LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A routine Monday night traffic stop led to the arrest of a Northshore man who authorities say was responsible for a Sunday hit-and-run crash that seriously injured a girl in Lucerne.

Andrew James Gravlee, 27, of Nice was arrested following the stop in which he was a passenger in a vehicle driven by a woman arrested for driving under the influence and other drug-related charges, according to the California Highway Patrol's Clear Lake Area office.

On Wednesday Gravlee was arraigned in Lake County Superior Court and is set to return for further proceedings next week, according to Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff.

Based on an investigation that includes eyewitness accounts, authorities believe that it was Gravlee who was at the wheel of a 2015 GMC U-Haul pickup that hit a 2002 Honda Accord parked on the side of Highway 20 in Lucerne on Sunday afternoon.

The crash caused the Honda to roll forward and hit a San Jose girl who was standing on the side of the highway directly in front of the car, the CHP said.

The driver of the U-Haul then fled the scene, dumping the pickup – still filled with appliances and furniture – on a dirt road in the hills above Lucerne, according to the CHP.

The pickup was found Sunday evening following a search that included several CHP units on the ground along with a CHP helicopter that searched the hillsides, as Lake County News has reported.

Officials did not have an update on Wednesday on the condition of the girl, who was flown to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland with major injuries that included both of her legs being broken.

CHP Officer Joe Wind said that, based on the investigation, officers developed information that led them to make Gravlee a person of interest in the crash.

However, while investigators were attempting to locate him, it was another officer out on routine patrol who would help take Gravlee into custody, said Wind.

“How it came about was just awesome,” said Wind.

CHP Officer John Geer had just returned from an Explorer competition out of county. When he came on shift on Monday, he didn't know what had been happening on the prior shift, Wind said.

Wind said Geer was out on patrol when he spotted a vehicle – as it happened, a 1998 Honda Accord – without a front license plate in the area of Pomo Pumps on Highway 20 east of Upper Lake.

Geer pulled the Honda over as part of a normal enforcement stop, according to Wind.

During the enforcement stop, Geer noticed the female driver, Talia-Alene Elizabeth Correia, 26, of Nice appeared to be under the influence, Wind said.

At the same time, Wind said CHP Dispatch told Geer that Gravlee, riding as Correia's passenger, was a person of interest in the Sunday crash.

“We had developed some potential leads,” Wind explained.

Officer Mark Crutcher, who has been leading the investigation into the crash, was off duty at that point. However, Wind said Crutcher was called back to duty because of Geer locating Gravlee.

Once he was back on duty, Crutcher would arrest Gravlee on charges related to the crash shortly before 10 p.m. Monday, according to Wind.

During the stop officers found methamphetamine, marijuana and a meth pipe in the vehicle, Wind said.

Wind said Geer subsequently arrested Correia for misdemeanor driving under the influence of drugs, possession of a controlled substance and possession of controlled substance paraphernalia.

Correia is not believed to have had anything to do with the Sunday crash, according to Wind.

“Everything indicates he was by himself,” Wind said of Gravlee.

Through interviewing Gravlee, Crutcher had enough reason to believe he was the U-Haul driver. “Everything developed super fast,” Wind said.

On Tuesday Crutcher spent much of the day doing followup work on the investigation, with Wind adding that the investigative work is continuing.

Meantime, Crutcher forwarded a basic case, including a preliminary arrest report, to the District Attorney's Office. Wind said the goal was to get Gravlee arraigned and held in custody, as there are concerns he is a flight risk.

Hinchcliff said Gravlee made his first court appearance on Wednesday.

Gravlee is charged with felonies including assault with a deadly weapon – in this case, the U-Haul pickup – as well as hit-and-run and assault by means of force likely to create great bodily injury, Hinchcliff said.

In addition, Hinchcliff said the District Attorney's Office has charged Gravlee with two misdemeanor counts for reckless driving and being an unlicensed driver.

Gravlee's bail was set at $75,000, Hinchcliff said. However, Gravlee also has a no-bail hold for violating felony probation on a local drug possession case.

Hinchcliff said Gravlee also has a criminal history out of the state of Washington, including a case of auto theft.

Gravlee is scheduled to return to court on the morning of July 6 for appearance of counsel and entry of plea, Hinchcliff said. Senior Deputy District Attorney Ed Borg will be handling the 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.

With the sale of “Safe and Sane” fireworks beginning on Tuesday in nearly 300 communities across California, Cal Fire is reminding everyone to do their part to prevent fires caused by fireworks this July 4.

Over the past five years, more than 2,500 structure and wildfires have been sparked by fireworks, burning thousands of acres, causing countless injuries and costing millions in property loss.

