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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – After a history-making increase in unemployment in April due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impacts on the economy, a new state report shows Lake County’s unemployment already is trending down, as is California’s overall rate.

The California Employment Development Department’s latest report on joblessness said the state’s unemployment rate was 16.3 percent in May, a slight decrease of 0.1 percent from the previous month as the state’s employers added 141,600 jobs.

This comes after rapidly-evolving data prompted a statistical revision to a larger than initially estimated April job loss of 2,415,000 and an upward-revised unemployment rate for California of 16.4 percent, the Employment Development Department said.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics said the nationwide unemployment rate for May was 13.3 percent, down from 14.7 percent in April.

Lake County’s unemployment rate in May was 15.4 percent; the May 2019 rate was 4.2 percent.

The Employment Development Department originally had reported Lake County’s jobless rate for April as 15.2 percent, but as was the case for the state, Lake County’s April rate was revised upward, to 16.7 percent.

April’s 16.7 percent is Lake County’s highest unemployment rate since the 17.5 percent rate recorded in December 2009, during the Great Recession.

December 2009’s 17.5 percent, November 2009’s 16.8 percent and April’s 16.7 percent are the three months with the highest jobless numbers reported for Lake County in an Employment Development Department data series that goes back to 1990.

Lake County’s labor force had 25,420 people in May, down from 25,960 in April. The county’s unemployed in May totaled 3,910, compared to 4,340 in April, based on Employment Development Department data.

The total farm job category in Lake County was up by 16 percent in May over April, but down by 30.4 percent compared to May 2019.

The total nonfarm category was up by 0.2 percent in May as compared to April, while the year-over comparison to May 2019 showed job totals were down this spring by 22.9 percent.

Based on the newest numbers, Lake County’s 15.4-percent jobless rate ranked it No. 39 of California’s 58 counties.

Neighboring county jobless rates and ranks for May are Colusa, 21.1 percent, No. 55; Glenn, 13.7 percent, No. 26; Mendocino, 13.2 percent, No. 20; Napa, 14.4 percent, No. 31; Sonoma, 12.7 percent, No. 15; and Yolo, 10.5 percent, No. 3.

The impacts from the pandemic have caused many rural Northern California counties to climb into the ranks of those with the highest employment, displacing Bay Area counties that have historically had lower jobless rates.

The county with the lowest unemployment rate for May was Lassen, with 10 percent, followed by Marin, 10.3 percent; Yolo, 10.5 percent; Trinity, 10.7 percent; with Santa Clara rounding out the top five at 11 percent.

The bottom five were Los Angeles, 20.6 percent; Colusa, 21.1 percent; Alpine, 22.2 percent; Imperial, 27.8 percent; with Mono, at 28.9 percent, having the highest unemployment statewide.

A looks at the state employment picture

April’s revised loss of 2.4 million jobs in California since March is the biggest month-over job loss in state history, far eclipsing the Great Recession’s then record-setting, month-over loss of 132,800 jobs between December 2008 and January 2009, the Employment Development Department said.

April’s revisions reflect unprecedented job losses never before seen in California’s history in a current data series that dates back to 1976 that are a direct result of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the latest report.

While the state’s unemployment rate of 16.31 percent is slightly lower than the record high set in April 2020, it is still far higher than the 12.3 percent it was at during the height of the Great Recession – March, October and November of 2010.

The number of unemployed Californians was 3,018,000 in May, a decrease of 25,000 over the month, but up by 2,225,000 compared with May of last year. May’s number is nearly 300 percent higher than February 2020, up by 759,300.

The report said that California payroll jobs totaled 15,120,600 in May 2020, up 242,600 from April 2020 and down 2,267,100 from May of last year.

The number of Californians holding jobs in May was 15,479,000, a decrease of 60,000 from April and down 3,066,000 from the employment total in May of last year, the report said.

Nine of California’s 11 industry sectors gained jobs in May. Construction posted the largest job gain – more than 75,000 – thanks to strength in specialty trade contractors and ongoing construction projects, while leisure and hospitality had the second-largest job gain, adding more than 64,800 due to growth in accommodation and food services.

The government sector had the largest drop, -95,800, with state and local government jobs both experiencing large decreases over the month.

The number of jobs in the agriculture industry decreased by 18,000 jobs from April to 325,600. The agricultural industry has lost 94,500 farm jobs since May 2019.

Total nonfarm jobs decreased by 2,267,100 jobs – a 13-percent decrease – from May 2019 to May 2020 compared to the U.S. annual loss of 17,665,000 jobs, an 11.7-percent decrease.

