MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The South Lake County Fire Protection District is welcoming 16 new volunteer firefighters into its ranks.

All of the recruits started the process to become firefighters last fall and have dedicated hundreds of hours to training.

The district reported that this was the largest academy class for South Lake County Fire in the past 10 years.

The new volunteer firefighters were officially welcomed on Aug. 21 with a badge pinning ceremony that was held at the Middletown fire station.

They received their badges from Division Chief Jim Wright, Volunteer Association President Bill Klebe and District Director Jim Abell.

The new firefighters include Pete McGee, Aodhan O’Ferrell, Todd Fenk, Nick Shandel, Corey Hense, Matt McCabe, Matt Breland, Aaron Rill, Robert Taylor, Frank Amante, Aaron Brisbi, Byran Atkins, Josh Dixon, Steve Franklin, Brandon Juntz and Erik Vogel.

All of the volunteers have jobs, families, and other responsibilities besides unselfishly serving their community day and night 365 days a year. They are a necessary and valuable part of the department.

Anyone interested in becoming a paid call firefighter may contact South Lake County Fire Protection District at 707-987-3089, Extension 5, or come into the main station located at 21095 Highway 175, Middletown.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The service of a search warrant by the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force last Friday morning has resulted in two arrests and the seizure of approximately 43 grams of methamphetamine.

Arrested were 49-year-old David Gene Rovetti and Selena Sylvia Jack, 38, both of Lakeport, according to Sgt. Steve Brooks.

On Monday, Sept. 10, narcotics detectives secured a search warrant for Rovetti's person, home and vehicle, Brooks said.

Then on Friday, Sept. 14, at approximately 7:30 a.m., detectives served the warrant at Rovetti’s home on Soda Bay Road in Lakeport, Brooks said. When narcotics detectives entered the home, Rovetti and 38-year-old Selena Sylvia Jack were detained without incident.

During a search of the home, detectives located and seized two glass “meth” pipes in Rovetti’s bedroom. Brooks said the pipes were located on a stand next to his bed.

He said detectives also noticed a black metal canister on a pile of clothes. Inside the canister, detectives located and seized approximately 43 grams of crystal ice methamphetamine and a digital gram scale lined with white residue.

Based on current street values, detectives estimated the value of the methamphetamine to be $4,300, Brooks said.

Detectives also located and seized a sap in Rovetti’s bedroom, which weighed approximately 20 ounces. Brooks explained that a sap is described as a bludgeon or blackjack used as a hand weapon.

Rovetti was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sale, possession of a dangerous weapon and possession of controlled substance paraphernalia. Brook said Jack was arrested for possession of a controlled substance for sale. Both were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.

Rovetti, whose bail was set at $70,000, remained in custody early Wednesday, according to jail records. Jack, whose bail was set at $25,000, later posted the required percentage of bail and was released.

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

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The inaugural “Shipwreck Day” brought pirates by the dozen to downtown Lakeport last Saturday.

The event featured a bazaar, chances to dunk local celebrities, a costume contest, music and much more.

The video above by John Jensen of Lake County News offers highlights of the day.

Caltrans and the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) remind motorists during “Watch Out for Wildlife (WOW) Awareness Week” (Sept. 16-22) to remain alert while driving to improve safety for travelers and wildlife alike.

“Watch Out for Wildlife Awareness Week” is Sunday, Sept. 16, through Saturday, Sept. 22.

“It’s important that motorists, when driving through areas frequented by deer, elk and other animals, do all they can to protect themselves as well as some of California’s greatest natural resources – our wildlife,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty.

In California alone, the California Highway Patrol reported more than 1,800 wildlife-vehicle collisions in 2010. Approximately $1 billion in property damage is also caused by these incidents.

The Defenders of Wildlife, a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting native animals and plants, reports more than 200 people are killed in collisions with deer, elk and other wildlife each year with an estimated 1.5 million animals hit annually.

The WOW Awareness Week campaign is supported by Caltrans, DFG, the Defenders of Wildlife, and the Road Ecology Center at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis). Caltrans and its partners work together to plan for the conservation of natural resources while providing safe and effective transportation.

“It’s a sad fact that, despite the collaborative effort of many organizations, we still lose quite a few animals on our roads every year,” said Craig Stowers, DFG’s Deer Program Coordinator. “Many of these incidents could be avoided by simply altering our driving behavior, and being aware of when animals will be most active and being prepared in the event one is encountered. Programs such as Caltrans’ WOW are important reminders that hopefully will decrease that loss and better protect California’s motorists from these unfortunate incidents.”

