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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council this week is set to consider rejecting bids for a proposed chip seal project and a request for two position allocations in the police department’s budget.

The council will meet beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

At the start of the meeting the council will present a proclamation declaring September as Senior Center Month and receive a presentation on Clearlake’s retail market and opportunities for expansion.

Under council business, staff is asking the council to reject the bids for a double chip seal project in the Southwest Avenues.

Engineering Tech Adeline Brown’s report to the council explained that the city advertised a notice inviting bids and opened the bids on Aug. 29 from Northwest Paving and VSS International.

Northwest Paving gave a base bid of $148,200 and VSS International’s base bid was $213,000.

Brown said those base bids were “considerably higher than the engineer’s estimate, which was $70,000.00.”

She added, “Given the nature of the industry at this time of year, demand for contractors is higher which in turn drives up the costs. Also, the additive alternate unit costs were also high. Staff recommends that the Council reject all bids and alternates and re-bid in the Spring.”

The project was to have been funded by funds from the city’s Measure V road tax.

In other business, Clearlake Police Chief Andrew White is asking the council to consider adding an office assistant II and a limited-term code enforcement officer I/II to the position allocations for the new fiscal year due to an increase in activity related to Code Enforcement, Animal Control and citation issuance.

“The traffic is anticipated to increase with the implementation of new ordinances such as the vacant commercial property ordinance, abandoned vehicle ordinance and planned updates to the rental property ordinance,” White said.

Also on Thursday, the council will consider a memorandum of understanding between the city of Clearlake and the Middle Management Association for the period of July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2021; and discuss the 2019 League of California Cities annual conference resolutions.

On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are warrant registers; minutes of the Aug. 14 Lake County Vector Control District Board meeting; minutes of the August council meetings; consideration of the second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 233-2019, amending Section 5-22, Smoking Prohibited in Parks and Certain Public Places, of the Clearlake Municipal Code in its entirety and approving a related CEQA exemption for the municipal code amendments; consideration of continuation of declaration of local emergency issued on Oct. 9, 2017, and ratified by council action Oct. 12, 2017; and holding of the second reading of Ordinance No. 233-2019, to keep the declaration of emergency active and set next review for the next council meeting.

The council also will hold a closed session to discuss labor negotiations with the Clearlake Management/Confidential Employees, Clearlake Police Officer Association, Clearlake Municipal Employees Association and Clearlake Middle Management Association.

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.

091219 Clearlake City Council Agenda Packet by LakeCoNews on Scribd

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A shrine placed by friends of Joseph Symond Jackson, 40, of Lucerne, Calif., near the site where authorities say he was run over and mortally injured by Thomas Andrew Magee, 62, in Lucerne early on the morning of Tuesday, September 10, 2019. Photo by John Jensen/Lake County News.

LUCERNE, Calif. – Authorities have identified the Lucerne man who died early Tuesday after another man intentionally hit him with a vehicle.

Joseph Symond Jackson, 40, was struck and fatally injured by a van driven by 62-year-old Thomas Andrew Magee of Clearlake at around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, as Lake County News has reported.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said Jackson was in the area of Highway 20 and Seventh Avenue in Lucerne when Magee hit him with his van.

Magee fled the scene but was stopped and taken into custody by a California Highway Patrol officer on Highway 53 near Highway 20 in Clearlake Oaks about 20 minutes after the incident occurred, the sheriff’s office said.

Jackson was to have been flown to an out-of-county trauma center but was taken to Sutter Lakeside Hospital where he died of his injuries early Tuesday morning, authorities said.

Witnesses told investigators that Magee and Jackson had a dispute over property, according to Lt. Corey Paulich of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

On Tuesday, friends of Jackson’s set up a small shrine of candles and flowers on the sidewalk in front of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office substation at Highway 20 and Seventh Avenue, near where Jackson was hit.

Paulich told Lake County News that, based on the investigation so far, the two men had been acquaintances for a short time.

The sheriff’s office has had several contacts with Jackson over the past 20 years, “some as victim and some as suspect,” Paulich said.

He said sheriff’s office records didn’t show contacts with Magee. However, “Magee does have extensive criminal history for drug, weapons and theft convictions,” mostly in the in the Bay Area, Paulich said.

