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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – After years of work and collaboration by local agencies and organizations, Lake County’s first permanent housing facility dedicated to addressing homelessness officially opened on Thursday.

Hope Center, a project of Hope Rising Lake County in partnership with numerous local agencies and the city of Clearlake, is located at 3400 Emerson St. in Clearlake.

It was celebrated during a small, socially-distanced ceremony on Thursday afternoon, witnessed by local officials, partners and the center’s eight new employees.

The building, which formerly housed medical offices, was purchased by Adventist Health. It’s now been remodeled into a 20-bed transitional housing facility, with a kitchen, conference and meeting rooms, and other amenities.

The project has been the work of years by a number of dedicated partners, but earlier this year it looked like it had stalled, as construction halted and grant funding “vaporized,” according to Hope Rising Executive Director Allison Panella.

But big ideas have a way of overcoming even the greatest of obstacles.

Shelly Trumbo, Adventist Health’s vice president of community integration who was Hope Rising’s interim executive director at its founding, suggested that central to the Hope Center is a “love ethic,” and quoting the definition of love in 1 Corinthians Chapter 13, Trumbo added, “Love never gives up.”

In January, Panella and Shannon Kimbell-Auth, Adventist Health’s manager for community integration who will now head up the staff at Hope Center, went to the Clearlake City Council to request financial assistance to get the center’s doors opened.

The council was open to the proposal and followed up in April by approving a memorandum of understanding with Adventist Health Clear Lake and Hope Rising Lake County in which the city contributed $500,000 in bond funds for the Hope Center.

Then, in September, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that Lake County had received funding as part of the third round of awards for Project Homekey, a program administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development that is making $600 million available to local public entities to provide long-term housing for people experiencing homelessness.

The Hope Center received $3.38 million from that Project Homekey funding round.

Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, on hand in person for the Thursday ceremony, said the Project Homekey grant was “significant,” and will fund Lake County’s first permanent housing center for the homeless.

Aguiar-Curry recognized the strong efforts of local officials and the resulting partnerships in creating the center.

Congressman Mike Thompson, in a video shown at the ceremony, also heralded the work of the public and private partners whose work has made the Hope Center a reality.

Trumbo noted during the ceremony that while love is the motivator for the work, “There’s nothing soft about standing alongside a human being and supporting them through their journey of transformation. That’s the work that’s going to be happening here, and that’s love, and it’s strong and it’s solid.”

She added, “Revolutions don’t just happen in big moments in public view, they happen in small ways of people coming together.”

One of the key partners in creating the Hope Center is Adventist Health Clear Lake.

The hospital’s president and CEO, David Santos, recalled arriving in Lake County in 2009 and seeing the county’s needs, which set him on a path to addressing addiction and mental illness. That, in turn, led to focusing on “high utilizers,” those who frequently use hospital and other services in the community. He said his goal was to instill hope in both patients and health care providers.

“Today, I declare, we’ve reached a tipping point,” said Santos, who believes that Lake County is creating a rural health model not just for California but for the rest of the nation.

Panella said the Hope Center is unique; it exists because of a network of agencies that worked together.

Those agencies include the city of Clearlake, Lake County Behavioral Health Services, Lake County Continuum of Care, Partnership HealthPlan, the Lake County Health Department, the Department of Social Services, North Coast Opportunities, Adventist Health and Redwood Community Services.

Panella recounted earlier this year meeting at the site with Kimbell-Auth, City Manager Alan Flora, City Councilman Russell Perdock, who also is an Adventist Health staffer. At that point, construction had stalled and grant funding – along with their dreams – had depleted.

At the same time, they found the Hope Center sign had been vandalized, with the “Hope” turned to “Nope.”

But the woman who vandalized the sign came to them that day, admitted what she did, then asked to make amends by cleaning the sign. She then asked to help weed the property, which Panella said she did.

Panella said everybody needs the opportunity to go from “nope to hope.”

