CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake Animal Control has eight dogs ready for new homes this week.
The kennels also have many dogs that need to be reunited with their owners. To find the lost/found pet section, click here.
The following dogs are ready for adoption.
“Burke.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control.
‘Burke’
“Burke” is a male Labrador Retriever with a short black coat with white markings.
He has been neutered.
He is dog No. 2628.
“Charlotte.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control.
‘Charlotte’
“Charlotte” is a female Akita mix.
She is dog No. 3040.
“Clarice.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control.
‘Clarice’
“Clarice” is a female German Shepherd mix puppy.
She has been spayed.
She is dog No. 3402.
“Fable.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control.
‘Fable’
“Fable” is a female Alaskan Malamute mix with a brown and buff coat.
She is dog No. 3044.
“Linus.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control.
‘Linus’
“Linus” is a male Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix with a short gray and white coat.
He is dog No. 3255.
“Precious.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control.
‘Precious’
“Precious” is a female Staffordshire Bull Terrier with a short black coat.
She is dog No. 3268.
“Roxy.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control.
‘Roxy’
“Roxy” is a female Miniature Pinscher with a short red coat.
She is dog No. 3406.
“Woodrow.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control.
‘Woodrow’
“Woodrow” is a male Staffordshire Bull Terrier with a black and white coat.
He is dog No. 3281.
Clearlake Animal Control’s shelter is located at 6820 Old Highway 53, off Airport Road.
Hours of operation area noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The shelter is closed Sundays, Mondays and major holidays; the shelter offers appointments on the days it’s closed to accommodate people.
Call the Clearlake Animal Control shelter at 707-273-9440, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to inquire about adoptions.
Visit Clearlake Animal Control on Facebook or at the city’s Web site.
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 two men who represent Lake County in Congress cast their votes on Wednesday to impeach the president of the United States.
Congressmen John Garamendi (CA-03) and Mike Thompson (CA-05), both Democrats, were among the majority of the House of Representatives that voted to approve the two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump.
Following its weeks-long impeachment inquiry, the House Committee on the Judiciary offered the two articles of impeachment.
The first article charged the president with an abuse of power and the second with an obstruction of Congress.
In separate statements on Wednesday, both Garamendi and Thompson said impeaching a president is a solemn duty that they don’t take lightly.
“The investigations and hearings conducted by the House Intelligence and Judiciary Committees provide overwhelming evidence that President Trump abused his power of office and endangered our national security when he coerced the president of Ukraine into investigating his likely rival in the 2020 presidential election by withholding $391 million in critical military aid and a White House meeting from the Ukrainian government. Withholding this military assistance to Ukraine as it enters the fifth year of its deadly war against Russia endangers Ukraine’s sovereignty and safety as well as the United States’ national security interests,” Garamendi said on his Facebook page in the hours before the vote.
“President Trump has also issued a blanket order prohibiting all executive office personnel from testifying in Congressional impeachment hearings, responding to subpoenas, and turning over documents. Therefore, he has obstructed the legitimate and Constitutional obligation Congress has to conduct an impeachment inquiry when there is evidence of wrongdoing by the President,” Garamendi said.
He added, “No one is above the law. The President’s actions leave me no choice.”
Following the vote, Thompson released a statement, explaining his votes.
“The two articles I voted to pass today outline serious breaches of the public trust committed by the president, rising to the bar of high crimes and misdemeanors spelled out in our Constitution. As a combat veteran and having served eight years on the Intelligence Committee, I understand the threat that foreign actors can play in our elections. Every elected official must dedicate themselves to protecting our democracy. No one should invite a foreign country to interfere with our most sacred act of voting,” he said.
“It was a severe abuse of power for the president to ask a foreign nation to interfere in our election to benefit his personal and political interest and to condition bipartisan and Congressionally-approved aid on that interference. And it was an unacceptable obstruction of Congress for the president to order his officials to defy legally-issued subpoenas,” Thompson said.
“Unchecked, these actions could lead us down a path that will unravel the fabric of our nation. I am saddened to have had to vote in favor of these articles of impeachment. But, in the interest of defending our nation, I was compelled to vote to ensure our country holds the same values for our children and for generations to come. Ben Franklin, one of our most influential Founding Fathers, wrote that we have ‘a Republic, if you can keep it.’ I believe we must fight to keep it,” he concluded.
The two articles of impeachment that passed the House on Wednesday now head to the Senate where the chamber will hold a trial based on the charges in those articles.
Lake County Wine Auction board members and beneficiaries at the 2019 distribution event in Lake County, California. Courtesy photo. LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Wine Auction, the county's largest charity fundraiser, surged into uncharted territory this year, distributing a record $180,000 to local charities and organizations.
The funds were distributed on Dec. 10 at a festive holiday event held at the Buckingham Homes Association Clubhouse attended by this year’s beneficiaries, sponsors and members of the auction board and committees.
