Taylor with 11.

Middletown's John Wesley Davis drives on a fast break during Middletown's 10-0 late game run during the North Coast Section Division 4 tournament in Middletown, Calif., on Wednesday, February 23, 2011. Photo by Ed Oswalt.

Middletown ends their season with an 18 win, 10 loss record.

Arcata, now 22-7, advances to play St Patrick-St Vincent High School in Vallejo Saturday night.

Lake County's other participant in North Coast Section playoffs was the Lower Lake girls team, which lost to Branson High Wednesday night 64-27, finishing their season at 17-9.

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Tanner Alves and Chris Oatman of the Middletown Mustangs battle Brandon Pomeran of Arcata for a loose ball in Arcata's North Coast Section playoff win in Middletown, Calif., on Wednesday, February 23, 2011. Photo by Ed Oswalt.

Junior DJ Brookshire passes off on fast break for the Middletown Mustangs in their 50-44 playoff loss to the Arcata Tigers in Middletown, Calif., on Wednesday, February 23, 2011. Photo by Ed Oswalt.

THE US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY HAS DOWNGRADED THE INITIAL QUAKE AND UPGRADED THE SECOND.

LAKE PILLSBURY, Calif. – An updated report from the US Geological Survey showed that two earthquakes measuring more than 4.0 in magnitude each occurred just a minute apart Tuesday evening.

A 4.3-magnitude quake occurred at 8:49 p.m. Tuesday, with an epicenter located six miles north of Lake Pillsbury at a depth of 9.4 miles, as Lake County News has reported.

It had been immediately preceded during a six-minute period by three smaller quakes, ranging between 1.6 and 2.9 in magnitude, all located on the same epicenter but at slightly shallower depths.

The US Geological Survey records initially showed several smaller quakes before and after the 4.3 quake.

However, on Wednesday reports were updated to show that a 4.2-magnitude quake occurred at 8:50 p.m., also six miles north of Lake Pillsbury but at a depth of 7 miles.

No shake reports were sent to the US Geological Survey on either of the large quakes, although Lake County News received reports Tuesday evening from county residents who reported feeling a quake.

Since the two larger quakes occurred, US Geological Survey sensors recorded seven other earthquakes in the Lake Pillsbury area from late Tuesday through early Thursday morning, measuring between 1.5 and 2.7 in magnitude.

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Mendocino College Foundation Board of Directors members include, from left, Tom Allman, Chris Dewey, Brian Carter, Katherine Elliott, John Goldsmith. Not pictured: Donald McMullen. Courtesy photo.

UKIAH, Calif. – With the start of the new year, the Mendocino College Foundation board of directors welcomed six new members, elected by unanimous vote during the board’s December meeting.

Tom Allman, Brian Carter, Katharine “Kit” Elliott, John Goldsmith and Donald McMullen, all of Ukiah, and Chris Dewey of Redwood Valley were recommended by sitting members of the foundation board prior to the meeting in December and confirmed to start their stints at the beginning of the year.

They join Foundation President Channing Cornell, who was re-elected to the post by vote of the directors at the same December meeting, newly-elected Vice President Gary Smith, Mendocino College Superintendent/President Kathy Lehner who serves as the foundation’s secretary/treasurer, and board members Kristi Barrington, Donna Berry, Harry Bistrin, John Bogner, Richard Cooper, Peggy Campbell-DeBolt, Paul Conrado, Jerilyn Harris, Tom Herman, Tod Kong, Neelam Salmen, Joan Schlienger, Christy Scollin and Tommy Thornhill.

In announcing the new directors’ confirmation, President Cornell welcomed the individuals to the board and thanked them for their willingness to be involved with the foundation.

“You just joined one of the most important organizations in the area because we support education,” he said to the six new members. “Education will help this country move forward.”

He cited statistics that support a correlation between education and employment before telling the group, “We appreciate you coming on to this board.”

The foundation provides student scholarships, funds improvements to educational programs and staff development at the College district’s campuses in Mendocino and Lake counties, and works to cultivate additional support for the College.

