NICE, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol is investigating a late Friday night hit-and-run crash in which several vehicles and a home were hit.

Reports from the scene indicated the crash occurred just after 11 p.m. on Lakeview Drive at Sayre Avenue.

Officer Kory Reynolds of the CHP's Clear Lake Area office said Joseph Pimentel, 25, of Lucerne was driving a 2012 Ford Focus south on Lakeview Drive at approximately 11:05 p.m. at an unknown speed when the crash occurred.

Reynolds said that, for unknown reasons, Pimentel left the roadway and struck four parked vehicles before crashing into a residence at 3650 Lakeview Drive.

Pimentel was identified by witnesses and fled on foot prior to the CHP's arrival, Reynolds said.

Reynolds said on Monday that he didn't have any additional information on the crash and investigation.

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.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The boards of the new Upper Lake Unified School District and the existing high school district will meet this week to consider approving an agreement to cover the high school district's principal/superintendent serving both districts for a six-month period.

The Upper Lake Union High School Board will hold a special meeting at the school, 675 Clover Valley Road, at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, to consider just one item – approving the draft memorandum of understanding relating to interim responsibility for the district superintendent.

Separately, the Upper Lake Unified School District Board will hold a regular meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, also at the high school, with that agreement its main agenda item.

At the new board's meeting earlier this month, it voted unanimously to begin negotiations with Upper Lake Union High School District Principal/Superintendent Patrick Iaccino to act as interim superintendent of the district, as Lake County News has reported.

The MOU to go before the boards Tuesday is between the Upper Lake High Union High School District and the Upper Lake Unified School District, and will last from its date of acceptance until June 30, at which point the new district will stand alone with the high school and elementary districts consolidated within it.

“The parties agree that, pending full unification, Superintendent Iaccino shall continue to serve as the superintendent of the High School District,” the document states. “During that time, Supt. Iaccino shall also devote some time and provide some services to the Unified District to assist in the transition to full unification. Because of the benefits to both Districts from this joint service, the High School District agrees that, notwithstanding that Supt. Iaccino will provide such services to the Unified District, the High School District shall pay all costs in salary and benefits of for Supt. Iaccino. The parties acknowledge that Supt. Iaccino shall be paid one salary, at his current rate of total compensation, for which he will provide services to both Districts, as set forth in this paragraph.”

Also on the Upper Lake Unified School District agenda is a resolution authorizing Iaccino to sign orders and other documents on behalf of the new governing board from the period of Jan. 1 to June 30.

Other items on the new board's Tuesday evening agenda include review of the agenda for the board workshop planned for Saturday, Jan. 30; the superintendent's report; and board members' reports.

That board also will hold a closed session to discuss administrative configuration and the hiring of a chief business official.

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.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Special Olympics Polar Plunge is seeking out individuals willing to take a winter jump into Clear Lake in order to support local athletes.

The plunge will be held on Saturday, Feb. 20, at Lakeside County Park in Kelseyville.

Registration is from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m., with the costume contest at 11:45 a.m., the plunge at noon and the post party at 12:30 p.m.

The Polar Plunge is a unique opportunity for individuals, organizations and businesses to support Lake County Special Olympics athletes by jumping into icy, cold Clear Lake.

Special Olympics is an all-volunteer organization that provides free year-round sports training and competition opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

By participating in Special Olympics, athletes gain self-confidence and self-esteem that carries over into their everyday lives, giving them the opportunity to be contributing members of society.

The Polar Plunge is not a swim but a fundraiser – the only fundraiser Lake County Special Olympics has each year, with proceeds supporting more than 100 athletes involved in basketball, track and field, bocce, softball, golf and soccer.

Plungers must raise a minimum of $125 in donations to participate. Don't want to dip but still want to help? Register as a “chicken” and you'll be excused from plunging.

Participants can register and set up their own personal or team Web page at www.polarplungenorcalnv.com/kelseyville , and email family, friends and coworkers asking for their support.

A minimum $125 donation earns participants a Polar Plunge hooded sweatshirt and free admission to the post-plunge party. More incentive prizes are received at higher donation levels. People registered as  chickens receive all the same prizes.

All money raised will support Lake County athletes and cover the necessary sports equipment, uniforms, transportation to out-of-county competitions and other related expenses. Special Olympics receives no government dollars.

Lake County faced many challenges in 2015 due to the devastating wildland fires, with individuals, nonprofits and public organizations facing increased financial strain.

