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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Board of Supervisors has accepted a donation of land and money for a new Clearlake Oaks park.

In an unanimous vote, the Board of Supervisors approved a donation of 620 acres along East Highway 20 in Clearlake Oaks and an as-yet unspecified amount of funds from the John T. Klaus 1994 Trust.

The process of bringing the final donation to the board has taken a few years.

The board received an initial report on the donation from Public Services Director Lars Ewing at its July 7, 2020 meeting and had been scheduled to consider approving the resolution to accept the park property and funds at its meeting on Feb. 9, 2021, however, the item was pulled.

County Counsel Anita Grant told the board on Tuesday that the delay was due, in part, to the previous attorney for the trust having died.

A new attorney had to come in “and essentially begin again in order to ensure that the terms of the trust and the expenditures of money were all scrupulously adhered to,” Grant said.

Ewing told the board in July 2020 that the trustee at that point had reported assets including bank accounts totaling approximately $1.5 million, appraisal values of properties owned by the trust and not yet sold amounting to approximately $650,000, and recurring annual lease income of approximately $127,000 from a property in Livermore that has been leased to an oil change business for more than 20 years.

Staff didn’t report new totals for those assets, although Grant’s written report for Tuesday’s meeting noted the sale of the additional properties had resulted in “considerable proceeds.”

The resolution to accept the donation has conditions including that the property be named “John T. Klaus Park,” with one-third of the land on the rear of the property to be reserved as a refuge for wildlife and the rest of the park to be developed for sporting and athletic activities for youth.

The document also agrees to begin initiating the transfer of sale proceeds from various accounts into a county account established solely for the receipt of the monies, Grant said.

She said the attorney for the trustee is preparing for a final accounting that will be filed in court, with all the details becoming known as the attorney’s work steadily progresses.

Grant said the only issue before the board on Tuesday was whether to formally accept the donation and then to move forward again to initiate the process of transfer pursuant to the terms of the trust.

Ewing said he’d previously received direction from the board to develop a business plan for the park. However, because it would be a county park, Ewing said he felt it was premature to develop a management plan without getting public input first.

He said he’s been out to the property a number of times with the trustee. The county has received a quote for the needed cleanup on the land.

“I think it's an opportunity that doesn't come along very often,” Ewing said, comparing it with the Mount Konocti Park that the county purchased. That park didn’t come with any money, while this project has both property and funding.

Supervisor Bruno Sabatier said he was thankful to Klaus for wanting to leave a positive legacy behind him.

“I do have some concerns and those concerns I think can easily be taken care of with a management plan, a fiscal plan,” said Sabatier, who wanted to know the cost of managing the property. Even if it’s left in its natural state, there will be a need for fire mitigation.

Clearlake Oaks residents Holly Harris and Chuck Lamb submitted a letter to the board supporting approval of the resolution.

“This particular piece of property is very scenic, and is the ‘gateway’ to Clearlake Oaks and the Lake County north shore, when headed west. The ability to have 620 acres preserved for outdoor activities and wildlife refuge — along with Mr. Klaus' donation of funding sources — will ensure that the property can be enjoyed by many,” they wrote.

The Clear Lake Keys Property Owners Association and Redbud Audubon Society also submitted comments to the county urging acceptance of the property.

The board voted to approve the resolution to accept the park 4-0. Supervisor Moke Simon was absent for the meeting.

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.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The East Region Town Hall, or ERTH, will meet on Wednesday, Nov. 2.

The meeting will begin at 4 p.m. at the Moose Lodge, located at 15900 Moose Lodge Lane in Clearlake Oaks.

The meeting can be attended in person or via Zoom; the meeting ID is 935 8339 6020, the pass code is 448228.

On Wednesday, ERTH will discuss Oaks Arm and Keys restoration projects, get an update on local parks and also hear about the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Sulphur Bank Mine Superfund site cleanup.

The agenda also includes the monthly updates on Spring Valley, commercial cannabis cultivation, the consolidated lighting district in Clearlake Oaks, the Lake County geothermal project watchlist, the Northshore Fire Protection District and a report from Supervisor EJ Crandell.

The group’s last meeting of the year is scheduled for Dec. 7.

ERTH’s members are Denise Loustalot, Jim Burton, Tony Morris and Pamela Kicenski.

For more information visit the group’s Facebook page.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lakeport City Council this week will consider strategies to recruit police officers and hear from the city’s code enforcement division about its operations.

The council will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

The agenda can be found here.

The council chambers will be open to the public for the meeting. Masks are highly encouraged where 6-foot distancing cannot be maintained.

If you cannot attend in person, and would like to speak on an agenda item, you can access the Zoom meeting remotely at this link or join by phone by calling toll-free 669-900-9128 or 346-248-7799.

The webinar ID is 973 6820 1787, access code is 477973; the audio pin will be shown after joining the webinar. Those phoning in without using the web link will be in “listen mode” only and will not be able to participate or comment.

Comments can be submitted by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To give the city clerk adequate time to print out comments for consideration at the meeting, please submit written comments before 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 1.

The council on Tuesday will discuss providing direction to City Manager Kevin Ingram regarding the implementation of a recruitment and retention incentive program to attract and retain highly qualified personnel for hard-to-fill positions within the Lakeport Police Department, which has struggled to retain officers.

The city’s code enforcement division also will offer an update to the council on its operations, including an overview of violation resolution processes, International Property
Maintenance Code and a summary of active cases.

Also on Tuesday, the council will hold a public hearing to consider amending the Lakeport Municipal Code to adopt the 2022 California Building Codes, meet new Public Works volunteer Ken Kelsen, receive a presentation on the Clean Water Program and consider executing the second extension in the form of an amendment to the professional services agreement with The Retail Coach for retail strategies.

On the consent agenda — items usually accepted as a slate on one vote — are ordinances; minutes of the regular council meeting on Oct. 18 and the special meeting on Oct. 27; and approval of the minutes of the Measure Z Advisory Committee meeting on Oct. 19.

The council also will hold a closed session to conduct a performance evaluation of the city manager.

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.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Clearlake City Council this week will consider several items of business, including a housing plan and use agreement, financing for a road project and the city treasurer appointment.

The council will meet at 6 p.m. Nov. 3, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

The meeting will be broadcast live on the city's YouTube channel or the Lake County PEGTV YouTube Channel. Community members also can participate via Zoom or can attend in person.

The agenda can be found here.

Comments and questions can be submitted in writing for City Council consideration by sending them to City Clerk Melissa Swanson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

To give the council adequate time to review your questions and comments, please submit your written comments before 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3.

Each public comment emailed to the city clerk will be read aloud by the mayor or a member of
staff for up to three minutes or will be displayed on a screen. Public comment emails and town hall public comment submissions that are received after the beginning of the meeting will not be included in the record.

