Thomas Galavitz, 37, of Tempe, Ariz., was arrested on Tuesday, September 13, 2011, on an Arizona warrant and several other felony charges. Lake County Jail photo.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – An Arizona man was taken into custody earlier this week for an out-of-state warrant and several felonies relating to drugs and falsified documents.

Thomas Galavitz, 37, of Tempe, Ariz., was arrested on Tuesday, Sept. 13, according to Sgt. Rodd Joseph of the Clearlake Police Department.

On Tuesday Clearlake Police officers, investigators with the Lake County District Attorney’s Office and officers from the Lake County Probation Department served a search warrant at a residence in the 16400 block of Dam Road in Clearlake, Joseph said.

Joseph said the search warrant was obtained from information provided to Lake County officials from law enforcement officials in Arizona. The information received by Lake County officials concerned the illegal trafficking of narcotics over state lines and was linked to the Clearlake residence.

During the service of the search warrant, approximately 8 grams of concentrated cannabis was located, along with approximately 1 ounce of marijuana, scales, packaging materials, false state identification and a loaded .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol, Joseph said.

Investigators also seized more than $15,000 in cash and a 2011 Harley Davidson motorcycle, pending asset forfeiture proceedings. Joseph said three large dogs from the property were taken for safekeeping by the Clearlake Animal Control officer.

Joseph said Galavitz was located inside the home and was subsequently arrested for several misdemeanor and felony charges including a felony warrant out of Arizona, possession of concentrated cannabis, possession of marijuana for sale, sales of marijuana, armed during the commission of a felony, possessing a false/forged state seal, false identification to a police officer, possession of a fictitious driver’s license and possession of more than an ounce of marijuana.

Galavitz was later booked into the Lake County Jail, where he remains on a no-bail hold.

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Daniel Ray Loyd, 50, of Nice, Calif., was arrested on Tuesday, September 13, 2011, for the murder earlier that day of 48-year-old Cindy Yvette Quiett of Upper Lake, Calif. Lake County Jail photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A Northshore man has been arrested for the Tuesday morning shooting of an Upper Lake woman that allegedly resulted after a robbery attempt.

Daniel Ray Loyd, 50, of Nice was arrested and booked for murder, attempted robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, according to a Tuesday evening report from Michelle Gonzalez of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Loyd is alleged to have fatally shot 48-year-old Cindy Yvette Quiett of Upper Lake, according to the sheriff's office.

Also arrested was 35-year-old Angel Dusty Spring of Lakeport, who was alleged to have been with Loyd at the time of the shooting. Spring was arrested and booked for violation of probation and being under the influence of a controlled substance, Gonzalez said.

At 3:30 a.m. Tuesday Lake County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the area of Sherwood Court and Kensington Way in Lucerne on a report that a woman had been shot in the stomach during an apparent robbery attempt, according to Gonzalez.

She said rescue personnel with the Northshore Fire Protection District were staged in the area and a patrolman with the Lakeport Police Department also responded to assist in locating the suspect’s vehicle.

When deputies arrived in the area, they located several people tending to a woman lying unconscious near the roadway on Sherwood Court, Gonzalez said.

Deputies identified the shooting victim as Quiett, who Gonzalez said had sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Quiett was initially transported by medics to Lucerne Harbor Park to be flown out of county by a REACH helicopter, but due to her declining condition, she was instead rushed to Sutter Lakeside Hospital where Gonzalez said that Quiett ultimately succumbed to her injuries.

One of the people tending to Quiett when deputies arrived at the scene was 47-year-old Patrick Joseph Ryden of Lucerne. Gonzalez reported that Ryden told deputies that, prior to the shooting, he and Quiett had gotten a phone call from Spring, who said she was going to the Robinson Rancheria Casino. She told them to meet her on the corner of Sherwood Court and Country Club where she would pick them up to go along.

As Quiett and Ryden were walking to meet Spring, a van pulled up next to them and the driver, later identified as Loyd, got out, Gonzalez said.

Loyd allegedly walked up to Ryden, put a gun to Ryden’s head, and told him to “give him all of his shit.” Gonzalez said Ryden reportedly knocked the gun away from his head and as he was running away, he heard a gunshot.

