LAKEPORT, Calif. – For the 20th year, Lake County law enforcement agencies partnered to collect and  distribute toys to local children who have been crime victims.

On Friday, representatives from agencies including the District Attorney's Office and its Victim-Witness Division, the California Highway Patrol, Clearlake Police Department, Lake County Sheriff's Office, Lakeport Police Departments gathered to pick up and deliver the gifts.

Debbie Wallace, who heads up Victim-Witness, said the county administrative and auditor's offices also adopted families.

As in past years, St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lakeport helped gather many of the gifts, Wallace said.
Wallace and other officials involved in the annual event describe it in the video above.

Planets are found around nearly every star, but astronomers still do not fully understand how – and under what conditions – they form.

To answer such questions, they study the rotating discs of gas and dust present around young stars from which planets are built. But these discs are small and far from Earth, and the power of ALMA was needed for them to reveal their secrets.

A special class of discs, called transitional discs, have a surprising absence of dust in their centres, in the region around the star. Two main ideas have been put forward to explain these mysterious gaps.

Firstly, the strong stellar winds and intense radiation could have blown away or destroyed the encircling material. Alternatively, massive young planets in the process of formation could have cleared the material as they orbit the star.

The unparalleled sensitivity and image sharpness of ALMA have now allowed the team of astronomers, led by Nienke van der Marel from the Leiden Observatory in the Netherlands to map the distribution of gas and dust in four of these transitional discs better than ever before. This in turn has allowed them to choose between the two options as the cause of the gaps for the first time.

The new images show that there are significant amounts of gas within the dust gaps. But to the team’s surprise, the gas also possessed a gap, up to three times smaller than that of the dust.

This could only be explained by the scenario in which newly formed massive planets have cleared the gas as they traveled around their orbits, but trapped the dust particles further out.

“Previous observations already hinted at the presence of gas inside the dust gaps,” explained Nienke van der Marel. “But as ALMA can image the material in the entire disc in much greater detail than other facilities, we could rule out the alternative scenario. The deep gap points clearly to the presence of planets with several times the mass of Jupiter, creating these caverns as they sweep through the disc.”

Remarkably, these observations were conducted utilising just one tenth of the current resolving power of ALMA, as they were performed whilst half of the array was still under construction on the Chajnantor Plateau in northern Chile.

Further studies are now needed to determine whether more transitional discs also point towards this planet-clearing scenario, although ALMA’s observations have, in the meantime, provided astronomers with a valuable new insight into the complex process of planetary formation.

“All the transitional discs studied so far that have large dust cavities also have gas cavities. So, with ALMA, we can now find out where and when giant planets are being born in these discs, and compare these results with planet formation models,” said Ewine van Dishoeck, also of Leiden University and the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics in Garching. “Direct planetary detection is just within reach of current instruments, and the next generation telescopes currently under construction, such as the European Extremely Large Telescope, will be able to go much further. ALMA is pointing out where they will need to look.”

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – It's less than a week until Christmas and there are many holiday events taking place throughout Lake County.

Below is an updated list of celebrations taking place through the end of this month.

'Winter Wonderland' ice rink

COBB – The community is invited to visit the “Winter Wonderland in Lake County” at Black Rock Golf Course in Cobb.

The Winter Wonderland will feature ice skating outdoors, and is free to all.

The skating rink will be open through Jan. 3.

Hours are noon to 8 p.m. weekdays, noon to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. It will be closed on Christmas Day.

Rental skates are provided. Fifty skaters are allowed on the rink at one time, and there may be a wait.

Skate time is limited to 45 minutes. Visitors can get back in line and skate again. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Santa also will visit from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, and Sunday, Dec. 20; and 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21, and Tuesday, Dec. 22.

The Winter Wonderland is sponsored by the Cobb Community Investment Committee and funded by Calpine at The Geysers.

Visit Winter Wonderland on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/904722832930223/ or call 707-987-4270.

Black Rock Golf Course is located at 16451 Golf Road.

Santa to visit Ely Christmas Marketplace

KELSEYVILLE – Come and enjoy the “decked halls” at the Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum for a Christmas Marketplace featuring local artists selling their handcrafted goods in the barn on Saturday, Dec. 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Santa has promised to be at the event and will be roaming the grounds and joining hayrides with the kids, weather permitting. Bring your cameras as Santa will be available for photos with kids of all ages at the museum’s main house.