Magee is charged with murder and is being held in the Lake County Jail on $1 million bail. He is due to appear for arraignment in Lake County Superior Court on Thursday, according to booking records.

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.
Thomas Andrew Magee, 62, of Clearlake, Calif., has been arrested for murder after authorities said he hit and killed a man with his van early on the morning of Tuesday, September 10, 2019. Photo courtesy of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Firefighters on Monday afternoon and evening brought two small wildland fires under quick control in Lake County while thousands of fire personnel continue to work on incidents elsewhere around California.

The Monday fires in Lake County were located near Upper Lake and Clearlake.

Just before 4 p.m. Monday firefighters were dispatched to the area of Bachelor Valley Road and Witter Springs Road near Upper Lake after flames were seen in the area, according to radio reports.

Cal Fire air attack reported that the fire was five acres in oak and grass woodland, with a slow to moderate rate of spread and no structures initially threatened.

Ground units arriving on scene reported that the fire was burning under power lines. A short time later, incident command reported over the air that one structure was threatened but firefighters were protecting it.

Shortly after 4:30 p.m. additional units began to be canceled. The final units would clear the scene at about 8:40 p.m.

Radio reports indicated the fire’s final size was about 15 acres.

Near Clearlake a small vegetation fire was reported in the 1700 block of Highway 53, on the highway’s east side, at about 6:15 p.m.

Incident command called for a short-term closure of nearby Ogulin Canyon Road as the firefighting effort was under way, according to radio reports.

Just before 6:30 p.m., incident command reported that forward progress on the fire had been stopped.

Altogether the Highway 53 fire was reported to be a spot of less than a tenth of an acre.

Information on causes for the two fires was not immediately available on Monday evening.

State fires roundup

Cal Fire and the United States Forest Service gave the following updates on fires around California as of Monday night.

– Duzel fire: 15 acres, 80-percent contained. The Duzel fire began Saturday northeast of Etna in Siskiyou County. Cause: Under investigation.

– Forbestown fire: 58 acres, 90-percent contained. The Forbestown fire began Friday east of Oroville in Butte County. There are 105 personnel assigned. Cause: Under investigation.

– Henthorne fire: 244 acres, 20-percent contained. The Henthorne fire began Thursday in the Yolla Bolly Wilderness in the Mendocino National Forest; it is located 15 miles northeast of Covelo in Trinity County. The fire is being managed under unified command by the Mendocino National Forest and Cal Fire. There are 475 personnel assigned. Cause: Under investigation.

– Red Bank fire: 8,838 acres, 55-percent contained, two structures destroyed. The Red Bank fire began Thursday west of Red Bluff in Tehama County. There are 2,307 firefighters assigned. Cause: Lightning.

– Swedes fire: 400 acres, 55-percent contained, two structures destroyed. The Swedes fire began Saturday east of Oroville in Butte County. There are 517 personnel assigned. Cause: Under investigation.

– Taboose fire: 10,500 acres, 30-percent contained. The Taboose fire began Friday northwest of Aberdeen in Inyo County. There are 367 personnel assigned. Cause: Under investigation.

– Tenaja fire: 1,926 acres, 92-percent contained. The Tenaja fire began Wednesday in La Cresta in Riverside County. There are 392 personnel assigned. Cause: Under investigation.

– Walker fire: 44,307 acres, 10 percent contained. The Walker fire began Wednesday east of Genesee in Plumas County on the Plumas National Forest. There are 825 personnel assigned. Cause: Under investigation.

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

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The governor has appointed a member of the Lake County Board of Supervisors to a state board.

On Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced his selection of District 1 Supervisor Moke Simon of Middletown to the State Board of Fire Services.

The State Board of Fire Services is a 17-member advisory board to the California State Fire Marshal, according to its Web site.

The California State Fire Marshal chairs the board, which includes representatives from local governments, the fire service and firefighter associations, the insurance industry and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, among others.

Its duties, according to its Web site, range from providing a forum for addressing fire protection and prevention issues of statewide concern, to developing technical and performance standards for training of fire service personnel, accrediting curriculum, establishing policy for the certification system for the California Fire Service, advising the State Fire Marshal on dissemination of regulations, and acting as an appeals board on the application of California State Fire Marshal regulations.