In other news, the Employment Development Department said there were 2,154,692 people certifying for Unemployment Insurance benefits during the May 2020 sample week. This is a sample week that includes the 19th of each month. That compares to 1,889,250 people in April 2020 and 321,372 people in May 2019.

Concurrently, 203,588 initial claims were processed in the May 2020 sample week, which was a month-over decrease of 121,928 claims from April 2020, but a year-over increase of 165,192 claims from May 2019, the Employment Development Department 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.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Public Health has confirmed another positive case of COVID-19 in a county resident.

The latest case brings Lake County’s case total to 35. Of those, two are active and 33 are recovered, and there are no current hospitalizations, according to the county’s COVID-19 dashboard.

There were no details made available on Saturday about the case.

This is the third positive case reported over the past week.

Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace reported that the 33rd and 34th cases, identified last Sunday and Monday, respectively, were not related but were tied to out-of-county cases.

The 34th case had recently attended some social gatherings, and investigations and contact tracing are ongoing, but there are presently no signs of concern regarding community transmission, Pace said.

The 31st and 32nd cases, identified week before last, were members of the same household, Pace reported.

As of Saturday, Public Health said 3,898 of Lake County’s more than 64,000 residents have been tested, with 211 test results still pending.

Public Health departments statewide reported more than 174,000 COVID-19 cases and nearly 5,500 deaths as of Saturday night.

Case totals for neighboring counties are Colusa, seven; Glenn, 42; Mendocino, 54; Napa, 224; Sonoma, 835; and Yolo, 321.

For information on how to get tested, visit the Lake County Public Health testing page.

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.
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This illustration shows NASA's Cassini spacecraft flying through plumes on Enceladus in October 2015. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech.

Several years ago, planetary scientist Lynnae Quick began to wonder whether any of the more than 4,000 known exoplanets, or planets beyond our solar system, might resemble some of the watery moons around Jupiter and Saturn.

Though some of these moons don’t have atmospheres and are covered in ice, they are still among the top targets in NASA’s search for life beyond Earth. Saturn’s moon Enceladus and Jupiter’s moon Europa, which scientists classify as “ocean worlds,” are good examples.

“Plumes of water erupt from Europa and Enceladus, so we can tell that these bodies have subsurface oceans beneath their ice shells, and they have energy that drives the plumes, which are two requirements for life as we know it,” says Quick, a NASA planetary scientist who specializes in volcanism and ocean worlds. “So if we’re thinking about these places as being possibly habitable, maybe bigger versions of them in other planetary systems are habitable too.”

Quick, of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, decided to explore whether — hypothetically — there are planets similar to Europa and Enceladus in the Milky Way galaxy. And, could they, too, be geologically active enough to shoot plumes through their surfaces that could one day be detected by telescopes.

Through a mathematical analysis of several dozen exoplanets, including planets in the nearby TRAPPIST-1 system, Quick and her colleagues learned something significant: More than a quarter of the exoplanets they studied could be ocean worlds, with a majority possibly harboring oceans beneath layers of surface ice, similar to Europa and Enceladus. Additionally, many of these planets could be releasing more energy than Europa and Enceladus.

Scientists may one day be able to test Quick’s predictions by measuring the heat emitted from an exoplanet or by detecting volcanic or cryovolcanic (liquid or vapor instead of molten rock) eruptions in the wavelengths of light emitted by molecules in a planet’s atmosphere.

For now, scientists cannot see many exoplanets in any detail. Alas, they are too far away and too drowned out by the light of their stars.

But by considering the only information available — exoplanet sizes, masses and distances from their stars — scientists like Quick and her colleagues can tap mathematical models and our understanding of the solar system to try to imagine the conditions that could be shaping exoplanets into livable worlds or not.

While the assumptions that go into these mathematical models are educated guesses, they can help scientists narrow the list of promising exoplanets to search for conditions favorable to life so that NASA’s upcoming James Webb Space Telescope or other space missions can follow up.

“Future missions to look for signs of life beyond the solar system are focused on planets like ours that have a global biosphere that’s so abundant it’s changing the chemistry of the whole atmosphere,” says Aki Roberge, a NASA Goddard astrophysicist who collaborated with Quick on this analysis. “But in the solar system, icy moons with oceans, which are far from the heat of the Sun, still have shown that they have the features we think are required for life.”

To look for possible ocean worlds, Quick’s team selected 53 exoplanets with sizes most similar to Earth, though they could have up to eight times more mass. Scientists assume planets of this size are more solid than gaseous and, thus, more likely to support liquid water on or below their surfaces.

At least 30 more planets that fit these parameters have been discovered since Quick and her colleagues began their study in 2017, but they were not included in the analysis, which was published on June 18 in the journal Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific.