Handcrafted goods will include jewelry, bath and beauty products, butcher blocks, up-cycled fabrics, wood creations, photography and more.

The Lake County Historical Society’s Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum is located at 9921 Highway 281 (Soda Bay Road), Kelseyville.

For more information, check out www.elystagestop.com , www.lakecountyhistory.org ,  www.facebook.com/elystagestop or call 707-533-9990, during museum hours, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

'Blue Christmas' service

KELSEYVILLE – Kelseyville Presbyterian Church, located at 5340 Third St., will host a “Blue Christmas” or “Longest Night” worship service at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19.

Come and join with them in sharing and hearing prayers, Scripture, and music that acknowledge that God's presence is for those who mourn, for those who struggle – and that God's Word comes to shine light into our darkness.

Everyone, regardless of church background, is welcome. The short service will be followed by a time for a light supper and fellowship.

For more information, please call Kelseyville Presbyterian Church at 707-279-1104.

Taylor Observatory hosts 'Mystery of the Christmas Star'

KELSEYVILLE – The Taylor Observatory-Norton Planetarium is hosting showings of “Mystery of the Christmas Star” through the beginning of January.

Shows are taking place at 7 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19; Saturday, Dec. 26; and Saturday, Jan. 2.

The observatory is located at 5725 Oak Hills Lane, Kelseyville. Visit the observatory online at www.taylorobservatory.org .

Lake County Symphony Christmas Celebration

LAKEPORT – The Lake County Symphony will host its annual Christmas Celebration on Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Soper Reese Theatre, 275 S. Main St., Lakeport.

There will be an open rehearsal at 11 a.m., with tickets costing $5 for adults children age 18 and under offered free admittance.

The main concert will begin at 3 p.m., with $25 for general assigned seats and $30 for premium assigned seats. There is a $5 discount for Lake County Symphony Association members.

Holiday favorites including “Sleigh Ride” and “Let it Snow” will be performed, and there will be an audience sing-along of the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel's “Messiah.”

Tickets are available online at www.SoperReeseTheatre.com ; at the theater box office, 275 S. Main St., Lakeport on Fridays 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; by phone at 707-263-0577; or at The Travel Center, 1265 S. Main, Lakeport, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Lakeport Senior Center hosts free Christmas community dinner

LAKEPORT – The Lakeport Senior Activity Center is continuing its tradition of hosting a free community dinner on Wednesday, Dec. 23.

The turkey dinner with all the fixings will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the center, located at 527 Konocti Ave.

All ages are invited to attend and opportunities to volunteer are available too.

To volunteer for this event call 707-263-4218 and arrive to the center by 11 a.m.

Christmas Eve candlelight service

UPPER LAKE – A Christmas Eve candlelight service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 24, at the United Methodist Church of Upper Lake.

The church is located at 676 Clover Valley Road, at the corner of First Street and Clover Valley Road.

Kelseyville Presbyterian Church to host Christmas day dinner

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Kelseyville Presbyterian Church will again host a free Christmas day dinner on Friday, Dec. 25.

The dinner will be held from noon to 3 p.m. at the church, 5340 Third St.

Don't be alone on Christmas Day. Join in this tradition and bring others who may be alone. Volunteers to help clean up are welcome as well.

For more information, call the church office at 707-279-1104.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – In 2007, North Coast Opportunities established The Gardens Project in Mendocino County to help increase access to healthy, fresh, local, and just foods.

The Gardens Project encourages self-reliance by helping people cultivate food and develop leadership skills.

Since 2007, The Gardens Project has created or redeveloped 38 school and community gardens, has trained 75 garden leaders, and has offered countless free workshops and other events in the gardens.

The Gardens Project recently received a three-year USDA Community Food Project grant to replicate this successful model in Lake County.

The ultimate goal of this grant is to build 10 new gardens in low-income neighborhoods, as well as develop leadership, advocacy and organizational skills among garden leaders by providing intensive leadership training.

The grant also will include free gardening trainings and food production workshops.

NCO has hired Ava Ryan as the Lake County Gardens Project coordinator, and she will work out of NCO’s Clearlake office.

Ryan got involved at an early age in the local food movement in her hometown of Brooklyn, New York, and studied sustainable agriculture at Cornell University. She has since worked on research and production farms, and has used gardens in educational settings both internationally and in Sonoma County.

“I’m excited to work with the local communities and organizations in Lake County,” said Ryan. “It’s an incredible opportunity to combine my skills and my passion for food to help build a more resilient local food system.”

