NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Congressman John Garamendi, whose district includes 200 miles of the Sacramento River and Clear Lake, and is adjacent to several major ports, voted this past week in favor of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act, which was unanimously passed out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.  

The act, or WRRDA, would strengthen decaying water transportation infrastructure to promote America’s competitiveness, prosperity, and economic growth.

The bill accelerates crucial flood protection projects in California’s Central Valley and across the nation.

“This bipartisan legislation is critical to the life and safety of residents in my district and beyond – to every community subject to flooding,” said Congressman Garamendi (D-Fairfield), who serves on the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee and is Ranking Member of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee. “By cutting red tape, shortening the approval time for water infrastructure projects, and authorizing needed investments in America’s ports, this bill is a job creation machine.”

WRRDA affects every American, as everyday items such as clothing, food, and household appliances pass through our ports and waterways and into our homes.

The nation's ports handle $1.4 trillion of goods every year, about 99 percent of our overall trade. California handles approximately half of the nation’s total container cargo volume, supporting 348,965 jobs in our state.

Garamendi, a cosponsor of the legislation added, “Working with Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle, I will do everything I can to ensure that this bill becomes law.”

The Water Resources Reform and Development Act:

• Authorizes levee improvements that would protect vulnerable areas of the 3rd district and provide an economic boost. Every $1 invested into flood protection produces $7 in benefits.
• Allows the Army Corps of Engineers to consider local needs when making decisions about levee vegetation. This is especially important for the 3,000 miles of rivers and streams in California, including more than 100 miles in the Bay Area, much of which was threatened by a plan requiring brush clearing and deforestation.
• Expands the Aquatic Plant Control Program of the Army Corps of Engineers to include research on invasive animal species. This program could help combat zebra and quagga mussels, which are a threat to Clear Lake.
• In an era of no earmarks for individual projects, the bill authorizes a number of Corps projects that have completed chief’s reports. This includes the Natomas project – a big win for the region. Moving forward, the bill sets up a new process for authorizing projects, and the Committee is dedicated to ensuring much needed projects are authorized in the years to come.
• There are a handful of projects that will be ready for authorization in the coming months. Congressman Garamendi spoke in support of an amendment offered and withdrawn by Representatives Corrine Brown (FL-05) and Lois Frankel (FL-22), which would provide authorization for these projects that will have chief’s reports within one year of the bill’s enactment. This contingency authorization would benefit a project in the Sutter Basin and Garamendi will continue to advocate for this change.
• Makes changes to the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, so that more money in the fund actually goes to ports. Almost half of the fund is taken out each year to pay for other things within the budget rather than going to maintain our ports. California suffers even more because it pays much more into the fund than it ever gets back because California ports have less dredging needs than other parts of the country. Garamendi supported amendments by Representative Janice Hahn (CA-44) that would have given California more of a fair shake and will continue to support her efforts as the process moves forward.

In 1986, an Army Corps of Engineers overhaul envisioned passage of a new Water Resources Development Act (as it is traditionally titled) every two years, but it has already been more than six years since the last WRDA legislation passed in 2007.

Due to this lapse, the Army Corps of Engineers lacks the funding and the direction to accomplish the important tasks they were mandated.

In an increasingly competitive global trade environment, lack of investment in this vital infrastructure means losing a competitive advantage to countries like Brazil.

WRRDA videos, letters of support, bill text, and information booklet are available at http://transportation.house.gov/WRRDA .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The service of several search warrants by the Lake County Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force has resulted in six arrests and the seizure of assault weapons, marijuana and methamphetamine.

Lt. Steve Brooks said that on Thursday, Sept. 12, narcotics detectives secured several search warrants for properties and residences in the Rocky Creek area of Lower Lake. These search warrants targeted large scale marijuana cultivation and distribution operations.

On the following day – Friday, Sept. 13 – narcotics detectives served the first warrant, which was for the person, home and property of 40-year-old Jeffrey William Dumas of Lower Lake, Brooks said. The property is located in the 9800 block of Rocky Creek Road in Lower Lake.

Brooks said Dumas refused to comply with orders to exit his residence and attempted to fight with the detectives as they took him into custody.