This year’s recipients include arts and FAA programs in the five county high schools, the Lake County Fire Districts, the food pantries serving Lakeport, Kelseyville, Lucerne and Middletown, the Middletown Arts Center, the Lake County Symphony Association, the Lower Lake Historical School House Museum, the Lake County Sheriff’s Activity League, Totes 4 Teens, Cub Scout Pack 7145, the Woodland Community College Culinary Program, Hospice of Lake County, the Lower Lake High School Culinary Program, Operation Tango Mike and the six Lake County senior centers.
This year’s distribution represents the total proceeds from the Lake County Wine Auction which was held on Sept. 21 at Chacewater Winery and Olive Mill.
The bidding got off to a strong start as $90,000 was committed during a kick off raise the paddle event.
As the main auction began, the spirit of generosity continued and carried on right though to the end, when John Clarke’s signature painting “Mermaid” brought in the highest bid of the evening. Dr. Megan Furniss paid $16,000 for the painting.
Reflecting on the results, Wine Auction president Kaj Ahlmann said: “This is a quantum leap for Lake County, it shows a strong commitment to move the County forward from all constituencies.”
“'I was overwhelmed by the generosity of those who attended the event,” said Beneficiary Chair Judy Luchsinger-Mann. “Everyone there recognized that the needs of our community are not going to be met without help from everyone.”
All of those who were involved in this year’s event are deeply grateful to Paul and Kellye Manuel, the owners of Chacewater, for being the event’s gracious hosts. It’s believed their centrally located facility contributed to attracting more than 350 people, who made this year’s Lake County Wine Auction such a success.
Organizers said they are proud to announce that Paul and Kellye Manuel have agreed to host next year’s event on September 19, 2020.
Another contributing factor to this year’s success was the support of sponsors. With Redwood Credit Union leading the way as “Presenting Sponsor,” sponsor support was able to cover all event costs so that money from our other streams can go directly to this year’s beneficiaries.
Other 2019 sponsors include Calpine at the Geysers, Bella Vista Farming, Beckstoffer Vineyards, Sysco Foods, Brassfield Estate Winery. Community First Credit Union, Six Sigma Vineyard & Winery, the Lake County Winegrape Commission, Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Tribal Health, Chacewater Vineyard, Winery & Olive Mill, John Clarke Artist, Adventist Health, TricorBraun Winepak, Shannon Ridge Vineyards, Servpro, Umpqua Bank, Boatique Winery, Sawshop Gallery Bistro, Pabst Blue Ribbon Construction, Savings Bank of Mendocino, Congressman Mike Thompson and The Travel Centers.
Formed in 2000, the Lake County Wine Auction is operated under the guidance of a six-member volunteer board of directors.
The organization is also dedicated to promoting Lake County as a premier wine grape growing region and to promoting the region’s celebrated wines.
Members of the Wine Alliance Board are Kaj Ahlmann, Lower Lake, president; Judy Luchsinger, Lakeport, vice president; Sharron Zoller, Kelseyville, secretary; Rob Roumiguiere, Kelseyville, treasurer; and Marie Beery, Kelseyville, and Bill Groody, Kelseyville, directors.
New trade legislation that has the support of agricultural groups also is receiving bipartisan support, with Lake County’s members of the House of Representatives voting to approve it.
On Thursday, Congressman John Garamendi (CA-03) and Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-05), voted to pass the improved United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, trade agreement to support workers, farmers, ranchers and manufacturing in the United States.
California Farm Bureau Federation President Jamie Johansson said the USMCA will benefit all of California – rural and urban – by allowing most California-grown agricultural products improved access to customers in Mexico and Canada.
“Farmers, ranchers and tens of thousands of Californians whose jobs hinge on agricultural exports will gain from the USMCA,” Johansson said. “We hope the Senate will approve the agreement early in the new year, so it can be implemented quickly.”
Johansson said more than 56,000 jobs rely on California food and agricultural exports to Canada and Mexico – the No. 2 and No. 5 foreign markets for the state’s food and farm products.
“The USMCA will bring benefits throughout the food chain,” he said. “Stronger ties with our North American neighbors will help California farmers, ranchers and agricultural businesses. The agreement will also maintain and add jobs for people at ports, marketing companies, food processors, trucking firms and other businesses that help move California farm products to customers.”
The bipartisan bill passed the House by a vote of 385-41 and is expected to pass the Senate and be signed into law by the president.
“This agreement includes the strongest possible enforcement mechanisms to support and protect American workers and improve market access for American farmers. As a rancher and a farmer, I know how critically important it is to correct the flaws in NAFTA and pass a trade agreement that supports America’s farmers and workers,” Garamendi said.
“I’m grateful for the months of negotiations House Democrats undertook to secure landmark changes to the USMCA that deliver for America’s workers, and our economy. The transformative changes House Democrats secured in this agreement earned the support of the AFL-CIO, the California Farm Bureau Federation, and other key stakeholders. I’m pleased this legislation has passed the House, and I will work to ensure it becomes law,” Garamendi concluded.
“The trade agreement originally presented to Congress earlier this year missed the mark, offering few benefits for American workers, lacking protections for our environment, and making prescription drugs more expensive. The original deal was unenforceable, a non-starter for me and my colleagues,” said Thompson, who also is a member of the eight-person United States Mexico Canada Working Group.
