LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A Wednesday evening earthquake in Sonoma County was felt by Lake County residents and others around the North Coast.

The 3.4-magnitude quake occurred at 5:38 p.m. 1.4 miles south of Caldwell pines and 13 miles southwest of Clearlake, at a depth of just over a mile, according to the US Geological Survey.

The survey received shake reports from Clearlake, Hidden Valley Lake, Kelseyville and Middletown, as well as numerous locations in Sonoma and Napa County, with reports coming in from as far away as Daly City and San Ramon.

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.

BERKELEY, Calif. – Millions of California parents face slim odds in finding child care or preschool slots, especially in fast-growing edges of metro-areas and the Central Valley, says a new report from UC Berkeley.

Just 52 percent of the state's children, 3 to 4 years of age, are enrolled in a pre-k program, a shortage that besets middle-class and poor families alike, researchers found after compiling data from a variety of state and local agencies.

A half-century of research has detailed the benefits of preschool on children's early learning and later school achievement, including recent studies in four California counties.

The new analysis – Achieving Fair Access to Early Education – takes an unprecedented look at pre-k enrollment rates statewide, along with disparities in supply across regions and among local communities (zip codes). It was conducted by researchers at American Institutes of Research (AIR) and UC Berkeley.

"California has shown discernible progress in widening access to preschool for 4-year-olds," said Karen Manship, principal researcher at AIR and lead author of the study. Over two-thirds attended preschool in 2016, the most recent year with complete data. Almost 70 percent of children from low-income families gained access to local centers.

"But pre-k remains painfully scarce for families with 3-year-olds across California," Manship said. Just over one-third (34 percent) of the state's 3-year-olds attend preschool statewide, far below other states nationwide. "And only one in eight infants and toddlers are in licensed care arrangements."

The study did not examine the quality of pre-k programs statewide, which varies radically, at times staffed by poorly paid teachers, researchers said. "We must ensure that quality rises along with enrollment rates," said Bruce Fuller, professor of education at UC Berkeley, who led the project. "We don’t want to expand access to mediocre pre-k."

California families pay over $9,100 yearly for preschool on average, unless they qualify for public support, according to the state’s parent resource network.

Several lower-income counties face a “double-edged disparity,” researchers say, where child care supply has historically been low and child populations are projected to continue to grow. On the other hand, counts of young children have begun to fall in major urban counties, which provides these counties an opportunity to get closer to universal access.

Large gaps in ‘commuter counties’ and the Central Valley

There are notable shortages in farther-out suburbs, where metro-area commuters reside, and there are scant programs in the Central Valley. In San Joaquin County, an hour from Silicon Valley, just 44 percent of all 4-year-olds enroll in pre-k. Riverside County suffers from meager supply as well, where only 43 percent attend preschool.

The picture remains mixed for major urban counties. The pre-k enrollment rate for all 3 and 4-year-olds stands just below half (48%) in Los Angeles County. But over three-quarters of 4-year-olds from low-income families now attend a center, thanks in part to L.A. Unified’s aggressive effort to lift early learning.

Some 77 percent of 4-year-olds attend preschool in comparatively affluent Santa Clara County. But supply ranges much higher in metro-areas, compared with farther out “commuter settlements” and the Central Valley. One quarter of all 3-year-olds have access to licensed child care or preschool in San Joaquin County, relative to 53 percent in San Francisco.

A policy opportunity?

At least one gubernatorial candidate is highlighting the importance of affordable early care and education. "We need to focus on building the architecture of the brain in those first three critical years [of life]," Lieut. Governor Gavin Newsom said during a candidate forum last spring. "I'm the only person on this stage who actually did it — fully implemented universal preschool as mayor of San Francisco."

The Republican candidate for governor, John Cox, has expressed no position on child care or preschools for the state’s young children.

California was home to over 2.4 million children, 0 to 4 years of age (in 2016). About one million of these kids are raised in middle-class or upper-income families who do not qualify for public support of child care or pre-k slots.

Three-fifths (60 percent) of married mothers with a child 3 years old or younger had entered or returned to the labor force in 2017 nationwide, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This rate rises to over two-thirds (67 percent) for unmarried mothers with a young child.

The new study was conducted for the Berkeley Early Childhood Think Tank, an independent panel that’s devising policies to improve family access to, and the quality of, child care and pre-k programs. The panel’s work is funded by the Heising-Simons Foundation in Los Altos.

A statewide map showing enrollment rates for California counties appears here. 