When Ryden turned back to look, he saw Quiett lying on the ground and the van was speeding away, Gonzalez said.

Sheriff’s Major Crimes Detectives were called out to conduct an investigation, which Gonzalez said continued throughout the morning.

As the investigation unfolded detectives began developing information, including that Spring was in fact with Loyd in the van during the apparent robbery attempt and shooting, Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez said additional patrol deputies were called out to help detectives with the manhunt for Loyd and Spring.

By mid-morning, detectives were able to contact Loyd by telephone and arrange for both him and Spring to turn themselves in for questioning, Gonzalez said.

At approximately 10:15 a.m., Loyd and Spring were met by Lake County Sheriff's Narcotics Task Force Detectives on Reclamation Road in Upper Lake and detained. Gonzalez said a .357 magnum revolver was recovered at the scene.

After further investigation, Loyd and Spring were arrested.

Gonzalez said the investigation is continuing Tuesday evening.

Anyone with information concerning Quiett's homicide is encouraged to call Lake County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Detectives at 707-263-2690. Calls may be placed at any time.

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Angel Dusty Spring, 35, of Lakeport, Calif., was arrested on Tuesday, September 13, 2011, for violation of probation and being under the influence of a controlled substance. She was believed to have been with Daniel Ray Loyd, 50, of Nice, Calif., when he allegedly shot 48-year-old Cindy Yvette Quiett of Upper Lake, Calif., earlier that day. Lake County Jail photo.

Lodi resident Vincente Munoz, 19; and Stockton residents Daniel Charco Molina, 30; Jose Luis Suarez, 25; Eloy Perez Echeverria, 33; Lorenzo Diaz Juarez, 26; and Hector Ocampo, 29 all were charged with misdemeanor poaching violations, according to Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff.

Hinchcliff, who is the county's fish and game poaching prosecutor, charged the men with spotlighting violations and use of an illegal weapon for deer hunting.

He said they were convicted last Thursday, Sept. 8, following their acceptance of a plea deal.

Hinchcliff said the convictions resulted from an investigation by Lake County Game Warden John Holley and Mendocino County Game Warden Matt Manes.

Wardens had recently received reports from concerned citizens who lived on Hendricks Road in Scotts Valley that people were killing deer at night with the use of spotlights, and that several deer had recently been killed illegally at night in the area, Hinchcliff said.

The area residents also had given the wardens descriptions of vehicles being used by the poachers, including a white- or tan-colored van, according to Hinchcliff.

He said witnesses reported groups of people engaged in organized poaching activity, with a person driving the vehicle, a person shining a spotlight, a person shooting and several people quickly running from the vehicle, grabbing the poached animal, dragging it back to the vehicle, and speeding off.

Residents also were concerned with their safety because the poaching and shooting was reportedly close to houses, Hinchcliff said.

At least one of the residents found butchered carcasses of deer around pear orchards in the area with garbage used in butchering the deer left behind on the ground. Hinchcliff said the deer reportedly being killed included bucks, does and fawns.

Wardens had also received reports that last year poachers in the area were herding deer into fences and when fawns got stuck in fences the poachers were clubbing the deer to death, he said.

As a result of the reports, Holley and Manes set up surveillance in the Hendricks road area on Monday, Sept. 5, Hinchcliff said.

At approximately 9:30 p.m. Sept. 5, well after dark, the wardens observed a tan and white passenger van driving slowly on Hendricks Road with a spotlight being shined out of the passenger side of the van and onto private property on the south side of Hendricks road, according to Hinchcliff.

The wardens then detained the vehicle and the seven occupants of the vehicle. In addition to the driver and the front seat passenger, Hinchcliff said there were five individuals in the rear seats.

On the front seat of the vehicle wardens found a small amount of methamphetamine, a meth pipe, a box of .22 caliber ammunition and a spotlight that was still warm. Hinchcliff said that underneath the rear seat wardens found a loaded Marlin .22 caliber rifle.

All seven of the vehicle's occupants were arrested. Hinchcliff said it was discovered that all seven individuals did not speak English and were staying at an immigrant labor camp located in Scotts Valley with a large number of other agricultural workers.

