LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A fire in neighboring Mendocino County doubled in size, sending smoke into the Lake County air basin, while wildland fires continued to burn across the northern part of the state.

Cal Fire said the Pass Complex, first reported on Saturday afternoon, had grown to 1,000 acres in size by Sunday, with only 5 percent containment.

The fire is located on Mendocino Pass Road northeast of Covelo, according to Cal Fire.

Cal Fire said the Pass Fire was caused by lightning. Several Lake County residents had reported on Lake County News’ Facebook page and by email that they had seen lightning strikes to the north late Friday.

The fire has resulted in three minor injuries, according to Cal Fire.

No structures were reported threatened, but Cal Fire said the fire was projected to move in a northeast direction toward the Mendocino National Forest and Middle Eel Wilderness.

On Sunday there were 173 personnel on scene, with 35 engines – 34 of them from Cal Fire – as well as 11 fire crews, three airtankers, three helicopters, eight bulldozers and six water tenders. Most of the resources came from Cal Fire.

Cooperating agencies are Cal Fire, the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Covelo Fire, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the California National Guard.

Other major incidents around Northern California on Sunday included the Ponderosa Fire southeast of Manton in Tehama and Shasta counties.

The fire, which began Saturday morning, had ballooned to 12,000 acres by Sunday afternoon, with no containment yet reached, according to Cal Fire. The cause is under investigation.

Approximately 974 fire personnel, 105 engines, 22 fire crews, 3 helicopters 31 bulldozers and 20 air tankers were assigned in an effort to protect the area’s residents and the 3,000 home, 20 commercial properties and 300 outbuildings that were threatened, Cal Fire said.

Cal Fire said four structures had been destroyed by Sunday afternoon.

Evacuations were put in place for the area, and all roads out of Manton were closed. Cal Fire reported that the Manton School was closed and an evacuation center opened in Redding.

Cal Fire said the Ponderosa Fire was burning one mile from Highway 44, and was moving toward the communities of Shingletown and Viola. Highway 299 should be used as an alternate route in the area.

A fire information number was set up at 530-225-2510.

Elsewhere in Northern California on Sunday afternoon, the SHU Lightning Fire had burned 350 acres in the Whitmore area of Shasta County, with 20 percent containment; the Mill Fire, located northwest of Butte Meadows in Butte County, had burned 1,610 acres and was 35 percent contained; the Reading Fire, located in Lassen National Park, was 51 percent contained at 27,849 acres; the Fort Complex, located 10 miles northeast of Happy Camp, was 200 acres with no containment estimate; the Chips Fire on the Plumas and Lassen National Forests was 38-percent contained at 44,793 acres; and the Rush Fire, located on Bureau of Land Management land in the Northern California District near Ravendale, has scorched 249,578 acres since it began last Sunday, Aug. 12, with 45 percent containment.

Email Elizabeth Larson at elarson@lakeconews.com .

When I was a little girl, a treat of immense proportions was to be taken with my brother to the soda fountain that was tucked into the corner of the local drugstore.

Light meals were served there, but more importantly, an occasional dish of ice cream could be had when my mother felt my brother and I deserved a goody.
 
In those days, chocolate, vanilla and strawberry ice creams were standard fare at such places, but this particular drug store also had a flavor that seemed outlandish to me: pistachio.
 
And that’s the one I always chose.
 
I had no idea what pistachios were (nor could I efficiently pronounce the name), but the peregrine nature of such a frozen concoction intrigued me.
 
As we have ice cream in nearly every flavor now, I rarely choose pistachio when I indulge, but my fascination with the nut remains.
 
When my husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary recently and the waitress placed my pistachio-crusted salmon in front of me, I felt like a kid again, spoon poised above a metal dish of green ice cream between spins on my drug store counter stool.
 
Pistachios, native to Persia (modern day Iran and part of Iraq) and a sometime denizen of the hanging gardens of Babylon, grow in grape-like clusters on trees. The shells are formed first on female trees, and if there is a male tree nearby for pollination, the empty shells will fill with green pistachio nuts.
 
