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CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – Water system maintenance last week has resulted in water quality complaints from Clearlake Oaks residents, with the district offering an explanation of the situation and saying that the water meets safety standards.

Clearlake Oaks residents contacted Lake County News about the issue on Monday, describing issues not just with taste but also the smell of the water. They said the situation has lasted for several days.

That coincides with water system maintenance work that occurred last week, according to Clearlake Oaks County Water and Sanitation District General Manager Alan Gardner.

“Our chief plant operator has been on top of this and the drinking water is all within primary drinking water standards,” Gardner said.

However, last Friday the district changed out its carbon filters, which has to happen every three to five years, he explained.

Those carbon filters help with improving taste and smell, and controlling cyanotoxins, he said.

During the two to three hours the filters were being replaced, water got into the system that was not filtered, Gardner explained.

While he said the water is safe to drink, it lacked the finish that the filters give.

As a result, Gardner said he was having the system flushed of all water that didn’t go through the carbon filters.

He expected the water’s taste and smell would improve as a result within the next few days at most.

Gardner said the district has been receiving phone calls about the change in the water and have been explaining it.

As for how the lake looks this year, Gardner said they are now starting to get an algal bloom.

“Our guys handle them very well,” he said of the blooms.

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. – Candidates in the June 5 primary have turned in their latest campaign documents, which give a picture into contributions and expenditures for all of the races for the year so far.

The latest campaign finance disclosure documents, filed with the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office in late May, show that across six campaigns – including the unopposed sheriff-coroner election – approximately $151,790.54 has been raised so far.

Of that amount, a review of documents puts the total loans candidates or their supporters have made to their campaigns at $61,884.31, about 40 percent of total contributions reported.

Leading the fundraising across all races this primary campaign season is district attorney candidate Steven Brown. His latest financial statement reports $41,938 raised year to date, of which $10,000 is a loan from developer Bill Brunetti.

Brown’s total is nearly three times the amount raised by his opponent, Susan Krones, whose year-to-date total is $14,518; of that amount, she loaned herself $8,500.

The district attorney’s race has the highest overall contribution total of all races, with $56,456 reported.

In the race for Lake County Superior Court judge, just over $39,000 has been raised. Leading the field in fundraising is candidate Shanda Harry, with $29,585.91. She loaned herself $15,178.87 for the year to date. However, because she has paid those loans back, they do not count toward her overall contributions total.

Harry’s total contributions amount is more than three times the total raised by her two opponents – Don Anderson and Andre Ross – combined. Anderson’s documents show he has raised $8,367 this year – of which $3,000 is a loan to himself – and Ross has reported $1,100 in total contributions.

District 3 supervisorial candidates have raised just over $25,000 combined. Documents show EJ Crandell has raised $14,802.50 year to date, of which $4,580.44 are loans given to his campaign by himself and Olga Martin Steele. Denise Loustalot reported total contributions of $10,926, a figure which includes no loans.

In the county superintendent of schools race, Brock Falkenberg has $18,049, of which $17,000 was a loan he made to his own campaign. His opponent, Patrick Iaccino, reported a total contribution amount of $3,100, all of which he loaned himself for the run.

Of the two candidates in the District 2 supervisor race, Bruno Sabatier has raised the most, $4,837, with no loans reported. Joyce Overton reported $1,767.13, and loaned herself $525.

Although he is running unchallenged, Sheriff Brian Martin reported $2,800 in contributions raised year to date.

In reviewing the candidates’ financial paperwork, Lake County News created the following summary of race fundraising totals:

District 2 supervisor: Total, $6,604.13; Bruno Sabatier, $4,837; Joyce Overton, $1,767.13.

District 3 supervisor: Total, $25,728.50; EJ Crandell, $14,802.50; Denise Loustalot, $10,926.

District attorney: Total, $56,456; Steven Brown, $41,938; Susan Krones, $14,518.

Sheriff-Coroner: Total, $2,800; Brian Martin (unopposed), $2,800.

Superintendent of schools: Total, $21,149; Brock Falkenberg, $18,049; Patrick Iaccino, $3,100.

Superior Court judge: Total, $39,052.91; Shanda Harry, $29,585.91; Don Anderson, $8,367; Andre Ross, $1,100.

A breakdown of the candidates’ financials is published below. The numbers are based primarily on campaign disclosure statement summary sheets matched against reviews of the rest of the submitted documents. Discrepancies are noted.


DISTRICT 2 SUPERVISOR

Joyce Overton

Contributions received

Total contributions received, year to date/overall: $1,767.13
Total contributions received for reporting period: $0
Monetary contributions, year to date: $1,079
Monetary contributions for reporting period: $509
Loans received, year to date: $525 (from self)
Loans received for reporting period: $0
Nonmonetary contributions, year to date: $163.13
Nonmonetary contributions for reporting period: $0

Expenditures made

Total expenditures made, year to date: $770.95
Total expenditures made for reporting period: $0
Payments made, year to date: $770.95
Payments made for reporting period: $0
Loans made, year to date: $0
Loans made for reporting period: $0

Current cash statement

Beginning cash balance: $324.05
Cash receipts: $509
Cash payments: $0
Ending cash balance: $833.05
Outstanding debts: $0

Top monetary contributors, campaign to date

1. Julie Burrow, Clearlake Planning Department, Clearlake, $150

Top expenses

1. Independent Voters Guide, Torrance; voters guide, $450
2. Signs on the Cheap, Austin, Texas; campaign signs, $318.30

Bruno Sabatier

Contributions received

Total contributions received, year to date/overall: $4,837
Total contributions received for reporting period: $4,837
Monetary contributions, year to date: $4,837
Monetary contributions for reporting period: $4,837
Loans received, year to date: $0
Loans received for reporting period: $0
Nonmonetary contributions, year to date: $0
Nonmonetary contributions for reporting period: $0

Expenditures made

Total expenditures made, year to date: $4,838.72
Total expenditures made for reporting period: $2,505.76
Payments made, year to date: $4,838.72
Payments made for reporting period: $2,505.76
Loans made, year to date: $0
Loans made for reporting period: $0

Current cash statement

Beginning cash balance: $1,095.94
Cash receipts: $1,609
Cash payments: $2,505.76
Ending cash balance: $
Outstanding debts: $

