LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport Police arrested a Lucerne man on Tuesday after an incident in a grocery store parking lot in which he allegedly sexually battered a woman.

John William Wright, 24, was arrested for sexual battery, criminal threats, burglary and petty theft following the incident in the Safeway Parking lot, according to Chief Brad Rasmussen.

Shortly after 3 p.m. Tuesday Lakeport Police responded to the area of the US Post Office on 11th St. regarding a male caller reporting his wife was assaulted by male subject, Rasmussen said. The suspect in the case had reportedly left the area and walked up 11th St. pushing a shopping cart.

Upon arriving in the area, Lt. Jason Ferguson located the male subject, identified as Wright, pushing the shopping cart on 11th St. near the entrance to the northbound onramp of Highway 29, Rasmussen said.

Rasmussen said Wright was in possession of nearly $350 worth of groceries from Safeway in the shopping cart for which he could not provide a receipt.

During the investigation officers learned that Wright made contact with a woman standing in the parking lot near the Mendo Lake Credit Union. Rasmussen said Wright is alleged to have made sexual advances toward the woman and offered her drugs in exchange for sexual favors.

After the woman refused Wright’s advances, Wright grabbed her breast at least three separate times and then told her he would kill her if she told anyone, Rasmussen said.

After Wright left the area, the woman drove home and advised her husband of the incident and they both returned and called the police, Rasmussen said.

Wright was placed under arrest after he was positively identified by the woman at the scene. Rasmussen said representatives from Safeway responded to claim the stolen items, which totaled $347.29.

Wright, whose occupation is listed as landscaper on his booking sheet, was booked at the Hill Road Jail on Wednesday morning. Jail records showed that his bail was set at $15,000.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A man was arrested during a special enforcement operation last week targeting people who purchase alcohol for minors.

Calvin Canida, 21, was arrested for furnishing alcohol to a minor during the “shoulder tap” operation conducted on Thursday, April 18, according to Officer Michael Carpenter of the Clearlake Police Department.

Carpenter said the operation was conducted by Clearlake Police officers and agents from Alcoholic Beverage Control at ABC-licensed businesses in Clearlake.

A “shoulder tap” operation is an enforcement program that ABC and local law enforcement agencies use to deter and detect activity in which minors ask adults to purchase alcohol for them, according to law enforcement officials.

Carpenter said that during an enforcement operation, a minor decoy, under the direct supervision of law enforcement officers, solicits adults outside ABC-licensed businesses to purchase alcoholic beverages for them.

During last week’s operation, several people were contacted at the businesses by the decoy, Carpenter said.

Only one person, Canida, was arrested during the operation, Carpenter said. Canida later was released on a citation.

This project is part of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control’s Minor Decoy/Shoulder Tap Grant Project, funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

SACRAMENTO – A bill to close a loophole in California’s rape law that caused an appellate court to overturn a sexual assault conviction has passed off the Senate Floor today with a 37-0 vote on urgency.  

The bill now moves to the Assembly and will be heard in their public safety committee this summer.

The bill seeks to close the legal loophole specific to rape under false pretenses or rape by fraud by updating the penal code.

If passed, the legislation would go into effect immediately.

Sen. Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) introduced SB 59 at the beginning of the 2013 legislative session following the outcome of the overturned rape conviction in People v. Morales.

“Rape is a violent crime that should be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” said Sen. Evans.  “Justice cannot be conditioned on the victim’s marital status.”

Under an 1870s provision that upheld the rights of a married victim, but not those of others, the Second District Court of Appeal in January overturned the rape conviction of Julio Morales.  

In 2009 Morales was alleged to have impersonated his female victim’s boyfriend in order to have sex with her while she was sleeping.  

Because jury instruction was unclear and the current law only allows someone to be convicted of rape for impersonating a spouse, but is silent about the impersonation of other intimate partners, the conviction was overturned on the technicality.

SB 59 updates the arcane language contained in various sections of the California Penal Code by substituting and defining the new term of “sexual partner” in the place of the term “spouse.” Doing so would expand the definition to include single individuals, domestic partners and individuals currently excluded by the narrow use of the term “spouse.”

“This is about equality in the law,” said Evans. “This is about justice for all. And it’s past time this legislative body correct an arcane law that could let a rapist go free on an outdated statute that provides neither.”

