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Grant Donald Smith, 59, of Nice, Calif., was arrested early on the morning of Thursday, July 18, 2019, after a standoff with law enforcement who had responded to reports that he was shooting a firearm in his neighborhood. Lake County Jail photo.

NICE, Calif. – Authorities took a Northshore man into custody early Thursday following a standoff that began after deputies responded to reports of shots being fired in a neighborhood.

Grant Donald Smith, 59, of Nice, was arrested just before 2 a.m., the Lake County Sheriff’s Office reported.

Lt. Corey Paulich said that at 9:30 a.m. p.m. Wednesday Lake County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 7000 block of Marin Street in Nice, where several residents in the area were reporting that Smith was yelling at neighbors and shooting a firearm. Units from the Clearlake Police Department and California Highway Patrol also responded to assist.

When deputies arrived they heard gunshots coming from Smith’s residence. Paulich said they made contact with Smith and ordered him out of the residence.

Smith told the deputies to come in and get him. He also threatened to kill the deputies, Paulich said.

Paulich said Smith came out of his house shining a spotlight at the deputies. Smith said he had a gun and would kill everyone if they didn’t leave.

The deputies were not able to see if Smith had a gun, and Paulich said Smith went back into his residence and refused to come out.

The Sheriff’s SWAT Team and Crisis Response Team, or CRT, responded to the scene. Paulich said the CRT made several attempts to speak with Smith and get him to surrender peacefully, but he refused.

The SWAT Team used chemical agents in an attempt to get Smith to come out, but he continued to refuse, Paulich said.

Paulich said the SWAT Team eventually made entry into Smith’s residence pursuant to a search warrant and took him into custody.

The Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit conducted a search of Smith’s residence. They located several empty .22 caliber shell casings and a .22 caliber revolver, Paulich said.

Paulich said Smith was transported to the Lake County Jail after being medically cleared. He was booked on charges of resisting/threatening officers and negligent discharge of a firearm.

Smith remained in custody on Thursday, with bail set at $15,000, according to jail records.
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Bert Tino Besio, 69, of Clearlake, Calif., was arrested on Monday, July 15, 2019, in a child sexual assault case. Lake County Jail photo.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Police said they have arrested a Clearlake man for sexual crimes against two victims under age 13.

On Monday, members of the Clearlake Police Department Investigations Bureau arrested Bert Tino Besio, 69, on an arrest warrant, the department said.

Authorities said Besio’s arrest was the result of a month-long investigation regarding child molestation of two victims under 13 years of age.

Based on the investigation, police believe that Besio sexually assaulted the victims on multiple occasions and falsely made a claim to a victim that he used to be a police officer.

The arrest warrant was issued for two counts each of the following: aggravated sexual assault of a child – rape, 269(a)(1) PC; aggravated sexual assault of a child, 269(a)(5) PC; and lewd and lascivious acts with a victim under age 14, 288(b) PC.

Besio remains in custody, with bail set at $300,000.

He’s tentatively scheduled to appear in Lake County Superior Court on Tuesday.

If anyone has information that would aid in this investigation, please contact Det. Steve Hobb at 707-994-8251, Extension 321.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday gave unanimous support for a contract to carry out an asphalt improvement project for the Lampson Field airport runway.

Lake County Public Works Director Scott De Leon asked the board to award the project for the airport runway asphalt slurry seal rehabilitation project to Maxwell Asphalt Inc. of Salt Lake City.

The contract totals approximately $1,005,710. De Leon said the project is fully funded, with 90 percent of the funding coming from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program funds, a 5 percent contribution from Caltrans and a 5 percent local contribution.

“The scope of the project is to make minor repairs to the existing asphalt, including crack repairs, place a slurry seal for pavement preservation over the runway and taxiway, and apply new pavement stripes and markings,” De Leon’s written report to the board explained.

