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Dr. Timothy Karas. Courtesy photo.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Mendocino-Lake Community College Board of Trustees has formally approved the appointment of the college’s new superintendent/president.

The hire of Dr. Tim Karas was approved on Wednesday evening at the board’s regularly scheduled June meeting.

Dr. Karas will join the college in his new role on July 13.

He will be leaving his post as the president of the College of Alameda, a position he has held since 2016.

“I could not be more honored, excited and exceptionally proud to be named the superintendent/president of Mendocino-Lake Community College District. I am immensely grateful for and sincerely humbled by the confidence and trust that the search committee and the Board of Trustees has demonstrated in me,” Karas said.

Dr. Karas has spent the last two decades working in the California Community College system.

Prior to serving as the president at the College of Alameda, he held the position of vice-president of instruction. Previous positions held include dean of liberal studies and language arts at Mission College and tenured faculty member at College of San Mateo.

Dr. Karas was the first person in his family to attend college. He received an Associate Degree from West Valley College, a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from Humboldt State University, and a Masters in Library and Information Science from San Jose State University. He completed his doctoral studies in the field of educational leadership at Fielding Graduate University in 2017.

Dr. Karas has served on several community boards, committees, and commissions, including Rotary, the City of San Jose Library Commission, Bond and Parcel Tax Citizen Oversight Committees, and the Santa Clara County Sister County Commission.

He also co-authored a chapter in the book “Campus Partnership in Small Academic Libraries: Challenges and Rewards.”

“I look forward to connecting with individuals and organizations from Round Valley, Lakeport, Fort Bragg, Ukiah, Leggett, Willits, and every amazing community in between to fulfill Mendocino College’s mission to embrace its role as an intellectual, economic, and cultural anchor for the region,” Karas said.

Mendocino College Vice President of Administrative Services, Eileen Cichocki has been serving as the college’s interim superintendent/president since August of 2019, after the previous president took a new position at a community college in southern California.

“On behalf of the entire governing board I am grateful to Dr. Karas for his interest in Mendocino College and his desire to take this amazing institution to the next level during some very challenging times. I want to thank Eileen Cichocki, our interim superintendent/president who navigated us through some rough seas with unwavering grace. We are lucky to have the best Vice President of Administrative Services in the entire community college system,” said Mendocino College Board President Robert Jason Pinoli.
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Austin Park in Clearlake, California on Monday, June 8, 2020. Photo courtesy of the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Testing of numerous sites on Clear Lake conducted this week by two local tribes has found elevated cyanobacteria levels near Clearlake’s Austin Park.

Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians and Elem Indian Colony took samples to monitor levels of cyanotoxins – which are produced by blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria – at approximately 29 Clear Lake sites on Monday, the county of Lake reported.

Austin Park Beach had a screening Abraxis test strip showing more than 20 parts/billion of microcystin cyanotoxin.

“This is considered ‘elevated,’ and raises concern, and the samples were sent to a regional lab for confirmation and quantification. Caution signs have been posted,” said Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace.

“In the same area, there has been visual evidence of large algal blooms that resemble the kinds that produce cyanotoxins. Additionally, last week, one person reported a skin reaction after boating through a large bloom in the area,” Pace said.

Pace said 28 other sites around the lake were tested and did not show elevated levels on the screening tests performed.

Public Health urges boaters and recreational users to avoid direct contact with or use of waters containing cyanobacteria in Lake County.

The recommendation is based on the potential health risks from cyanobacteria, which is currently blooming at varying levels in the Clearlake Oaks area and the Lower Arm of Clear Lake.

Cyanobacteria can pose health risks, particularly to children and pets. Public Health urges people to choose safe activities when visiting natural bodies of water, particularly where blooms are visible.

It is strongly recommended that people and their pets avoid contact with water and avoid swallowing lake water in an algae bloom area.

If anyone you are with begins to experience problems (skin, gastrointestinal, neurologic) that may be related to contact with blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), contact your medical provider or go to the emergency department. If your animal has symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

In either circumstance, call the Public Health Department, at 707-263-1164, so further investigation can be undertaken.

For current cyanotoxin lab results, please visit the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians cyanotoxin monitoring website.

For more information and resources, visit the county’s cyanobacteria pages here and here.

