CLEARLAKE PARK, Calif. – A Friday morning fire destroyed a home in Clearlake Park.

Firefighters were dispatched to the fire in the doublewide mobile home, located in the 3000 block of 12th Street, at 7:39 a.m., according to radio traffic.

The first unit on scene, which arrived within five minutes, reported that the home was fully involved, based on scanner reports.

Reports from the scene also stated that responding firefighters encountered live power lines that were down.

Lake County Fire Chief Willie Sapeta said the home's three occupants escaped, but two pets were lost.

Two of the people living in the home sustained injuries – one hurt an ankle and the second had smoke inhalation – and were transported to St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake, according to Sapeta.

Two Lake County Fire engines, two medic units, a water tender and two chiefs – one of them Sapeta – responded to the incident, along with mutual aid from Cal Fire, he said.

Sapeta said the fire was under control in about half an hour.

The home, he said, was a total loss.

Firefighters were continuing with mop up and overhaul late Friday morning.

Sapeta said all three of the home's occupants had places to stay and Red Cross assistance wasn't requested.

The fire's cause remains under investigation. Sapeta said fire officials will be interviewing the home's occupants, and are trying to rule out electrical and other issues that may have sparked the blaze.

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.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5), a senior member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, has reiterated his call for the House Majority to pass legislation extending emergency unemployment insurance.

Thompson said that approximately $64,858,382 was drained from California’s economy – and $400 million nationwide – during the first week of expired federal benefits.

On Dec. 28, nearly 214,000 people in California lost an average $303 weekly benefit when the federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation program expired, as Lake County News has reported.

An additional 72,000 Americans – 12,531 of them in California – will lose benefits each week during the first half of 2014, based on Department of Labor data.

In Lake County, 454 people were impacted by the expiration of the benefits, according to the California Employment Development Department.

Thompson's office estimated the loss of benefits for those Lake County residents equates to $137,562 taken out of the county’s economy during the first week of expired emergency unemployment insurance.

Across all of the counties that make up Thompson's Fifth District, the total loss in benefits during that first week totaled $3.5 million, Thompson's office reported.

“When folks get emergency unemployment insurance, they don’t save it. This money is spent on rent, groceries and utilities. It supports jobs and businesses in our community,” said Thompson. “Not only is emergency unemployment insurance an important economic lifeline that helps make sure millions of American families are able to heat their homes and put food on the table as they look for a job, it’s a strong economic stimulant.”

The federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation program took effect in 2008 when it was signed into law by President George W. Bush, and has been reauthorized several times as our economy continues to recover from the worst downturn since the Great Depression.

Despite the economic progress made since 2008, there are still more than 1 million fewer jobs than there were before the recession began, and more than 4 million Americans have been out of work for six months or longer.

Failure to extend federal emergency unemployment insurance will cost the economy an estimated 240,000 jobs, including 46,000 jobs in California, over the next year – hurting economic growth and making it harder for the unemployed to find work, according to Thompson's office.

“Failing to extend these benefits hurts economic growth, and the only way to solve long-term unemployment is by creating jobs and growing our economy,” Thompson said.

He said the “self-inflicted economic drain” will only get worse as more than 12,000 Californians will lose their benefits each week until Congress acts. “We need to extend these benefits now.”

Thompson is a co-author of H.R. 3546, the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2013. H.R. 3546 would extend emergency unemployment insurance for one year and has been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – An Upper Lake couple on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to drug and weapons charges stemming from an investigation into a fatal shooting at their home.

James Michael Jean, 50, and his wife Nora Katherine Jean, 49, accompanied by their Arcata-based attorneys, entered the not guilty pleas in Lake County Superior Court, according to Senior Deputy District Attorney Art Grothe.

Both James and Nora Jean are charged with cultivation of marijuana and possession of marijuana for sale at their business, Lake County Car Audio and Security, located at 325 W. Highway 20, Upper Lake; cultivation of marijuana and possession of marijuana for sale at another property at 6841 Broadway in Nice; and a special allegation of possession of multiple firearms in the commission of a felony.

James Jean is facing two charges of a felon in possession of ammunition, one charge of a felon in possession of weapons, and a special allegation of previous violent felony convictions stemming from six second-degree robbery cases for which he was convicted in Southern California in the early 1990s.