Based on the board’s roster, Simon will fill a vacant position representing county government.

Simon, 47, has served as the Board of Supervisors’ District 1 member since January of 2017, and has been tribal chairman of the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California since 1997.

Simon’s district has been hit hard by wildland fires, and he now chairs the newly formed Lake County Community Risk Reduction Authority.

The Governor’s Office said the State Board of Fire Services position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Simon is a Democrat.

The board next meets on Thursday afternoon at the Office of the State Fire Marshal in Sacramento.

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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Thomas Andrew Magee, 62, of Clearlake, Calif., has been arrested for murder after authorities said he hit and killed a man with his van early on the morning of Tuesday, September 10, 2019. Photo courtesy of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

LUCERNE, Calif. – Authorities have arrested a Clearlake man who they said intentionally hit and killed a pedestrian with his vehicle.

Thomas Andrew Magee, 62, was taken into custody shortly before 2 a.m. Tuesday, less than an hour after the incident took place, according to Lt. Corey Paulich.

At 1:30 a.m. Tuesday, Lake County Sheriff’s deputies and California Highway Patrol officers were dispatched to the area of Highway 20 and Seventh Avenue in Lucerne, where it was reported that there was a vehicle accident with a pedestrian that had been struck, as Lake County News has reported.

Paulich said that when law enforcement arrived it was determined, based on the scene and witness statements, that Magee, the driver of the vehicle, had intentionally struck the victim and fled the scene. Witnesses also told deputies that Magee and the victim had a dispute over property.

The victim was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries, Paulich said.

A “be on the lookout” was put out for the white van that hit the pedestrian. Paulich said that at approximately 1:50 a.m., a CHP officer located and stopped Magee on Highway 53 near Highway 20 in Clearlake Oaks.

The Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit responded to handle the investigation with the assistance of officers from CHP, Paulich said.

Paulich said Magee was later booked into the Lake County Jail for murder with bail set at $1 million.

According to his booking sheet, Magee – whose occupation is listed as painter – is due to be arraigned on Thursday in Lake County Superior Court.

The identification of the victim is pending notification of next of kin. An autopsy will be scheduled for later this week, Paulich said.

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident is asked to contact Detective Jerry Pfann at 707-262-4236 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Planning Commission will meet this week and discuss a city restaurant’s application for a new outdoor dining area.

The commission will meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

On the agenda is an application from O’Meara Bros. Brewery and Fossa’s Backhoe Service for a minor architectural and design review.

The proposed project calls for the addition to the brewery of a 648-square-foot outdoor dining area and pergola along the east side of the building.

The application also seeks a zoning permit to allow outdoor dining and an a minor exception to the parking regulations for the brewery and restaurant, located at 901 Bevins St.

In other business, the commission will get an update on the Lake County Pedestrian Facilities Study and discuss changing its regular meeting time.

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.

091119 Lakeport Planning Commission Agenda Packet by LakeCoNews on Scribd

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MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Area Town Hall this week is set to hear from the county supervisor and discuss homeless issues in the park.

MATH will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, at the Middletown Community Center, 21256 Washington St.

Meetings are open to the community, and offer the opportunity for additional public input on items not included on the agenda.

Items on the agenda include an update from District 1 Supervisor Moke Simon at 7:30 p.m.

At 7:45 p.m., the group will discuss flower grates on Main Street and the homeless community park.

At 8 p.m., there will be an update on area developments and projects.

The MATH Board includes Chair Sally Peterson, Vice Chair Claude Brown, Secretary Paul Baker, and at-large members Tom Darms and Marlene Elder.

MATH – established by resolution of the Lake County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 12, 2006 – is a municipal advisory council serving the residents of Anderson Springs, Cobb, Coyote Valley (including Hidden Valley Lake), Long Valley and Middletown.

Meetings are subject to videotaping.

For more information email 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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Authorities closed off a portion of Highway 20 in Lucerne, Calif., early on the morning of Tuesday, September 10, 2019, to investigate the scene where a pedestrian was hit by a vehicle in what may have been an intentional assault. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.

