Wednesday, 05 March 2025

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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County showed strong November home sales, according to the Lake County Association of Realtors.

LCAOR said that the number of sales in November increased 10 percent over October and 8.5 percent over November 2016.

Seventy-six single family residences sold in November with 69 selling in October. In November 2016 there were 70 sales.

The November median sales price was virtually unchanged from the October median. In November the median was $249,950 compared to October’s median of $250,000. The November 2016 median was $255,000.

“The market has continued to be active,” said Melissa Chapman, 2018 LCAOR president. “At 5.3 months the unsold inventory index has remained higher than the statewide inventories and that is a good sign for the Lake County real estate market.”

Cash only purchases made up 27.6 percent of the transactions compared to 28.6 percent in November 2016.

Conventional loans accounted for 35.5 percent of the deals with FHA loans being used for 21 percent of the purchases.

The California Association of Realtors, or CAR, reported existing, single-family home sales totaled 440,340 in November on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate, up 2.1 percent from October and down 0.8 percent from November 2016.

November’s statewide median home price was $546,820, up 0.1 percent from October and up 8.8 percent from November 2016, CAR reported.

With housing inventory remaining at stubbornly low levels, CAR said the statewide unsold inventory index dropped to 2.9 months in November.

Mortgage rates edged higher in November as 30-year, fixed-mortgage interest rates averaged 3.92 percent in November, up from 3.90 percent in October and from 3.77 percent in November 2016, according to Freddie Mac.

The five-year, adjustable-rate mortgage interest rate also ticked higher in November to an average of 3.24 percent from 3.18 percent in October and from 2.74 percent in November 2016, Freddie Mac reported.

LAKE COUNTY NUMBERS AT A GLANCE

November 2017
Median price: $249,950
Median days to sell: 54
Units sold: 76

October 2017
Median price: $250,000
Median days to sell: 36
Units sold: 69

November 2016
Median price: $255,000
Median days to sell: 82
Units sold: 70
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Children from LCOE’s Pomo Preschool in Clearlake, Calif., enjoying the 2017 holidays. Photo courtesy of Jill Ruzicka.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Office of Education State Preschools recently received strong ratings on the Quality Counts California matrix, which measures the quality of preschools in California.

All eight LCOE State Preschools were rated, and all eight preschools were given a Tier 4 rating, with a Tier 5 rating being the highest achievable.

According to the State of California’s Web site, a Tier 4 rating means that each preschool is demonstrating quality across almost all elements of their programs.

Those LCOE State preschools receiving a score of Tier 4 include:

– Burns Valley Early Connection Preschool;
– East Lake Early Connection Preschool;
– Kelseyville Early Connection Preschool;
– Lakeport Early Connection Preschool;
– Lower Lake Early Connection Preschool;
– Lucerne Early Connection Preschool;
– Middletown Early Connection Preschool;
– Pomo Early Connection Preschool.

“I am so proud of all our Site Coordinators who worked incredibly hard over the last year,”
Megan McDonald, interim director of the LCOE State Preschools said. “We aimed for a challenging goal of having all sites reach a Tier 4 and we did it!”

The Quality Counts California matrix is used to measure the effects of the Quality Rating and Improvement System, or QRIS, a voluntary statewide program which was introduced into Lake County in 2015 through the Lake County Office of Education.

The primary focus of QRIS is to enhance program quality for all children involved in participating preschool programs, and focuses on providing information, resources, and support to early care and education programs, in a consistent, state-wide manner.

The ratings of the preschools were performed by Angela Cuellar-Marroquin, coordinator of the Lake County QRIS and the Child Care Planning Council, and her staff.

“Outside assessors from Sonoma County also participated in the ratings to ensure objectivity and to make sure that California standards were being met,” explained Cuellar-Marroquin.

She added, “When preschool sites choose to participate, they go through a process of coaching, improving, and rating.”

Each preschool participating in the QRIS program is rated on child development and school readiness, social and emotional development, effective teacher-child interactions, classroom environments, professional development and family engagement.

Other sites that recently joined the program include Pine Summit Seedlings, The Learning House, Yuba College Child Development Center, Bundle of Joy Nature Preschool, Alphabet Soup Children’s Learning Center, Early Learning Centers in both Clearlake and Lakeport, and Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake Education Center.

These sites will receive their ratings within the next two to eight months. That timeframe is based on when they joined the program.

“This is just a small sample of the quality that we have in early care here in Lake County,” said Cuellar-Marroquin.