Each of the new board members expressed a willingness to assist the Foundation in achieving its goals.

“I am a firm believer in Mendocino College’s commitment to the pursuit of educational excellence and feel that, along with other like-minded board members, I can help the college achieve its mission objectives,” said John Goldsmith, a financial advisor who serves on the executive board of the Economic Development and Financing Corporation for Mendocino County, is a member of Rotary, and is on the Steering Committee of Leadership Mendocino.

Having relocated from San Diego in 2008, Goldsmith added, “I feel fortunate to live in this community, and I have a strong personal commitment to making it an even better place to live. I believe that a key fundamental piece of the success of any community is the strength of its education infrastructure. I welcome the opportunity and challenge to help the foundation continue to be an integral part to the college's success as a great institution of higher learning.”

New board member Chris Dewey, city of Ukiah’s director of Public Safety, said he is happy to be “giving back” to Mendocino College. An alumnus who also taught law enforcement courses, Dewey has other ties to the College. His son is a Mendocino College student and athlete.

“I hope that my past experiences as a member of the Leadership Mendocino Steering Committee, Mendocino County Public Health Advisory Board, South Ukiah Little League Board of Directors, and Ukiah Rotary will assist me in this new role,” said Dewey. “Over the years I have looked forward to my participation on nonprofit boards and working with very dedicated and committed members. I found the work of these boards and its members to be an extremely rewarding experience, one where I felt we were helping to improve the quality of life of everyone who lives within our community.”

Law enforcement is further represented on the Foundation board by Mendocino County Sheriff-Coroner Thomas Allman, also a graduate of Mendocino College. “I have seen the results of the good work which the Foundation does on many occasions,” said Allman. “I look forward to working with other community leaders toward this very valuable endeavor.” Allman is a former director of the Little Lake Fire Protection District and is currently a member of Rotary International, the Masonic Lodge, and the Willits Lions Club.

Calling the college one of the greatest assets to the community and county, Brian Carter wrote in his letter of interest that he would “like to offer whatever modest assistance I can to the foundation’s efforts to support the college’s continued excellence and improvement.”

The attorney noted that Ukiah is his family’s home, that he graduated from Ukiah High School and that he has practiced real estate and business law in the area. “My three young children are likely to attend the College in the future,” he added.

Two other attorneys are among the newly-elected members of the foundation.

Katharine “Kit” Elliott, with experience as a member of the Mendocino County Youth Project and a commissioner of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Committee, currently serves as a board member for the Mendo-Lake Alternative Services and the California Attorneys for Criminal Justice.

“I have been a criminal defense attorney for more than 22 years and know how important it is for young adults to develop skills and self-esteem. This is why I became interested in serving on your board,” Elliott stated in her letter to the foundation directors.

Donald McMullen, born and raised in Ukiah, joins the foundation board with the intent to contribute to the Foundation’s purpose and objectives. “The campus environment is positive, and it serves as a catalyst for even higher education. These are functions with which I maintain a strong affinity,” he said.

In nominating McMullen for membership, Foundation Secretary/Treasurer Kathryn G. Lehner, called him “energetic and enthusiastic” and added that he, along with Elliott and Carter, will bring “much needed legal expertise” to the board.

The new board members will be invited to work on various committees of the foundation. They have indicated their interests in serving on the finance, land, scholarship, and special events/marketing committees. The latter is meeting regularly to plan its annual major fundraiser, Gala on the Green. The committee has selected a date, June 18, and place, Campovida in Hopland, for this year’s event. Information about committee meetings, board meetings, and special events may be found on the foundation’s Web site, http://foundation.mendocino.edu.

For additional information about the Mendocino College Foundation and the efforts of the board of directors, call the Foundation Office at 707-467-1018 or send an email to Katie Wojcieszak, executive director for the foundation, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Thursday was a sad day for local rock lovers.

Sandy's Rock Shop officially closed its doors after close to 13 years in business, according to owner Connie Burton.