Top five monetary contributors, year to date

1. Chris Jennings, LHS Management LLC owner, Hidden Valley Lake, $999; Jason Jones, D&M Compassion Center owner, Santa Rosa, $999
2. Bruno Sabatier, outreach specialist at Woodland College, $980
3. North Bay Labor Council, Santa Rosa, $500; Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3, $500

Top five expenses, year to date

1. Ad Vantage Marketing, Santa Rosa; mailer, $2,146.89
2. Lake County News, Lucerne; advertising, $1,280
3. Signs on the Cheap, Austin, Texas; campaign paraphernalia, $533.18
4. Signs of Randy Hare, Clearlake; mailer, $358.87
5. Flyer Than You, Rodeo; campaign literature, $260

DISTRICT 3 SUPERVISOR

EJ Crandell

Contributions received

Total contributions received, year to date/overall: $14,802.50 ($11,933.87 reported on summary form; see discrepancy note below)
Total contributions received for reporting period: $3,150.67
Monetary contributions, year to date: $6,611.76
Monetary contributions for reporting period: $2,784
Loans received, year to date: $4,580.44 ( includes $1,819.81 from self, $2,493.63 from Olga Martin Steele, retired, of Clearlake Oaks)
Loans received for reporting period: $0
Nonmonetary contributions, year to date: $3,610.30 ($741.67 reported on the summary form; see discrepancy note below on this figure)
Nonmonetary contributions for reporting period: $366.67

Expenditures made

Total expenditures made, year to date: $9,252.89
Total expenditures made for reporting period: $3,881,88
Payments made, year to date: $8,511.22
Payments made for reporting period: $3,515.21
Loans made, year to date: $0
Loans made for reporting period: $0

Current cash statement

Beginning cash balance: $0
Cash receipts: $2,784
Cash payments: $3,515.21
Ending cash balance: $2,784
Outstanding debts: $4,580.44

Top six monetary contributors, year to date

1. Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake Project Operations, Upper Lake, $2,500
2. Robert Adelman, Benmore Ranch, Lakeport, $2,000
3. Denise Rushing, retired, Upper Lake, $100; Judy Conard, attorney, Lakeport, $100; Holly Harris and Chuck Lamb, Harris & Lamb LLC, $100; Jered Hendricks, Hendricks Sculpture Studio, Lakeport, $100

Top five expenses, year to date

1. Pak N Mail, Lakeport; literature, $2,760
2. Signs on the Cheap, Austin, Texas; campaign paraphernalia, $1,900.73
3. Lake County Registrar of Voters, Lakeport; filing fees, $1,736.81
4. Vista Print, Waltham, Mass.; campaign paraphernalia, $302.51
5. Lake Builders Supply, Nice; hardware supplies, $242.15

Discrepancy noted:

Campaign filing documents indicate that Crandell received an estimated $3,610.30 in nonmonetary contributions for the year to date; only $741.67 is entered in the “nonmonetary contributions year to date” line on the latest filings.

Those contributions include:

– Olga Martin Steele, retired, Clearlake Oaks, $2,493.63 for literature, campaign signs, car magnets and bumper stickers, and campaign buttons.
– Scotty McNeil, retired, Clearlake Oaks, $366.67 for campaign headquarters space.

That correction brings his correct overall contributions total to $14,802.50.


Denise Loustalot

Contributions received

Total contributions received, year to date/overall: $10,926
Total contributions received for reporting period: $6,330
Monetary contributions, year to date: $10,926
Monetary contributions for reporting period: $6,330
Loans received, year to date: $4,000 (from self)
Loans received for reporting period: $0
Nonmonetary contributions, year to date: $0
Nonmonetary contributions for reporting period: $0

Expenditures made

Total expenditures made, year to date: $10,189.74
Total expenditures made for reporting period: $5,627.74
Payments made, year to date: $10,189.74
Payments made for reporting period: $5,627.74
Loans made, year to date: $0
Loans made for reporting period: $0

Current cash statement

Beginning cash balance: $134
Cash receipts: $6,330
Cash payments: $5,627.74
Ending cash balance: $836.26
Outstanding debts: $4,000

Top six monetary contributors, campaign to date (more listed due to same amount)

1. Dale Valentine, Clearlake, retired, $1,000; James Jones, Lower Lake, retired, $1,000
2. California Real Estate Political Action Committee, Los Angeles, $500; Andrew Peterson, Lucerne, retired, $500; Pacific Recycling Solutions, Ukiah, business, $500; Tri County Scrap Metal LLC, Ukiah, business, $500; C&S Waste Solutions, Ukiah, busines, $500

Top four expenses, year to date

1. Chris Jones Consulting, Newcastle; consulting services $8,627.74
2. SIgnworx, Olivehurst; campaign signs, $1,121.84
3. JC Evans Inc., Gold River; information technology, $1,000
4. Lake County News, Lucerne; advertising, $500

DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S RACE

Steven Brown

Contributions received

Total contributions received, year to date/overall: $41,938
Total contributions received for reporting period: $18,762
Monetary contributions, year to date: $26,953
Monetary contributions for reporting period: $15,568
Loans received, year to date: $10,000; loan from Bill Brunetti, Bruno’s Property Management LLC, Lakeport
Loans received for reporting period: $0
Nonmonetary contributions, year to date: $4,985
Nonmonetary contributions for reporting period: $3,194

Expenditures made

Total expenditures made, year to date: $35,309
Total expenditures made for reporting period: $20,798
Payments made, year to date: $35,459
Payments made for reporting period: $20,798
Loans made, year to date: $0
Loans made for reporting period: $0

Current cash statement

Beginning cash balance: $14,565
Cash receipts: $15,568
Cash payments: $0
Ending cash balance: $9,335
Outstanding debts: $10,000

Top five monetary contributors, campaign to date

1. Rob Brown, bail bonds company owner and county supervisor, Kelseyville, $3,200
2. Woody’s Gas Station, Upper Lake, $2,000
3. Beau Moore for District 5 Supervisor 2020, Lakeport, $1,800
4. Angela Carter, attorney, Hidden Valley Lake, $1,530
5. Ronald Campos, Lakeport, retired, $1,000

Top five expenses, year to date

1. Chris Jones Consulting, Newcastle; reimburse for brochures and signs, $27,066
2. Tony Siciliani, Sacramento; printing and mailing costs, $8,831
3. US Postmaster, Norwalk; postage, $6,055
Lake County Registrar of Voters, Lakeport; candidate filing and statement fees, $2,643
4. Hareline Graphics, West Sacramento; design and layout services, $2,050; Lake County News, Lucerne; advertising, $2,050