“I think we are truly helping to set a precedent in this county for what high quality early education should look like,” McDonald said. “The leadership and staff at LCP and QRIS inspire me on a daily basis.”

Cuellar-Marroquin was thrilled with the rating results of the initial preschools. “If you have a child at any of these sites please join us in congratulating the hard working teachers who are providing the high quality care to your children.”

“I am pleased that our LCOE State Preschools earned such a strong rating, and are providing quality early childhood education (ECE) to Lake County preschoolers,” Lake County Superintendents of Schools Brock Falkenberg said. “Research shows that quality ECE is associated with higher measures of early language and math development, preparing our youngest members of Lake County for kindergarten.”

If you would like more information about the Quality Rating and Improvement System or about joining the Child Care Planning Council, please contact Angela Cuellar-Marroquin, LPC/QRIS coordinator, at 707-262-4162 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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"Oh, beautiful star, the hope of life.” – From the song, “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem” by Emmylou Harris on her album "Light of the Stable"

The Star of Bethlehem is also known as the Christmas Star, and is a favorite story from the biblical nativity story.

The nativity story from the Gospel of Matthew discusses the Magi, or wise men of the East as having followed a star in their journey to Jerusalem.

It is in Jerusalem where they meet up with King Herod of Judea to inquire as to the king of the Jew’s birthplace, and the location of the birth.

Events ensue to lead them south, to Bethlehem. Led by a star, they then present Jesus with gifts and solemn worship.

There have been numerous stories, songs and art to honor the event of the Star of Bethlehem.

A famed fresco by Giotto di Bondone portrays a vivid comet in his work called, “Adoration of the Magi.” “The Star of Bethlehem” is also the name of a watercolor painting by Sir Edward Burne-Jones, and there are many, many more famous depictions of the scene.

Over time astronomers have tried to explain the Star of Bethlehem, or Christmas Star, and there has been much in the way of debate on the subject with biblical scholars and astronomy experts all chiming in on the theme.

Some suggest the star in the story was actually a comet, but some others discuss planetary conjunctions as a more likely observance of the times.

The German astronomer Johannes Kepler noted that in 1614 Jupiter and Saturn were in conjunction in 7 BC and that a conjunction of planets could be looked at and mistaken as a nova, or super-bright star, and that could be what was observed in the night sky so very, very long ago.

Other astronomers hold that the Star of Bethlehem was actually a hypernova from our nearest galaxy, Andromeda.

A hypernova is when a star explodes and its brightness, or luminosity is even more powerful than a supernova – surpassing 10 times the brightness of a supernova!

No matter who is telling the story of the Star of Bethlehem, it is clear that biblical scholars and academia from other fields of research, such as astronomy or history, agree that the story is indeed complex and multifaceted.

All of the opinions aside, it appears clear that when the birth of Jesus occurred there were extraordinary celestial events which all can agree send special signs that are, indeed sacred to millions.

To hear Emmylou Harris’ beautiful song about the star, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqI4lKG2P1Q.

Kathleen Scavone, M.A., is a retired educator, potter, writer and author of “Anderson Marsh State Historic Park: A Walking History, Prehistory, Flora, and Fauna Tour of a California State Park” and “Native Americans of Lake County.” She also formerly wrote for NASA and JPL as one of their “Solar System Ambassadors.” She was selected “Lake County Teacher of the Year, 1998-99” by the Lake County Office of Education, and chosen as one of 10 state finalists the same year by the California Department of Education.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With 2018 just around the corner, the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office reported that the paperwork that begins the process of running for a number of local offices is now available.

Registrar of Voters Diane Fridley reported her office has released the in-lieu-of-filing fee petitions for the upcoming campaign season.

Fridley said a statewide direct primary election is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, June 5, 2018, to elect federal, state, legislative and county officials.

Listed below are the county offices in which candidates are to be nominated and voted on solely within Lake County:

– Judge, Lake County Superior Court, Department 1;
– Judge, Lake County Superior Court, Department 3;
– Judge, Lake County Superior Court, Department 4;
– Lake County superintendent of schools;
– Supervisor, District 2;
– Supervisor, District 3;
– Assessor-recorder;
– County clerk-auditor;
– District attorney;
– Sheriff-coroner.
– Treasurer-tax collector.

A candidate for the elective offices listed above may submit in-lieu-of-filing fee petitions, which contain signatures of registered voters in the jurisdiction in which he/she seeks nomination, to offset all or part of the cost of his/her filing fee.