The investigation that led to the discovery of large amounts of marijuana and weapons began on Christmas morning, when sheriff's deputies responded to the Jeans' property at 1475 Hunter Point Road on the report of an alleged intruder who had been shot.

Deputies found the body of 30-year-old Maurice Oliver Watts III in an area of the 19-acre property that appeared to have been a former marijuana grow, with a fake gun near him, according to the original sheriff's report.

No further details have been released by the sheriff's office about the cause of death for Watts, whose autopsy was conducted last week.

Between all three of the Jeans' properties, Sheriff's Narcotics Unit detectives found and seized 980 pounds of marijuana, three handguns, 13 rifles, and restricted armor piercing and tracer ammunition.

The case for which the Jeans currently are being prosecuted has to do only with the properties at 325 W. Highway 20 in Upper Lake and 6841 Broadway in Nice, according to Grothe.

He would not comment on any matter related to the Hunter Point Road property or the continuing investigation into who was responsible for shooting Watts.

Grothe said the original bail amounts for the Jeans – $500,000 for each of them – have been reduced since their Dec. 26 arrests, with James Jean's bail now at $300,000 and Nora Jean's at $150,000.

On Tuesday afternoon Grothe received a motion for a source of bail hearing that's scheduled to be heard at 8:15 a.m. Friday.

Grothe said the Jeans did not waive time – the process by which a defendant in a criminal case can allow trial courts to take longer in prosecuting the case – so the case is moving forward quickly.

The Jeans are set to return to court for their preliminary hearing on Wednesday, Jan. 15, Grothe said.

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

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Longtime community supporter Gretchen McDonald of Kelseyville, has contributed $100,000 to further the restoration projects at the Soper-Reese Community Theatre in Lakeport.

McDonald recently attended a donor reception at the theater and heard a presentation about past successes, plans for future projects and the need for financial support of on-going operations.

“I was impressed with the theater’s presentation,” she said, regarding her decision to make such a major contribution.

“I was most impressed with the policy of not beginning a project until all the funds to complete that project are in hand. It also impressed me that the theater has no debt and a philosophy of maintaining a healthy reserve,” she said.

“This showed me that the theater would be a responsible recipient of my donation,” explained McDonald.

McDonald said that at the reception, Jennifer Strong – a certified financial planner and owner of Strong Financial Network – outlined the potential tax benefits of different types of financial contributions to the theater.

The funds were given in memory of McDonald's late husband, Bob.

“I had a required fund distribution so I asked my financial adviser to make a contribution with the mandatory withdrawal,” she said. “I had no idea it was quite that much, but Bob said he’d like to support the arts and the theater has become a major resource for the performing arts, so I said ‘give it all to the Soper-Reese.’ Bob would be so happy with this donation.”

Community involvement and support are not new to the McDonalds.

Gretchen and Bob McDonald moved to Lake County in 1986 and have been active supporters of several community organizations, including Clear Lake Performing Arts – now the Lake County Symphony Association – and the CLPA Auxiliary.

Gretchen McDonald served as a docent and board president for the Friends of the Lake County Museum, and is now helping Hospice Services of Lake County with its thrift stores.

The theater’s plans for these funds are to implement the façade agreement that was developed as a part of the City’s Main Street façade program. The city of Lakeport Redevelopment Agency set aside funds for the preliminary design of storefronts in the downtown area of Lakeport. The theater took advantage of this program and worked with the city’s architect to develop a preliminary design.

“This generous contribution from Gretchen and Bob McDonald will now allow us to move forward with this project,” said Nina Marino, chairperson of the Soper-Reese Community Theatre fundraising committee.

The Soper-Reese Community Theatre is owned by the Lake County Arts Council, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, and is operated by the Soper-Reese Committee. Contributions to the Soper-Reese Community Theatre and the Lake County Arts Council are tax-deductible.

For further information about potential giving opportunities and the associated benefits, contact Jennifer Strong at Strong Financial Network, 707-262-1880.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – An ongoing sheriff's office investigation into missing funds from the Middletown Youth Football League has resulted in the arrest of a Middletown woman.

Detectives arrested Carol Ann Outen, 38, at her home on Thursday morning, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Outen – who is alleged to have taken $47,000 from the league – is charged with grand theft and fraudulent use of a check, according to Brooks' report.

Brooks said that in May of 2012 it was reported to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office that Outen, the Middletown Youth Football League's treasurer, had failed to pay several bills.

He said it was believed that Outen had been mismanaging the funds during her service with the league's board.