The analysis was led by Karen Manship, principal researcher at AIR based in San Mateo, and co-directed by Bruce Fuller, professor of education and public policy at UC Berkeley.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – A couple and their child who lost their home in the Valley fire were identified as the individuals who died in a Tuesday murder-suicide in Whispering Pines.

Jedediah Daniel Chote, 35, is believed to have shot his ex-wife, Livienne Love Chote, 37, and their daughter, 3-year-old Hannah Love Chote, before shooting himself at his father’s home, according to Sgt. John Gregore of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Gregore said that, at this time, a motive for the crime has yet to be determined.

Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 17000 block of Pine View Drive in the community of Whispering Pines at 5:54 p.m. Tuesday, Gregore said.

Gregore said Benjamin Chote, age 63, reported to Lake County Sheriff’s Central Dispatch that his son had shot his wife and their child, and then shot himself.

The first deputies arrived on scene at approximately 6:06 p.m., Gregore said. Upon arrival they located the three family members, all of them deceased.

Gregore said they appeared to have suffered fatal gunshot wounds from a shotgun, and Jedediah Chote’s wounds appeared to be self-inflicted. A shotgun was recovered at the scene.

The investigation is still under way, Gregore said, however, there are no indications of any person being involved in this incident other than the three people located deceased at the scene.

Search warrants were served by detectives at the scene of the crime as well as at the apartment shared by Jedediah and Livienne Chote in Middletown, Gregore said.

At this point, the investigation has determined that Livienne and Jedediah Chote were married in 2015 near the time of the birth of Hannah. Gregore said they were divorced approximately one year ago, and reportedly recently started some sort of reconciliation efforts.

The Chotes had lost their home due to the Valley fire and moved to Oregon for approximately one year. Gregore said they returned to Lake County, and were currently living together in an apartment in Middletown.

On Tuesday the three were visiting Benjamin Chote’s residence in Whispering Pines, which they frequently did. Gregore said Benjamin Chote left them at the residence earlier in the day to go shopping out of town. When he returned, he found the family deceased inside his home.

Immediate neighbors were contacted, but none had any significant information to report, Gregore said, adding that Benjamin Chote has cooperated fully with investigators.

Gregore said the sheriff’s office has had no negative contacts with any of the deceased persons.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit is still investigating. If you have any information, please contact Det. Sgt. John Gregore at 707-262-4238.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake’s new police chief will be sworn in and honored during the Clearlake City Council’s last meeting of July.

The council will meet beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 26.

The meeting will be held at the Clearlake Senior Community Center, 3245 Bowers Ave.

The only item of business is the swearing-in of Andrew White, the city’s new police chief.

White, 33, comes to Clearlake from the Suisun City Police Department, where he is second in command.

His swearing-in ceremony will be followed by a reception.

White said he will begin work on July 30.

The community is invited to attend and meet the new chief.

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. – A Clearlake man has been ordered to stand trial in a 2017 human trafficking case.

On Thursday, July 19, Timothy Lee Williams, 53, was held to answer by Judge David Markham on charges of human trafficking, pimping, pandering and abuse of a dependent adult dating back to August of 2017, according to District Attorney Don Anderson.

In two separate cases, Timothy Williams is alleged to have used four women in a criminal enterprise involving using women for human trafficking, pimping and pandering them into prostitution.

It is alleged that in one case, a 22-year-old developmentally disabled woman was coerced into prostitution by Williams, After performing several different sexual acts at the direction of Williams all of the money was kept by Williams for his own personal use, Anderson said.

Anderson said Williams’ criminal enterprise was brought to an end by investigators from the Lake County District Attorney’s Office when they conducted an undercover sting operation in Clearlake Oaks.

During the sting operation undercover agents met a potential prostitute at a local motel. The woman offered the agents certain sex acts for money. At that time she was detained for questioning, Anderson said.

After further investigation and questioning, Anderson said it was learned that she was in fact a victim of human trafficking.

Anderson said Williams was arrested in the parking lot by other agents from the District Attorney’s Office as he waited for the victim and money. Further investigations that night have led to two other victims working for Williams.

Anderson is prosecuting the case, while Williams is being defended by attorney Thomas Feimer.

Williams is next scheduled to appear in Lake County Superior Court on July 31, Anderson said.

“It is very unfortunate that suspects engaging in human trafficking often find women victims that are young or very vulnerable,” Anderson said. “We have found some victims in other cases that are being recruited while still in high school. We are making a plea to teachers, counselor, women’s groups and advocates, as well as parents to become aware of the signs of human trafficking and that this is a serious problem in our community. In this year alone we have identified at least 13 victims of human trafficking in Lake County, but know that are much more. The District Attorney’s Office is committed on investigating and prosecuting these types of crimes with all means possible.”