One male tree produces enough pollen for eight to twelve female nut-bearing trees.
 
A fleshy outer skin that’s removed during processing covers the hard shells in which the green nuts form. It changes color as the nut ripens, from green to yellowish-red, adding to pistachios’ grape-like look when on the tree.
 
Pistachios, technically the seed of a fruit, are considered a culinary nut, rather than a true botanical nut. They’re related to cashews (another culinary nut), and the cashew family also includes mangoes, the spice sumac, and poison ivy.
 
Other than in Australia where February is the harvest month, pistachios are gathered in September. A particularly hot summer might make them ready the last week of August.
 
When ripe, the nuts split open with a pop. In some places in the Middle East, one would be considered lucky if sitting under a pistachio tree when they snap open.
 
In those countries the nuts are sometimes called “smiling pistachios,” possibly because the broad opening makes the nut look like it’s in the midst of a big grin.
 
Because the shells are open with the nuts exposed during harvest, it’s important that they’re kept from falling on the ground to avoid contamination.
 
In California’s San Joaquin Valley, where fully 98 percent of pistachios consumed in the U.S. are grown, elaborate machines that prevent the nuts from touching the ground are employed during the harvest.
 
The specially designed contraptions shake the trees while surrounding the trunk with tilted platforms from which the nuts roll onto a conveyor belt that carries them to a pull-along trailer.
 
A link is below for any uber curious folks who wish to see the machines in action. It really is pretty amazing.
 
A more primitive, but effective, method of protecting the inner nut is to line the ground surrounding the trees with tarps to catch hand-harvested nuts.
 
Pistachios like hot, dry conditions, and New Mexico and Nevada are two other states where pistachios are cultivated. Iran is the largest worldwide producer, with most nuts exported to Europe and Asia.
 
Thankfully, tasty pistachios are considered a beneficial food.
 
The health benefits of tree nuts have been demonstrated in a variety of scientific studies, and pistachios specifically contain an impressive array of nutrients per serving.
 
Full of fiber and protein, pistachios also contain healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, phytosterols for heart health, stores of potassium, vitamin B6, and lutein, which promotes eye wellness.
 
They have more antioxidants pound-for-pound than antioxidant power houses blueberries, blackberries, garlic, and pomegranate juice.
 
Because they originated in the Middle East, they’re a typical ingredient in foods there, including in the ground lamb kebabs known as gyros and in desserts like baklava.
 
Do you remember when pistachios were dyed a ghastly pinkish red? That was mostly to cover shell discoloration on lower grade nuts. Thankfully, it’s not done much anymore; I can’t remember when I last spotted some.
 
Because of their high oil and low water content, pistachios have been known to self-combust in bulk container shipments.
 
Such an event would belie their Chinese nickname, the “happy nut.”
 
Like other nuts, there is a near endless variety of ways pistachios can be used in cuisine. And, of course, they’re wonderful when eaten out of hand.
 
Some favorite pairings are with apricots or peaches, cheeses such as goat, Parmesan, brie, or ricotta, chicken and dishes that accompany fowl (think stuffing or rice), white or dark chocolate, honey, and lemon.
 
Because of the strong taste of pistachios, they work well with meats such as lamb and pork, both as a crust or as a component in a sauce, chutney, or accompanying dish.
 
For a treat on your morning toast, try combining softened butter, pistachios, and a bit of honey in a food processor or blender. A pinch of cinnamon may also be added.
 
As to today’s recipe, the citrus-pistachio couscous salad below is especially good as a bed for grilled salmon, but is also nice on its own.
 
And below is the video on the harvest.
 
Enjoy, and happy Sunday!
 
Citrus-pistachio couscous salad

Juice of two oranges
1 cup reduced-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
½ teaspoon sea salt
1 cup couscous
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced small
½ cup chopped red bell pepper
½ cup shelled pistachios, chopped
Dressing:
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 scallions, chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Juice of 1 lemon

Cook couscous according to directions on box, using broth in place of water. Once cooked, add orange juice and salt and mix well. Fold in cucumber, red bell pepper and pistachios.

