LAKEPORT, Calif. – Have you noticed more mosquitoes than usual this spring?

The heavy rainfall this year has left water standing throughout our county, creating the perfect habitat for a record number of mosquitoes.

“We’re receiving a lot of requests for mosquito control,” said Jamesina Scott, Ph.D., the district manager and research director of the Lake County Vector Control District explained. “The abundant rains provided a lot of mosquito sources, and we’re getting out as fast as we can, but many of our treatments depend on the right weather conditions, and the weather this spring has limited the nights we’ve been able to treat for the adult mosquitoes – mainly the treehole mosquitoes and the snowmelt mosquitoes.”

She described the district’s program for addressing mosquitoes. “When you call for service, we will take your information and the district’s trained, certified technicians and scientists will evaluate the problem and determine the best response.”

Two mosquito species are causing most of the problem right now: the western treehole mosquito and the snowpool mosquito. Both species are unusually abundant this year.

The western treehole mosquito, also known by its scientific name Aedes sierrensis, is a small, black and white mosquito that comes out near sunset, but will also bite if you venture into shaded areas. The mosquito larvae grow in the water that collects in cavities within the oaks, but will also inhabit water trapped in other trees like walnuts and madrones.

The treehole mosquito is an aggressive human biter, but a poor flier so setting an oscillating fan out on your patio when it starts to bite may offer some relief. These mosquitoes are found throughout Lake County.

The snowpool mosquito, Aedes increpitus, is poorly named for our area; at higher elevations it develops in the pools of water left by melting snow, but locally, this species comes from puddles filled by rainwater or high lake levels. The adult mosquitoes are large, and usually emerge in March and April.

Snowpool mosquitoes are aggressive human-biting mosquitoes, and strong fliers that may travel a few miles from where they hatched. They are found in many areas of Lake County.

Another recent common question is about treating the rice flies, a non-biting midge that looks like a mosquito but cannot bite.

In recent weeks, there has been a large emergence of rice flies from Clear Lake, and these insects are seen forming large humming swarms near sunset or resting on walls by the thousands. Treating for mosquitoes doesn’t affect the rice flies, Scott said.

“We have people who want us to spray for the rice flies, and we have to explain that those insects will die within a day, so it makes no sense to spend your taxpayer money to spray an insect with such a short lifespan, in contrast with mosquitoes, which can live for several weeks” explained Dr. Scott.

Dr. Scott shared that many residents are asking what they can do to help with the mosquito problem this year. She recommends that you prevent mosquitoes from growing on your property by:

· Dumping out containers of water. Buckets, wheelbarrows, and children’s toys are obvious sources, but other mosquito sources are easily overlooked, like the water that collects in tarps covering woodpiles or vehicles, or the water trapped in clogged rain gutters on your roof.

· Maintain your swimming pool and spa in good working order.

· Pick up mosquitofish from our office if you have a pool or spa that is out of service or for your water garden, livestock watering troughs, a pond (natural or ornamental), large fountain or other water feature.

And if mosquitoes are biting and you can’t go inside:

· Wear long sleeves and pants.

· Use a mosquito repellent that contains picaridin, IR 3535, DEET, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention answers many FAQs about mosquito repellents at https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/faq/repellent.html . The US Environmental Protection Agency has an online tool to help you find the right repellent for you and your family at https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents .

· Check window and door screens and repair any holes to keep mosquitoes outside.

· Cut down weeds to eliminate a place for adult mosquitoes to rest.

· Contact the Lake County Vector Control District to request mosquito control services. If you are a certified organic farmer registered with the Lake County Department of Agriculture, we have mosquito control products that comply with your certification requirements.

The district is fixing technical difficulties with its online service request. If you have a mosquito problem, please contact the Lake County Vector Control District by phone at 707-263-4770. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

You also can email your name, daytime phone number and physical address to info@LCVCD.org or fax your name, daytime phone number, and physical address at 707-263-3653.

Service may be delayed if the district is unable to contact you.

The Lake County Vector Control District is a public health agency that protects Lake County residents and visitors from mosquitoes and other vectors of disease. More information about the district and its program is available at www.LCVCD.org .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Rain is back in the forecast for early next week, but sunnier conditions are expected to follow, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters said a cold, wet low pressure system is set to move into the Pacific Northwest on Monday, moving southward into Northern California Monday evening through Tuesday and bringing with it widespread rain and even snow elevations above 5,000 feet.

Another low pressure system is forecast to move through interior Northern California on Tuesday, with the possibility of wetter weather and lower snow levels.

The National Weather Service’s in-depth forecast said that, after that system, breezy north winds are likely to develop mid to late next week, with much warmer weather to develop by late in the week as high pressure builds over the state.

The specific Lake County forecast calls for sunny conditions this weekend and on Monday, with daytime highs in the low 60s and nighttime temperatures into the high 30s.

From Monday night through Tuesday night there are chances of showers, with daytime temperatures in the high 50s, dropping into the 30s at night, the forecast said.

Forecasters predict sunny conditions will return from Wednesday through Friday, with temperatures back into the high 70s in the day and at night dipping into the high 50s.

Email Elizabeth Larson at elarson@lakeconews.com . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – A Middletown man is facing several misdemeanor and felony charges for shooting a young black bear without a tag, negligent discharge of a weapon and threatening witnesses.

The District Attorney’s Office filed a case against Matthew Charles Outen on May 2.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff, who handles the agency’s cases involving poaching and wildlife, filed the case against Outen.

Hinchcliff has charged Outen with misdemeanors including unlawful taking or possessing of wildlife, taking a bear without a tag, waste of game and unlawful shooting within 150 yards of a dwelling.

Outen also is facing two felonies for negligent discharge of a firearm and threatening witnesses, Hinchcliff said.