With their Earth-size planets identified, Quick and her team sought to determine how much energy each one could be generating and releasing as heat. The team considered two primary sources of heat.

The first, radiogenic heat, is generated over billions of years by the slow decay of radioactive materials in a planet’s mantle and crust. That rate of decay depends on a planet’s age and the mass of its mantle. Other scientists already had determined these relationships for Earth-size planets.

So, Quick and her team applied the decay rate to their list of 53 planets, assuming each one is the same age as its star and that its mantle takes up the same proportion of the planet’s volume as Earth’s mantle does.

Next, the researchers calculated heat produced by something else: tidal force, which is energy generated from the gravitational tugging when one object orbits another. Planets in stretched out, or elliptical, orbits shift the distance between themselves and their stars as they circle them. This leads to changes in the gravitational force between the two objects and causes the planet to stretch, thereby generating heat. Eventually, the heat is lost to space through the surface.

One exit route for the heat is through volcanoes or cryovolcanoes. Another route is through tectonics, which is a geological process responsible for the movement of the outermost rocky or icy layer of a planet or moon. Whichever way the heat is discharged, knowing how much of it a planet pushes out is important because it could make or break habitability.

For instance, too much volcanic activity can turn a livable world into a molten nightmare. But too little activity can shut down the release of gases that make up an atmosphere, leaving a cold, barren surface. Just the right amount supports a livable, wet planet like Earth, or a possibly livable moon like Europa.

In the next decade, NASA’s Europa Clipper will explore the surface and subsurface of Europa and provide insights about the environment beneath the surface. The more scientists can learn about Europa and other potentially habitable moons of our solar system, the better they’ll be able to understand similar worlds around other stars — which may be plentiful, according to today’s findings.

"Forthcoming missions will give us a chance to see whether ocean moons in our solar system could support life,” says Quick, who is a science team member on both the Clipper mission and the Dragonfly mission to Saturn’s moon Titan. “If we find chemical signatures of life, we can try to look for similar signs at interstellar distances.”

When Webb launches, scientists will try to detect chemical signatures in the atmospheres of some of the planets in the TRAPPIST-1 system, which is 39 light years away in the constellation Aquarius. In 2017, astronomers announced that this system has seven Earth-size planets. Some have suggested that some of these planets could be watery, and Quick’s estimates support this idea. According to her team’s calculations, TRAPPIST-1 e, f, g and h could be ocean worlds, which would put them among the 14 ocean worlds the scientists identified in this study.

The researchers predicted that these exoplanets have oceans by considering the surface temperatures of each one. This information is revealed by the amount of stellar radiation each planet reflects into space. Quick’s team also took into account each planet’s density and the estimated amount of internal heating it generates compared to Earth.

“If we see that a planet’s density is lower than Earth’s, that’s an indication that there might be more water there and not as much rock and iron,” Quick says. And if the planet’s temperature allows for liquid water, you’ve got an ocean world.

“But if a planet’s surface temperature is less than 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius), where water is frozen,” Quick says, “then we have an icy ocean world, and the densities for those planets are even lower.”

Other scientists who participated in this analysis with Quick and Roberge are Amy Barr Mlinar from the Planetary Science Institute in Tucson, Arizona, and Matthew M. Hedman from the University of Idaho in Moscow.

Lonnie Shekhtman works for NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors is set to get a report from a county committee on the use of the former juvenile hall as a temporary housing hub to help the homeless.

The board will meet virtually beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 23, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.

The meeting can be watched live on Channel 8, online at https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx and on the county’s Facebook page. Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.

To participate in real time, please join the Zoom Meeting, by clicking this link at 9 a.m. The meeting ID is 944 1613 9176, password 960977.

Because the meeting will be held virtually, members of the public are asked to submit comments on items to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Please note the agenda item number addressed.

In an untimed item, the board will get a report from the County Space Use Committee regarding the use of the county juvenile hall facility for a temporary support shelter targeting Lake County’s chronically homeless population.

County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson’s report to the board explained that at its meeting last week, the board approved the release of a request for proposals for daily operations and fiscal management of a temporary support shelter targeting Lake County’s chronically homeless population.

She said the discussion made reference to the potential use of the county’s juvenile hall facility, which closed as a detention facility on Oct. 15, 2015.

Huchingson said the board also discussed using juvenile hall as a “housing navigational hub” during its May 19, meeting, at which time the board approved the use of staff time to research the cost and needs.

“Given that the RFP had to be issued on an urgent basis, on June 18, 2020, the Space Use Committee met to discuss use of the Juvenile Hall for a temporary support shelter as described above,” Huchingson wrote.