He told the board on Tuesday morning, “This project’s been a long time coming. We had hoped to build this last year but the Mendocino Complex fires resulted in a closure of the airport and we just really felt that that was going to be too much of a burden on the businesses, to close the airport again later in the summer.”

De Leon said his department put the project off at this point, and bid it out a couple of times, initially receiving no bids on the first found.

Then Maxwell Asphalt Inc. submitted the only bid. De Leon said his staff did some research on the company, which he said has gotten really good reviews on the quality of its work. He said he was excited that the company had decided to come to Lake County to do the project.

“This is a top priority project for us in our capital improvement plan and we’re excited to deliver it,” he said.

De Leon said the project will result in some intermittent closures and then a closure for about a week and a half. He said they are working with operators at the airport so they can be ready for those interruptions.

“Once it’s done, we’ll be good for another seven years with our pavement,” he said.

De Leon noted that the bids came in higher than what he had budgeted with the FAA Airport Improvement Funds.

However, the FAA agreed to fund the balance, for an additional $300,000.

Supervisor Bruno Sabatier said he was glad the FAA stepped in, noting the project cost also had come in just under the engineer’s estimate.

He added that the project is one of the top three priorities for economic development.

Supervisor Moke Simon said the project has been a long time coming, adding that there also is a pilots’ lounge project under way at the airport.

Board Chair Tina Scott said De Leon is staying very busy at the airport.

Simon, who added that last year’s fire really slowed down the project, moved to approve it, with Sabatier seconding and the board approving the motion 5-0.

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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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council has approved an application for Proposition 68 funds to build a new lakeside park, one of the key components in the city’s lakefront revitalization plan.

The council on Tuesday gave unanimous support to a resolution that gives staff the go ahead to submit the application to the state for Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program Grant Funds for the new park the city proposes to build at 800 and 800 N. Main St., the former site of Natural High School.

The discussion begins at the 22:00 minute mark in the video above. The staff report starts on page 42 of the agenda packet shown below.

The voter-passed Proposition 68 authorizes $4 billion in general obligation bonds meant for projects that extend from local and state parks to flood protection, water infrastructure, environmental protection and habitat restoration.

Associate Planner Dan Chance told the council that since the council adopted the lakefront revitalization plan, staff has been hoping to get financing to move it to the next level.

“This is the next step for a major part of this project,” he said.

The city has hosted a series of public workshops since the spring in order to gather input on what community members want in a new park, leading up to finalizing a list of amenities and a conceptual plan at a June 28 meeting.

The top concept has an amphitheater, lawn, picnic tables and barbecue grills, bathrooms, concession area, basketball court, ninja gym, splash pad, a large shelter area, an area for a potential future boathouse, a boat ramp and parking, as can be seen in a design shown on this page and in the staff report.

The city has been working with the firm Public Health Advocates to put the grant together. He said the proposal was before the council to get confirmation that city leadership supports it.

Chance said the proposal would include acquisition of the Natural High School property, the details of which haven’t been worked out yet. The property belongs to the Lakeport Unified School District.

“We are very close to getting something on paper for that,” he said.

City Manager Margaret Silveira’s written report to the council said the district intends to give the city a letter this month outlining its intent to support Lakeport’s grant application for the development of the new park on the former Natural High, subject to the completion of required Education Code regulations and procedures.

That letter is expected to indicate either the district’s intent to sell the property or “provide other suitable agreement with the City to allow the development of the proposed park lands at this site.”

Chance asked the council to adopt the resolution supporting the grant application, which must be submitted before Aug. 5.

He said the timeline for developing the park runs over the next two to three years.

A conceptual plan for a new park at 800 and 810 N. Main St. in Lakeport, Calif. Image courtesy of the city of Lakeport.

Councilwoman Stacey Mattina asked when the city should hear back on its application. Silveira said notification is expected in December.

Councilman Kenny Parlet asked if the property purchase is reimbursable. Silveira said it will be included in the final application.

Parlet asked how much the project will cost. Silveira estimated that it will cost $4.6 million to develop the park, not including land acquisition.