Over the next year, The Gardens Project will identify key neighborhoods for community gardens around the county with the intent of establishing at least two new gardens by the end of 2016.

Rural Communities Housing and Development Corporation manages more than 1,000 low-income rental units for families and seniors, and will help create access to garden sites at their locations.

Additional land will come from private donations or will be leased from the city. Once sites have been identified, the California Conservation Corps will help clear land and build garden infrastructure.

Community gardeners usually pay a low annual fee – around $20 to $30 – which includes water, tools, irrigation equipment and seeds.

Community gardens typically range in size from 20 to 40 individual plots. Plot sizes average 10 feet by 10 feet, but can be as small as 5 feet by 5 feet or as large as 20 feet by 20 feet.

NCO has a history of working with gardens in Lake County. In the past several years, The Gardens Project has helped develop three Lake County community gardens, including the NCO Clearlake Food Pantry Garden, the FLOW Garden located on East Highway 20 in Lucerne, and the North Shore Villas Apartment Garden which serves seniors and those with disabilities.

According to North Shore Villas Garden Leader Lorrie Rose, “The water system NCO put in has worked out so very well. Even people in wheelchairs and scooters can navigate around the garden and use the hoses with little difficulty.”

Ryan is eager to build on these previous successes, and is currently working with the Highlands Senior Center in Clearlake to open their one-acre garden to gardeners in the community.

“A lot of the infrastructure is already in place, so the garden should be ready for 20 to 30 families to grow food in the spring,” said Ryan.

In addition to community gardens, The Gardens Project is working to develop a network of community members and groups involved in food, nutrition, and agricultural issues that will encourage long-term food policy planning.

The initial model will be loosely built on the foundation created by the Lake County Food Roundtable, which has been functioning for several years as an informal food policy council.

The end goal is to develop a local food action plan that will address food production and access in Lake County.

If you have any questions or are interested in supporting or developing a community garden in your neighborhood, feel free to contact Ryan via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-994-4647, Extension 131.

Elizabeth Archer works for North Coast Opportunities.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Forecasters are predicting more rain through Christmas for Lake County.

Most of the county experienced steady rainfall on Friday.

The National Weather Service reported  24-hour rainfall totals through 4 a.m. Saturday, in inches, as follows:

– Bartlett Springs: 1.14;
– Indian Valley Reservoir: 0.19;
– Hidden Valley Lake: 0.84;
– Kelseyville: 0.47;
– Lakeport: 0.52;
– Lower Lake: 0.23;
– Middletown: 0.74;
– Upper Lake: 0.90;
– Whispering Pines: 1.32.

The forecast calls for chances of rain every day through Christmas, according to the National Weather Service.

Temperatures are expected to dip into the high 30s at night and top out in the high 50s during the daytime, based on the specific forecast.

The rain is helping Clear Lake to recover.

The level of Clear Lake was at 0.74 feet Rumsey as of 4 a.m. Saturday, according to the United States Geological Survey gauge on the lake.

While improved over the last few weeks, the lake's level is still well below the level recorded on the same day in 2014, when it was 2.14 feet Rumsey, but just above the 0.63 feet Rumsey on Dec. 19, 2013, according to US Geological Survey records.

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.

Astronomers have used the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and the NASA Spitzer Space Telescope to study the atmospheres of ten hot, Jupiter-sized exoplanets in detail, the largest number of such planets ever studied.

The team was able to discover why some of these worlds seem to have less water than expected – a long-standing mystery. The results are published in the Dec. 14 edition of “Nature.”

To date, astronomers have discovered nearly 2000 planets orbiting other stars. Some of these planets are known as hot Jupiters – hot, gaseous planets with characteristics similar to those of Jupiter.

They orbit very close to their stars, making their surface hot, and the planets tricky to study in detail without being overwhelmed by bright starlight.

Due to this difficulty, Hubble has only explored a handful of hot Jupiters in the past, across a limited wavelength range. These initial studies have found several planets to hold less water than expected.

Now, an international team of astronomers has tackled the problem by making the largest ever study of hot Jupiters, exploring and comparing ten such planets in a bid to understand their atmospheres.

Only three of these planetary atmospheres had previously been studied in detail; this new sample forms the largest ever spectroscopic catalog of exoplanet atmospheres.

