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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Registrar of Voters Office will open a new office just across from the Lake County Courthouse next year thanks to the Board of Supervisors’ approval of an agreement to lease a new home for the agency.

On Tuesday evening, toward the end of the board’s marathon daylong meeting, the supervisors voted unanimously to approve a 10-year lease with the John Allen Dye Trust of 1993 for the building at 325 N Forbes St. in Lakeport.

The lease’s term runs from Aug. 1, 2021, to July 31, 2031.

During the first five years of the lease, the rate will be capped at $1.11 per square foot for a total of $2,200 per month, and afterward will be eligible for increases based on 90% of the Consumer Price Index, not to exceed 2% per year, said Deputy County Administrative Officer Matthew Rothstein.

Renovations are needed and will be carried out by the county’s Buildings and Grounds Department, Rothstein said.

The lease document said the renovations will include upgrading the restrooms to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act; enclosing offices in the main area, including construction of walls, installation of doors and wiring, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning work; changing the customer service counter to meet specifications for elections-related business; new flooring and interior paint; modification of the front door and entryway, which includes removal of existing shrubs and the planter retaining wall; and modifying the existing janitorial room.

The Registrar of Voters Office is expected to open its doors there before June 2022, said Registrar Maria Valadez.

Rothstein, who worked on the lease and presented it to the board, said there’s been long-standing needs for extra space for both the Auditor-Controller’s Office and Registrar of Voters Office, and the lease “can solve both of those needs.”

The county’s Space Use Committee initially authorized a search for a suitable location for the elections office in mid-2019, but Rothstein said this was the first space that they had identified that was sufficiently close to the courthouse — it’s in the next block — and of the appropriate size.

Previously, the building had housed the Pacific Gas and Electric office for many years. The written staff report said the owners came to the county with the proposal after PG&E left.

Valadez thanked county administration and the Buildings and Grounds staff for their help in the project.

She said her office has been housed in an 847-square-foot space on the second floor of the courthouse since 1997.

In that time, she said the staff has grown from two permanent employees to five permanent staffers and several extra help employees.

The office’s current size is also very small when considering the increased needs for security, accessibility and privacy relating to elections, she said.

The new location will give Valadez’s office roughly 2,000 square feet of space, allowing them to continue to have an elections computer room plus a new dedicated ballot processing room, and a foyer with public service windows, waiting area and voting booths.

During the November presidential election, due to COVID-19 restrictions, Valadez and her staff had to use the Board of Supervisors’ chambers on the courthouse’s first floor for voting booths because of the need for more spacing. Before that, the elections office only had room for voting booths in the second floor hallway.

In the current layout, Valadez and her staff have cubicles and some additional work spaces that also are used for machinery and records storage.

In that configuration, she said it’s been hard to have private meetings or conversations with staff and vendors.

Valadez also noted the benefits of having the room to conduct elections without the additional stress of cramped conditions and having to work nights and weekends in order to accommodate getting the work done.

“It’s been a long time coming for us,” she said.

“I think it’s exciting for everybody,” said Board Chair Bruno Sabatier.

Supervisor Tina Scott said she fully supported the lease and was grateful for finding a building so close by.

Scott said she was contacted by a constituent who was concerned about safety due to not having the security screening that’s currently in place at the courthouse.

Valadez said she’s not yet certain about what security measures might be in place or what she might be able to budget, but bulletproof windows, cameras, panic buttons and security during election periods were all options.

Scott encouraged her to come back to the board to ask for what she needs, because the board wants Valadez and her staff to be safe.

Sabatier wondered if the elections office would still need some of the storage space at the courthouse. Valadez said she couldn’t tell just yet.

“This is going to be a fantastic change,” said Sabatier.

Supervisor Moke Simon, who sits on the Space Use Committee along with Supervisor EJ Crandell, moved to approve the lease agreement, with Scott seconding and the board voting 5-0.

Valadez thanked the board for the vote.

“We’re going to go celebrate now,” she 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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Grillers at a previous “Grillin’ on the Green” event in Lakeport, California. Courtesy photo.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Grillers are needed to help fire up the annual “Grillin’ on the Green” event, returning this year following its cancellation in 2020 due to restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Grillers are invited to once again compete in the barbecue cook-off that highlights the family fun activity. Sponsors are also sought and will be recognized at the event.

The 11th annual “Grillin’ on the Green” cook-off, presented by the Westside Community Park Committee and Grillin’ on the Green Organizing Committee, is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 7, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., at Westside Community Park.

The fundraiser supporting park improvements features food, drink and entertainment for all ages.

Attendees may taste competitors’ barbecue fare, dance to live music by the LC Diamonds, and enjoy a car show featuring vintage vehicles from local car clubs. Kids may participate in children’s water activities, as well.

Local organizations, individuals and professionals battle for bragging rights each year by preparing their best barbecue recipes for attendees who then cast Peoples’ Choice votes for their favorites.

Additionally, “celebrity” judges including Sheriff Brian Martin will select their favorite grillers in various categories.

Interested grilling chefs and team representatives are urged to sign up as soon as possible. Call Cindy Ustrud at 707-349-0718. Entries are due by July 16.