Evans’ SCR 22, Sexual Assault Awareness Month/Denim Day, also passed off the Senate floor on Monday with a unanimous vote.  

Denim Day will be held on April 24 this year and people are encouraged to wear denim in symbolism for sexual assault awareness.

Evans represents the Second Senatorial District, including all or portions of the counties of Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Marin (caretaker) and Sonoma. Senator Evans Chairs the Senate Committee on Judiciary.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – In the American Lung Association’s new “State of the Air 2013” report, Lake County continues its tradition of clean air, taking top honors.

The 14th annual report, which can be found at www.lungusa.org , is a national air quality “report card.”  It uses the most recent quality assured air pollution data, compiled by the EPA, in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

The report grades counties and ranks cities and counties based on their scores for ozone, year-round particle pollution and short-term particle pollution levels.

Lake County was ranked No. 1 among the Top 25 cleanest counties for year-round particle pollution, an improvement over its No. 8 ranking in 2012 and a No. 6 rating in 2011.

Other California counties making that group this year included Siskiyou, No. 15; Shasta, No. 17; and San Benito, No. 20.

Lake also was among 14 California counties ranked as having low short-term particle pollution and was one of only nine California counties to be listed for cleanest counties for ozone air pollution. It received “A” grades for both categories of air pollution.

Nationwide, the report finds significant progress in the reduction of year-round particle pollution (soot) across the nation, but many cities that ranked among the most polluted had more unhealthy days of high ozone (smog) and short-term particle pollution than in the 2012 report.
 
Despite that uptick, “State of the Air 2013” shows that the air quality nationwide continues the long-term trend to much healthier air.

“We are happy to report that the state of our air is much cleaner today than when we started the ‘State of the Air’ report 14 years ago,” said Harold Wimmer, national president and chief executive officer of the American Lung Association.

“Even in parts of the country that experienced increases in unhealthy days of high ozone and short-term particle pollution, they still have better air quality compared to a decade ago,” Wimmer added. “But the work is not done, and the Environmental Protection Agency must continue the work necessary to achieve the promise of the Clean Air Act; healthy air that is safe for all to breathe.”

The new report found that more than 131.8 million people in the United States, which equates to 42 percent of the U.S. population, live in counties that have unhealthy levels of either ozone or particle pollution.

Nearly 24.8 million people – or 8 percent – in the United States live in counties that have unhealthy levels of all three: ozone and short-term and year-round particle pollution.

Eighteen cities had lower year-round levels of particle pollution, including 16 cities with their lowest levels recorded.

The report also noted that more cities – four – made the list of the “cleanest cities” than in any previous “State of the Air” report: Bismarck, N.D.; Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Fla.; Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, Fla.; and Rapid City, S.D. To make this list, the cities had to have no days with unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution and had to be among the 25 cities with the lowest year-round particle levels.

This year’s report reveals that many places made strong progress, particularly in lower year-round levels of particle pollution, compared to last year’s report.

The American Lung Association said lower particle pollution levels are a direct result of emissions reductions from the transition to cleaner diesel fuels and engines and coal-fired power plants, especially in the eastern United States.

Although year-round average levels for particles are steadily dropping, the reverse is true for short-term spikes in days with high particle counts.

“State of the Air 2013” found that six cities had their worst year ever for short-term pollution spikes since the data started to be collected. Periods of unhealthy particle levels often occur in the winter, as has recently been the case in Fairbanks, Alaska, and Salt Lake City.  

In some cities, the particle pollution spikes come from increased burning of wood and other fuels for heat, often from highly polluting indoor wood stoves or outdoor wood boilers.

Ozone is the most common air pollutant Americans breathe, and it has proven to be one of the hardest to reduce.

Most cities with the worst ozone problems made progress with fewer high ozone days, while several places recorded more unhealthy ozone days on average than in 2008-2010.

Los Angeles reported its fewest unhealthy ozone days since the “State of the Air” reports began, but it remains the city with the worst ozone pollution problem. Warmer weather during 2009-2011 may have contributed to the increase.