The team used multiple observations from both the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope. Using the power of both telescopes allowed the team to study the planets, which are of various masses, sizes, and temperatures, across an unprecedented range of wavelengths.

“I’m really excited to finally ‘see’ this wide group of planets together, as this is the first time we’ve had sufficient wavelength coverage to be able to compare multiple features from one planet to another,” said David Sing of the University of Exeter, UK, lead author of the new paper. “We found the planetary atmospheres to be much more diverse than we expected.”

All of the planets have a favorable orbit that brings them between their parent star and Earth. As the exoplanet passes in front of its host star, as seen from Earth, some of this starlight travels through the planet’s outer atmosphere.

“The atmosphere leaves its unique fingerprint on the starlight, which we can study when the light reaches us,” explained co-author Hannah Wakeford, now at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, USA.

These fingerprints allowed the team to extract the signatures from various elements and molecules – including water – and to distinguish between cloudy and cloud-free exoplanets, a property that could explain the missing water mystery.

The team’s models revealed that, while apparently cloud-free exoplanets showed strong signs of water, the atmospheres of those hot Jupiters with faint water signals also contained clouds and haze – both of which are known to hide water from view. Mystery solved!

“The alternative to this is that planets form in an environment deprived of water – but this would require us to completely rethink our current theories of how planets are born,” explained co-author Jonathan Fortney of the University of California, Santa Cruz, USA. “Our results have ruled out the dry scenario, and strongly suggest that it’s simply clouds hiding the water from prying eyes.”

The study of exoplanetary atmospheres is currently in its infancy, with only a handful of observations taken so far. Hubble’s successor, the James Webb Space Telescope, will open a new infrared window on the study of exoplanets and their atmospheres.

The Hubble Space Telescope is a project of international cooperation between ESA and NASA.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Our county's very own Black Forest is situated on 255 acres on Soda Bay Road close to the development called Buckingham Park.

As it is part of the northeastern rise of Mount Konocti, it has always been considered a sacred site by Lake County Native Americans.

Unlike southwestern Germany's Black Forest, we have no Danube River, or any of the over one dozen waterways they have, flowing through the forest.

However, we do have a beautiful, cathedral-like, dense woodland that is strewn with colossal boulders that are swathed in moss and lichen.

Here you can breathe in the crisp clean scent of the woods, while watching the ecosystem working all around you.

You may witness a fallen giant breaking itself down into smaller and smaller bits- returning to the earth.

The massive timbers are photosynthesizing way above your head, and below, down on the pliant forest floor mini dramas are playing themselves out with their myriad and mysterious ways of decomposing, recycling and regenerating all at once.

Ferns, mushrooms and all of the forest “characters” are attending to their queue in the ongoing drama.

This unique spot provides homes for wildlife, and through its very nature controls erosion all while providing us with gorgeous views.

Preparation to save the Black Forest started in 1999, when it became evident to the Lake County Land Trust that there were plans for logging this special spot. Then, more than 50 community members rallied around to work on its preservation.

For more details on the preservation process of Lake County's Black Forest, visit the Lake County Land Trust Web site, http://www.lakecountylandtrust.org/black-forest.html .

Kathleen Scavone, M.A., is an educator, potter, writer and author of “Anderson Marsh State Historic Park: A Walking History, Prehistory, Flora, and Fauna Tour of a California State Park” and “Native Americans of Lake County.” She also writes for NASA and JPL as one of their “Solar System Ambassadors.” She was selected “Lake County Teacher of the Year, 1998-99” by the Lake County Office of Education, and chosen as one of 10 state finalists the same year by the California Department of Education.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – On Wednesday, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson and Sen. Mike McGuire hosted a critical bipartisan meeting of influential Northern California business, agricultural, education and labor leaders on career technical education in public schools.

Representatives from Lake, Humboldt, Trinity, Del Norte, Sonoma, Mendocino and Marin counties attended the meeting.

Representing Lake County at the event were local educational leaders including county Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg, Kelseyville Unified School District Superintendent Dave McQueen and Michelle Scully, executive director of Marymount California University's Lakeside Campus in Lucerne.

The discussion focused on the new grants that Sen. McGuire secured this year.

Industry representatives outlined their priorities for a well-trained workforce and local educational leaders briefed the gathering on how they are advancing results-driven career technical education programs, which benefit local students and our state’s economy.

The group discussed the need to secure a long-term, dedicated revenue source for career technical education programs in the years to come.