During the search, detectives located 4 grams of methamphetamine inside Dumas’ residence and 950 marijuana plants, which were growing outside, Brooks said.

They also located and detained 27-year-old Frederico Reyes of Merced, 27-year-old Juan Carlos Lua of Indio and Javier Yanez Lua, 45, of Oxnard, according to Brooks.

During the investigation, detectives determined that Reyes, Juan Lua and Javier Lua were being paid to assist Dumas with the cultivation of his marijuana, Brooks said.

Brooks said Dumas was arrested for possession of a controlled substance for sales, possession of marijuana for sales and the cultivation of marijuana. Reyes was arrested for possession of marijuana for sales and the cultivation of marijuana. Both Juan and Javier Lua also were arrested for possession of marijuana for sales and the cultivation of marijuana. They were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.

Also on Sept. 13, narcotics detectives served the second search warrant, which was for parcels of property located on Rocky Creek Road, Brooks said.

The parcels are owned by both 56-year-old Pedro Anguiano Favela of Clearlake and 42-year-old Arnoldo Anguiano Favela of Spring Valley. Brooks said that during the search, detectives located and eradicated 132 mature marijuana plants. Neither of the men were located on the property.

That same day additional search warrants were served in the same general area of Rocky Creek Road in Lower Lake. Approximately 500 marijuana plants were located and eradicated from vacant land parcels, Brooks said.

This past Tuesday, Sept. 17, narcotics detectives completed the service of a search warrant regarding both Pedro and Arnoldo Favela at two different locations. Pedro Favela was located at a residence in Clearlake.

During the search detectives located 52 marijuana plants he was cultivating, which were seized. Arnoldo Favela was located at a Middletown address where he was cultivating an additional 30 marijuana plants, which were seized. He was also in possession of four pounds of processed marijuana, which was also seized, Brooks said.

Brooks said that during the search of properties owned and or controlled by Pedro and Arnoldo Favela, 26 firearms were located and seized.

Included in the seized firearms were three AK-47 assault weapons, three AR-15 assault rifles, one AR-15 assault pistol, one Uzi assault weapon, two Mini-14 assault rifles, one Thompson assault rifle, two .30 carbines, one Russian 308 assault rifle and four handguns. Brooks said the balance of firearms consisted of assorted shotguns and rifles.

Brooks said Arnoldo Favela was arrested for possession of an assault weapon, armed while committing a drug offense, the cultivation of marijuana and possession of marijuana for sales. Pedro Favela was arrested for being armed in the commission of a felony, possession for sales of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana for sales and the cultivation of marijuana. Both were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.

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

NORTH COAST, Calif. – A member of the Novato City Council says he will run for the State Senate seat representing the North Coast, including Lake County.

Novato Mayor Pro Tem Eric Lucan announced he is running for State Senate District 2, pledging to build on his success as a local elected leader, commitment to community service and background in business to provide strong representation for the North Bay and the North Coast.

Senate District 2 stretches along the California coast from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Oregon border.

The district currently is represented by Sen. Noreen Evans, who announced in August that she was retiring from public office when her first term expires next year, as Lake County News has reported.

He joins a field that so far includes Arcata resident Chris Lehman, a Democrat, according to campaign filings with the California Secretary of State's Office.

Lucan called District 2 a “diverse and beautiful district.”

He added, “I look forward to a conversation about our shared values and about creative ideas to help our workers, schools, communities, small businesses, and the environment. On this campaign, I will seek to listen, learn and have a real dialogue with the voters I meet along the way.”

In 2010, Lucan, a Democrat, was the top vote earner in Novato, a major population center in the district.

Lucan also has been a leader on regional transportation issues, serving on the board of Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit and the Transportation Authority of Marin.

He announced early endorsements from Marin County Supervisor Judy Arnold and Novato Councilmember Denise Athas.

“Eric Lucan has established himself as a regional leader through his hard work, collaborative approach and innovative ideas. He will be a strong representative for all the communities in this district. I am proud to endorse him for State Senate,” said Supervisor Arnold.