NORTH COAST, Calif. – State and local public health and environmental health officials are warning recreational users of all bodies of freshwater in Humboldt, Mendocino and Lake counties to avoid contact with cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms, or HABs.

The cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae usually starts to appear in inland areas in late July or early August, coinciding with warmer weather and slower flowing water.

Most algal blooms in California contain harmless green algae, and most cyanobacteria algae do not affect animals or people. Nevertheless, health officials said it is important to stay safe and avoid contact.

A small number of cyanobacteria algae species are capable of producing toxins that can be harmful to animals and humans. Officials said dogs and children are most likely to be affected because of their smaller body size and tendency to inadvertently ingest the water or algal material.

Cyanobacteria can be present in any fresh water body. It looks like dark green, blue-green, black, orange or brown scum, foam or mats on the riverbed or floating on the water. Warm water and abundant nutrients can cause cyanobacteria algae to grow more rapidly than usual causing “blooms.”

The presence of cyanobacteria toxins has been confirmed in previous years in some water bodies within Humboldt, Mendocino, and Lake counties including the Eel River, South Fork Eel River, Van Duzen River, Trinity River, Big Lagoon, Stone Lagoon, and Lake Pillsbury.

It is, however, difficult to continuously test and monitor the many lakes and miles of our local rivers. For this reason, officials said it is important for everyone who thinks they see cyanobacteria to report it using the information provided below.

This cyanobacteria warning is being issued by the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board in cooperation with the Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services, Mendocino County Environmental Health, Lake County Public Health Division and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers San Francisco District.

Together, they recommend the following guidelines for recreational users of freshwater areas:
– Keep children, pets and livestock from swimming in or drinking water containing algal scums or mats.
– Adults should also avoid wading and swimming in water containing algal blooms. Try not to swallow or inhale water spray in an algal bloom area.
– If no algal scums or mats are visible, you should still carefully watch young children and warn them not to swallow any water.
– Fish should be consumed only after removing the guts and liver and rinsing fillets in tap water.
– Never drink, cook with or wash dishes with water from rivers, streams or lakes.
– Get medical attention immediately if you think that you, your pet or livestock might have been poisoned by cyanobacteria algae toxins. Be sure to tell the doctor or veterinarian about possible contact with cyanobacteria algae.
– Join or support one of the many watershed and river organizations.

Cyanobacteria feed on nutrients and organic matter. Human activities can have a big effect on nutrient presence in rivers, streams and lakes. Nutrients found in fertilizers, animal waste and human waste can stimulate blooms.

Excessive water diversions can reduce flows and increase water temperatures, which concentrate conditions that support cyanobacteria growth.

To help prevent algal blooms in our waters, there are several steps people can take:

– Be conservative with the use of water, fertilizers and pesticides on your lawn, garden or agricultural operation.
– Avoid nutrient runoff by recycling any “spent” soil that has been used for intensive growing by tilling it back into gardens, or protect it from rainfall.
– Create shade and filter out nutrients by planting or maintaining native plants around river banks.
– Inspect and pump out septic systems every three to four years.
– Prevent surface water runoff from agricultural and livestock areas.
– Prevent erosion around construction and logging operations.

To learn more about cyanobacteria algae and harmful algal blooms, including how to identify cyanobacteria algae, please visit the State of California’s “My Water Quality: Are harmful algal blooms affecting our waters?” webpage at: http://www.mywaterquality.ca.gov/habs/index.html.

To report a bloom, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 1-844-729-6466 (toll free).

Blooms can also be reported via the “BloomWatch” app which is available for free download on iTunes or Google Play.

For information on conditions occurring within Humboldt County, contact Humboldt County Environmental Health at 707-445-6215 or 1-800-963-9241. Photos of suspected blooms can also be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Eight proposed projects that would boost California’s water storage capacity by 4.3 million acre-feet are in line to receive nearly $2.7 billion in Proposition 1 funding following action Tuesday by the California Water Commission.

The commission approved conditional funding amounts for the projects, which range from expanding existing reservoirs to boosting groundwater storage to building 21st century surface storage facilities.

Applicants must complete remaining Proposition 1 requirements, including final permits, environmental documents and commitments for non-Proposition 1 funding, by Jan. 1, 2022, to receive a final funding award from the commission.