Event organizers are seeking sponsors of the event and sponsors for grillers this year. Levels of sponsor recognition are $100, $300, $500 and up.

Opportunities to sponsor a Grillin’ participant are available at the rate of $500.

Major sponsors for this year’s event include Lake County Tribal Health Consortium, Community First Credit Union, Lake County News, Law Office of Mary Heare Amodio, the Ustrud-Rollins Family, the Keeling-Barnes Family Foundation and Brian Grey, DDS, MSD.

Information about the event can be found on the park’s website or on Westside Community Park’s Facebook page. Additionally, people may call Dennis Rollins, 707-349-0969, for information.

Westside Community Park is a City of Lakeport recreational facility that has been in development for more than 20 years.

The nonprofit park committee is developing the park in conjunction with the city of Lakeport, volunteers, and numerous contributions by individuals and businesses dedicated to constructing a recreational facility for the youth and adults of Lake County.

The committee maintains and operates the majority of the park.

Westside Community Park is home to the Konocti Youth Soccer League, Westshore Little League's softball league, the Lakeport team of the Ukiah Men's Soccer League and the Early Lake Lions Horseshoe League.

Improvements to the park for which the Westside Community Park Committee seeks funding include continued development of a horse park on a separate site located off State Highway 175, west of Lakeport.

The Lake County Diamonds performing at a previous “Grillin’ on the Green” event in Lakeport, California. Courtesy photo.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Board of Supervisors is set to discuss a lease agreement to provide a new home for the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office.

The‌ ‌board will meet beginning ‌at‌ ‌9‌ ‌a.m. ‌Tuesday, July 13, 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 974 5601 1705, ‌pass code 182315.‌ ‌The meeting also can be accessed via one tap mobile at +16699006833,,97456011705#,,,,*182315#.

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 a lease agreement between the county and the John Allen Dye Trust of 1993 for the building at 325 N Forbes St. in Lakeport, which formerly housed a Pacific Gas and Electric Co. office.

The county is proposing to use the building for the new location of the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office.

The proposed 10-year lease would run from Aug. 1, 2021, to July 31, 2031.

County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson’s report to the board explains that both the auditor-controller and the registrar have long had a need for additional office space.

“With the approval of the Space Use Committee, the Registrar of Voters’ Office has been exploring potential spaces to house all Elections-related operations since mid-2019,” Huchingson wrote. “It is believed Elections relinquishing their existing space to the Auditor-Controller, upon moving to a more permanent location, will solve both office’s space needs.”

Huchingson said that in March, Casey Dye, on behalf of the John Allen Dye Family Trust of 1993, contacted the county, and notified them that PG&E, a longtime tenant at the site, had vacated it. She said Dye expressed interest in coming to a long-term lease agreement with the county for use of this facility, which is located across Third Street from the courthouse.

Following a collaborative process, with the Space Committee, Registrar of Voters Office and Registrar Maria Valadez, staff from Buildings and Grounds and Administration and Dye, Huchingson said they reached the lease agreement that is being presented to the board.

Huchingson said the county’s Buildings and Grounds Department will need to renovate the 2,000-square-foot building for the Registrar of Voters Office. As a result, the lease rate for the first five years of the term is capped at $1.11 per square foot for a total of $2,200 per month.

Starting with the fifth year, the owner will be eligible for increases based on 90% of the Consumer Price Index, not to exceed +2% per year. Huchingson said the agreement also provides for a renewal option at the end of the 10 year term.

“The Space Use Committee and Staff recommend your Board approve this Agreement, as presented. This will provide a highly suitable location for the Elections Office, adjacent to the Courthouse, to better serve registered voters of Lake County for many years to come. It is anticipated that the space would be ready for use by early 2022,” Huchingson wrote.

The full agenda follows.

CONSENT AGENDA

5.1: (a) Approve purchase order previously approved for the Accela subscription renewal order form; and (b) authorize chair to sign the Accela subscription renewal order form for fiscal year 2021-22.

5.2: Adopt resolution amending Resolution No. 2021-65 establishing salaries and benefits for management employees for the Period Nov. 1, 2020, to Oct. 31, 2021.

5.3: Approve Amendment No. 2 to 2019 Agreement with Tetra Tech Inc., for Sulphur, Pawnee and Mendocino Complex wildfires structural burn debris removal insurance cost recovery and invoicing in Lake County, with compensation not to exceed $492,425 for an extended term ending Nov. 25, 2021, to add Clayton and LNU Lightning Complex collections and authorize the chair to sign.

5.4: Approve memorandum of understanding between the California Counties Foundation Inc., and Mendocino County and Lake County to host a series of CSAC Institute courses in Ukiah and authorize the chair to sign.

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

5.6: Approve leave of absence request for Social Services employee Eunice Rivera from July 12, 2021, through Jan. 1, 2022, and authorize the chair to sign.

5.7: Adopt proclamation recognizing Melissa Fulton for her years of service to Lake County.

5.8: (a) Approve amendment to policy regarding response to official citizen complaints including retitling to “Policy Regarding Response to Official Constituent Complaints”; and (b) authorize the county administrative officer to seek the signatures of department heads to ensure compliance with the amended policy.