Following a ribbon-cutting in front of the building, Kimbell-Auth and other staff led an in-person and virtual tour of the facility and invited people to plant flower seeds and bulbs in the flower beds around the building.

Kimbell-Auth said the people who will live at the center will be called “participants” rather than “clients.”

“They’re participating in their own housing navigation plan,” she explained.

As part of their responsibilities, participants will have access to Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings, and do daily chores like mopping floors, emptying trash and cleaning bathrooms.

To become a sponsor, volunteer or provide a meal for Hope Center participants, visit www.hoperisinglc.org.

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.l
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A site plan for the Lakefront Park in Lakeport, California. Image courtesy of the city of Lakeport.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council has voted to shift more than $800,000 from city reserves to cover additional costs of developing the new Lakefront Park.

The council, in a 4-0 vote, approved the proposal from city staff at its Nov. 3 meeting. Councilwoman Stacey Mattina recused herself from the discussion because she owns property nearby.

The seven-acre Lakefront Park is located at 800 and 810 N. Main St.

The city received a $5.9 million state grant in April that included funds to cover the purchase of the two properties for the park, including an acre and a half the city purchased from the Hotaling family for $50,000 and a 5.3-acre parcel purchased for $660,000 from the Lakeport Unified School District in late spring.

City Manager Kevin Ingram went to the council on Nov. 3 to ask for its direction on next steps.

The city had approved the park site plan in August. Key amenities include a lakeside promenade, basketball court, ninja gym, amphitheater, splash pad, skate park, multiuse lawn area, large sheltered picnic area, bathroom/concession building, public art, parking lot, landscaping and lighting. It also sets aside an area that would eventually be the location of a boathouse for the Clear Lake Scullers.

Ingram explained in his written report that city staff, in working with SSA Landscape Architects – the firm the city hired to work on the park’s planning, design, engineering and project management – discovered that it was going to exceed the $4.5 million in the grant to cover construction.

Ingram’s report attributed the cost overruns to factors including “extremely high construction costs and unfavorable geotechnical issues.”

Staff and SSA reevaluated the plan and came up with ways of bringing the project back within its budget, but that would mean curtailing some amenities, such as the skatepark, which was set for a 35-percent cutback, a reduction of about $124,000.

Other park amenities also were slated for cutbacks totaling just over $585,000. The only items not slated for cuts, and which were proposed for increases, included landscaping and pathways, the amphitheater, basketball court, public art and the boat ramp renovation. Ingram said the fitness park was completely removed from those scaled-back plans.

However, Ingram offered another option – using general fund reserves of up to $805,570 to restore some of the amenities.

Ingram told the council at the Nov. 3 meeting that even with proposed cuts, it will still be a great park.

“This is a one-time project. It’s a very exciting project,” he said.

While using reserves is a sticky issue, Ingram said the city has a very healthy level of reserves – about $5 million – and the park is a special project that rises to the level of consideration for use of those funds.

“Parks are economic drivers. They do help us grow our revenues,” he said, noting that they act as anchors for the city’s downtown area.

He also pointed out that the council had been prepared to purchase the property for the park with general fund money before it knew that the grant would cover it.

Councilman Kenny Parlet noted during the discussion, as he has in previous matters relating to capital projects, that putting them off only costs the city more money in the long run.

“I believe that anything we don’t do now is lost forever,” Parlet said, adding that every time they wait even six months, the cost of construction often doubles.

Parlet said he’d spoken with city Finance Director Nick Walker who told him that the city has extremely healthy reserves.

“I believe that we should do everything that we can to put this thing together in its entirety,” even if it requires tapping into reserves, Parlet said.

Parlet said the economy overall is expected to be extremely robust for the coming decade and that the park will be good for the local economy.

Ingram also told the council during the meeting that timing was an issue, that they needed to be able to get the project bid out in time to meet the state grant’s deadline to be open to the public. That was the driving factor for bringing it forward this month for discussion.