The in-lieu-of-filing fee petitions are available to candidates during regular office hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; the office is closed on county holidays and weekends.

The deadline to file the in-lieu-of-filing fee petitions with Fridley’s office is the close of business on Wednesday, Feb. 7.

All candidates for elective office must also file within the nomination period of Feb. 12 through March 9, a declaration of candidacy form and nomination papers in order for their name to be printed on the June 5 Statewide Direct Primary Election ballot.

In addition to filing nomination documents from Feb. 12 through March 9, candidates for
Superior Court judge also are required to file a declaration of intention between the dates
of Jan. 29 through Feb. 7.

Besides the local offices that will appear on the June 5 primary ballot, Fridley said the following federal, state and legislative offices will be up for election at that time:

– State and district offices: Governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, controller, treasurer, attorney general, insurance commissioner, Board of Equalization member District 2.

– Congressional offices: United States representatives, District 3 and District 5.

– Legislative offices: State Senate, District 2; State Assembly Member, District 4.

– Nonpartisan statewide office: Superintendent of public instruction.

For more information contact the Registrar of Voters Office in person at the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N Forbes St., Room 209, in Lakeport or call 707-263-2372.
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California Highway Patrol Officer Andrew J. Camilleri Sr., 33, of Tracy, Calif., died in the line of duty on Sunday, December 24, 2017. Photo courtesy of the CHP.

On Monday, Gov. Jerry Brown honored a California Highway Patrol officer who died in the line of duty on Christmas Eve.

CHP Officer Andrew J. Camilleri Sr., 33, of Tracy, died Sunday night, officials reported.

The CHP said that just after 11:30 p.m. Sunday Camilleri and Officer Jonathan Velasquez were stopped in their patrol vehicle when the rear of the vehicle was struck by a suspected impaired driver on the Winton Avenue on-ramp to southbound Interstate 880 in Hayward.

Both officers were injured in the crash. The CHP said Officer Camilleri was transported to St. Rose Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

“Anne and I are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of Officer Camilleri, who died yesterday while working to keep our communities safe. We join his family, friends and the entire California Highway Patrol in mourning his death and in honoring his sacrifice,” Gov. Brown said in his Christmas Day statement on Camilleri’s death.

Officer Camilleri graduated from the CHP Academy in March and was assigned to the Hayward Area Office.

He is survived by his wife, Rosanna; a daughter and two sons, ages 12, 6 and 2; and his parents, brother and sister.

In honor of Officer Camilleri, the governor said State Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.
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Percent tree canopy cover within California urban areas. Courtesy of US Forest Service.

Trees in California communities are working overtime. From removing carbon dioxide and pollutants from the air, intercepting rainfall and increasing property values, California’s 173.2 million city trees provide ecosystem services valued at $8.3 billion a year.

However, according to a recent study, more benefits could be realized if the Golden State’s urban forests didn’t have the lowest canopy cover per capita in the nation.

“The structure, function and value of urban forests in California communities,” recently published online in Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, reports that California’s 109 square yards of city tree canopy per person lags behind other urban canopy-poor states, such as Nevada (110), Wyoming (146) and Montana (148). And there’s no comparison with well-treed states, such as New Hampshire (1,514), Connecticut (1,214) or Alabama (1,182).

“There’s no question that Californians are deriving significant benefits from their urban forests,” said Greg McPherson, lead author of the study and a research forester with the U.S. Forest Service’s Pacific Southwest Research Station. “However, the fact remains that more can be done and will need to be done in light of the recent tree mortality epidemics plaguing some of our urban forests.”

In southern California, for example, the invasive shot hole borer has killed thousands of city trees and poses a threat to 33 percent of the urban tree population in the region.

More than 50 tree species there are reproductive hosts for the insect, making them vulnerable to the lethal fungus it transmits.

City tree population and species composition figures were generated through an analysis of 1,385 study plots located across the state.

Costs and benefits of ecosystem services were derived through numerical models that factored in the tree’s species, size and location across six climate zones within the state.

Canopy cover estimates and state comparisons were calculated by analyzing aerial imagery from the 2012 National Agricultural Imagery Program.

“One of the factors driving the low per capita rating for California city trees could be the fact that 20 of the nation’s 100 most densely populated cities are in California, meaning there’s a higher volume of people in a confined space for trees,” said Natalie van Doorn, study co-author and research urban ecologist with the Pacific Southwest Research Station. “California’s arid summer climate also can suppress tree establishment and growth, which also could be a contributing factor for the results we observed.”