“I have served side-by-side with Eric and can tell you that no one will work harder, or do a better job incorporating local input into policy decisions. His experience outside politics is also an asset, and makes him more effective. The State Senate could use more people like Eric,” said Novato Councilmember Athas.

During his time on the Novato City Council, Lucan was instrumental in erasing a multimillion dollar budget deficit, passing a measure to phase out Styrofoam and protecting open space and parks.

Born and raised in Novato, Lucan has an MBA from Georgia State University and has served in management positions in hospitality and digital marketing.

Lucan's community involvement includes volunteering as a youth director to middle school and high school students and with the Novato Police Department, and serving as a board member for the Marin School of the Arts and the Novato Financing Authority.

More information about Lucan and his State Senate campaign can be found at www.ericlucan.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ericlucan .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – With the fall semester now under way, students at Mendocino College's Lake Center had a chance to visit with college officials and staff at a special Thursday barbecue.

The Lake County Friends of Mendocino College and the college's Associated Students worked with new Dean of Students Cary Templeton to host the first welcome back barbecue Thursday afternoon.

Students and community members had the chance to discuss educational opportunities at the college.

Mendocino College District Superintendent/President Arturo Reyes also visited with the students and encouraged input from the community to help expand and improve the college's local offerings.

Close to 80 percent of Mendocino College's sophomores transfer on to four-year colleges to continue their education, according to Athletic Director Mike Mari.

In the video above, college officials discuss a vision for the center, its programs and future plans.

Video by John Jensen of Lake County News.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff's Office has identified the man who fell to his death near Bartlett Springs on Thursday.

Cha Vang, 45, of Sacramento was found near mile post marker 17 on Bartlett Springs Road Thursday evening, according to Lt. Steve Brooks.

Brooks said Vang and his family had been hunting for squirrels, which is both legal and a popular activity in that area, when he fell into a ravine and died.

Cal Fire and Northshore Fire Protection District personnel had been called to the area on Thursday evening to look for Vang, as Lake County News has reported.

Cal Fire's Copter 104 and the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office's “Henry 1” helicopter aided in the search, according to Northshore Fire Protection District Deputy Chief Pat Brown.

Brown said a Cal Fire engine and its crew from Leesville found Vang's body shortly before 7:30 p.m.

Vang had fallen about 60 feet down an embankment three miles east of Bartlett Springs, not far from the location of the old resort, Brown said.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Firefighters quickly contained a small wildland fire outside of Lakeport on Thursday afternoon.

The fire, dispatched at 11:50 a.m., was at the Cow Mountain access road near Scotts Creek and Pine Ridge roads, according to dispatch.

Lakeport Fire, Kelseyville Fire, US Forest Service and Cal Fire were among the agencies responding, radio traffic indicated.

Cal Fire air tankers placed a line of retardant around the fire and helped keep it contained to a small amount of acreage, with a Cal Fire helicopter also working the incident.

Within about an hour of dispatch, Cal Fire Battalion Chief Greg Bertelli told Lake County News that the fire was contained to a quarter-acre. It had burned mostly brush.

“Things are looking really good,” he said.

Remaining on scene to continue working on mop up were two Cal Fire engines and two hand crews, a Lakeport Fire engine and a helitack crew, for a total of 50 fire personnel, Bertelli said.

He expected firefighters to remain on scene for a few hours for mop up and patrol.

Bertelli said a Cal Fire prevention officer was in the area to investigate the fire's cause.

The fire was in a remote area and nobody was seen near it, Bertelli said, noting there also are no power lines in the area.

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. – Beginning Monday, Sept. 23, Lake Transit bus riders in Lower Lake and Clearlake will experience new bus routes that promise faster, more direct service.

Along with new early morning and late evening hours, the changes are expected to make life easier for riders commuting to work and school.

Lake Transit General Manager Mark Wall said the new routes and hours amount to “the greatest change in bus service in the Clearlake-Lower Lake area since we implemented our second route in 1999.”

Wall said the new routes are designed to have a familiar feel to make the changes easy to understand.

“We began by looking at the residential neighborhoods and thinking about where people go, and then how we could make the routes more direct,” Wall said. “While there are a few exceptions, most travel times are much faster. Bus schedules will be more reliable, too, because the routes are shorter.”

