UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The service of a search warrant has resulted in one arrest and the seizure of methamphetamine and nunchakus.

Aaron Rodriguez Zavala, 29, of Upper Lake was taken into custody on Thursday, July 3, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

On June 25 narcotics detectives secured a search warrant for a residence located in the 9000 block of Government Street in Upper Lake, serving the warrant at 8 a.m. July 3, Brooks said.

During the search warrant service Zavala refused to open his bedroom door, which was locked. Brooks said detectives forced the door open and detained both Zavala and 20-year-old Michelle Karelli Lopez of Nice without further incident.

During a search of Zavala’s bedroom, detectives located a glass methamphetamine pipe sitting on the floor next to his nightstand. Brooks said the pipe was heavily lined with a black and white residue, which is caused from smoking methamphetamine.

Inside the nightstand, detectives located two small plastic bags which contained a semi-translucent crystalline substance, later determined to be methamphetamine, Brooks said.

Also inside the same nightstand detectives located packaging materials. Brooks said an operable gram scale coated with white crystals was located inside a computer tower.

Brooks said detectives located numerous new and used hypodermic needles in the bedroom. A set of nunchakus was located inside Zavala’s dresser. All of the items listed were seized as evidence.

Zavala was arrested for possession of a controlled substance for sale, maintaining a place to sell narcotics, possession of nunchakus and possession of controlled substance paraphernalia, Brooks said.

Zavala was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked. Jail records indicated his bail was set at $25,000, with Zavala later posting the required portion of bail and being released.

The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – A fire that has burned for a week in Napa and Lake counties is about to reach full containment while firefighters continued to gain ground on another large fire burning in neighboring Yolo County.

Cal Fire said the Butts Fire, which began July 1 in Pope Valley northwest of Lake Berryessa, was 95-percent contained on Monday night.

The fire has burned 4,300 acres, destroyed nine structures – two homes and seven outbuildings – and caused four injuries, according to Cal Fire.

On Monday 271 personnel, along with 10 fire engines, eight fire crews, two dozers and a water tender remained assigned to the incident, Cal Fire reported.

The agency said that firefighters continued with mopping up and patrolling the fire perimeter, looking for and extinguishing hot spots, and also conducting fire suppression repair and rehabilitation work.

In Yolo County, the Monticello Fire – which began on July 4 on the southeast shore of Lake Berryessa at the Monticello Dam – remained at 6,488 acres on Monday evening, with Cal Fire reporting that containment increased to 45 percent during the day.

No structures have been reported burned and all evacuation orders have been lifted. Cal Fire said three injuries have been reported.

On Monday the resources assigned to the Monticello Fire included 1,789 personnel, 130 fire engines 56 fire crews, four air tankers, 16 helicopters, 45 dozers and 21 water tenders, Cal Fires said.

Officials said high daytime temperatures and poor humidity recovery overnight continue to challenge suppression efforts. There also are concerns about the potential increase of winds on the fire.

Heavy smoke will continue to affect surrounding communities, according to the Monday night report.

Cal Fire said the investigations on the causes of both fires are continuing.

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.

Lucerne, Calif -- A fallen Pine tree resulted in closure of the 6300 block of Eleventh Avenue in Lucerne Monday

County crews worked to remove the tree from the road with chainsaws.

According to one worker the large Pine tree may have succumbed to moisture expansion inside the tree.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office is working to locate a 14-year-old girl who disappeared last week.

Morgan Martin was last seen in Eureka on the evening of Friday, July 4, the agency reported.

At 1 p.m. last Saturday, July 5, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a call from the girl's grandmother and legal guardian who reported that at 8:30 p.m. July 4 they were on Parkwood Boulevard in Eureka watching fireworks together.

The girl told her grandmother that she was going to visit a friend and walked off, and failed to come home, according to the report.

The grandmother searched for the girl until approximately midnight and checked with all her granddaughter's friends, finding out that no one had seen Morgan or had any idea where she was, the sheriff's office said.

Sheriff's officials said the grandmother is concerned not only due to her granddaughter's age, but also because Morgan has medical issues which require medication.

Morgan Martin is described as a white female, 5 feet 7 inches tall, with brown eyes and short strawberry blonde hair, weighing approximately 178 pounds.

She was last seen wearing dark yoga pants, a dark San Francisco Giants ball cap and pink blouse. Her hair was in a ponytail and she carries a flowered purse.

Anyone with information regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff's Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee – LEDAC – this week will hear presentations on plans to upgrade a city shopping center and designate a portion of Highway 29 as a business route.