Susan Krones

Contributions received

Total contributions received, year to date/overall: $14,518
Total contributions received for reporting period: $6,905
Monetary contributions, year to date: $6,018
Monetary contributions for reporting period: $3,405
Loans received, year to date: $8,500 (from self)
Loans received for reporting period: $3,500 (from self)
Nonmonetary contributions, year to date: $0
Nonmonetary contributions for reporting period: $0

Expenditures made

Total expenditures made, year to date: $11,917
Total expenditures made for reporting period: $13,605
Payments made, year to date: $7,067
Payments made for reporting period: $1,850
Loans made, year to date: $0
Loans made for reporting period: $0

Current cash statement

Beginning cash balance: $2,696
Cash receipts: $6,905
Cash payments: $1,850
Ending cash balance: $7,751
Outstanding debts: $13,350

Top five monetary contributors, year to date

1. Smart Justice California, San Francisco, $800
2. Virginia Cerenio, Lakeport, $550
3. Lake County Democratic Central Committee, Sacramento, $450
4. Martha Mincer, Kelseyville, $250; Tina Scott, Lakeport, $250

Top five expenses for year to date

1. Pak N Mail, Lakeport; literature, $4,850
2. Vista Print, Columbia, Tenn.; campaign paraphernalia, $2,689
3. Lake County Registrar of Voters, Lakeport; filing fees, $1,433
4. Nancy Harby, Lakeport; travel reimbursement to attend March Smart Justice conference, $858
5. BuildASign.com, Austin, Texas; campaign paraphernalia, $627

SHERIFF-CORONER

Brian Martin (running unopposed)

Contributions received

Total contributions received, year to date/overall: $2,800
Total contributions received for reporting period: $1,800
Monetary contributions, year to date: $2,800
Monetary contributions for reporting period: $1,800
Loans received, year to date: $0
Loans received for reporting period: $0
Nonmonetary contributions, year to date: $0
Nonmonetary contributions for reporting period: $0

Expenditures made

Total expenditures made, year to date: $4,584
Total expenditures made for reporting period: $1,665
Payments made, year to date: $4,584
Payments made for reporting period: $1,665
Loans made, year to date: $0
Loans made for reporting period: $0

Current cash statement

Beginning cash balance: $11,485
Cash receipts: $1,800
Cash payments: $0
Ending cash balance: $11,620
Outstanding debts: $0

Monetary contributors, year to date

1. Moore for District 5 Supervisor 2020, Lakeport, $1,800
2. Nell Shaul, Kelseyville, manager, Allied Information Networks Inc., Kelseyville, $1,000

Expenses for year to date

1. Accounting Champion, Santa Rosa; professional services, $1,400
2. Registrar of Voters, Lakeport; filing fees, $1,169
3. We Support Lake County Yes on Measure G, Lucerne, $500; Clear Lake High School, $500; Lake County Sheriff’s Foundation, $500

SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

Brock Falkenberg

Contributions received

Total contributions received, year to date/overall: $18,049
Total contributions received for reporting period: $700
Monetary contributions, year to date: $1,049
Monetary contributions for reporting period: $700
Loans received, year to date: $17,000 (from self)
Loans received for reporting period: $0
Nonmonetary contributions, year to date: $0
Nonmonetary contributions for reporting period: $0

Expenditures made

Total expenditures made, year to date: $12,083
Total expenditures made for reporting period: $1,497
Payments made, year to date: $12,083
Payments made for reporting period: $1,497
Loans made, year to date: $0
Loans made for reporting period: $0

Current cash statement

Beginning cash balance: $6,763
Cash receipts: $700
Cash payments: $1,497
Ending cash balance: $5,966
Outstanding debts: $17,000 (loan repayment)

Top six monetary contributors, campaign to date (more listed due to same amount)

1. Lake County Democratic Central Committee, Sacramento, $400
2. Martha Mincer, owner of Stonehill Consulting, Kelseyville, $250
3. Lake County Democratic Club, Lower Lake, $100; Constance Lemen-Kosla, solar developer, $100; Ruth Falkenberg, San Rafael, retired, $100; Timothy Doukas, Kelseyville, retired, $100

Top five expenses, year to date

1. Lake County Registrar of Voters, Lakeport; filing fees, $3,921
2. Cal Voter Guide, Torrance; campaign literature, $2,627
3. Signsonthecheap.com, Austin, Texas; campaign literature, $1,717
4. Lake County News, Lucerne; advertising, $1,500
5. CCPS Voter Guide, Folsom; campaign literature, $900

Patrick Iaccino

Contributions received

Total contributions received, year to date/overall: $3,100
Total contributions received for reporting period: $0
Monetary contributions, year to date: $0
Monetary contributions for reporting period: $0
Loans received, year to date: $3,100 (from self)
Loans received for reporting period: $0
Nonmonetary contributions, year to date: $0
Nonmonetary contributions for reporting period: $0

Expenditures made

Total expenditures made, year to date: $2,801.86
Total expenditures made for reporting period: $883.86
Payments made, year to date: $2,801.86
Payments made for reporting period: $839.86
Loans made, year to date: $0
Loans made for reporting period: $0

Current cash statement

Beginning cash balance: $1,138
Cash receipts: $0
Cash payments: $839.86
Ending cash balance: $298.14
Outstanding debts: $3,100 (loan repayment)

Top five monetary contributors, year to date

None; all funds for campaign come from loan to self.

Top five expenses, year to date

1. Lake County News, Lucerne; advertising, $1,240
2. Super Cheap Signs, Austin, Texas; signs, $672
3. Voice Broadcasting Corp., Arlington, Texas; get out the vote phone calls; $330
4. Bicoastal Media, Lakeport; radio ads; $300
5. Vista Print, Reno, Nev.; fliers printing, $209.86


SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE

Don Anderson

Contributions received

Note: Anderson’s latest filings did not include the summary page totaling contributions and expenditures, so the following totals are offered based on a review of his documents.