Huchingson said the committee is supportive of using the former juvenile hall facility on a temporary basis for continued compliance with the governor’s COVID-19 bed requirements and recommends a duration of 6 months, with further consideration during that time as to long-term uses of the facility.

In other untimed items, the board will consider a resolution amending Resolution No. 2018-118, which established temporary alternative office hours for county offices located in and surrounding the Lake County Courthouse or give alternative direction to staff, and get a demonstration of a virtual/in-person hybrid approach to Board of Supervisors meetings.

In an item timed for 1 p.m., the board will hold a workshop on infrastructure with department heads.

The full agenda follows.

CONSENT AGENDA

5.1: Adopt resolution approving unanticipated revenue to fund Aquatic Weed Control Program.

5.2: Adopt resolution approving Amendment A02 to the standard agreement for the multi-year contract between the county of Lake and Department of Health Care Services for Substance Abuse Block Grant funds for the contract period between July 1, 2017, and June 30, 2020, and Authorizing the Behavioral Health administrator to sign the amendment.

5.3: Adopt resolution to authorize Lake County Behavioral Health Services director to sign the standard agreement between the county of Lake and the Department of Health Care Services for the period between July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2021.

5.4: Approve minutes of the Board of Supervisors meetings on May 4, 18 and 26.

5.5: Approve contract between the county of Lake Health Services and Trina Maia for physical therapy services in support of the California Children’s Services Program and the Medical Therapy Program for a term starting July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021, and a maximum amount of $135,408.00; and authorize the board chair to sign.

5.6: Sitting as the Lake County Watershed Protection District Board of Directors, approve Amendment No.1 to the agreement between the Lake County Watershed Protection District and Davis Environmental for environmental site assessments for the Middle Creek Flood Damage Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration Project and authorize the chair of the board of directors to sign the agreement.

5.7: a) Sitting as the Lake County Sanitation District Board of Directors, authorize Special Districts administrator to sign zero cost agreements with Tesla Energy for power pack systems at critical infrastructure locations for the Lake County Sanitation District; and b) authorize Special Districts administrator to sign zero cost agreements with Tesla Energy for power pack systems at critical infrastructure locations for Lake County Special Districts.

5.8: Approve Budget Transfer in Budget Unit 7011 from Object Code 18.00 Maintenance to Object Code 63.13, Park Improvements for $7,100.

5.9: Approve late travel claims in the amount of $250 to Joshua Morris for meal reimbursement while attending STC approved training.

5.10: Approve Amendment No. 1 for agreement between county of Lake on behalf of CSA-20, Soda Bay and PACE Engineering dated August 28, 2018.

TIMED ITEMS

6.1, 9:01 a.m.: Public input.

6.2, 9:02 a.m.: Consideration of update on COVID-19.

6.3, 9:30 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of resolution approving resolutions and capital fire facility and equipment plans submitted by lake county fire agencies and updating the Lake County Capital Fire Facility and Equipment Plan.

6.4, 1 p.m.: Board of Supervisors workshop with department heads.

UNTIMED ITEMS

7.2: Consideration of a resolution amending Resolution No. 2018-118 establishing temporary alternative office hours for county offices located in and surrounding the Lake County Courthouse or alternative direction to staff.

7.3: Demonstration of virtual/in-person hybrid approach to Board of Supervisors meetings.

7.4: Report from the County Space Use Committee Regarding the use of the county juvenile hall facility for a temporary support shelter targeting Lake County’s chronically homeless population.

7.5: Consideration of (a) waiving the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and (b) approval of the agreement between the county of Lake and Crestwood Behavioral Health for adult residential support and specialty mental health services for Fiscal Year 2020-21 for a contract maximum of $1,200,000 and authorize the board chair to sign the agreement.

CLOSED SESSION

8.1: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.9 (d)(1) – FERC Project No. 77, Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project.

8.2: Conference with legal counsel: Decision whether to initiate litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(4): One potential case.

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.
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Fathers often place more emphasis on their role as head of household than their health. Marmion/Shutterstock.com

If you had to choose, which would you rather have: a healthy father or a good father?

Studies suggest men often choose being a good father over being healthy.

Becoming a father is a major milestone in the life of a man, often shifting the way he thinks from being “me focused” to “we focused.” But fatherhood can also shift how men perceive their health. Our research has found that fathers can view health not in terms of going to the doctor or eating vegetables but how they hold a job, provide for their family, protect and teach their children, and belong to a community or social network.