On Thursday, the council will meet November’s adoptable dogs and present a certificate of appreciation to Halloween event volunteers.

Under business, the council will consider adopting a resolution authorizing the application and adopting the plan for the Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program and consider an agreement between the city of Clearlake, Lake County Economic Development Corp. and Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce for use of the Clearlake Visitor Center facility.

The council also will discuss providing city financing to complete the 36th Avenue Road and Storm Drainage Construction Project as well as a five-year agreement with Axon Enterprise Inc. for 30 body worn cameras and digital evidence management.

In other business, staff will discuss with the council the possible appointment of a city treasurer.

On the meeting's consent agenda — items that are considered routine in nature and usually adopted on a single vote — are warrants; authorization of road closures for the Dec. 3, 2022, Christmas Parade; award of contracts for HVAC and plumbing on-call and emergency services; authorization of an amendment to the Clearlake Municipal Employees Association memorandum of understanding to modify the uniform voucher program to a uniform; minutes of the August, September and October meetings; continuation of authorization to implement and utilize teleconference accessibility to conduct public meetings pursuant to Assembly Bill 361.

The council also will hold a closed session to discuss property negotiations for 6885 Old Highway 53.

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.
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Illegal sideshows, takeovers, and street racing remain a major cause of death and injury on California roadways.

The California Highway Patrol recently received a federal grant that will support the state’s redoubled efforts to crack down on reckless driving behaviors that continue to wreak havoc throughout the state.

Building on the $5.5 million in the 2022-23 state budget for the CHP to implement the Campaign to Eliminate Street Racing and Sideshows, or CESRS, the $1.5 million Sideshow, Takeover, Racing, Education, and Enforcement Taskforce, or STREET, grant will help efforts to decrease the number of fatal and injury traffic crashes attributed to illegal sideshows, takeovers and street racing.

In 2019-2020, speed was a factor in approximately 40% of all fatal and injury crashes in California.

In years 2020-2021, preliminary data reflects the number of people killed in crashes caused by reckless driving increased 21% from the previous period.

The CHP continues to receive a high number of reports on sideshows and street racing and the negative consequences associated with such careless exploits.

“Reckless driving behaviors are a significant threat to all who use California’s roadways,” said CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray. “The STREET grant will provide for a focused education and enforcement campaign, targeting aggressive driving behaviors, street racing, and sideshow activities.”

During the past two years, California has seen significant increases in the number of incidents from unsafe driving behaviors, including motorists exceeding 100 miles per hour on state highways, illicit street racing and sideshow activities, and speed-related crashes.

To address the issue, from Jan. 1, 2021, to Sept. 30, 2022, the CHP conducted enhanced speed enforcement operations on state routes that have seen an increase in speed-related issues.

During this period, the CHP issued 40,593 citations to motorists exceeding 100 miles per hour. CHP also collaborated with allied law enforcement agencies, leading to the creation of street racing and sideshow task forces and social media campaigns posting the dangers associated with high speed, aggressive driving behaviors, and street racing.

The STREET grant allows for a comparable campaign starting this month through Sept. 30, 2023. Funding for the STREET program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

As an added deterrent, Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed Assembly Bill 2000 (Gabriel), making it illegal for a person to participate and/or engage in a motor vehicle speed contest or in an exhibition of speed in an off-street parking facility.

The measure goes into effect on January 1, 2023.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Lake County Animal Care and Control has eight cats that it’s making available for adoption this week.

Call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278 or visit the shelter online for information on visiting or adopting.

The following cats at the shelter have been cleared for adoption.

This 2-year-old female domestic shorthair cat is in cat room kennel No. 10, ID No. LCAC-A-3661. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Female domestic shorthair

This 2-year-old female domestic shorthair cat has a gray tabby coat.

“She is an adult cat with some playful kitten tendencies when toys are brought out. She has a sweet little meow and likes to have playful chats with you,” shelter staff said.

She is in cat room kennel No. 10, ID No. LCAC-A-3661.

This 3-year-old male domestic shorthair cat is in cat room kennel No. 13, ID No. LCAC-A-4021. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Male domestic shorthair

This 3-year-old male domestic shorthair cat has an orange tabby coat.

“This guy can be shy at first, but once he knows that you are all about the pets, he will roll right over and start his purr machine. He has a unique curly tail which he flicks around when curious,” shelter staff said.

He is in cat room kennel No. 13, ID No. LCAC-A-4021.

This 2-month-old male domestic shorthair kitten is in cat room kennel No. 36C, ID No. LCAC-A-4083. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Male domestic shorthair kitten

This 2-month-old male domestic shorthair kitten has an orange coat.

He is in cat room kennel No. 36C, ID No. LCAC-A-4083.

This 3-month-old male domestic shorthair kitten is in cat room kennel No. 60a, ID No. LCAC-A-4113. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Male domestic shorthair kitten

This 3-month-old male domestic shorthair kitten has a black coat.

He is in cat room kennel No. 60a, ID No. LCAC-A-4113.

This 3-month-old male domestic shorthair kitten is in cat room kennel No. 60b, ID No. LCAC-A-4114. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Male domestic shorthair kitten

This 3-month-old male domestic shorthair kitten has a black coat.

He is in cat room kennel No. 60b, ID No. LCAC-A-4114.

This 2-year-old female domestic shorthair cat is in cat room kennel No. 73, ID No. LCAC-A-4090. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Female domestic shorthair

This 2-year-old female domestic shorthair cat has a Siamese coat with reddish points and blue eyes.

She is in cat room kennel No. 73, ID No. LCAC-A-4090.

This 1-year-old male domestic longhair cat is in kennel No. 107, ID No. LCAC-A-4023. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Male domestic longhair cat

This 1-year-old male domestic longhair cat has a black and white coat.

“This guy had a hard start, but has a lot of love to give once he warms up to you,” shelter staff said.

Staff said he also loves brushing and shows his appreciation with purring and head bumps.

He is in kennel No. 107, ID No. LCAC-A-4023.

This 2-month-old female domestic shorthair kitten is in kennel No. 129b, ID No. LCAC-A-4085. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Female domestic shorthair kitten

This 2-month-old female domestic shorthair kitten has a gray coat with white markings.

She is in kennel No. 129b, ID No. LCAC-A-4085.

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.
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ACCUWEATHER GLOBAL WEATHER CENTER — AccuWeather meteorologists say that a change in the weather pattern is forecast to bring an end to the abnormally dry conditions, starting with this next storm.

Fall started off dry for many in the West, but as the wet season nears, a change in the weather is set to bring rain, mountain snow and cooler conditions.

It's been a rather dry start to autumn across the western U.S. since mid-September. The dry conditions have spread from Seattle, which has received only 2.76 inches of rainfall or about 56% of normal, to Sacramento, California, where only 0.28 of an inch has fallen in the same time, a mere 31% of average.