“Today marks a major milestone for the commission and project applicants,” Commission Chair Armando Quintero said. “After an intensive process, the commission has concluded that these eight storage projects will ensure the strongest return on the public’s investment. We applaud the applicants for their hard work to get to this point, and we are confident they will use this momentum to do the remaining work needed to secure these crucial investments in California’s water future.”

The commission also approved requests from three applicants to receive a portion of their funding early to help complete permits and environmental documents.

The three projects are Sites Reservoir, Los Vaqueros Reservoir Expansion and Pacheco Reservoir Expansion. Proposition 1 allows applicants to receive up to 5 percent of their commission-approved conditional funding amount as early funding.

Moving forward, the commission will continue meeting with applicants, state agencies and stakeholders to review the status of each project.

Once an applicant has obtained all necessary permits, contracts, and documents, the commission will hold a final funding hearing.

Below is a summary of the commission-approved maximum conditional eligibility determination and early funding for each project.





Proposition 1, approved by 67 percent of California voters in 2014, created a competitive process for funding projects based on their public benefit aspects.

The projects were evaluated and ranked on criteria established in the Water Storage Investment Program regulations.

Proposition 1 dedicated $2.7 billion for the Water Storage Investment Program. As noted at the beginning of the application process, 2 percent of that amount is set aside for bond financing and 2.5 percent is set aside for state administrative costs over the life of the program, so the total funding available is $2.582 billion.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Lake County’s sheriff said Tuesday night that three people – two adults and a child – have died in what is believed to be a murder-suicide.

Sheriff Brian Martin said that at approximately 5:40 p.m. Tuesday, Lake County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 17000 block of Pine View Drive in Whispering Pines for a report of a double murder and suicide.

Upon arrival, deputies discovered three dead individuals – an adult female, a 3-year-old girl and a 35-year-old male – inside a residence, Martin said.

Martin said all three appeared to have sustained gunshot wounds consistent with rounds fired from a shotgun.

The male’s wounds appeared to be self-inflicted, according to the witness who reported the crime, Martin said.

Detectives from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit were called to the scene and are conducting an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths, according to Martin.

Martin said the investigation is in the preliminary stages at this time, and identification of the decedents will be released pending notification of next of kin. Further details will be made available as the investigation progresses.

Anyone with information relating to this investigation please contact Det. Sgt. John Gregore at 707-262-4238. If you have urgent information please contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch at 707-263-2690.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Authorities are conducting a death investigation at a home on Pine View Drive in the Whispering Pines community.

Sheriff Brian Martin confirmed from the scene on Tuesday evening that an investigation involving multiple deaths is under way.

Martin, who spoke with Lake County News at about 7:30 p.m., said he could not yet give many details as the investigation is still very preliminary.

Just after 6 p.m. fire personnel were dispatched to a home in the 17500 block of Pine View Drive for a medical aid with violence involved and possible multiple deaths.

The first unit arrived on scene just before 6:10 p.m., staging a short distance away while waiting to be cleared to go in, with firefighters also setting up a landing zone nearby for an air ambulance, according to radio reports.

Just after 6:20 p.m., Cal Fire dispatch informed all medic units and an incoming REACH air ambulance that, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, they could cancel their response.

Radio traffic had initially indicated that a helicopter was being requested from Sonoma County for a search.

However, Martin said, “We’re not searching for anybody.”

The sheriff said he expected to release more information later on Tuesday night.

Lake County News will publish additional information as soon as it becomes available.

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. – Christmas is still five months off, but the local law enforcement effort to make sure it’s a merry holiday for the county’s children in need is already under way and preparing for an upcoming fundraiser.

The Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s Association is inviting the community to its annual “Christmas In July” fundraising barbecue at Boatique Winery on Saturday, July 28.

The proceeds from that event will benefit the Shop with a Cop Program, which began in Lake County in 2015 after the Valley fire, thanks to the generosity of groups including the Bay Area Deputy Sheriff’s Charitable Foundation.

The Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s Association Board members, other staffers and community members partner to put on the program, said Todd Dunia, a sheriff’s detective and DSA member who also works on the project.

Every law enforcement agency in Lake County participates, with officers and deputies gathering to take the children shopping at the Clearlake Walmart, he said.

Organizers say the children – who each get $200 to spend – have the opportunity to interact with the law enforcement officers, which in turn creates “positive lifelong memories with law enforcement, and shop for the holidays.”

“It’s been such a positive program,” said John Drewrey, a Lake County Sheriff’s Office sergeant and president of the Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s Association.