“It's very sad,” Burton said.

Burton, who retired from the medical field, said she bought the shop – located in a little building at 9800 Highway 53 in Lower Lake – from business founder Sandy Thuet three years ago.

Along with her husband, Greg, and their family, Burton – a member of the Lake County Rockhounds – enjoyed running the business, and traveling to collect items.

“It was fun, we like rocks,” she said.

Sandy's Rock Shop was a favorite stop for tourists and locals alike. A visitor could find all manner of interesting rocks and gemstones, jewelry, fossils and shark teeth. Classes in jewelry making also were offered.

The shop specialized in Lake County diamonds, semi-precious stones of volcanic origin found nowhere else in the world, according to www.lakecounty.com.

Burton said she lent the Lake County Museum in Lakeport a 94-carat Lake County diamond that is on display there.

However Burton said the economic downturn made running the shop no longer feasible, and led to the tough decision to close the storefront.

“We've been toying with the idea for about a year,” she said.

She said they didn't make a big public announcement, just telling rockhound club members and friends.

“Everybody's shocked,” she said.

However, Burton said she and her family plan to stay active with the rock business.

“We kept pretty much all of our inventory,” she said.

Burton said she will continue to sell items online on eBay, at www.sandysrockshop.com (see the “Shop” tab) and at local shows and events such as the Heron Festival in the spring. Her visitor packs of Lake County diamonds will remain available at the Lake County Visitors Center in Lucerne.

Rock lovers and collectors will still be able to reach her at the business phone number, 707-350-2248.

Burton is philosophical about the shop's closing.

“One door closes and another door opens,” she said. “Who knows where we'll go from here.”

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 .

Gloria Flaherty, received the sabbatical from The California Wellness Foundation.

Flaherty will take her sabbatical from Feb. 28 through July 6, 2011.

The Lake Family Resource Center Board of Directors has appointed Lisa Fronsman as interim executive director during Flaherty’s absence.

Fronsman currently serves as the nonprofit's director of finance and operations.

During her time off, Flaherty will take advantage of the time to take a road trip with her mother, reestablish her vegetable, herb and flower gardens, hike and camp, and spend time with her husband and family.

“This sabbatical is a gift that I never expected,” said Flaherty. “It is an opportunity to refresh and reenergize myself and focus priorities.”

The organization has worked hard over the past several years to build leadership within the organization so that it can sustain itself through management changes. Flaherty said this time will be an opportunity to test those systems.

“We have a very capable leadership team and staff, and our board of directors is strong, well-versed and well-trained in monitoring and oversight,” she said.

Eight nonprofit health-sector executives were recognized with The California Wellness Foundation (TCWF) Sabbatical Program Award at an October luncheon ceremony in San Francisco. The leadership support program – now in its eighth year – provides eight organizations with grants of $35,000 each to cover salary and other expenses during their executive directors’ sabbaticals, which last a minimum of three months.

The eight executives who received the 2010 sabbatical award are David Ashby, New Morning Youth and Family Services in Placerville; Joan Benoît, Native American AIDS Project in San Francisco; Paula Cohen, Mendocino Coast Clinics in Fort Bragg; Margaret Diaz, Victor Valley Domestic Violence, Inc./“A Better Way” in Victorville; Gloria Flaherty, Lake Family Resource Center in Lake County; Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Community Coalition in Los Angeles; Abdi Mohamoud, Horn of Africa Community in San Diego; and Clare Mounteer, Monterey County Rape Crisis Center in Monterey.

“Executive directors at nonprofit health and human service organizations in California continue to face difficult challenges to meet ever-increasing demands for services in a funding environment that has been deeply impacted by the economic recession,” said Gary L. Yates, TCWF president and chief executive officer.

“The foundation developed the sabbatical program to prevent burnout, promote the health of these executives and provide an opportunity to strengthen these organizations,” Yates said. “We are pleased to recognize these eight dedicated individuals.”