All of Washington and over 99% of Oregon are experiencing at least 'abnormally dry' conditions according to the United States Drought Monitor's latest update.

Rain is likely in many of the mountain passes until colder air arrives, but any hikers or campers should still be prepared for wet and cold conditions.

"After the initial wave of moisture, the incoming storm will open the door for a lot of colder air to flow into the region, allowing many places to have their lowest temperatures so far this season," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Haley Taylor.

Taylor further explained that temperatures are likely to be 5 to 10 degrees below normal on Tuesday and Wednesday, and major cities like Seattle and Portland may struggle to reach the upper 40s.

Falling snow levels are expected through Wednesday across the western U.S., which will cause rain to change to snow in some of the mountainous terrain.

Snow is likely at and even slightly below pass level in Washington, making for tricky travel for motorists in those areas. Snow will be most widespread as colder air arrives Tuesday night.

Farther south, a period of heavy snow is likely to fall in the northern Sierra Nevada from late Tuesday afternoon to Tuesday night, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Houk said.

"It is likely to snow hard for several hours by Tuesday evening at Donner Pass, along Interstate 80 in California," Houk explained. "Motorists should expect delays as roads are likely to become slippery and snow-covered for a time."

Snow will continue to spread southward over the Sierra Nevada and linger farther north over the mountain chain into Wednesday.

"If the storm ends up diving far enough south, higher elevations in Southern California may turn cold enough to see their first flurries Wednesday night," Taylor explained.

Whether precipitation falls as rain or snow, the influx of moisture will help to improve the stubborn drought across the region.

Courtney Travis is an AccuWeather senior meteorologist.

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In the wake of a disturbing increase in antisemitic hate, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday named nine leading academic experts and advocates to serve on the Governor’s Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education, which is tasked with promoting Holocaust and genocide education throughout California to provide young people with the tools necessary to recognize and respond to bigotry or discrimination on campus.

“An attack on any of our communities is an attack against all Californians and our state will not stand by as the forces of hate instigate acts of violent extremism that put lives at risk,” said Gov. Newsom. “California is taking action with major investments to support anti-hate programs and enlisting the expertise of demonstrated leaders in Holocaust and genocide education to inoculate young people against the dangerous messages of hate and division pervading our public discourse.”

Launched by the governor last year, the council is co-chaired by State Senator Henry Stern, Attorney General Rob Bonta, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and Dr. Anita Friedman, executive director, Jewish Family and Children's Services/Northern California.

"Make no mistake: Antisemitism and bigotry remain a threat to the safety and well-being of our communities here in California and around the world," said Attorney General Rob Bonta, Council Co-Chair. "The Governor's Council is a critical part of our state's efforts to combat hate before it can arise through education and early intervention. I'm incredibly proud to co-lead this effort and welcome the newest members to the council. Together, we can support and uplift all of our communities. The lessons of the past must never be forgotten."

The new members announced Monday are distinguished leaders and experts in Holocaust and genocide education, representing organizations that reflect the diverse groups impacted by the Holocaust and genocide throughout history:

• Beth Kean, CEO of the Holocaust Museum LA;
• Brian Fong, California Program director for Facing History and Ourselves;
• Joyce Newstat, former chair of the Jewish Family and Children's Services Holocaust Center;
• Kori Street, deputy executive director of the USC Shoah Foundation;
• Liebe Geft, director of the Museum of Tolerance;
• Michael Berenbaum, director of the Sigi Ziering Institute, Professor of Jewish Studies at the American Jewish University;
• Roxanne Makasdjian, executive director of the Genocide Education Project;
• Seth Brysk, Central Pacific Regional director for the Anti-Defamation League;
• Taylor Pennewell, executive director of the Redbud Resource Group.
Gov. Newsom previously named Assemblymembers Adrin Nazarian, Jose Medina, James Ramos and Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, and Senators Scott Wiener, Connie Leyva, and Susan Rubio to serve as members on the Council.

"I could not imagine a more important moment for this council to launch this critical work. The council members bring a depth of knowledge, experience, and expertise and I look forward to working with them as co-chair,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, co-chair of the council. “We know that comprehensive Holocaust Education implemented at all schools is an essential part of our effort to combat antisemitism and all forms of hate. The work of this council, along with the CDE's anti-bias education training and Education to End Hate initiative, gives me hope that through education we can work in solidarity towards a better future for California students."

The council will assess the status of Holocaust and genocide education in California, make recommendations for how to improve Holocaust and genocide education in our schools, promote best practices for educators, schools and organizations and sponsor Holocaust and genocide remembrance.

“This is precisely the collection of thinkers and organizations we envisioned to help lead this council,” said Co-Chair Senator Henry Stern. “I applaud Gov. Newsom for not just condemning antisemitism when it’s broadcast across our freeways and social media channels, but for responding with substantive lasting solutions and the funds to realize those solutions. Whether you’re a Californian whose family suffered the death squads of El Salvador, the killing fields of Cambodia, or the gas chambers of Auschwitz, students and teachers across our state share a common bond of resilience in the face of trauma. Now is the moment we must take an honest look at whether our public schools are helping the next generation understand what happens when politicians use economic crises, ethnic and identity-based hatred, and clever coordinated mass communication to achieve monstrous results.”

“Gov. Newsom understands that the alarming increase of hate and antisemitism requires effective moral leadership at the highest levels. His creation of a distinguished Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education sets the example for the State — and for the nation — and ensures that bigotry will find no place in our society,” said Co-Chair Dr. Anita Friedman.

Working with the Jewish Caucus and the Legislature, the Newsom Administration has funded more than $150 million to support anti-hate programs that provide direct support for impacted communities and victims, and an additional $115 million for the State Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which helps nonprofit organizations that are targets of hate-motivated violence improve security at their facilities.

The state has also invested:

• $40 million to rebuild six summer camps lost in recent wildfires, including Jewish summer camps;
• $36 million for the California Holocaust Survivor Assistance Program;
• $10 million for the Jewish Family Service Los Angeles for Holocaust Survivor Assistance;
• $10 million to fund the Anti-Bias Education Grant Program;
• $5 million for the Museum of Tolerance;
• $3 million to renovate and enhance the Jewish Family and Children’s Services Holocaust Center in San Francisco;
• $2 million to establish the Statewide Teacher Collaborative on Holocaust and Genocide Education to bring together all groups who teach this subject matter in order to share information, create a statewide central website and establish best teaching practices;
• $2 million for the International Genocide Memorial;
• $1.4 million for the Governor’s Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education.

In September, Gov. Newsom signed legislation to extend the State Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which was codified under legislation signed by the governor in 2019 following the Chabad of Poway shooting.