Caltrans, DFG and the Defenders of Wildlife offer a few tips for motorists:

• Be alert when driving.
• If you see an animal cross the road, know that another may be following.
• Don’t litter. It could entice animals to venture onto the road.

For more information on Watch Out for Wildlife, along with additional tips on avoiding collisions with wild animals, go to www.defenders.org .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – It was high bidding in High Valley as the Lake County Wine Alliance held its annual charity auction Saturday, Sept. 15, at Brassfield Winery.

More than 300 local people and friends of Lake County from all over the country came to support to some of the county’s most deserving charities and organizations.

While it will be several weeks before the precise figures are known, preliminary indications are that the event will be judged a huge success.

The high bid for the evening was $4,500 for John Clarke’s painting of Brassfield, which served as this year’s poster.

Then, under the skillful guidance of auctioneers Shaun Hornby and Stephanie Green, five more items sold for $4,000 or more each.

Honorary Chairman and Venue Host Jerry Brassfield welcomed the attendees with a reminder that, “If you are here tonight, you have been blessed and you can make a positive impact on this community.”

People seemed to take Brassfield’s words to heart.

A couple who traveled from Florida for the event said they did so because they liked the “low keyed country atmosphere” of Lake County. Like others who attended, visitors to the area sampled food from 25 local purveyors and wines from 25 local wineries.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the county’s five area high schools and 15 other charities and community organizations.

Representatives from the organizations will receive their checks at a special reception Dec. 3 at the Saw Shop Bistro in Kelseyville.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Monday, Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) announced a Department of Transportation (DOT) grant of $67,940 for the Lampson Field Airport.

This project will replace the airport’s rotating beacon which has reached the end of its useful life. It will also install a perimeter and develop design alternatives for gate placement and fence line routing.

“This grant is a win for Lakeport and Lake County,” said Thompson. “It will improve safety by helping guide planes in and out of Lampson Field, and create a more secure facility by deterring unauthorized persons and vehicles from entering onto the airfield.”

“On behalf of our local residents, business owners, and pilots, I want to express my appreciation to Congressmen Thompson for his assistance in helping us secure funding for this beacon which will enhance public safety. Despite the fact that funding is limited, Mike continues to fight for his District,” said Lake County Supervisor Anthony Farrington.

The grant is provided through the DOT’s Federal Aviation Administration.

Thompson represents California’s 1st Congressional District, which includes the counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa and Yolo.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The work of a film director with local roots will be shown in a special screening this weekend at the Soper-Reese Community Theatre.

“California Indian,” written and directed by filmmaker Tim Ramos, will be shown at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the theater, 275 S. Main St., Lakeport.

Ramos was raised at Big Valley Rancheria. The film was shot around Lake County.

This is an encore presentation to celebrate the film’s Aug. 21 DVD release by distributor Vanguard Cinema.

All seats for the showing are $10.

Visit the Soper-Reese online at www.soperreesetheatre.com .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Emergency repairs are under way to replace highway equipment damaged in a wildland fire last month.

In August the Wye Fire destroyed three structures and damaged two others, scorched 7,934 acres and damaged numerous guardrails and highway signs along Highway 20 as it tore through the hills east of Clearlake Oaks.

Caltrans reported that the emergency guardrail reports are taking place from the junction of Highway 20 and Highway 53 east to New Long Valley Road on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel, with Caltrans advising that motorists  may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Teichert Construction of Davis is the contractor.

Caltrans spokesman Phil Frisbie said the work is being done on an emergency contract.

He said $1.2 million in state funds set aside for emergency situations had been allocated for the repairs.

Teichert Corp. will continue working until all the repairs are completed or the funds run out, Frisbie said.

Frisbie said all of the work needs to be completed before the winter rains set in.

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

NORTH COAST, Calif. – A fire burning since last month in northern Mendocino County was fully contained as of Monday morning.

The North Pass Fire – which actually was two fires sparked by lightning early on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 18 – burned a total of 41,983 acres, according to the US Forest Service, which had shared unified command with Cal Fire on the incident.

The fire began near Williams Valley, 10 miles north east of Covelo, and moved to the north and east spreading into the Yolla Bolly Middle Eel Wilderness, officials said. Seventy-five percent of the fire was on federal lands, and 25 percent in the State Responsibility Area.

Evacuations in areas near Covelo were in place for weeks as firefighters struggled with the area’s terrain, including steep canyons and slopes, with the fire moving through closed stands of long needle pine and, on the lower elevations, oak savanna, according to the US Forest Service report.