“We know that results-driven career technical education increases high school graduation rates and ensures California has a skilled workforce that will help our economy grow,” McGuire said. “Nearly 70 percent of our state’s public high school graduates will not achieve a four year degree and we need to work together to secure a long-term funding source for these valuable career training programs since there are only three years left in this recent and final funding allocation.”

McGuire has made it a priority to increase the state’s commitment to career technical education by investing millions of dollars into new and expanded high-quality programs.

Earlier this year, in partnership with the administration, McGuire and Torlakson successfully organized a bipartisan coalition that secured the largest investment in career training programs over the last decade – $400 million was included in the state budget for career training programs, with a total of $900 million allocated over the next three years.

However, these funds are temporary and once this current funding cycle is completed, there will no longer be a reliable source of revenue for career technical education programming in California.

“These collaborative programs have created remarkable teams, including high schools, community colleges, business and labor. So far more than 1,500 businesses have offered internships and mentorships. These are hands-on, relevant learning experiences with the clear purpose of preparing students for 21st Century jobs,” Torlakson said.

Across the state, career technical education programs have been cut by districts as California’s education financing structure has undergone significant change.

Because career technical education classes are not part of high school graduation requirements, local school districts have less incentive to invest in those programs.

Wednesday morning’s meeting at the State Capitol – attended by 50 business, agricultural, labor and education leaders from across Northern California – was an opportunity to discuss and share the unique programs already in place throughout the state and begin the process of establishing a long-term, sustainable funding source for career training and job skill programs in our local schools.

“Career technical education programs prepare students for in-demand careers like those in the evolving technology and health care industries along with manufacturing,” said McGuire. “Investing in career technical education programs is good for the economy and local businesses, and is important to the success of our future generations in the workforce.”

In addition to the largest investment in the last decade in career technical education programs made this year, McGuire’s Career and Job Skills Education Act ensures smaller school districts are not at a disadvantage when it comes to applying for career technical education funding and that urban and rural districts alike that have high dropout and unemployment rates will receive priority when applying for funding.

In addition, districts that have high English language learner populations, low-income families and foster youth also will be provided priority.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Three men who were arrested in the Valley fire area have reached plea agreements with the District Attorney's Office, with their attorneys asserting that they were not there to commit crimes but to return to their rented property.

Dyami Gene Connell, 23; Michael James Jimenez, 28; and 24-year-old David Michael Cesari were arrested on Sept. 17 near Hidden Valley Lake, as Lake County News has reported.

The three men were set for preliminary hearing on Dec. 2. However, District Attorney Don Anderson said all three entered pleas based on agreements with his office.

Anderson said Connell and Jimenez each pleaded to being in a restricted area. Both of the men, for whom this was their first offense, received 45 days in jail.

Cesari pleaded guilty to felony possession of a concealed .40-caliber semiautomatic pistol and could face a maximum of three years in prison. Anderson said Cesari's case has been referred to the Lake County Probation Department for a sentencing recommendation.

Cesari, who has no serious priors to speak of, is due to be sentenced Jan. 25, Anderson said.

Authorities had alleged the men were looting, and that they were found with a number of items in their vehicle that looked like burglary tools, including a mask, gloves, flashlights, binoculars and knives.

However, “We couldn't prove they were looting,” Anderson said, who suggested the sheriff's office had done “too good of a job” and caught them before they did anything.

Quite the opposite, said Santa Rosa attorney Chris Andrian, who represented Connell, and Jimenez's attorney Angela Carter, who oversees the county's public defender contract.

While the three men had been reported to have Bay Area addresses – Connell and Jimenez from Brisbane and Cesari from San Francisco – Andrian and Carter said Cesari and Connell had been renting a property in the area since December 2013 and were in the evacuation zone along with Jimenez while trying to return to the property to protect it. The landlord even vouched for them.

“They shouldn't have entered the evacuation zone, but they weren't the burglars they were presumed to be,” said Andrian.

As for the items found in the vehicle that appeared incriminating, Carter – who herself had to evacuate from her south county home during the Valley fire – said a lot of people had odd things in their vehicles as they fled the fire area.

On the day of the preliminary hearing, the rental agreement was presented to Anderson. He said it weighed into the resulting plea agreement quite a bit.

Both Andrian and Carter said the three men had been pilloried over their arrests – with Carter noting that they were made the poster boys for Valley fire looting cases, with fliers with their pictures posted in Middletown – yet none had been charged with looting in the first place.