LUCERNE, Calif. – A pedestrian was hit and seriously injured by a vehicle early Tuesday morning in Lucerne, with authorities investigating whether the incident was an accident or done intentionally.

Firefighters were dispatched just before 1:30 a.m. to the area of Highway 20 and Seventh Avenue in Lucerne for a possible assault with a deadly weapon involving a vehicle.

Reports from the scene said a subject was lying in the roadway after having been struck by a newer, shorter model white box van with two black racks.

There were reported to be two subjects in the van, throwing boxes out of it and trying to hit a female subject, radio reports indicated.

The vehicle was reported to be heading eastbound on Highway 20 after hitting the pedestrian, based on reports from the scene. The California Highway Patrol and sheriff’s office were involved in the search for the van, with the Clearlake Police Department also notified.

Just after 1:45 a.m. authorities had stopped the van near the “Y,” the intersection of Highway 20 and Highway 53, and found it had damage consistent with the crash, according to radio reports.

In the meantime, fire personnel requested a REACH air ambulance respond to Lucerne Harbor Park to pick up the patient. A short time later, it was decided that a Northshore Fire ambulance would transport the patient to Sutter Lakeside Hospital and rendezvous there with REACH 18.

The CHP reported that the highway at the crash site was completely closed as of 1:45 a.m. and was expected to be closed for another two hours while scene processing took place.

At the scene at around 3 a.m., sheriff’s deputies and CHP officers had closed off several blocks of Highway 20 – between Fifth and Ninth avenues – and were rerouting traffic onto Country Club Drive.

Yellow tape was stretched across the highway between the sheriff’s substation at the corner of Seventh Avenue and Lucerne Harbor Park, with deputies and officers walking through the park and up and down the street with flashlights to search for evidence.

No details about the patient’s condition were immediately available, although authorities at the scene said the person was still alive as of shortly after 3 a.m.

Anyone with cameras in the area is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 707-262-4200.

Additional information will be published when it becomes available.

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


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Jody Buck Hickey, 39, of Kelseyville, Calif., was arrested for causing the Oak fire on Saturday, September 7, 2019, by Cal Fire law enforcement officers. Lake County Jail photo.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Cal Fire confirmed on Monday that it has arrested a local man for causing a weekend fire near Kelseyville that led to the evacuation of hundreds of residents and a highway closure.

Jody Buck Hickey, 39, of Kelseyville was arrested for equipment use that started the Oak fire on Saturday afternoon, Cal Fire reported.

Cal Fire said Hickey, a lifelong resident of Lake County, was welding and grinding in dry grass.

Hickey was charged by Cal Fire law enforcement officers with Penal Code 452(c), which states that a person is guilty of unlawfully causing a fire when he recklessly sets fire to or burns or causes to be burned any structure, forest land or property.

The Oak fire began at about 2 p.m. Saturday in the area of Live Oak Drive and Highway 29 in Kelseyville, a Lake County News has reported.

The fire burned 53 acres and one outbuilding, and threatened many other structures. Cal Fire said approximately 300 people were evacuated.

A large force of ground and air resources mobilized to stop the fire before it could move closer into Kelseyville.

During the fire fight, the heavy winds caused one spot to jump over Highway 29, and the close proximity to the highway resulted in about an eight-hour closure that was lifted shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday.

The Oak fire was fully contained at 53 acres on Sunday morning.

Hickey, whose occupation on his booking sheet is listed as “laborer,” was taken into custody at about 2 p.m. Saturday, at the time the fire started.

He has several previous arrests and prosecutions in Lake County stretching back more than a decade, including for vandalism, trespassing or obstructing a business, traffic infractions, drugs and drug paraphernalia possession, and assault and battery, according to sheriff’s and court records.

Hickey remains in the Lake County Jail, with bail set at $15,000.

He is scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday in Lake County Superior Court.

Cal Fire reminds area residents to use caution while using outdoor equipment or tools. Clear any dry vegetation or flammable items from your work area, have a water source nearby and stop work by 10 a.m.

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. – State, federal and local fire crews across California are hard at work bringing many wildland fire incidents closer to full containment.

