UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The Tallman Hotel and Blue Wing Saloon Restaurant in Upper Lake have announced the lineup for their ninth annual Blue Wing Blues Festival, which takes place Aug. 7 through 9.

Details of a followup show on Labor Day, Sept. 7, will be announced shortly.

Headliners this year include the Ford Blues Band with Volker Strifler, Harriet Lewis and the Family Band, and Rick Estrin and the Nightcats. Blues guitar legend Bernie Pearl from Los Angeles will open each of the shows.

Starting at 6:30 p.m. each evening, these top blues musicians will perform on the veranda of the Hotel with the audience gathered in the intimate garden between the Hotel and Restaurant.

“It’s a nice time of day and a great spot to enjoy world-class music,” said owner Bernie Butcher. “With a top quality barbecue dinner thrown in with the price of admission, it’s a great value for music lovers.”

Opening each evening of the August dates is LA-based blues guitarist Bernie Pearl accompanied by Mike Berry on bass.

Pearl is a fixture on the Los Angeles blues scene with his solo performances, his band backing all the big names in the area and as host of a popular all-blues radio station.

The Ford Blues Band will headline opening night on Friday, Aug. 7. Led by veteran bluesman Patrick Ford on drums, the band includes Mark Ford on harp and vocals, Dewayne Pate on bass and features German-born Volker Strifler on guitar and vocals.

Volker and his band have won several blues awards, Ford’s solo releases on Blue Rock’It Records have been bestsellers, and Pate is one of the most sought after session men on the West Coast. Together they make for one of the most skillful and intriguing bands on the blues scene today.

Headlining the show on Saturday, Aug. 8, is the dynamic soul, blues and jazz vocalist Harriet Lewis with her “Family Band” including backup vocalists.

Originally from Philadelphia of Jamaican Heritage, Lewis began singing in her Baptist church at the age of 12 and has been perfecting her craft ever since.

She has performed as lead or backup vocals on some 13 CDs. Now residing in California, Lewis has traveled widely in Europe, particularly Germany where, in 1995, she won an award as “Best Soul, Blues and Jazz Singer in Europe.”

Rick Estrin and the Nightcats top the bill on Sunday, Aug. 9.

Estrin ranks among the very best harmonica players, singers and songwriters in the blues world today. His quick wit and signature look – coiffed hair, pencil-thin mustache and sharp attire – add even more color to his performances.

Backing Estrin are virtuoso musicians in their own rights. Kid Andersen is a fiery showman on guitar together with Lorenzo Farrell on bass and keys and J. Hansen on drums.

Tickets are limited to 100 each evening and may be purchased directly at the Tallman Hotel, located on Main Street in Upper Lake, or by calling the hotel reception desk at 707-275-2244, Extension 0.

Ticket prices are $50 each plus tax if purchased in advance and $55 each at the gate.

More information including the barbecue menus for each night can be found at www.tallmanhotel.com/concerts .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A 3.2-magnitude earthquake was reported in the Cobb area on Tuesday evening.

The US Geological Survey said the quake occurred at 7:55 p.m.

The quake's epicenter was located 1 mile west of Cobb and 11 miles southwest of Clearlake, at a depth of a mile and a half, the survey reported.

Shake reports were submitted to the US Geological Survey from Kelseyville, Middletown, Healdsburg and Napa, from the Bay Area and from as far away as Hydesville – 223 miles from the epicenter.

A magnitude 3 earthquake was reported 3 miles northwest of The Geysers geothermal steamfield on Monday, the US Geological Survey reported.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – On Monday the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office issued new details on a 19-year-old Laytonville resident's fatal attack on the family with which he was staying.

Talen Clark Barton is alleged to have used a 12-inch kitchen knife to stab to death two people and seriously wounded two others in the incident, which began at about 12:15 a.m. Sunday at a Laytonville home.

Officials identified Laytonville residents Coleman Palmieri, 52, and his 17-year-old son Teo Palmieri as the two people who died at the scene of their injuries.