5.9: Approve agreement between county of Lake and Behavioral Health Services as lead agency of the Lake County Continuum of Care and North Coast Opportunities for fiscal year 2021-25 in an amount not to exceed $207,585 and authorize the chair to sign.

5.10: Approve first amendment to the agreement between county of Lake and Hinderliter, De Llamas and Associates for sales tax audit and information services and authorize the chair to sign.

5.11: Approve amendment four to the agreement between the county of Lake and the Kelseyville Motel for COVID-19 emergency isolation housing and authorize the board chair to sign.

5.12: Approve amendment five to the agreement between the county of Lake and Evan Bloom, MD, MPH, to assist the Lake County Public Health officer during the COVID-19 crisis response and authorize the board chair to sign.

5.13: Approve annual renewal of veterans subvention certificate of compliance and Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance Program certificate of compliance and authorize the board chair to sign certificates.

5.14: Adopt the resolution authorizing the Public Services director to sign the notice of completion for work performed under the agreement with Westech Roofing Inc. for the Hill Road Correctional Facility Phase II Reroof Project.

5.15: Adopt resolution authorizing the Public Works director to sign the notice of completion for the rehabilitation of Big Canyon Road Project.

5.16: (a) Adopt resolution approving the Lake County Sheriff's Office to apply for State of California, Department of Parks and Recreation Off-Highway Vehicle Grant funds and authorize the Lake County sheriff/coroner or his designee to sign the project agreement and (b) consideration of a delegation of authority to Lake County Sheriff/Coroner Brian Martin or his designee to execute the attached project agreement, Number G19-03-64-L01 and to act as the county’s agent in the negotiation, execution, and submittal of all related documents, including amendments to the project agreement and requests for payments.

TIMED ITEMS

6.2, 9:06 a.m.: Consideration of update on COVID-19 epidemiology.

6.3, 9:20 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation recognizing Melissa Fulton for her years of service to Lake County.

6.4, 9:30 a.m.: Public hearing, sitting concurrently as Clearlake Keys CSA#1, #2, #6, #13, #20, #21- Board of Supervisors, Kelseyville County Waterworks District #3 and Lake County Sanitation District Board of Directors), consideration of (a) resolution confirming collections of annual lighting fees; (b) resolution confirming collections of delinquent water fees; (c) resolution confirming collections of delinquent water and sewer fees; and (d) resolution of delinquent sewer fees for Lake County Sanitation District.

6.5, 9:40 a.m.: A) Presentation on county facilities energy conservation measures program; and b) consideration of agreement for a preliminary energy audit.

6.6, 10:10 a.m.: Presentation of Big Valley Groundwater Basin Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and implementation.

6.7, 10:25 a.m.: CivicSpark Fellows presentation: The Clear Lake Shoreline Assessment and Inventory Project for the Lake County Water Resources Department.

UNTIMED ITEMS

7.2: Consideration of lease agreement between the county of Lake and John Allen Dye Trust of 1993 for the Premises Located at 325 N Forbes St, Lakeport, for use as Office of the Registrar of Voters/Elections, for a 10-year term from Aug. 1, 2021, to July 31, 2031.

7.3: (a) Consideration to waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and (b) Consideration of Agreement between the County of Lake and I.D.E.A. Consulting for development and implementation of an organized delivery system for substance use disorder services for fiscal year 2021-22 for a contract maximum of $50,000 and authorize the board chair to sign the agreement.

7.4: (a) Consideration to waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and (b) consideration of agreement between the county of Lake and North Valley Behavioral Health LLC for fiscal year 2021-22 for a contract maximum of $400,000 and authorize the board chair to sign the agreement.

7.5: (a) Consideration to waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods and/or services; and (b) consideration of agreement between county of Lake and High Country Security for commercial fire alarm installation and monitoring at 14092 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake for fiscal years 2019-20 and 2020-21 for a contract maximum of $28,366.70 and authorize the board chair to sign the agreement.

7.6: (a) Consideration to waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and (b) consideration of agreement between the county of Lake and Mountain Valley Family and Child Services for specialty mental health services for fiscal year 2021-22 in the amount of $44,700 and to authorize the board chair to sign the agreement.

7.7: (a) Consideration to waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and (b) consideration of agreement between the county of Lake and Willow Glen Care Center for adult residential support services and specialty mental health services for fiscal year 2021-22 for a contract maximum of $100,000 and authorize the board chair to sign the agreement.

7.8: (a) Consideration to waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and (b) consideration of agreement between the county of Lake and Hilltop Recovery Services for substance use disorder residential services for fiscal year 2021-22, for a contract maximum of $199,100.00 and authorize the board chair to sign the agreement.

7.9: Consideration of the following advisory board appointments: Mental Health Advisory Board.

CLOSED SESSION

8.1: Public employee appointment pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54957(b)(1): (a) Interviews of Public Health officer; (b) appointment of Public Health officer.

8.2: Public employee evaluation: Title: Interim Community Development director.