The case was turned over to the Lake County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit for assistance with the investigation, Brooks said.

Multiple search warrants were written and served on Outen’s personal and business bank accounts during the beginning portion of the investigation, according to Brooks.

As the investigation continued, Brooks said detectives discovered that during 2011 through early 2012, Outen had used the funds acquired from various fundraisers, ticket admissions and concessions to pay for personal assets.

Outen admitted in 2011 she was having financial problems, personally and with her business, Brooks said. She began using the Middletown Youth Football League’s checking account as one of her personal accounts to float outstanding checks.

Brooks said Outen explained she would write a Middletown Youth Football Check to herself or her business. She would then deposit the checks into her business account to keep those checks from bouncing.

Outen claimed there was no football money in any of her bank accounts. She told investigators that approximately $10,000 belonging to the Middletown Youth Football League was stored in her personal safe at her residence prior to her being asked to step down from the board, Brooks reported.

After reviewing the bank records, detectives discovered Outen had transferred approximately $47,000 from the Middletown Youth Football League's checking account into her personal and business accounts, Brooks said.

On Wednesday, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Outen. At 8 a.m. Thursday, detectives arrested Outen at her home in Middletown, Brooks said.

Brooks said Outen was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked. On Thursday evening Outen remained in custody, with bail set at $30,000.

The investigation is still ongoing and Brooks asked anyone with information pertinent to this case to contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at 707-263-2690.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – On Tuesday the US Senate voted 60 to 37 to consider extending emergency unemployment insurance to more than one million Americans for three months, a step lauded by the two congressmen representing Lake County.

US Reps. John Garamendi (D-Fairfield) and Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) also urged their colleagues in the House of Representatives to take up the legislation.

“The unemployment insurance extension is one of the only things preventing many American families from homelessness, hunger and absolute destitution. The House must act to restore these benefits and must do so immediately,” said Garamendi.

“Even though our economy continues to improve, there is still just one job for every three unemployed workers,” Thompson added. “People want to work, but they’re out of a job through no fault of their own. The House Majority should follow the Senate’s lead and end their refusal to take up legislation that boosts our economy, and helps make sure millions of American families are able to heat their homes and put food on the table as they look for a job.”

At the end of December, 1.3 million Americans – including 214,000 Californians – lost emergency unemployment insurance when the extension program expired, officials reported.

An additional 325,800 people in California will lose their coverage in the first six months of 2014 if no action is taken, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

In California, more than 12,500 people will lose their benefits each week going forward if no action is taken, Thompson reported.

Garamendi's office said 454 Lake County residents were impacted by the loss of the unemployment benefits at the end of December.

Throughout the rest of Garamendi's district, 244 people were impacted in Colusa County, 184 in Glenn, 8,599 in Sacramento, 2,640 in Solano, 687 in Sutter, 864 in Yolo and 545 in Yuba.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that a one-year extension of unemployment insurance would create 200,000 jobs because these funds are quickly spent by recipients just to get by.

Six Republicans joined a unanimous Democratic delegation in preventing a filibuster of the needed legislation in the Senate.

Speaker John Boehner and House Republican leadership, who control the House floor schedule, have thus far refused to allow the House to vote for an extension, Garamendi reported.

The federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation program took effect in 2008 when it was signed into law by President George W. Bush, and has been reauthorized several times since as the economy continues to recover from the worst downturn since the Great Depression.

Despite the economic progress made since 2008, there are still more than 1 million fewer jobs than there were before the recession began, and more than 4 million Americans have been out of work for six months or longer, the congressmen reported.

Failure to extend federal emergency unemployment insurance will cost the economy 240,000 jobs, including 46,000 jobs in California, over the next year – hurting economic growth and making it harder for the unemployed to find work, based on figures provided by Thompson.

Critics of the extension argue that it discourages workers from seeking jobs, but there’s little to no evidence to support this claim, according to Garamendi's office. In America today, there are about 2.9 unemployed workers for every job opening.

Thompson is a co-author of H.R. 3546, the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2013. H.R. 3546 would extend emergency unemployment insurance for one year and has been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – In the wake of a number of flu deaths reported around California, Lake County health officials are urging residents to get vaccinated.

In recent weeks, more people have down with influenza, which now is considered “widespread” in California, according to Lake County Public Health.

Lake County is seeing an increase in its cases, including some that have required hospitalization, the agency said.