For general Water Quality questions regarding Clear Lake, call Lake County Water Resources, at 707-263-2344.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The county of Lake will move forward with reopening or expansion of 13 business sectors beginning on Friday, June 12, based on guidance issued by the state last week.

Dr. Gary Pace told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that the sectors would reopen on Friday, the first day of eligibility, based on guidance from the state given on June 5.

The reopening or expanding sectors are:

– Childcare services (updated, expanded).
– Schools (interim guidance).
– Day camps.
– Casinos operated by sovereign tribal nations.
– Music, film and television production.
– Professional sports without live audiences.
– Campgrounds, RV parks and outdoor recreation.
– Hotels and vacation rentals (e.g. VRBO, Airbnb).
– Cardrooms, satellite wagering facilities and racetracks.
– Family entertainment centers.
– Restaurants, bars and wineries.
– Fitness facilities.
– Museums, galleries, zoos and aquariums.

The California Department of Public Health’s guidelines can be found here.

“Opening or expanding 13 sectors at once represents a considerable, non-incremental, step forward, and will increase the probability of spread, including community transmission, of COVID-19 in Lake County,” said Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace.

However, Pace added, “It is the right decision at this time,” noting that Tuesday was the 83rd day Lake County residents have been subject to shelter-in-place and statewide stay at home orders.

“Effects of the actions of the past three months on our communities and businesses have been widespread and severe, and most of those consequences have been economic, as opposed to directly health-related. We have had 30 total cases, and spread has not, to date, occurred at such a rate that it has stressed our local healthcare system,” Pace said.

He said viral activity has remained stable in Lake County’s communities, even as the county has reopened Clear Lake and some industries that support tourism, such as restaurants.

Pace said in recent weeks he’s “continually undertaken substantial review of the status of COVID-19 in our communities,” and has had discussions with stakeholders including the Lake County COVID-19 Recovery Workgroup, a collective that includes two members of the Board of Supervisors and executive leadership from the county and cities of Clearlake and Lakeport.

He said there’s agreement that “now is the time for a big step forward.”

The July 4 holiday typically sees a major influx of visitors to Lake County to use Clear Lake. “Businesses in all sectors continue to adjust to social distancing and other precautions, and offering a reasonable period of time for businesses in the newly-eligible industries to open and adapt prior to that holiday weekend makes sense,” Pace said.

There are industries that remain closed statewide, including e nail salons, massage therapists, estheticians and tattoo parlors. “Provided COVID-19 activity remains stable, we hope to facilitate those businesses safely reopening as soon as possible, as well. While no timeline has been provided by the State, things seem to be accelerating,” Pace said.

“Precautions only become more important as more activities are permitted. Handwashing will help keep businesses open. Social distancing and face coverings will allow us to move about more freely. For preventive measures to be effective, people must practice them, and encourage others to do so,” Pace said.

He said all reopening businesses in Lake County must take precautions, and complete and post social distancing protocol and business certification forms. COVID-19 reopening plans must also be made available to customers or public officials, on request.

Forms and resources for Lake County businesses are available here.

Sector-specific reopening guidance can be found here.

If you review this information and still have questions, reach out to the Lake County Health Services staff at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 707-263-8174.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Police Department said it is rolling out the use of hi-lo sirens that will be used in times when emergency evacuations are necessary.

Over the past several years, California has been ravaged by wildfires, causing massive destruction and disruption to many families and their communities.

In July 2018, the Mendocino Complex fire created conditions so hazardous and dangerous that the city of Lakeport issued an evacuation order for the entire city, the first-ever citywide evacuation in Lakeport’s history.

Since then, officials said the city of Lakeport and the Lakeport Police Department have made improvements and procedural adjustments to better serve the community and streamline the approach to protecting the citizens of Lakeport.

With the approach of this year’s fire season, the Lakeport Police Department has joined many other law enforcement agencies in adopting and implementing the use of a hi-lo siren in its police vehicles to distinguish this siren from other commonly used sirens.

The department said the hi-lo siren will be used exclusively for times when the city has issued an evacuation order for citizens of Lakeport or in any other circumstance where there is a large and immediate threat to life safety.

Many people may have heard a hi-lo siren on television shows depicting a law enforcement vehicle in countries abroad, mainly in the United Kingdom or Europe.

This siren, is as its name applies, is a dual note siren with a high-frequency pitch followed by a low-frequency pitch as demonstrated in the video above.