Forest officials said 26 structures were destroyed and four sustained damage in the fire, and a total of 11 injuries were reported.

The Forest Service said the fire area remains under a forest closure area, which may remain in effect for an extended period of time.

Officials said roads near and around the fire have remained closed and will remain so until hazards are removed and crews complete fire-related repairs, including installing water bars to stop soil erosion, brush pile chipping, drainage and road repair, and removing hazardous trees. The forest also remains under fire restrictions.

While the fire is fully contained, forest officials said some burning material will remain inside the interior of the fire, and firefighters will continue patroling the area.

Resources remaining on scene Monday included 165 personnel, three engines, one dozer, three water tenders, one aircraft and one handcrew, according to the Forest Service.

All forest orders can be found on the Mendocino National Forest Web site at http://www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino; see “Alerts and Warnings.”

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

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Local volunteers helped Lake County rejoin the annual Coastal Cleanup Day this past weekend.

The 28th annual event, the largest volunteer event in California, took place on Saturday.

It saw more than 57,000 volunteers across the state pick up 320 tons of trash from beaches and inland waterways.

After a hiatus of several years, Lake County had a presence in the effort once more last weekend.

Carolyn Ruttan, Invasive Species Program coordinator for the Lake County Department of Water Resources, was the county point person for the cleanup, which had locations in Lakeport, Clearlake Oaks and Clearlake.

She said on Tuesday that 26 volunteers has participated in the Saturday cleanup.

Those volunteers collected eight bags of recyclables, 32 bags of trash and 156 tires.

Ruttan said she's hoping to make next year’s event – which will take place on Sept. 21, 2013 – much bigger, with more volunteers and engagement.

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

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – It’s still a busy season for kittens at the county’s animal shelter.

Several kittens and young cats are being offered for adoption this week.

Cats that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed and 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.

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”).

Orange male tabby

This male orange tabby is 5 months old.

He weighs 4 pounds, has a short coat and has been neutered.

He’s in cat room kennel No. 15a, ID No. 34145.

Male orange tabby

This male orange tabby is 5 months old.

He is not yet altered, weighs 3.5 pounds and has a short coat.

He’s in cat room kennel 15b, ID No. 34146.

Domestic short hair mix

This female domestic short hair mix is of undetermined age.

She has a short coat and is not yet spayed.

Find her in cat room kennel No. 15c, ID No. 34147.

Male gray tabby

This male gray tabby is 5 months old.

He has a short coat, weighs 3.5 pounds and has been neutered.

He’s in cat room kennel No. 15e, ID No. 34149.

Female Siamese mix

This female Siamese mix kitten is 16 weeks old.

She has blue eyes and a short coat.

She’s in cat room kennel No. 64c, ID No. 34114.

Male orange and white tabby kitten

This male orange and white tabby kitten is 5 months old.

He has a short coat, weighs 2.5 pounds and has been neutered.

Find him in cat room kennel No. 84a, ID No. ID: 34179.

Female orange tabby

This female orange tabby is 3 years old.

She has a short coat, weighs nearly 7 pounds and has been spayed.

She’s in cat room kennel No. 100, ID No. 34257.

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 .

Please note: Cats 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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is attempting to locate a Clearlake Oaks man who is suspected of being involved with a nonfatal shooting that occurred last week.

Walter Frederick Wolkenhauer, 19, is being sought in connection with the incident, which happened on the night of Thursday, Sept. 13, according to Sgt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

At approximately 9:28 p.m. Sept. 13 deputies responded to Nylander Park, located at 12588 Acorn Lane in Clearlake Oaks, for a reported gunshot victim, Brooks said.

When deputies arrived they contacted the victim, who said that Wolkenhauer shot him with what he believed to be a shotgun, according to Brooks.

The victim said he had just exited “The Barn” when he received a telephone call from Wolkenhauer, who was calling him out to fight and threatened to shoot him. Brooks said that the victim reported that  Wolkenhauer disconnected the phone immediately after threatening him.

The victim then looked across the street and noticed Wolkenhauer standing in the area of Nylander Park, Brooks said.

According to the victim’s account, Wolkenhauer appeared to be holding something close to his waist and starting running towards him. Brooks said that the victim told deputies that he started running away from Wolkenhauer towards the Tower Mart when he was shot.

Brooks said deputies canvassed the area but were unable to locate Wolkenhauer, who is believed to have fled the area.

The victim was transported to Saint Helena Clearlake Hospital for medical treatment, Brooks said.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone who may have information regarding this case or the whereabouts of Walter Wolkenhauer is encouraged to contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at 707-263-2690.