Still, with about 236 million vacant tree sites within cities, van Doorn noted that Californians have ample room for new tree plantings.

“In fact, our study results are already being used by municipal and state agencies to identify priority areas for planting and tree conservation, as well as examining potential disparities in disadvantaged communities,” she said.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – A man who was ruled insane in a case involving an attack on his grandmother and treated at a state mental hospital was back in custody on Christmas night after police said he drove his pickup into a downtown Lakeport store.

The Lakeport Police Department arrested Jason Kaluna Fugit, 46, of Nice for intentionally driving his Chevy Silverado pickup through the front of Campos Casuals, located on North Main Street between Third and Fourth streets.

Police said Fugit was taken into custody for felony burglary, vandalism and reckless driving. Damage to the building is estimated to be at least $100,000.

The incident occurred shortly before 7 p.m. Lakeport Fire Protection District firefighters were dispatched to the scene at that time, but cleared the scene a short time later due to there being no injuries.

Lakeport Police Officer Tyler Trouette told Lake County News that he arrived on scene to find Fugit in front of the store and the pickup still inside.

Trouette took Fugit into custody. Fugit sat in the back of a patrol car while the initial investigation was under way and when his disabled pickup – with major front end damage – was pulled backward out of the store with a tow truck cable.

At that time, Fugit hadn’t been interviewed. Trouette said Fugit didn’t appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol but hadn’t yet been tested for intoxication.

More charges could be added as the investigation progresses, Trouette said.

A police officer talks to Jason Kaluna Fugit, 46, of Nice, Calif., after he was arrested for driving into a clothing store in downtown Lakeport, Calif., on Christmas night, Monday, December 25, 2017. Photo by John Jensen/Lake County News.

Troutte said it appeared that Fugit had lined up his pickup and then accelerated, driving through the front of the store and continuing all the way to the back, smashing merchandise and displays, and scattering glass everywhere.

“I don’t know what his motives are at this point,” said Trouette.

A support post in the store was knocked down, there was a crack in the ceiling and a wall was pushed in, but Trouette said he hadn’t identified structure damage.

The main damage, Trouette said, was to the glass front entry, counters and the store’s inventory; the merchandise is primarily clothing, shoes and accessories.

Lakeport Public Works staff was called to the scene to clean the smashed glass and debris from the sidewalk and street. One of the store’s owners was on scene to secure the smashed glass storefront.

Fugit has a criminal history that includes drug arrests and, most notably, the attempted killing of his grandmother in Lucerne in 2005.

At the time, Fugit was charged with attempted murder, kidnapping and robbery for the attack on his grandmother, who authorities said he tried to kill because he thought she was involved in treasonous acts along with the government, which he believed was persecuting him, as Lake County News reported: http://bit.ly/2lamQWh.

Fugit later pleaded guilty to elder abuse and in May 2008 was sentenced to eight years. At that time he was sent to the Napa State Hospital for treatment after he was found at trial to have been insane at the time of the attack on his grandmother.

A Chevrolet Silverado pickup driven by Jason Kaluna Fugit, 46, of Nice, Calif., crashed into Campos Casuals in Lakeport, Calif., on Christmas night, Monday, December 25, 2017. Photo by John Jensen/Lake County News.

More recently, Fugit has become a familiar figure in downtown Lakeport.

For several months he has regularly parked his pickup in the downtown – including on Main Street near the Courthouse Museum, just a block over from Campos Casuals – with large cardboard signs mounted on his vehicle complaining of a conspiracy involving the FBI and the government to persecute him.

He also has walked around the park and stood at the street corner with similar signs, the messages written in dark marker, attempting to get the attention of motorists and passersby.

Early Tuesday morning Fugit was booked into the Lake County Jail. His bail is set at $500,000 for the first-degree burglary charge.

He’s tentatively set to appear in Lake County Superior Court for arraignment on Wednesday, according to his booking sheet.

John Jensen contributed to this report.

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.
Jason Kaluna Fugit, 46, of Nice, Calif., was booked into the Lake County Jail early on Tuesday, December 26, 2017, for driving into a Lakeport, Calif., store on Christmas night. Lake County Jail photo.
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A family was displaced from their home on Christmas Eve following a late-night house fire.

The fire on the lakeshore in the 3900 block of Oak Drive was first reported just before 10 p.m.