As founder and director of the Center for Research on Men’s Health at Vanderbilt University and as a postdoctoral fellow from Meharry Medical College, we study why men live shorter lives than women, male attitudes about fatherhood, how to help men engage in healthier behavior – as well as what can be done to reduce men’s risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Work, sex and health

Working with men to try to get them to be more physically active, eat healthier and maintain a healthy weight, we found that for many, their own physical and mental health is not high on their list of priorities. Men, we found, treat their bodies as tools to do a job. Health is not always important or something they pay much attention to until poor health gets in the way of their ability to go to work, have sex or do something else important to them. These roles and responsibilities are often the ways they define themselves as men and how others in their lives define their worth.

While many aspects of gender roles have changed, we have found that many men still recognize they are often defined as good or successful if they have paid employment that is enough to take care of their children and other responsibilities. Fathers generally aspire to be able to look after their children, spouse, partner or other loved ones. That may mean less sleep, longer hours at work and less free time for hobbies and exercise.

Wanting to be a great dad can motivate men to push themselves to work longer and harder than they may have thought possible, but these choices can come at a cost, particularly if they also are not making time to take care of themselves.

We have seen evidence of despair, such as depressive symptoms, having thoughts of suicide, heavy drinking and marijuana use, among adults in their 20s and 30s. These behaviors tend to be higher in men during the time when they tend to become fathers for the first time. Consistent with this pattern, unintentional injuries and suicide are leading causes of death for men across racial and ethnic groups in their 20s and 30s. This is not the case for women.

By age 45, heart disease and cancer are the leading causes of death for all groups of men. These chronic diseases can be prevented, to some degree, by not smoking, eating healthier foods and drinking less alcohol. Also, improving sleep, sitting less and moving more are important behaviors for good health.

Rather than trying to restart these behaviors after taking a break from them for a number of years, studies have found that it is important to help men keep healthy behaviors a part of their lives as they age.

Men’s health needs and the relationship with their children change as they age. Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com

As men age, they may not make deliberate choices to engage in less healthy behavior, but they may just do so because their lives and environments make unhealthy choices easier than healthy ones. Policymakers have to think about how to make it easier to make healthy choices in men’s daily lives and to incorporate health into the time fathers spend with children and family or at work. Men don’t have equal access to healthy foods or the same opportunities to go to the doctor, be physically active or earn a living wage, and yet, if asked, they all want to be healthy and have a positive influence on their children and families.

Where does making time for their own mental and physical health fit into dads’ busy, stressful lives? We have found that it will be different for every father, but loved ones have to help them find a way. Based on our research, we believe that families, particularly women in men’s lives, can play an important role in encouraging fathers to eat healthier and take better care of their health.

Wives in particular often provide emotional support, offer advice, facilitate men going to the doctor and promote healthy behavior. Wives, daughters and other women in fathers’ lives are important sources of information about men’s health, and they often play a key role in helping fathers and other men better understand and cope with stress.

As we celebrate fathers, it is important to recognize that fathers, generally speaking, may not place health at the top of their priorities. Many fathers gladly sacrifice to see their children happy, safe and successful. The problem is that if fathers think only about these goals, their own health can often suffer.

[ Thanks for reading! We can send you The Conversation’s stories every day in an informative email. Sign up today. ]The Conversation

Derek M. Griffith, Professor of Medicine, Health & Society and Founder and Director of the Center for Research on Men's Health, Vanderbilt University and Elizabeth C. Stewart, Postdoctoral Fellow, Vanderbilt University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Authorities have made an arrest in connection to a Saturday afternoon vegetation fire along Highway 20 east of Clearlake Oaks.

The Mule fire was initially dispatched at around 2:10 p.m. on Highway 20, nearly four miles west of Walker Ridge Road, east of Clearlake Oaks.

“There was a suspect apprehended,” Will Powers, a Cal Fire public information officer, confirmed to Lake County News.

Air resources arriving at the scene said the fire initially was about an acre and making a run uphill. Within a few minutes, it was reported to be about five acres and making a hard push uphill toward structures.

However, firefighters were able to hold the fire’s advance, with one small spot fire reported outside of the lines just after 3 p.m.

At about 3:15 p.m., one person was reported to be in custody with prevention officers from Cal Fire later asked to respond to the Lake County Jail.

Sheriff Brian Martin told Lake County News that deputies took a Hispanic male adult into custody at the scene.

Martin said there was a seven-minute standoff before the arrest as the man tried to hold off deputies with a knife in the middle of Highway 20.

He added that there was a language barrier between deputies and the man, who was transported to the Lake County Jail.

Martin said early Saturday evening that he did not yet have any additional details about the arrest.

Powers said the Mule fire had burned six acres. Late on Sunday afternoon it was reported to be 50 percent contained.