“When you hear this siren, please follow the orders given by the emergency broadcast in a safe and efficient manner,” police said.

The Lakeport Police Department has also frequently responded to law enforcement mutual aid calls to surrounding counties and cities that are also using this hi-lo siren for the same evacuation orders.

An evacuation order means that there is an immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to leave now and that the area is lawfully closed to the public.

The designation of this order will be accompanied by activation of the emergency broadcast system and those who have enrolled in the notification service will receive an emergency alert on their cellular phone and/or hard line telephone.

To get other community and emergency alerts on your cellular phone from the city of Lakeport, sign up for Nixle by texting your zip code to 888777.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Library has expanded some library services for both children and adults online to reach audiences while library buildings are closed due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Barbara Green, Lakeport Library’s popular storytime reader, now reads stories on YouTube videos.

Each week Miss Barbara picks one or two great stories to record and a new video is posted every Friday at 10:15 a.m.

The video stories are available by visiting the library’s Facebook page or by subscribing to the library’s weekly email updates.

Some of the library’s craft clubs and book clubs have started using Zoom meetings and conference calls to gather. The new meeting methods have inspired more creativity. Creative Club has met by conference call and has started a garden craft challenge project. Fabric Club and the Great Reads Book Club have expanded their meetings to Zoom.

On the library’s calendar of events, the online meetings are designated OL to make them easy to see. The description includes information on how to sign in to the meeting. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for the link to attend.

The Lakeport Library Cookbook Club now meets through Zoom and has also created its own Facebook page where people can post recipes, food photos, cooking tips and anything foodie that they want to share. There’s a place for you at the table. The food photos will make your mouth water.

The Aging, Dying and Afterlife Discussion group now uses Zoom for meetings. To get the meeting information, call 707-275-0403 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to join.

Homebound library patrons have found the Zoom meetings a boon and are delighted to be able to join the fun.

Amy Patton, adult programs coordinator says that the library and the clubs hope to continue the digital meetings so housebound patrons can attend meetings even after the COVID-19 crisis is over.

To find how to join a digital club meeting contact Amy Patton via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

With a library card, patrons can access the library’s array of digital services without the need to visit a local branch. If you need a library card, you can create an online card with the application form on the library website.

If you have a question about an existing library account, call 707-263-8817 and leave a message. Library staff will be available by phone during normal operating hours to assist with the digital resources.

The Lake County Library continues to offer services during the COVID-19 stay at home. If you want to keep up with library news, sign up for free weekly email updates on the library’s homepage.

Jan Cook is a library technician for the Lake County Library.
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Hector and Maria Rodriguez-Barajas and their children have become the 35th family to receive a home through the efforts of Habitat for Humanity in Lake County, California. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – When the Valley Fire ripped through portions of Middletown in 2015, it destroyed one of the largest apartment complexes in Lake County.

The Rodriguez-Barajas family, attending a family baptism that day, received the news about the fire. They attempted to return home but when the police would not allow them through, the family was forced to return to their in-laws home to anxiously await the outcome of the fire.

Then the news came. Everything they had was lost. Maria Rodriguez-Barajas was so upset it affected her third pregnancy and she was admitted to the hospital.

After a 2-week stay with the in-laws, the family found temporary refuge at Konocti Harbor until they were able to relocate to a small, two-bedroom apartment and start their lives again.

But their living quarters were tight, with three children forced to share a single bedroom in an apartment woefully too small for their needs.

Facing a fourth pregnancy and eviction threats because of their overcrowded housing situation, Hector and Maria Rodriguez-Barajas turned to Habitat for Humanity Lake County for help.

Then came the Clayton fire and the family’s application was destroyed with the loss of Habitat’s Lower Lake office.

Unaware of that loss, the family waited to hear if they were approved for the Homeownership program, only to learn, at last, that they would need to begin the application process all over again.

They persevered, resubmitting their application documentation, and working hard to meet the necessary program requirements.

Through other fires, construction issues, complications with their fourth pregnancy, difficult weather and the recent pandemic situation, the family stayed true to their vision of owning their own home.

On June 1, their efforts were finally rewarded with the keys to their new Lower Lake home, where the children no longer have to share a bedroom and the family has room to grow and thrive.

“We have never been happier,” said Maria Rodriguez-Barajas, her gratitude evident in her eyes. “And the kids have never been happier. They now go outside to play every day and I do not have to be scared of being kicked out of my home. We won’t have to worry again. We are so grateful.”