Although there have been no influenza-related deaths in Lake County, several deaths have been reported in other parts of the state.

“This is a sobering reminder of how deadly influenza can be,” said Lake County Health Officer Dr. Karen Tait.

The most common strain circulating this year is H1N1, the same strain that first made its appearance in the 2009 pandemic. Tait's office reported that the H1N1 strain tends to cause more illness in children and young adults, although severe illness has been seen in all age groups.

This year’s influenza vaccine provides protection against the H1N1 strain, and it is not too late to get vaccinated. It takes approximately two weeks for protection to build up after vaccination, which is recommended for everyone six months and older.

Health officials said it is particularly important for people at higher risk for severe influenza, which includes pregnant women and people with a variety of chronic health conditions.

Treatment with antiviral medications may be helpful if started soon after flu symptoms start and is particularly important for people at risk for serious illness. In some instances, it may be prescribed to people who have just been exposed to the flu.

An annual flu vaccine is the first and most important step in getting protected, according to Tait's office.

It is also important to practice the three “C’s” of disease prevention in an effort to help prevent the spread of germs:

• Cover your cough;
• Clean your hands;
• Confine sick people at home.

Symptoms of influenza typically begin one to four days after exposure, are usually more severe than the common cold and include fever greater than 100 degrees with sore throat and/or cough. Body aches and extreme tiredness often are present. The infection can be spread to others starting a day before symptoms occur and for five to seven days after. Children can be infectious even longer.

People experiencing flu-like symptoms should stay home from work or school and limit contact with others.

Influenza vaccine is available through many clinics and pharmacies. It is covered by most insurance plans, MediCal and Medicare.

Lake County Public Health still has influenza vaccine available for $2 while supplies last at 922 Bevins Court, Lakeport, during the following walk-in hours:

• Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.;
• Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.;
• Thursdays, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Call Lake County Public Health at 800-794-9291 or 707-263-1090 for more information.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Planning Commission approved a use permit for construction of a duplex project in its first action of the new year on Tuesday.

Applicant Steve Holmstrom proposes development of six duplexes – for a total of 12 residential units – on six parcels located at 3642 Old Highway 53, 3710 and 3720 Park Road, and 3715, 3717 and 3719 Hill Road.

Five of the parcels range in size from 5,700 to 6,000 square feet. The remaining parcel is about eight-tenths of an acre and includes an existing dwelling, which is expected to remain.

According to city staff, the project is consistent with the city's zoning ordinance and general plan.

The commission received written correspondence from the owner of properties at 3625 and 3635 Old Highway 53 requesting an easement agreement to ensure his properties do not get landlocked as a result of the new development.

Although City Manager Joan Phillipe could not find the item included in the resolution, she said a condition of the permit prohibits land locking. Ultimately, the language was added into the final action.

The property owner also requested a rock wall or solid fencing be installed to prevent trespassing and other nuisances. Holmstrom said he intends to build a fence around the entire project, resulting in a gated community.

Concern for additional drainage resulting from construction also was expressed in the property owner's letter. Phillipe said the project is to include a drainage plan and all site improvements are subject to the approval of the city's engineer.

The commission requested a street maintenance agreement be included in the project. Holmstrom said he would be willing to address such an agreement to be contingent upon sale of the property, as recommended by the commission.

The single action by the commission included approval of a mitigated negative declaration associated with the project.

Before adjourning, the commission heard a brief report by Phillipe regarding the ongoing process to update the city's general plan.

She said the document is complete; however, she requested that any final comments or concerns be submitted to her prior to the printing of the extensive document.

She said the proposed plan is available for review on the city's Web site, www.clearlake.ca.us .

Phillipe said notice for preparation of an environmental impact report in relation to the plan has been issued and the 30-day public comment period is open.

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

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Sonoma County Sheriff's officials are investigating the discovery of a dead body in the Russian River on Monday.

The agency reported that deputies were dispatched to the 16000 block of Highway 116 at 10:40 a.m. Monday to assist the fire department with a possible dead body in the river.

Deputies arrived on scene and contacted two fishermen who had reported finding the body, according to the report.

The fishermen said they were floating down the river and discovered the body tangled in the brush on the north side of the river, the report said.

The victim appears to be a male adult of an unknown race. It is unknown at this time how long the victim had been in the river or the cause of death, Sonoma County Sheriff's officials said.

The sheriff's office said deputies will be continuing the investigation to determine the identity of the victim and the cause of death.