The new Clearlake/Lower Lake Rider's Guide features four bus routes, instead of two, and operating hours that extend from 5:19 a.m. until 11:07 p.m.

Routes 10, 11, and 12 are all new.

Route 10 runs from Clearlake Park to Lower Lake.

Route 11 provides two-way service from Ray's Food Place, Walmart and Yuba College through “the Avenues,” along 18th, Boyles, Phillips and Davis east of Highway 53, and then connects these areas with central Clearlake businesses and the Highlands Senior Center.

Route 12 operates mostly along Old Highway 53, but offers commercial loops at either end to access business areas in Clearlake and Lower Lake.

In addition to the three new routes, Lake Transit continues to operate Route 5 as an evening bus service that covers most areas of Clearlake.

Clearlake Dial-A-Ride also will operate the new extended schedule. With advance reservations, passengers who may have difficulty using regular bus routes due to disability, can now arrange trips with pickups as early as 5:19 a.m. and drop offs as late as 11 p.m.

To help bus riders find their way as the new routes begin, Lake Transit has an information booth at the Ray's Food Place transfer location in Clearlake.

Rider's guides also are available on Lake Transit buses, at the Lake Transit Lower Lake office, and at many public places and business throughout the community. Schedules are online at www.laketransit.org .

On Friday, Sept. 27, the community is invited to ride any Lake Transit bus route for free. Wall said it's a great opportunity to try the new routes.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A man hunting in the remote Bartlett Springs area on Thursday died after falling into a ravine.

Cal Fire personnel found the man's body Thursday evening about 60 feet down an embankment off of Bartlett Springs Road, three miles east of Bartlett Springs, according to Northshore Fire Protection District Deputy Chief Pat Brown.

Originally, Northshore and Cal Fire firefighters were dispatched at around 6:30 p.m. on the report of a vehicle down a cliff.

Brown said they had received confusing information, some of it resulting from the language barrier they encountered in communicating with the family of the man, who was Vietnamese.

The family had been in the area hunting squirrels when the man fell down into the ravine, according to Brown.

Cal Fire's Copter 104 and the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office's “Henry 1” helicopter searched for the man from the air, flying from Pinnacle Rock to Indian Valley, Brown said.

Radio reports had indicated the pilots were becoming concerned because of the fast-approaching darkness and were trying to locate an aircraft with forward looking infrared technology to look for the man in the darkness.

It was the crew of a Cal Fire engine from the Leesville station that found the man's body just off the road near the Bartlett Creek area, not far from the location of the old Bartlett Springs Resort and bottling facility, Brown said.

Shortly after the man was found at about 7:15 p.m., medic units were dismissed and the coroner was advised, based on reports from the scene.

Brown and some Cal Fire units remained on location until last Thursday night as they waited for the coroner to arrive, with a mortuary summoned to the scene just before 10 p.m., according to radio reports.

Additional details about the incident were not immediately available late Thursday.

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. – Tatonka Land Mini Golf partnered with a few to help bring smiles to more than 40 children Saturday in Clearlake.

Miniature golf, a bouncy house, pizza, cupcakes, prizes and demonstrations by a couple of four-legged K9 police officers completed their special day.

“The kids are excited and we are excited to have them here. The parking lot is full and the kids are golfing, talking to the officers and the jump house has been going like crazy,” Tatonka Land owner Bunnie Carter said.

Carter said the community support and collaboration she received in hosting the free event for the children is appreciated.

Clearlake Walmart donated two bicycles that were awarded in a raffle to a boy and to a girl. Two additional raffle winners received a gift certificate for Happy Yogurt Bar.

Pizzas were donated by Paradise Pizza and bright, colorful specialty cupcakes were contributed by Cheryl Horner-Christensen.

Lake County and Clear Lake chambers of commerce teamed up to help sponsor the children's adventure and Clearlake Police Officers Association donated bicycle helmets.

“We are just happy that we could come together to do this for the kids,” Carter said.

Clearlake Police Department's K-9 Unit also assisted at the event as well as with its planning.

Officer Mike Carpenter, who was in attendance with his canine partner, “Dex,” said that principals at each elementary school site in the Konocti Unified School District were asked to select from eight to 10 children in third and fourth grades for participation.