Hinchcliff charged Munoz, Molina, Suarez, Juarez, Ocampo and Echeverria, and also charged the seventh man, 23-year-old Eugenio Munoz Gomez of Lodi was additional counts for being a felon in possession of a firearm, providing false identification to a peace officer, and four misdemeanor poaching violations including spotlighting and hunting deer with an illegal weapon.

Gomez is scheduled to appear in court with his attorney on Tuesday, Sept. 13, Hinchcliff said.

At their arraignment on Sept. 8, Munoz, Molina, Suarez, Juarez, Ocampo and Echeverria were represented by defense counsel and assisted by a Spanish interpreter, Hinchcliff said.

In an effort to get an early disposition and prevent significant costs to the court later for the cost of interpreters, Hinchcliff offered a plea that was agreed to by all six defendants, their attorney and Judge Andrew Blum.

Hinchcliff said all six of the misdemeanor defendants pleaded no contest to a violation of Fish and Game Code section 2005(b), use of an artificial light to assist in the taking or attempted taking of a game animal.

He said Judge Blum then sentenced them, placing each on three years of probation and revoking their hunting privileges for three years. Judge Blum also ordered the firearm, spotlight and ammunition to be forfeited and ordered each of the men to serve 45 days in jail.

Hinchcliff said all six individuals have Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) holds and could face deportation proceedings at the end of their jail term if federal officials pursue the cases.

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USDA Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Under Secretary Kevin Concannon announced the results of USDA’s Household Food Security in the United States, 2010 report that found that the percentage of very low food security declined from 5.7 percent of households in 2009 to 5.4 percent in 2010.

The number of food insecure households in 2010 was relatively consistent with statistics released in 2008 and 2009.

“This report underscores the critical role that federal nutrition assistance programs play in helping struggling American families put food on the table until they can get back on their feet,” said Concannon. “Many families receive assistance not because they want to, but because they need it as a last resort to make ends meet. As the economy continues to recover and jobs are created, we hope to see the number of families in need of nutrition assistance shrink.”

The report released today indicates that 59 percent of all food-insecure households participated in one or more of the three largest nutrition assistance programs near the time of the survey.

In fiscal year 2010, these programs provided much needed food assistance to millions of individuals, children and families in need.

In an average month of fiscal year 2010 (Oct. 1, 2009, through Sept. 30, 2010), the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provided benefits to 40.3 million people in the United States.

In fiscal year 2010, the National School Lunch Program provided meals to an average of 31.6 million children each school day.

Also in fiscal year 2010, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children served an average 9.2 million participants per month.

Food insecurity rates were substantially higher than the national average for households with incomes near or below the current federal poverty line ($22,350 for a family of four), households with children headed by single women or single men, and black and Hispanic households, the report found.

Food insecurity was more common in large cities and rural areas than in suburban areas and other outlying areas around large cities, according to the report.

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs including the Summer Food Service Program; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; National School Lunch Program; Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children; and the Emergency Food Assistance Program. Together these programs make up the federal nutrition safety net. U

USDA administers these programs in partnership with state and local agencies and works with faith and community-based organizations to ensure that nutrition assistance is available to those in need.

Additional information about the programs can be found at www.fns.usda.gov.

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Household Food Security in the United States 2010

Investigators study scene of shooting Tuesday morning. Photo by John Jensen

LUCERNE, Calif. – Authorities are investigating an early morning shooting in Lucerne.
 

A sheriff's deputy, two crime scene investigators and a detective were at the scene, located at 4094 Sherwood Court, early Tuesday morning.
 

Several shots were reported to have been fired in the area at about 3:30 a.m. Tuesday. Minutes later sirens could be heard throughout the Northshore town.
 

A female victim was reported to be down, based on 911 calls.

A deputy securing the area declined to comment on any circumstances of the shooting to a Lake County News reporter, only saying that he had only recently arrived.
 

The crime scene was cordoned off with yellow tape. Crime scene investigators had labeled several items of evidence, including what appeared to be items of clothing left lying in the street.
 

There was no word on a suspect. No suspect had been shown as being booked into the Lake County Jail, according to the sheriff's Web site by 9:30 a.m.
 