8.3: Conference with legal counsel: existing litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1) — Flesch v. County of Lake, et al.

8.4: Conference with legal counsel: existing litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(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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CLEARLAKE, Calif. — The Clearlake City Council this week will consider selling a portion of the city’s former airport to a developer that is proposing to build a new hotel.

The council will meet for a workshop at 5 p.m. on the Burns Valley Development Project before the regular meeting begins at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 15, 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.. You can also visit the city’s new town hall site and submit written comments at https://www.opentownhall.com/portals/327/Issue_9055. Identify the subject you wish to comment on in your email’s subject line or in your town hall submission.

To give the council adequate time to review your questions and comments, please submit your written comments before 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 15.

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.

The meeting will include presentations on July’s adoptable dogs, the regional transportation plan and the Cyanobacteria Outreach Workgroup.

The council will hold a public hearing to discuss implementing restricted access to the segment of Burns Valley Road between Arrowhead and Acacia in the effort to reduce illegal dumping.

Under business, City Manager Alan Flora will present to the council a proposal to sell a 2.5-acre portion of the city’s former Pearce Field airport to MLI Associates LLC, a company that has a long history of developing hotel properties in the Bay Area and across the country.

The parcel, located at 6356 Armijo Ave., is proposed to be sold for $305,000, with the city to hold the note during the construction process, Flora reported. If MLI meets specific deadlines in the project, portions of the note can be forgiven.

After closing the sale, Flora said MLI would have 14 months to complete the entitlement process, and additional six months to begin construction, and a total of 36 months from closing to opening the doors.

“The City will be installing road and utility infrastructure to the site, with MLI completing on-site improvements, which include a 75-room Fairfield Inn by Marriott. The developer is considering including a small multi-tenant retail component to the project as well,” Flora explained in his report to the council.

Flora added, “This project, in addition to several other portions of the airport project that are nearing completion of negotiations, will be the first phase of the long-awaited redevelopment of the former Pearce Field. We expect to bring additional purchase and sale agreements before the Council in the coming months and the City plans to begin installing road and utility infrastructure at the site next spring.”

In other business, council members will discuss awarding a $55,000 contract to Chernoh Excavating Inc. for demolition of structures at 14525 Lakeshore Drive, the former Sunflower restaurant, as well as the award of a construction contract for the 2021 Measure V Pavement Rehabilitation Project to Granite Construction for the total amount of $2,023,121.50.

The council also will consider memorandums of understanding with employee groups, the Clearlake Miscellaneous Employees Association, the Clearlake Police Officers Association and the Clearlake Middle Management Association for the period of July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022, along with updates to the management classification and benefits plan and city salary schedule.

Other items on the agenda include the annual financial report for fiscal year 2018-19, consideration of designation of voting delegates and alternates for the League of California Cities Annual Conference in September, and adoption of the first amendment to the fiscal year 2021-22 budgeting appropriating Caltrans Local Roadway Safety Plan Grant funding and Measure V Project funding.

On the meeting's consent agenda — items that are not considered controversial and are usually adopted on a single vote — are warrant registers; authorization for the city manager to enter into contracts with California Engineering Co. for design services for phase one of the Burns Valley Development Project, the Dam Road Extension and South Center Drive Project and the Second and Modoc Road Rehabilitation Project; notification of expiring committee appointments; consideration of continuation of declaration of local emergency issued on March 14, 2020, and ratified by council action March 19, 2020; consideration of continuation of declaration of local emergency issued on Oct. 9, 2017, and ratified by council action Oct. 12, 2017, in response to the Sulphur fire; adoption of Resolution 2021-36 and approval of sole source purchase of a seat wall from Universal Precast; a license agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric Co. for use of the Clearlake Community Senior Center as a customer resource center; and minutes of the June meetings.

Following the public portion of the meeting, the council will hold a closed session to discuss existing litigation against the county of Lake and AmerisourceBergen Drug Corp.

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. — Pacific Gas and Electric said it has determined the causes of two separate power outages that impacted south county communities over the weekend.

The outages, which took place on Saturday and Sunday, occurred during the midst of the latest heat wave, as Lake County News has reported.

The first outage, which began at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, impacted 885 customer accounts in Hidden Valley Lake, Middletown and Lower Lake, said PG&E spokesperson Deanna Contreras.

“Several PG&E ‘troublemen’ were dispatched to the area where a fault was detected on the line, on Old Spruce Grove Road, east of Highway 29,” said Contreras. “They inspected the area several times but the cause of the fault was not found.”

She said that, due to the high fire threat rating on Saturday, PG&E wanted to ensure the line was 100% inspected before re-energizing it.

Crews also used a helicopter early Sunday morning to inspect the line to ensure debris or vegetation was not on the line, she said.

Contreras said power was completely restored to all of the impacted customers by 9 a.m. Sunday.

“We thank everyone for their patience and for their understanding, especially during the high temperatures, as we wanted to ensure the line in this high fire-threat area was safe to re-energize,” she said.

The second outage began at about 5:19 p.m. Sunday, said Contreras.

She said power was disrupted again to about 540 customers just in the Hidden Valley Lake area for about three hours.