In recognition of the county's increased challenges, organizers ask that community members participate in the fundraiser as they are able, and offer thanks for the help already received.

Donations can be made online at www.polarplungenorcalnv.com/kelseyville or mailed to Lake County Special Olympics, P.O. Box 94, Lakeport, CA 95453.

For more information contact fundraiser Steve and Peggy Buchholz at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 707-279-4280.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – On Monday, a bipartisan coalition of state legislators requested that Gov. Jerry Brown declare a fishery disaster due to the devastating impacts of the delayed California crab season.

“The delayed crab season is unprecedented in duration and magnitude and California crabbers need our help now more than ever. For the past three months, we have all been hopeful that we could kick off the harvest, but as the holidays came and went and acid levels remained too high, the statewide impact has been catastrophic,” said Senator Mike McGuire, chairman of the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture. “Crabbers are experiencing devastating losses that can’t be recouped due to the collapse of the fall salmon season and the unprecedented delay in the crab harvest.”

When levels of domoic acid in California crab were deemed unsafe for public consumption in early November, working collaboratively with the multimillion dollar California crab industry, the Department of Fish and Wildlife and Department of Public Health took emergency action to delay the crab season opener.

Many were hopeful the domoic acid levels would subside, but they have persisted and we have now missed the peak of the season: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and Chinese New Year.

These holiday celebrations have historically represented the time when the most California crab is consumed and the thousands of crab feeds that take place across the Golden State throughout the winter are now sourcing their supply from the Northwest, repurposing their events or canceling all together.

The situation has impacted Lake County events. In particular, the Middletown Rotary changed its annual January fundraiser from a crab feed to a prime rib dinner, and the Lakeport Lions Club postponed its 50th annual crab feed until next year, as Lake County News has reported.

Assemblyman Jim Wood, vice chair of the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture said, “The ongoing postponement of crab season is another huge blow in what has been an incredibly difficult year for the fishing industry from start to finish. Formally declaring a disaster allows us to go after federal resources that would help our fishermen keep their families financially afloat.”

In their letter to Gov. Brown requesting the disaster declaration, the coastal legislators outlined the many severe impacts the closure has had on the industry, as well as on local fishing families.

“The continued delays have created unprecedented damage to the crab market, and irreparable harm to the thousands who depend on a healthy harvest for their living. We believe it’s time to declare a fishery disaster,” the letter stated.

To add insult to injury, California is coming off of a disastrous salmon season as well. Crabbers turn to salmon for their livelihood in the summer and fall months and having both the fall salmon season collapse due to the state’s historic drought and now this unprecedented crab season delay taking hold, families are in crisis.

The California Dungeness and Rock crab fishery is in the top tier of California’s commercial fisheries. Values have exceeded $95 million per year and long-term averages of nearly $60 million.

“California’s crab fishers are in dire straits,” said Sen. Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties). “It’s imperative that all levels of government come together to aid our coastal communities and local economies that depend on this industry. A disaster declaration by the governor would be a strong step toward getting our crab fishers aid.”

The unforeseen disaster has forced crab fishermen to sell equipment and assets, further mortgage their future and seek low wage employment to put food on the table.

The delay has been devastating to crabbers, fishery-dependent businesses and the coastal economy.

“Families tied to our fishing industry are struggling and need help,” said Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco). “They have weathered many tough seasons and are now stretched to the breaking point. Without them, there will be no crab to eat once ocean conditions improve.”

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has a colorful selection of adult cats available to new homes this week.

The eight cats offered for adoption – four males, four females – have a variety of coat types in a range of colors.

In addition to spaying or neutering, cats that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are microchipped 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 there, hoping you'll choose them.

In addition to the animals featured here, all adoptable animals in Lake County can be seen here: http://bit.ly/Z6xHMb .

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

'Little'

“Little” is domestic long hair cat with a black coat.

Shelter staff said he is a sweet boy who was surrendered by his previous owner who was moving.

He's in cat room kennel No. 9, ID No. 4294.

'Big'

“Big” is a domestic long hair mix with a black coat.

He's in cat room kennel No. 10, ID No. 4293.

'Sweetie Pie'

“Sweetie Pie” is a domestic long hair mix with an orange tabby coat.

He's in cat room kennel No. 13, ID No. 4292.

Domestic medium hair mix

This domestic medium hair cat has a calico coat with white markings.

She's in cat room kennel No. 14, ID No. 4280.