The names of the remaining victims have not been released. They include a 54-year-old woman from Laytonville and a 52-year-old male from St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada, both of whom were stabbed, and two uninjured young female teens, a 14-year-old from Laytonville and a 15-year-old from St. John's, Newfoundland, officials said.

Barton remains in the Mendocino County Jail, charged with two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder and one count of false imprisonment. He's being held without bail, according to jail records.

At approximately 12:46 a.m. Sunday the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call from the 46000 block of South Meadow Lane in Laytonville. Officials said the call was made by a female juvenile who was trying to summon aid to the location. 

Within a short period of time a male – later identified as Barton – took over the call and a lengthy conversation with dispatchers ensued, officials said.

The sheriff's office said that during this conversation Barton admitted to stabbing four people in the home, with two of those persons having died and the other two needing medical aid for life-threatening wounds. 

A Mendocino County Sheriff's dispatcher obtained driving directions and, as responding deputies arrived, talked the suspect into placing the knife down and exiting the residence where he surrendered without incident, according to the sheriff's report.

After securing Barton, deputies made a protective sweep of the residence. In the downstairs area of the house they located two female juveniles. There, deputies also found the wounded 54-year-old female and the 52-year-old male, both of them with multiple life-threatening stab wounds to the neck and chest.

Upstairs, the deputies located Coleman and Teo Palmieri, both deceased. Both appeared to have suffered multiple stab wounds about the neck and chest, according to the report.

Medical aid was summoned and Laytonville Fire and Cal Fire responded. Officials said both surviving adult victims were transported via air ambulance to nearby trauma centers, one to Redding Mercy Hospital and the second to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.

Sheriff's officials learned the surviving adults in the home were siblings, with the adult male and his daughter recently arriving from Canada to visit family members and to attend a local summer camp for youth.

The two surviving juveniles – who are cousins – later were taken into protective custody by Child Protection Services until they could be placed with other family members, the sheriff's office said.

The Canadian authorities were notified of the incident and have been working with the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office and CPS to make notifications as well as reunification efforts, based on the report.

The sheriff's office said Barton was reported to have been in the foster placement system and had been living with the family on Meadow Lane for more than a year.

It is unknown if he was “officially” placed with the family by a Child Protective Services agency.  The family was described by many as having taken him Barton in and was trying their best to make a home for him as well as recently trying to help him get enrolled in college in Humboldt County.

Barton admitted to being a heavy marijuana user but denied using any other controlled substances.  There were no other controlled substances found at the scene, according to the sheriff's office report.

At this time there is no clear motive for the attacks, officials said.

The investigation is continuing and Mendocino County Sheriff's Office is requesting that anyone with pertinent information contact the Sheriff's Office Detectives Division at 707-463-4111 or the tip line at 707-234-2100.  

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The 73rd quilt block on the Lake County Quilt Trail is “Friends of the Library” designed by library technician, Jan Cook, who has been a quilter for 40 years.

Lakeport Library is located at 1425 N. High St. in Lakeport.

Cook’s design incorporates four friendship stars and an open book.

The four red stars represent Lake County’s four public libraries and the support the libraries get from Friends of the Lake County Library.

The open book symbolizes the library’s information-sharing function for the people of Lake County.

Red in the block represents the warmth and cheer of friendship. Light blue from Lake County Library cards represents Clear Lake and Lake County’s clear skies.

Friends made all of Lake County’s early libraries possible when individuals, civic improvement clubs and library committees banded together to form libraries in their towns.

Lakeport’s library committee started the town’s first library in 1907 in the Levy Building.

The committee applied for and received a Carnegie grant to open Lakeport’s Carnegie building in 1918.

Upper Lake’s first library was housed in J.N. League’s store for two years before Harriet Lee Hammond and the Upper Lake Women’s Protective Club provided the Harriet Lee Hammond Library in 1916. The Hammond Library will celebrate its centennial in 2016.

Chauncey W. Gibson made it possible for Middletown to have a temporary library in 1929 and a
permanent one in 1930, which is now the Gibson Museum and Cultural Center.