“After months of negotiations by me and others as members of the Working Group led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, we now have the best deal possible,” Thompson said. “This improved agreement truly protects labor rights, the future of our environment and the ability to lower the costs of medications. And for the first time in the history of our trade negotiations, this deal includes enforcement provisions, ensuring bad actors are held accountable. I was proud to vote yes today and urge Senate Majority Leader McConnell to schedule a vote quickly so we can get this done for the American people.”
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue also lauded the agreement’s passage.
“I’ve long said that support for USMCA crosses political parties, the bipartisan passage of the agreement today is proof of that,” Secretary Perdue said. “I am pleased the House finally brought this agreement to a vote and encourage quick passage in the Senate. President Trump delivered on his promise to replace NAFTA and USMCA is a huge success for America’s farmers and ranchers. This agreement will unleash the bounty of America’s agricultural harvest to two of our largest trading partners in the world and it is critical to the success of rural America.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday announced the launch of the Healthy California for All Commission and appointed health experts in business, philanthropy, academia and labor to serve.
The commission will work to develop a plan for advancing progress toward achieving a health care delivery system for California that provides coverage and access through a unified financing system, including, but not limited to a single payer financing system.
The commission will prepare an initial report to the governor and Legislature by July 2020 with a final report in February 2021.
The first meeting will take place Jan. 27 in Sacramento.
The announcement comes on the same day as Covered California, the state’s publicly run insurance exchange, announced that a total of 230,000 new consumers have selected a plan during open enrollment through Dec.16, which is an increase of 16 percent over this time last year.
In addition, more than 1.15 million existing consumers have had their plans renewed for the upcoming year.
California’s individual market consistently ranks among the healthiest in the nation, helping unsubsidized consumers save about $1,550 annually in 2018 on their premiums compared to consumers in the federal marketplace.
“California leads the nation in enacting progressive health care reforms – taking big steps toward universal coverage and passing first in the nation measures to make health care more affordable for families,” said Gov. Newsom. “As our march toward universal coverage continues I am calling on the brightest minds – from public and private sectors – to serve in the Healthy California for All Commission to improve the health of our state.
The commission has 13 voting members including Secretary Ghaly, eight gubernatorial appointees and four legislative appointees. There are also five ex-officio, non-voting members.
“We believe that every Californian should have a right to affordable health care regardless of wealth, zip code, race, disability or gender. Yet, despite many gains in coverage, nearly 3 million Californians lack health care and high costs burden too many families,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Mark Ghaly, who will chair the commission. “The role of the Healthy California for All Commission will be to provide policy recommendations that will set us on the path toward high-quality, affordable universal coverage for all.”
Throughout his first year in office the governor and legislature worked to move California closer to universal health care coverage by expanding coverage, increasing Covered California subsidies for middle-income Californians and taking on rising prescription drug prices.
The 2019-20 Budget invests $1.45 billion over three years to increase Covered California health insurance premium support for low-income Californians – and provides premium support for the first time to qualified middle-income individuals earning up to $72,000 and families of four earning up to $150,000, partially funded by restoration of an enforceable Individual Mandate.
It expands Medi-Cal coverage to all income-eligible undocumented young adults ages 19 through 25 and includes an increase of $1 billion, using Prop 56 funding, to support increased rates to Medi-Cal providers, expanded family planning services, and value-based payments that encourage more effective treatment of patients with chronic conditions.
The governor’s appointees to the Healthy California for All Commission are:
Carmen Comsti, 35, of Oakland, has been appointed to the Healthy California for All Commission. Comsti has been a regulatory policy specialist at the California Nurses Association and National Nurses United since 2016. She was legal counsel at the California Nurses Association and National Nurses United from 2014 to 2016. Comsti was an attorney fellow at the Employee Rights Advocacy Institute for Law and Policy from 2012 to 2014. She is a member of the National Employment Lawyers Association. Comsti earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Comsti is a Democrat.
Jennie C. Hansen, 71, of San Francisco, has been appointed to the Healthy California for All Commission. Hansen has been an independent consultant at Hirsch and Associates LLC since 2018. She was chief executive officer at the American Geriatrics Society from 2010 to 2015. Hansen was a federal commissioner of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission from 2005 to 2011. She held several positions at On Lok Senior Health Services in San Francisco from 1980 to 2004, including chief executive officer, director of programs, and research associate. She is a member of the California Master Plan for Aging, the National Committee for Quality Assurance Geriatric Measures Committee and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Gerontology and Geriatrics. Hansen is a board member of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, the SCAN Foundation, SCAN Plan and the Altarum Institute. Hansen earned a Master of Science degree in nursing from the University of California, San Francisco. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Hansen is a Democrat.