The program was created to support nonprofit leaders and seeks to improve the long-term effectiveness of health-focused nonprofits by providing their executives with the rest they need to continue to direct their organizations’ missions.

Each organization receives $30,000 to cover its leader’s salary during the sabbatical, plus an additional $5,000 to cover expenses related to the professional development of managers and staff who will assume extra responsibilities during their leader’s absence.

Each of the 2010 sabbatical honorees has served in the nonprofit sector for at least 12 years, and most have worked in their current roles as lead executives of health-focused organizations for many years without a significant break.

“These executives have worked selflessly for years in the nonprofit health sector, with little time for rest, reflection or rejuvenation,” said Sandra J. Martínez, TCWF program director. “By recognizing their leadership and supporting their organizations during the sabbaticals, the foundation is helping the safety net improve the health of diverse California communities, now and in the future.”

The California Wellness Foundation is a private independent foundation created in 1992 with a mission to improve the health of the people of California by making grants for health promotion, wellness education and disease prevention.

The foundation prioritizes eight issues for funding: diversity in the health professions, environmental health, healthy aging, mental health, teenage pregnancy prevention, violence prevention, women’s health, and work and health. It also responds to timely issues and special projects outside the funding priorities.

Since its founding in 1992, TCWF has awarded 5,828 grants totaling more than $735 million.

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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Vector Control District reported Friday that it has set a date for its aerial larvicide treatment between Clear Lake State Park and south Lakeport.

District Manager Dr. Jamie Scott said the treatment will take place beginning at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 28, weather permitting.

She said the application is being made because district surveillance has detected large numbers of mosquito larvae in the standing water in this area.

Scott said the goal is to reduce the need to treat for the adult mosquitoes in this area later this year.

A cropduster flying at low altitude over the marshy areas will apply the treatment of Aquabac 200G, a biological larvicide used to control mosquito larvae in aquatic habitats, the district said.

Aquabac is based on the naturally occurring soil bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti). It is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency for the control of larval mosquitoes in nearly all aquatic habitats.

For additional information contact the Lake County Vector Control District at 707-263-4770 or visit the district's Web site at www.lcvcd.org .

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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County District Attorney's Office has issued a warning to county residents to be on guard when using online sales venues like Craigslist or eBay in the wake of a recently reported scam or con game.

District Attorney Don Anderson said Thursday his office has received a report of a Lake County resident being taken advantage of while attempting to sell an item on Craigslist.

Anderson said the suspect in the case contacted the potential victim and agreed to purchase the item on Craigslist.

The suspect then is alleged to have sent a counterfeit check to the seller for an amount several thousand dollars over the original purchase price, Anderson reported.

The suspect in the case then contacted the alleged victim, told him the check amount was a mistake and that his secretary had mixed up the amounts with another order. Anderson said the suspect then directed the seller to cash the check, keep the amount of the original purchase price and send back the difference.

In order for the scam to work, Anderson said the victim would need to deposit the check into his account, obtain cash and wire the money to the suspect.

A couple of days later the victim would learn the check is counterfeit, but by that time it would be too late and the victim would have been conned out of the money, Anderson explained.

Anderson said, luckily in this case, the alleged victim checked with his bank and learned that the check was counterfeit before cashing it.

This is just one of many types of scams circulating on the market, Anderson said.

He urged anyone who is offered what seems to be an unusually good deal to be extremely careful.

Anderson said it's always wise to check with law enforcement or one's banking institution before engaging in any such transaction.

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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Forecasters warn that Lake County should prepare for another winter storm later Wednesday with snow accumulations expected again down to lake level and more snow at higher elevations.

The National Weather Service in Sacramento issued a Winter Storm Watch for all of Lake County – and much of Northern California – with unusually low snow levels below 1,000 feet beginning late Wednesday through sunrise on Friday morning.

The watch this time includes Lakeport, which during the last week's storms only received a light dusting of snow for a short time, while Clearlake, also at the level of Clear Lake, received several inches of snow with some locations in Clearlake reporting nearly a foot.