Vowing to keep California on a path to long-term fiscal stability, Gov. Jerry Brown on Thursday proposed a balanced budget that pays off more than $11 billion in debt and builds a lasting rainy day fund while continuing to invest in public schools and expand health care coverage for millions.

“With a decade of intractable deficits behind us, California is poised to take advantage of the recovering economy and the tens of thousands of jobs now being created each month,” said Gov. Brown. “But given the vagaries of the business cycle, we must be ever vigilant in the commitment of public funds. Wisdom and prudence should be the order of the day.”

When Gov. Brown took office, the state faced a massive $26.6 billion budget deficit and estimated annual shortfalls of roughly $20 billion. Since then, the state has eliminated these deficits with billions of dollars in cuts and new temporary revenue approved by California voters.

Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway of Tulare said that, overall, the budget appears to be fiscally restrained, with Brown recognizing the debt and looking for solutions.

She remained concerned about correctional realignment, and would have liked to have seen more in state reserves or the “rainy day fund.”

In addition, Conway said she didn't see any preparation for drought, “which I consider to be an emergency already.”

Conway added, “We'll all be talking for the next few weeks about what this really looks like at the end of the day.”

Lake County's representatives in the state Legislature gave Brown's budget high marks.

“I applaud the continued restraint and responsibility reflected in Gov. Brown’s budget proposals. Attention to our state hospitals and developmental centers, along with additional resources to strengthen protections for some of our state’s most vulnerable residents is also encouraging,” said Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D-Davis).

However, Yamada had concerns about the blanket prohibition of federally-authorized overtime for In Home Supportive Services caregivers.

Said Sen. Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), “For the first time in 10 years, I feel confident California will regain its luster as the Golden State.”

In 2009 the Legislature was forced to agree to numerous cuts to vital state services such as CalWORKS and higher education or to borrow from other funds, including education and transportation, Evans said.

“The impact to Californians was severe. Working families, women and children of our state bore the brunt of those cuts and have done so since then,” she said.

“I commend Governor Brown on beginning to address the worst of the damage, to restore reductions in funding in critical areas, and repay funds borrowed from transportation and education. In the long run, investments in these programs will ensure economic recovery for every Californian,” Evans said.

California Community Colleges Chancellor Brice W. Harris also gave his support for the budget.

“After years of budget cuts forced us to turn away hundreds of thousands of students, Gov. Brown’s proposal is welcome news for California and for the economy,” Harris said. “With an 11.4 percent increase in funding we are now on the way to adding back the much needed classes that will restore our system's ability to provide educational opportunities for those seeking to improve their lives at community colleges.”

Significant details of the 2014-15 State Budget:

Maintaining long-term fiscal stability

The budget maintains the state’s fiscal stability by strengthening and investing in the state’s rainy day fund and continuing to pay down the “wall of debt” – the most immediate liability constraining the ability of the state to emerge from its fiscal troubles.

Specifically, the budget makes a $1.6 billion payment into the state’s rainy day fund – the Budget Stabilization Account – which marks the first deposit since 2007, and also directs $967 million to a Special Fund for Economic Uncertainties.

In lieu of Proposition 58 and ACA 4, the budget proposes a constitutional amendment to bolster the state’s rainy day fund.

The budget also continues to address the $25 billion wall of debt, directing more than $11 billion to pay off past budgetary borrowing.

This debt, which totaled $34.7 billion in 2011, will be eliminated entirely by 2017-18 under this budget.

Investing in education

The budget provides an infusion of $10 billion in new Proposition 98 funding this year. For K-12 schools, funding levels will increase by $3,410 per student through 2017-18, including an increase of more than $2,188 per student in 2014-15 over 2011-12 levels.

This reinvestment provides the opportunity to correct historical inequities in school district funding with continued implementation of the Local Control Funding Formula, which directs additional resources to students who need the most support – English language learners, low-income students and foster youth.

The budget also provides the second year of guaranteed increases in funding of $142.2 million each for the University of California and the California State University systems – predicated on a continued freeze on increases in student tuition and fees.

Addressing climate change and water sustainability

The budget proposes to invest $850 million of cap and trade auction proceeds to support efforts to reduce greenhouse gases, with an emphasis on assisting disadvantaged communities.

To advance the Governor’s Water Action Plan, the budget also proposes $619 million to help expand water storage capacity, improve drinking water in communities where available supplies are substandard, increase flood protection and increase regional self-reliance.