“They’ll be out there for a while,” Powers said of firefighters, who are constructing line and mopping up.

He said Cal Fire is the lead agency on the fire, with local fire agencies also involved. Radio traffic indicated that including Northshore, Lake County and Kelseyville all were dispatched.

Powers said the California Highway Patrol was on scene to assist with one-way traffic control in the area.

Shortly before 7:20 p.m., Powers reported that the fire was fully contained at 7.35 acres.

Another small fire, dispatched just before 3 p.m. in the 1200 block of Highway 20 near Van Sleeper Road in Upper Lake, involved a trailer load of hay that firefighters quickly contained.

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.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has four cats ready to meet you this week.

The following cats at the shelter have been cleared for adoption.

Call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278 or visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm for information on visiting or adopting.

This young female domestic short hair cat in cat room kennel No. 15c, ID No. 13733. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Domestic short hair cat

This young female domestic short hair cat has gold eyes and a black coat.

She is in cat room kennel No. 15c, ID No. 13733.

“Foozy Ball” is a female domestic long hair cat in cat room kennel No. 108, ID No. 13729. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

‘Foozy Ball’

“Foozy Ball” is a female domestic long hair cat with a calico coat and gold eyes.

She has been spayed.

She is in cat room kennel No. 108, ID No. 13729.

“Buffy” is a female domestic short hair in cat room kennel No. 111, ID No. 13730. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

‘Buffy’

“Buffy” is a female domestic short hair with gold eyes and a black coat.

She is in cat room kennel No. 111, ID No. 13730.

This male domestic short hair cat is in kennel No. 138, ID No. 13701. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Domestic short hair cat

This male domestic short hair cat has a brown tabby coat.

He has been neutered.

He is in kennel No. 138, ID No. 13701.

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.

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First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday invite students, teens and young adults across the state to join the #CaliforniansForAll Summer of Service.

The initiative allows young Californians the opportunity to support organizations providing essential services and to receive recognition from the First Partner and California Volunteers, Office of the Governor for their commitment.

“Many young Californians have had their summer plans upended by the pandemic, and we are inviting them to turn this crisis into an opportunity,” explained Chief Service Officer Fryday. “Young Californians are an untapped resource for good and there is an urgent need for their skills and energy.”

In partnership with the Born This Way Foundation, California Association of School Councils and others, the #CaliforniansForAll Summer of Service will recruit young Californians from all backgrounds to help solve local and state issues through direct service while gaining valuable knowledge about their communities.

The immediate priority for this summer is to mobilize young volunteers to address food insecurity by providing crucial support at local food banks or food pantries.

Due to high rates of unemployment, food insecurity across many of our communities has doubled, while volunteer ranks have been depleted due to COVID-19. Most food banks accept volunteers as young as 13 as long as they are accompanied by an adult.

Other opportunities available include giving blood and delivering meals, and other youth-led initiatives like virtual mentoring and creating care packages.

“From the very first weeks of this pandemic, young people across the state have stepped up to help their neighbors and lead the way in creating a culture of me to we.” said First Partner Newsom. “As we kick off summer, I can already say I am proud of the work they have done, and I look forward to seeing what all young Californians who sign up will achieve in the months to come.”

The Born This Way Foundation, led by Lady Gaga and her mother Cynthia Germanotta, builds action-oriented programs and useful resources for youth to thrive and drive change in their communities. The foundation will use its social media platform to promote summer of service.

"Together, we are facing the collective trauma of a pandemic, ongoing racial inequality, and systemic reform, among a host of other global issues. Yet, in the face of these challenges, young people have shown their ability to lead with resilience, bravery, and kindness. They are organizing, raising funds, and using their talents to support community efforts," said Shadille Estepan, Communication and Outreach Manager at Born This Way Foundation. "Kindness is a service. It's up to each of us to help meet the needs of our community by supporting the organizations providing essential services."

The California Association of Student Councils and the Cal State Student Association will share the service initiative with their networks and invite young Californians to join.

"The #CaliforniansForAll Summer of Service initiative aligns with the curriculum offered in the CASC Summer Leadership Program and the hundreds of summer hours committed to volunteer training by our high school and college students. I am in full support of the effort to expand youth service across the state," said June E. Thompson, Ph.D., Executive Director of California Association of Student Councils.

"In times of uncertainty, the one thing that unifies people is a strong sense of community. Volunteering is a great opportunity for college students to come together and better our state and society," said Zahraa Khuraibet, Cal State Student Association President.

Zoomers to Boomers is a free service in which Zoomers (members of Generation-Z, born between 1995 and 2015) deliver food and necessities to immunocompromised and elderly Baby Boomers.