San Francisco forecasters also are calling for the chance of snow within the Lakeport city limits, with accumulations in the surrounding hills.

Winds also will be strong – up to 20 miles per hour – with stronger gusts locally, making for more hazardous travel conditions around Lake County with blowing snow.

Wednesday's high temperature will top out near 50 degrees, with temperatures dropping below freezing and increasing chances of precipitation.

Thursday's high temperatures are not expected to climb out of the 30s, with an 80 percent chance of rain and snow and overnight temperatures in the 20s.

Friday is forecast to be even cooler, with snow showers predicted before 10 a.m., but returning overnight into Saturday.

For up-to-the-minute weather information, visit the Lake County News homepage and be sure to sign up for breaking news alerts.

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NORTH COAST, Calif. – State officials reported that a San Francisco man was recently caught poaching abalone during the closed season – for the third time in three weeks.

Qiong Wang, 31, was arrested last week for felony conspiracy and take of abalone for commercial purposes, among other charges, according to the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG).

Despite aggressive enforcement and prosecution, wardens have noticed an increase in abalone poaching over the last few years, on the Sonoma and Mendocino coasts in particular.

“For many abalone poachers, the profit from the illegal sale of abalone clearly outweighs the risks of getting caught,” said DFG Assistant Chief Tony Warrington.

Wang's last arrest by DFG wardens came on Feb. 19. At the same time wardens arrested Wang’s companion, David Trevors, 28, of San Francisco, on similar charges, the agency said.

On Feb. 2, an officer from the Petaluma Police Department contacted Wang and Trevors in Petaluma during an investigation of another crime. He found them in possession of five abalone.

The officer was aware that abalone season was closed, and DFG said he cited and released Wang for four poaching misdemeanors – unlawful take, take of abalone out of season, possession of an overlimit and failure to tag.

On Feb. 12, a Mendocino County Sheriff’s deputy stopped Wang for speeding on Highway 28 near Boonville. The deputy found two wet duffel bags containing fresh abalone in the back seat and contacted his dispatch to request assistance from a DFG warden.

Warden Don Powers responded and discovered 36 red abalone, five of which were undersize. Powers also found five SCUBA tanks and associated SCUBA diving gear in the trunk of Wang’s car.

Wang was booked into Mendocino County Jail for possession of abalone for commercial sale. His Toyota sedan and all dive gear were seized as evidence.

On Feb. 19, five days after being released from jail for the last poaching incident, Wang and Trevors were spotted using SCUBA gear to poach abalone from a rented kayak in Van Damme State Park.

For approximately two hours, wardens watched as the partners kayaked into the ocean and collected 55 abalone. The men returned to shore, stashed the abalone near the beach and drove to the Sub-Surface Progression dive shop in Fort Bragg to return the rented kayak.

Wardens contacted the pair at the dive shop. Both men were arrested and booked into Mendocino County Jail. Wardens recovered the hidden abalone and Trevors’ vehicle and all related dive gear were seized.

Abalone season closed Dec. 1, and does not reopen until April 1.

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CORRECTION: THE FORECAST IS FOR SIX TO EIGHT INCHES, NOT FEET, OF SNOW.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) has issued a public advisory for extreme weather conditions forecast for the next several days.

The Lake County area will be subject to a severe weather event over the next three days as a storm system approaches with the potential to drop snow throughout the area and down to lake level, according to the report from Capt. James Bauman.

As much as 6 to 8 inches of snow is expected to accumulate in the mountains and throughout the county starting early Thursday morning and lasting through Friday evening.

During this weather event, OES strongly urges the public to avoid any unnecessary travel. As temperatures fall and winds increase starting late Wednesday or early Thursday, road surfaces may become icy and blowing snow could limit visibility. Even in areas where falling snow turns to rain or sleet, snow or slush accumulations may remain on roadways and present a hazard to motorists.

Lake County Public Safety agencies responded to numerous accidents throughout the county during the last winter storm event on Feb. 17 and OES is advising motorists to refrain from all unnecessary travel when this approaching system arrives.