“Crews were checking that Spruce Grove Road area again and they did find the cause to be impacted electrical equipment. I can say this outage was heat-related,” Contreras said.

She said the repairs were made and power was restored by 9:21 p.m. Sunday.

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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Clearlake Police Chief Andrew White. Photo by Alan Flora.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. — Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed Clearlake Police Chief Andrew White to the State 911 Advisory Board.

The Governor’s Office announced White’s appointment to the board on Friday.

“Grateful for the opportunity to help shape the future of 9-1-1 in California as one of the Governor’s appointees to the State 911 Advisory Board,” White said in a Friday Facebook post.

California Government Code established the board, which has 10 members, including two at the recommendation of the California Police Chiefs Association, a group to which White belongs.

That was who nominated and supported White’s appointment, according to his Facebook post.

White, 36, has served as the Clearlake Police chief since 2018, and over the past year also has done double-duty as the city’s finance director.

White’s resume includes working as an instructor and scenario evaluator at Napa Valley College since 2007.

He also served as police commander for the Suisun City Police Department from 2015 to 2018. In that agency, he served in multiple positions from 2002 to 2015, including as a cadet, officer and sergeant, according to the governor’s announcement.

White was principal engineer at Cohero from 2013 to 2015 and was a dispatcher at the Napa Police Department from 2002 to 2004.

State statute requires that State 911 Advisory Board members should have at least two years of experience as a Public Safety Answering Point manager or county coordinator.

White also meets that requirement after having led the Clearlake Police Department through the Public Safety Answering Point application process, which the state approved in October 2018 and which was implemented in September 2019.

The only other Public Safety Answering Point in Lake County is the sheriff’s office.

The State 911 Advisory Board meets quarterly.

This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. White is a Republican, the Governor’s Office reported.

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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Gov. Gavin Newsom, Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) on Monday announced an agreement on a broadband trailer bill, AB/SB 156, to expand the state’s broadband fiber infrastructure and increase internet connectivity for families and businesses.

In a joint announcement, the governor and legislative leaders called the broadband package “historic,” and “a legacy project that will benefit generations of rural and urban residents alike.”

The legislation is meant to yield vital, broadened access for California families by prioritizing the unserved and underserved areas, facilities, households, and businesses that remain disconnected in the digital era.

The legislation includes:

— More vital accountability and legislative oversight.
— Creating a “broadband czar” and nine-member council within the California Department of Technology.
— Hiring a third-party to build and maintain the “middle-mile network, high-capacity fiber lines that carry large amounts of data at higher speeds over longer distances between local networks.
— Investing $3.25 billion to target that middle mile and build the broadband lines.
— Providing $2 billion for ‘last-mile’ infrastructure lines that will connect consumers’ homes and businesses with local networks ($1 billion for rural communities; $1 billion for urban communities).

“Our work on this critical issue is not done. We are fully committed to passing comprehensive measures by the end of this year’s legislative session to ensure the surcharge funding via the California Advanced Services Fund is extended. These surcharge funds are embedded in pending legislation and are critical to the long-term success of local connectivity projects and to ensure every Californian has access to high-quality broadband internet like they rightfully deserve,” the group said.

On Tuesday, Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters), whose district includes Lake County, and Sen. Lena A. Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) lauded the bill but said more legislation will be needed.

“This broadband deployment budget bill will have an enormous impact on the lives of all Californians,” said Aguiar-Curry. “In partnership with my colleague Sen. Gonzalez, we have highlighted the critical need to modernize our state’s broadband policy and programs, and to commit long-term funding to guarantee internet connectivity for all California communities, rural and urban.

“I am immensely proud that our efforts have contributed to a budget deal between Gov. Newsom, Pro Tem Atkins and Speaker Rendon to provide a generational $6 billion investment in broadband infrastructure,” said Aguiar-Curry. “Modern, adaptable technology in every corner of our State will provide access to education and job training, health care, and the digital economy. Passage of AB 14 and SB 4 this year is the next essential step in providing a historic policy and funding package to lead California into the future.”

“This historic broadband budget bill is great news to celebrate! It invests in an essential backbone infrastructure that will help California achieve accessible and affordable Broadband for All and also takes critical steps toward equity by prioritizing unserved and underserved areas in both rural and urban communities throughout our state,” said Sen. Gonzalez.

“Overall, this budget bill is one we can be proud of, that represents the values of our state and that will provide a strong foundation through which we can accomplish much more this legislative session to help close the digital divide — because our work does not end here,” Gonzalez said. “Now, we must pass legislation to provide long-term, continuous funding for high-speed broadband infrastructure, to reaffirm the prioritization of equitable broadband infrastructure deployment projects and to ensure we have a comprehensive broadband package this legislative session to successfully address the digital divide once and for all.”

Details on the bill can be found in AB/SB 156.
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Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday signed SB 129, legislation that reflects the majority of the 2021-22 state budget agreement.

This budget includes the biggest economic recovery package in California’s history — a $100 billion California Comeback Plan.

The California Comeback Plan focuses on providing relief to those that need it most and major investments to address the state’s most persistent challenges.