The governor in September also named appointments to the Commission on the State of Hate, created by legislation he signed last year to track hate crimes, develop anti-hate resources and make recommendations to better protect civil rights.

In addition, the governor signed an executive order that will help protect communities against hate violence and discrimination by accelerating the launch of a California versus Hate Resource Line and Network, among other actions.
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Kindergarten students in 1952 race out of school in Los Angeles, eager to celebrate Halloween. Los Angeles Examiner/USC Libraries/Corbis via Getty Images

Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

How was Halloween invented? – Tillman, age 9, Asheville, North Carolina

“It’s alive!” Dr. Frankenstein cried as his creation stirred to life. But the creature had a life of its own, eventually escaping its creator’s control.

Much like Frankenstein’s monster, traditions are also alive, which means they can change over time or get reinvented. Built from a hodgepodge of diverse parts, Halloween is one such tradition that has been continually reinvented since its ancient origins as a Celtic pagan ceremony. Yet beneath the superhero costumes and bags of candy still beats the heart of the original.

The Celts lived in what’s now Ireland as far back as 500 B.C. They celebrated New Year’s Day on Nov. 1, which they called Samhain. They believed that leading up to the transition to the new year, the door between the worlds of the living and the dead swung open. The souls of the recently dead, previously trapped on Earth, could now pass to the underworld. Since they thought spirits came out after dark, this supernatural activity reached its peak the night before, on Oct. 31.

The Celts invented rituals to protect themselves during this turbulent time. They put on costumes and disguises to fool the spirits. They lit bonfires and stuck candles inside carved turnips – the first jack-o’-lanterns – to scare away any spirits looking for mischief. If all else failed, they carried a pocketful of treats to pay off wayward spirits and send them back on their way to the underworld.

Sound familiar?

Although focused on the dead, Samhain was ultimately for the living, who needed plenty of help of their own when transitioning to the new year. Winter was cold and dark. Food was scarce. Everyone came together for one last bash to break bread, share stories and stand tall against the dead, strengthening community ties at the time they were needed most.

a collection of lit jack-o-lanterns
Ghouls, goblins and glowing jack-o’-lanterns have been synonymous with Halloween for a long time. Erik Freeland/Corbis Historical via Getty Images


When Catholics arrived in Ireland around A.D. 300, they opened another door between worlds, unleashing considerable conflict. They sought to convert the Celts by changing their pagan rituals into Christian holidays. They rechristened Nov. 1 “All Saints Day,” which today remains a celebration of Catholic saints.

But the locals held on to their old beliefs. They believed the dead still wandered the Earth. So the living still dressed in costumes. This activity still took place the night before. It just had a new name to fit the Catholic calendar: “All Hallows Eve,” which is where we got the name Halloween.

Irish immigrants brought Halloween to America in the 1800s while escaping the Great Potato Famine. At first, Irish Halloween celebrations were an oddity, viewed suspiciously by other Americans. As such, Halloween wasn’t celebrated much in America at the time.

As the Irish integrated into American society, Halloween was reinvented again, this time as an all-American celebration. It became a holiday primarily for kids. Its religious overtones faded, with supernatural saints and sinners being replaced by generic ghosts and goblins. Carved turnips gave way to the pumpkins now emblematic of the holiday. Though trick-or-treating resembles ancient traditions like guising, where costumed children went door to door for gifts, it’s actually an American invention, created to entice kids away from rowdy holiday pranks toward more wholesome activities.

Halloween has become a tradition many new immigrants adopt along their journey toward American-ness and is increasingly being exported around the world, with locals reinventing it in new ways to adapt it to their own culture.

postcard of a witch and black cat riding a broomstick
A Halloween postcard circa 1910. Trolley Dodger/Corbis Historical via Getty Images


What’s so special about Halloween is that it turns the world upside down. The dead walk the Earth. Rules are meant to be broken. And kids exercise a lot of power. They decide what costume to wear. They make demands on others by asking for candy. “Trick or treat” is their battle cry. They do things they’d never get away with any other time, but on Halloween, they get to act like adults, trying it on to see how it fits.

Because Halloween allows kids more independence, it’s possible to mark significant life stages through holiday firsts. First Halloween. First Halloween without a parent. First Halloween that’s no longer cool. First Halloween as a parent.

Growing up used to mean growing out of Halloween. But today, young adults seem even more committed to Halloween than kids.

What changed: adults or Halloween? Both.

Caught between childhood and adulthood, today’s young adults find Halloween a perfect match to their struggles to find themselves and make their way in the world. Their participation has reinvented Halloween again, now bigger, more elaborate and more expensive. Yet in becoming an adult celebration, it comes full circle to return to its roots as a holiday celebrated mainly by adults.

Halloween is a living tradition. You wear a costume every year, but you’d never wear the same one. You’ve changed since last year, and your costume reflects that. Halloween is no different. Each year, it’s the same celebration, but it’s also something totally new. In what ways are you already reinventing the Halloween of the future today?

Hello, curious kids! Do you have a question you’d like an expert to answer? Ask an adult to send your question to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please tell us your name, age and the city where you live.

And since curiosity has no age limit – adults, let us know what you’re wondering, too. We won’t be able to answer every question, but we will do our best.The Conversation

Linus Owens, Associate Professor of Sociology, Middlebury

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A bill passed by the State Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom will align races for district attorneys and sheriff’s throughout California with presidential elections.

In so doing, Assembly Bill 759 will temporarily extend the terms of the DAs and sheriffs who have been elected in 2022.

Those officials will get a one-time extension of two years in office, giving them a six-year term, in order to align with the 2028 presidential election cycle.

Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) authored AB 759 in order to move those races from midterm election years, when turnout is lower, to the higher turnout years when United State presidential candidates also share the ballot.

“These are critical countywide elected officials that deal with important life and death matters,” McCarty said in a statement released at the end of September, shortly after Newsom sided several of his bills, including AB 759. “Sheriffs are responsible for operating jails, and DAs for prosecuting criminal violations. These positions should be voted on during elections where there is high turnout — like the presidential election.”

Lake County Registrar of Voters Maria Valadez said that, so far, her office hasn’t received any guidance from the state on the new legislation, but since the bill just passed it’s still early in the process and she expects it eventually.

She said she doesn’t foresee any big changes due to the bill.

“I don’t believe the impact is that big,” Valadez said of her office and its work flow.

They already will have three supervisorial seats on that ballot, she said.

For candidates, Valadez said they will need to be prepared to begin the filing process earlier, in the fall, because they will be on the presidential primary ballot, which is in March, not June, as is in the case in the midterm elections.

Incumbent District Attorney Susan Krones won reelection to her second term in June and Sheriff Brian Martin won a third term without opposition in June.

However, last week, Martin announced that he will retire on Dec. 30, just days short of his second term, as Lake County News has reported.