She later told Lake County News that property negotiations are still under way with the school district and so a price for the lakeside property hasn’t been finalized.

During the Tuesday night discussion, Councilman George Spurr asked when the city would have something from the school district about the property. Silveira said the district expects to get the city a document by July 30. She said the city has been working with the district all along, and appreciates their efforts.

Councilwoman Mireya Turner said people were sharing a lot of ideas during the public input process. “This is a very good end result.”

Silveira said Public Health Advocates is working with 10 other communities on their Proposition 68 grants, and the company told city officials that they were impressed with Lakeport, as it has the most community engagement they’ve seen.

Turner said the area where the new park is proposed is very important to the community.

Chance noted that there were “very intense conversations” about the project.

Turner moved to approve the grant application, with multiple seconds offered and the motion approved 5-0.

On Tuesday the council also approved a proposal from The Retail Coach for a retail recruitment and development plan; approved new murals for downtown; authorized a written report regarding delinquent water and sewer accounts; selected Spurr as the voting delegate, Turner as the first alternate and Mayor Time Barnes as the second alternate for the League of California Cities annual conference in October in Long Beach; met new employees; honored departing police Lt. Jason Ferguson; and presented a proclamation committing to join the Energy Upgrade California initiative’s efforts to take action to save energy, and to conserve and preserve natural resources.

Updates from Lisa Kaplan of the Middletown Art Center about the RESTORE project and the Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee on its Business Walks outreach program were postponed to a future meeting.

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.

071619 Lakeport City Council agenda packet by LakeCoNews on Scribd

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Damin Anthony Pashilk, 43, of Clearlake, Calif., at left, at his preliminary hearing in March 2019. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Clearlake man arrested three years ago for setting the Clayton fire and numerous other fires around Lake County during a yearlong period has reached a plea agreement and will be sentenced this fall.

The Lake County District Attorney’s Office said Wednesday that it has reached the agreement with Damin Anthony Pashilk, 43, after ongoing discussions and “the assessment of the risks associated with proceeding to trial.”

The agreement calls for him to be sentenced to just over 15 years in state prison. He also will have to face a restitution process for the victims of the fires he set.

Pashilk was arrested on Aug. 15, 2016, two days after the Clayton fire began, and has remained in custody since then. For much of that time, he has been held in an out-of-county facility.

Following a lengthy investigation, authorities concluded the Clayton fire was the last of a series of fires he had set in the Clearlake, Lower Lake and Middletown areas from the summer of 2015 to 2016.

He initially was charged with intentionally setting 15 fires and one attempted fire between July 2, 2015, and Aug. 13, 2016. Authorities said most of the fires were small wildland fires that were quickly extinguished by Cal Fire and burned only vegetation.

The two most serious fires were the Seigler Canyon fire and the Clayton fire. The Seigler Canyon fire on Aug. 9, 2016, burned 15 acres of vegetation and a mobile home, authorities said.

The Clayton fire started on Aug. 13, 2016, on Clayton Creek Road in dry grass, burning nearly 4,000 acres and destroying 300 structures, including many in historic downtown Lower Lake.

Pashilk’s preliminary hearing took place from Feb. 14 to March 12. He was charged with 23 counts associated with the fires he was believed to have set. Judge Andrew ordered Pashilk to stand trial for all but one of the fires, for which the charge was dropped, as Lake County News has reported.

After the preliminary hearing concluded, District Attorney Susan Krones, Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff – who has handled the prosecution so far, including the preliminary hearing – along with the District Attorney’s Office investigator assigned to the case, and the primary Cal Fire investigators who conducted the serial arsonist investigation and origin and cause investigations for each fire, met to discuss the case and potential dispositions.

During the meetings, the District Attorney’s Office said discussions included assessment of the testimony and evidence at the preliminary hearing, the strengths and weaknesses of the investigation and evidence, potential defenses, risks of not getting convictions on some or all charges if the case proceeded to trial, potential sentencing outcomes if the case went to trial, potential disposition options, and the impact on success at trial in the probable event that a change of venue was granted and the trial had to be held outside of Lake County.