The nation’s most polluted cities for short-term particle pollution, from one to 10, are: Bakersfield-Delano, Calif.; Fresno-Madera, Calif.; Hanford-Corcoran, Calif.; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Riverside, Calif.; Modesto, Calif.; Salt Lake City-Ogden-Clearfield, Utah; Pittsburgh-New Castle, Pa.; Merced, Calif.; Fairbanks, Alaska; Logan, Utah-Idaho.

Most polluted cities by year-round particle pollution, from one to 10, are: Bakersfield-Delano, Calif.; Merced, Calif.; Fresno-Madera, Calif.; Hanford-Corcoran, Calif.; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Riverside, Calif.; Modesto, Calif.; Visalia-Porterville, Calif.; Pittsburgh-New Castle, Pa.; El Centro, Calif.; Cincinnati-Middletown-Wilmington, Ohio-Ky.-Ind.

Top 10 most ozone-polluted cities, from one to 10, are: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Riverside, Calif.; Visalia-Porterville, Calif.; Bakersfield-Delano, Calif.; Fresno-Madera, Calif.; Hanford-Corcoran, Calif.; Sacramento-Arden-Arcade-Yuba City, Calif.-Nev.; Houston-Baytown-Huntsville, Texas; Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas; Washington-Baltimore-Northern Virginia, District of Columbia-Md.-Va.-W.Va.; and El Centro, Calif.

The report suggests several actions to improve air quality, including cleaning up gasoline and car emissions, funding work to provide healthy air, cleaning up coal-fired power plants and strengthening outdated ozone standards.

2013 State of the Air Report

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The popular local radio and theater production “Lake County Live!” returns to the Soper-Reese Community Theatre on Sunday, April 28, at 6 p.m.

The show presents music and comedy for the live audience, and is broadcast live on Lake County Community Radio KPFZ 88.1 FM and streamed live on the Internet at www.kpfz.org .

“I am so pleased that our local community has enjoyed our efforts in the comedy we write for each show, as well as the ability to showcase local musical talent for all to see and hear,” said show creator and producer Doug Rhoades.

This month’s program features music by In Voice, who performed in January of this year featuring folk standards.  

Bill Bordisso and Doug Harris, along with Keith and Libby Larson provide the music and vocals.  

Also performing is Konocti Junction, featuring Tom Nixon, Scott Sommer and Janet Berrian.

Rounding out the show will be returning favorites Three Deep, displaying the musicianship and vocals of Jill Shaul, Anna McAtee and Sarah Tichava.

The program will also feature the return of Ladies of the Lake, and the usual cast of ongoing characters.  

Tickets are available at the theater box office on Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the Travel Center at 1265 S. Main St. in Lakeport and online at www.soperreesetheatre.com .

The program is presented and airs the last Sunday of each month at 6 p.m.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – A woman who won $500,000 in a Saturday multistate Powerball drawing on a ticket she purchased in Lakeport came forward to claim her prize on Monday, but she has decided not to reveal her identity.

Although there wasn’t a jackpot winner in the Saturday night drawing for $95.6 million, two tickets sold in California matched five winning numbers – 6, 8, 30, 39 and 48 – but not the Powerball number of 20, state lottery officials reported.

The tickets were sold at the Rotten Robbie gas station at 2725 S. Main St. in Lakeport and an Arco gas station in Los Angeles. Each ticket won $501,893.

Chad Carter, manager of the Lakeport Rotten Robbie, said lottery officials came to the station’s store on Monday to verify the woman’s ticket and ensure that the ticket sale had been a valid transaction.

Carter said the woman wished to remain anonymous, and he would not disclose if she was a Lake County resident.

However, he did say that she was a hardworking person, and that he thought it was “pretty cool” that she had won.

Carter said he has been managing stores for 20 years and has never had something like this lottery win happen before.

He said customers have been very curious about the news, and have been coming in to check their own lottery tickets.

The California Lottery reported that Powerball is a multistate game, played in California and 42 other states plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Players pick five numbers from 1 to 59 plus a Powerball number from 1 to 35. Draw times are Wednesdays and Saturdays at 7:59 p.m. Pacific Time, according to the Powerball Web site.

The estimated cash value for Wednesday night’s draw is $75.6 million, lottery officials reported.

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. – The Lucerne Alpine Senior Center is holding a celebration barbecue and information day on Saturday, May 4.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the center, located at 10th and Country Club.