He said he had planned to retire in the upcoming term, but the bill and how it would impact an appointee led him to making the decision earlier.

“This change in law really changed the dynamics of what that would look like for the county,” he said of the process to appoint a new sheriff, noting he didn’t want to wait to the point that his successor was thrown immediately into the middle of an election cycle.

Martin said the Board of Supervisors will appoint his successor.

Valadez said the two-year extension under AB 759 will not apply to Martin’s appointed successor, who will be on the ballot in 2024 and so will have to start soon to prepare to run.

Krones said she had known about the bill when she was running, but it hadn't passed the Legislature until after her race was decided.

Krones said most of California’s counties elect district attorneys and sheriffs in off years. “The overall issue is we want more people to vote in these elections because they’re important,” she said

She said it was better to extend the terms by two years than to shorten them, as that would be unfair to voters and difficult for candidates.

Krones said she was surprised at Martin’s retirement announcement.

“I wish him all the best. I’m happy for him,” but sad for the county, Krones said.

As for whether she will serve the entirety of her upcoming six-year term, Krones said, “I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

She just received her 30-year service plaque from the county of Lake so she is looking at the options available to her.

Those include serving the entire term. “I’m not prejudging anything whether I'm going to retire early,” she said, adding she’ll wait to see what’s ahead and that she never says never.

However, Krones said, “I do not expect to run again after this.”

Asked if he thought the bill would have the desired effect, Martin said it depends.

While the stated goal was to increase voters, Martin said what he’s hearing through other channels is that those offices on the midterm ballot were elected when voter generally turnout was lower and viewed as being more Republican, with more Democrats opting out.

That leads to a conclusion that the goal may be to put those races on the ballot before a more liberal voting base, Martin said.

Martin said it’s clear to him that the Legislature and the Governor's Office would like more of a say over sheriffs’ elections.

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.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The supervisors this week will discuss giving themselves a hefty 38% raise, the latest in a multimillion dollar series of pay increases the county has used a 2019 study to justify, and also will consider formally accepting hundreds of acres of land and money for a new park in Clearlake Oaks.

The‌ ‌board will meet beginning ‌at‌ ‌9‌ ‌a.m. ‌Tuesday, Nov. 1, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.

The‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌can‌ ‌be‌ ‌watched‌ ‌live‌ ‌on‌ ‌Channel‌ ‌8, ‌online‌ ‌at‌ ‌https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx‌‌ and‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌county’s‌ ‌Facebook‌ ‌page. ‌Accompanying‌ ‌board‌ ‌documents, ‌the‌ ‌agenda‌ ‌and‌ ‌archived‌ ‌board‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌videos‌ ‌also‌ ‌are‌ ‌available‌ ‌at‌ ‌that‌ ‌link. ‌ ‌

To‌ ‌participate‌ ‌in‌ ‌real-time, ‌join‌ ‌the‌ ‌Zoom‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌by‌ ‌clicking‌ ‌this‌ ‌link‌. ‌ ‌

The‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌ID‌ ‌is‌ 922 7129 9472, ‌pass code 254691.‌ ‌The meeting also can be accessed via one tap mobile at +16694449171,,92271299472#,,,,*254691#.

All interested members of the public that do not have internet access or a Mediacom cable subscription are encouraged to call 669-900-6833, and enter the Zoom meeting ID and pass code information above.

To‌ ‌submit‌ ‌a‌ ‌written‌ ‌comment‌ ‌on‌ ‌any‌ ‌agenda‌ ‌item‌ ‌visit‌ ‌https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx and‌ ‌click‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌eComment‌ ‌feature‌ ‌linked‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌date. ‌If‌ ‌a‌ ‌comment‌ ‌is‌ ‌submitted‌ ‌after‌ ‌the‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌begins, ‌‌it‌ ‌may‌ ‌not‌ ‌be‌ ‌read‌ ‌during‌ ‌the‌ ‌meeting‌ ‌but‌ ‌will‌ ‌become‌ ‌a‌ ‌part‌ ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌record.

In an untimed item, the board will consider raising its members’ pay. It’s the latest employee raises resulting from the 2019 classification and compensation study, which resulted in the board approving $21 million raises during the pandemic.

County Administrative Officer Susan Parker’s report said that board salaries remained frozen when the other raises were given out. Annual pay for a supervisor now is $63,714, with the chair receiving another $2,400.

Parker said that prior to the implementation of the classification and compensation study, the supervisors’ salaries were set at 60% of the average of the elected department heads. If that were implemented now, their salaries would increase 37%, to $87,573.60.

“To mitigate the appearance of a conflict of your Board approving raises for themselves,” Parker said staff is recommending setting supervisorial salaries to 38.6% of the salaries of Superior Court judges, which as of July 1 totaled $229,125 annually.

That would raise the board salaries to $88,483.20 annually, a 38.8%-percent increase from the current salary level, with the chair to receive an additional 5%, or $4,472.

Parker said it will increase payroll expenses for the supervisors from $323,832 to $449,750 annually, or $125,918 per year without benefits.

In another untimed item, the board will consider a resolution accepting a bequest to the county from the John T. Klaus 1994 Trust.

The request includes 620 acres in Clearlake Oaks for use as a public park as well as “considerable proceeds” from the sales of additional properties to be distributed to Lake County Public Services, Parks and Recreation Division, according to the staff report from County Counsel Anita Grant.

The full agenda follows.

CONSENT AGENDA

5.1: Approve purchase order for Heritage Oaks Hospital for acute inpatient psychiatric hospitalization and professional services associated with acute inpatient psychiatric hospitalizations in the amount of $19,159 and authorize the department head to sign.

5.2: Adopt proclamation commending Lori Garzoli, supervising child support officer.

5.3: Waive the formal bidding requirement and authorize the IT director to issue a purchase order to Dell Marketing L.P. for Microsoft Server 2022 licenses.

5.4: Approve contract between the county of Lake and Brain Learning Psychological Corp. for learning disability testing and evaluation services in the amount of $45,000 from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, and authorize the chair to sign.

TIMED ITEMS

6.2, 9:07 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation commending Lori Garzoli, supervising child support officer.

6.3, 9:15 a.m.: a) Consideration of adding a fire district seat to the Cannabis Task Force; and b) consideration of joining the newly created fire marshall forum and directing staff to attend.

UNTIMED ITEMS

7.2: Consideration to Amend Section 2-3A.1 of Article I, Chapter 2 of the Lake County Code, compensation of the Board of Supervisors.

7.3: Consideration of memorandum of understanding between county of Lake and Partnership HealthPlan of California for the Housing and Homelessness Incentive Program for FYs 2022-23 through 2027-28 in the amount of $4,174,059 and allow the director of Behavioral Health Services to sign.

7.4: Consideration of proposed 2023 Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting Calendar.