Sandra R. Hernandez, 62, of San Francisco, has been appointed to the Healthy California for All Commission. Hernandez has been president and chief executive officer at the California Health Care Foundation since 2014. She was chief executive officer at the San Francisco Foundation from 1997 to 2013. Hernandez was assistant clinical professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco from 1988 to 2016. She is a member of the Covered California Board of Directors and the UC Regents Health Services Committee. Hernandez is a former co-chair of San Francisco’s Universal Healthcare Council. She earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from Tufts School of Medicine. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Hernandez is a Democrat.
William C. Hsiao, 83, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, has been appointed to the Healthy California for All Commission. Hsiao has served as a research professor of economics at the department of health policy management and the department of global health and population at Harvard University since 1974. Gates Foundation supported his research from 2008 through 2014. Vermont commissioned him to develop a single-payer health system in 2010. Hsiao was an advisor for the International Monetary Fund in 1996 and 2006. Hsiao was an advisor to the International Labor Organization from 1999 to 2003. He was an advisor for the World Health Organization from 1999 to 2000. He has served as an advisor to the World Bank since 1983. Hsiao was an advisor at the White House from 1970 to 1979. He was an advisor for Congress from 1974 to 1987. He is a member of the Institute of Medicine for the United States National Academy of Science. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Hsiao is a Democrat.
Rupa Marya, 44, of Oakland, has been appointed to the Healthy California for All Commission. Marya is an associate professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, where she has been on faculty since 2007. Marya is a member of the Board of The Mni Wiconi Health Clinic and Farm at Standing Rock. She was co-investigator of the Justice Study from 2016 to 2019 and is faculty director of the Do No Harm Coalition. Marya earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from Georgetown University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Marya is a registered without party preference.
Robert Ross, 65, of Altadena, has been appointed to the Healthy California for All Commission. Ross has been president and chief executive officer of the California Endowment since 2000. He was director of the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency from 1993 to 2000. Ross was commissioner of public health at the City of Philadelphia from 1990 to 1993. He was founding medical director at the LINK school-based clinic program from 1986 to 1990. Ross was an instructor of clinical medicine at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia from 1984 to 1990. He was a diplomate at the American Academy of Pediatrics from 1983 to 1993. He is a board member of California Health Benefit Exchange and the National Executives’ Alliance on Boys and Young Men of Color. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Ross is a Democrat.
Richard Scheffler, 76, of Berkeley, has been appointed to the Healthy California for All Commission. Scheffler has served as a professor at the School of Public Health and the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley since 2018. He was a professor of health economics and public policy at the University of California, Berkeley from 1981 to 2018. He held the Health Care Markets and Consumer Welfare Chair endowed by Office of the California Attorney General from 1999 to 2018. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Scheffler is a Democrat.
Andy Schneider, 71, of Washington, D.C., has been appointed to the Healthy California for All Commission. Schneider has been research professor of practice at the Center for Children and Families in the Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy since 2017. He was senior advisor at the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services from 2014 to 2017. Schneider was an independent consultant from 2011 to 2014. Schneider was chief health counsel for the House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce from 2009 to 2010 and for the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform from 2007 to 2009. He was health counsel at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in 1997 and an independent Medicaid consultant from 1998 to 2006. Schneider was policy advisor for Medicaid at the Office of the House Minority Leader from 1995 to 1996. He was health counsel to the subcommittee on health and environment at the House Committee on Energy and Commerce from 1979 to 1994. Schneider earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Schneider is a Democrat.
The Legislature’s appointees are:
– Sara Flocks, policy coordinator with the California Labor Federation (Senate appointee); – Janice Rocco, deputy commissioner, health policy and reform, Department of Insurance (Senate appointee); – Antonia Hernandez, CEO of the California Community Foundation (Assembly appointee); and – Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access (Assembly appointee).
The commission’s ex officio members are:
– Richard Figueroa, acting director of the Department of Health Care Services; – Peter V. Lee, executive director of Covered California; – Don Moulds, chief health director of CalPERS; – Senator Richard Pan, chair of the Senate Health Committee; and – Assemblymember Jim Wood, chair of the Assembly Health Committee.
Lake County's Master Vigneron Academy Class of 2019. Pictured, from left to right: Paul Zellman (the Lake County Winegrape Commission’s Educational Programs consultant), Óscar Martínez, José González, Gerardo Martínez, Eduardo Jiménez, Carlos Maravilla, Gerardo Ramírez and Broc Zoller, Lake County Winegrape Commission chair. Not pictured: Mauricio López, Roberto López, José Sánchez. Photo by Karen Pavone. KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Master Vigneron Academy recently graduated its eighth class, awarding nine students with the credential of Master Vigneron.
To date, 82 vineyard managers and supervisors have completed the year-long Spanish-language program, gaining insight into many aspects of the wine industry and bringing valuable skills back to their employers.
The Master Vigneron Academy is the first of its kind anywhere.
Created in 2012 by the Lake County Winegrape Commission, the Master Vigneron Academy remains ahead of the curve in recognizing that the key to quality winegrapes and sustainable practices is the professionalism of those in the vineyard.
Now an established and successful program, the Master Vigneron Academy has been cultivating a professional workforce for eight years, providing vineyard managers and supervisors in Lake County and other parts of the North Coast with knowledge and skills that would not otherwise be available to them. It serves the economic interests of families, the wine industry, and the greater Lake County community.