Total contributions received, year to date/overall: $8,367
Total contributions received for reporting period: $4,597
Monetary contributions, year to date: $5,397
Monetary contributions for reporting period: $4,597
Loans received, year to date: $3,000
Loans received for reporting period: $0
Nonmonetary contributions, year to date: $0
Nonmonetary contributions for reporting period: $0

Expenditures made

Total expenditures made, year to date: $8,178.82
Total expenditures made for reporting period: $4,792
Payments made, year to date: $8,178.82
Payments made for reporting period: $4,792
Loans made, year to date: $0
Loans made for reporting period: $0

Current cash statement

Beginning cash balance: $413.18
Cash receipts: Unable to determine
Cash payments: Unable to determine
Ending cash balance: Unable to determine
Outstanding debts: $3,000

Top five monetary contributors, year to date

1. Angela Carter, attorney, Hidden Valley Lake, $1,499
2. Carol Manning/Comprehensive Support Solutions, Clearlake Park, $1,000
3. Bruce Kendall, trustee, Calistoga, $500; Perry, Johnson, Anderson, Miller & Moskowitz LLP, Santa Rosa; $500
4. Mitchell Hauptman, attorney, Lakeport, $300

Top five expenses, year to date

1. Pak N Mail, Lakeport; literature, $3,207.70
2. Jody Galvan, Middletown; order for signs, $2,133.82
3. Lake County Record-Bee, Lakeport; print advertising, $1,050
4. CALSal Voter Guide, Torrance; voter guide, $533
5. Larry Levine’s Election Digest P2018, Torrance; election digest, $503


Shanda Harry

Contributions received

Total contributions received, year to date/overall: $29,585.91
Total contributions received for reporting period: $3,722.99
Monetary contributions, year to date: $19,878
Monetary contributions for reporting period: $3,374
Loans received, year to date: $1,792.11 ($15,178.87 in loans made but repaid)
Loans received for reporting period: $1,545.61
Nonmonetary contributions, year to date: $7,915.80
Nonmonetary contributions for reporting period: $1,894.60

Expenditures made

Total expenditures made, year to date: $29,241.02
Total expenditures made for reporting period: $9,566.88
Payments made, year to date: $21,325.22
Payments made for reporting period: $7,672.28
Loans made, year to date: $0
Loans made for reporting period: $0

Current cash statement

Beginning cash balance: $6,188.78
Cash receipts: $1,828.39
Cash payments: $7,672.28
Ending cash balance: $2,649.39
Outstanding debts: $1,792.11 (loans)

Top five monetary contributors, year to date

1. Shanda Harry, deputy county counsel, Lakeport, $2,350
2. Mary Harry, retired, Lucerne, $2,000
3. Martha Mincer, retired, Kelseyville, $1,660
4. Wynona Harry, retired, Lucerne, $1,300
5. Judy Conard, attorney, Lakeport, $1,230

Top five expenses

1. GW2 Printing Inc., Santa Rosa; campaign mailings, $10,883.44
2. Lake County Registrar of Voters Office, Lakeport; filing fees, $4,350.56
3. Political Data Inc., Norwalk; voter list for door to door polling, $1,181.42
4. Kim Lewis, EL Design Solutions, Hidden Valley Lake; information technology, $1,000
5. Super Cheap Signs, Austin, Texas; campaign signs, $834.99.

Andre Ross

Contributions received

Total contributions received, year to date/overall: No number listed (See “Discrepancy” note below)
Total contributions received for reporting period: $300
Monetary contributions, year to date: $1,100
Monetary contributions for reporting period: $300
Loans received, year to date: No amount listed
Loans received for reporting period: $0
Nonmonetary contributions, year to date: $0
Nonmonetary contributions for reporting period: No amount listed

Expenditures made

Total expenditures made, year to date: $585.82
Total expenditures made for reporting period: $475.82
Payments made, year to date: $585.82
Payments made for reporting period: $475.82
Loans made, year to date: $0
Loans made for reporting period: $0

Current cash statement

Beginning cash balance: $690
Cash receipts: $300
Cash payments: $475.82
Ending cash balance: $514.18
Outstanding debts: $0

Top six monetary contributors, year to date (more listed due to same amount given)

1. Jim Steele and Olga Martin Steele, county supervisor and retired, respectively, Clearlake Oaks, $500
2. Hon. Sheila LIchtblau, Superior Court judge, Mill Valley, $200
3. Margaret Silveira, Lakeport city manager, Lakeport, $100; John Wiskirchen, Lakeport, retired gas worker, $100; Nicholas Mack, attorney, Lafayette, $100; Bianca Walser, attorney, Menlo Park, $100

Expenses, year to date

1. www.signrocket.com, Saint Paul, Minn.; campaign signs, $390
Marci Long, Kelseyville; consulting on campaign materials and signage, $100
2. Pak N Mail, Lakeport; signs, stickers and printing, $85.82

Discrepancy:

In the “contributions received” section of the paperwork, no amounts are listed under calendar year totals for loans received, subtotal cash contributions, nonmonetary contributions and total contributions received. Neither are there amounts listed in the “expenditures made” section for loans made, subtotal cash payments, accrued expenses and nonmonetary adjustment.

Based on calculations of figures given in his paperwork, totals for those sections of the paperwork are as follows:

Loans received: $0
Subtotal cash contributions: $1,100
Nonmonetary contributions: $0
Total contributions received: $1,100
Loans made: $0
Subtotal cash payments: $585.82

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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Library Kids Rylee and Payton enjoy reading and sharing some laughs at the library, in Lake County, Calif. The Lake County Library’s Summer Reading Program is in full swing and readers of all ages can still sign up. Courtesy photo.


LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Library invites residents to go on a journey with the 2018 Summer Reading Program, “Reading Takes You Everywhere.” The program is open to all ages, so everyone can join in the fun.

So far more than 250 people have signed up, and some of these intrepid readers have already logged more than 1000 points.

There is still plenty of time to sign up any time all four Lake County Library branches during the program which ends July 28.

Once you sign up you can keep track of your reading progress when you return your books to the library. There are three programs, each targeting a different age group from kids to adults.

The Lake County Library kids program is recommended for children ages from newborn to 14.

When you sign up at your local library you can pick up a reading log and start reading library books. When you return library books to the front desk, the library staff will log your page count.

For every page you read you get a reading point. For every 50 points you get a sticker for your reading log. At end of the program in August, there will be a party for the children who participate.

Tweens and teens ages 11 to 18 can sign up for the Teen program. Visit the library desk when you return books to get reading credit. For every 200 pages you read, you will be entered in a grand prize drawing. There will also be a variety of events for teens over the summer at the library.

The Lake County Library has a summer reading program for adults. It’s a fun way to challenge yourself to read more this summer.Just like the Teen program, for every 200 pages you read, you will be entered in a grand prize drawing.