7.5: Consideration of update of 2022 Committee Assignments for members of the Board of Supervisors.

7.6: Consideration of a resolution accepting bequest of real property and funds from the John T. Klaus 1994 Trust to the county of Lake.

7.7: Consideration of amendment to the County of Lake COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Worksite Protocol.

7.8: Consideration of authorization to the Public Services director/assistant purchasing agent to sign a purchase order to Peterson CAT for a 2022 826K Caterpillar Landfill Compactor at the Eastlake Landfill for an amount not to exceed $1,189,752.32.

7.9: a) Consideration of administering agency-state master agreement for federal-aid projects; and b) consideration of resolution to authorize the Public Works director to approve supplements to the master agreement.

7.10: Consideration of Appointment to the Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee.

ASSESSMENT APPEAL HEARINGS

8.1: Consideration of the following assessment appeal application: No. 58-2020 Lakeport Post Acute.

8.2: Continue the following assessment appeal applications to the May 2, 2023 Board of Supervisors Meeting: No. 60-2020, 61-2020, 62-2020, 20-2021, 21-2021 H&S Energy.

CLOSED SESSION

9.1: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(d)(1) – Sabalone v. County of Lake.

9.2: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 5456.9(d)(1) – Flesch v. County of Lake.

9.3: Conference with legal counsel: Existing Litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 5456.9(d)(1) – City of Clearlake v. County of Lake, et al.

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.
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Judge Richard Freeborn at the swearing-in ceremony for Lake County Superior Court Judge Shanda Harry on Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Lakeport, California. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.


LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A longtime Lake County judge is being remembered by friends and colleagues for his care for people, dedication to the county and his championing of the Clearlake community.

Retired Judge Richard Freeborn died on Friday, Sept. 30, at his Clearlake home, surrounded by family, including wife of 59 years, Kathy, and sons Andrew, Matthew, Jason. He was 84 years old.

“We had a long, wonderful life together,” Kathy Freeborn said.

During a 2013 ceremony to honor his career, Freeborn said he had wanted to go into a profession that would be helpful to his fellow man.

“Service to humanity is the best work of life,” he said.

Since his death, many community members and leaders have honored Freeborn for his success in doing just that.

His accomplishments include nearly four decades of work in the justice system as well as for what he did outside of the courtroom — including the many years of promoting the Clearlake area and creating opportunities for informed discourse among its residents and the county as a whole.

Freeborn was a Renaissance man, with a vast number of interests. He was a careful and voluminous reader, an expert in United States history, a Boy Scout leader, a member of the fire department for 18 years, a dedicated outdoorsman and hiker, a sailor, and a keyboardist who played in a local band at venues such as the Lucerne Hotel and Konocti Harbor.

His curiosity continued throughout his life, and those who knew him recalled not just as a man of incredible intellect, but one who generously used his skills to help others, and who did his work with a dedication that was amplified by a true sense of compassion for those he met, whether inside or outside of the court.

Freeborn was known for his personal touch, his authentic concern about people, a desire to listen and understand, and the goal of seeing people advance, as well as his having performed many weddings.

One aspiration he didn’t accomplish was being a pilot. Although he took some lessons, wife Kathy said it was either fly or have a family. However, since their oldest son had been in the Air Force and had his own plane, Freeborn had a chance to fly with his son. “He’d let his dad take the controls,” Kathy Freeborn said.

Both his wife and his longtime friend Mark Cooper said Freeborn was particularly proud of his work in drug court, which gave many people an opportunity to avoid jail or prison by instead healing their lives through treatment and education. Cooper said he’s met people who have shared how Freeborn’s intervention through drug court saved their lives.

At a 2013 portrait hanging ceremony for Freeborn, retired Judge Arthur Mann acknowledged that he hadn’t initially been in favor of the drug court idea, but credited Freeborn for making it a successful program.

“He loved life and the community,” said Kathy Freeborn, explaining that her husband was a good person who always tried to help people.

“He gave so much to the community,” said Clearlake City Manager Alan Flora.

Flora pointed out one of Freeborn’s many contributions, the creation of the weekly “Judge’s Breakfast” in Clearlake, which has helped educate community members on important issues and collected money for local groups.

“That’s an inspiration,” said Flora. “Beyond that, he’s just a really good guy.”

Supervisor Bruno Sabatier, who called for a moment of silence in honor of Freeborn at the Board of Supervisors’ Oct. 4 meeting, told Lake County News about how Freeborn welcomed him into the community, and that while he was a judge professionally, Freeborn didn’t judge people on a personal level.

“He welcomed me and made a point to speak with me each time we saw each other, because no matter how different we may be, we were both committed to serving our communities together, and I think he respected that without having to know the details of who I am,” Sabatier said. “Luckily, because of humble and welcoming personality, I was fortunate enough to learn from him, speak with him, and be inspired by his love for community.”

The current and retired judges Lake County News spoke to about Freeborn remembered him as principled, kind, curious, thoughtful and intellectual.

One word came up commonly among those who shared their recollections: “Gentleman.”

Judge Andrew Blum said Freeborn was a gentleman in the true sense of the word, genuinely caring about those who appeared before him in court.

“He wasn’t just processing files,” said Blum, who as a senior chief deputy district attorney frequently was in Freeborn’s court from 1989 to 1997.

Blum said Freeborn often would take extra time with people — especially young people who had made mistakes — to talk with them and give them some fatherly advice in an effort to encourage them to get on the right track. “You don’t see judges do that very often.”

Like Blum, Judge Michael Lunas’ first experience with Freeborn was as a young attorney in his court.

Lunas said Judge Freeborn knew everyone and everyone knew him, and there was no real difference in his behavior as an attorney or as a judge. “His persona was the same. He was who he was.”

Stephen Hedstrom, who retired in 2018, was Freeborn’s successor in the Lake County Superior Court Clearlake Division.

“He always gave back to the community. He really did,” Hedstrom said of Freeborn.

Retired Judge Robert Crone said Freeborn had “long roots in the county,” and that he used to talk about working at his father’s business and pumping gas as a youngster.

Cooper said Freeborn has always been his hero. He was a role model to Cooper’s daughter, Jacqueline Snyder, now an attorney, for whom Freeborn administered the bar oath.

Freeborn was an expert in U.S. history. “He was one of the most intelligent men that I’ve been around,” said Cooper, adding he was honored every time he was around him to get his perspective.

As he pointed out to people who joined his well-known breakfast group, the Judges Breakfast, “he was a community junkie,” Kathy Freeborn said.

At right, Richard Freeborn at a Boy Scout event. Courtesy photo.

Growing up in Lake County; going to school in the city

Richard Lawrence Freeborn was born in Oakland on May 3, 1938, to Edna and Walter Freeborn. He claimed his middle name was due to the fact that his mother was enamored of T.E. Lawrence, the inspiration for “Lawrence of Arabia.”

