LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Santa Rosa man found dead in his jail cell last week was potentially facing several years in prison for a January burglary and vehicle pursuit, but not for ramming his pickup into a Lakeport Police officer's vehicle, an action which resulted in him being shot by a sheriff's deputy.

James Ellis Smith, 37, was identified by sheriff’s Lt. Steve Brooks as the inmate who died last Saturday, May 10, at the Lake County Jail.

Officials said a correctional officer found Smith just after 9 a.m. that day during a routine cell check.

Jail staff and Lakeport Fire personnel worked for about half an hour to revive Smith before ceasing cardiopulmonary resuscitation at about 9 a.m., according to Brooks’ original report.

Foul play is not suspected. Brooks said an official statement on the cause of death is pending completion of an autopsy.

District Attorney Don Anderson’s office is conducting investigations into both Smith's death and the officer-involved shooting in which he was injured prior to his January arrest.

Smith was shot early on the morning of Jan. 3 following a burglary attempt at Hillside Honda that led to a high speed chase with a Lakeport Police officer and a sheriff's deputy.

It was shortly after 4 a.m. Jan. 3 that a Lakeport Police officer – who Anderson said was Officer Joe Eastham – encountered Smith as he was attempting to break into the business on S. Main Street.

Smith would flee the scene in a pickup, reaching speeds of 100 miles per hour, according to officials.

Eastham – joined by sheriff’s Deputy Jay Vanoven – pursued Smith out of the city and to the area of Riggs Road, where Smith went off the pavement, Anderson said.

Smith put the pickup into reverse and backed up at high speed into Eastham's patrol vehicle. Eastham then got out of the vehicle, at which point Smith was preparing to back up the vehicle again, according to the investigation.

At that point, Vanoven shot six times at Smith, hitting him in the elbow and body, and grazing him in the head, according to Anderson.

Anderson said his investigation into the officer-involved shooting has concluded that Vanoven was justified in his actions. He expects to finalize and issue his report on that investigation in the near future.

Smith was transported to an out-of-county trauma center before being taken into custody and booked into the Lake County Jail on Jan. 10, with bail set at $150,000.

Since then he had made court appearances, and a preliminary hearing was set in his case for June 4, with Deputy District Attorney Jon DeChaine handling the prosecution, Anderson said.

On May 8, the District Attorney's Office delivered an open plea deal to Smith's Santa Rosa attorney, according to Anderson.

Anderson said that the plea would have required Smith – who had no significant criminal history, just minor cases in Sonoma County – to plead to burglary and felony evasion, with a maximum prison sentence expected to be three years, eight months.

Not charged in the case against Smith was assault on Officer Eastham with the pickup. “The assault on the officer was going to be extremely difficult to prove,” said Anderson.

Whether Smith accepted the plea agreement or not was not reported to the District Attorney's Office, Anderson 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.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Memorial Day – Monday, May 26 – the flags of our fallen veterans will fly in display at cemeteries throughout Lake County.

Lake County Veterans Memorial-Avenue of Flags Association, with the help of local volunteers, will install the flagpoles and mount the large flags along the avenues of county cemeteries.

These flags once draped the casket of a fallen veteran. Upon the completion of the internment ceremony, the family is presented the flag.

The family has the option of donating the use of the veterans’ burial flag to the Lake County Veterans Memorial-Avenue of Flags Association.

On Memorial Day and Veterans Day the flags are flown to commemorate the memory of veterans who defended our country.

Avenue of Flags will be presented at the following cemeteries: Hartley Cemetery in Lakeport, Upper Lake Cemetery, Kelseyville Cemetery and Lower Lake Cemetery.

Installation of flagpoles and flags will begin at 7 a.m., weather permitting. Takedown of flags and flagpoles will occur at 4 p.m.

Volunteers would be appreciated at all locations.

Further information is available from the following representatives: Upper Lake, Byron Green, 707-275-9515; Lower Lake, Dave Schober, 707-533-5843; Kelseyville, Paul Harris, 707-279-1115; and Hartley Cemetery, Lakeport, Dean Gotham at 707-350-1159.

Express your respect for fallen veterans and experience the pride of the magnificent display of our veterans’ flags. Never forget.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – California Office of Emergency Services staff participated in a training exercise with the California National Guard involving the helicopter support of the impact areas of a catastrophic earthquake near the north coast.

Using a Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter, the emergency managers and disaster response personnel fly to landing zones in Redding, Arcata and Eureka.

“This exercise is all part of our continuing effort to keep all corners of California resilient during a large-scale disaster and leveraging our inter-agency agreements to help the local cities and counties,” said Ron Williams, branch manager of Logistics for Cal OES.