For each of these programs, if you read at least 1,000 pages the Friends of the Library will donate a book to the library with your name inside to commemorate your reading achievement.

The Lake County Library Summer Reading Program is supported in part by the Friends of the Lake County Library and Friends of Middletown Library.

For more information contact the library at 707-263-8817 or visit the library Web site at http://library.lakecountyca.gov.

Jan Cook is a technician for the Lake County Library.
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An abandoned homeless encampment located in Clearlake, Calif., before it was cleaned up in May 2018. Photo courtesy of the city of Clearlake.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A local nonprofit group has once again stepped forward to help Clearlake officials with a major cleanup project.

On May 24, Citizens Caring 4 Clearlake, or CC4C, began an abatement of an abandoned homeless encampment located on West 40th Avenue, north of the Highlands Shopping Center, according to Clearlake Code Enforcement Supervisor Lee Lambert.

Lambert said the abandoned homeless encampment was located in a wooded area throughout several privately owned lots.

Volunteers for CC4C, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to helping clean up the city, collected all of the trash and debris, Lambert said.

In addition, CC4C demolished a large “tent” style structure which had been constructed out of tarps. Lambert said all of the items were then placed on the edge of the roadway by CC4C.

Lambert said on May 26, CC4C completed the abatement of the abandoned homeless encampment.

All of the items which were collected and abated were placed on the edge of the roadway by CC4C and on May 29 officers from the Clearlake Police Department Code Enforcement Division removed all of the trash and debris from the edge of the roadway and disposed of it, Lambert said.

In total, Lambert said 1,740 pounds of trash and debris were disposed of, as well as approximately 400 pounds of metal recycling and 13 tires.

“This is just another example of the great things CC4C is doing in our community,” said Lambert. “Over the past few years, the City has joined forces with CC4C on several clean up projects. Currently, we are in the midst of completing several joint projects with CC4C. If it wasn’t for the volunteers from their organization, it would be impossible to complete these projects. We look forward to continuing these types of project throughout the city.”

Citizens Caring 4 Clearlake is a privately operated nonprofit organization which relies solely on volunteers and donations.

For more information on CC4C or to become a volunteer, please contact Barbara Christwitz at 707-995-0940.

An abandoned homeless encampment located in Clearlake, Calif., after it was cleaned up in May 2018. Photo courtesy of the city of Clearlake.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council is set this week to consider the new fiscal year budget and hear a presentation on a tourist improvement district.

The council will meet in closed session at 5:30 p.m. to discuss property negotiations related to 800 N. Main St. before the public portion of the meeting begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 5, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

On the agenda is the adoption of the recommended budget for fiscal year 2018-19. The $16,495,073 budget figure includes anticipated revenues and expenditures.

Also on Tuesday, Rachael Taylor, project manager of Civitas Advisors will present "Lake County Tourism Improvement District – What, Why and How, for Lakeport and More."

In other business, the council will hold a public hearing and authorize the city manager to submit an application to the US Department of Agriculture’s Community Facilities Loan and Grant Program in the amount of $495,000 for the purpose of construction a sewer main extension to serve the proposed 24-unit affordable multi-family housing project located at 1255 Martin St.

There also will be a public hearing for approval of required resolutions and legal documents regarding the city’s solar and energy efficiency retrofit project financing.

The council also will consider an award of a construction contract to VSS International Inc. for the 2018 Pavement Preservation Program, the nomination of voting delegations for the League of California Cities Annual Conference to be held Sept. 12 to 14 in Long Beach and a presentation by the Lakeport Main Street association regarding the Business of the Quarter Award.

On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances; minutes of the council’s regular meeting on May 15 and special meeting on May 29; the May 25 warrant register; approval of Application 2018-020, with staff recommendations, for the 2018 SplashIn event, to be held September 7 to 9; approval of Application 2018-021, with staff recommendations, for the 2018 Oktoberfest event, to be held Oct. 6; rejection of the claims filed by Beverly and Jacqueline John as recommended by REMIF; adoption of a resolution amending and adopting an updated conflict of interest code; adoption of the proposed resolution adopting a records retention schedule and authorizing destruction of certain city records and rescinding Resolution No. 2651 (2018); adoption of the proposed resolution to reaffirm the necessity of AB 1600 development impact fees; and approval of the appropriations limit of $12,309,294 in fiscal year 2018-19 for the city of Lakeport and adopt the proposed resolution.

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.

060518 Lakeport City Council agenda packet by LakeCoNews on Scribd

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Herman Hollerith. Public domain image.


Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and Herman Hollerith.

If you’re wondering who the heck the last man is, just know that he definitely deserves to be up there with the other great innovators of the technological revolution. In fact, he was the granddaddy of them all, preceding Jobs and Gates by a century.

Herman Hollerith was an unknown engineer when he applied for the patent on his world-changing invention on June 8, 1887. His invention was the product of his work with the Census Bureau early in his career.

After graduating with his engineering degree at 19 years old, he eventually got a job on the 1880 census team that was responsible for adding up the demographic information collected across the country. This was a laborious and error-prone process that took eight years to fully complete – just two years before it had to start all over again with the next census!

After working with the census for two years, Hollerith became a professor at MIT and later went on to develop electro-pneumatic and vacuum-operated breaks for railroad engines.

Finally, he turned back to the frustrating problem of data compilation and, on June 8, 1887 he filed a patent for “a novel sorting device,” that he had devised as part of an “apparatus for compiling statistics.” What Hollerith had invented was a tabulating machine that used punch cards to quickly sort and compile statistical information. It worked like this:

A census worker would take one person’s information and punch that person’s details onto the appropriate places on the card. Another employee would then place the card on a press attached to the tabulating machine and lock the cover into place. This action would push a panel of pins down onto the card.

The pins that made their way through the holes contacted small cups of mercury, which completed an electrical circuit. The electrical impulses this created were transmitted to the counters on the machine and the results were registered on the counter board.

Hollerith’s design won a competition the Census Bureau had organized to find a more efficient means of calculating their data. When it was utilized in the 1890 census, Hollerith’s Tabulating Machine completed the entire 8-year process in just two years and saved the government $5 million.

Hollerith’s census counting machines used in 1890. Public domain image.


Taking his machine, Hollerith created a business – the Hollerith Tabulating Machine Co. By 1911, his machine had counted the populations of Austria, Canada, Denmark, England, Russia and many more. But his invention was utilized for more things than simply counting people.