Andrian noted that his daughter had called him to ask if he knew about the arrests of the men after hearing the allegations of the looting in the media.

“It's not something these guys should have done,” said Andrian, adding that it was hard for him to defend them going into an evacuation area. “They were stupid.”

Yet, their poor choice of entering the evacuation zone wasn't the same thing as being burglars, according to their attorneys.

Carter said her client will be able to do work service in lieu of actual jail time.

Anderson said this was the last of the cases stemming from arrests during the Valley fire.

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. – A big group of dogs is waiting for homes for the holidays.

This week's dogs include mixes of Australian Shepherd, border collie, bull terrier, cattle dog, dachshund, Dalmatian, Great Pyrenees, hound, Labrador Retriever, Leonberger, pit bull, pointer, Sharpei, shepherd and terrier.

Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.

If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets hoping you'll choose them.

In addition to the animals featured here, all adoptable animals in Lake County can be seen here: http://bit.ly/Z6xHMb .

The following dogs at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (additional dogs on the animal control Web site not listed are still “on hold”).

'Shorty'

“Shorty” is a handsome male pit bull with a short gray and white coat.

Shelter said is sweet and already neutered, meaning his adoption costs will be lower. He loves people and would like to go home for the holidays.

He's in kennel No. 2, ID No. 4200.

'Digger'

“Digger” is a male terrier and Sharpei mix with a short tan coat.

He was found on Lakeview Drive in Nice.

Shelter staff said he always comes to the front of the kennel, wiggly and happy. He has no food aggression, allowed them to pull at his feet and tail with no problems and he gets along great with female dogs.

He's in kennel No. 4, ID No. 3693.

Labrador Retriever-Dalmatian mix

This male Labrador Retriever-Dalmatian has a short black coat with white markings.

He also has one blue eye and one brown eye.

Shelter staff said he has a low energy level and is good with other dogs, having come in with the dogs in kennels No. 8 and 10.

He's in kennel No. 5, ID No. 4138.

Hound mix

This male hound mix has a short white coat with brown markings.

He's in kennel No. 7, ID No. 4165.

Cattle dog mix

This female cattle dog mix has a short white coat with black markings, and one brown and one blue eye.

Shelter staff said she has great manners, knows how to sit and lie down. She is a little hesitant about being indoors – she may only have been an outside dog – but is adapting well. She's good with other dogs, having come in with the dogs in kennels No. 5 and 8. Based on her evaluation, she seems to like male dogs more than females.

“She will melt your heart in minutes,” shelter staff said.

She's in kennel No. 10, ID No. 4152.

'Cache'

“Cache” has had a rough year. He was rescued from the area of the Jerusalem fire this summer and adopted, but later returned because of an issue with his adopter's cat.

Shelter staff said he's a gentle, mellow giant that is part Leonberger. He's looking for a special person to give him a home for the rest of his life.

Cache is in kennel No. 11, ID No. 3101.

Bull terrier mix

This sweet female bull terrier mix has a short brown and white coat.

She is in kennel No. 13, ID No. 4185.

Pit bull mix

This female pit bull mix has a short gray coat with white markings.

Shelter staff said she is great with other dogs and is very people friendly, just wanting to sit in your lap. She has a low energy level and would do well in home with children.

She's in kennel No. 18, ID No. 3194.

Pit bull terrier

This female pit bull terrier mix has a short black coat with white markings.

Shelter staff said she was brought in as a stray and is hoping her family will come for her.

She is in kennel No. 19, ID No. 4213.

Pit bull terrier mix

This female pit bull terrier mix has a short brown and white coat.

Shelter staff said she is super sweet and wiggly when she gets visitors at her kennel. She just wants to be loved and play in her new forever home.

She's in kennel No. 21, ID No. 4164.

German Shepherd mix

This male German Shepherd mix has a tan and black coat with white markings.

Shelter staff said he is a beautiful boy who does not have any problems with food aggression, and is tolerant with being handled and having his feet, tail and skin pulled with no problems.

He does fine with other dogs, male or female. He has a lot of potential, and just needs somebody who will work with him.

Find him in kennel No. 22, ID No. 4116.

Shepherd mix

This young male shepherd mix has a short tricolor coat.

He has a sweet, smiley face, according to shelter staff.

He's in kennel No. 23, ID No. 4219.

Shepherd-pit bull terrier mix

This young female shepherd-pit bull terrier mix has a short brown brindle coat.