Initial reports from the scene stated the structure’s roof was on fire, and that the home’s residents as well as residents in adjacent homes evacuated.

It also was reported over the radio that a man was inside the residence. A short time later it was reported that the man escaped.

At the time the fire was dispatched, fire units were returning from the Hofacker Lane area near Hidden Valley Lake where they had responded on a report of a possible wildland fire. However, no fire was located.

Lake County Fire Protection District Chief Willie Sapeta told Lake County News that several crews from Lake County Fire and Cal Fires responded to Oak Drive, and they reported being able to see the fire from the gooseneck area of Lakeshore Drive.

While originally the fire was said to just be on the roof of the two-story home, “It was the entire second story that was involved,” Sapeta said.

He said the fire was confined the home, with the homes on both sides protected.

While the home wasn’t destroyed, Sapeta said there was a lot of damage from water, heat and smoke.

He said Red Cross was called to provide housing for the elderly couple and their adult grandson who had just moved into the home permanently after having used it as a summer home.

Sapeta said the house is in the Sulphur fire area but it hadn’t been affected by that fire, which had made it to the top of Oak Drive.

Early Monday, Sapeta did not have an idea of the fire’s cause.

Sapeta cleared the scene at about 12:30 a.m. and the last of the units left following the completion of overhaul at about 2 a.m., according to radio reports.

Earlier in the day on Sunday, a house in Clearlake Oaks burned, as Lake County News has reported. That fire appeared to have been caused by an electrical issue in the house, where firefighters found a large amount of marijuana growing.

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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Qualified athletes around the world are gearing up for February 2018, when they will compete for gold in the Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang, South Korea.

Although this will be first Winter Olympics hosted by South Korea, which beat out Munich, Germany, and Annecy, France, to host the games, Seoul hosted the Summer Olympic Games in 1988.

PyeongChang, known as a popular ski destination, experiences snowy winters and is located 700 meters (2,296 feet) above sea level, which contributes to its slogan, "Happy 700."

The locals also consider the region an ideal living location, despite the fact that PyeongChang is Earth's coldest location for that particular latitude, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist SungHyun Do.

"It is known that PyeongChang is best for all living creatures," Do said.

"You can maintain a good biorhythm by eliminating lactic acid and other waste out of your body in that particular environment," he added.

Only five or six hours of sleep should be enough to feel rested in this region, Do said, because the pressure in this area increases melatonin in a person's brain.

The rugged, mountainous region of PyeongChang will host mostly outdoor Olympic events, while indoor events will take place in the nearby coastal area of Gangneung.

PyeongChang's climatology

February will mark the waning weeks of the harsh, east-Asian winter, which is comparable in many ways with winter in the northeastern United States.

PyeongChang's winter months are typically cold and dry, and major snowstorms are rare in February.

February's average temperature there is minus 5 degrees Celsius (23 degrees Fahrenheit).

"The average daily high temperature will range mostly between minus 1 and 4 degrees Celsius (30 and 40 degrees F), with lows averaging about minus 11 to minus 5.5 C (12-22 F)," said AccuWeather Meteorologist James Andrews.

"Valleys are coldest at night in fair weather, when even late-winter temperatures can dip well below zero," Andrews said.

While winter is the driest time of year for South Korea, February in particular is considered PyeongChang's driest month.

"February will be a bit milder than normal as a whole, but there can be a cold shot or a period during the Olympics where temperatures are a little colder than normal for a few days," said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Jason Nicholls.

Precipitation during February will be about 80-100 percent of normal, with a fair chance of minimal snowfall during the Olympic Games, according to Nicholls.

"The alpine venues or mountain locations have the best chance for picking up some snow," Nicholls said.

Gangneung's climatology

Gangneung, which is nestled between the Sea of Japan (East Sea) to the east and a mountain divide to the west, experiences average high temperatures of about 4.4 to 7.2 C (40-45 F), according to Andrews.

"Winter precipitation here is comparable to that of PyeongChang; however, its coastal location allows for a greater likelihood of rain," Andrews added.

Gangneung faces a higher risk for moderate to heavy snowfall when storm winds blow in from the north and east, according to Andrews.

"In rare occasions, there are really big dumps of snow," he said.

Ashley Williams is a staff writer for www.AccuWeather.com.
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Ronald Evans and Glenda Callison celebrated their new home in Clearlake, Calif., on Saturday, December 16, 2017, with Habitat for Humanity Lake County. Courtesy photo.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A family that lost its house in the August 2016 Clayton fire got to go home for Christmas.