Domestic medium hair mix

This handsome domestic medium hair mix has a gray and white coat.

He's in cat room kennel No. 15, ID No. 4326.

Domestic medium hair mix

This beautiful female domestic medium hair mix has a colorful calico coat.

She's in cat room kennel No. 24, ID No. 4327.

'Purdy'

“Purdy” is a female domestic long hair mix with an orange tabby coat.

She is already spayed so her adoption fee will be lower.

She's in cat room kennel No. 98, ID No. 4318.

'Muffin'

“Muffin” is an adult domestic short hair mix with a gray and brown tabby coat.

She already was spayed when she arrived at the shelter, so her adoption fee will be lower.

She is in cat room kennel No. 144, ID No. 4153.

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

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, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.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 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.

Well, it's not quite like the song about the dawning of the Age of Aquarius, but our solar system is experiencing an uncommon lineup that should be quite a treat for sky-watchers.

The solar system itself hasn't changed – it's just that the timing of the planets orbiting the sun puts them into a lineup that makes for good viewing by earthlings.

From now until about Feb. 20, early risers will stand a good chance of seeing five planets simultaneously in the pre-dawn sky: Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Mars and Jupiter (technically six, if you count the Earth you're standing on).

Those planets should be visible to the naked eye. Of course, if you happen to have binoculars or a telescope, you'll get an even better view.

The last appearance by the quintet on one nighttime stage was in December 2004 and January 2005.

If you miss this month's viewing opportunity, the five will be back in the evening sky in late July through mid-August, but Mercury and Venus won't be easily visible from northern latitudes.

If you go outside during the five-planet display, and if weather conditions are favorable, here's what you should be able to see: Jupiter will rise in the evening, then Mars will pop up after midnight, followed by Saturn, brilliant Venus, and finally, Mercury.

All five will be visible from southeast to southwest between 6 and 6:30 a.m. local time, over the span.

Earth’s moon will also join the cosmic display from Jan. 23 to Feb. 7. During that time, the moon will shift from the west-northwest to east-southeast and will be visible near the five planets and some stars.

During the day and night between Jan. 27 and 28, the morning view of the moon will switch from right of Jupiter to left of Jupiter.

Then, on Feb. 1, the moon will be visible near Mars, followed by an appearance near Saturn on Feb. 3. On Feb. 6, the moon, Mercury and dazzling Venus will appear in a triangular formation before sunrise.

For Jim Green, director of NASA's Planetary Science Division, the rare planetary lineup reminds him how far we have come in exploring our solar system.

“NASA spacecraft have visited each one of the five planets that we will be able to see over the next few weeks, as well as Uranus, Neptune and Pluto,” Green said. “We can be proud that American curiosity, technology and determination are helping us unlock many mysteries about our solar system.”

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake Police arrested a Clearlake Oaks man over the weekend after finding him prowling in an area where gas thefts had been reported and discovering he was in possession of stolen property.

Timothy Allen Lee Mitcham, 31, of Clearlake Oaks, was taken into custody early Saturday morning, according to Sgt. Rodd Joseph.

At about 4:43 a.m. Saturday, Clearlake Police officers responded to Brookdale Assisted Living at 14789 Burns Valley Road on a report of a person attempting to steal gasoline from the business’ transport van, Joseph said.

Joseph said an employee of the business called police when they spotted a person underneath the vehicle with a gas can.

There had been several recent thefts from vehicles in and around this area over previous nights. No arrests had been made in any of the previous cases, Joseph said.

Officers arrived and began checking the area. Though the suspect was not immediately located, a suspicious vehicle – a white 1998 GMC SUV – was found parked in the library parking lot adjacent to Brookdale Assisted Living, Joseph said. This vehicle had several similar gas cans in the rear cargo area. Officers conducted visual surveillance on the suspicious vehicle from a distance.

A short while later the suspicious vehicle was seen driving away from the library parking lot. As officers tried to move in behind the vehicle to conduct a traffic stop, the vehicle made several maneuvers as if it was going to flee, Joseph said.

Joseph said the vehicle pulled into the parking lot of RadioShack on Olympic Drive. The driver quickly exited the vehicle as the officers approached.

The driver was identified as Mitcham. A passenger in the vehicle, found to be on Post Release Community Supervision out of another county, was identified and later released at the scene without charges, Joseph said.

Mitcham denied any involvement in the gas siphoning incident. Joseph said Mitcham was found to have a suspended driver’s license. A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of paperwork and documents which had been reported stolen to the Clearlake Police Department on Jan. 21 from a locked vehicle in the 3800 block of Huntington Avenue.