The overall mission and purpose of the training flight is to validate a portion of POD and staging area operations in accordance with the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) Response Plan; to familiarize logistics response staff and supporting agencies with local, county, state and federal staging area operations POD planning, operations, burn rates, sustainment and close out; the effects of a rotary wing aircraft in ad-hoc landing zones, and foster a unified disaster logistics force concept.

The CSZ Response Plan is led by Cal OES in conjunction with the needs of the local operational areas of the north coast, including Humboldt, Del Norte and Mendocino counties, as well as Oregon and Washington state.

“This is an essential exercise of our capabilities of our military and state assets to get into, positively affect and out of a catastrophically impacted area,” said Maj. Daniel Anderson.

Additionally, exercise participants were evaluated on tasks such as; conducting actual movement in the air corridor by flying a team of SMEs to local sites to achieve the mission, and conduct face to face interactive discussions with response personnel regarding; POD team, equipment management, establishing and sustaining an emergency supply chain, local resource capabilities and when and how to cease operation.

Participating agencies California National Guard, Cal Fire, Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lake County Sheriff's deputies have arrested a Lakeport man on suspicion of committing an armed robbery at a pharmacy Wednesday morning.

Craig Anthony Lent, 25, was arrested for the robbery, according to Lt. Steve Brooks.

At 9:15 a.m. Wednesday sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a reported armed robbery at the North Lake Medical Pharmacy, which is located at 5136 Hill Road East in Lakeport, Brooks said.

Brooks said it was reported that a male subject entered the pharmacy brandishing a large knife.

The subject walked behind the pharmacy counter, grabbed the pharmacist, placed the knife to the pharmacist’s throat and demanded Dialaudid, a narcotic prescribed for pain relief, according to Brooks.

After obtaining the medication, the male subject was reported to have fled on foot, running eastbound towards Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Brooks said.

Brooks said witnesses described the man as possibly being a white male adult who was wearing a bandana over his face. He also was reported to be wearing a red flannel shirt, jeans and tennis shoes.

Deputies arrived on scene within minutes of the 911 call and were able to form a perimeter of the immediate area, Brooks said.

A short time later they located Lent, who matched the description of the subject who had held up the pharmacy. Brooks said Lent was located on Terrace Avenue with prescription pill bottles taken from the pharmacy.

Clothing matching the description given to Central Dispatch was found near the area where Lent was located, Brooks said.

Detectives with the Lake County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit interviewed Lent, who admitted to robbing the pharmacy, Brooks reported. Lent said he robbed the pharmacy due to being addicted to pain medication.

Lent was arrested for armed robbery, burglary, possession of stolen property and brandishing a dangerous weapon. He was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked, Brooks said.

Jail records indicated Lent – whose occupation is listed as thrift store supervisor – is being held on $150,000 bail.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – A Miranda man was arrested early Monday at a local casino, with a deputy seizing four grams of cocaine during the arrest.

Lawrence Hirschell Murray, 32, was arrested after initially attempting to evade a deputy, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

At approximately 2 a.m. Monday sheriff's patrol deputies conducted a security check at Robinson Rancheria Bingo and Casino, Brooks said.

After entering the gaming casino gaming area, a deputy observed a male subject later identified as Murray seated at a slot machine, Brooks said.

Brooks said the deputy initiated a consensual contact with Murray and started a conversation with him. Murray admitted to being on probation in Humboldt County for domestic violence. He also admitted to having a search clause attached to the conditions of his probation.

The deputy asked Murray to stand up so he could conduct a probation search. Murray immediately ran towards the southwest corner of the casino in an attempt to escape and avoid being searched. He was apprehended moments later, Brooks said.

The deputy searched Murray and located a plastic baggie containing a white crystalline substance in his front right pants pocket, Brooks said. Murray told the deputy that the substance was cocaine.

Murray exhibited signs and symptoms of being under the influence of a controlled substance. He also admitted to using cocaine earlier in the day. Brooks said the deputy administered a series of tests to determine whether or not Murray was under the influence of a controlled substance, which he failed.

Brooks said Murray was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, being under the influence of a controlled substance and resisting arrest. He was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.

The suspected cocaine was later weighed and had a gross weight of 3.8 grams. A small amount of the substance was tested using a Narcotic Identification Kit, which provided a presumptive positive result for cocaine, Brooks said.

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

Cal Fire's weekly Fire Situation Report notes that fire activity is rapidly increasing around the state as weather conditions heat up.