On Saturday, Dec. 16, Habitat for Humanity celebrated with the Callison-Evans family as they were welcomed back into their home for the first time since the Clayton fire destroyed their house.

Since the fire, Glenda Callison and and Ron Evans have been living in a small travel trailer on their property in Lower Lake.

The trail’s heat, cooking appliances and space were inadequate. Ron’s disability and need for a wheelchair made the cramped quarters especially challenging, and the pair are grateful for the opportunity to get into a house once again.

“Everyone’s worked so hard,” said Callison. “We thank everyone so much for everything they’ve given us, to make this happen.”

“We look forward to the chance to give back. We’re givers, not takers,” said Evans. “If we can help Habitat as much as they’ve helped us, that’ll be something.”

The Clearlake Grocery Outlet once again provided a generous donation of pantry and household items as well as a gift certificate to help the family stock their new home.

If you or someone you know lost their housing in any of Lake County’s fires, or is living in unsafe, unhealthy or crowded conditions, please contact Habitat for Humanity Lake County at 707-994-1100, Extension 106, for a preapplication and to see if you qualify for the Homeownership Program.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County is hosting a series of five community visioning forums in the month of January to seek public input on core county government services and finances.

“Lake County is facing some very difficult budgetary decisions ahead, and we are asking for residents’ help in prioritizing our county services and financial needs,” said County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson.

“This is an important opportunity for residents to share their ideas, voice their questions and shape the future of our county government,” continued Huchingson. “Each of our community visioning forums will be held in the evening to ensure those who work during the day have the opportunity to participate.”

The Lake County Community Visioning Forums for January are scheduled as follows:

Kelseyville Visioning Forum
Monday, Jan. 8, 7 p.m.
Kelseyville Presbyterian Church
5340 Third St.
Supervisor Rob Brown will attend

Clearlake Community Visioning Forum
Wednesday, Jan. 10, 7 p.m.
Clearlake Community Center
3245 Bowers Ave.
Supervisor Jeff Smith will attend

Northshore Community Visioning Forum
Thursday, Jan. 11, 7 p.m.
Robinson Rancheria Hotel
1545 Highway 20 in Nice
Supervisor Jim Steele will attend

Lakeport Community Visioning Forum
Wednesday, Jan. 17, 7 p.m.
Soper Reese Community Theater
275 S. Main Street in Lakeport
Supervisor Tina Scott will attend

South County Community Visioning Forum
Monday, Jan. 29, 7 p.m.
Twin Pine Event Center
22223 Highway 29 in Middletown
Supervisor Moke Simon will attend

“County administrators, the local county supervisor and department heads from major county government agencies will all be part of the program at each forum,” said Huchingson. “We are fully committed to engaging residents to help us design a county government that will meet the needs of our communities while building a financially prosperous future for Lake County.”

For more information, call the County Administrative Office, 707-263-2580, and ask for Matthew.
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A home on Chestnut Lane in Clearlake Oaks, Calif., burned on the morning of Sunday, December 24, 2017. The cause of the fire appears to be electrical in nature; the home was being used to grow a large amount of marijuana, according to reports from the scene. Photo by Michael O’Grady.

CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – An electrical issue in a marijuana grow house in Clearlake Oaks led to a fire on Sunday morning.

The fire at 14134 Chestnut Lane in the Orchard Shores subdivision broke out at 7:30 a.m., according to neighbor Michael O'Grady.

O’Grady said that he got onto his roof with hoses to protect his home, explaining that had the wind shifted his home would have burned.

Northshore Fire Chief Jay Beristianos said four engines and 23 fire personnel responded to the fire in the double-wide modular home.

Beristianos said the fire gutted the home and also damaged the garage of another neighboring property. There were no injuries.

O’Grady said neither the owner of the burned home nor the neighbor on the east side whose garage was damaged were home at the time of the fire.

Beristianos said the cause of the fire appeared to be electrical in nature.

Both Beristianos and O’Grady confirmed that the house contained numerous marijuana plants.

O’Grady said he could see several marijuana plants hanging upside down in the house, and when he looked in the window, he said there were wall-to-wall 5-gallon pots with marijuana plants growing in them. He said there were at least six grow lights per room that he could see.

Overall, no specific number of plants in the house was given, although O’Grady said a firefighter at the scene who had been inside the residence estimated there were more than 100 plants inside.

John Jensen contributed to this report.

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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