The Mendocino National Forest reported that the Henthorne fire in the forest’s Yolla Bolly wilderness remained at 244 acres, with firefighters improving firelines and raising containment to 15 percent.

Crews are working in steep, rugged terrain on the fire 15 miles northeast of Covelo in Trinity County.

Officials said the fire has stopped spreading and is mostly creeping and smoldering.

There are 304 federal, state, local and private resources assigned to the incident including 17 engines, eight crews, one helicopter, two dozers and seven water tenders, the US Forest Service reported.

The fire has been under the unified command of the Mendocino National Forest and Cal Fire.

“We thank all of the resources that are assisting with the management of this incident. The interagency cooperation has been outstanding,” said Incident Commander Tony Arendt said.

As containment of the fire increases and the remaining work decreases, officials said crews are being released to return home to prepare for their next assignment.

The National Weather Service is reporting that warmer conditions are expected to return later this week. In the forest, temperatures are expected to be in the high 60s, with light wind.

State fires roundup

Cal Fire and the United States Forest Service gave the following updates on fires around California.

– Broder fire: 370 acres, 40-percent contained. The Broder fire began Sept. 6 northeast of Broder Meadow in the Sequoia National Forest in Tulare County. Cause: Lightning.

– Cow fire: 1,975 acres, 30-percent contained. The Cow fire began Sept. 6 in the Golden Trout Wilderness in the Inyo National Forest in Inyo County. Cause: Lightning.

– Duzel fire: 15 acres, 100-percent contained. The Duzel fire began Sept. 7 near the Duzel Rock Lookout northeast of Etna in Siskiyou County. Cause: Under investigation.

– Forbestown fire: 58 acres, 90-percent contained. The Forbestown fire began Sept. 6 east of Oroville in Butte County. There are 105 personnel assigned. Cause: Under investigation.

– Henthorne fire: 244 acres, 35-percent contained. The Henthorne fire began Thursday in the Yolla Bolly Wilderness in the Mendocino National Forest; it is located 15 miles northeast of Covelo in Trinity County. The fire is being managed under unified command by the Mendocino National Forest and Cal Fire. Cause: Under investigation.

– Kidder 2 fire: 151 acres, 15-percent contained. The Kidder 2 fire began Sept. 7 in the Marble Mountain Wilderness and Kidder Creek, northwest of Etna, in the Klamath National Forest in Siskiyou County. Cause: Lightning.

– Lime fire: 1,620 acres, 0-percent contained. The Lime fire began Sept. 7 southwest of Hornbrook in the Klamath National Forest in Siskiyou County. Cause: Lightning.

– Lone fire: 5,737 acres, 87-percent contained. The Lone fire began Sept. 6 at Pinnacle Lake on the Doublehead Ranger District in the Modoc National Forest in Modoc County. Cause: Lightning.

– McMurray fire: 200 acres, 40-percent contained. The McMurray fire began Sept. 9 north of Buellton in Santa Barbara County. Structures are threatened and evacuations are in effect. Cause: Under investigation.

– R-6 fire: 260 acres, 80-percent contained. The R-6 fire began Sept. 6 north of Fredonyer Peak and southwest of Termo in Lassen County on the Bureau of Land Management’s Northern California District. Cause: Lightning.

– Rams Horn fire: 238 acres, 30-percent contained. The Rams Horn fire began Sept. 7 northeast of Coffee Creek in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in Trinity County. It is expected to be fully contained on Sept. 21. Cause: Lightning.

– Red Bank fire: 8,838 acres, 75-percent contained, two structures destroyed. The Red Bank fire began Sept. 5 west of Red Bluff in Tehama County. There are 2,193 firefighters assigned. Cause: Lightning.

– South fire: 2,746 acres, 5-percent contained. The South fire began on Sept. 5 on the southeast aspect of Tomhead Mountain, south of Platina, in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in Tehama County. Cause: Lightning.

– Springs fire: 4,840 acres, 98-percent contained. The Springs fire began Sept. 6 southeast of Lee Vining in the Inyo National Forest in Mono County. Cause: Lightning.

– Swedes fire: 400 acres, 65-percent contained, two structures destroyed. The Swedes fire began Sept. 7 east of Oroville in Butte County. There are 224 personnel assigned. Cause: Under investigation.