Hot weather and wind has increased fire danger, the agency reported.

Since January, the agency has responded to more than 1,350 wildland fires, nearly twice the number that's common by this time of year.

See the full report above.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Young Lake County residents who are soon to head off to college to pursue the dream of higher education were honored at a special event last week.

The ninth annual Lake County University Admittance Reception was held on Monday, May 5, at Kelseyville High School.

Each year administrators, board members, counselors and college representatives all gather to honor the graduating seniors and their families who have been accepted to a four-year college.

This year, the schools invited 95 students, down slightly from 106 last year, according to the Lake County Office of Education.

Colleges the students will be attending include California State University campuses in Chico, East Bay, Humboldt, Los Angeles, Monterey Bay, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco and Sonoma; and
University of California campuses in Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz.

A number of the students also will attend out-of-state and private colleges, including Art Institute of Portland, Brigham Young University, Colorado State University, Dominican University, Emerson University, Liberty College, Lyon College, Marymount California University, Menlo College, Monmouth College, Montana State University, Northern Arizona State University, Oregon State University, St. Mary’s College, Thomas Aquinas University, University of Hawaii, University of Arizona, University of Maine, University of Nevada, University of Oregon, University of San Diego, University of the Pacific, University of Utah and Utah State University.

Guests were welcomed by Lake County Superintendent of Schools Wally Holbrook, who introduced Senior Director Brock Falkenberg.

Middletown High alumni and current CSU Monterey Bay student Reid Carpenter shared his insights as a first-year college student with the group.

The audience of parents, students and educational staff also were treated to a video by Lower Lake High School alumnus Cesar Ruiz and Middletown High alumnus Jacob Gill featuring the wonders of UC Berkeley.

Lower Lake High Upward Bound Director Shannon Smith of Sonoma State University delivered the welcome bags to all of the students attending a CSU college next year, while Jacqueline Ross of UC Davis welcomed the UC students and Sharon Maher of Marymount California University greeted all out-of-state and private college students.

A wonderful buffet dinner prepared by Michelle Malm and her staff at Kelseyville High School as well as lively music performed by the Kelseyville High School Jazz Band were offered free of charge to the attending students and guests.

Seating for the large group was made possible thanks to the loan of tables from Rick Malm and the help of the high school custodial staff.

Centerpieces containing seedlings were created by the students of Karen Jones’ CTE Floral Design class of Middletown High School.

During dinner service, guests were able to view a slide show presentation featuring students’ career goals and special thanks to those that assisted them in achieving their college admission.

Students also were treated to a free raffle of prizes that included dorm survival bags filled with items such as first aid kits, sewing kits, towels, frisbees, notebooks, rulers, paperclips and other items that might come in handy as they venture off to college.

Thanks to the generous donations and loan of plants by Kelseyville Lumber, students were called onto the beautifully decorated stage by to receive both recognition and small gifts.

All colleges were contacted and asked to send an item from their school as a welcome to the students. Many students received something from their college such as bags, pennants, water bottles and/or shirts.

Every student received sticky notes from the Mendo Lake Credit Union and a deck of cards from Running Creek Casino.

The University Admit Reception was created nine years ago to honor the hard work and dedication of Lake County local students and families who achieved a challenging academic goal.

Another objective of the event is to introduce students to other students throughout the county who may be attending the same or nearby colleges in the hopes that they can form a support system for each other.

The Career and College Readiness Department is proud of all of Lake County's graduating seniors and wish special congratulations to this group of college bound students as they embark on their higher education endeavors.

If you would like more information about the University Admit Reception or would like to make a donation to support next year’s event, please contact Lake County Office of Education Program Specialist Tammy Serpa at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

AccuWeather.com reports the hottest weather of the year so far will push the wildfire threat to critical levels this week in much of California.

Record high temperatures will be challenged and broken in California in many major cities including San Francisco, Sacramento, Redding, Fresno, Riverside, Long Beach, San Jose, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and San Diego.

According to Western Weather Expert Ken Clark, “Stiff north to northeast winds in many areas will average 15 to 30 miles per hour, with locally higher gusts in canyons aligned to the northeast and north.”

The combination of dry brush, low humidity, winds, sunshine and heat will push the wildfire danger to critical levels this week.

The heat is forecast to ease this coming weekend into the following week, but more episodes of extreme heat with building drought are projected to continue well through the summer.

According to AccuWeather Long Range Expert Paul Pastelok, “The persistence of the pattern will lead to major problems for water resources for consumers and agriculture during the middle and latter part of the summer.”

Pastelok expects drought and episodes of heat to build into the Northwest.