Also discussed was the potential costs to Lake County if trial was held in another county and resources required if the case proceeded to trial, officials said.

A change of venue was a real concern, as defense attorney Mitchell Hauptman had indicated it was a possibility at the time of the preliminary hearing due to his concerns that Pashilk couldn’t get a fair trial in Lake County.

Hauptman couldn’t be reached for comment Wednesday afternoon.

Based on the discussions and those risk assessments, the District Attorney’s Office entered into a plea agreement with Pashilk to plead to certain fires and to be sentenced to a stipulated sentence of 15 years, four months.

The District Attorney’s Office said Pashilk will legally be entitled to 15 percent credits before he gets to prison and 20 percent credits after being remanded to prison.

The agreement led to Pashilk pleading no contest on July 9 to starting the following four fires:

– The Western fire on July 23, 2016, on Western Mine Road south of Middletown; it burned less than an acre of dry grass.

– The North Branch fire on July 29, 2016, on Ogulin Canyon Road north of the city of Clearlake; it burned 25 acres of vegetation.

– The Canyon fire on Aug. 9, 2016, on Seigler Canyon Road west of Lower Lake; it burned 15 acres and one mobile home.

– The Clayton fire that started on Clayton Creek road on Aug. 13, 2016, and burned into Lower Lake.

Pashilk’s sentencing will take place on Sept. 23, the District Attorney’s Office said.

A restitution hearing will be subsequently set for a later date to obtain restitution orders for fire victims making a claim for restitution.

Any fire victim’s seeking a restitution order can contact the District Attorney’s Office Victim-Witness Division at 707-262-4282 to make a claim.

Victims who have already made a claim with the District Attorney’s Office do not need to recontact Victim-Witness, officials 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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On Tuesday, the Department of Water Resources released the Final 2018 Update to the California Water Plan.

Update 2018 presents a vision for greater collaboration and alignment among water sectors and institutions, sound strategies, and long-term investments needed for the sustainable management of the California’s water supply.

As directed by California Water Code, DWR publishes an update to the California Water Plan every five years that incorporates the latest information and science, serving as the comprehensive strategic plan for how water is managed throughout the state.

From a devastating drought, widespread flooding, sea level rise, and historic wildfires, California has experienced varying impacts of a changing climate since the previous Water Plan Update in 2013.

In recognizing the need to adapt to these challenges, collaborative and coordinated statewide water management has grown more critical for all regions of the state.

“We are now living in a new climate reality and we know we must respond,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “Our goals are clear – to face our critical, institutional, and systemic challenges head-on and build a more sustainable future.”

Update 2018 recommends 19 priority actions to improve integrated watershed management; strengthen infrastructure resiliency; restore ecosystem functions; empower under-represented communities; improve inter-agency alignment; address regulatory challenges; and support decision-making, adaptive management, and long-term planning.

Update 2018’s recommended actions fall in line with the Newsom Administration’s broader effort to develop a suite of priorities and actions to build a climate-resilient water system that prioritizes multi-benefit and watershed-scale approaches, utilizes natural infrastructure such as floodplains and aquifers, and strengthens partnerships.

“Update 2018 plays an important role in informing our work in the Newsom Administration to build this water resilience strategy,” said Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot.

The update is based on a collection of supporting documents that describe the plan’s findings and recommended actions in greater details.

DWR will host a webinar on Monday, July 29 to provide an overview of Update 2018 and the changes that were incorporated following the public comment period in December 2018.

To receive updates on current and future Water Plan activities and related news, subscribe to Water Plan eNews.
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Police Department has issued an update on the officer-involved shooting this week that occurred as officers were responding to a stabbing.

The agency said the new details it released are based “on a preliminary and ongoing investigation which continues to evolve as investigators interview witnesses, review physical and electronic records and analyze forensic evidence. Our understanding of the facts and circumstances may change as the investigation continues.”