It was beginning to look like Hollerith would hold a monopoly on this age-defining invention. Then, in a move that smacks of betrayal today, the Census Bureau – barely skirting patent restrictions – invented their own tabulating machine, one that was even more efficient in adding data than Hollerith’s.

When another census employee patented this knock-off and started his own company, it didn’t take long for Hollerith’s company to feel the loss in their sales. Thanks to the hiring of an able executive in 1918, however, the company rebounded and returned to the top once more.

In time, people found even more uses for the tabulating machine. Businesses soon realized that the information on the cards didn’t just have to stand for a person. The data could be about a product, an insurance customer or a freight car line.

Not only did his machine allow people to add up numbers at an astounding rate, but it also allowed them to understand information in new ways.

By rearranging the wires on the tabulating machine, the tabulator could sort through thousands – millions of cards.

It was with a Hollerith Tabulating Machine that England was able to break the Nazi Enigma machine ciphers during World War 2. So well designed and versatile was Hollerith’s machine that it remained the primary form of data processing from 1890 until the 1950s.

Even after it was eclipsed by what would eventually become the computer, Hollerith’s legacy lived on. Because his Tabulating Machine Company eventually merged with two other companies to form the corporation known today as the International Business Machines – IBM.

So, you can see now why Hollerith deserves a place of honor among the great tech innovators of our day. You might even say that his contribution to data processing was … incalculable.

Antone Pierucci is curator of history at the Riverside County Park and Open Space District and a freelance writer whose work has been featured in such magazines as Archaeology and Wild West as well as regional California newspapers.
A Hollerith census counting machine. Public domain image.
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Rob Rumfelt. Courtesy photo.


LAKEPORT, Calif. – Sen. Mike McGuire’s legislation that would rename a portion of Highway 29 in honor and memory of the late Lake County hero Deputy Robert Rumfelt in his hometown of Lakeport received unanimous, bipartisan support in the State Senate.

SCR 92 is co-authored by Senator Bill Dodd and Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry. After passing 38-0 in the State Senate, the Resolution will now move through the Assembly committee process.

“Deputy Rumfelt selflessly served his country and dedicated his life to keeping the hard working people of Lake County safe,” said Sen. McGuire. “His impact on this community is immeasurable and the contributions he made will be his lasting legacy. After all Deputy Rumfelt’s done for our nation and right here at home, the least we can do is honor his tireless work and sacrifice so generations will know about his achievements, bravery and big heart.”

For the past three decades, Deputy Sheriff Robert Rumfelt worked tirelessly to protect and serve his country and the greater Lake County community.

After graduating from Clear Lake High School, he answered the call to serve our nation by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps and earned numerous accolades for his honor, courage and commitment.

Deputy Rumfelt continued serving when he was hired by the Lakeport Police Department as an officer in 1995 and then as a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy in 2014.

In 2010, while taking a leave of absence from the Lakeport Police Department to serve as a police advisor to Iraqi law enforcement agencies in Ramadi, Baghdad, Kurdistan and Mosul, he risked his life during an IED attack on an Army convoy to save the life of a badly injured soldier.

On August 22, 2017, Rumfelt died in the line of duty following a struggle with a domestic violence suspect.

“Deputy Rumfelt was a true American hero, saving lives overseas with the United States Military, and protecting and serving his community in Lake County,” Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin said. “We’re grateful to work with Senator McGuire to honor his legacy by renaming a portion of the highway that runs through his home town in his memory.”

McGuire said Rumfelt was an inspiring and positive force in the lives of many young people. He spent countless hours at Clear Lake High School, his alma mater, coaching the football team and mentoring youth.

Rumfelt was a dedicated family man. He is survived by his wife Kelly, his two daughters Nikki and Britney, his grandsons Robby and Johnny, his parents, and his siblings.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors this week will consider receiving a donation to the county’s libraries and the conveyances to two local agencies of surplus county property.

The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 5, 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 at https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx. Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.

In an item time for 9:10 a.m., the board will consider County Librarian Christopher Veach’s request to accept a donation of $8,590 from the Friends of the Lake County Library to buy new children's books and new large type books for adults for all branches of the Lake County Library system.

The staff report said the Friends of the Lake County Library “have raised funds for this express purpose.”

In untimed items, the board also will look at requests from Sheriff Brian Martin to convey three Crown Victoria pursuit vehicles, two 2009 model year and a 2010 to the Clearlake Police Department and a 24-foot 2001 Godfrey Sweetwater Pontoon boat and trailer to the Northshore Fire Protection District. Martin’s reports said that both the vehicle and the boat have been declared surplus.

Regarding the patrol cars, Martin’s report stated, “These vehicles have been replaced in our vehicle fleet. The Clearlake Police Department’s vehicle fleet has recently been diminished due to unforeseen accidents and circumstances. The acting Clearlake Police Chief Tim Celli requested to purchase three patrol vehicles.”

In order to assist the Clearlake Police Department with maintaining the ability to carry on with their law enforcement patrols and operations, Martin said the county will sell the vehicles to the city for a total of $750.

Regarding the boat and trailer, Martin said the boat was originally donated to the county in May 2015 with a value of $8,970. A trailer was purchased at that time for $1,500 from McAtee’s Marine. “Due to the high cost of refurbishing this boat, it has been determined it is not cost effective for us to keep,” he said.

He added, “It is the intent of the Northshore Fire Protection District to refurbish the pontoon boat so that it can be used as a diving platform during diving operations.”

The full agenda follows.

CONSENT AGENDA

7.1: Approve minutes of the Board of Supervisors meeting held March 6, 2018.

7.2: Approve salary/grade step report attached to the memorandum of understanding between the county and the Lake County Correctional Officers Association.

7.3: (a) Appoint Senior HR Analyst Jesse Puett to Interim Deputy HR Director effective May 29, 2018, and; (b) Appoint HR Analyst II Diana Rico to Interim Senior HR Analyst effective May 29, 2018.

7.4: Approve Amendment 1 to the agreement between the county of Lake and Lake County Office of Education for School-Based Medi-Cal Specialty Mental Health Services for Fiscal Year 2017-18 for a decrease of $45,000 for a new contract maximum of $205,000 and authorize the chair to sign the amendment.

7.5: Approve Amendment 3 to the Agreement between county and Charis Youth Center for Fiscal Year 2017-18 for a new contract maximum of $20,000 and to authorize the board chair to sign the amendment.