"The Lake County Winegrape Commission recognizes that what is often overlooked in sustainable farming is the human element," said Paul Zellman, the Lake County Winegrape Commission's Educational Programs Consultant. "The Master Vigneron credential program addresses training needs of vineyard managers and supervisors and represents an investment in a critical part of sustainable farming-people."
The concept originated with Randy Krag, former Lake County Winegrape Commission Research & Education Chair and former vineyard manager at Beckstoffer Vineyards, now retired.
"The Master Vigneron Academy connects our employees to a modern business environment. It creates a bond with the larger industry, and it gives them a perspective of their role in the larger purpose," said Krag.
The Academy offers a model for developing an industry-wide standard by which a supervisor's knowledge and achievement are formally recognized. Leaders in other winegrowing areas have expressed interest in establishing the Master Vigneron Academy in their regions.
More information about the Master Vigneron Academy is available on the Lake County Winegrape Commission's website.
Wine industry leaders who would like to learn more are encouraged to contact the Lake County Winegrape Commission at 707-279-2633.
The Winegrape Commission also recognizes the following winegrowers for their support of the Master Vigneron Academy.
Adobe Creek Packing Amberview Vineyards Beckstoffer Vineyards Bella Vista Farming Company Cache Creek Vineyards Dorn Vineyards JAC Ag Services L & L Vineyards Langtry Farms Lyon Vineyards Mauritson Farms Michael Hat Farming Nissen Vineyard Services Noble Vineyard Management Obsidian Ridge Vineyard Oldham Vineyard Red Hills Vineyard Robinson Lake Vineyard Rogers Vineyards Shannon Ranches Six Sigma Vineyards Stokes Farming Stonehouse Cellars Sun Alpine Vineyards Trinchero Family Estates
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council on Tuesday voted to take part in a process that’s proposed to assist it and the county of Lake arrive at an agreement on the South Lakeport annexation.
Annexation of the South Main Street corridor – reported to be the most lucrative commercial corridor in county jurisdiction – has long been a goal for the city of Lakeport.
Since the early 1980s, the city of Lakeport has included the area in its sphere of influence, defined as an area outside of a city’s legal boundaries that is the site of its probable future expansion.
The city of Lakeport provides wastewater treatment for the area, and its future plans include the installation of a water main throughout the annexation area in 2021 in conjunction with the South Main Street improvement project, city officials reported earlier this year.
In August, the council held a special meeting during which it approved a resolution to submit an application to the Lake Local Agency Formation Commission, or Lake LAFCo, to annex the 136-acre area along South Main Street, as Lake County News has reported.
The proposed annexation is a point of contention between the city and the county, so much so that two county supervisors – Tina Scott, who represents Lakeport, and Moke Simon, from Middletown – attended the August special meeting to ask that the council not approve the resolution.
However, the council voted unanimously at that time to move forward.
A key issue in the annexation is sharing of sales tax revenue for the annexation area. The city and the county entered into preannexation agreements in 1997, 2001 and 2002, and the city maintains they remain valid, while the county does not.
The 1997 agreement provides for the city to pay the county $210,000 in tax revenue over seven years to offset the loss of the sales tax.
At its Nov. 20 meeting, LAFCo deferred making a decision on that 1997 agreement.
Instead, as LAFCo considers the annexation application, it is proposing a path forward in which it wants to get both sides to the table to negotiate.
In a letter dated Dec. 4 and addressed to County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson and Lakeport City Manager Margaret Silveira, Lake LAFCo Chair Bruno Sabatier – also the District 2 representative on the Lake County Board of Supervisors – asked the city and the county to participate in good faith in a process LAFCo is proposing.
Lakeport Community Development Director Kevin Ingram told the council on Tuesday that both the city and county have done their own fiscal analyses of the potential annexation, and Ingram said now LAFCo is proposing to do a third – and impartial – fiscal analysis, which it believes is the best way forward. LAFCo wants the city to pay for that study.
Sabatier’s letter notes, “It is apparent that the real dispute between the City and the County is over how the property and sales tax revenue from the Annexation area should be apportioned if it is annexed. Since there is substantial disagreement about the fiscal impact of the annexation, the Commission determined that a third fiscal analysis needs to be prepared by LAFCo to provide an objective more accurate determination of the revenue and service impacts of the annexation, for both the County and the City.”
He said LAFCo will retain an independent municipal economics consultant to review the previously prepared fiscal and service data prepared by both the city and the county.
“LAFCo’s consultant will prepare a report objectively setting forth the estimated service costs for each agency within the annexation area and make recommendations for an appropriate apportionment of tax revenue,” Sabatier said.
Ingram said the city recently conducted a revised fiscal analysis and said that would be provided to LAFCo.
Following the completion of the new fiscal analysis, Sabatier said LAFCo will schedule a facilitated meeting with representatives of the city, the county and LAFCo, with an independent facilitator to discuss the annexation and its fiscal impacts. Two members of each legislative body will be asked to participate.