At 8:40 p.m. Monday, the Clearlake Police Department received a call from a residence on Mullen Avenue. The caller reported a family member was attempting to kill them with a knife, according to the report.

The caller disconnected before the dispatcher could obtain further information. Multiple officers were dispatched to the location, authorities said.

The agency said the first officer arrived on scene and contacted a female adult in the front room of the residence who had two children with her. She directed the officer to a back room of the home.

The officer proceeded down the hallway to a bedroom and heard a male calling out for help. The police report said the door to the bedroom was partially ajar but there were items behind it preventing it from fully opening.

The report said the officer requested the backup units expedite their response and called out to the subjects to stop fighting. The officer forced open the door and entered the room.

Police said one male adult subject was found over another male adult and was striking him. The officer attempted to take control of the subject by grabbing his arm and gave commands to stop.

The male subject pulled away and the officer noticed that he had a knife in his hand and was stabbing the victim. The officer removed their firearm and fired a shot at the man, police said.

Despite being shot at, police said the male subject was undeterred. The officer fired a second shot at him, this time resulting in him dropping the knife.

At about this time, the first backup officer, followed by additional officers, entered the room. Medical aid was immediately requested for the suspect and the stabbing victim, police said.

The Lake County Fire Protection District responded, treated the subject who committed the assault and the victim and transported them, police said. The stabbing victim was immediately transferred to an air ambulance while the suspect was taken to a local hospital and then transported by air ambulance.

The officer was taken to the hospital for exposure to blood and was released, police said.

Pursuant to a countywide critical incident protocol, the Lake County District Attorney’s Office was contacted. District Attorney Susan Krones along with a team of District Attorney’s Office investigators responded to the scene to conduct an investigation of this incident.

The District Attorney’s Office investigation will include whether the force used by the officer violated any criminal laws as well as whether anyone else in the incident violated any criminal laws.

The Clearlake Police Department Investigations Bureau also responded and is serving in a supporting role to the investigation.

The Clearlake Police Department said it is conducting an administrative investigation into this incident.

“Officer involved shootings and other uses of force resulting in serious injury or death are a significant event for the officer, the person on whom the force is directed and the community. The administrative investigation will focus on the officer’s compliance with department policies,” the agency said in a statement.

The officer who discharged the weapon has been placed on administrative leave per department policy. The officers involved in the initial incident response were equipped with body worn cameras. The Clearlake Police Department intends to release video footage in a forthcoming critical incident briefing video.

If you have additional information relevant to the investigation, please contact District Attorney’s Office Chief Investigator Bruce Smith at 707-263-2251.
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A logging truck rolled off of a private road near Upper Lake, Calif., on Tuesday, July 16, 2019. Photo by Larry Henry.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – A logging truck driver was injured and flown out of county following a late Tuesday afternoon rollover crash near Upper Lake.

The solo-vehicle wreck was first reported just before 5 p.m., according to radio reports.

Larry Henry, a nearby resident, said the crash occurred on a private road approximately half a mile south of the Middle Creek Campground, about 300 feet from intersecting with Elk Mountain Road. The truck was just a short distance off the edge of the private road.

Fire units arriving at the scene found the truck had rolled off the road, coming to rest on its roof with the driver trapped inside the cab, according to radio reports.

Reports from the scene indicated that the response included Northshore Fire – with units coming from as far away as Clearlake Oaks, which sent a heavy rescue rig – along with the US Forest Service and the California Highway Patrol.

Northshore Fire Chief Mike Ciancio, the incident commander, requested an air ambulance and reported that the driver was conscious. On the advice of his battalion chief, he ordered a heavy duty tow truck, as none of the fire equipment was reported to be strong enough to move the truck.

It took nearly an hour and a half to extricate the driver, who was taken to a landing zone at the nearby Conservation Camp and from there flown by air ambulance to an out-of-county trauma center.