– Taboose fire: 9,335 acres, 36-percent contained. The Taboose fire began Sept. 6 northwest of Aberdeen in Inyo County. There are 803 personnel assigned. Cause: Under investigation.

– Tenaja fire: 1,926 acres, 96-percent contained. The Tenaja fire began Sept. 4 in La Cresta in Riverside County. There are 108 personnel assigned. Cause: Under investigation.

– Walker fire: 47,340 acres, 20-percent contained. The Walker fire began Sept. 4 east of Genesee in Plumas County in the Plumas National Forest. There are 1,284 personnel assigned. Cause: Under investigation.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The man charged with killing his traveling partner at a Humboldt County campground and later dumping the body in Lake County has pleaded not guilty to murder and the other charges in the case.

Mavrick William Fisher, 21, of Elko, Nevada, entered his not guilty plea during a brief court appearance in Lake County Superior Court on Monday morning.

Authorities said that Fisher killed Grant David Whitaker, 25, of Mackinaw, Illinois, with a rock during a confrontation at Richardson Grove State Park in Humboldt County on Aug. 20.

Fisher is charged with murder; assault with a deadly weapon and a special allegation of inflicting great bodily injury; willfully and maliciously removing and keeping possession of the 2011 Chevrolet Impala that Whitaker had been driving; and unlawfully taking the car after the murder.

Fisher and Whitaker, both of them deaf, had reportedly been traveling west together in a 2011 Chevrolet Impala loaned to Whitaker by his grandmother.

District Attorney Susan Krones told Lake County News in a previous interview that they had visited various locations around California as part of a plan to create a deaf farming community.

At some point they had a disagreement and Whitaker informed Fisher that he was going to part ways, authorities said.

After killing Whitaker on the morning of Aug. 20, authorities say Fisher drove Whitaker’s body south in the Chevy Impala to Lake County, where he has acquaintances, disposing of the body at a property in the 7500 block of Scotts Valley Road.

On Aug. 24, Whitaker’s grandmother reported him missing after not hearing from him for several days. The missing person’s report was filed in Tazewell County, Illinois.

On the same day, after receiving information about the Chevy Impala, Lake County Sheriff’s deputies found it at the Clearlake Oaks Dollar General and impounded it.

The sheriff’s office found Whitaker’s body on Aug. 26 at the Scotts Valley Road location during the service of a search warrant.

After the murder, Fisher fled to Mexico. On the day Whitaker’s body was recovered, authorities in Rosarito, Mexico, contacted Fisher, taking him into custody and assisting with returning him to Lake County, where he was booked into the Lake County Jail on Aug. 28.

Krones plans to keep the case in Lake County, citing the jurisdiction California Penal Code section 790 gives Lake County because Whitaker’s body was found here.

On Aug. 30, Fisher made his first appearance for arraignment in Lake County Superior Court before Judge J. David Markham, who ordered him to return on Monday for the entry of plea and a bail hearing.

Bail set, plea entered

In preparation for Fisher’s Monday morning appearance, bailiffs brought into the courtroom a small extendable screen on wheels, which was used to shield Fisher and his attorney from the audience.

During the hearing, which lasted about 10 minutes, some members of the gallery complained about the screen. Judge Markham explained that the screen was necessary to protect Fisher’s communications with his attorney and the sign language interpreter, as their hand signing could be understood if seen by audience members, which is a breach of Fisher’s confidentiality.

Fisher has so far been held in the Lake County Jail without bail. His attorney, Tom Feimer, asked the court to set a bail amount.

“Mr. Fisher has no criminal record prior to this incident that he is charged with,” said Feimer, adding that there is no evidence that there is a substantial likelihood that Fisher’s release would result in great bodily injury to others.

Feimer said $1 million bail is extremely high given Fisher’s stated income – and likely would require a property bond – and he asked for a lesser amount.

However, Feimer also acknowledged that the minimum scheduled bail for the Lake County Superior Court for a murder charge – which is $1 million – is appropriate.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Rachel Abelson, who appeared on behalf of the District Attorney’s Office for the hearing, in turn argued that Fisher had proved he was a flight risk because he previously had fled to Mexico. She asked for him to continue to be held with no bail amount.