Like Ingram, Parlet noted that the city hadn’t expected to get the money to cover the property purchase.

“We knew that this was a great investment,” Parlet said. “We were going to buy that property come hell or high water.”

Councilwoman Mireya Turner moved to approve spending $805,570 in reserves to cover the increased expenses and to amend the budget, which Parlet seconded and the council approved 4-0.

At the same meeting, the council also voted to rename the city’s downtown walking trail in honor of Ann Blue, who worked tirelessly to establish it; and voted to relocate the two 20-minute designated parking spaces adjacent to City Hall from Park Street to Second Street, along with adopting revisions to the Green Zones, or limited parking areas, and two-hour parking resolutions to reflect the changes.

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. – On Wednesday, Nov. 11, the United States will commemorate the service and sacrifices of millions of members of the armed forces during the course of the nation’s history.

Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation declaring Nov. 11 as Veterans Day in California.

“Today, nearly 1.6 million veterans live and work in our state, and many more Californians have close family members who are veterans. These individuals continue to serve their communities as small business owners, civic leaders, first responders, volunteers, mentors and in countless other roles and professions,” Gov. Newsom said.

“We set aside this day to recognize the personal sacrifices American heroes have made to defend our Constitution and the freedoms it guarantees, but also to recognize the enduring respect they deserve every day. Some members of our veteran population experience homelessness, mental health disorders and other challenges after military service. In our boundless gratitude for their service, we must continue our efforts to support veterans and address these important issues,” Newsom said.

Newsom quoted President Harry S Truman, "Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices."

The Veterans Day we know today has its origins in Armistice Day, Nov. 11, 1919, which marked the one-year anniversary of the end of World War I. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed that first observance.

Armistice Day became an annual observance when Congress passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926. A bill passed by Congress in May 1938 made Armistice Day a national holiday, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The VA reported that Armistice Day originally focused on honoring World War I veterans. However, in recognition of the efforts of veterans in World War II and the Korea War, in 1954 Congress changed the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day to make it a day for honoring veterans of all wars.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower, one of the United States’ World War II generals, signed the 1954 bill changing the holiday’s name to Veterans Day, and in October of that year would issue the first Veterans Day proclamation, the VA reported.

Lake County is reported to have one of the highest per-capita veterans populations in the state, and it’s also home to a Department of Veterans Affairs clinic in Clearlake.

In recognition of its veterans, Lake County over the years has been home to a large countywide Veterans Day ceremony, but COVID-19 has not allowed for that celebration in 2020.

In his proclamation, Newsom noted, “The ongoing pandemic will alter the way we recognize Veterans Day this year in many parts of the state. Though it restricts or prevents the parades,
picnics and other gatherings that have become tradition over the decades, it cannot and will not diminish our love, respect and continued support for veterans.”

Census Bureau reports on numbers of veterans in California, across the nation

The US Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey gave the following breakdown of veterans, by period of service, nationwide and in California:

• Gulf War (9/2001 or later) veterans: 3,772,708 (US); 320,701 (California).
• Gulf War (8/1990 to 8/2001) veterans: 3,834,993 (US); 280,799 (California).
• Vietnam era veterans: 6,192,877 (US); 530,839 (California).
• Korean War veterans: 1,156,096 (US); 111,163 (California).
• World War II veterans: 380,327 (US); 40,005 (California).

The following facts are possible thanks to U.S. Census Bureau surveys.

17.4 million
The number of military veterans in the United States in 2019.

1.6 million
The number of female veterans in the United States in 2019.

12.3 percent
The percentage of veterans in 2019 who were Black. Additionally, 76.2 percent were non-Hispanic White; 1.8 percent were Asian; 0.8 percent were American Indian or Alaska Native; 0.2 percent were Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; and 1.4 percent were some other race. (The numbers cover only those reporting a single race.)

7.2 percent
The percentage of veterans in 2018 who were Hispanic.