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews, on Tumblr at www.lakeconews.tumblr.com, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews.

This action is being considered in the wake of confirmed reports of dead red abalone and other invertebrates on beaches and inside coves along the coast in Sonoma County.

The Department of Fish and Game is currently attempting to assess the impact of the situation and will provide the commission with information at this Thursday's meeting.

Based on the Department of Fish and Game report, the commission may take emergency action to close the abalone season along all or parts of the Sonoma coast.

There was an abalone die-off along the Sonoma coast beginning Aug. 27 as a result of a red tide-induced poisoning and/or lack of oxygen.

According to Fish and Game biologists, these abalone deaths coincided with a local red tide bloom and calm ocean conditions.

Although the exact reasons for the abalone deaths are not known, invertebrate die-offs have occurred in the past along the Northern California coast when similar weather and bloom conditions existed.

The number of dead and dying abalone is not known but Fish and Game divers are assessing the damage this week via underwater transect surveys.

Reports of dead abalone and a variety of invertebrates have come from Bodega Bay, Russian Gulch, Fort Ross, Timber Cove and Salt Point State Park.

Other Department of Fish and Game biologists and game wardens have collected abalone, mussels and water samples since the beginning and are continuing to document reports from the public.

Abalone fishermen are advised to contact a physician immediately if they feel sick, and to report symptoms to the local county health department (www.sonoma-county.org/health/about/publichealth.asp).

The latest red tide updates from the California Department of Public Health are also posted online at www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/Pages/DDWEM.aspx.

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This unique and enduring opportunity is raising money to build new play structures for both the large school playground, as well as the kindergarten playground, with the monetary donors featured in a prominent brick display at the school.

The need for new playground structures had become increasingly apparent to both staff and parents alike.

“The Coyote Valley Elementary playground equipment gets constant use, considering we have nearly 500 students using it during recesses and after lunch each day. Natural wear and tear over a decade of use has brought us to a point where we need a long range plan for replacement,” said school Principal Tom Hoskins.

He added, “The Buy-A-Brick fundraiser will allow individuals, families and businesses to donate funds towards building a new play structure over time while providing a venue for recognizing supporters with permanent in-lay bricks.”

Says the “Buy-a-Brick” campaign manager Carol Luis, “As a parent of two children who have attended Coyote Valley Elementary, I have watched the current playground deteriorate over the years. It seems less and less of the current structures are usable and the Kindergarten playground area has never even had a proper play structure.”

Commemorative bricks can be purchased year-round by individuals, families, businesses, alumni, groups, teams, etc. and they also make a great gift.

All buyers will receive a certificate with their brick information. Costs range from $100 for a 4-inch by 8-inch brick, to $250 for an 8-inch by 8-inch brick, and up to $500 for an 8-inch by 8-inch that also includes the engraving of a company logo or graphic along with two lines of text.

This will be an ongoing fundraiser with a goal of ultimately raising $100,000. The first phase of bricks is tentatively scheduled to be laid in the gall of 2012 near the front office, in an area of high traffic and plenty of visibility for all to see and enjoy.

“We are very fortunate to have a school with wonderful teachers, a caring principal, and an extremely active and supportive PTO and community,” said Luis. “Providing our children with a fun and safe playground will only add to what is already a positive educational experience.”

To purchase your brick, or for more information, contact Carol Luis at 707-318-2661 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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From left, Andrew Serrano, 38, of Kelseyville, Calif., is accused of shooting William Turner, 41, also of Kelseyville, Calif., in a confrontation on Saturday, September 10, 2011. Serrano is being held on $1 million bail at the Lake County Jail; Turner is in care at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital in Santa Rosa, Calif. Lake County Jail and Facebook photos.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A man alleged to have shot his estranged wife's companion before severely beating the woman has had a bail enhancement placed on him, while doctors are working to prepare the shooting victim for surgery.

The Lake County Sheriff's Office reported on Monday that detectives succeeded in having the bail for 38-year-old Andrew James Serrano raised to $1 million.

Andrew Serrano is accused of shooting 41-year-old Kelseyville resident William Turner and assaulting his estranged wife Lesa Serrano during a confrontation on the afternoon of Saturday, Sept. 10, as Lake County News has reported.