Correction: The original story state that Cal Fire responded. The US Forest Service said it was their units, not Cal Fire, who responded along with Northshore 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.
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Children in a federal border detention center in Brownsville, Texas, on Saturday, July 13, 2019. Photo by Congressman Mike Thompson. (Faces were pixelated by Thompson’s office.)

One of Lake County’s two members of the House of Representatives paid a visit to a border detention center this weekend, touring the facility, documenting conditions and offering recommendations to improve the situation.

Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-5) was among a delegation of about 20 Democrats who went to the facility in Brownsville, Texas, on Saturday.

“It’s a real mess down there,” Thompson, who was back in Washington, DC, on Monday, told Lake County News. “There’s nobody that you or I know who would be anywhere at all interested in spending a minute, let alone a day, in those areas.”

For Thompson, the weekend trip to the center wasn’t the first time he’s visited such a facility. “I’ve been to border detention centers before, as far back as when I was in the State Senate.”

He’s previously traveled to the detention center in Pharr, Texas, a large port of entry in the Rio Grande Valley. He’s also visited the port of entry in Brownsville, but Saturday was the first time he’d been to the detention facility there.

On Friday, Vice President Mike Pence made a visit to the McAllen, Texas, detention facility.

A holding area in a federal border detention center in Brownsville, Texas, on Saturday, July 13, 2019. Photo by Congressman Mike Thompson. (Faces were pixelated by Thompson’s office.)

On Friday night, when Thompson and his colleagues flew in, Border Patrol had apprehended 2,000 people, he said.

While Thompson was at the Brownsville facility on Saturday, he said authorities detected someone trying to smuggle in drugs.

He said the facility is very large and is over capacity. The other detention facilities he’s seen have never been that full.

Conditions are very poor, said Thompson, describing overcrowding, with 25 to 30 people in a closed cell with an exposed toilet, and not all of them able to lie down.

“It’s safe to say, we treat our criminals on death row better than some of these folks are being treated in these facilities,” he said.

A laundry facility in a federal border detention center in Brownsville, Texas, on Saturday, July 13, 2019. Photo by Congressman Mike Thompson. 

Thompson said he believes the United States is seeing a larger number of asylum seekers – certainly a larger number of detainees.

He said the delegation visited with representatives of Catholic Charities and about 50 individuals who had come into the detention center, and not one was from Mexico – all were from Central America. “That’s a significant change.”

The main reason so many people are coming is because of conditions in their home countries, he said.

For people to take the risks to come to this country with their small children – or to send their children alone – in order to seek asylum shows how fearful they are for their lives, he said.

Most of the asylum seekers he and the delegation saw this weekend are from the “Northern Triangle” area of Central America – El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.

“Conditions there are just terrible,” he said.

There are, however, solutions, according to Thompson.

“Any way we can help these countries with their internal problems that they’re experiencing, we’re going to benefit here,” he said.

A holding cell in a federal border detention center in Brownsville, Texas, on Saturday, July 13, 2019. Photo by Congressman Mike Thompson. (Faces were pixelated by Thompson’s office.)

He said he’s on a NAFTA negotiating team, and noted that the changes they’re seeing in Mexico – such as increased worker rights – are enhancing people’s opportunities there and minimizing the likelihood that they will come to the United States.

On Monday night, with bipartisan support, the House of Representatives passed legislation to deal with conditions in the Northern Triangle.

The bill, H.R. 2615: United States-Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act, was introduced in May by Rep. Eliot Engel (D-New York).

It authorizes $577 million for an overall Central American strategy that includes minimizing corruption, enhancing enhance democracy, economic development and addressing the refugee crisis.

That vote on Monday followed an announcement earlier in the day by the Trump Administration about plans to end asylum protections for migrants – including children – who have passed through another country before reaching the southern border and attempting to enter the United States. The new rule is expected to be published in the Federal Register on Tuesday.