Shelter staff describe her as a cuddle bug.

She is in kennel No. 27, ID No. 4201.

Great Pyrenees mix

This male Great Pyrenees mix has a medium-length white coat.

Shelter staff said he is a sweet boy who has a torn anterior cruciate ligament and will need surgery in the future.

He's in kennel No. 28, ID No. 4121.

Shepherd-Australian Shepherd mix

This male shepherd-Australian Shepherd mix has a black coat with tan and white markings.

Shelter staff said he is a handsome and sweet boy.

He's in kennel No. 31, ID No. 4197.

'Tux'

“Tux” is a male border collie mix with a short black and white coat.

Shelter staff said Tux is a smart, sweet boy who is recovering from an injury to his leg.

He has no issues with food aggression and allowed staff to take the food away without any problems. He would be good in a home with no other dogs and no cats.

He's in kennel No. 32, ID No. 4036.

Labrador Retriever-shepherd mix

This male Labrador Retriever-shepherd mix has a short tan and black coat.

Shelter staff said he has no food aggression, and does fine with female dogs. He is very scared in the animal control environment, and needs to go home to a loving family. He is great with people, and just needs some one on one time to come out of his shell.

He's in kennel No. 33, ID No. 3861.

Jack Russell terrier mix

This female Jack Russell terrier mix has a short black and white coat.

Shelter staff said she is older and a sweetheart.

She's in kennel No. 34, ID NO. 4210.

To fill out an adoption application online visit http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dog___Cat_Adoption_Application.htm .

Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm .

For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.

Email Elizabeth Larson at [email protected] . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection will receive more than $88 million in three grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for reimbursement of costs for the Butte and Valley wildfires that occurred between Sept. 9 and Oct. 30 in California.

The three grants include:

• $49,046,042 in firefighting costs, including personnel, equipment and other costs for the Butte fire in Calaveras County.

• $37,944,636 in firefighting costs, including personnel, equipment and other costs for the Valley fire in Lake County.

• $1,039,539 for costs incurred to operate the Valley Fire Support Base Camp in Lake County. The camp provided meals, lodging and related support services for first responders supporting fire suppression activities.

FEMA reimburses 75 percent of the total costs through its Public Assistance program. The state of California will cover the remaining 25 percent of the $117.4 million total cost.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program includes grants for the repair and rebuilding of public infrastructure, such as bridges, roads, schools, hospitals and sewer treatment facilities.

The program also provides funding for debris removal and emergency protective measures, such as search and rescue operations, temporary roads and overtime for emergency workers, including police and firefighters.

Eligible applicants include state and local governments, tribal governments and certain private nonprofits.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County has been approved to receive $883,110 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for a culvert project that will reduce localized flooding and debris flow at selected sites burned by the Valley fire, which began Sept. 12.

FEMA covers 75 percent of the eligible costs with the county paying the remaining 25 percent, for a projected total cost of $1.1 million.

The project includes installing 55 culverts in areas where burn scars prevent rainwater absorption. Engineers found debris and flood flow potential is up to 1.7 times the normal amount, which presents an expected inundation of existing drainage facilities.

This grant is the first from a pilot program called Fire Management Assistance Grant Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (FMAG-HMGP).

FMAG grants can reimburse 75 percent of the costs of firefighting operations to state, tribal and local governments. Eligible costs include funding for personnel, materials and equipment.

The FMAG-HMGP grant provides funding to reduce the flood risk after FMAG declarations. A critical requirement for this funding is having an approved county and state hazard mitigation plan.

FMAG-HMGP Pilot funds are available to states, territories and federally recognized tribes that received an FMAG declaration in the time frame covered by the Department of Homeland Security 2015 Appropriations Act, March 4 through Dec. 11.

FEMA encourages the use of the FMAG-HMGP funds for mitigation of burn-impacted areas to reduce the increased risk for wildfire, flood or erosion post event.

However, the FMAG-HMGP Pilot is available for the mitigation of any hazard in the FMAG declared area.

The Valley fire burn area is drained by a number of waterways including Big Canyon Creek, Putah Creek, Dry Creek, Crazy Creek, Kelsey Creek and Seigler Canyon Creek.

The residential communities within and downstream of those creeks are serviced by a network of roads and highways. Numerous culverts, many of them inadequate, drain this area.

This project is expected to be completed 22 months following the award by Cal OES.