A sheriff's office report on the shooting released Monday said that the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch received a 911 call just before 12:30 p.m. Saturday from Turner, who told the dispatcher he had been shot in the chest.

Information that law enforcement received in the initial calls to 911 indicated that Andrew Serrano allegedly had beaten Lesa Serrano, and had her by the hair, holding a gun to her head.

Sheriff's deputies and a Lakeport Police officer immediately responded to the Serranos' residence at 3050 Big Valley Road in Kelseyville, where they encountered Andrew Serrano with a gun in his hand, the sheriff's office reported.

At the deputies' order Serrano dropped the gun and was detained on site, the sheriff's office reported.

Turner was located just inside the garage with an apparent gunshot wound to his chest, according to the sheriff's report. A REACH helicopter was called in and arrived within minutes, landing in a field near the home and transporting Turner to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.

The sheriff's report said deputies found Lesa Serrano bruised and bleeding, but able to speak to deputies.

She told deputies that she had come to the residence with Turner to pick up some personal items when Andrew Serrano showed up at the residence and an argument ensued, according to the report.

Sheriff's detectives obtained a search warrant for the Big Valley Road property and arrived on site to secure the area, the report stated.

Serrano is being held at the Lake County Jail on felony charges of attempted murder, inflicting corporal punishment, assault with a firearm, committing a felony while armed, terrorizing and battery with serious bodily injury, and misdemeanor counts of violation of a domestic violence restraining order and false imprisonment.

Serrano was arrested in July after ramming his pickup into Lesa Serrano's SUV in an incident that occurred in Lakeport, as Lake County News has reported. At that point he also violated a domestic violence restraining order.

On Monday Turner was reported to be in stable condition and slowly recovering after having spent a day in Santa Rosa Memorial's intensive care unit, according to a Facebook page his family set up on Sunday in his honor, “Pray for Willy Turner,” https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pray-for-Willy-Turner/274420952585517?sk=wall.

By Monday evening nearly 650 people had “liked” the new page.

Doctors have been working to stop internal bleeding in Turner's chest before conducting surgery to remove the bullet. Family members reported that Sunday was particularly difficult for Turner due to the pain.

According to the page, on Monday Turner was doing better. He was awake, talking and joking.

Turner could possibly undergo surgery on Tuesday, the Facebook page said.

The sheriff's office asks that anyone with information on the case contact Det. Mike Curran at 707-262- 4232.

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This is the fourth year in a row violent crime has decreased in California, according to the report.

In total, the violent crime rate decreased 6.9 percent, reaching its lowest level since 1968, and homicide and forcible rape rates are the lowest since 1966.

For Lake County, from 2009 to 2010 there were increases in most crimes.

Violent crimes increased by 5.4 percent; aggravated assault, 15.4 percent; property crimes increased 3.3 percent overall, with burglaries increasing by 6.2 percent and larceny (theft over $400) by 12.9 percent, while motor vehicle thefts dropped by 16.7 percent. Total larcenies were up by 13 percent.

The rate of homicides, forcible rapes, arsons and robberies remained flat in Lake County, the report showed.

The Crime in California report is compiled by the California Department of Justice and is based on data reported by police and sheriff's departments in all of California's 58 counties. It presents an overview of the state's criminal justice system through statistics for reported crimes, arrests and dispositions of adult felony arrests, and law enforcement officers killed or assaulted.

Crime rates have dropped from last year in several category measures, including homicide (-7.8 percent), robbery (-10 percent) and motor vehicle theft (-7.6 percent). Since peaking in 1989, the motor vehicle theft rate has decreased 62 percent.

The total arrest rate is 6 percent lower than last year; both adult and juvenile total arrest rates declined from last year.

The number of juvenile felony arrests has decreased by 11.2 percent in the past year, indicating that efforts to prevent crime at a young age have been successful. Adolescents involved in crime are at a greater risk of becoming offenders and victims as adults.

Continuing with the downward trend statewide, there has also been a decrease in arrests for all types of property offenses across the board, including burglary, theft, and forgery for the third consecutive year.