The plan provides immediate cash relief to middle class families and businesses hit hardest by the pandemic, creating the biggest state tax rebate in American history and the largest small business relief package in the nation.

“Harnessing the largest surplus in state history, we’re making transformative investments across the board that will help bring all our communities roaring back from the pandemic – and pay dividends for generations to come,” said Gov. Newsom. “Through this comprehensive plan, the state is taking on the inequities laid bare by the pandemic, expanding our support for Californians facing the greatest hardships, increasing opportunity for every child, confronting homelessness head-on and doubling down on our work to build resilience against the climate change impacts that threaten California’s future. I thank Pro Tem Atkins, Speaker Rendon and both houses of the Legislature for their incredible partnership in meeting the unprecedented challenge and opportunity of this moment.”

Fueled by a resurgent economy, a surge in state revenues and additional federal recovery funds, the $75.7 billion surplus reflected in the California Comeback Plan stands in stark contrast to the $54.3 billion budget shortfall estimated just over a year ago.

The budget is built on a strong fiscal foundation that includes over $25 billion in reserves, pays off educational deferrals and continues to pay down long-term retirement debts.

It also appropriately prioritizes one-time spending over ongoing, allocating 85 percent of discretionary funds to one-time spending.

Gov. Newsom believes California can’t go back to normal, because normal was never good enough.

In directly confronting our most stubborn challenges, the California Comeback Plan accelerates the state’s recovery by:

— Providing immediate relief to Californians hit hardest by the pandemic.
— Confronting homelessness and the housing affordability crisis.
— Transforming public schools into gateways of opportunity.
— Bolstering wildfire resilience and tackling climate change.
— Building the infrastructure of the next century.

Newsom’s office said California can now seize this once-in-a-lifetime moment to address long-standing challenges that threaten our state’s future and ensure every California family — regardless of their race or zip code — can thrive.

Immediate relief for california’s families and small businesses

Two out of every three Californians get Golden State Stimulus checks: The plan creates the biggest state tax rebate in American history, expanding direct payments to middle class families for a total of $12 billion in stimulus payments that will go directly to middle class Californians and families. Nearly two thirds of Californians will now qualify for a stimulus check of $600. Qualified families with kids will receive an additional $500.

Largest statewide renter assistance program in the country: Under the governor’s plan, California is offering the strongest renter assistance package of any state in America. The plan provides a total of $5.2 billion to help low-income renters and landlords, covering 100% of back-rent and all prospective rent for several months into the future. The plan also includes $2 billion for past-due water and utility bills and more money than ever for tenant legal assistance.

Largest small businesses relief program in the nation: The plan invests an additional $1.5 billion for a total of $4 billion in direct grants to California’s small businesses — on top of $6.2 billion in tax relief — putting more money directly into the pockets of hundreds of thousands of small business owners and helping them re-hire workers displaced by the pandemic. The plan also creates a $120 million California Competes Tax Credit grant program to incentivize businesses to relocate to the state.

Confronting homelessness and the housing affordability crisis

Confronting homelessness at historic levels: The Comeback Plan invests roughly $12 billion over two years to tackle the homelessness crisis, the largest such investment in state history. The multi-pronged approach will help tens of thousands of people get off the streets or avoid homelessness altogether through the creation of 42,000 new homeless housing units, including housing options for people with severe mental health challenges. These investments include:

Expanding Homekey and rebuilding California’s mental health system: The plan includes almost $6 billion to add 42,000 new housing units through Homekey — California’s groundbreaking national model for homeless housing. $2.2 billion of this investment is dedicated to housing for people with the most acute mental health needs and those needing conservatorships. Governor Newsom’s investment is the biggest expansion in decades in terms of clinically enhanced behavioral health housing.

Humane encampment strategy: The California Comeback Plan includes targeted programs and grants to local governments to move people out of unsafe, unhealthy encampments and into safer, more stable housing.

Cleaning California’s streets: In addition to the investments addressing homelessness, the governor’s plan includes $1.1 billion to clean up the streets of California by partnering with local governments to pick up trash and beautify downtowns, freeways and neighborhoods across California. The program is expected to generate up to 11,000 jobs over three years.

More funding for new affordable housing than ever before: The California Comeback Plan tackles housing affordability head-on: it will put over $3 billion into building more affordable housing for low-income families and creates homeownership opportunities to help restore the California Dream.

Transforming public schools into gateways of opportunity

Transforming schools into gateways of opportunity: Under the California Comeback Plan, the state will invest more than ever before in our public schools. Public schools in low-income neighborhoods will be able to fundamentally transform into the kind of complete campus every parent would want for their child: smaller class sizes, before- and after-school instruction, sports and arts, personalized tutoring, nurses and counselors and free school nutrition – paired with new preventative behavioral health services for every kid in California.

Finally achieving universal Pre-K: Under the governor’s plan, California will finally achieve universal pre-school, providing high-quality, free transitional kindergarten to all four-year-olds in California, regardless of income or immigrations status. The plan also adds 200,000 subsidized child care slots over the next several years -- increasing access and bringing down the cost of child care for many.