Freeborn had a sister, Joan, who was seven years older than him.

His father, a machinist, later bought a small resort and gas station in Nice and the family moved to Lake County.

Freeborn arrived in Lake County at age 7 and, for the rest of his life — with time out for university in the Bay Area — the county would be his home.

He attended grade school and high school in Upper Lake. “They say he read every book in the Upper Lake Library when he was going to school,” said Cooper, attesting to his friend’s lifelong habit of voracious reading.

His sister attended the University of California, Berkeley. She then studied medicine at the University of California at San Francisco, completing residence in Boston and further training in Washington, D.C. ahead of a 51-year career as a pediatrician. She went on to marry Dr. Thomas C. Merigan, a professor at Stanford University, where they eventually endowed a chair at the School of Medicine.

Like his sister, Richard Freeborn attended UC Berkeley. Originally, he was interested in premedicine, but ultimately he went on to receive his law degree at UC Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco.

He sometimes went to the San Francisco Airport for a cup of coffee after studying. It was on one such evening during his first year of law school that he happened to meet U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren. Warren invited him to sit down with him and chat.

They discussed law school, the famed Brown vs. Board of Education case and how to decide a case. Warren explained the process of reviewing evidence and law, before asking a final question: “Is it fair?”

It also was in San Francisco that Freeborn met his future wife, Kathy, “by accident,” she said, in an apartment building when he was starting to ask her roommate out for a date.

As he always told the story, he had started out to ask her roommate out for a date, “and ended up asking me instead,” Kathy Freeborn said.

They married on March 16, 1963, during his last year of law school. Kathy Freeborn said he had to take off an unexcused day from school, since getting married wasn’t considered a reason to miss class.

He was admitted to the State Bar of California on Jan. 12, 1965, according to Bar records.

While he had looked at a job in another location, Kathy Freeborn said her husband had a job waiting for him in Lake County. After their arrival, he worked in the District Attorney’s Office as an investigator and as a law clerk in the office of Lovett Fraser. He also later worked as a deputy district attorney.

The couple lived in Lakeport until 1967, when they moved to Kelseyville to a new home in Cole Creek Estates. However, Kathy Freeborn said she didn’t get to stay in her new home for long.

That’s because his friends talked him into moving to Clearlake in order to be appointed to a part-time position as a Clearlake Highlands justice court judge, a job he would get.

After only a week in their new home, they made the decision to sell it and move to Clearlake where they’ve made their home ever since. They’ve lived in the same home for more than 40 years, Kathy Freeborn said.

Decades on the bench

Freeborn worked as a justice court judge beginning in 1967, taking office on May 8, five days after his 28th birthday.

He continued in that role for 15 years in the Clearlake Highlands Judicial District, according to a biography presented by Hedstrom at the 2013 event to celebrate the hanging of Freeborn’s portrait in the Southlake Division courtroom. The video of that event is shown on this page, and includes information about his history and service from Freeborn and his colleagues.

Freeborn then took a break for about six years, during which time Betty Irwin was elected as a write-in candidate and served on the bench as the first elected female judge in Lake County. Crone said Freeborn returned to the justice court bench after Irwin’s departure.

In the late 1980s, legislation led to the justice courts consolidating into municipal courts. Crone said all the little courts on the south end of the lake merged into one municipal court district and then a separate district was formed for the Lakeport end of the county.

When Freeborn returned to the bench, he presided over what was then known as the Southlake Judicial District from 1988 to 1993, Hedstrom said during the 2013 ceremony.

In 1998, Freeborn became Lake County’s fourth Superior Court judge under a new consolidation law, filling that role until his 2001 retirement. Following retirement, he spent more than a decade filing in on assignments around the state.

Crone said when he arrived as a young lawyer in Lake County around 1972, he first met Freeborn when he was the justice court bench.

Freeborn also had a private practice in the Clearlake Highlands, which later became Clearlake. At that time, a justice court judge could do both — sit on the bench and handle cases separately, which Crone said could make for some interesting situations.

For 20 years, wife Kathy worked as Freeborn’s office manager in his private practice. At times she was the only secretary, but at its busiest time there were four secretaries, all of whom Freeborn kept busy with his legal work. Later, Kathy went to work for Yuba College for 13 years.

Crone said the Clearlake Highlands Justice Court was housed in a storefront on Lakeshore Drive, between the Chatterbox and Mario Lucchesi’s restaurant — known as “Mario’s Lounge” — and next to a plumbing supply store. That’s where Crone was introduced to Freeborn.

In that little court, “When jury went out, we all left,” leaving just the bailiff behind, Crone said.

More than one time Crone said he and Freeborn ended up out at Mario’s, relaxing until the jury had reached a verdict.

In January 1984, Crone, then Lake County’s district attorney, was appointed to the Superior Court bench by Gov. George Deukmejian to fill an unexpired term. That appointment had been held up as Crone finished prosecuting the Gerald Stanley murder case.

The seat then went on the ballot in June 1984. “You’re appointed one day, you’re in a contested election the next,” Crone said.

Crone, a Republican, and Freeborn, a Democrat, faced off in a tight race for the seat. Crone said they went on the “rubber chicken circuit” and took part in debates.

“I think it was pretty draining on him and myself,” Crone said.

Lunas, who then was a young attorney, recalled that race as “a heck of a contest.”

Crone added, “It was sort of like the governor’s election,” referring to the tight race between Deukmejian and Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, with Crone and Freeborn having been involved in the campaigns for those respective candidates.

“It caused me to really be concerned and pay attention in that election because he had a lot going for him that I didn't have,” Crone said.

However, in the end, “I won by a whopping 131 votes,” Crone said.

He said Freeborn would later explain that Crone just belonged to one more club than he did. “When I got to thinking about it, he was right.”

Nevertheless, even in the midst of a tight race, “Dick was always a gentleman,” said Crone, explaining that he didn’t think they ever were mad at each other and that Freeborn didn’t hold a grudge.

They were always colleagues, said Crone. “It was a working relationship.”

Crone said Freeborn demanded that people in the courtroom give the court — not necessarily him — respect, and that they respect the court and the process by taking it seriously and abiding by the rules.

Freeborn was very concerned about people, and took time to listen to their circumstances. Crone said Freeborn looked for ways to help people, and favored drug courts and similar diversion programs at a time when those programs were in their infancy.

Cooper emphasized how proud Freeborn was of his work to establish a drug court in Lake County. “He felt so good about that.”

Kathy Freeborn said that her husband, with the help and support of staff, had a lot of success with drug court.

She and Cooper both recounted how Freeborn successfully used drug court as an alternative to time behind bars. Kathy Freeborn said he had a real advantage thanks to the community college’s presence, as he would require people to get further education and go back to school and get a high school diploma if they didn’t have one.