The one area of increase came in the rate of dangerous drug arrests. Dangerous drugs are methamphetamine, phencyclidine and barbiturates. That number increased for the first time in five years by 12.2 percent over last year. Arrests for narcotics, marijuana and other drug offenses continued to decline.

The Crime in California 2010 report and data broken down by county can be found at www.oag.ca.gov or viewed below.

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2010 Crime in California - Attorney General Report

2010 California County Crime Stats

Aaron Bassler, 35, of Fort Bragg, Calif., is being sought in connection with two August murders on the Mendocino County. Courtesy photo.

MENDOCINO COUNTY, Calif. – As the search for a suspect in the murder of two North Coast men continues, authorities have announced a reward for the suspect's capture.

The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office reported Tuesday that it has been contacted by private citizens as well as the U.S. Marshals' Service and the Mendocino Land Trust to provide reward funds for
information leading to the capture and arrest of 35-year-old Aaron Bassler.

The reward amount as of Tuesday morning was $30,000, the sheriff's office reported.

Aaron Bassler is the lead suspect in the August homicides of Mendocino Land Trust employee Matthew Coleman and Fort Bragg City Councilman Jere Melo, both of whom were shot while conducting management activities on forest lands near Fort Bragg.

The sheriff's office said residents of Fort Bragg and surrounding areas should remain vigilant and conscientious of their surroundings as Bassler – who is believed to still be in the area – is considered armed and dangerous.

Authorities also warn that Bassler should not be approached. Law enforcement is looking for information, not active participation in the search.

Please notify authorities at 707-463-4086 or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with
any information you may think would be helpful.

Anonymous information can be sent via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office thanked the many individuals and local, state and federal agencies assisting in the search and the effort to safely apprehend Bassler.

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Aaron Bassler Wanted Posted 2011

Gerald W. Galaway Jr., 38, of Santa Cruz, Calif., was placed under arrest on Friday, September 2, 2011, for the murder of Celestial Summer Dove Cassman, 35, also of Santa Cruz. Galaway is alleged to have killed Cassman while the two were visiting Maui, Hawaii, on Thursday, September 1, 2011. Photo courtesy of the Maui Police Department.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A Santa Cruz man has been arrested for the murder of a former Lake County woman.

Gerald W. Galaway Jr., 38, was arrested on Friday, Sept. 9, for the murder of 35-year-old Santa Cruz attorney Celestial Summer Dove Cassman, according to Maui Police Lt. Wayne Ibarra.

Cassman, who grew up in Lake County and graduated in 1994 from Clear Lake High School, was found dead near Maui's Nakalele Point on the night of Thursday, Sept. 1, as Lake County News has reported.

Ibarra said Galaway – who has been hospitalized since the day after the murder because he was injured while jumping from a cliff to escape police – was transported on Monday afternoon from the Maui Memorial Medical Center to the Wailuku Police Station for processing without incident.

Cassman and Galaway had arrived in Maui for a visit on Wednesday, Aug. 31. The following night police said witnesses saw Cassman and Galaway arguing before he allegedly threw her body on the ground repeatedly and then drug her by the head into some bushes. Her body was found later that evening.

When police arrived on the scene in response to a report of a domestic dispute, they spotted a man, later identified as Galaway, who was wearing a t-shirt and nude from the waist down, according to a police statement.

Maui Police reported that when they tried to apprehend Galaway, he jumped down a 100-foot cliff and into the ocean.

Galaway was rescued the following morning and had been hospitalized, under armed guard, until Monday, delaying his formal arrest and booking, officials reported.

Last week the Maui County Prosecutor's Office charged Galaway with second-degree murder and kidnapping, Maui County Prosecuting Attorney John Kim said.

Ibarra reported on Monday that Galaway also was arrested on a charge of first-degree attempted sexual assault. The charging documents had indicated that Cassman's clothing had been torn and her body's orientation suggested she had been sexually assaulted.

Galaway is being held without bail. Ibarra said Galaway is scheduled to appear in court at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13.

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Celestial Summer Dove Cassman, 35, of Santa Cruz, Calif., was found dead in Maui, Hawaii, on Thursday, September 1, 2011. Her male companion, Gerald W. Galaway Jr., 38, also of Santa Cruz, Calif., has been arrested for her murder. Courtesy photo.