50.4 percent
The percentage of veterans age 65 and older in 2019. At the other end of the age spectrum, 8.4 percent were younger than age 35.

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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The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation this week issued new projections for COVID-19 deaths in the United States, anticipating another 200,000 fatalities by March unless mask-wearing increases substantially.

The institute, an independent global health research center at the University of Washington, has issued key forecasts of how the virus will impact the nation and the world throughout the pandemic.

In its latest report issued on Thursday, the institute reported that daily cases are increasing at an accelerating rate with deaths also increasing but at a slower rate.

“Given the experience in Europe, we expect that the increase in deaths will soon begin
to match the increase in cases,” the institute’s latest briefing notes.

That’s because the fall/winter surge is evident in nearly all 50 states at this time, the institute reported.

The updated forecast issued this week takes into account evidence from hospital studies showing that the infection-fatality rate has declined 30-percent since April due to improved treatment.

“Despite this, we expect 439,000 cumulative deaths by March 1 and a peak of daily deaths in mid January at 2,200 a day. Although mask use has increased to 67 percent, further increases to 95 percent could save a further 68,000 lives by March 1,” the institute reported.

The projection puts California’s deaths by March 1 at 27,073. Currently, the state has reported more than 18,100 deaths due to the virus.

The institute also estimated that, as of Nov. 9, 12 percent of the people in the United States have been infected with COVID-19. That ranges from 1 percent in Vermont to 24 percent in New Jersey. California’s infection rate is reported as between 7.5 and 9.9 percent.

To see projection charts, click here.

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. – As the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office continues to process ballots from the Nov. 3 election, elections officials are also working to verify signatures or get signatures on ballots that were returned unsigned.

Registrar Maria Valadez reported that she is planning to have Lake County’s election results certified by Dec. 1, which is the deadline she has to report the results for the presidential election to the Secretary of State’s Office, with other state and local contests having a Dec. 4 deadline.

Valadez previously reported that more than 18,000 ballots remained to be processed following Election Day, by the end of which more than 11,000 had been counted.

Lake County’s unprocessed ballots are among more than 1.4 million across California yet to be counted, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.

In a message on the elections office’s website this week, Valadez emphasized that the Nov. 3 election results are not final and that her staff members “are working very diligently on completing all tasks required to certify the election.”

Valadez said there are many checks and balances when certifying the election results. “The process of certifying election results, also known as the Official Canvass, is mandated by state law to make sure the public can have confidence in the integrity of the final results.”

One of those steps is dealing with unsigned vote-by-mail ballots or vote-by-mail ballots where there are discrepancies in signatures.

Valadez’s office sent out signature verification or unsigned ballot envelope statements to voters whose ballots were found to have those issues.

Voters who received the notices are being urged to return the completed forms either by mail, fax, email or in-person by noon on Tuesday, Dec. 1.

Valadez’s office emphasized that it cannot count a voter’s vote-by-mail ballot if the completed and signed statement is not returned by that Dec. 1 deadline.

Valadez also issued an update on her website explaining why Lake County’s preliminary results displayed 70 out of 70 precincts as 100-percent reported despite ballots remaining to be counted.

“Lake County has 70 voting precincts, which are composed of 50 voting precincts and 20 mail ballot precincts. Just as we must do for every election, we are required to make certain reports to the Secretary of State’s office,” Valadez wrote.

She said election code requires officials to conduct a semifinal official canvass by tabulating vote-by-mail and precinct ballots and compiling the results. “The semifinal official canvass shall commence immediately upon the close of the polls and shall continue without adjournment until all precincts are accounted for.”

Valadez explained that, for every election, by the end of the night, after all voting precincts have reported back to her office, her office must report to the Secretary of State’s Office that ballots for all voting precincts – including mail ballot precincts – cast on election night have been counted and reported.

“Therefore our last report to the Secretary of State’s office must indicate that the 70 voting precincts have been reported at 100%.” she wrote.