“Working together in good faith, LAFCo is confident that this process will result in a resolution of the disagreements and result in a new tax sharing agreement that both parties can agree to. LAFCo will pay for the facilitation costs and retain a qualified independent facilitator from outside the area,” Sabatier wrote.
Sabatier asked that both the city and county put the matter on their next available agendas within 30 days of the date of the letter and provide a response as to their legislative bodies’ willingness to participate in good faith.
If they don’t choose to participate, Sabatier said LAFCo will have no alternative but to proceed to make a determination on the applicability of the 1997 tax exchange agreement to the annexation applications.
Ingram said city staff supported moving forward with LAFCo’s request.
Councilman Kenny Parlet, who is the city’s representative on LAFCo, said the commission’s recent meeting was very productive.
He pointed out that the city’s fiscal analysis was completed by an auditor recommended by John Benoit, the LAFCo executive office.
However, Parlet concluded that if another fiscal analysis solved the “old turf war” around the annexation, it’s worth it.
Silveira said that no financial impact for the study was listed in staff’s memorandum to the council because they don’t know what the cost will be.
Parlet moved to approve the request, which Councilman Tim Barnes seconded and the council approved 5-0.
The Board of Supervisors’ last meeting of the year was on Tuesday. So far, the annexation negotiations proposal has not been placed on an upcoming, published agenda.
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.
Charges for the November 2019 homicide of a Lucerne man have been dropped against 35-year-old Michael Sean Shaffer of Upper Lake, California. Lake County Jail photo. LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – An Upper Lake man who was arrested along with another suspect for a November homicide has had the charges against him in the case dismissed.
District Attorney Susan Krones said that charges were dropped on Wednesday against 35-year-old Michael Sean Shaffer.
Shaffer has been in custody since Nov. 23 – along with Daniel Wayne Ford, 49, of Lakeport – for the homicide discovered earlier that day of Nicky Dale Smith, 70, of Lucerne.
Smith’s body was found on the side of the road in the 4550 block of Scotts Valley Road in Lakeport, as Lake County News has reported.
Court filings indicate investigators believe Smith was killed on Nov. 22.
Shaffer and Ford were identified as the two suspects in the case and arrested on the night of Nov. 23.
However, Krones said on Wednesday that as a result of the ongoing investigation and additional witness statements, she decided not to pursue charges against Shaffer.
“There were followup statements that basically indicated that he wasn’t there or that he wasn’t involved,” she said.
While the murder case against Shaffer has been dropped, Krones said he’s remaining in custody due to a post release community supervision hold that is the result of previous, unrelated offenses.
Shaffer will be back in court on Jan. 7 for the handling of those separate legal issues, Krones said.
It was on that date that Shaffer had been set to return to court for entry of plea in the Smith murder.
Still scheduled to be in court Jan. 7 for plea entry is Ford, who Krones said remains in custody for the homicide.
Ford is charged with murder, with special allegations that the murder was committed during an attempted robbery, an attempted kidnapping and a carjacking; attempted robbery; kidnapping; carjacking, with special allegations of discharging a firearm causing great bodily injury and death, and personally using and firing a handgun; assault with a firearm, with a special allegation of using a handgun; assault with a deadly weapon, a flashlight; assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury, with a special allegation of inflicting great bodily injury on a person who was 70 years old; and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Ford is being held in the Lake County Jail without bail.
Daniel Wayne Ford, 49, of Lakeport, California, continues to be held for the November 2019 murder of a Lucerne man. Lake County Jail photo. Forensics a key part of the investigation
In addition to Ford remaining a suspect, Krones said there may be another person who was involved in Smith’s killing.
“We still have that other individual that we’re still trying to determine the extent of his participation,” she said.
Beyond that other individual, “At this point, we don’t have any other suspects,” Krones said.
Another development in the case is that Krones said investigators have located Smith’s pickup.
The dark green Toyota Tundra pickup had gone missing on the day of Smith’s killing.
Lt. Corey Paulich of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said the truck was found in a remote location in the Scotts Valley/Eickhoff Road area on Dec. 9 as a result of a search deputies conducted.
“There are materials from the pickup that are being tested,” Krones said.
Krones said the case involves a lot of forensic evidence that is going to tell authorities more about what happened.
However, she said it takes time to get various samples of blood and other material tested, and the sheriff’s office is in the process of getting that testing work completed.
“We have to be confident that we can prove a case beyond a reasonable doubt to proceed,” Krones 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.
A long history of gifting of printed books at Christmas remains strong despite increases in e-book sales. B Bernard/Shutterstocn">
Christmas is coming, and gifting is at the forefront of many minds. The latest tech changes from year to year, as do the latest fashions. But the gift that never seems to go out of style? A book.
The publishing world is at its busiest in the months leading up to Christmas. In Iceland, there is even a name for this: jólabókaflóð (pronounced yo-la-bok-a-flot) or “Christmas book flood”. The term has also come to refer to the Icelandic custom of exchanging books on Christmas Eve. As a result, a substantial portion of annual hardcover sales are during this period and nearly 850 new titles were released in 2019’s Icelandic book flood alone.