Feimer responded that Fisher said he had been on his way back to the United States when he was taken into custody, and that he’s made no other threats of violence to anyone.

Markham said he didn’t find the necessary facts to continue holding Fisher without bail, but said he found Fisher to be an extreme flight risk, with $1 million bail appropriate.

Fisher then, through Feimer, entered the not guilty plea to all of the counts, telling the court through his interpreter that he understood the time limits and agreed to waive them.

Markham concluded the hearing by setting Fisher’s preliminary hearing for 8:15 a.m. Oct. 23 in a department to be assigned ahead of the hearing.

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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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors will take up the final county budget for this fiscal year when it meets this week.

The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, 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 and online. Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.

In a hearing timed for the start of the meeting, the board will consider the 2019-20 final recommended budget for the county and its special districts.

The budget totals approximately $258,248,844.

County documents show that the property tax roll is anticipated to have a 5.61-percent increase for the new fiscal year, which is 2.28 percent over the previous year’s net total tax roll. For the 2018-19 tax year and the two coming tax years, the county is to get property tax backfill, a measure the state took to help Lake County recover from its wildfires.

Also on the agenda, in an untimed item, the board will discuss and consider the initial draft of an ordinance amending specified sections of Article 1 of Chapter 3 of the Lake County Code relating to agriculture and plant protection pertaining to industrial hemp, and consider forming an ad hoc committee that would be tasked with making recommendations for industrial hemp regulations.

In an item on the Tuesday consent agenda – which isn’t expected to be separately discussed – county staff is asking to continue the Friday office hour closures for county offices located in and surrounding the Lake County Courthouse.

The full agenda follows.

CONSENT AGENDA

5.1: Adopt resolution expressing support for the Lower Lake High School Homecoming Parade.

5.2: Approve letter of support for Lake County Watershed Protection District's grant application for the Scotts Creek Scientific Study.

5.25: Approve the purchase of communications equipment from (a) Fisher Wireless in the estimated amount of $20,000 and; (b) county of Mendocino in the estimated amount of $12,000 and; (c) Dailey-Wells in the estimated amount of $11,000 to be installed on Mt. St. Helena and authorize the sheriff to sign the purchase orders.

5.3: Adopt a resolution amending Resolution No. 2018-118 establishing temporary alternative office hours for county offices located in and surrounding the Lake County Courthouse.

5.4: Approve the minutes of the Board of Supervisors meeting held June 4, 2019, June 11, 2019, June 25, 2019, July 9, 2019, and Aug. 27, 2019.

5.5: Adopt resolution approving Agreement No.19-0267-022-SF with California Department of Food and Agriculture for compliance with the Sudden Oak Death Quarantine Program for the period July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020, in the amount of $6,483.28.

5.6: Adopt resolution approving Agreement No.19-0268-029-SF with the California Department of Food and Agriculture to authorize the execution of the Light Brown Apple Moth Detection Program July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020, in the amount of $2,484.

5.7: Adopt resolution approving Agreement No. 19-0630-000-SA with California Department of Food and Agriculture for compliance with the Nursery Inspection Program for the period July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020, in the amount of $500.

5.8: (a) Authorize to Appoint David Schwenger as interim assistant assessor-recorder; and (b) authorize to appoint Lan Dia Janakes as interim chief deputy assessor-recorder – valuations.

5.9: (a) Approve the District Attorney's Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification for the fiscal year July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019, and authorize the chair to sign; and (b) authorize Doris Lankford to electronically submit the report.

5.10: Approve out-of-state travel for Claudia Mendez and Crystal Martin, Oct. 20 to 23, to the Leave No Victim Behind IV Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.

5.11: Approve the certification of assurance of compliance form for the Victim-Witness Assistance Program for Oct. 1, 2019, through Sept. 30, 2020, and authorize the chair to sign.

5.12: Approve annual renewal of Veterans Subvention Program Certificate of Compliance and Medi-Cal Cost Avoidance Program Certificate and authorize the board chair to sign.