"We are Generation Z and we are here to help,” said Danny Goldberg, Zoomers to Boomers President.

Young Californians can volunteer at any time between now and August 31. The number of hours they commit is at their discretion and/or that of their parents. They will receive recognition based on the number of hours they serve — whether as a volunteer (10 hours), leader (50 hours) or ambassador (100 hours).

Those interested can visit www.californiavolunteers.ca.gov/summerofservice to learn more and sign up. Young Californians ages 13-17 must have a parent sign up on their behalf. Californians ages 18-25 can sign up directly with #CaliforniansForAll. In-person and virtual opportunities are available.

#CaliforniansForAll Summer of Service partner organizations include:

• Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities;
• Born This Way Foundation;
• Cal State Student Association;
• California Association of Student Councils;
• University of California Student Association;
• Student Senate for California Community Colleges;
• VolunteerMatch;
• Zoomers to Boomers.
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The California Capitol Dome was lit up in red, black and green, the pan-African colors that represent the African diaspora to enslavement in the New World, on Friday, June 19, 2020. Governor Gavin Newsom has declared Saturday, June 20, 2020, as Juneteenth in the state. Photo courtesy of the California Governor’s Office.

Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation Friday commemorating June 20 as Juneteenth in California.

He stood in support of the California Legislative Black Caucus’ call to light up the Capitol Dome in red, black and green, which took place on Friday night. These pan-African colors represent the African diaspora to enslavement in the New World.

“As we celebrate Juneteenth, we must redouble our efforts to achieve justice and take on systemic racism and its devastating consequences for Black Americans,” said Gov. Newsom. “Recent demonstrations, fueling important reforms throughout the United States, are the latest contributions to building a more perfect union – where liberty and justice are indeed ‘for all.’ We remember those who have lived and died in this pursuit, and their memory inspires us to make that promise real.”

In the proclamation, Gov. Newsom detailed the history of Juneteenth and its present-day celebration.

On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger led troops into Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of the Civil War and the insidious institution of slavery.

Thousands of enslaved people in Texas – among the last to learn of their liberation – tasted hard-won freedom for the first time.

The joyous commemorations that began in Texas spread around the nation, with cities and communities in California joining in celebration of this milestone in the American journey to freedom for all.

Since 2003, the state of California has celebrated Juneteenth as a day to honor and reflect on the significant contributions of Black Americans to our nation.

“Juneteenth is Freedom Day and a cause for celebration,” said Assemblymember Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus. “What is encouraging is the renewed interest in Juneteenth by young people. I think it is this moment where they recognize their power to make change. The message of Juneteenth is especially salient in the context of the current protests over ongoing and persistent brutality and inequity in the lives of Black Americans. American ideals promise equality, but have yet to fulfill that promise. By lighting the State Capitol in red, black and green, the California Legislative Black Caucus demonstrates its commitment to making that promise a reality in California.”

California State Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins called Juneteenth “one of the most significant moments in the history of the United States— the day enslaved people learned of their freedom.”

Atkins added, “Juneteenth to me marks a day of hope and the dawn of America.”

“Juneteenth was made possible by abolitionists who stood up against racism and oppression,” said California State Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon. “Over 100 years later, Juneteenth 2020 takes place at a time when activists are still fighting for equality. The current uprisings around the country give me hope that we will celebrate Juneteenth 2021 having used our actions to further racial equality and this holiday's promise of freedom for all. Black Lives Matter.”
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The California Highway Patrol will seek public input later this month as part of its assessment from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Inc., or CALEA, an internationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to improving law enforcement and public safety services.

The primary purpose of CALEA is to improve the delivery of public safety services by maintaining a comprehensive body of law enforcement standards, establishing and administering an accreditation process, and recognizing professional excellence.

The CHP, which has been accredited since 2010, is the largest state law enforcement agency in the United States to be accredited.

The CHP Academy and Communications Centers also are accredited.

As a part of this assessment, members of the public are invited to comment by calling 916-843-4398 on Tuesday, June 30, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Additionally, the public is invited to participate in a virtual public hearing on Tuesday, June 30, beginning at 1 p.m.

The virtual public hearing, which will be conducted via Webex, will give members of the public an opportunity to interact with CALEA assessors, to provide commentary about the CHP, or ask questions about the accreditation process.

To participate in the virtual public hearing, please e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. no later than Thursday, June 25, 2020, at 5 p.m.

The public’s input is one component of a three-day virtual visit in June by a team of assessors from CALEA.

During their visit, the CALEA assessors will verify the CHP’s overall compliance with a set of standards designed to ensure the Department’s policies and procedures are consistent with law enforcement industry best practices.