The sponsoring Lake County Wine Alliance has announced that a limited number of tickets for the afternoon portion of the event will be sold at the door.

The Grand Tasting ticket, $75 per person, will include an afternoon of wine and food tasting, the silent auction, music, and escorted tours of the Ceago gardens by members of the host Fetzer family.

This part of the event will begin at 3 p.m. and conclude at 6 p.m.

Several Lake County growers will display their products and offer tastings, including Lake County Grown, the Lake County Community Co-op, Villa Barone, Moon Essence, and the LAVA Center Popular keyboard artist David Neft will provide music and his sparkling wit during the afternoon.

The Grand Tasting and Auction Reserve ticket for $150 per person will include all of the afternoon activities as well as a gift tote, reserved seating for the served, three-course dinner, the live auction, and dancing. These tickets must be purchased in advance at www.winealliance.org. This portion of the event will start at 3 p.m. and end at 9 p.m.

Preparing the dinner will be Park Place Restaurant, Saw Shop Gallery Bistro, Chef Nicholas, and Studebakers Coffeehouse and Delicatessen. This is the first year that a served dinner has been offered to Wine Auction attendees.

Twice as Good, the popular blues and rock and roll father-and-son duo of Richard and Paul Steward, well-known for their energetic beat, will provide danceable music to conclude the evening’s festivities. Awarded the “Best New Blues Band” in 2010 by the West Coast Blues Hall of Fame, their guitar and vocal talents are widely recognized.

The attire is Wine Country chic. Attendees must be 21 years and older.

All proceeds from the Wine Auction benefit nonprofit organizations and programs that meet local needs in Lake County. Beneficiaries are, by category: in the arts, the fine arts programs at five high schools; in health services, Any Positive Change, Catholic Charities-Rural Food Program, and Meals on Wheels nutrition programs at five senior centers; and in the community, Lake County Council of Church Women United, Lake County Literacy Coalition, Military Funeral Honors Team, Northshore Fire Protection District, Operation Tango Mike, and People Services, Inc.

The Lake County Wine Alliance, a nonprofit organization of Lake County wineries, wine grape growers, and allied businesses whose mission is to foster the arts, benefit health services, and support the community while promoting Lake County as a premier grape growing and fine wine region, has contributed over $831,700 to local agencies and programs in the past eleven years.

Major sponsors contributing to the 2011 Wine Auction include Alienor/Bella Vista Farming Company, Calpine, Konocti Vista Casino, Mendo Lake Credit Union, Six Sigma Ranch & Winery, and Sutter Lakeside Hospital.

Additional sponsors include American AgCredit, Beckstoffer Vineyards, Brassfield Estate Winery, Bruno’s Property Management, Ceago Vinegarden, Chacewater Wine Company, Kelseyville Pharmacy, Lake County Winegrape Commission, Shannon Ridge Vineyards & Winery, Specialty Care & Surgery Center, and Umpqua Bank.

Twenty-nine Lake County wineries will pour their award-winning wines. Participating will be Beaver Creek Vineyards, Bell Hill Vineyards, Big Valley Wine Company, Brassfield Estate Winery, Cache Creek Vineyards, Ceago Vinegarden, Chacewater Wine Company, Dusinberre Cellars, Gregory Graham, Hawk and Horse Vineyards, High Valley Vineyards, Langtry Estate & Vineyards, and Lavender Blue.

Also present will be Moore Family Winery, Mt. Konocti Growers Winery, Noggle Vineyards and Winery, Ployez Winery, Robinson Lake Vineyard, Robledo Family Winery, Rosa d’Oro Vineyards, Shannon Ridge Vineyards & Winery, Shed Horn Cellars, Six Sigma Ranch & Winery, Snows Lake Vineyard, Sol Rouge Vineyard, Steele Wines, Tulip Hill Winery, Vigilance Winery, and Wildhurst Vineyards.