The meeting will take place from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 9, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

Matt Riveras, who owns the Vista Point Shopping Center on Lakeport Boulevard, will present to the group development plans for the center, which is proposed to be renamed The Village at Forbes Creek, according to LEDAC Chair Wilda Shock.

Kelly Cox, the county's retired administrative officer, will discuss with the group plans for the Business 29 Route discussion.

Shock said the designation could help bring attention to alternate routes to access Lakeport and its businesses via signage.

There also will be committee member reports and reports on business outreach efforts from groups including the Lakeport Main Street Association, Lake County Chamber of Commerce, Lake County Thrive and WorkForce Lake.

LEDAC advocates for a strong and positive Lakeport business community and acts as a conduit between the city and the community for communicating the goals, activities and progress of Lakeport’s economic and business programs.

Members do not have to be Lakeport residents. Current members include Chair Wilda Shock and Vice Chair Mireya Turner, along with Carol Cole-Lewis, Bill Eaton, Melissa Fulton, Pam Harpster, Christine Hutt, George Linn, Paula Pepper-Duggan and Taira St. John. City Planning Services Manager Andrew Britton and City Manager Margaret Silveira are ex-officio committee members.

The committee is next scheduled to meet from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13, at WorkForce Lake, 55 First St. in Lakeport.

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.

Nice, Calif -- A structure fire in Nice damaged two homes and a trailer at 6817 Crump Avenue Monday afternoon.

The fire began in a trailer behind one of the homes and spread to two residences, according to Fire Capt. Dave Emmel.

Emmel said the fire was extinquished in around 20 minutes.

Neighbors reported hearing an explosion before the fire started and that the home may have had a marijuana garden behind it.

Two LCSO cruisers responded after the fire was out to investigate.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – A Kelseyville woman was injured Tuesday morning when she lost control of her car and hit three trees.

Janice Elaine Smith, 81, suffered moderate injuries in the crash, which occurred at 10:40 a.m. on Orchard Drive in the Buckingham area, according to the California Highway Patrol's Clear Lake Area office.

The CHP's report said Smith was driving her 2011 Ford eastbound on Orchard Drive, just west of Eastlake Drive. She drove straight through the intersection at a stated speed of 30 miles per hour.

Smith drove onto the dirt shoulder, through a wooden fence and onto a private residential property, according to the CHP.

The CHP said Smith lost control of the Ford and it continued onto the property, hitting three trees.

Smith was unable to get out of the vehicle and waited for emergency personnel to arrive. The CHP said Smith had to be extricated from the Ford.

REACH 1 landed at the Buckingham Golf Course and picked up Smith, flying her to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for treatment, according to reports from the scene.

Smith was wearing her seat belt, 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.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – This week the Lakeport Planning Commission will meet to elect new officers for the coming year.

The commission will meet at 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

The annual election of planning commission officers is the main item of business on the Wednesday night agenda.

The commission also will approve the minutes from its June 11 meeting and discuss and set the date for the next meeting, planned for Wednesday, Aug. 13.

Planning commissioners are Chair Ken Wicks Jr., Vice Chair Tom Gayner, Ross Kauper, Suzanne Russell and Harold Taylor.

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.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – It was stars and stripes and a bit of "Travelin' Through Time" Saturday when the Lakeshore Lions Club hosted its 57th annual Redbud Parade and Festival in Clearlake.

Thousands came out for the daylong event that began with a procession of more than festive 50 entries including water-toting firemen who provided the crowd with a bit of relief from the heat.

Escorted by a convoy of flashing lights and roaring sirens and Ronnie “Uncle Sam” Bogner, Bob and Marian Kiel were honored as the parade's grand marshals.

The Kiels were recognized for their many contributions to the community throughout 38 years of service and leadership to a variety of community service clubs and organizations.

Their latest efforts focus on the Highlands Senior Service Center's Meals On Wheels program, for which they have successfully raised funds the last three years.

Bob Kiel has been an active member of the Lakeshore Lions Club since 1977 and can boast a record of perfect attendance. He spent two terms as the club's president and currently serves as chaplain. He is a recipient of the Lions International District Governor's Appreciation Award, which recognizes his service to the community and organization.

Redbud Parade Queen Zobee Miller was joined in her royal court by princesses Michelle Page and Stephanie Lesher. The Lower Lake High School 2014 graduates were recognized for the academic achievements, leadership and contributions.

Another entry receiving recognition early-on in the parade was that of the Pearl Harbor Survivors, occupied by World War II veteran Bill Slater and Alice Darrow, the widow of Dean Darrow, a sailor who served at Pearl Harbor during the attack.