“Illegal fireworks, or even the unsafe use of 'Sane and Sane' fireworks, are a major problem every year,” said Chief Tonya Hoover, California’s state fire marshal. “We have a zero tolerance towards the possession, sale or use of illegal fireworks and our officers will be patrolling the streets and Internet this week.”

Fire and law enforcement officers across the State are working together to confiscate illegal fireworks off the streets.

Earlier this month, Cal Fire joined a multi-agency fireworks seizure operation in San Bernardino County.

The operation resulted in the confiscation of 25,406 pounds of illegal fireworks, 51 misdemeanor citations were issued, as well as two felony arrests.

In Placer County, a similar multi-agency operation occurred at the agricultural inspection station in Truckee. More than 1,882 pounds of fireworks were confiscated resulting in 20 misdemeanor citations and seven felony arrests.

“Wildfire activity has significantly increased during the last several weeks and California continues to experience explosive fire conditions as a result of five years of drought," said Chief Ken Pimlott, Cal Fire director. "Everyone needs to understand the dangers associated with the use of illegal fireworks or misuse of legal fireworks. Any person who starts a fire from fireworks – even accidentally – can be held liable for the fire-fighting costs as well as property damage costs.”

The State Fire Marshal-approved “Safe and Sane” fireworks are allowed for use in many communities; however, they are not approved state-wide. Before purchasing these types of fireworks, be sure to check your local laws and follow the instructions to avoid accidents and injuries.

Here are a few tips to help you be safe this July 4:

• If fireworks are not legal where you live, do not use them.
• Buy only State Fire Marshal-approved (Safe and Sane) fireworks.
• Have a bucket of water and a hose handy.
• Always read directions and have an adult present.
• Use fireworks outdoors only.
• Parents are liable for any damage or injuries caused by their children using fireworks.
• Use common sense and keep a safe distance.
• Never attempt to re-light or “fix” fireworks.

Visit www.ReadyforWildfire.org for tips on how to prevent a wildfire this July 4.

California Secretary of State Alex Padilla announced that an initiative to legalize marijuana for recreational use has qualified for the Nov. 8 general election ballot.

In order to become eligible for the ballot, the initiative needed 365,880 valid petition signatures, which is equal to 5 percent of the total votes cast for governor in the November 2014 General Election, Padilla's office reported.

An initiative can qualify via random sampling of petition signatures if the sampling projects a number of valid signatures greater than 110 percent of the required number, officials said.

The initiative needed at least 402,468 projected valid signatures to qualify by random sampling, and it exceeded that threshold on Tuesday.

The initiative was cleared for circulation in January and had 180 days – or until July 5 – to gather the necessary signatures.

On June 30 Padilla will certify the initiative as qualified for the Nov. 8 General Election ballot, unless the proponent withdraws the initiative prior to that date pursuant to Elections Code section 9604(b).

The proponents of this initiative are Donald Lyman and Michael Sutton.

The California Attorney General's Office official title and summary of the initiative is as follows:

MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION. INITIATIVE STATUTE. Legalizes marijuana and hemp under state law. Designates state agencies to license and regulate marijuana industry. Imposes state excise tax on retail sales of marijuana equal to 15% of sales price, and state cultivation taxes on marijuana of $9.25 per ounce of flowers and $2.75 per ounce of leaves. Exempts medical marijuana from some taxation. Establishes packaging, labeling, advertising, and marketing standards and restrictions for marijuana products. Allows local regulation and taxation of marijuana. Prohibits marketing and advertising marijuana to minors. Authorizes resentencing and destruction of records for prior marijuana convictions. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local government: Net reduced costs ranging from tens of millions of dollars to potentially exceeding $100 million annually to state and local governments related to enforcing certain marijuana-related offenses, handling the related criminal cases in the court system, and incarcerating and supervising certain marijuana offenders. Net additional state and local tax revenues potentially ranging from the high hundreds of millions of dollars to over $1 billion annually related to the production and sale of marijuana. Most of these funds would be required to be spent for specific purposes such as substance use disorder education, prevention, and treatment. (15-0103.)

LUCERNE, Calif. – The Northshore Community Center is welcoming a new executive director.

The organization reported that Nathan Maxman has been hired to fill the role, effective July 1.

Maxman succeeds Rae Eby-Carl, who has led the center – formerly named the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center – since March 2013.

The board of directors reported that it worked hard to recruit a competent, enthusiastic and dedicated person to step into the role of executive director. 

The nonprofit center serves the Northshore's families and senior populations with on-site lunches, Meals on Wheels, personal advocacy, activities, food pantry and other services.

Maxman is a member of the first graduating class at Marymount California University's Lakeside Campus in Lucerne.

In May received his Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in business with a concentration in accounting. 

His experience includes bookkeeping for a Lakeport church and volunteering for many social service organizations. 

Maxman understands business operations as well as maintaining and developing budgets, and the center board believes his fiscal experience will be a great benefit to the center.