“We are just trying to give back to the community and trying to give theses kids a day of fun and a chance to meet us and the (K-9 unit) dogs,” Officer Elvis Cook said.

Children gathered around the officers with inquiries about the dogs.

One little girl, who had a heap of questions, asked if Dex could come to her birthday party.

“Is he going to be nice to me? He's only mean to bad guys. He bites them,” she concluded.

Cook, who was joined by his canine partner “Max,” and Carpenter and Dex put on a demonstration that resulted in a flurry of questions from the children.

“The dogs definitely help us. Once a department actually gets a K-9 unit and a dog they realize how helpful they are,” Cook said. “I think that is why we've got three now.”

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

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Authorities in Humboldt County are investigating the Friday burglary of a museum that resulted in the theft of $750,000 worth of objects.

The Tonkin Wildlife Museum in Willow Creek was hit early Friday morning, according to the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office.

The agency reported that at 5 a.m. Friday it received a call regarding an audible alarm at the museum, located at 91 Mayfair Lane.

When deputies responded they saw a back door to the museum had been pried open, the sheriff's office reported.

After meeting with the museum representative the deputies learned two ivory elephant tusks – each approximately 3 feet in length – along with a mounted elk head, a bear skin rug and a kangaroo rug had been stolen from the museum, officials said.

The sheriff's office said the estimated loss is $750,000.

Officials said there are no suspects at this time.

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

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – A woman was flown to a regional trauma center early Friday after she sustained injuries in a single-vehicle collision.

The crash occurred on Siegler Springs Road North, five miles from Red Hills Road near Kelseyville, at around 1 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.

The woman's Geo Tracker-type vehicle hit a tree and was reported to be hanging over the edge of a drop off. Kelseyville Fire and Cal Fire responded to the scene, radio reports indicated.

Incident command requested an air ambulance, with REACH 6 responding to a landing zone set up at Kit's Corner, according to reports from the scene.

The helicopter's crew reported that it lifted off for Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital shortly after 2 a.m.

Additional details were not immediately available.

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. – The Clearlake Planning Commission extended a use permit during its regular meeting Tuesday and provided direction for scheduling a workshop to address concerns related to design guidelines submitted by the Clearlake Vision Task Force.

The commission granted a five-year extension of a use permit for Serenity Cove LLC, which plans a resort-type development in the area of Clearlake Resort at 6035 Old Highway 53 in Clearlake.

The permit, which originally was approved unanimously in 2007, approves building 138 residential/vacation units, a restaurant, clubhouse, swimming pool and a pier/dock on 8.1 acres.

Owners Leo Cassidy and John McMahon said more than $1 million is invested in the planning process and they do not intend to abandon the project.

Cassidy said project delays are relative to the economy and, while he does not foresee immediate progress, the project is intended to resume when “banks start to loan again.”

The project was lauded by members of the commission. City Manager Joan Phillipe said it would be an asset to the community and that she has received many positive inquiries regarding the project from the public.

“I am fully behind this. It's a great project for the city,” Commissioner Albert Bernal said. “We've been waiting a long time and waiting a little longer is beneficial to us.”

Commission Carl Webb, who served on the commission in 2007, said the project was reviewed extensively prior to receiving its first use permit approval.

He said the project has “good planning” that includes saving trees.

“I'm disappointed it's not under way yet, but that's the way it goes,” he said.

McMahon said there are about 120 trees on the property and development will result in a loss of about 3 percent of those trees.

He said most of the trees to be removed are in poor health, according to the arborist on the project. He said trees are an asset to the project and more are expected to be planted.

An extension of the permit was administratively granted in 2012 as authorized by municipal code.

Phillipe said the request was before the commission because the city's zoning ordinance does not specify the number of times an extension may be granted.

The commission hit a road bump in moving forward with a recommendation to the city council to adopt the Vision Task Force Lakeshore Drive Design Guidelines.

A workshop was directed to be scheduled to address inconsistencies, implementation factors and other issues related to permitted and conditional uses in zoning districts commercial-2 and commercial-3 that have a design district overlay.

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