She said elections law also requires her to transmit the semifinal official results to the Secretary of State’s Office upon closing of the polls, by 8 p.m. and no later than 10 p.m. Afterward, reports must be submitted on a two-hour basis until the semifinal official canvass is completed.

When reporting to the Secretary of State’s Office, Valadez said her final end-of-night report must match the number of reportable precincts – in this case, 70 – before the semifinal official canvass can be considered completed and final.

As the canvass continues, Valadez – as per longtime county protocol – will not update results until the final certified results are completed.

“We do not interrupt the careful steps that we take during the Canvass to release interim unofficial results,” she wrote. “Interim unofficial results have no bearing on the final outcome of the races and contests. Only final certified results will impact the races and contests,” she said in her online statement.

Vote-by-mail voters can still sign up to track their ballots at https://california.ballottrax.net/voter/.

For more information, contact the Registrar of Voters Office at 707-263-2372 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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 Lakeport City Council has unanimously approved renaming a city walking path in honor of a local woman who helped create it.

The council approved a resolution naming the downtown walking path “The Ann Blue Walking Path” in honor of Ann Blue.

Public Works Director Doug Grider presented the resolution to the council at its Nov. 3 meeting.

Grider said Blue was the driving force for designating the walking path, which extends from Martin Street at the south end of town to 16th Street to the north. It follows Main Street, looping around Library Park and then follows another loop that includes N. High Street and Clearlake Avenue.

While working on the walking path, Blue was a member of the city’s Parks and Recreation Committee. She also previously served on the Lakeport Planning Commission and the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee, and was a longtime member of the Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club.

The council approved the proposal to create the walking path in February 2016. Initial funding came from a $5,000 grant from the Sutter Lakeside Active Living Grant Program.

At the time the council approved the plan, Blue said she had been working on the path since July 2015.

Grider said the proposal to name the path for Blue was brought to the Parks and Recreation Commission, which agreed and asked staff to bring it to the council.

He said Blue walked the path many times to make sure it would work.

Grider also recognized Blue for being very active in community projects and in her service on city commissions.

Mayor George Spurr said he had the honor of working with Blue on the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee, calling her a very nice lady. Renaming the path in her honor is “definitely something we should do,” he said.

Suzanne Russell, who formerly served on the planning commission, Traffic Safety Advisory Committee and the Parks and Recreation Commission, said she had the pleasure of working with Blue on two of those commissions and with the garden club for about 18 years. She said Blue was on the Lakeport Planning Commission in the late 1970s.

Both Blue and her husband had been teachers, Russell said.

“She’s been a joy to work with,” said Russell, who reported that Blue is now living in a nursing home.

Russell said she was pleased to see that the renaming wouldn’t take five years to do, as that’s how long it took to complete the path project in the Parks and Recreation Commission.

“It was a real big thing for Ann to do,” said Russell, who along with Susanne Lyons, donated a bench for the path.

City Manager Kevin Ingram noted that, to say Blue walked the path a number of times is an understatement. He said an incredible amount of thought and effort went into the project.

Spurr asked about a new path going through the Lakefront Park now under development.

Ingram said that would be fitting, as he said he didn’t believe Blue saw the path ending in its current form. There is definitely an opportunity to add more paths and pieces to the main path, he added.

Councilwoman Stacey Mattina moved to approve the resolution, which the council approved 5-0.

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.


A walking path in Lakeport, California, will be called “The Ann Blue Walking Path” in honor of Ann Blue, who worked to create the path, following a resolution approved by the Lakeport City Council on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. Map courtesy of the city of Lakeport.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The National Weather Service is forecasting cloudy skies, rain and cooler temperatures over the coming week.

The agency reported that a strong storm system is forecast to move across Northern California on Friday, with the potential for “widespread beneficial rainfall,” along with gusty south winds and mountain snow.

Rainfall is expected to take place in Lake County between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Friday, according to the forecast.