Dunia agreed. “It’s a lot of fun,” he said.

Dunia explained that, just after the Valley Fire, the Bay Area Deputy Sheriff’s Charitable Foundation donated $10,000 to the Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s Association to conduct the first local “Shop with a Cop” event, similar to one that had been taking place in the Bay Area since 2004.

The focus of the first event was children who were fire survivors, Dunia said.

That first year, he said the effort treated 60 children to a Christmas shopping experience with a law enforcement officer.

The following year, the Bay Area Deputy Sheriff’s Charitable Foundation donated another $10,000 to the local Deputy Sheriff’s Association to help children impacted by the Clayton fire. Drewrey said the local deputies collected another $3,000 to $4,000 from the association members. Dunia said that allowed them to serve 60 children that year as well.

Drewrey said it’s a great thing to watch the children – who usually are nervous and scared – being paired up with law enforcement to go shopping.

“A lot of these kids haven’t necessarily had the best interactions with us,” he said.

As they make their way through the store, they’re required to get clothes, including jackets and shoes, first, then they can get other items, Drewrey said.

By the time they’re at the checkout stand, Drewrey said you can see the transformation from a scared child to one that is smiling, and giving high fives and hugs to their shopping partner.

“It’s so much more than getting kids gifts,” Drewrey said.

Other than the association’s Steel Challenge fundraiser, Drewrey said they had not done any big fundraiser for the Shop with a Cop program before last year.

Drewrey said he and Dunia started talking about how they could continue the program, which had been the source of a lot of positive feedback from the community.

He credited Dunia with coming up with the “Christmas in July” concept to keep the program going.

So in 2017, the association held its first Christmas in July event at Boatique Winery and raised about $17,000, which was used to take 73 children shopping in December, Dunia said.

This year, the group received $17,000 from the local 100+ Women Strong group, which both Dunia and Drewrey said is helping them move forward with being self-funding and keeping the event going into the years to come.

“We’d like to try to expand the program,” in order to help more children, Dunia said.

Drewrey said their goal is to go shopping with 100 children each year, and to do that will require a minimum of $20,000. If they can get that amount, they’ll also expand into back-to-school shopping.

He said there are still plenty of tickets available for the event at Boatique this weekend.

The cost is $40 per person, which includes a barbecue dinner, drinks, a dessert auction and raffle prizes.

Tickets can be purchased online at https://events.ticketprinting.com/event/Christmas-In-July-29083 or for more information contact the Deputy Sheriff’s Association at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Businesses that want to be sponsors can call 707-413-7695.

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. – After several years of being on hiatus, a new committee has formed to bring back the greatly missed Miss Lake County program.

There have been several changes including committee structure, change of venue and a focus shift to the scholarship aspect of the program.

The newly restructured Miss Lake County Scholarship Competition will be making its debut this Sept. 22 at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport.

The lucky young women winning the Miss Lake County title in 2018 will receive a $5,000 scholarship.

The focus of the Miss Lake County Scholarship Competition is to showcase the inner beauty, talent and intelligence of the young women of our community.

With the generous support of Kelseyville Rotary and Pacific Gas and Electric, the program is off to a strong revival.

If you, or someone you know is interested in running for Miss Lake County or for Miss Lake County’s Outstanding Teen please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or follow the program on Facebook at Miss Lake County Scholarship.

Eligibility requirements are:

– All contestants must be residents of Lake County;
– Miss ages 17 to 25, teen ages 13 to 17;
– All participants must have never been married or have had children.

Mark your calendars for this fun and memorable event and keep watching for more event information.

Those interested in volunteering or sponsoring the event are asked to please contact the program at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – A fire burning near Kelseyville since Saturday has been fully contained, while work is nearly completed on a fire that began the same day near Redwood Valley in Mendocino County.

Cal Fire reported that the Carder fire near Kelseyville was fully contained as of Monday night.

The fire began Saturday afternoon in the area of Adobe Creek Road and Peterson Lane near Carder Road.

The fire’s final size was rolled back to 50 acres, Cal Fire said. It was reported to have damaged one structure and had resulted in overnight evacuations.

A cause has not yet been given for the fire.

In neighboring Mendocino County, the Heart fire was 47.5 acres and 95-percent contained on Monday night, Cal Fire said.

That fire began just before 3:20 p.m. Saturday off Highway 101 west of Redwood Valley.

Cal Fire said the Heart fire did not damage any structures.

Fire crews are remaining at scene mopping up through Tuesday evening, Cal Fire 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.