If you or someone you know is interested in the possibility of homeownership, please contact the Habitat for Humanity office at 707-994-1100 for more information or to receive a preapplication.
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The Judicial Council of California voted this week to end the COVID-19 emergency bail schedule, as California begins a phased reopening and courts restore services shuttered due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Judicial Council voted 17-2 to rescind, effective June 20, the COVID-19 temporary bail schedule that set presumptive bail at $0 for people accused of lower-level crimes, a measure to curb the spread of COVID-19 in jails and surrounding communities.

At the same time, California Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye rescinded her statewide order extending time for defendants to be arraigned. That change would require defendants again be arraigned within 48 hours.

"The Judicial Council's action better reflects the current needs of our state, which has different health concerns and restrictions county-to-county based on the threat posed by COVID-19," said Justice Marsha Slough, a Judicial Council member and chair of the Executive and Planning Committee. "We urge local courts to continue to use the emergency COVID-19 bail schedule where necessary to protect the health of the community, the courts, and the incarcerated. We are also asking courts to report back by June 20 on whether they plan to keep the COVID-19 emergency bail schedule, or another reduced bail schedule."

The Judicial Council adopted 13 emergency rules to balance providing access to justice with protecting the health and safety of the public, litigants, attorneys, court employees, and judicial officers.

Since the emergency rules were approved, conditions have changed: 51 counties have received a variance and are reopening. Last week, the Judicial Council approved changes to its emergency rule that paused statutes of limitations in civil cases.

The Judicial Council may re-institute these measures if health conditions worsen or change.

Statewide COVID-19 emergency bail schedule and arraignment time extension

The COVID-19 emergency bail schedule set bail at $0 for most people accused, but not yet tried, of misdemeanors and lower-level felonies.

As with a regular bail schedule, law enforcement could petition a judge to raise or deny bail if there was concern for public safety. Those accused of violent felonies, offenses requiring sex offender registration, domestic violence, stalking, or driving under the influence were not eligible.

The Judicial Council’s review of the rule comes as milestones were met:

– Prisons are expected to allow transfers of convicted inmates from jails in all 58 counties to state institutions by June 19, which will continue to lower jail populations.

– More than 20,000 defendants accused of lower-level offenses have been released before their trials from California’s jails since the start of the pandemic, helping keep jails and courts from becoming vectors for the spread of COVID-19 between inmates, jail staff and surrounding communities.

The Judicial Council report suggested courts could keep the emergency COVID-19 bail schedule or reduced bail schedules where appropriate and maximize the safe release of arrestees before or at arraignment. Some counties voluntarily adopted their own COVID-19 emergency bail schedules based on Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye’s March 20 guidance.
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A recent survey of low-income Californians and communities of color reveals widespread concern about the health and economic impacts of COVID-19.

The polling was commissioned by the California Endowment – a private, statewide health foundation – and conducted at the end of April with over 800 respondents. The poll has a margin +/- 3.5 margin of error.

The results show that while many have lost jobs, had their hours cut back or their wages reduced – the dominant worry remains fear of infection.

Those concerns are well-founded. The California Department of Public Health confirmed that COVID-19 is having more severe impacts on people of color.

The agency said those impacts are most stark when tracking COVID-19 deaths, with Latinos, African Americans and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders dying at disproportionately higher levels.

Poll respondents indicated that they are already taking advantage of a wide range of public benefits designed to offer support during the pandemic; and yet, about half lack confidence that they would know where to turn if they found themselves in need of further help.

“These findings illuminate that we need to do better to promote and target resources to meet the needs of the most vulnerable Californians, particularly our communities of color,” said Anthony Iton, MD, Senior Vice President, The California Endowment. “Of particular concern is the lack of mental health resources available to families.”

Nearly three-quarters of respondents say COVID-19 is a an “extremely” or “very serious” problem. However, 75 percent say the same about homelessness, 71 percent say the same about the cost of housing and 70 percent about the cost of living.

And while there are regional differences about the degree of concern due to COVID-19, with rural Northern California residents reporting lower levels of concern than residents of Los Angeles, there is a broad sentiment that the worst of the crisis is yet to come, and that it is impacting the health and finances of lower-income Californians and people of color more harshly than others.