7.6: Authorize Advanced Step 5 Hiring of Extra Help Office Assistant Myriam Herrera.

7.7: Approve resolution of the City Council of Lakeport calling for and providing for and giving notice of the General Municipal Election to be held in the City of Lakeport, County of Lake, State of California, on the sixth day of November, 2018, for the purpose of electing two City Council members, each to hold office for a term of four years, or until their successors are elected and qualified, requesting consolidation of that election with the State General Election and requesting approval of the Lake County Board of Supervisors for election services to be provided by the Lake County Registrar of Voters.

7.8: Authorize Advanced Step 5 Hiring of Ms. Trina Maia, physical therapist.

7.9: Approve budget transfer for purchase of a color plotter, copier, scanner for the Environmental Health Division's Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) Program and appropriate $7,000 from 170-410-740-38.00 Inventory to 170-410-740-62.71 Office Equipment.

7.10: (a) Waive the normal bidding requirements because to do so would produce no economic benefit for the county due to the unique nature of services, and (b) approve purchase of consulting services from Superion in the amount of $13,930 plus travel expenses and authorize IT director to issue purchase order.

7.11: Sitting as the Lake County Watershed Protection District, Board of Directors, approve joint funding agreement between the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Department of the Interior and Lake County Watershed Protection District for annual maintenance of the Kelsey Creek flow gauge station in the amount of $15,300 for the period Nov. 1, 2017, to Oct. 31, 2018; and authorize the chair to sign.

7.12: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and MGE Engineering Inc. for construction management services for replacement of Robinson Creek Bridge at Mockingbird Lane (14C-0086), Lake County, CA for an amount not to exceed $240,986.90; and authorize the chair to sign.

7.13: Approve a travel claim reimbursement for hotel bill incorrectly charged on personal credit card in the amount of $276.76; and authorize the chair to sign.

7.14: Approve extension of lease agreement between county of Lake and Pauline Usher Revocable Trust for the facility located at 9245 Hwy 53 # 14, Lower Lake, CA , and an annual amount of $6,002.52, through June 30, 2021; and authorize the chair to sign.

7.15: Approve long distance travel for Jan Coppinger to speak at the National Association of Clean Water Agencies 2018 Utility Leadership Conference in Boston, Mass., from July 23, through July 26.

7.16: Approve the creation of an extra help construction inspector in county service for use in Anderson Springs Sewer Project.

TIMED ITEMS

8.2, 9:10 a.m.: Consideration of Acceptance of $8,590 donation from the Friends of the Lake County Library.

8.3, 9:15 a.m.: Consideration of continuing a proclamation of a local emergency due to the Sulphur fire incident.

8.4, 9:16 a.m.: Consideration of continuing a proclamation of a local emergency due to wildfire conditions, pertaining to the Rocky, Jerusalem and Valley fires.

8.5, 9:17 a.m.: Consideration of continuing a proclamation of a local emergency due to Clayton fire.

8.6, 9:18 a.m.: Consideration of continuing a proclamation of a local emergency due to the atmospheric river storm.

UNTIMED ITEMS

9.2: Discussion and consideration of the possible creation of a joint powers authority dedicated to risk reduction.

9.3: Adopt resolution conveying personal property from the county of Lake to the city of Clearlake for use by the Clearlake Police Department.

9.4: Adopt resolution conveying personal property from the county of Lake to the Northshore Fire Protection District.

CLOSED SESSION

10.1: Conference with legal counsel: Decision whether to initiate litigation pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.9(d)(4): One potential case.

10.2: Conference with legal counsel: Decision whether to initiate litigation pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.9(d)(4): PG&E.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has more new dogs ready for new homes this week.

Dogs available for adoption this week include mixes of boxer, Chihuahua, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, Pekingese and pit bull.

Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.

If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets hoping you'll choose them.

The following dogs at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (additional dogs on the animal control Web site not listed are still “on hold”).

This male Chihuahua is in kennel No. 5, ID No. 10112. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.


Male Chihuahua

This male Chihuahua has a short black coat.

He is in kennel No. 5, ID No. 10112.

“Trixie” is a female Pekingese in kennel No. 6, ID No. 10139. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.


‘Trixie’

“Trixie” is a female Pekingese with a shaved brindle coat.

She’s in kennel No. 6, ID No. 10139.

“Daisey May” is a female boxer-pit bull mix in kennel No. 12, ID No. 10114. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.


‘Daisey May’

“Daisey May” is a female boxer-pit bull mix with a short tan and white coat.

She already has been spayed.

She’s in kennel No. 12, ID No. 10114.

This male pit bull is in kennel No. 13, ID No. 10120. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.


Male pit bull

This male pit bull has a short brindle coat.

He’s in kennel No. 13, ID No. 10120.

“Buddy” is a male Chihuahua in kennel No. 15a, ID No. 10141. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.


‘Buddy’

“Buddy” is a male Chihuahua with a short brown coat.

He’s in kennel No. 15a, ID No. 10141.

“Sparky” is a male Chihuahua is in kennel No. 15b, ID No. 10142. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.


‘Sparky’

“Sparky” is a male Chihuahua with a short brown coat.

He’s in kennel No. 15b, ID No. 10142.

“Beauty” is a female German Shepherd in kennel No. 17, ID No. 9748. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.


‘Beauty’

“Beauty” is a female German Shepherd with a medium-length black and tan coat.

She already has been spayed.

She’s in kennel No. 17, ID No. 9748.

“Baxter” is a male pit bull in kennel No. 21, ID No. 10079. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.


‘Baxter’

“Baxter” is a male pit bull with a short white coat.

He’s in kennel No. 21, ID No. 10079.

“Leah” is a female pit bull terrier in kennel No. 24, ID No. 10124. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.


‘Leah’

“Leah” is a female pit bull terrier with a short black and white coat.

She already has been spayed.

She’s in kennel No. 24, ID No. 10124.

“Kuma” is a female German Shepherd in kennel No. 25, ID No. 10038. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.


‘Kuma’

“Kuma” is a female German Shepherd with a long black and tan coat.

She already has been spayed.

She’s in kennel No. 25, ID No. 10038.

This female hound-Labrador Retriever mix is in kennel No. 32, ID No. 9933. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.


Hound-Labrador Retriever mix

This female hound-Labrador Retriever mix has a short black and white coat.

She’s in kennel No. 32, ID No. 9933.

Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm.

For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.