Upon the conclusion of the investigation, Mitcham was arrested and charged with three misdemeanor charges including possession of stolen property, driving on a suspended license and prowling, Joseph said.

Joseph said Mitcham later was booked into the Lake County Jail and his vehicle was impounded at the scene.

Mitcham's bail was set at $5,000 and he later posted the required portion of it and was released, according to jail records.

Mitcham has not been connected to the other reports thefts in the area, Joseph said.

The Clearlake Police Department reminded residents to keep their vehicles locked and any valuable property hidden from view.

“We also encourage our residents to report suspicious activity,” Joseph said.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Officer Mike Ray at 707-994-8251, Extension 504.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – It's a new year full of big plans for the Lake County Museum.

The Friends of the Lake County Museum hosted a New Year's celebration and open house at the Historic Courthouse Museum in Lakeport on Saturday, Jan. 9.

Lake County Museum Antone Pierucci said the event was meant discuss not just the plans for 2016 but to look back at 2015's accomplishments.

“We have a lot to offer and we're looking forward to working more with the public,” he said.

In the video above, Pierucci details some of what is in store for the new year.

Assistant Curator Whitney Petrey said the museum has been receiving a lot of new donations for its collection.

At the open house she showed off some of the newly accessioned items, including surveying equipment and an “Ediphone,” equipment used for courtroom dictation. The items are featured in the video.

The new staff began expanding public programs in 2015, most notably with the county museum's first celebration of California Archaeology Month in October, as Lake County News has reported. A video of the museum's archaeology month presentation can be found here: https://youtu.be/TllcLiDSy3c .

Building on that new energy, highlights of 2016 will include a March installment of the “Digging Archaeology” school program, which was introduced in October.

Among the upcoming exhibits for 2016 is a look at crime and punishment in Lake County.

The exhibit, which opens in April, will explore the criminal and law enforcement history of Lake County, and feature original court documents, photos and artifacts relating both to famous and lesser-known criminals in the area and how they were brought to justice.

As part of the crime and punishment theme, the museum will host a murder mystery dinner on April 9.

In July, the museum's “Schools of Lake County” exhibit will open, to be followed in August by the annual Quilt and Fiber Arts Show at the Lower Lake Schoolhouse Museum.

In October, the museum will celebrate California Archaeology Month and also will feature another session of the “Digging Archaeology” school program.

In honor of 2016 being an election year, the museum also is planning an exhibit on the politics of Lake County in November.

The exhibit will include never-before displayed objects, documents and photographs “that capture the democratic process in all of its tumultuous glory.”

To celebrate the holiday season, the museum is planning a Victorian Christmas celebration in December.

Pierucci welcomes anyone interested in knowing more about Lake County history or volunteering at the museums to call 707-263-4555.

Hours at the Historic Courthouse Museum, 255 Main St. in Lakeport, are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.

The Lower Lake Schoolhouse Museum, 16435 Main St., is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday.

Follow the local museums on Facebook or at http://museums.lakecountyca.gov/ .

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.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – This week there is another diverse group of canines needing new homes.

This week's adoptable dogs are mixes of border collie, boxer, hound, husky, Labrador Retriever, Leonberger and pit bull.

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.

In addition to the animals featured here, all adoptable animals in Lake County can be seen here: http://bit.ly/Z6xHMb .

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”).

'Spencer'

“Spencer” is a Labrador Retriever-pit bull retriever mix.

Shelter staff said said he has a lot of love to give and can't contain himself.

He's in kennel No. 2, ID No. 2382.

Border collie-husky mix

This female border collie-husky mix has a short gray and white coat.

Shelter staff said she has no issues with food aggression, and would be good with children ages 7 and above.

She's in kennel No. 9, ID No. 4217.

'Cache'

“Cache” has had a rough year. He was rescued from the area of the Jerusalem fire this summer and adopted, but later returned because he didn't get along with a cat.

Shelter staff said he's a gentle, mellow giant that is part Leonberger. He's looking for a special person to give him a home for the rest of his life.

Cache is in kennel No. 11, ID No. 3101.

Hound mix

This female hound mix has a short tan coat with white markings.

She is in kennel No. 12, ID No. 4298.

'Mom'

“Mom” is a pit bull terrier mix with a short brown and white coat.

She's in kennel No. 15, ID No. 4242.