When Freeborn made judgments, he made them, said Cooper, and he could scare the hell out of a person when he banged the gavel. But he preferred a more compassionate way.

Retired Lake County Superior Court Judge Richard Martin called Freeborn “a great guy,” and someone he got to know Freeborn well when Martin was a young attorney appearing in his court. Martin worked first as a public defender before Crone — then the district attorney — called him to work for him. Martin credits both Crone and Freeborn for being mentors to him.

Martin said he liked Freeborn’s helpful and kind personality. “I think he was very fair, somebody that listens to people.”

After Martin came to the bench in 2005, Freeborn was still occasionally taking cases when other local judges were on vacation or traveling to other counties to fill in.

Lunas said Freeborn focused on what mattered in the case. “He was somebody whose work could be trusted.”

In the trials Lunas did with him, Lunas said he was always very thoughtful, concerned about getting things right, very interactive from the bench and a good communicator.

“He had an effective way of thinking out loud during cases which would serve to engage attorneys and litigants in the business at hand,” said Lunas.

Crone said Freeborn was a champion of Clearlake and its residents. He said Freeborn understood Clearlake and its people, and how important it was to that end of the county to maintain the presence of a court there.

There was a time in the mid-1990s there was a push to eliminate the presence of any court function in Clearlake and have everything in Lakeport. “He fought tooth and nail to make sure that didn't happen,” and was a big force in keeping as much judicial action in the Clearlake area as possible, Crone said.

Crone said he and Freeborn would eventually work alongside each other on the Lake County Superior Court bench.

That’s because, in 1998, voters passed Proposition 220, a constitutional amendment consolidating municipal and superior courts.

Crones said that’s how Lake County got four Superior Court judges. It already had two departments: In Department 1, it was Judge John Golden, who had been appointed in 1974, and Crone had been the Department 2 judge since 1984.

The consolidation added to that two more departments. Arthur Mann, the municipal court judge headquartered in Lakeport to service the north end of the county, became the Department 3 judge, while Freeborn, overseeing the south end of the county in the Clearlake Highlands Municipal Court, became the Lake County Superior Court judge for Department 4, serving in that role from 1998 to 2001, when he retired.

The Superior Court doesn’t operate in a vacuum, and Crone said all the judges got together regularly to discuss court matters. “Everybody was always a colleague with everybody else.”

Freeborn remained in the Clearlake courthouse. When Freeborn retired, Stephen Hedstrom, then the district attorney, was elected in 2000 in a race against attorney Steve Tulanian.

Hedstrom said that after his election, he spent two or three weeks in Freeborn’s courtroom, asking questions and observing, and getting ready to take over.

“He spent a significant amount of time helping me take over his position for which I am very grateful and always will be,” said Hedstrom.

“He was a great deal of help,” said Hedstrom. “You can have all that help and all that study, and it comes down, you’ve just to do it.”

Hedstrom said Freeborn was very kind with his time. “That's the way he always was — friendly, outgoing, sociable.”

Following his retirement, Freeborn worked half-time in Lake County and in other parts of the state on assignments, Crone said.

At left, Richard Freeborn on an outdoor trip with friends. Courtesy photo.

Music and the outdoors

Cooper, who moved to Lake County in 1974, said he met Freeborn through music. Cooper played the drums; Freeborn, like his sister, played piano. The men would play at Konocti Harbor and also participated in the jazz band at Yuba College’s Clearlake campus. Now called Woodland Community College’s Lake County Campus, at its recent 50th anniversary event, Cooper called on them to reinstate that band.

Freeborn started in Boy Scouts before he and Kathy had children and attended the Scout Jamboree in Washington, DC. All three of their sons became Eagle Scouts.

Cooper said Freeborn recruited him as a Scout leader and his own two sons became Scouts as part of Troop 44, which had begun in the 1950s but has since ceased. He, Freeborn and Bill Cornelison, later Lake County’s superintendent of schools, formed the Board of Directors of the Mount Diablo Silverado Scout Council.

The Coopers, the Freeborns and other families would vacation together. One memorable trip was to Hawaii, where Cooper has a very clear memory of a waitress handing Freeborn change which was too much, at which point he immediately gave it back to her rather than pocketing it.

“He was just the most honest man I ever met,” Cooper said.

Cooper, who was born and raised in San Francisco, had never camped outdoors before until he went with Freeborn, an outdoorsman who didn’t hunt but enjoyed hiking.

Hedstrom also recounted going camping with Freeborn and others and having a big abalone feed.

Cooper said Freeborn was a voracious reader who felt the written word was holy. He recounted how Freeborn had once asked him how many newspapers he read. Cooper gave a few local newspapers and Freeborn asked him if he believed them. Since then, Cooper said he has added a number of publications with state, national and international scope.

In addition to Freeborn believing newspapers were important, he also welcomed and supported newer media outlets. Freeborn also was an early and continued supporter of Lake County News, which his wife said he enjoyed reading daily.

Cooper said he, Freeborn and Cornelison would go to Pleasant Hill for Scout meetings and on their drives they would have long conversations in which they would solve all the problems of the world. “Nobody ever listened to us,” he said. “We had such a great time.”

Cornelison died in January 2015. Cooper said he’s missing the guidance and perspective of his two closest friends.

A community junkie

For those who hadn’t met Freeborn in court, they may have come to know him through the weekly Judge’s Breakfast.

Freeborn began the event for the community in 1993 after he read a biography of Benjamin Franklin. As Cooper tells it, Freeborn was struck by how Franklin had started a breakfast club in Philadelphia and, low and behold, there later was a new country.

Intrigued by the networking opportunities, Freeborn decided to start one for Clearlake to see what would happen.

Since then, it’s been an opportunity for residents and leaders to come together and talk about ideas. This reporter also took part on occasion at the Judge’s Breakfast, including as an invited speaker.

Several years ago, Freeborn sat Cooper down and asked him to take it over, which he did.

While Richard Freeborn has always been his hero, Cooper said more recently he’s come to see Kathy Freeborn as a hero in her care of her husband as his health declined.

In addition to wife Kathy and sons, Andrew of Las Vegas, Nevada, Matthew of Mountain House, California, and Jason of Walnut Creek, California, Richard Freeborn is survived by two granddaughters and two grandsons.

Kathy Freeborn said her husband wasn’t particularly religious. His big goal in life, she said, was “to serve the community, but he always enjoyed a good party.”

She said he wanted a party for his friends, which she said should happen after the start of the year. It will be an occasion of fun, with no crying.

In the meantime, donations in his memory are encouraged to the charities or programs of the donor’s choice.

“He’s going to be missed by the courts, the legal community and naturally, of course, his friends and family. I certainly will miss him,” Hedstrom 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.

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