The Park Study Club founded the Redbud Library on Golf Avenue in Clearlake in the 1960s.

These four independent town libraries formed the Lake County Library system in the 1970s.

In 1986 Lakeport’s new library, the headquarters of the Lake County Library system, opened at 1425 N. High St.

New modern libraries have replaced the older buildings in Clearlake and Middletown.

The Friends of the Lake County Library continues the tradition of community support for libraries and literacy in Lake County.

The Lake County Library is on the Internet at http://library.lakecountyca.gov and the Friends of the Lake County Library can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-the-Lake-County-Library/96465282133 .

The Lake County Quilt Trail is an agricultural and tourism project designed to promote community pride.

The 4-foot by 4-foot quilt block was drawn and painted by the Lake County Quilt Trail team, a group of dedicated quilters, graphic artists, painters, writers, carpenters and a videographer.

For more information about the Lake County Quilt Trail visit www.lakecountyquilttrail.com or check out the group's Facebook page.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Mendocino County health officials reported Tuesday that the first human case of West Nile virus in that county since 2014 has been confirmed.

Officials said it is unclear whether the patient was infected with the virus within Mendocino County, as the patient reported being bitten by mosquitoes while out of state during the incubation period.

The patient is recovering, according to the report.

Earlier this week, the California Department of Public Health reported that the state's first West Nile virus death of this year occurred in Nevada County, where a senior citizen died of the virus.

No other human cases of the virus have been reported this year statewide, according to the California West Nile virus Web site, www.westnile.ca.gov .

West Nile virus is transmitted to humans and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito.

A person or animal that has been infected by West Nile virus may have no symptoms of illness or they could become severely ill.

Severe symptoms occur in less than 1 percent of those persons infected by West Nile virus. Symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, tremors, coma, convulsions, muscle loss, numbness, paralysis and vision loss. These symptoms can last several weeks and neurological effects may be permanent.

Mild symptoms occur in up to 20 percent of persons infected with West Nile virus and include fever, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a rash on the chest, stomach and back.

Persons with these symptoms can feel ill for a few days, while others may feel ill for several weeks. Approximately 80 percent of those who are infected with West Nile virus do not have any symptoms at all and do not feel ill.

Individuals over 50 years of age are at a higher risk to develop serious symptoms if they are infected with West Nile virus.

To avoid becoming infected with West Nile virus, avoid spending time outdoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active; wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors and use insect repellent; eliminate all sources of standing water to reduce mosquito breeding; and repair or replace torn screens on windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – California Department of Public Health Director and State Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith on Monday announced the first confirmed death in California due to West Nile virus.

The deceased person was a senior citizen in Nevada County.

“This death is a tragic reminder of how severe West Nile virus disease can be,” said Dr. Smith. “West Nile virus activity is more widespread in 2015 than in years past. Californians need to be vigilant in protecting themselves.”

West Nile virus is influenced by many factors such as climate, the number and types of birds and mosquitoes in an area, and the level of immunity in birds to the virus.

It is possible that the drought has contributed to West Nile virus amplification by reducing sources of water for birds and mosquitoes, state officials reported. As birds and mosquitoes seek water, they are coming into closer contact and amplifying the transmission of the virus.

Thirty-three California counties have reported West Nile virus activity so far this year, four more than this time last year and above the five-year average of 22, the state said.

To date, 497 mosquito samples have tested positive for West Nile virus, which exceeds the five-year average of 330, according to state health officials.

Lake County's first positive mosquito samples of the year were confirmed last week, as Lake County News has reported. Those samples were collected in Clearlake Oaks, Upper Lake and Kelseyville.

West Nile virus is transmitted to humans and animals by the bite of an infected mosquito.

The risk of serious illness to most people is low. However, some individuals – less than one percent – can develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis.

People 50 years of age and older have a higher chance of getting sick and are more likely to develop complications.

Studies also indicate that those with diabetes and/or hypertension are at greatest risk for serious illness.