Boxer mix

This male boxer mix has a short tan coat with white markings.

He's in kennel No. 16, ID No. 4274.

'Magnolia'

“Magnolia” is a female pit bull terrier mix with an all-white coat.

Shelter staff said she would do best in a home with no small dogs or cats.

She's in kennel No. 17, ID No. 4276.

Pit bull mix

This female pit bull mix has a short gray coat with white markings.

Shelter staff said she is great with other dogs and is very people friendly, just wanting to sit in your lap. She has a low energy level and would do well in home with children.

She's in kennel No. 18, ID No. 3194.

Pit bull terrier

This female pit bull terrier mix has a short black coat with white markings.

Shelter staff said she was brought in as a stray and is hoping her family will come for her.

She is bouncy and sits on command, has no food aggression and was pretty calm in the cat room, showing no aggression towards them. She does great with both male and female dogs, and just wants to play.

“She should and could definitely be an ambassador for the breed,” according to shelter staff.

She is in kennel No. 19, ID No. 4213.

Pit bull terrier mix

This female pit bull terrier mix has a short tan coat with white markings.

She's in kennel No. 23, ID No. 4305.

Boxer mix

This male boxer mix has a short tan coat with white markings.

He's in kennel No. 24, ID No. 4304.

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, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.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 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. – Classes are now under way for the students who attend community college in Clearlake.

It's a new year and a new name for the Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College, formerly known as the Yuba College Clear Lake Campus, located at 15880 Dam Road Extension.

Students were back to school on Jan. 19. The last day of the semester is May 26. 

In this new semester, students were welcomed by the Associated Students who helped put together welcoming activities complete with raffle prizes and filled with information about services found on the campus. 

Walmart, Follet Bookstore and Aromas Café supported providing students with USB flash drives, $25 gift cards, educational supplies, and gift cards for Aromas Café, college officials reported.

Executive Dean Annette Lee told Lake County News that the campus now has about 19 full-time equivalent students fewer that at this time last year.

“Community college enrollments are down all over the state this semester due to the healthy California economy, but we also attribute our drop in enrollment this semester to the lingering effects of the Lake County wild fires from last summer,” Lee said.

The campus' change of name occurred officially last month.

At the Dec. 10 Yuba Community College District Board of Trustees meeting, the board approved changing the name of the Clearlake campus to the Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College to better reflect the realignment from the Yuba College Campus to Woodland Community College.

The district reported that the board had approved realigning the Clear Lake Campus with Woodland Community College in January 2014 to strategically meet the diverse needs of the community and region.

The previous name – Yuba College Clear Lake Campus – neither accurately reflected the service area or the realignment change, district officials reported.

In arriving at the new name, input was collected from various community entities including the Middletown Area Merchants Association, Clearlake business and community leaders and current Lake County students, the college reported.

The college is part of the 72-district and 113-college California Community Colleges system, which serves 2.1 million students per years and is the largest system of higher education in the nation.

While enrollment is down currently for the local campus and others across the state, the California Community Colleges “State of the System” report released last week for the 2014-15 academic year showed a different overall trend.

It reported that community colleges increased the number of certificates and degrees awarded for a second straight year, with last year's number up by nearly 10,000 for a total of 200,795; more course sections were being offered; there was an increase in enrollment of nearly 23,000 students; and 20,600 associate degrees were earned for transfer, almost a doubling of the previous year's total.

Spring semester registration is still open for classes at the Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College.

Students can visit the main office where staff is available to assist with the process of adding a class. After you attend your class that you wish to add, obtain an instructor signature on your add slip and return it to the office to complete the process.

Those wanting more information about admittance and registration also are encouraged to visit http://lcc.yccd.edu , find Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College on Facebook.

Email Elizabeth Larson at [email protected] . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

COBB, Calif. – The Valley Fire Long-Term Recovery Task Force met to give updates to the community on Tuesday at Black Rock Golf Course in Cobb.

At the meeting representatives of different local, state and federal groups reported on the recovery efforts.

Included in the reports was an update from county officials regarding the Valley Fire Hazardous Tree Removal program.

The full meeting video can be viewed above.

“A nation that forgets its past can function no better than an individual with amnesia.” – David McCullough

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Cattle are not native to California or, for that matter, North America, but were introduced to these lands by the Spanish during the mission era.

According to the “Historical and Descriptive Sketchbook of Napa, Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino”, by C. A. Menefee, 1873, “The first farming (in Lake County) was commenced in 1854.”