For dressing:

Mix all ingredients for dressing in bowl and whisk. Pour over salad to taste.

This recipe serves four and is courtesy of the American Pistachio Growers Web site, www.americanpistachios.org .

Esther Oertel, a freelance writer, cooking teacher, and speaker, is passionate about local produce and all foods in the vegetable kingdom. She welcomes your questions and comments and may be reached at veggiebelle@hotmail.com .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Shepherd, poodle and heeler mixes are waiting for new homes this week at Lake County’s animal shelter.

Dogs young and old, big and little, are ready to get out of their cages and into new families.

Thanks to Lake County Animal Care and Control’s new veterinary clinic, many of the animals offered for adoption already are spayed or neutered and ready to go home with their new families.

Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.

If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets hoping you'll choose them.

The following dogs at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (additional dogs on the animal control Web site not listed are still “on hold”).

Male pit bull mix

This male pit bull mix is 3 years old.

He has a long brown and white coat, weighs 62 pounds and has not been neutered.

Shelter staff said he may have a case of mange.

Find him in kennel No. 3, ID No. 33777.

‘Budah’

“Budah” is an 8-year-old male Rottweiler-Australian Shepherd mix.

He’s got a short black and tan coat, weighs 70 pounds and has been neutered.

He’s in kennel No. 4, ID No. 33848.

‘Lucy’

“Lucy” is a 13-year-old female terrier-poodle mix.

She has a long curly coat, weighs nearly 16 pounds and has been spayed.

Find her in kennel No. 5a, ID No. 33868.

‘Terrace’

“Terrace” is a 6-year-old male American Eskimo Dog mix.

He has a long coat, weighs nearly 18 pounds and has not been altered.

He’s in kennel No. 5b, ID No. 33869.

Male poodle mix

This male poodle mix is 2 years old.

He has a short white coat and weighs just under 9 pounds.

Find him in kennel No. 7, ID No. 33894.

‘Fuego’

“Fuego” is a 4-year-old male shepherd mix.

He’s neutered, weighs nearly 94 pounds and has a long tricolor coat.

He’s in kennel No. 15, ID No. 33660.

‘Madi’

“Madi” is a 5-year-old female shepherd mix.

She weighs 76 pounds, has a long black and white coat, and has been spayed.

Find her in kennel No. 15, ID No. 33658.

‘Tacoma’

“Tacoma” is a 9-year-old female blue heeler mix.

She has a short blue merle coat, weighs 62 pounds and has been spayed.

She’s in kennel No. 20, ID No. 33744.

Adoptable dogs also can be seen at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dogs_and_Puppies.htm or at www.petfinder.com .

Please note: Dogs listed at the shelter's Web page that are said to be “on hold” are not yet cleared for adoption.

To fill out an adoption application online visit http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dog___Cat_Adoption_Application.htm .

Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm .

For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.

Email Elizabeth Larson at elarson@lakeconews.com .

By now it’s old news that NASA’s new Mars rover Curiosity is resting safely on the surface of Red Planet after a daredevil landing that had the nation holding its breath.

Now, mission scientists are anxious to start moving.

With such a sweet set of wheels at their disposal and the “open road” before them, just where will they go first?

“We won’t have to travel far for excitement,” said project scientist John Grotzinger. “We landed in the best possible place within the landing ellipse – the bottom of an alluvial fan.”

An alluvial fan is a pattern of sedimentary rocks, dirt and sand deposited by flowing water – in this case, perhaps an ancient Martian river.

Since life as we know it requires liquid water, this is an excellent first place to search for clues of a Mars that was once hospitable to life.

“The alluvial fan indicates that water flowed across the surface, so we’ll head downhill to where water might have collected,” said Grotzinger. “We’ll be looking for minerals like salts that might tell us where water has been. It’s kind of like a scavenger hunt with minerals as clues.”