A small child in a holding area in a federal border detention center in Brownsville, Texas, on Saturday, July 13, 2019. Photo by Congressman Mike Thompson. (Faces were pixelated by Thompson’s office.)

Right before the July 4 holiday, Congress passed and the president signed legislation that Thompson said is meant to deal with the immediate problem on the border.

That bill appropriated $4.6 billion in emergency funding, and will also cover more immigration judges – which Thompson said are badly needed – and offers funding for nongovernment organizations, or NGOs, to assist.

“It’s not something the government can do by itself. The NGOs are a very critical part of this,” he said.

“That money was critically needed to help the situation down there,” he said. “That’s step one.”

Another recent development in the effort to improve the process is that DNA swabs are now being used to help confirm the family connections between children and adults who were traveling together and have come into the facilities, Thompson said.

Now, Thompson said he has other ideas about what can be done.

“I’m convinced that after seeing it firsthand, we really need to figure out how to get the appropriate agency running things on the border,” he said.

A play area for children in a federal border detention center in Brownsville, Texas, on Saturday, July 13, 2019. Photo by Congressman Mike Thompson.

Thompson said he doesn’t think Border Patrol should be running the health and human services portions of the detention centers. While he said the agency does a great job of patrolling the border, its specialty is law enforcement.

He said he wants to figure out how to put the right people in charge.

“We saw people in these cells who hadn’t had a shower in 20 days,” he said, explaining that Border Patrol staff said they had ordered portable showers but they aren’t expected to come for up to three weeks.

Thompson said he couldn’t help but think back to the wildland fires in Lake County, in particular those in 2015, such as the Valley fire, which displaced thousands of local residents, some of them seeking refuge at the Napa County Fairgrounds in Calistoga.

As soon as the Napa County Board of Supervisors saw that people weren’t going to go home in a few days, they saw that the fairgrounds shower facilities weren’t sufficient and had portable showers on site and ready for use within 48 hours.

As for what’s next to address the nation’s border and immigration issues, Thompson said, “We need to continue our efforts that we’ve begun.”

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.
Catholic Charities workers at a federal border detention center in Brownsville, Texas, on Saturday, July 13, 2019. Photo by Congressman Mike Thompson.
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LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The congregation of Lower Lake Community United Methodist Church, which lost its sanctuary in the Clayton fire nearly three years ago, is soon to break ground on a new building.

The church invites the community to celebrate the groundbreaking with them and to join in a free ice cream social reception following the groundbreaking celebration at 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11. All are welcome.

On Aug. 13, 2016, the Clayton fire began as the result of arson. It burned almost 4,000 acres and destroyed 300 buildings.

One of the buildings destroyed was the sanctuary of the historic Lower Lake Community United Methodist Church which had served this rural neighborhood for 130 years.

Now, the congregation is moving forward with rebuilding the sanctuary, a project “long expected and long overdue,” said Pastor John Pavoni.

The new sanctuary will be located on Main Street in Lower Lake with construction anticipated to be completed in spring 2020.

The former sanctuary had its main entrance on Lake Street but the new entrance will face Main Street as a symbol of resilience and commitment to the community of Lower Lake for the next 130 years and more.

The congregation is proud to note that construction will be by Lake County Builders Inc. and other local subcontractors.

“It was important to us to keep the money in Lake County, helping to provide local jobs and revenues for our community as we work to help restore Lower Lake to its full, vibrant community once again,” Pavoni said.

Since the fire the congregation has met each Sunday at 9:45 a.m. in the Social Hall which survived the fire, “continuing to bring the Word and the Grace of the Lord to all who seek spiritual support within its doors,” the church leadership reported.

The church also has continued to serve the community with a weekly food pantry, feeding the hungry in spite of its own struggles after the fire.
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Jason Ferguson, left, shakes the hand of Mayor Tim Barnes after the reading of a proclamation in Ferguson’s honor at the Lakeport City Council meeting on Tuesday, July 16, 2019. Ferguson, formerly the Lakeport Police Department’s lieutenant, is leaving after 21 years with the agency to become police chief of Cloverdale, Calif. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council on Tuesday honored a longtime police department member who is departing for a job in Sonoma County, and welcomed several new employees.