The UK’s annual Christmas book flood begins on Super Thursday: when publishers release a barrage of new titles just in time for the Christmas shopping rush. Some of the heavy hitters among the 426 hardcovers released on October 3 included Philip Pullman’s The Secret Commonwealth, Jojo Moye’s The Giver of Stars, and MP Jess Phillips’ Truth to Power.
A long history of books as Christmas gifts
People were giving books as gifts even before words were ever put to paper. In one of his books of epigrams, the ancient Roman poet Martial recommended the works of famous Roman writers like “Ovid’s Metamorphoses on parchment” (animal skin) and “Livy (the Roman historian) in a single volume” (appearing in a scroll, on papyrus, or on parchment) as presents for the December festival of Saturnalia. Martial’s recommendations also included book-related items like “a book-case” and “a wooden book-covering”.
As Christmas grew more commercialised, the holiday became increasingly important for the book trade. In his Battle for Christmas, American history professor, Stephen Nissenbaum, argued that books were “on the cutting edge of a commercial Christmas, making up more than half of the earliest items advertised as Christmas gifts”, citing examples from the 18th century. By the Victorian era, periodicals were regularly featuring Christmas book reviews to promote book sales during the holidays.
One such article from a 1914 issue of the New York Times begins with the declaration that “the war is not the greatest thing in the world. It cannot destroy Christmas … The publishers are ready to help”. This article touts various “gift books” suitable for Christmas exchanges: “Sumptuous books, books in the making of which illustrator and printer and binder have exercise their art at its best.”
These 20th-century gift books follow from a tradition of sumptuous books given as holiday gifts. Medieval manuscripts, for example, were gifted for a range of religious, romantic, diplomatic, and festive reasons. A 2015 exhibition about medieval gift gifting at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, now archived online, further supports the understanding of manuscripts as gifts with personal and social value.
Books in today’s world
Writing about medieval manuscripts, Geert Claassens noted that a book – whether a medieval manuscript or a modern mass market paperback – always functions as both an object and a text. This observation is especially relevant in a world with e-books, which largely remove the “object” aspect of the book. However, a recent series of focus groups conducted by Laura Dietz at Anglia Ruskin University as part of a wider study about social perceptions of e-books has indicated that readers still prefer gifting and receiving print books over e-books. Maybe this is because it’s remarkably difficult to wrap an e-book and place it underneath the Christmas tree.
In a recent article for the international READ-IT project (Reading Europe Advanced Data Investigation Tool), media professor, Brigitte Ouvry-Vial, describes reading as “a social imaginary” that contributes to both personal and collective development. That is, reading has perceived benefits for both individuals and communities. However, she wrote:
The very motivation for non-prescribed reading has clearly shifted across time from an essentially knowledge-driven cognitive activity, to a broad information-driven cultural experience as well as a leisure activity.
This shift has also led to an association being made between being well-read or reading a lot with well-being, as books are more regularly valued according to the level of psychological uplift and self-healing they provide.
Books represent more than just knowledge; they’ve also taken on the role of highly personalised home decor. This is because books can say things about their owners. Likewise, the book you choose to give someone for Christmas can speak volumes about your relationship with that person. It’s not enough to just give someone a book and call it a day – it has to be the perfect choice.
Keeping the tradition alive
Books have a long history of being given as Christmas gifts, and there seems little chance of the trend going away. So why not take Martial’s recommendations and bestow upon your loved one “Ovid’s Metamorphoses on parchment”? Alternatively, and more realistically, consider a nice hardcover edition found through consulting members of the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association or the Provincial Booksellers Fairs Association.
For more modern options, YouTube is teeming with video reviews of the latest releases, as well as of “bookish” gifts to give in lieu of or alongside a book. There are also a variety of monthly book subscription boxes. By giving a book or book-related item in 2019, you’ll be contributing to a long and lovely tradition.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol is investigating a traffic crash near Lakeport on Tuesday in which a pedestrian was killed.
The CHP’s Clear Lake Area office reported that the crash occurred at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Frances Pato, 76, of Lakeport was driving her beige 2004 Chevrolet Astro van eastbound on Soda Bay Road, east of the intersection with Mission Rancheria Road, at 35 miles per hour, the CHP said.
For unknown reasons, the CHP said an adult male pedestrian was walking within the eastbound lane where he was subsequently hit by the Chevrolet.
After the crash, the CHP said the pedestrian came to rest within the eastbound lane and Pato remained on scene in the Chevrolet for emergency personnel.
The CHP said the pedestrian was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital but was later pronounced deceased.
The man’s identification is pending, according to the CHP.
Neither Frances Pato nor her passenger, 79-year-old Rufino Pato, were injured, the CHP 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. – At their last meetings of 2019, the city councils for Clearlake and Lakeport chose their leadership for the coming year.
The Clearlake City Council took action at its meeting Thursday while the Lakeport City Council met for the final time on Tuesday.