The California Department of Public Health recommends that individuals prevent exposure to mosquito bites and West Nile virus by practicing the “Three Ds”:

– DEET: Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaradin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 according to label instructions. Repellents keep the mosquitoes from biting you. DEET can be used safely on infants and children two months of age and older.

– DAWN AND DUSK: Mosquitoes bite in the early morning and evening so it is important to wear proper clothing and repellent if outside during these times. Make sure that your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes. Repair or replace screens with tears or holes.

– DRAIN: Mosquitoes lay their eggs on standing water. Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property, by emptying flower pots, old car tires, buckets, and other containers. If you know of a swimming pool that is not being properly maintained, please contact your local mosquito and vector control agency.

California’s West Nile virus Web site, http://www.westnile.ca.gov/ , includes the latest information on West Nile virus activity in the state.

Californians are encouraged to report dead birds on the Web site or by calling toll-free 1-877-WNV-BIRD (968-2473).

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Hundreds of firefighters are at the scene of a wildland fire that began burning Wednesday afternoon near Lake Berryessa, prompting evacuations.

The Wragg fire was first reported in 7700 block of Highway 128 at Wragg Canyon Road in Napa and Solano counties just before 2:30 p.m., according to Cal Fire.

Officials said the fire was sparked by a vehicle crash.

The agency's most recent update on the fire, issued at 5 p.m., stated that it had burned 700 acres in two and a half hours, with no containment.

At 6:40 p.m., Cal Fire updated the size estimate to 1,000 acres, with 5 percent contained.

Structures are threatened in the Mix Canyon area, and evacuations are in effect in the area of Cold Canyon, including the Canyon Creek Campground, Cal Fire said. Hikers also are being evacuated.

Highway 128 is closed in the fire area, according to Cal Fire.

An estimated 300 firefighters are on scene, Cal Fire said, along with 16 fire engines, 10 fire crews, six air tankers, four helicopters, 11 dozers, five water tenders, three volunteer companies and five overhead/command personnel.

Officials said the fire is traveling rapidly through the area's brush-covered, rugged and steep terrain.

Firefighters are being challenged by erratic winds and difficult access as they work on perimeter control and containment, according to Cal Fire.

In addition to Cal Fire, agencies on scene include Napa County Fire, Winters Fire Protection District, the Napa County Sheriff's Office, the California Highway Patrol and the Napa County Roads Department.

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.

MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – Mendocino National Forest firefighters are working on locating and putting out a number of lightning-caused wildland fires on the forest.

Several hundred lightning strikes occurred throughout the forest Monday afternoon and evening, according to Mendocino National Forest spokeswoman Tamara Schmidt.

Forest personnel so far have identified one fire on the Grindstone Ranger District on the east side of the forest and two fires on the Covelo Ranger District on the northwest side of the forest, Schmidt said.

All of the fires are small, totaling half an acre or less. Schmidt said progress toward containment has been made on all three fires.

As conditions continue to dry out and warm up, firefighters anticipate discovering more lightning fires in coming days, said Schmidt, noting there also is a chance of thunderstorms Tuesday evening.

Large thunderheads could be seen Tuesday afternoon and evening above the forest.

Forest visitors are asked to be aware of their surroundings and to be prepared for changing conditions.  This includes reporting visible smoke that could be from a wildfire.

To report a fire, call 911.

As a reminder, the Mendocino National Forest currently is under fire restrictions. Visitors are asked to follow regulations and be careful with anything with a flame or that can throw a spark in the forest. 

For more information, visit www.preventwildfireca.org/OneLessSpark/ .

Follow the forest on Twitter, @MendocinoNF.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Cal Fire reported that firefighters are working on several major wildland fire incidents around California as the week begins.

In this week's Fire Situation Report – which can be viewed above – Cal Fire spokesman Daniel Berlant said that the agency's fire crews responded to more than 250 wildfires last week.

There also has been significant lightning area in some parts of the state, including the Central Sierra, Berlant said.

The biggest of the current fire incidents, according to Cal Fire, is the North fire in San Bernardino County, which began burning on Friday. As of late Monday it had burned 4,250 acres and was 95-percent contained.