The National Weather Service said a quarter of an inch to three-quarters of an inch are expected in Lake County.

The forecast calls for chances of rain through Friday night, with a break on Saturday before the possibility of more rain on Saturday night.

Mostly cloudy conditions are anticipated on Sunday and Monday, with slight chances of rain from Tuesday through Thursday.

In the south county, winds of up to 17 miles per hour and gusts of up to 22 miles per hour are forecast on Friday. Lighter winds of up to 7 miles per hour are forecast across the entire county through Sunday.

Temperatures over the coming week will range from the low 50s to high 60s during the day, and drop into the high 30s at night, based on the forecast.

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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U.S. Army veteran Derek Martin gives his son a big hug at a veteran support group cookout on Nov. 7, 2015. Jon Hatch/Digital First Media/Boulder Daily Camera via Getty Images

As the nation celebrates our 17 million living veterans, it is also important to know that the number of these heroes who are ending their own lives prematurely is rising.

In the general population, suicide is the 10th most common cause of death, but among veterans with PTSD, it’s fourth. Among veterans younger than 35, it’s second. Suicide rates are also rising among members of the military. Since 2017, rates for active-duty service members have been above those of civilians. The same is true for National Guard service members since 2015 and and nonactive veterans for the past decade.

I’m a researcher who studies risk and resilience in military and veteran families. I can tell you that the single most common stressor for those who attempt or complete suicide is a serious relationship difficulty with an intimate partner or someone else within the previous 90 days. And more than half of service members who attempt or complete suicide had been seen within those 90 days by a medical, mental health or social service professional. Almost one-third communicated a potential for self-harm.

It’s not only medical professionals who can help a veteran who is dealing with despair and contemplating death by suicide. You can also help.

A man driving with a big dog sitting in the back seat.
Veteran Chad Brown drives with his service dog, Axe, in Boynton Beach, Fla. on June 19, 2017 to a meeting of Soul River, a group he founded to bring together veterans dealing with PTSD. Javier Galeano/AFP via Getty Images


A ‘good catch’

Some recent studies have suggested that a complex array of factors combine to lead a person to contemplate death by suicide. And many things contribute to the feelings of despair that veterans experience.

In addition to post-traumatic stress disorder, other mental health problems and medical challenges, veterans also face unemployment, bereavement and parenting issues. It is easy to understand how veterans might feel overwhelmed and desperate.

Through my work, I’ve heard firsthand the stories of service members and veterans who had decided to take their own lives but did not. Often I’ve observed that it was a “good catch” that did it: a friend or family member answered a call at an odd hour; noticed the person seemed “off” and asked careful questions; stayed with them while summoning professional help; or checked in with them so they wouldn’t feel isolated. Families, friends, neighbors and colleagues all may have opportunities to make these catches.

Peer support programs may also help. Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are effective alone or in combination with clinical treatment for substance use disorders. Results regarding mental health problems such as depression are more mixed, but a consistent finding is that peer support can help promote compliance with treatment, communication with clinicians, improved coping and self-care, and increased feelings of hope and self-efficacy. Studies suggest that peer support can also help people during transition times, particularly when they are leaving military service to return to civilian life.

Veterans themselves are taking action. In the Department of Veterans Affairs, peer facilitators are key to a new “whole health” approach. American Legion members also offer support aimed at preventing suicide. Across the country, veterans treatment courts routinely include mentors to boost the success of clients.

Those with depression and PTSD can find solace in support groups.
Support groups can help those with depression and PTSD. Courtney Hale via Getty Images


Peer support is out there

Not all peers have to be veterans. Sometimes the strongest connections are with those who have had different challenges and who also can therefore relate – like a family member’s addiction, or one’s own disability or mental health problem.

Many peer networks can help, including the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the American Cancer Society and the Alzheimers Association. Even though they may not focus specifically on suicide, they help reduce isolation, increase social connections, and support coping and self-care.