In addition, Maxman is very familiar with services for the senior populations of Lake County and looks forward to becoming familiar with those on the Northshore.

He has worked with volunteers and looks forward to generating more to help the center provide its services.

Maxman and Eby-Carl have been involved in orientation and information exchange for a week.

Eby-Carl, who retires June 30, said she is “leaving the center in very good hands with Mr. Maxman in charge and a full board of nine directors to support him.”

The Northshore Community Center is located at 3985 Country Club Drive, telephone 707-274-8779.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Firefighters are closing in on full containment on a wildland fire burning since Sunday northeast of Clearlake Oaks.

The Reservoir fire was reported to be at 75-percent containment early Tuesday evening.

Cal Fire said firefighters have continued to hold the blaze at 215 acres.

It has burned in oak grass woodland and heavy brush between the water's edge at the Indian Valley Reservoir and Hough Springs, along Bartlett Springs Road.

Cal Fire said fire crews continued to work steadily through the day on Tuesday, establishing containment lines around the south part of the fire.

The agency said no structures have been threatened, damaged or destroyed.

Cal Fire continues to keep a large amount of resources on scene, including 25 engine companies, 14 fire crews, seven bulldozers, two water tenders, two helicopters, 25 overhead or chief personnel, and more than 350 firefighters.

There has been no update on a possible cause, which Cal Fire said remains 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.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Cal Fire reported that firefighters have fully contained a wildland fire near the Indian Valley Reservoir.

The 215-acre Reservoir fire reached 100-percent containment on Tuesday night, Cal Fire said.

That update came after a report earlier in the evening that had put the fire's containment level at 75 percent, as Lake County News has reported.

Cal Fire said the fire began on Sunday evening seven miles southwest of Leesville, between the Indian Valley Reservoir and Hough Springs, along Bartlett Springs Road.

Fire officials confirmed that the blaze was spotted by volunteers at the Mount Konocti fire lookout tower, which is once again being staffed during daytime hours.

No cause has yet been given for the fire, which Cal Fire said did not damage any structures.

The Reservoir fire is the largest incident so far in Lake County's summer fire season.

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.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Divers have recovered the body of a Palo Alto man who became the fourth person to die in a water-related incident in Lake County in the past month after he fell into the lake at Clear Lake State Park over the weekend.

The body of Caldwell Joseph Pitre, 59, of Palo Alto was found on Monday morning, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Brooks said deputies responded to the Clear Lake State Park Marina in Kelseyville at approximately 8:12 p.m. Sunday on the report of a male subject who had reportedly fallen into the water and not surfaced.  

Brooks said Central Dispatch advised that people had witnessed Pitre fall from his boat – which was next to the docks – into the water, and that several people who saw the fall were in the water trying to locate Pitre.

Witnesses said they saw Pitre pull into the dock area of the marina just as it was starting to get dark.  They noticed Pitre leaning over the side of his boat; he appeared to be tying the boat to the dock when he slipped and fell into the water, Brooks said.

Pitre was reported to have surfaced a couple of times and yelled for help. As several people attempted to help Pitre, he disappeared below the surface and they could not locate him, Brooks said.

Deputies from both patrol and the marine unit responded to the area and started searching for Pitre. Brooks said Clear Lake State Park rangers also responded and assisted with the search.  

The Northshore Dive Team responded to the scene and searched the area around the dock where Pitre was last seen. Brooks said the divers also searched areas where the marine deputies had obtained images of unknown objects with their side scan sonar.

Deputies and park rangers searched the area of the marina using side scan sonar until approximately 1:45 Monday, when they were forced to scale back the search due to exhausting all of the current resources, in addition to the poor visibility and lack of light, Brooks said.

Brooks said the search resumed at approximately 7:45 a.m. Monday, with deputies using their side scan sonar.  

At approximately 11 a.m. Monday deputies were able to locate and mark an unknown object and requested the Northshore Dive Team, he said.

Brooks said that approximately 15 minutes later divers located Pitre and recovered his body from the water.

Pitre’s cause of death is pending autopsy results, Brooks said.

Pitre's death is the fourth in less than a month involving Clear Lake, as Lake County News has reported.

On May 28, 74-year-old James Michael Leale of San Jose and Clearlake Park disappeared into the lake near Anderson Island and Vacation Island following a boating accident, with divers later recovering his body.

Walter Patrick Hoertkorn, 69, of Kelseyville, died while swimming in the lake near Kelseyville on June 2.

Michael Eugene Haberski, 59, of Sebastopol fell from his sailboat into Konocti Bay on the evening of June 7.

Brooks confirmed to Lake County News on Tuesday that autopsies have confirmed that drowning was the primary cause of death for Leale, Hoertkorn and Haberski.