After that, Grotzinger said it’s “full-speed ahead” to the base of Mount Sharp, a 5,000-meter-tall mountain that holds within its ancient layers possible clues to life on the Red Planet.

“We’ll have to make a deal with ourselves not to stop too often along the way,” he said. “Mount Sharp is the reason we chose this landing site, so we need to high-tail it on over there.”

Deputy Program Manager Richard Cook described the temptation to stop along the way: “It’ll be like taking a family vacation, but instead of the family you have 400 scientists who want to stop and look at every sight.”

Curiosity is bristling with instruments custom-made to look for the chemical building blocks of life.

A laser on Curiosity’s mast can take aim at interesting rocks and vaporize small spots on them from up to seven meters away.

The micro-blasts produce plasma clouds, and the scientists can examine the light reflected off these clouds to learn what the rocks are made of.

The mast also sports a high-resolution camera called Mastcam, which has already begun observing and photographing the rover’s surroundings.

The rover’s robotic arm wields its own array of instruments.

The Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer will measure the abundance of chemical elements in the dust, soils, rocks, and samples the rover gathers.

The Mars Hand Lens Imager acts like a geologist’s magnifying lens that can take its own color photos.

Ultimately samples will be delivered to a pair of onboard laboratory instruments. One of them, SAM, short for Sample Analysis at Mars, will explore the Red Planet by “sniffing” the air, bird-dog style.

It has vents that open to the atmosphere to detect gases like methane. SAM can also “sniff” the gases released by rock or soil samples it heats in its own oven.

Can 400 scientists gripped by the thrill of the greatest “family vacation” ever really rush to their destination without stopping to savor every sight?

Grotzinger made just one guarantee: “In the coming months and years, Curiosity will tell us an incredible story.”

Dauna Coulter works for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – A complex of fires that began early Saturday in northern Mendocino County had burned hundreds of acres by nightfall.

The Pass Complex was reported at around 2:47 a.m. Saturday in Williams Valley, 10 miles northeast of Covelo, according to a report issued by Cal Fire Mendocino Unit spokesperson Julie Cooley.

By 8 p.m. Saturday, the two-fire complex – consisting of the Pass 1 and Pass 2 – had reached 510 acres, with containment at 10 percent, according to Cooley.

Personnel assigned to the complex Saturday totaled 255, with 13 fire engines, eight fire crews, four bulldozers, two airtankers, two helicopters and two water tenders, Cooley said.

The area’s hot, dry, windy weather is anticipated to lead to significant growth on the Pass 1 Fire, Cooley reported. The Pass 2 was holding at 10 acres.

The fires are burning in heavy timber with limited access for firefighters, said Cooley. Other challenges include crowning, torching and long range spotting.

Cooley reported that no structures have been destroyed and no evacuations were ordered, but three injuries were reported.
                             
Cooperating agencies on the complex include Cal Fire, Covelo Fire Department, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation and the California National Guard.

Email Elizabeth Larson at elarson@lakeconews.com .

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Two small wildland fires continued burning near Upper Lake Saturday evening, with the largest of the two nearing full containment.

The Hunter and North fires were first reported early Saturday morning, according to Cal Fire.

Cal Fire spokesperson Suzie Blankenship reported that the Hunter Fire was in the Bachelor Valley Road area, while the North Fire was located in a U.S. Forest Service Direct Protection Area that Cal Fire is contracted to protect.

By early evening, the Hunter Fire was estimated to be between seven and 10 acres, with final acreage to be mapped later. It was then 85-percent contained, Blankenship reported.

She said it was burning in difficult terrain and heavy timber, with spotting and poor access.

Those factors increased the challenge for the 110 fire personnel from Cal Fire, the U.S. Forest Service and Northshore Fire who worked on the fire throughout the day. Ten engines were also part of the effort, Blankenship said.

Blankenship said the work on the Hunter Fire will continue through the night.

The North Fire was reported to be between three to five acres by Saturday evening, Blankenship said. A containment estimate was not given.