Though many of the respondents – with one-third designated as essential workers – have seen their work hours cut or their wages reduced, their dominant fear is getting infected with COVID-19. Latino respondents were more likely than other groups to have had their hours cut, wages reduced, been laid off or have had to go to work despite health concerns.

Respondents offer broad support for the public benefits that have been introduced in response to the pandemic, and 71 percent say they would be likely to apply for benefits like Medi-Cal or unemployment if they lost their main source of income.

Despite this, about half of respondents indicate they lack the necessary information on how to access help. The relatively small share (22%) who are unlikely to apply think they either do not need benefits or that they are unlikely to qualify.

Furthermore, half of parents say it has been difficult to address childcare needs; and while many say they have received academic support from their school, less than half say they have been given information on mental health resources for their children (45%), information on accessing public benefits (44%), and mental health resources for patients (37%).

These survey findings confirm income, ethnic and gender disparities in how the crisis has impacted California’s most vulnerable residents, and that there is a clear need to better connect this segment of the population with available benefits and supports.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Thursday, June 11, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) will hold a virtual town hall from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. to discuss the economy.

Thompson will be joined by special guest, Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody’s Analytics for a discussion about the economy and what we need to help working families and get back on track in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

This is the eighth in a series of virtual town halls. All constituents of California’s Fifth Congressional District and members of the press are invited to join.

This event will be held over Zoom and interested participants must email Thompson’s office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in order to join, as the platform has a capacity of 500 people. Interested participants will be notified via email with instructions on how to join.

The event will also be streamed on Facebook Live via Thompson’s page, https://www.facebook.com/RepMikeThompson/ .

Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.
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Lake County Land Trust staffers and leadership at the Wright Wetland Preserve in Lakeport, California, which the trust completed its acquisition of on Monday, June 1, 2020. Photo courtesy of the Lake County Land Trust.


LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Land Trust has completed its latest – and largest – acquisition of a key property that will help preserve native wetlands and other important local ecosystems.

The Land Trust said that as of June 1, the property now known as the Wright Wetland Preserve became “forever wild.”

The organization has been working actively since 2018 to conserve the land, which is not under the Land Trust’s perpetual protection.

The acquisition brings LCLT’s holdings up to five properties and more than 600 acres under its protective purview.

The organization said the addition of the Wright Wetland Preserve is a big win for its Big Valley Wetlands Project. The preserve complements the Melo Property, also part of the larger wetlands project, which was purchased in 2016.

The Lake County Land Trust’s focus is on adding contiguous properties in the Big Valley to increase its impact on the vitality of this wetland area.

A smidge over 200 acres, the Wright Wetland Preserve is easily the largest of LCLT’s portfolio. Its terrain ranges from lake to valley oak woodland with everything from native wetland, freshwater marsh and upland pasture included.

The property is partially bordered by Manning Creek, an important breeding ground for an endemic and threatened fish species, the Clear Lake hitch. Although key to the ecosystem of the lake, hitch numbers have been diminishing over the last few decades.

Encouraging its population to return to former levels creates a ripple effect, benefiting birds, other fish and wildlife, the Land Trust reported.

Riparian and wetland rehabilitation – which the Land Trust plans for this wetland preserve – is necessary for maintaining the sustainability and biological diversity of Clear Lake.

Some of the wildlife observed on this property include white pelicans, otter, black-tailed deer, California quail, wild turkey, prairie falcon and other raptors, white pelicans, herons, black bass, catfish, mink and bobcat.

“From Bernie and Lynne Butcher who donated a $40,000 matching gift challenge, which inspired our community of supporters to rise to the occasion, to Peter Windrem, who facilitated the initial contacts with the Wright family, we have so many people to thank,” sad Land Trust Board President Val Nixon.

“Stacy Schummer pleasantly surprised us with a large monetary gift which brought the fundraising to a very grand finale. Thank you to everyone who saw the value of protecting this essential wetland and donated to its protection,” Nixon said.

Nixon said the Land Trust also offered its appreciation to staff, including Executive Director Tom Smythe, who handled complicated escrow hiccups and was able to bring the project to conclusion with Development Director Melissa Kinsel and Finance Director Anne Martin, working on reaching out to donors and careful fiscal oversight.

“This was definitely an ‘all hands on deck’ type of project,” said Nixon.

In total, $120,000 was raised from donations by individuals to go toward the purchase of the property.