The McCabe fire, sparked on Sunday in Merced County, had burned 1,333 acres and was 95-percent contained Monday night, Cal Fire reported.

Officials also are emphasizing the need to keep hobby drones out of fire areas.

Several incidents in recent weeks have temporarily grounded Cal Fire air resources due to safety concerns.

“If you fly, we can't,” Berlant 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.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The candidacy filing period is now open for numerous seats on local special district and education governing boards that will appear on the Nov. 3 ballot, according to the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office.

The filing period for the following offices ends at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5, Registrar Diane Fridley reported.

College, board of education or school district governing boards

– Mendocino-Lake Community College District: Trustee Area Nos. 1, 3 and 4, one vacancy each (file in Mendocino County); Trustee Area No. 7, one vacancy (file in Lake County).

– Lake County Board of Education: Trustee Area No. 1, one vacancy; Trustee Area No. 2, one vacancy.

– Kelseyville Unified School District: Three vacancies.

– Lakeport Unified School District: Three vacancies.

– Lucerne Elementary School District: One full term, one two-year unexpired term.

– Upper Lake Union Elementary School District: Two vacancies.

– Upper Lake Union High School District: Two vacancies.

Special district board of directors

– Kelseyville Fire Protection District: Two vacancies.

– Lake County Fire Protection District: Three vacancies.

– South Lake County Fire Protection District: Three full terms, one two-year unexpired term.

– Anderson Springs Community Services District: Two vacancies.

– Butler-Keys Community Services District: Three vacancies.

– Adams Springs Water District: Two full terms, one two-year unexpired term.

– Buckingham Park Water District: Two full terms, one two-year unexpired term.

– Callayomi County Water District: Two full terms, one two-year unexpired term.

– Clearlake Oaks County Water District: Three full terms, one two-year unexpired term.

– Cobb Area County Water District: Two vacancies.

– Konocti County Water District: Two full terms, one two-year unexpired term.

– Scotts Valley Water Conservation District: Divisions I and III, one vacancy each division, full terms;  Division II, one vacancy, two-year unexpired term.

– Upper Lake County Water District: Three vacancies.

– Villa Blue Estates Water District: Three vacancies, two-year terms.

For more information, call the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office at 707-263-2372, or stop by the office, located in Room 209 on the second floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Work on a bridge project between Middletown and Calistoga is continuing despite an incident last week in which a construction crane toppled over.

The work on the summer construction phase of the Troutdale Creek bridge replacement project on Highway 29 in northwest Napa County began this month, as Lake County News has reported.

At around 11 a.m. Wednesday a large construction crane toppled over on the construction site, according to Vince Jacala, Caltrans public information officer for Napa and Solano counties.

Jacala said the crane's operator was not hurt.

The crew was able to upright the crane at around 10 p.m. Wednesday, Jacala said.

Caltrans' contractor on the project is Gordon N. Ball Inc. of Alamo. Jacala said Cal OSHA is investigating the accident.

Jacala said that, despite the incident, work was moving forward on schedule.

Caltrans has estimated that the project could be done late in 2016.

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

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Planning Commission this week is set to consider a cell phone tower project held over from its meeting two weeks ago.

The commission will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

Complete Wireless Consulting, on behalf of Verizon Wireless, is seeking a use permit and variance for a 70-foot monopine tower, which is proposed to be located on a leased 40-foot by 40-foot area on a vacant parcel at 14549 Burns Valley Road, owned by Anthony and Maxine Lamperti of Santa Rosa.

Staff is recommending the commission adopt the mitigated negative declaration, the use permit and the variance based on a number of listed conditions.

City Attorney Ryan Jones had advised the commission at its July 7 meeting that it should postpone the hearing because the mitigated negative declaration based on the project's initial study had only been completed earlier that day, not giving either the commission or the public enough time to review it.

The commission agreed, rescheduling that hearing to this Tuesday's 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.

072115 Clearlake Planning Commission - Staff report on cell tower