Strengthening the state’s infrastructure

The budget reflects the release of the state’s five-year infrastructure plan – last produced in 2008 – and includes an $815 million package of investment to address critical deferred maintenance projects in state parks, on highways, local streets and roads and at K-12 schools, community colleges, courts, prisons, state hospitals and other state facilities.

Implementing federal health care reform

The budget invests $670 million in new general fund dollars to expand Medi-Cal benefits, including mental health, substance use disorder, adult dental and specialized nutrition services.

The full summary of the governor’s budget proposal can be viewed at www.ebudget.ca.gov or at www.dof.ca.gov .

NORTH COAST, Calif. – A Mendocino County resident has died of the flu, according to health officials.

Mendocino County Health and Human Services Agency Public Health was notified that an adult in northern Mendocino County died on Dec. 30 from chronic conditions which were complicated by the flu.

Public Health also received notification that eight patients have been admitted to local hospitals with confirmed cases of H1N1 flu.

Many California counties and other states are reporting patients who are critically ill with influenza, including healthy young adults.

The H1N1 strain appears to be the predominant strain circulating in California and the rest of the United States this flu season.

The H1N1 virus, which emerged during the 2009 pandemic, causes more illness in children and young adults, compared to older adults. It causes severe illness in all age groups, including those younger than 65 years of age.

Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache and fatigue. Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults. If you think you have the flu, please contact your physician or clinic.

This year’s influenza vaccine protects against the strains circulating in the state, including H1N1.

Mendocino County health officials ordered additional flu vaccine doses on Monday, with the hopes that the doses will be available within a week.

Once vaccinated, it takes approximately two weeks before you are fully protected against the flu. An influenza vaccination is especially important for pregnant women and other people at higher risk for the flu, according to health officials.

In Lake County, for information on available flu vaccinations, contact Lake County Public Health, http://health.co.lake.ca.us/ , 800-794-9291 or 707-263-1090.

It’s especially important to practice good health habits during flu season.

If you become ill, you should take actions to stop the spread of germs, including staying home when you are sick; covering your coughs and sneezes; washing your hands with soap and water; avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth; and not returning to work or school until you have been without a fever for 24 hours.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The service of a search warrant by the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force and continued investigation has resulted in one arrest and the seizure of 49.2 grams of methamphetamine and $21,500 cash.

Ralph Vincent Johns, 60, of Clearlake Park was arrested on Thursday, Jan. 2, in the case, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Brooks said that on Oct. 1 narcotics detectives secured a search warrant for Johns' person, home and vehicle, serving the warrant at 7 p.m. that day at Johns' home, located in the 3000 block of 12th Street in Clearlake Park.

Detectives entered the residence and were unable to locate Johns or anyone else on the property, Brooks said.

During a search of the residence, detectives located numerous articles of indicia belonging to Johns, according to Brooks.

In the master bedroom detectives located a camouflage bag under the bed. Inside the bag was $21,500 in US currency, a digital gram scale and two plastic bags containing a large amount of a white crystalline substance, determined to be methamphetamine. Brooks said the two bags of methamphetamine had a gross weight of 45.2 grams.

Brooks said that during a search of the dining room, detectives located a 9 millimeter Beretta pistol which contained 17 cartridges. Johns is a convicted felon who is not allowed to possess or have access to any firearms or ammunition.

The methamphetamine was seized as evidence and the US currency was seized pending asset forfeiture proceedings, Brooks said.

Narcotic detectives were unable to locate Johns and submitted the report to the Lake County District Attorney's Office for complaint, according to Brooks.

Brooks said detectives learned that Johns moved from the residence soon after they served the search warrant. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office obtained an arrest warrant for Johns, with the amount of bail set at $120,000.

On Jan. 2 at approximately 4 p.m., a narcotics detective noticed Johns driving a black Chevy pickup. Brooks said the detective conducted an enforcement stop of the vehicle on Sulphur Bank Road between Clearlake Park and Clearlake Oaks.

During a search of the vehicle the detective located 4.10 grams of methamphetamine and a glass pipe, Brooks said.

Johns was taken into custody for the arrest warrant, Brooks said. He also was arrested for the possession of a controlled substance for sale and possession of controlled substance paraphernalia.

Brooks said Johns was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked. Johns is currently still in custody and his bail is set at $135,000.

The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.