The center is emerging from a difficult two months in which it faced the loss of its nutrition contract, then welcomed new leadership, filed an appeal and won the ability to continue providing Meals on Wheels and daily lunches.

Executive Director Rae Eby-Carl, who took over the center’s leadership at the start of March, said the event is meant to honor all of the volunteers who work so hard to keep the center open and provide lunches and Meals on Wheels to the Northshore communities.

Information will be available on lunches served weekdays at the center and delivered by Meals on Wheels. The community is invited to come check out the monthly menu.  

On site May 4 will be a chicken barbecue with coleslaw, beans and French bread. available at $6.50 a plate (those aged 10 and under are served for $4.50). All profits go to center and its operations.  

Applications for new volunteers will be available at the event. Board of Director recruitment is now under way for June appointments.

They are seeking applicants for all volunteer positions: board, Meals on Wheels drivers, cooks, kitchen and dining room help, maintenance, landscaping, thrift store stocking and sales, office help and marketing.

The Thrift Store recently was remodeled and revamped, and is open Monday through Saturday. Its profits also go to help run Lucerne Alpine Senior Center.  

“Come and look for treasures for your home and economical clothes,” said Ted Shimizu, Board of Directors chair.  

Earlier, from 8 a.m. through noon, the Big Breakfast fundraiser is open, as it is every Saturday. Menu selections include biscuits and gravy, various omelets, eggs to order French toast, pancakes and more with all the trimmings like bacon, sausage, juice and coffee.

The public is welcome to come, eat breakfast and lunch, or look around and pick up information.  

Eby-Carl reported that all staff and current volunteers want to share their pride in Lucerne Alpine Senior Center’s facilities and programs.

The center continues to deliver nutritious and delicious meals to homebound throughout the north shore. Lunch meals also are served on site at 3985 Country Club Drive in Lucerne. The dining room is open from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the whole community. All age diners are welcome to partake of this very affordable hot meal.  

“Come on down May 4. You can bring the whole family. It’s a great way to find out about volunteer opportunities and services while sharing our celebration of great volunteers,” said Eby-Carl.

Eby-Carl said the center is looking to expand services with more activities and encourages community groups to contact her or staff to make arrangements to use the facility for a very reasonable fee.  

Starting April 30, there will be a Qi Gong class every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at no charge.

“Lucerne Alpine Senior Center is here for the whole Northshore community,” Eby-Carl said. “We are looking forward to good times together, come share a meal with us.”   

Call 707-274-8779 for more information if you can’t make it to the barbecue celebration on May 4.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – A suspect has been arrested in what is reported to be the worst case of gang graffiti that has taken place at Kelseyville High School.

Bulmaro Mendez Flores, 18, of Finley was arrested on Saturday evening by Deputy Jay Vanoven on suspicion of having tagged the high school last Friday night, according to Principal Matt Cockerton.

Flores was not a student at the high school or any school in the district, according to Cockerton.

Cockerton said a second suspect, whose name was not divulged, also is being sought.

Damages to the school are estimated at about $2,500 for removal and repainting, Cockerton said.

“This is the worst tagging that we’ve ever had,” Cockerton said.

Using white and blue paint, the suspects painted gang graffiti and obscenities on windows, doorways, lockers and the sides of buildings at the school.

“We tried to get some of it off this morning with our best stuff and we couldn’t get it off,” Cockerton said Monday.

He said the school has hired a local painter who on Tuesday will begin the work of removing the tagging.

Cockerton credited the sheriff’s office for doing “an outstanding job,” with Vanoven handling the case, assisted by Deputy Cynthia Radoumis, the school’s resource officer.

He said there are aspects of the case that are still being put together, with surveillance footage from the school’s cameras being used as evidence. Cockerton said there is some additional footage the school will be sharing with authorities.

As for the possibility that the school may get some restitution fees, Cockerton said there is a long process ahead, but he expects there will be funds at some point.

Flores, listed as a student on his booking sheet, is charged with two felony counts of criminal street gang participation, four felony criminal street gang enhancements, two charges of felony vandalism, a misdemeanor vandalism charge, as well as misdemeanors of fighting or challenging to a fight in a public place and obstructing or resisting an officer.