From 2012 to 2014, the Lake County Land Trust developed the Big Valley Wetlands Conceptual Area Protection Plan, a document that underwent extensive review, revisions and consequent adoption by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

This agreement made several hundred acres of property in the Big Valley area of Clear Lake’s shoreline eligible for grant funding.

The Big Valley Wetland area is valued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Wildlife Conservation Board as preservation-priority because of its effect on the health of Clear Lake and surrounding watershed.

The rest of the property’s $775,000 price tag came from grants from Wildlife Conservation Board.

The next phase of the Wright Wetland preserve is to restore its wetlands and tules to their natural state and create public access areas and trails.

“We want all Lake Countians to be able to enjoy this landscape and appreciate its importance. Next steps will include fundraising for these stewardship initiatives,” Nixon said. “I have the greatest respect for the people of Lake County for recognizing the importance of critical wildlands and helping preserve them into the future.”

After Land Trust announced the acquisition to its membership, members of the Wright family emailed the Land Trust to express their support and happiness at having their family property become a family legacy for all Lake Countians to enjoy.

For maps and other information about the property, including a list of the “strong and diverse” community of supporters who helped the Lake County Land Trust achieve its goal, visit the group’s website.
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The Lake County Fair midway – seen here on its 2019 opening night on Thursday, August 29, 2019 – won’t be lit up with a carnival or other fair features in 2020, as the event has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lake County News file photo by Elizabeth Larson.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – For the first time since World War II, the Lake County Fair has been canceled, another local impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Lake County Fair Board of Directors, also known as the board of the 49th District Agricultural Association, took the unanimous vote to cancel this year’s event at its Monday meeting, according to Fair Chief Executive Officer Sheli Wright.

The fair was set to take place Sept. 3 to 6. It is held annually over the Labor Day weekend.

Drawing an average of 40,000 visitors each year, Wright estimated the fair to be Lake County’s largest event.

Lake County’s fair now joins more than 40 fair events of about 70 across the state that have announced their cancellation or postponement so far this year.

Fair Board President Tom Turner called the cancellation of the fair “a difficult decision.”

“While we were hopeful that we would be able to move forward with the 2020 Lake County Fair, based on the information we have received from the Department of Public Health, California Department of Food and Agriculture and our local Public Health officer, our fair board was compelled to make the decision to cancel the fair,” Turner said.

Wright said some people posting in response to the Lake County Fair’s cancelation decision on Facebook were upset, but she explained that local and state officials said no mass gatherings would be allowed by September.

There had been concerns since the end of April that the fair would not be able to go forward due to restrictions on large events.

At the Board of Supervisors’ April 28 meeting, Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace said that no large gatherings were likely to be allowed through the end of the year, and at that time he recommended the cancellation of the fair.

Steve Lyle, the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s director of Public Affairs, told Lake County News that “fairs are asked to work with local officials when making a determination about whether to hold their fair this year.”

Working on alternatives

Wright, who grew up showing animals at the fair, started as the Lake County Fair’s CEO in mid-March, as the pandemic’s shelter in place was getting underway.

At around the time Wright came on board, county and state officials had been in talks about locating a quarantine and recovery site for COVID-19 patients at the Lake County Fairgrounds, a process which was supported by the governor’s state of emergency declaration, as Lake County News has reported. However, county officials later scrapped that plan.

Following Pace’s April announcement, Wright and the fair board continued to try to find alternatives while waiting for more guidance from the state, as the 49th District Agricultural Association is a state agency.

Wright said she was in consultation with Pace about the fair and began working early on with the Junior Livestock Committee to find an alternative for 4-H and Future Farmers of America members who have raised animals for sale at this year’s event.

Because the Lake County Fair falls later in the year, Wright said it gave the fair board an opportunity to see what the state would do and to follow the plans of other fairs.

However, with fairs and events like the California State Fair and the Grand Nationals at the Cow Palace being called off for the year, the odds for the Lake County Fair’s annual appearance appeared increasingly diminished.

Wright said she was concerned not just for the impacts on the local economy but for the companies built around fairs, like those that provide amusements and carnival services.

“Fairs are big business,” she said.

Fair officials said they considered ongoing guidance and information from state and county public health and government officials on the status of the coronavirus pandemic and the improbability that mass gatherings, like the Lake County Fair, could safely and responsibly take place.