College savings accounts for 3.7 million children: The California Comeback Plan creates college savings accounts for 3.7 million low-income children in public school, making college more attainable than ever before.

Making higher education more accessible than ever before: The governor’s plan will make college more affordable and accessible than ever before by increasing in-state tuition slots for Californians that want to attend a CSU or UC school, expanding financial aid systems for middle-class students and driving down the cost of attending college, cutting student housing costs and reducing the cost of textbooks.

Bolstering wildfire resilience and taking nation-leading climate action

Doing more than ever before to combat and prepare for wildfires: The governor’s plan will make the single largest investment in wildfire and emergency preparedness in our state’s history — investing more than $2 billion. The plan includes purchasing new firefighting equipment like airplanes and helicopters, as well as investments in land and forest management projects that save lives and protect communities.

Nation-leading climate action: Climate change is here, and California is leading the nation in tackling it head-on. The California Comeback Plan includes a $3.9 billion package to hit fast-forward on our zero-emissions vehicle goals, leading to cleaner air for future generations. In addition, the administration continues work with the Legislature to allocate $3.7 billion over three years that will better prepare the state for extreme heat and sea level rise and address environmental justice priorities that support the low-income and disadvantaged communities bearing the brunt of climate change impacts.

Building the infrastructure of the next century

Water resilience and drought response: Climate change is making droughts more common and more severe. The governor’s plan invests $5.1 billion over four years in drought support, water supply and natural habitat restoration projects around the state to build climate resilience in the face of more extreme cycles of wet and dry conditions.

Working to build a 22nd century electric grid: The administration continues work with the Legislature to build a cleaner, more resilient and reliable 22nd century electric grid amid record-breaking temperatures driven by climate change.

Expanding broadband access: It’s time to stop talking about closing the digital divide and finally do it. Through a $6 billion investment, more Californians will be able to access broadband coverage through the construction of an open access middle mile and last mile projects that connect unserved households in remote areas to the middle mile.

In addition, the administration continues work with the Legislature to advance investments to build a modernized and sustainable transportation system, including funding for the state’s public transportation system and high-speed rail.

The budget and related budget-implementing legislation signed by the governor on MOnday include:

AB 141 by the Committee on Budget – Budget Act of 2021: Department of Cannabis Control: licensure: safety and quality assurance.

SB 129 by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) – Budget Act of 2021. A line-item veto can be found here.

SB 139 by the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review – Golden State Stimulus II: Golden State Stimulus.

SB 146 by the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review – Correctional facilities.

SB 151 by the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review – Economic development.

SB 158 by the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review – Hazardous waste.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Lake County Animal Care and Control has additional kittens and a cat ready to be adopted this week.

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

Call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278 or visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm for information on visiting or adopting.

This female Siamese mix is in cat room kennel No. 68, ID No. LCAC-A-963. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Female Siamese mix

This female Siamese mix has a short coat and blue eyes.

She is 2 years old.

She is in cat room kennel No. 68, ID No. LCAC-A-963.

This male yellow tabby kitten is in cat room kennel No. 70b, ID No. LCAC-A-987. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Male domestic shorthair kitten

This male yellow tabby kitten has a short coat.

He is in cat room kennel No. 70b, ID No. LCAC-A-987.

This male yellow tabby kitten is in cat room kennel No. 70d, ID No. LCAC-A-989. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Male domestic shorthair kitten

This male yellow tabby kitten has a short coat.

He is in cat room kennel No. 70d, ID No. LCAC-A-989.

“‘Furball” is a 6-year-old female domestic longhair cat in cat room kennel No. 84, ID No. LCAC-A-969. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

‘Furball’

“Furball” is a 6-year-old female domestic longhair cat with a brown tabby coat.

She is in cat room kennel No. 84, ID No. LCAC-A-969.

This male domestic medium hair kitten is in cat room kennel No. 103a, ID No. LCAC-A-965. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Domestic medium hair kitten

This male domestic medium hair kitten has a yellow tabby coat.

He is in cat room kennel No. 103a, ID No. LCAC-A-965.

This female domestic shorthair kitten is in cat room kennel No. 103d, ID No. 968. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Female domestic shorthair kitten

This female domestic shorthair kitten has a gray tabby coat.

She is in cat room kennel No. 103d, ID No. 968.

This male domestic shorthair kitten is in cat room kennel No. 103e, ID No. LCAC-A-959. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Domestic shorthair kitten

This male domestic shorthair kitten has a yellow tabby coat.

He is in cat room kennel No. 103e, ID No. LCAC-A-959.

This male domestic shorthair is in cat room kennel No. 120, ID No. LCAC-A-874. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Male domestic shorthair

This male domestic shorthair has a gray and white coat.

He is 1-year-old and weighs nearly 6 pounds.

He is in cat room kennel No. 120, ID No. LCAC-A-874.

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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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA — A Clearlake man died in a Sunday evening head-on wreck that occurred on Highway 20 in Colusa County.

The California Highway Patrol’s Williams Area office did not release the name of the 57-year-old Lake County resident pending the notification of his family.

The wreck occurred at 7:55 p.m. Sunday on Highway 20 east of Highway 16, the CHP said.