We can all help to prevent death by suicide. And joining a peer support program or training to make ourselves ready aren’t the only ways. Simply being more attentive as a friend, family member, neighbor or colleague can help.

It is normal for a person to feel awkward when talking to someone contemplating death by suicide. Learning is a great way to prepare. For example, “Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)” is evidence-based training that can help anyone recognize early warning signs of suicide, learn ways to offer hope and encouragement, and connect with help.

[Deep knowledge, daily. Sign up for The Conversation’s newsletter.]

On this Veterans Day, by all means, let’s thank veterans for their service. But perhaps we could challenge ourselves to go further and do service on behalf of others. Who knows what opportunities might arise to make a good catch?

If you or anyone of your loved ones are in need of help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text 838255. You can also get help at the Veterans Crisis Line and the Military Crisis Line.The Conversation

Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth, Distinguished Professor of Human Development and Family Studies, Purdue University

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

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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A Clearlake woman and two children were injured in a solo-vehicle crash on Highway 29 on Monday evening.

The California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office said the crash occurred at 6:50 p.m. on Monday.

Susanna E. Wright, 39, was traveling southbound on Highway 29 south of Seigler Canyon Road, driving a 2014 Toyota Corolla, the CHP said.

Wright had a 7-year-old girl and a 5-year-old boy seated in the rear of the vehicle. The CHP said Wright was wearing her seat belt but the children were not using safety equipment.

The CHP said Wright allowed her vehicle to travel off the west road edge of the highway. She overcorrected to the left and lost control of her vehicle.

Wright's vehicle traveled off the east roadway edge of Highway 29, hitting an uphill dirt embankment. The CHP said this impact caused her vehicle to overturn, impacting and coming to rest against a tree.

The CHP said Wright and the girl were transported via ambulance to Adventist Health Clear Lake Hospital in Clearlake for treatment. Wright had moderate injuries while the girl had major injuries.

The boy, who also had major injuries, was transported via air ambulance to UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in Oakland, the CHP said.

Drugs and alcohol are not suspected to have been factors in the wreck, according to the CHP report.
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake Animal Control has a group of big dogs and a little one, too, needing homes.

The following dogs are ready for adoption or foster.

“Bella.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control.

‘Bella’

“Bella” is a female American Bully mix.

She has a short beige and tan coat.

She is dog No. 3537.

“Cinderella.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control.

‘Cinderella’

“Cinderella” is a small female terrier mix.

She has a short wiry white coat.

She is dog No. 4346.

“Inky.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control.

‘Inky’

“Inky” is a male German Shepherd mix.

He has a long smooth black coat.

He is dog No. 4324.

“Jack.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control.

‘Jack’

“Jack” is a male Labrador Retriever mix with a short yellow coat.

He is dog No. 4155.

“Smokey.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control.

‘Smokey’

“Smokey” is a male American Staffordshire Terrier mix.

He has a short gray coat.

He is dog No. 4347.

The shelter is open by appointment only due to COVID-19.

Call the Clearlake Animal Control shelter at 707-273-9440, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to inquire about adoptions and schedule a visit to the shelter.

Visit Clearlake Animal Control on Facebook or on the city’s website.

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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The California Department of Transportation is looking for 150 volunteers for continued research on a road user charge as an alternative to the state gas tax.

The California Road Charge Phased Demonstration will first explore how drivers could be charged for the miles they travel rather than the gasoline they use by testing a user-friendly pay-at-the-pump and electric vehicle charging station system, or through a usage-based insurance approach.

Participants will be eligible to receive up to $100 in incentives each for their time and feedback.

Future phases of the Caltrans demonstration will include testing of app-based payment of rideshare miles and capturing data from autonomous vehicles.

Taxes on fuel are the primary source of state funding for road and highway repairs and upgrades.

With vehicles growing more fuel-efficient and more zero-emission options becoming available, Caltrans is testing various methods to collect per-mileage fees in a system where drivers contribute based on how much they use the road.