At its meeting, the Clearlake City Council voted unanimously to approve having Russell Cremer continue as mayor with Dirk Slooten to remain vice mayor for calendar year 2020.
Councilwoman Joyce Overton moved to keep the leadership the same, noting that the yearly changes sometimes get to her and that Cremer hadn’t had a full term as mayor.
Councilman Phil Harris seconded the motion. There was no public input and the council approved the motion 5-0.
Cremer thanked his fellow council members. “Hopefully we’ll make you proud going forward.”
The terms of service for the Clearlake mayor and vice mayor are for a 12-month period commencing Jan. 1.
“It has been an honor serving the community as mayor and I look forward to continuing leading the council’s vision for the city in 2020,” Cremer said in a followup statement.
“I look forward to working again in the upcoming year with Mayor Cremer and Vice Mayor Slooten and the rest of the council to build upon the successes of 2019 and make Clearlake’s 40th year of incorporation a year to remember,” said City Manager Alan Flora.
On Tuesday, the Lakeport City Council voted to install George Spurr as mayor for the new year.
Tim Barnes, the outgoing mayor, nominated Spurr, who was elected unanimously.
Spurr in turn nominated Kenny Parlet as mayor pro tem, a motion which also received a unanimous vote.
As Spurr and Barnes switched seats, Councilwoman Stacey Mattina told Barnes, “Thank you, you did a great job.”
Also on Tuesday, the Lakeport City Council approved appointments to several city committees and commissions, including the following:
– Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee (four-year terms): Pam Harpster, Andy Lucas and Laura Sammel. – Parks and Recreation Committee: Jen Hanson, Ben Moore and Cindy Ustrud. – Lakeport Planning Commission: Jeff Warrenburg. – Lakeport Fire Protection District: Andy Lucas.
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.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Tuesday afternoon, after emerging from a closed session, the Board of Supervisors announced that it has hired as the new registrar of voters a veteran county elections staffer who had left to work for Mendocino County earlier this year.
The board voted unanimously to hire Maria Valadez to fill the critical county role.
Valadez’s appointment as registrar of voters is effective April 1, following the March 2020 presidential primary election, the county reported.
In the meantime, the county reported that Valadez’s former boss, Diane Fridley – who retired as registrar last December – will continue to fill in on an interim basis.
The board hired Fridley to act a registrar temporarily following a closed session last week, as Lake County News has reported. Her interim appointment began Dec. 11.
“Over the past several weeks, we weighed a number of possibilities,” said Board Chair Tina Scott. “Once it became apparent Maria may be willing to return, she was clearly the best choice as long-term registrar of voters. Maria has demonstrated a willingness to rise to the considerable workload surrounding election cycles, and make sacrifices to ensure the work is done at a highly professional standard.”
After Fridley retired last year, Valadez – who worked for the county for nearly 30 years by that point – was appointed interim registrar but a permanent hire was put off for months because the board reportedly wanted to study how to fill the position on a long-term basis.
That was despite the fact that Valadez, who had worked with Fridley for decades and served as her deputy registrar, was expected to be Fridley’s successor.
Last fall, County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson had asked the board to consider changing the educational requirements for the registrar of voters in order to require a bachelor’s degree, rather than experience, and also had suggested it be wrapped into the Auditor-Controller/County Clerk’s Office.
Fridley had advised against those actions at the time and the board didn’t ultimately take them, but the situation didn’t become any easier for Valadez, who left in February to take a job in the Mendocino County elections office.
The departure of Valadez and the retirement of Fridley resulted in the Registrar of Voters Office losing nearly 70 years of experience, and it left no qualified staffers who could hold the top leadership roles.
After they left their official roles with the county, both Fridley and Valadez volunteered earlier this year to help the elections office during the Lakeport Fire Protection District’s fire tax election, at which time the county put to work its newly purchased voting equipment.
After Valadez left in February, the Board of Supervisors appointed Huchingson as interim registrar, and following two recruitments hired Catherine McMullen, who took over as registrar on June 24. She submitted her resignation on Nov. 7 and her last day was Dec. 2, following the certification of Northshore Fire’s Measure N fire tax.
In the weeks since, Huchingson had again proposed consolidating the Registrar of Voters Office with the Auditor-Controller/County Clerk’s Office, but the board directed that a recruitment take place for a new registrar and that the department remain a standalone.
That cleared the way for Valadez to return to head the county’s election office.
Despite her apparent previous opposition to Valadez, in a statement released by the county on Tuesday afternoon, Huchingson was quoted as saying of Valadez, “Certainly, no one could be more qualified to respond to the needs of Lake County’s eligible voters in the years to come.”
Huchingson said Valadez “has a unique understanding of the needs of Lake County’s diverse communities, and we are truly excited she has agreed to return to service with the County of Lake.”
“Lake County’s voters must have a high degree of confidence in local elections, and we are fortunate our existing staff is gaining experience and growing in their capacity,” Scott said. “Their efforts in the face of the many recent changes of leadership have been truly extraordinary. Adding a leader of Maria’s experience will accelerate their growth, and that is exciting for the future of elections in Lake County.”
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.