One such spell of heat will occur during the middle of this week with highs forecast to be well into the 80s around Portland, Oregon. Temperatures will reach the 80-degree mark around Seattle.

Remember to drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids during the hot weather. If you must work during the hottest part of the day, during the midday and afternoon hours, be sure to take frequent breaks to rehydrate.

People are urged to be extremely careful with any sort of outdoor flames and power equipment. Never park your vehicle on high brush. The hot exhaust system can ignite that brush in minutes. Do not throw burning cigarettes outside of your vehicle.

Alex Sosnowski is expert senior meteorologist for www.AccuWeather.com .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Lake County correctional officer was taken into custody last week on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge.

Yvette Estelle Padilla, 35, was arrested for battery on a spouse or cohabitant early on the morning of Friday, May 9, according to Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen.

Rasmussen said officers were dispatched to a 19th Street address at around 11:15 p.m. Thursday, May 8, on the report of a domestic altercation. He said two police officers and a supervisor responded to the scene.

When they arrived at the location, the officers contacted a resident in the area who said he heard the occupants of the 19th Street home yelling and what sounded like a physical altercation, Rasmussen said.

The officers contacted the home's two residents, Padilla and a 24-year-old woman who Rasmussen said eventually would be identified as the victim in the case.

Rasmussen said the alleged victim told officers that she had been in an argument with Padilla that escalated into a physical assault.

According to the alleged victim's statement to police, she and Padilla had been in an argument and Padilla became upset and walked out of the bedroom. Rasmussen said the victim told officers she had then locked the bedroom door and sat back down on the bed with a cell phone and TV remote control in her hands.

Padilla then kicked the door open – an action Rasmussen said she later admitted to police that she did – and then grabbed the other woman by the hair, dragging her off the bed and slamming her into the floor repeatedly.

Rasmussen said the alleged victim hit Padilla in the head with the TV remote in an effort to make her let go, then grabbed pepper spray and sprayed Padilla in the face with it before going into the bathroom, locking the door and waiting for police.

Lakeport Fire personnel were later called to the scene to treat Padilla for the pepper spray, Rasmussen said.

In addition to the statements from the two women and the neighbor, during the investigation officers found evidence in the home of a physical altercation. The bedroom was in disarray and appeared consistent with the alleged victim's statement that she had been pulled out of bed and assaulted, according to Rasmussen.

He said Padilla also had an injury to the back of her head – a small lump – consistent with being hit with the TV remote. Rasmussen did not know the cause of an injury to Padilla's forehead that was evident in her mugshot.

Rasmussen said officers determined that it was a domestic violence case with Padilla being the primary aggressor – or the person considered to be responsible for the violence.

The woman Padilla is alleged to have assaulted had complaints of pain, Rasmussen said.

Because of the arrest, “We did take a handgun out of the residence,” said Rasmussen.

He emphasized that the handgun was not involved in the incident. “Any time there is domestic violence we do seize weapons from the residence.”

In addition, police seized the can of pepper spray used on Padilla. Rasmussen said the pink pepper spray can did not appear to be law enforcement issued.

Rasmussen said his officers immediately notified both the sheriff's on duty watch commander and the jail of Padilla's arrest and the fact she was being transported to the jail for booking.

No emergency restraining order was issued against Padilla that night, and Rasmussen said he is not aware of one filed since.

“Our report is complete on the arrest and it’s marked as forwarded to the DA’s Office for review,” said Rasmussen.

Padilla's bail was set at $10,000. Jail records indicated she later posted the necessary portion of bail and was released.

She has a June 16 court appearance in the case, according to her booking sheet.

Editor’s note: Police have clarified that Padilla was slamming the alleged victim’s body – not necessarily her head only – onto the floor.

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. – The Lakeport Planning Commission this week will discuss a freestanding sign proposal and continue work on aspects of the Lakeport General Plan update.

The meeting will begin at 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

On the commission's agenda is a proposal for a second freestanding, low-profile monument sign near the northeast corner of the Kathy Fowler Auto Center, located at 1175 Parallel Drive.

The commission also will continue its workshop on the focused review, update and amendment to the Lakeport General Plan.

Specifically, staff has prepared recommended revised content for the General Plan Conservation Element, with the changes incorporating new policy language which was reviewed and authorized by the Planning Commission on April 9.

Commissioners also will review the scope of work and level of completeness on the plan, and look at the proposal submitted in response to the March 26 request for proposals for preparation of the general plan update's California Environmental Quality Act documentation.

The public is encouraged to attend and weigh in on aspects of the plan document.