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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Michael Lawrence Finnegan, 52, of Lucerne, Calif., was arrested on Saturday, June 2, 2018, for shooting his roommate during an argument. Lake County Jail photo.

LUCERNE, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has released new details regarding a Saturday night shooting in Lucerne.

Michael Lawrence Finnegan, 52, of Lucerne was arrested for shooting his roommate in the incident, according to Lt. Corey Paulich.

Paulich said that on Saturday shortly after 8 p.m. Lake County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a residence in the 6300 block of 15th Avenue in Lucerne for a report of a male who had been shot by his roommate.

When deputies arrived they located Finnegan waiting outside the residence, Paulich said.

The deputies also located the victim, a 51-year-old male whose name has not yet been released, inside the residence with a wound to his chest. Paulich said the victim told deputies that he had been shot by his roommate.

The victim was transported by a CalStar air ambulance to an out-of-county hospital for treatment, as Lake County News has reported.

Finnegan told the deputies that the shooting victim had been very hostile during the last week, and had threatened to kick Finnegan out of their residence, according to Paulich’s report.

Paulich said the roommate kept barging into Finnegan’s room and confronting him. Finnegan told deputies that last time the victim barged in, the victim lunged at him and Finnegan used his .22-caliber pistol to shoot the man.

Finnegan said he shot the victim because he felt like he was being attacked, Paulich said.

Finnegan was placed under arrest and transported to the Lake County Jail, where he was booked for assault with a firearm, Paulich said.

Finnegan remained in custody on Monday with his bail set at $50,000, according to booking records. He is scheduled for a Tuesday appearance in Lake County Superior Court for arraignment.

The victim is expected to recover from his injury, Paulich said.

Lake County Sheriff’s deputies at the scene of a shooting in Lucerne, Calif., on Saturday, June 2, 2018. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.
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MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – Work is continuing on a wildland fire burning since Friday on the Mendocino National Forest.

Fire crews have reached 75 percent containment on the 127-acre Open fire on the Grindstone District of the Mendocino National Forest, according to forest spokeswoman Punky Moore.

The fire, first reported at 2 p.m. Friday, is located 25 miles west of Willows on Open Ridge in grass, oak and mixed timber, Moore said.

Moore said approximately 100 resources remain assigned to the incident including crews, engines and water tenders. The fire is smoldering with some isolated hot spots.

The forecast called for gusty winds up to 20 miles per hour Sunday night.

Crews will be staying on the fireline to ensure burning embers do not spread outside the established lines. Moore said there are no structures immediately threatened.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, Moore said.
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ICON will study the ionosphere from a height of about 350 miles to understand how the combined effects of terrestrial weather and space weather influence this ionized layer of particles. NASA Goddard's Conceptual Image Lab/B. Monroe image.

BERKELEY, Calif. – If scientists hope to predict the magnetic storms around Earth that endanger satellites and interfere with radio communications on the ground, they must understand how tropical storms on Earth affect these magnetic storms 60 miles above our heads.

A new mission, NASA’s Ionospheric Connection Explorer, or ICON, is charged with that very task: to measure the winds of ionized atoms at the edge of space and determine how they are impacted by atmospheric weather, in particular seasonal monsoons in the tropics.

Designed and built at the Space Sciences Laboratory of the University of California, Berkeley, ICON is scheduled for a June 14 launch from an airplane over the Pacific Ocean, and should start probing the upper atmosphere and ionosphere by August.

“We are built to catch everything that is coming up into space at the boundary of space,” said Thomas Immel, principal investigator for the mission and a physicist at the Space Sciences Laboratory. “Anything that comes past there, we are going to see.”

ICON will orbit at about 350 miles above Earth’s surface, but will look downward at the region above 60 miles, where the thin upper atmosphere transitions to space and, at 200 Kelvin (100 degrees below zero Fahrenheit), the coldest environment on Earth. The sun is constantly shining on this region, heating it up and, because of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, knocking electrons off oxygen atoms to produce an ionized gas, or plasma.

This plasma interacts with Earth’s magnetic field, migrating along field lines and generating electric fields that, in turn, shove the ionized plasma perpendicular to the magnetic fields.

The net result of all this moving, ionized gas is to produce waves of plasma that encircle the globe, visible because of airglow in green, red and ultraviolet.

The goal of ICON’s two MIGHTI telescopes – short for Michelson Interferometer for Global High-resolution Thermospheric Imaging – is to measure the speed of these plasma waves between 60 to 200 miles above the ground by means of their Doppler shift.

“It’s like watching runners and measuring how fast they are running by the change in the color of their shirts,” Immel said. Designed and built by the Naval Research Lab in Washington, D.C., MIGHTI is sensitive enough to measure the change in color or wavelength to within one part in 100 million, equal to a speed of about 10 miles per hour, and also to take the plasma’s temperature.

Two other instruments built at SSL measure far ultraviolet (FUV) and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wavelengths to clock the winds at higher elevations in the ionosphere, revealing how far the plasma extends and where pockets of denser plasma form.

“Shortwave radio waves bounce off the ionosphere, and signals from GPS satellites have to pass through,” said Immel. “The changes in density directly affect communications and navigation.”

While ICON’s three airglow instruments measure the temperature, velocity and composition of gases miles away from the spacecraft, two identical instruments – Ion Velocity Meters, or IVMs, developed at the University of Texas in Dallas – measure the movement of the charged gas around the spacecraft.

One puzzle Immel hopes to investigate involves two belts of plasma girdling Earth just north and south of the equator. For unknown reasons, these belts sometimes rise upward and migrate toward each pole and at other times stall and merge into one belt.

Tropical rains around the world, in South America, Africa and Southeast Asia, seem to change these plasma belts with a daily regularity that matches the early afternoon downpours typical of monsoons. One goal of ICON is to find out what connection, if any, exists between tropical storms and tides in the plasma waves in the ionosphere.

ICON will also be able to measure how the ionospheric plasma waves change when hit by magnetic storms from the sun.

Eventually, what ICON discovers will be combined with observations from other Earth-orbiting satellites to make predictions about space weather tomorrow based on observations today.

“At some point we will hand off to an agency in charge of space weather and the space environment, and we have to give them a hint of what to measure to make predictions,” Immel said. “ICON will inform the next set of measurements and identify key parameters that need to be measured to support better predictions in the future.”

ICON is a $180 million Explorer-class mission managed by NASA Goddard Spaceflight Center in Maryland.

Robert Sanders writes for the UC Berkeley News Center.

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