Email Elizabeth Larson at elarson@lakeconews.com .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Cal Fire reported Saturday afternoon that firefighters were continuing to work on wildland fires near Upper Lake, with a fire in Middletown destroying two buildings.

The Hunter and North fires in Upper Lake began on Saturday morning, according to Cal Fire spokesperson Suzie Blankenship.  

Blankenship said shortly before 2:30 p.m. that the Hunter Fire was being held at 10 acres, with 75 percent containment reported.

She said it was burning in the area of Bachelor Valley Road in heavy timber, with spotting reported.

On scene were 110 firefighting personnel and 10 engines from Cal Fire, Northshore Fire and the U.S. Forest Service, Blankenship said. The cause remains under investigation.

Northshore Fire Deputy Chief Pat Brown said the agency had two engines, two water tenders and two chief officers on the Hunter Fire.

While the district’s resources were getting stretched, Brown said all Northshore Fire stations were manned with engine crews on Saturday afternoon.

The North Fire, in the U.S. Forest Service Direct Protection Area also was burning in heavy timber, and was at three acres and holding, according to Cal Fire’s latest information.

In the South County, the West Fire had started in the 23000 block of Hildebrand Road on Saturday morning.

Blankenship said the fire destroyed one residence and an outbuilding, and burned a 50-foot by 50-foot area of vegetation.

Additional information on the fire incidents will be posted as it becomes available.

Email Elizabeth Larson at elarson@lakeconews.com .

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Firefighters are battling a three-structure fire in the Middletown area.

The fire, reported Saturday morning, was located off of Hildebrand Road, according to Cal Fire spokesperson Suzie Blankenship.

She said three structures were involved – one house and two outbuildings.

Blankenship said the fire additionally burned a small 50-foot by 50-foot area of vegetation.

Additional information about the fire will be posted as it becomes available.

Saturday has so far proved to be another busy one for firefighters, who are battling two wildland fires near Upper Lake, with mop up and work still continuing on the Wye Fire incident east of Clearlake Oaks.

Email Elizabeth Larson at elarson@lakeconews.com .

THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Firefighters are on the scene of two new fires in the Upper Lake area.

The Hunter Fire is burning near Upper Lake, as is a second fire in the North Federal Direct Protection Area, according to Cal Fire spokesperson Suzie Blankenship.

Cal Fire said the Hunter Fire was located off Bachelor Valley Road, northwest of Upper Lake.

First reported early Saturday between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m., the Hunter Fire was between five and seven acres by 10:30 a.m., and had reached 10 acres and 50-percent containment by noon, Blankenship said.

Blankenship said it was burning in heavy timber, with a slow to moderate rate of spread.

Resources on scene included 10 engines from Cal Fire, Northshore Fire and other local government agencies, Blankenship said.

Radio traffic also indicated a bulldozer had arrived at the fire.

The second fire was in the North Federal Direct Protection Area, where a Cal Fire helitack was working the fire, said Blankenship.

She said that fire was burning in heavy timber. It was three acres and holding at 10:30 a.m.

Blankenship said the Direct Protection Area is in the Mendocino National Forest, but Cal Fire has an agreement with the forest to protect that area.

Reports from the scene indicated Mendocino National Forest firefighting resources were on the way to the Direct Protection Area at about 10:40 a.m.

Mendocino National Forest spokesperson Tamara Schmidt said Saturday morning that the fires were not on the forest.

Lake County residents had reported seeing lightning strikes near Upper Lake late Friday night, but Blankenship could not say if the two fires were lightning caused.

Daniel Berlant, another Cal Fire spokesman with the agency’s headquarters, reported earlier Saturday morning that more than 900 lightning strikes had occurred across Northern California on Friday night, resulting in many new fires. As a result Cal Fire was on high alert.

Schmidt said there were lightning strikes on the Mendocino National Forest Friday night, and forest officials were planning a reconnaissance flight later Saturday.

Email Elizabeth Larson at elarson@lakeconews.com .

CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – Nearly a week after the Wye Fire began burning along two areas of Highway 20, firefighters fully contained the incident.

Cal Fire reported Saturday morning that the Wye Fire – burning since last Saturday afternoon – had reached 100 percent containment.

The incident includes two different fires east of Clearlake Oaks – the Wye, at Highway 20 and Highway 53, and the Walker, at Walker Ridge Road, in Lake and Colusa counties.

Cal Fire Incident Management Team 4, which has been based at the Lake County Fairgrounds, is managing the two fires as one.

Altogether the Wye Fire burned 7,934 acres, with firefighters stopping the expansion of acreage about midweek, when personnel on scene totaled more than 1,200.

A total of three structures were burned and two were damaged during the week, with Cal Fire still investigating the fire's cause. Three injuries also were reported to firefighters.

Evacuations had been in effect early in the week in the Spring Valley and Wilbur Hot Springs area, and Highway 20 had been closed through Monday evening, as Lake County News has reported.

Crews were continuing to be demobilized on Saturday. Cal Fire said 138 personnel remain on scene, along with 10 engines, four fire crews, one helicopter, two bulldozers and three water tenders.

Cal Fire reported that crews would continue to patrol and work the area after full containment was reached.

Highway 20 east of Clearlake Oaks is still under a strictly enforced 45 miles per hour speed limit due to firefighters and fire equipment continuing to work in the area. Hunting also has been restricted 10 miles north and south of Highway 20, between Highway 53 and Highway 16.

Agencies cooperating with Cal Fire included the Lake and Colusa County Sheriff's offices, California Highway Patrol, Caltrans, Pacific Gas & Electric, Red Cross, Bureau of Land Management, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and dozens of fire agencies from around the state. The Mendocino National Forest said its firefighters also had assisted on the fire.

Email Elizabeth Larson at elarson@lakeconews.com .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A meeting for residents in the Spring Valley, New Long Valley, and Old Long Valley areas who were impacted by recent wildfires will be held on Monday, Aug. 20.

The meeting will take place from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Moose Lodge, located at 15900 E. Highway 20 in Clearlake Oaks.

District 3 Supervisor Denise Rushing will lead the meeting, with participation from state and local agencies including first responders and those that provided support and assistance.

For more information call 707-263-2368.

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The service of a search warrant on Thursday by the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force, California Department of Fish and Game, California Highway Patrol and the Lake County Sheriff’s SWAT Team has resulted in one arrest, the seizure of marijuana and dogs, and the recovery of a stolen vehicle.

Sgt. Steve Brooks said 32-year-old Matthew Ritchie Vines of Lower Lake was arrested during the operation.

On Thursday at approximately 7:15 a.m. narcotics detectives assisted the California Department of Fish and Game with the service of a search warrant for Vines’ person and home, Brooks said. Also assisting Fish and Game was Lake County Code Enforcement and Lake County Animal Control.  

When officers arrived, Vines and a female adult were detained without incident, Brooks said.

During the search, officers located 180 marijuana plants that Vines admitted were his. Vines said he was a member of a marijuana cooperative, according to Brooks.

Fish and Game Officers investigating the case determined that Vines had built a large dam which blocked a seasonal creek. Brooks said the investigation revealed that Vines was diverting water from the creek to water his marijuana plants.  

Numerous firearms were located in several different locations on the property along with a vehicle which had been reported stolen out of Texas, Brooks said. Vines had told officers that he and his female companion had recently moved from Texas to Lake County.

Also located on the property were 13 adult dogs and several puppies. Brooks said the dogs did not have an adequate supply of water or food and appeared to be suffering from malnutrition. Lake County Animal Control Officers seized the animals and sought medical attention for them, with one of the animals appearing to have a facial injury.

Vines was arrested for cultivation of marijuana, vehicle theft, possession of a stolen vehicle and water diversion. Brooks said he was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and Booked.

His bail was set at $15,000. Jail records indicated he later posted the required percentage of bail and was released.

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