Bail was set at $25,000, and he remained in custody early Tuesday, with a court appearance scheduled for later in the day, according to jail records.

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. – A Lakeport man was arrested on Sunday night after he allegedly threatened two people with a hammer-type weapon.

David Derrick Veronie, 51, was taken into custody by Lakeport Police after the incident, according to Lt. Jason Ferguson.

Ferguson said that just after 7:30 p.m. Sunday Lakeport Police officers responded to 555 First St.
regarding a report of Veronie bashing in the front door of the residence. Upon their arrival, officers located and detained Veronie in the backyard.

During the investigation officers learned that Veronie lives at the residence. When he showed up he allegedly threatened two people in the house – one of them a roommate – with a hammer-type weapon with a hatchet head, Ferguson said.

Witnesses reported Veronie threatened to kill the two people as he was repeatedly striking the door with the weapon, according to Ferguson’s report.

Ferguson said the officers located damage to the door which was consistent with what the witnesses
reported. A search of the area for the weapon was conducted with no weapon being located.

As a result of their investigation, officers arrested Veronie for brandishing a weapon other than
a firearm, criminal threats and vandalism, Ferguson said.

Veronie was booked at the Hill Road Jail early Monday morning. Jail records indicated his bail was set at $5,000. He’s due to appear in court on Tuesday.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – A Middletown cleanup day will be held this Saturday, April 27.

Community members are invited to help tidy up the town from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Participants should meet at the intersection of Calistoga and Young streets, near the Cowpoke Café, and are asked to bring brooms, hoes, dust busters, weed eaters and other cleaning tools.

The plan is to clean storefronts, sidewalks and weed the earth around the trees and or planter boxes.

Doughnuts and bottled water will be available.

There is no need to register; community members are invited to simply show up.

For more information contact Michelle with Mormon Helping Hands at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Cleanup efforts also are taking place that day in other parts of the county.

In Clearlake, the cleanup will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Austin Park, 14077 Lakeshore Drive. Call City Clerk Melissa Swanson at 707-994-8201, Extension 106

In Lakeport, citizens will work on the cleanup from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., meeting beforehand at Angelina’s Bakery, 365 N. Main St. Call the Lakeport Main Street Association at 707-263-8843.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Latinos United of Lake County and Bruno’s Shop Smart will sponsor the 16th annual Cinco de Mayo cultural celebration on Sunday, May 5, in the back parking lot area of Bruno’s Shop Smart, located at 355 Lakeshore Blvd in Lakeport.

The day will begin at 10:30 a.m. with a blessing, to be followed by the celebration from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Musical entertainment will include DJ Super Laser 2000 de Chuy Tapia, local singer Irma Lopez and the musical group, Grupo XMG.

Youth from ages 9 to 15 can go to free Zumba classes at Pulse dance studio located next to the Lakeport Bowling Alley on Saturday, April 27, from noon to 2 p.m. to learn some Zumba dances to perform at the Cinco de Mayo event. You will get a free t-shirt to decorate and wear.

There will be dance performances by Ukiah Folklore Dancers and SSU Aztec dancers, plus karaoke, folklore dress contest, Zumba dancing for everyone, tasty food, family activities, games and informational booths from local service agencies.

This is an alcohol and tobacco free event.

For more information or for vendor and agency booth applications please call Shushan at 707-279-4152 or Ana at 707-994-6447, Extension 2915.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Lake County Fire Safe Council will hold the fourth annual Wildfire Safety Expo on Saturday, May 18.

Local, state and federal fire agencies are partnering to present information on protecting life and property from wildfire from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kelseyville Lumber Home Improvement Center, 3555 N. Main St.

Admission is free for this family friendly event.

The day will provide “one-stop shopping” for fire prevention and mitigation information.  

Events will include firefighting demonstrations, a vendor fair and activities for children, including a bounce house.

Antique and modern fire equipment will be on display, and Smokey Bear and Sparky the Fire Dog will be there, too.

The vendor fair will provide information on fuel reduction services, landscaping tips, fire resistant building materials, large animal evacuation, and an array of fire-related safety information and products. There also will be a drawing for prizes throughout the event.

Visit the Wildfire Safety Expo and learn what you can do to help protect your home in a wildfire.

For more information call 707-263-4180, Extension 106.