The CHP said the Clearlake man was driving a 2014 Toyota Tacoma pickup westbound at a high rate of speed as Jacob Funk, 27, of Orland was driving eastbound at 55 miles per hour in a 2017 Dodge Durango.

Vicky Davis, 40, and two children, a 7-year-old boy and a 5-year-old girl, whose names were not released due to their juvenile status — all of them Orland residents — were riding with Funk, the CHP reported.

The CHP said the Clearlake resident swerved over the solid double-yellow lines and entered in the eastbound lane, directly in Funk’s path.

Funk attempted to avoid the crash by turning to the right but was unable to avoid the collision, the CHP said.

The left front of the Toyota Tacoma collided with the left front of the Dodge Durango, with the CHP reporting that the crash caused the Toyota’s left front door to detach.

The Clearlake driver, who was not wearing his seat belt, was ejected from his pickup. The CHP said he died of his injuries at the scene.

Funk and Davis were wearing their seat belts and the two children were in child safety seats. Funk had neck and back pain, Davis suffered a head contusion and the children had complaints of pain, the CHP said.

Radio reports indicated three air ambulances were summoned to the scene, landing in an area on Highway 16.

The CHP said Funk and the two children were transported via REACH air ambulance to UC Davis for further treatment of moderate injuries, while Davis, who had major injuries, was taken by REACH air ambulance to Kaiser Vacaville Hospital.

The initial CHP report indicated alcohol and/or drugs were possible factors in this wreck.

Highway 20 was shut down from Highway 53 in Clearlake Oaks to Highway 16 until just before 11 p.m. Sunday due to the wreck, according to scene reports.

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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Stolen fire hose and equipment located in Clearlake, California, on Sunday, July 11, 2021. Photo courtesy of the Clearlake Police Department.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. — The Clearlake Police Department said it has located some of the fire hose and other equipment reported stolen from the Lake County Fire Protection District earlier this month and arrested a local woman in connection to the case.

On June 21, a fire was reported in the area of Wilkinson Avenue and Dam Road. Lake County Fire Protection District personnel responded and eventually extinguished the fire which grew to about 25 acres in size. This fire led to the evacuation of nearby homes which were threatened.

The Lake County Fire Protection District was able to extinguish the fire and remained in the area for several days, as Lake County News has reported.

Sgt. Ryan Peterson said that after the fire incident, Fire Chief Willie Sapeta contacted the Clearlake Police Department and reported that approximately 4,000 feet of wildland fire hose along with fixtures, nozzles, connectors and other fire equipment had been stolen during the incident.

Chief Sapeta said that after the fire was extinguished, fire personnel left fire hose connected in the area to assist if there was a flareup from the fire. This is a common practice which allows fire personnel to quickly get to a flareup without having to unravel hose and make connections.

Since the theft, 1,100 feet of the hose and some of the connectors had been located piled in the area, Peterson said.

On Saturday, a five-acre fire was reported in the area of Dam Road and Lake Street. The cause of that fire is still under investigation.

Radio traffic indicated some of the hose was found, Sapeta told Lake County News that only a few lengths of the hose was found at that time.

On Sunday, Peterson said Officer Chris Kelleher was conducting followup regarding the theft in the area of the 16100 block of Dam Road when he observed some of the stolen hose on a property and contacted the resident, Rebecca Moresi, 31.

Peterson said Moresi admitted to going into the fire zone and taking the hose along with connectors.

Moresi told Kelleher that she has a pump on her property and she was going to use the items for her personal use, Peterson said.

Peterson said Kelleher placed Moresi under arrest on probable cause for taking the equipment.

Due to the Lake County Superior Court’s emergency bail schedule, Moresi was issued a signed promise to appear with a later court date, Peterson said.

The stolen equipment — which included 400 feet of hose, a connector and nozzle — was collected and turned over to the fire department, Peterson reported.

Peterson said the Clearlake Police Department is continuing the investigation and attempting to locate the remainder of the stolen equipment.

Anyone with information regarding the theft or location of the stolen property is asked to contact the Clearlake Police Department at 707-994-8251.

On Sunday, July 11, 2021, the Clearlake Police Department recovered 400 feet of hose, a connector and nozzle that had been stolen from the Lake County Fire Protection District. Photo courtesy of the Clearlake Police Department.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The lights went back on Sunday morning for residents of an area of southern Lake County which had been without power since the previous night.

Power had been off for 816 Pacific Gas and Electric Co. customer accounts in and around Hidden Valley Lake and Spruce Grove Road beginning at 5:30 p.m.

PG&E said the power was restored at approximately 8:49 a.m. Sunday.

That was more than 12 hours earlier than the company had anticipated being able to restore power. On its website on Saturday night, PG&E said power might not be restored until 11:30 p.m. Sunday.

A company official said they were sending out a helicopter on Sunday morning to look for the cause of the outage due to crews not being able to walk the terrain.

PG&E did not immediately report the outage’s cause.

The outage was of special concern, coming in the midst of another heat wave, with temperatures topping 100 degrees and no county facilities open on Sunday where community members could cool off.

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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