Ultimately, as governor-appointed representatives, the fair board said in a statement that it has a responsibility to provide a safe experience to the community-at-large, the people who depend on county fairs for their livelihood, fairgoers and Lake County Fair staff.

“The fair is truly a labor of love that our board of directors, staff, vendors, sponsors, exhibitors, community members and volunteers spend many months of planning to make the fair a success,” the board statement said.

Other events at the fairgrounds – such as the Lake County Rodeo, which had been set for early July – also have been canceled.

So far, the Lakeport Speedway hasn’t been able to resume races, although Pace allowed the Northern California Racing Association to do “test and tune” practice sessions – without spectators – at the Lakeport Speedway on May 23 and 24.

Concerned about long-term impacts

Officials like Wright and Richard Persons, a former Lake County Fair CEO who now manages the Santa Maria Fairpark, have raised concerns about the pandemic’s long-term impact on the fair and outdoor event industries, with many experienced fair executives retiring and leaving doubt as to who will lead those sectors as they return and reopen.

Santa Maria announced June 2 that it also is canceling its fair this year, which like Lake County’s hasn’t had an interruption since World War II.

While the Lake County Fair is holding its own financially, Wright told Lake County News that with many fairs across the state now in the red, the impacts of the pandemic and its shutdown could spell “the end of an era.”

A number of fairs across the state are reporting on their websites that they are facing insolvency and bankruptcy, and are asking for the help of their communities in appealing to the California Legislature for emergency funding.

Meanwhile, Wright is continuing to work with the Junior Livestock Committee on an online auction format and said she feels fortunate to have such a dedicated group of livestock people to help plan this year’s out-of-the-ordinary auction event.

She said to watch for updates in coming weeks on how the community can help support youth in their market livestock projects.

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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Richard Allen Berry, 63, of Lucerne, California, was sentenced to four years in state prison on Monday, June 8, 2020, for possession of child pornography. Lake County Jail photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A Lucerne man has been sentenced to state prison for possession of child pornography in a case that authorities said involved children who were identified as living in the Philippines.

On Monday, Richard Allen Berry, 63, received the prison sentence in Lake County Superior Court, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Lt. Corey Paulich said Berry also may be facing federal charges for the production of child pornography involving the children in the Philippines who were exploited in the case.

In November 2018, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit received information that Berry, who is a convicted sex offender, was possibly in possession of child pornography, Paulich said.

Paulich said sheriff’s detectives obtained search warrants for Berry’s residence as well as records related to his internet activity.

During the next several months, detectives reviewed evidence obtained from the search warrants. Paulich said several images of child pornography were located on Berry’s electronic devices.

Evidence also was discovered that showed Berry had been live video chatting with subjects in the Philippines who were commercially sexually exploiting children, Paulich reported.

Paulich said Berry was exchanging money for photographs and videos containing child pornography with the subjects in the Philippines.

On May 2, 2019, Berry was arrested pursuant to an arrest warrant that had been issued by the Lake County Superior Court related to this investigation. Paulich said Berry was booked at the Lake County Jail on charges of possession of child pornography with a prior conviction for a registrable sex offense.

Paulich said detectives believed they were able to identify a residence in the Philippines related to one of the children who were being sexually exploited.

Sheriff’s detectives requested assistance from agents with the Homeland Security in coordinating with officials from the Philippines National Police. Paulich said detectives requested attempts be made to contact, identify and check the welfare of the child who was possibly being sexually exploited.

On March 12, 2020, the Major Crimes Unit received information that an operation had been conducted in the Philippines on March 9 and 10 that resulted in the rescue of six victims related to online sexual exploitation, Paulich said.

Two of the victims rescued were a 12-year-old girl and 6-year-old boy who were related to the investigation of Berry in Lake County, according to Paulich’s report.

The investigation found other images of child pornography but detectives don’t know where those children are from, Paulich told Lake County News.

Then, on Monday, Berry was sentenced in Lake County Superior Court, Paulich said.

Paulich said late last year the Lake County Sheriff’s Office entered into a memorandum of understanding with several local, county and city organizations recognizing the need for a collaborative approach to identifying, intervening, and bringing children to safety that are being commercially sexually exploited in Lake County.

“The Lake County Sheriff’s Office will continue to work with local, state, federal and international agencies to stop these horrific crimes,” Paulich said.

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