Mayor Tim Barnes presented a proclamation to Jason Ferguson, whose last day with the city as a police lieutenant was Friday.

Ferguson has been hired as the new police chief for the city of Cloverdale, as Lake County News has reported. His first day is Aug. 5.

He spent 21 years before the Lakeport Police Department, and has served as lieutenant since 2012.

Barnes ribbed Ferguson, who had been set to get the proclamation at the start of the meeting but appeared later, noting that in 21 years, he’d never been late – until he’d been unemployed for three days.

The proclamation noted that Ferguson was one of the first officers the department paid to put through the academy.

In his time of service to the city, he received 25 written commendations for his performance, secured more than $100,000 in state and federal grants, orchestrated the complex move to the department’s new headquarters on S. Main Street, and completed more than 2,500 hours of formal Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training-certified training.

Barnes said Ferguson is a dedicated, committed and respected member of the community.

Police Chief Brad Rasmussen then presented Ferguson with a plaque, recognizing him for his service and noting his important role as the department’s second-in-command for the past seven years.

Ferguson thanked everyone for the honors. He said the city had treated him well.

“I will surely miss everybody here,” Ferguson said.

Earlier in the meeting, the council approved a resolution on the consent agenda appointing Gerardo Gonzalez as interim police lieutenant while the recruitment for Ferguson’s successor takes place. Gonzalez is the retired Willits Police chief who has worked as a part-time level one reserve officer with the city since 2018.

City department heads also introduced new staff to the council on Tuesday.

Kelly Buendia, administrative services director and city clerk, introduced Dawn Miller, the new administrative specialist who will focus on human resources and benefits enrollment. Miller, who started work with the city on Monday, formerly worked for Bicoastal Media.

Rasmussen also introduced three new Lakeport Police Department personnel – records assistant Kerry Lopez, Officer Ryan Cooley and Officer Jonathon Reynolds.

Lopez, who worked as a teacher at Terrace Middle School for 16 years before retiring, has had a longtime interest in law enforcement. She saw the city’s advertisement for a part-time records assistant, tested and was an outstanding candidate, Rasmussen said. She’s been on the job for four weeks.

Rasmussen said Cooley came to the Lakeport Police Department from the Modoc County Sheriff’s Office. He and his wife Elisha are from Trinity County and were looking to make a change. Cooley started July 8 as a lateral candidate and so will have a shorter training time.

Reynolds, born and raised in Lake County, tested for the agency in March and started in mid-May. Rasmussen said he has about seven to eight weeks of field training left.

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. – Police are investigating a Monday night incident that included an officer-involved shooting.

The Clearlake Police Department said late Monday that officers were on scene investigating a stabbing on Mullen Avenue.

“An officer discharged their firearm during the incident,” the department said.

The agency said one person was airlifted to an out-of-county hospital, a second was taken to Adventist Health Clear Lake and the officer also was taken to the local hospital for precautionary measures and released.

Details of what occurred, leading to the shooting, have so far not been released.

Shortly before 8:50 p.m. Lake County Fire Protection District firefighters were dispatched to a medical aid with violence involved at Mullen and Valley avenues, according to radio reports.

Arriving firefighters found one gunshot wound victim and another person with a stab wound. Two air ambulances initially were requested – with one later canceled – and additional manpower requested from district stations, based on scanner reports.

A REACH air ambulance responded to Adventist Health Clear Lake and picked up one of the patients, with radio traffic indicating they transported the individual to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital at around 9:30 p.m.

The Clearlake Police Department said the Lake County District Attorney’s Office has responded with investigators. The District Attorney’s Office investigates officer-involved shootings as part of the county’s critical incident protocol.

Police said the roadway between Alvita and Valley will be closed for an extended period of time while the investigation is conducted.

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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