Menefee added, “Stock raising is the chief source of natural wealth outside of the mines. The hills are devoted to stock, and so much of the valleys as are not used for the production of grain ... Around the lake are some of the finest dairies anywhere to be found. Butter and cheese are produced and shipped in large quantities. The rich land bordering the lake seems especially adapted to grazing. Clear Lake cheese is recognized in the markets as the finest that can be found.”

Problems arose prior to the “first farming of 1854” in Lake County due to the raising of cattle. From the introduction to my novella, “People of the Water,” a fictional account of the events leading up to the Bloody Island Massacre of 1850:

“Like many Indians in California, the Pomo Indians of the Clear Lake Basin in California were run off of their tribal, ancestral lands, forced to work the ranches or Missions, beaten and massacred. Charles Stone and Andrew Kelsey purchased stock from Salvador Vallejo, and garnered permission to use his land for grazing. Kelsey and Stone mistreated Indians to the extreme – they starved, beat, and worked them to death.

“It was common knowledge in nearby settlements that Stone and Kelsey were cruel to the Indians. The Indians could no longer tolerate the hunger and the beatings, so they killed some cattle for food. This incident did not bode well with Stone and Kelsey.

“Many more atrocities ensued – one Indian was tied to a tree then beaten, some Indian homes were burned down, and others were marched to the gold fields where most perished due to exposure and starvation. Added to those heartrending incidents was the fact that Chief Augustine’s wife was kidnapped and forced to live with the white men.

“So, in the fall of 1849, Stone and Kelsey were murdered by Indians. In the spring of 1850, a detachment of the United States troops led by Captain Nathaniel Lyon was sent from the San Francisco Presidio or Benicia with whaleboats hauled by wagons, along with cannons, in retaliation for Stone and Kelsey’s deaths. Pomo people in their village of Badonnapoti on what is now called Bloody Island, in Clear Lake, California were targeted and massacred by the soldiers.

“Women and children were killed indiscriminately – soldiers chased them into the water, bludgeoning and shooting them. This massacre was replayed again and again over the course of a month as the soldiers continued killing Indians, working their havoc westward toward Ukiah.

“The United States government concluded its tyranny in 1851 by drafting a treaty and trying to initiate a rancheria. The treaty, like so many others, was never ratified. The site is marked by California State Historical marker number 427, located at the intersection of State Highway 20 and Reclamation Road, 1.7 miles southeast of Upper Lake marks the area, once an island, where this story took place. The brutality of the Bloody Island Massacre and similar atrocities to other tribes is a grievous legacy. The courage of the Pomo people lives on forever.”

Another atrocious practice involving cattle was that of “baiting the bulls.”

According to Henry Mauldin, “Large grizzly bears were often found in California during this period. When a group of riders approached one of these bears, he would be lassoed by each of the riders until he was in a web-like tangle of lariats and quite helpless. With the bear held captive other riders would go in search of a Long Horn bull. When found, it too would be lassoed and taken to where the bear was. A short piece of rope would then be secured, one end to the bull and the other to the bear. All other possible lariats would be removed. By that time both animals were angry, full of fight and well matched in ability. Always one or the other was killed and many times both failed to survive.

“When the soldiers came over the trail from Hopland, at a point near the Riggs place on Scotts Creek (in 1851), the men found the remains of both a Long Horn and a grizzly bear where they had died from “Baiting of the Bulls”, the only known incident of that kind in Lake County. It was thought to have taken place by a visit of Spanish-Americans from their Mexican land grant at Hopland.”

Cattle, or stock in Lake County included the “longhorn” variety, so named due to their wide horns which can span up to 7 feet, tip-to-tip. This breed was quite hardy and was able to thrive on poor quality feed and not much water. They were popular for their hides and tallow.

In 1907 our county farm advisor estimated there were around 15,000 head of cattle in Lake County.

The varieties included Hereford, polled Hereford, Scotch Highland, Angus, shorthorn and Galloway cattle. The Angus variety arrived in Lake County in 1943.

Kathleen Scavone, M.A., is an educator, potter, writer and author of “Anderson Marsh State Historic Park: A Walking History, Prehistory, Flora, and Fauna Tour of a California State Park” and “Native Americans of Lake County.” She also writes for NASA and JPL as one of their “Solar System Ambassadors.” She was selected “Lake County Teacher of the Year, 1998-99” by the Lake County Office of Education, and chosen as one of 10 state finalists the same year by the California Department of Education.