“Caltrans is continuing its research to explore how a future road user charge can fund transportation projects throughout the state,” said Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin. “We want Californians to join us in testing payment options that will inform our research in designing an equitable and sustainable road charge program.”

The six-month demonstration will start in January 2021 and builds on California’s 2017 Road Charge Pilot, that tested the feasibility of funding road and highway repairs based on how many miles a driver travels instead of how much gas they purchase.

Volunteer for the demonstration by completing the participant recruitment survey. Participants must be California residents over the age of 18, and do not need to own or lease a vehicle in order to participate.

The Road Charge Program is working to develop a fairer, more transparent, and more sustainable way to fund road and highway repairs based on how many miles Californians drive, instead of how many gallons of gas they buy.

Visit www.CARoadCharge.com to learn more about the California Road Charge Pilot and the Road Charge Program.
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Employment among the nation’s three million post-9/11 veterans was higher from 2014 to 2018 than it was among those who never served in the armed forces, according to a new U.S. Census Bureau report released Tuesday.

In contrast with older veteran groups, such as those from the Vietnam era or Gulf War, post-9/11 veterans encountered very different labor markets after returning from the armed forces. As a result, post-9/11 veterans represent a unique and growing segment of the veteran population and the broader U.S. workforce.

Employment characteristics of post-9/11 veterans

In the 2014-2018 period, about 80 percent of post-9/11 veterans were employed compared with only 75 percent of nonveterans.

Among the employed, post-9/11 veterans were also more likely than nonveterans to work year-round (50 to 52 weeks a year) and full-time (35 hours or more a week). About 81 percent of post-9/11 veterans and 71 percent of nonveterans had year-round, full-time jobs.

Post-9/11 veterans worked longer hours than nonveterans – an average of two hours longer for men (44 hours a week vs. 42) and nearly three hours longer each week for women (40 hours vs. 37 hours).

They were also more likely than nonveterans to work for federal, state, or local governments. For example, 32 percent of post-9/11 male veterans worked in government compared to 10 percent of male nonveterans. In contrast, male nonveterans were more likely to work in the private sector (81 percent vs. 63 percent of post-9/11 veterans).

Post-9/11 veterans earned more than nonveterans depending on their education level: a median $46,000 a year compared to about $35,000 for nonveterans.



Occupations among post-9/11 veterans

Among people employed year-round and full-time, post-9/11 veterans often were overrepresented in only a few occupation groups.

For instance, a greater proportion of veterans than nonveterans were employed in protective service occupations, such as police officer, firefighter and similar jobs.

Post-9/11 veterans also were frequently in installation, maintenance, and repair occupations and less regularly in office and administrative support, sales, and related occupations.

These results are roughly consistent with the notion that post-9/11 veterans seek civilian jobs that utilize their military skills and training.



Occupations among men and women by veteran status

In addition to overall differences in employment between post-9/11 veterans and nonveterans, the proportion of workers in different occupations varied by sex.

The figures below show the percentage of men and women who were post-9/11 veterans and nonveterans employed year-round and full-time in 24 occupation groups and which jobs are more common for each group.

Top occupation groups for men, whether they were post-9/11 veterans or nonveterans, were: management; installation, maintenance, and repair; and production.

However, post-9/11 veteran men were more likely than their nonveteran peers to work in protective service and office and administrative support occupations.

In contrast, a greater percentage of men who never served were employed in construction and extraction occupations and sales and related occupations.

The pattern was similar among women. Post-9/11 veteran and nonveteran women also shared four of the same top occupation groups: office and administrative support, health care practitioners and technical, management, and sales and related.

Among the remaining occupation groups, a larger percentage of post-9/11 veteran women worked in business and financial operations, while more nonveterans worked in educational instruction and library occupations.

Clayton Gumber and Jonathan Vespa are survey statisticians in the Census Bureau’s Social, Economic and Housing Statistics Division.

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