Those who must drive should use extreme caution. Speeds should be lowered and distances between vehicles should be increased as appropriate. Motorists are encouraged to be equipped with flares, flashlights, a cell phone, a first aid kit, boots and other extra clothing if they must travel.

With increasing winds and decreasing temperatures, those who must leave home should wear multiple layers of clothing and keep their head, ears, and hands covered. Pets should be brought indoors if possible, or otherwise kept in a well-insulated outdoor shelter. Outdoor water dishes should be checked regularly to assure animals are provided with water that is not frozen.

If generator power becomes necessary, OES urges homeowners to first contact PG&E before starting up as utilizing generators can re-energize power lines and potentially cause serious injury or death to responders and utility workers.

OES offers the following public safety tips for severe storms or other adverse weather

conditions:

• Dress appropriately with head and hands covered when going outdoors in temperatures below freezing.

• Bring pets inside and provide shelter for farm animals.

• Have an emergency household supply kit, including nonperishable foods and drinking water stored in bottles or other containers in case water or other utility services are interrupted.

• Ensure flashlights and battery-powered radios are in good working order and have an ample supply of batteries on hand. Candles and other open-flame light sources are not recommended.

• Avoid overexertion. Cold weather puts strain on the heart, even without exertion. Some winter deaths have resulted from overexertion while shoveling snow or pushing cars stuck in the snow.

• Check on neighbors and relatives. The elderly are particularly susceptible to hypothermia and falls due to icy conditions.

• If there is a power outage, do not call 911. Use a customer service number for information.

• Take precautions to keep pipes from freezing. Consult a licensed plumber or hardware dealer for recommendations on protecting or thawing pipes.

Customer service numbers to keep on hand are:

• PG&E: 800-743-5000.

• ATT: 611 or 866-346-1168.

• American Red Cross: Emergency, 800-696-3873; local office, 707-263-8451.

• Sheriff’s Dispatch Non-emergency: 707-263-2690.

Additional disaster resource information can be found in the local yellow pages of the phone book.

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 .

THIS EARTHQUAKE ORIGINALLY WAS REPORTED AS BEING 4.3 IN MAGNITUDE, WAS UPGRADED TO 4.4 AND HAS NOW BEEN DOWNGRADED BACK TO 4.3.

LAKE PILLSBURY, Calif. – A 4.3-magnitude earthquake occurred Tuesday evening near Lake Pillsbury, with residents on the other side of the county reporting that they felt the temblor.

The quake occurred at 8:49 p.m., according to the US Geological Survey.

Its epicenter was located six miles north of Lake Pillsbury, 16 miles southwest of Alder Springs and 22 miles east northeast of Willits. The US Geological Survey said it was recorded at a depth of 9.1 miles.

The quake was immediately preceded by a 2.8-magnitude earthquake at 8:44 p.m., located on the same epicenter as the big quake but at a depth of 7.1 miles, and a 2.9-magnitude earthquake at 8:45 p.m., at a depth of 4.8 miles but located seven miles north of Lake Pillsbury.

At 9:17 p.m. a 2.4-magnitude quake occurred seven miles north of Lake Pillsbury, followed at 10:14 p.m. by a 2.8-magnitude quake six miles north of Lake Pillsbury, US Geological Survey records showed.

Although quakes measuring in magnitude above 3.0 are more common in the south county area near The Geysers geothermal steamfield, quakes in the Lake Pillsbury area are less frequent.

However, in recent years there have been some sizable quakes near Lake Pillsbury, including a 4.8-magnitude quake in April of 2007 that a seismologist said was the largest there in about 30 years, as Lake County News has reported.

The most recent moderately sized quake reported in the area occurred last August and measured 3.6 in magnitude, according to Lake County News records.

Late on Tuesday evening some area residents posted on Lake County News' Facebook page that they had felt the quake, although the US Geological Survey hadn't received any shake reports by that point.

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 .