Authorities say that on April 3 Outen killed the juvenile black bear in Middletown.

Lt. Chris Stoots of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said the incident originally was reported as a bear sighting.

He said people had gathered on a nearby bridge to watch, take videos and photograph the lanky young bear as it made its way through the creek.

The animal’s presence also was reported to the sheriff’s office and Fish and Wildlife, which had wardens respond to the area, Stoots said.

As bystanders continued to watch the bear, and before the wardens arrived, Stoots said Outen showed up, pursued the bear and shot it, according to Stoots.

Stoots said the onlookers were surprised and appalled. “There was quite the shrieking reaction from bystanders.”

Someone actually had video of Outen shooting the bear. “Officers were shown or given the video,” and from that footage were able to identify Outen, Stoots explained.

Wardens subsequently contacted Outen, who was cooperative with the investigation, Stoots said.

Outen was not arrested at that point, however, the investigation continued, with the report eventually completed and forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution, according to Stoots.

Court records showed that an arraignment date has not yet been set in the case.

Adult black bears can be hunted in California, but hunters must have a bear tag. General bear hunting season opens concurrently with general deer season in August and continues until the end of December or when 1,700 bears have been reported taken, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Email Elizabeth Larson at elarson@lakeconews.com . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

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Expedition 51 Commander Peggy Whitson and Flight Engineer Jack Fischer of NASA concluded the 200th spacewalk outside the International Space Station at 1:21 p.m. EDT on Friday.

During the spacewalk, which lasted just over four hours, the two astronauts successfully replaced a large avionics box that supplies electricity and data connections to the science experiments.

The astronauts also completed additional tasks to install a connector that will route data to the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, repair insulation at the connecting point of the Japanese robotic arm, and install a protective shield on the Pressurized Mating Adapter-3.

This adapter will host a new international docking port for the arrival of commercial crew spacecraft.

Spacewalkers have now spent a total of 1,247 hours and 55 minutes working outside the station during 200 spacewalks in support of assembly and maintenance of the orbiting laboratory.

The first spacewalk in support of International Space Station assembly and maintenance was conducted on Dec. 7, 1998, by NASA astronauts Jerry Ross and Jim Newman during space shuttle Endeavour’s STS-88 mission.

Astronauts completed attaching and outfitting of the first two components of the station, the Russian Zarya module and the U.S. Unity module.

For more information about the International Space Station, visit www.nasa.gov/station .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Westside Community Park Committee will hold a two-mile and 5K Fun Walk & Run on Sunday, May 28.

This event will support future development at the park and the committee’s ongoing operation of the Jane Barnes Field.

Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with the walk/run commencing at 8 a.m.

The start will be at the Westside Community Park, 1401 Westside Park Road. This year’s course will take participants through the future development portion of the park, across Forbes Creek and through the Puett property to Martin Street.

The finish will be at the Kiwanis Club of Lakeport’s Craft Fair located on the grounds of Natural High, 810 N. Main St. in Lakeport

The registration fee is $20. Each participant will receive a Westside Community Park T-shirt and an entrant’s bid. Pets are welcome on a leash.

Advanced registration is available at the committee’s Web site, www.westsidecommunitypark.org .

Carol Thorn, financial officer of the Westside Community Park Committee, thanked Lisa Hutton and Michelle Knudsen for allowing the run to pass through their property.

“With this year’s run passing through the back portion of the park and the Puett property participants can enjoy the natural beauty of the area,” Thorn said.

The Westside Community Park Committee is a local nonprofit group of community volunteers developing a regional recreation park for the City of Lakeport. The park is accessed from Parallel Drive just past the Matt Mazzei Auto Dealerships.

The Westside Community Park is home to the Konocti Youth Soccer League, the three Lakeport teams of the Ukiah Men’s Soccer League and is used by the Westshore Little League for its Softball and Junior League teams.

Additional facilities include a dog park, horseshoe pits and a walking trail.   

The committee recently completed a bicycle pump track with financial support from the Lakeport Rotary Club.

Beach sports courts and an equestrian center are in the planning stages.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – With sprint boats set to gather for two days of racing next month, organizers for the Lakeport Sprint Boat Grand Prix are looking for vendors and community members interested in volunteering.

The Lakeport Sprint Boat Grand Prix is scheduled to take place in Lakeport at Library Park Saturday, June 3, and Sunday, June 4.

Event Chairman Jack Long has been busy procuring the event location, filing the permits and promoting the race along with building up a great sponsorship base.

“It takes all kinds of people to make this event happen. From the race management team taking tickets and managing the crowds to the watercraft crew securing the perimeter, people are needed to come together and make this event happen,” Long said.

Adults 18 and over can visit the event’s Web site and click on the volunteer tab to sign up. “There is going to be a lot of exciting boat races on Clearlake and we think people are going to want to be a part of it,” he said.

Volunteers are needed to work in two areas:

– Volunteers with a boat or personal watercraft to be part of the race course perimeter line to secure the area. They can work one or two days, and will receive as many complimentary general tickets as they work. There will be a need up to 40 crafts and drivers.

– Individuals who will be part of the race management team (supporting ticket takers, gate monitors and general support of the Sprint Boat Grand Prix management team). Approximately 20 people are needed. They will also receive a general admission ticket for each day they work. Go to www.sprintboatgrandprix.com and click on the volunteer tab for more information.

Vendors are also being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. With the record amount of visitors expected at this event from all over the West Coast, this is a prime opportunity for service organizations or vendors to make money.

The rate for vending is a flat $100 per day. No additional fees are taken out. Vendors keep 100 percent of what they sell.

Vendors can go to www.sprintboatgrandprix.com and click on the vendor tab for more information and to apply.