The assessors will remotely examine CHP Headquarters, the CHP Academy in West Sacramento, and various administrative and field commands to examine all aspects of the department’s policies, procedures, administration, operations and support services.

“We welcome the accreditation process,” said CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley, who has led the Department since 2017. “The input we receive from the public and the assessment team gives the CHP direction and helps us continuously improve. The CALEA assessment is a valuable resource for the department.”

The CALEA accreditation process is an additional avenue in which the CHP ensures it is upholding its mission of providing the highest level of safety, service and security to the people of California.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has more dogs to offer to new homes this week.

Dogs available for adoption this week include mixes of cattle dog Catahoula Leopard Dog, Chihuahua, German Shepherd, pit bull and poodle.

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.

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”).

Because the shelter in place order remains in effect, call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278 or visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm for information on visiting or adopting.

This male Chihuahua is in kennel No. 19, ID No. 13754. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Male Chihuahua

This male Chihuahua has a short brown and white coat.

He is in kennel No. 19, ID No. 13754.

“Archie” is a male poodle in kennel No. 20, ID No. 13384. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

‘Archie’

“Archie” is a male poodle with a white coat.

He has been neutered.

He is in kennel No. 20, ID No. 13384.

“Lady” is a female pit bull mix in kennel No. 22, ID No. 13703. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

‘Lady’

“Lady” is a female pit bull mix with a short tan coat.

She has been spayed.

She is in kennel No. 22, ID No. 13703.

This young female Catahoula Leopard Dog is in kennel No. 27, ID No. 13752. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Catahoula Leopard Dog

This young female Catahoula Leopard Dog has a short white coat with black spots.

She is in kennel No. 27, ID No. 13752.

This young male Catahoula Leopard Dog is in kennel No. 28, ID No. 13753. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Catahoula Leopard Dog

This young male Catahoula Leopard Dog has a short black and white coat.

He is in kennel No. 28, ID No. 13753.

This young male German Shepherd is in kennel No. 31, ID No. 13706. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Male German Shepherd

This young male German Shepherd has a fully brown and black coat.

He is in kennel No. 31, ID No. 13706.

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.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The annual Catfish Derby, the biggest derby of its kind west of the Mississippi, has been canceled for 2020.

Organizers had postponed the event from its originally scheduled dates of May 15 to 17, resetting it for Aug. 21 to 23.

“When COVID-19 shelter in place orders were issued in March, we postponed the event to August,” said event chairman, Dennis Locke. “At the time we hoped that by late summer things would be back to normal. We now understand that events drawing large crowds of the size we get for the derby are not likely to be approved any time soon. We had to let applicants know one way or the other.”

Additionally, the Derby Planning Committee had to make other decisions related to issuing refunds, returning advertising income, and deciding how to deal with various upfront costs associated with hosting the large event.

“It was a tough call, we had done a lot of upfront work, but the writing was on the wall,” Locke said.

The planning committee, including several members of the Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Business Association – which sponsors the derby each year – agreed that canceling was the only logical decision.

Camille Gouldberg, president of the business association, explained that the annual Catfish Derby is the signature fund-raising event of the association, with all proceeds going right back into the community.

“These sad circumstances have a ripple effect. We won’t have as much money to support our local school activities, our senior center, and other worthy activities we traditionally support. We’re disappointed, but not deterred,” Gouldberg said.

The Catfish Derby supports the local economy in a number of ways, from boosting sales at bait and tackle shops to coffee houses, restaurants, hotels, resorts, casinos, wine tasting rooms and more.

Known as the biggest Catfish Derby west of the Mississippi, this year’s derby would have marked 37 years.

For many – locals and out of towners – the event has become a highly anticipated and cherished family tradition. Last year, despite heavy rains, the event drew a crowd of more than 1,000 people.

“The derby energizes our little town and draws volunteers from all over Lake County to both join in on the festivities and make sure we put on the best Derby experience possible,” Locke said. “It’s a family affair and we will definitely miss our friends from near and far.”

“It’s important to thank everyone that helped get ready for this year, especially Dennis Locke, who, as in previous years, has poured his heart and soul into organizing the event,” Gouldberg said.

As for Locke, he said canceling the derby was the right thing to do. “The uncertainty in the county’s COVID-19 reopening progress for large events and our continuing concern for the health and safety of derby participants and county residents made our decision for us,” he said. “Not to worry, we’ll be back.”

The 2021 Catfish Derby has been scheduled for May 14 to 16. Pre-registered derby contestants, sponsors and advertisers have been notified of the cancelation.

To stay informed about Derby planning for 2021, visit www.clearlakeoaks.org/derby or call 707-596-0248.

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