Fifteen of Lake County’s finest restaurants and caterers will offer tasty food pairings to complement the fine wines. Participants include Aromas at Yuba College, Biggs 155 Diner, The Boathouse, Cache Creek Catering, Chic Le Chef, Ciao Thyme Catering, Konocti Vista Resort and Casino, Lindy’s Quality Catering at Lakeview Super Market and Deli, Lyndall’s Sports Stop Grill, Main Street Bakery, Molly Brennan, Richardson’s Ribs, Riviera Hills Restaurant and Lounge, Rob Roy Creekside Restaurant, and The Blue Wing Saloon at the Tallman Hotel.

Others offering products and support are Braito’s Riviera Foods, Bruno’s Shop Smart, Foods Etc., Hardester’s Market, North Shore Sentry Market, and Ray’s Food Place.

Bill Brunetti, Lakeport businessman and property manager, has been spearheading an all-volunteer committee for many months as this year’s honorary chair. While he was the owner of Bruno’s Foods, the buying, selling and displaying of wines became one of his passions.

After selling the market in 2006, Brunetti and his wife Patty have expanded their passion for wine and food by growing wine grapes and developing their homestead winery, Quattro Fratelli (Four Brothers), named in honor of his grandfather and grand-uncles. He is an active member of the Lake County Winegrape Commission and chairs its Industry Relations committee.

Congressman Mike Thompson represents Lake County in the U.S. Congress and has been an active contributor to the annual Wine Auction since its inception, believing that the wine industry is a major force in Lake County’s economy, providing employment and protecting agricultural lands. He and his wife Janet, a former member of the Wine Alliance board of directors, will be recognized for their support of the many nonprofit organizations that will receive proceeds from this year’s event.

Shaun Hornby, owner of Hornby’s Furniture Restoration in Lakeport and vocalist and guitarist of the popular band, the LC Diamonds, will be the auctioneer for the live auction. He has conducted auctions in England and in Upper Lake for Vintage Antiques, where his dynamic and enthusiastic banter energizes the bidders.

Stephanie Green, owner of Focused on Wine, a wine bar and tasting room in downtown Kelseyville, will assist with the auctioneering and provide detailed information about the wine lots in the live auction. She is a certified sommelier, wine educator, private wine consultant, and a noted cellar master of wines. Her engaging personality will encourage competition amongst the bidders.

Barney Fetzer, vineyard manager and winemaker for Ceago Vinegarden, is this year’s cuvee winemaker. A third generation grape grower and winemaker, he is following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Bernard Fetzer, who originated Fetzer Vineyards, and his father, Jim Fetzer, owner and developer of Ceago Vinegarden. He moved to Lake County in 2001 when Ceago planted its first vineyards on the north shore of Clear Lake.

The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon cuvee will be crafted of donations from Shannon Ridge Vineyards & Winery, Six Sigma Ranch & Winery, Steele Wines, and Wildhurst Vineyards. The 2010 Sauvignon Blanc cuvee will be composed of donations from Ceago Vinegarden, Langtry Estate & Vineyards, Shed Horn Cellars, Six Sigma Ranch & Winery, Steele Wines, and Vigilance Winery.

Bottles of the red and white cuvees will be served with the three-course dinner while additional fine wines from Lake County vintners will be available for purchase to accompany dinner.

The live and silent auctions will feature special wine packages, large format wine bottles, weekend and extended vacation getaways, fine art, and a variety of goods and services for wine and travel interests.

The original watercolor on silk painting by Lake County artist John R. Clarke, “Thankful in Lake County,” will be auctioned during the evening. Original art donated by Clarke has been reproduced every year by the sponsoring Wine Alliance as a fine art poster to promote the event.

A limited number of posters, at $20 each, are available for sale through the Saw Shop Gallery Bistro and Inspirations Gallery, and the tasting rooms of Wildhurst Vineyards, Steele Wines, Six Sigma Ranch & Winery, Ceago Vinegarden, and the Lake County Wine Studio.

Members of the Wine Alliance board of directors are Margaret Walker, president; Marie Beery, vice president; Sharron Zoller, secretary; Rob Roumiguiere, treasurer; and directors Kaj Ahlmann, Judy Luchsinger and Wilda Shock.

More information about the Wine Auction and ticket availability may be obtained by calling 1-866-279-WINE.

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