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.

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The service of two search warrants last week resulted in two arrests, the eradication of 3,277 marijuana plants and the seizure of two firearms.

Detectives arrested 30-year-old Nestor Alejandro Rodriguez-Gonzalez and Miguel Angel Vargas, 25, both of Lower Lake, according to Lt. Steve Brooks.

Last Friday, May 9, narcotics detectives secured two search warrants for neighboring properties located in the 12000 block of Riata Road in Lower Lake, serving the warrants just before 3:30 p.m. that same day, Brooks said.

Brooks said detectives entered the first property and were unable to locate anyone inside the residence or on the property itself.

During a search of the residence, detectives located 920 marijuana plants growing in one of the bedrooms, Brooks said. The bedroom had been completely transformed to house an indoor marijuana cultivation operation.

Inside a closet, detectives located 2 pounds of processed marijuana. Brooks said detectives searched the master bedroom and located a digital scale, growing supplies and a Browning 9 millimeter semi-automatic pistol.

During a search of the property, detectives located 80 marijuana plants growing near the residence. Several of these plants were at full maturity in a light deprivation style setup. Inside a greenhouse 254 marijuana plants were located, Brooks said.

Detectives searched the property and located 1,380 marijuana plants, which were growing outside. A total of 2,634 marijuana plants were located and eradicated from the property, Brooks said. The 2 pounds of processed marijuana and the firearm were seized as evidence.

Brooks said detectives responded to the second property, located next door, and served the search warrant. On the property were two fifth wheel travel trailers and four green houses. Detectives were unable to locate anyone at the property.

During the search detectives located a 12-gauge shotgun, ammunition and 129 marijuana plants in one of the trailers. Brooks said the marijuana was eradicated and the firearm and ammunition was seized as evidence.

Detectives located and eradicated 492 marijuana plants from inside the four green houses. During a search of the outside property, detectives located and eradicated an additional 22 marijuana plants. These plants were located sporadically throughout the property. A total of 643 marijuana plants were eradicated from this location, according to Brooks.

Just prior to departing the location, detectives noticed a white sedan occupied by two Hispanic male adults approaching the parcel of property. As the vehicle drove past, a detective noticed that the driver had an open beer bottle between his legs, Brooks said.

Both subjects were detained at the location. Brooks said the driver was identified as Rodriguez-Gonzalez and the passenger was identified as Miguel Angel Vargas.

Detectives located evidence which linked both Rodriguez-Gonzalez and Vargas to the grow sites. Brooks said they were both arrested for cultivating marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale and for being armed in the commission of a felony.

They were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.

Both men remained in custody on Monday. Rodriguez-Gonzalez was being held on an immigration hold and Vargas' bail was set at $15,000.

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

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – A bipartisan majority in the U.S. House of Representatives has co-authored U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson’s (CA-5) legislation that would transfer the management of Lake Berryessa from the Bureau of Reclamation to the Bureau of Land Management.

The bill, H.R. 4166, now has 224 co-authors, six more than is needed to pass the House.

A House Committee on Natural Resources hearing has been scheduled for late May.

“No matter what side of the aisle you’re on everyone agrees that our federal agencies need to be operating efficiently and effectively and that’s why a bipartisan majority in the House supports changing management at Lake Berryessa,” said Thompson. “The management status quo at the lake isn’t working. A new course is needed and BLM is the agency best suited to manage recreation at Lake Berryessa.”

Thompson's office said the Bureau of Reclamation has failed to provide and manage adequate concessions at Lake Berryessa in recent years.

Currently, only one of the seven concessions has a permanent operator and four are operated under interim contracts, providing only boat launching and camping without hook-ups, showers or running water, Thompson's office reported. The two remaining concession locations are closed. The lack of concessions has caused tourism to drop and has hurt the local economy.

BLM manages 264 million acres of public lands across the United States, and has extensive experience managing outdoor activities on public lands – including camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, wildlife viewing and more.

BLM management of the Lake Berryessa Recreation area would help ensure better management and enhanced recreational opportunities for visitors to the lake, according to Thompson.

Specifically the Lake Berryessa Recreation Enhancement Act would:

• Transfer administrative jurisdiction over the Lake Berryessa Recreation Area from the Bureau of Reclamation to the Bureau of Land Management;
• Direct the Department of the Interior to develop a comprehensive management plan; and
• Allow the Bureau of Reclamation to continue to administer the Monticello Dam and other facilities related to the dam.

The Lake Berryessa Recreation Enhancement Act has been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. A hearing on the legislation will take place in late May.

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