Parade announcer Carl Webb said Slater, who was stationed on the U.S.S. Pennsylvania at the time of the infamous bombing, is the last remaining Pearl Harbor Survivor in Lake County.

Webb said Darrow's  husband was injured in the bombing of the U.S.S. West Virginia. "Alice was his nurse," he said.

Kimberly Bauer took the award for best overall entry with her 1999 black Mazda Miata, which she said was a gift from her husband as reward when she quit smoking.

First runner up was the Sons of the American Legion, which paraded a "Back to the Future" float with music and oscillating rock 'n' roll billboard. Second runner up was Lower Lake High School Cheerleaders and third runner up was Ron Layne with the Lake County Model A's.

Additional parade results are as follows:

• Fraternal/service club floats: Sons of the American Legion, first place; Lakeshore Lioness, second place; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 2337, third place.
• Commercial floats: Enterprise Towing, first place; Always Towing, second place.
• Noncommercial floats: Pearl Harbor Survivors, first place; Lake County Youth Services, second place; Glory Days Flag Football, third place.
• Antique cars (pre-1940s): Lake County Model A's, first place.
• Classic cars: Bill Merriman, first place; Leo Parodi, second place; Bonnie Epps, third place.
• Unusual car, electric and steam: Ron Layne, first place; RJ Tucker, 40&8, second place; Walmart, third place.
• Drill teams: Lower Lake High School Cheerleaders, first place; Lower Lake Youth Football and Cheerleaders, second place.
• Marching group: U.S. Coast Guard, first place; Lake County Youth Service's Junior Giants, second place; Boy Scouts of America Troop No. 44, third place.
• Fire departments: Lake County Fire Protection District, first place.
• Comic fire departments: Lake County Fire Protection District Volunteer Firefighters Association fire folly team, first place.
• Other public service departments: Clearlake Police Department, first place.
• Funny things, etc.: Kimberly Bauer, first place; Nyah Chavez, second place; Jimmy Richard, third place.
• The pooper scooper award went to Ray Bridges, parade chairman, who entered on the fly, grabbing a dust pan and broom when the situation called for it in front of the judges' stand.

The parade was followed by a daylong festival in Austin Park that culminated with fireworks at dusk.

Email Denise Rockenstein at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . 

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Planning Commission last week granted a four-year extension of a use permit with additional conditions for a subdivision project that has been put on hold for several years due to the state of economy.

The project, referred to as Monte Vista Homes, proposes development of single family homes or duplexes in the area of 3595 Old Highway 53.

Actions at the July 1 meeting also included approval of a mitigated negative declaration of environmental impact related to the project and intent to adopt such.

Clearlake City Manager Joan Phillipe said a notice of intent to adopt the mitigated negative declaration must be publicly noticed with a 20-day review period.

She said the resolution is to be scheduled for adoption Aug. 5 to provide sufficient time for public notice.

Additional conditions attached to the extension of the use permit concern infrastructure requirements, which applicant Owen O'Donnell said were acceptable.

Conditions pertain to drainage and run-off, flood zone regulations, lighting and clarification indicating all utilities are to be installed underground.

An amendment concerning the formation of a street maintenance district also was included in the action.

Phillipe said there are several types of districts that can be formed, each requiring an election of the property owners.

She said it is important to condition the project in such that it requires the formation of the street maintenance district prior to the selling of parcels at the time in which there is a single property owner.

O'Donnell, who is the single property owner, said the condition was acceptable.

Phillipe said the developer usually constructs any streets for a new subdivision. The maintenance district then covers the cost of normal maintenance and repairs of the street as well as replacement in 50 years.

Depending on what type of maintenance district is formed, Phillipe said additional costs for purposes such as street lighting and sidewalk repair can be included.

According to Phillipe, the city engineer will determine the cost of what is to be included in the district and its annual budget, which results in an annual assessment of each property collected with property taxes. The funds are accounted for in a dedicated account by the city with an annual budget prepared for any anticipated expenditures for work and/or costs in the district.

O'Donnell and his development partner Ashwin Gulati received approval of a tentative subdivision map in 2008, which received extension in November 2009 prior to its expiration. The map subdivides a parcel of land into 23 residential lots and four commercial lots.

Phillipe said O'Donnell verbally requested an additional extension to the tentative map in August 2013.

She said Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation in July 2013 continuing a two-year automatic map extensions given the state of the economy, which makes the project's tentative map effective until Jan. 2016.

According to Phillipe, in the process of attending to the tentative map, it was discovered that the use permit for the project expired. She said that upon further review, it was determined that there was nothing in the file indicating that the need for an extension had been discussed with the applicant.