5.13: Approve long distance travel for Emillie Feenan to attend the CityMatCH Maternal and Child Health Leadership Conference in Providence, Rhode Island, from Sept. 20 through 26, 2019, in the amount of $2,500.

5.14: (a) Waive 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; (b) reconfirm agreement for medical services in Lake County's Detention Facility with California Forensic Medical Group in the amount of $2,745,582 for FY 2019-2022.

5.15: (a) Waive 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; (b) approve the five-year agreement between the county of Lake and Superion, LLC for financial systems hosting and migration services, with a one-time setup cost of $10,000, and $62,209.95 annual cost in year one, and authorize the board chair to sign.

5.16: Adopt resolution for temporarily prohibiting parking and authorizing removal of vehicles on Main Street (between Second and Fourth streets) in Kelseyville for the Kelseyville Pear Festival Farm to Fork Dinner and Dance on Sept. 27, 2019.

5.17: Adopt resolution for temporarily prohibiting parking and authorizing removal of vehicles on various roads in Kelseyville for the Kelseyville Pear Festival on Sept. 27 and 28, 2019.

5.18: Approve the continuation of a local emergency due to the Atmospheric River Event 2019.

5.19: Approve the continuation of a local emergency due to the Mendocino Complex Fire Incident (River and Ranch fires).

5.20: Approve the continuation of a local emergency due to the Pawnee fire Incident.

5.21: Approve the continuation of a local emergency due to the Sulphur fire Incident.

5.22: Approve the continuation of a local emergency due to the Clayton fire.

5.23: Approve the continuation of a local emergency due to the Atmospheric River Storm 2017.

5.24: Sitting as the Lake County Sanitation District Board of Directors, approve Amendment No. 1 to the agreement between Lake County Sanitation District and California Exterminators Alliance extending the contract for one year under the same terms and conditions in the amount of $29,348, and authorize the chair to sign.

5.26: Sitting as Lake County Watershed Protection District Board of Directors, adopt resolution authorizing the Lake County Watershed Protection District to file grant application and signature authorization to execute an agreement for a California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways Quagga and Zebra Mussel Infestation Prevention FY 2018/19 Grant Titled Clear Lake QZ Mussel Prevention Implementation Project FY 2018-19 Project.

5.27: Sitting as Lake County Watershed Protection District Board of Directors, approve the first amendment to an agreement with the Regents of the University of California in the amount of $110,670 for Sediment Sampling in Clear Lake, and authorize the chair to sign.

5.28: Sitting as Lake County Watershed Protection District Board of Directors, adopt resolution authorizing Lake County Watershed Protection District to file a grant application for the scientific study of the Scott's Creek Watershed.

5.29: Addendum, approve side letter to the Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s Association Memorandum of Understanding and authorize lead negotiator to sign.

TIMED ITEMS

6.1, 9 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of the Final Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2019/2020 for the county of Lake and Special Districts governed by the Board of Supervisors.

6.3, 9:06 a.m.: Consideration of continuation of a local health emergency and order prohibiting the endangerment of the community through the unsafe removal, transportation, and disposal of fire debris for the Mendocino Complex fire.

6.4, 9:10 a.m.: Presentation of Employee Service Awards.

6.5, 9:30 a.m.: Discussion and direction about seeking to offer voters the ability to vote on a sales tax measure to improve roads.

UNTIMED ITEMS

7.2: Consideration of appointment of a supervisor as an alternate to the Eel Russian River Commission.

7.3: Discussion and consideration of (a) the initial draft of an ordinance amending specified sections of Article 1 of Chapter 3 of the Lake County Code relating to agriculture and plant protection pertaining to industrial hemp; and (b) the formation of an ad-hoc committee to consider making recommendations to industrial hemp regulations.

7.4: Consideration of Change Order No. One for Clark Drive Pavement Repair Project; Federal Project No. BRLS-5914(025); Bid No. 18-24; for an increase of $2,251.15 and a revised contract amount of $299,578.15.

7.5: Consideration of presentation of the flood insurance assessment for unincorporated Lake County for 2019.

CLOSED SESSION

8.1: Public employee evaluations title: Animal Care and Control Director Jonathan Armas, County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson.

8.2: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.9(d)(1): County of Lake, et al. v. PG&E, et al.

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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