"It appears this is another case of a file falling through the cracks," Phillipe stated in her report to the commission.

According to Phillipe, it also was discovered that the Fish and Wildlife fees had not been paid with the original approval nor had the notice of intent to adopt the mitigated negative declaration been filed with the county.

The Aug. 5 public hearing will provide for appropriate filing and payment of fees, she said.

The mitigated negative declaration sets forth 30 mitigation measures in the following areas: aesthetics in that all exterior lighting shall be shielded and/or directed so as not to produce offsite glare; air quality addressing construction activities, debris and structure removal, and inspection for the presence of asbestos; biological resources addressing the protection of trees; hydrology and water quality requiring grading and stormwater drainage plans and erosion control conditions; land use and planning addressing lot size and structure type; noise (during construction); public services addressing standards for fire protection; utilities and service systems addressing utility and drainage easements, water distribution and storage facilities, and sewer and sanitation concerns.

Mitigation measures also are presented in the areas of cultural resources, geology and soils, hazards and hazardous materials.

Additionally, transportation and traffic mitigation measures address construction of internal access roads requiring curb, gutter and sidewalk to standards of a residential street, installation/approval of street name signs and location, and an emergency access easement at the north end of the development property.

Transportation and traffic mitigation also require a development agreement requiring of the applicant payment of a fair-share of intersection improvements and signalization of Old Highway 53 and Olympic Drive for each lot as it is developed. A zone of benefit is to be established to determine the fair share for the development.  

Email Denise Rockenstein at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The 61st quilt block to be installed on the Lake County Quilt Trail is located on Lakeport Tire and Auto Service at 1901 S. Main St.

“Patriotic Colors” was sponsored by Toni and Bob Funderburg and family in memory of Toni’s sister, Susan Caravaca who grew up in Lake County.

Caravaca was a gifted quilter. She left her family and friends many quilted treasures that she lovingly handcrafted.

The Funderburgs also wanted to pay tribute to all veterans and their families for the sacrifices they have made for our country by posting the quilt block on the north side of Lakeport Tire and Auto Service, which was built in 1966 and has been in the family since 1972.

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

The 8-foot by 8-foot quilt block was drawn and painted by the Lake County Quilt Trail team, a group of dedicated quilters, graphic artists, painters, writers, carpenters and a videographer.

For more information about the Lake County Quilt Trail visit www.lakecountyquilttrail.com or go to https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-Quilt-Trail/187014251326163 .

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – As the holiday weekend wrapped up, state and local firefighters continued work on two large wildland fires in the region, as well as other incidents elsewhere in Northern California.

Cal Fire's Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit reported Sunday evening that the Butts Fire remained steady at 4,300 burned acres, with containment rising to 85 percent.

The fire began burning last Tuesday in Pope Valley, northwest of Lake Berryessa in Napa County, before burning into Lake County.

The number of fire personnel assigned to the Butts Fire on Sunday was 323, down by more than half from Saturday. Cal Fire said 15 fire engines, 10 fire crews, two dozers and four water tenders also remained on the incident.

In Yolo County, the Cal Fire Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit also is overseeing a larger incident – the Monticello Fire – which began Friday night on Highway 128 at the Monticello Dam on the southeast shore of Lake Berryessa.

On Sunday evening Cal Fire dialed back its size estimate on the fire from 7,000 acres to 6,488 acres, with containment at 30 percent.

An evacuation order for all residences on Highway 128 from County Road 87 to Positas Road was to have been lifted at 8 p.m. Sunday and the evacuation shelter was closed. Officials said campgrounds along Highway 128 remain under the evacuation order.

Cal Fire said County Road 87 to Positas Road on Hwy 128 remains closed except to residents due to the fire, the cause of which is under investigation.

Three injuries have been reported so far, Cal Fire said.

A total of 1,275 fire personnel, 124 fire engines, 36 fire crews, six air tankers, 16 helicopters, 48 dozers and 20 water tenders were assigned on Sunday, according to Cal Fire.

The Butts and Monticello fires have both put off large amounts of smoke that has drifted north over Lake County and other parts of the region, according to officials.

Elsewhere in Northern California, Cal Fire was overseeing firefighting efforts on the Cassel Fire, which has burned 75 acres since Saturday evening in Shasta County. That fire was 75 percent contained on Sunday night.

The Gulch Fire, which began July 3 in Modoc County along Highway 139 north of Canby, consists of five separate fires and by Sunday night had burned 1,469 acres, with containment at 90 percent, Cal Fire 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.