Saturday, 01 March 2025

Register

News

Posted On

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The final opportunity for those impacted by the October 2017 fires to share their experiences on the Northern California Fire and Health Impacts Survey is coming soon.

The survey, led by UC Davis public health researchers, closes at midnight on May 31.

Until then, it can be completed online in English here: https://ucdavis.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aaS1gHzT5AKhdsh.

It is also available in Spanish here: https://ucdavis.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_escEpHgWHa3l4iN.

The researchers are inviting one person per household in fire- or smoke-affected areas throughout Northern California to fill out the survey, regardless of how much, or how little, household members were affected by flames, smoke or ash from the fires.

The questions generally take about 20 to 30 minutes to complete, and responses are confidential.

The goal is to better understand the health effects of the fires through the experiences of those living in affected communities.

“We’re also interested in learning about the needs of those going through the rebuilding process," said lead researcher Irva Hertz-Picciotto, professor of public health sciences and director of the Environmental Health Sciences Center at UC Davis.

The results could help close gaps in disaster relief services, inform clinicians about continuing health impacts, improve preparedness for future fire catastrophes and reduce the effects of fires on health.

“Including as many experiences with these firestorms as possible is critical to communicating the full range of outcomes, needs, and repercussions for diverse communities and potentially bringing all who were affected closer to full recovery,” Hertz-Picciotto said.

Research on the October 2017 Northern California fires is essential, because they were unique in scope, intensity, and the extent to which they affected residential and commercial areas, Hertz-Picciotto added.

“We are very grateful to those who have already taken the time to complete the survey and told us about their experiences, as they are providing personal perspectives and insights into the short- and medium-term consequences of these fires,” she said. “We look forward to hearing from others, including those who don’t usually participate in research studies or whose voices often are not heard.”

Answers to common questions about the survey are available online here: http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/newsroom/releases/20180221_fire_health_survey.html.

Additional questions can be emailed to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The survey is part of a comprehensive post-fire assessment known as “WHAT-Now-California?” being conducted by the UC Davis Environmental Health Sciences Center.

Established in 2015, the center links UC Davis experts in multiple schools – medicine, veterinary medicine, engineering, biological sciences, letters and science, and agricultural and environmental sciences – for studies on the effects of environmental events, chemicals, pollutants, and disasters on disease and disability.

The ultimate goal is to foster new approaches and policies that protect communities from harmful exposures.

More information is available on the center’s Web site, https://ehscc.ucdavis.edu/ .
Posted On

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors this week will consider heavy equipment-related contracts and recognize the county’s child care providers.

The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 15, 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 timed for 9:10 a.m., the board will present a proclamation designating the month of May 2018 as Child Care Provider Appreciation Month in Lake County.

In an untimed item, the board will consider waiving the formal bidding process and awarding temporary heavy equipment rental contracts to Peterson Tractor in the amount of $120,000, Cresco Equipment Rentals & Affiliates for $235,000 and BlueLine Rental LLC for $46,500, and a temporary equipment rental agreement with Rain for Rent in the amount of $48,200.

The full agenda follows.

CONSENT AGENDA

7.1: Adopt proclamation designating the month of May 2018 as Child Care Provider Appreciation Month in Lake County.

7.2: Approve out of state travel for Jonathan Armas to attend the Equine Investigators Academy on a full scholarship in Durango, Colorado.

7.3: Approve amendment three to the agreement between the county of Lake and Davis Guest Home for fiscal year 2017-18 for adult residential support services and specialty mental health services for an increase of $23,000 and a new contract maximum of $153,000; and authorize the board chair sign the amendment.

7.4: (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; and (b) approve the agreement between the county of Lake and Vista Pacifica Enterprises Inc. for adult residential support services and specialty mental health services for fiscal year 2017-18 for the amount of $28,000 and authorize the chair to sign the agreement.

7.5: Approve amendment two to the agreement between county of Lake and Kings View Corp. for professional consulting services for fiscal year 2017-18 for an increase of $15,840 for a new contract maximum amount of $44,635 and to authorize the board chair to sign the amendment.

7.6: Approve the closure of all five Behavioral Health facilities to the public (excluding crisis staff that will remain on call and available) on Friday, May 25, from the hours of noon to 5 p.m. for staff training.

7.7: Adopt resolution setting rate of pay for election officers for the June 5 Statewide Direct Primary Election pursuant to Section 12310 of the Elections Code.

7.8: Approve agreement for Federal Apportionment Exchange Program and State Match Program for California Department of Transportation - Non MPO County, and authorize the chair to sign.

TIMED ITEMS

8.2, 9:10 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation designating the month of May 2018 as Child Care Provider Appreciation Month in Lake County.

UNTIMED ITEMS

9.2: Consideration of a) waiving the formal bidding process as it would produce no economic benefit to the county; b) approval of contract for temporary heavy equipment rental between the county of Lake and Peterson Tractor in the amount of $120,000 and authorize the chair to sign; c) approval of contract for temporary heavy equipment rental between the county of Lake and Cresco Equipment Rentals & Affiliates in the amount of $235,000 and authorize the chair to sign; d) approval of contract for temporary equipment rental between the county of Lake and BlueLine Rental LLC in the amount of $46,500 and authorize the chair to sign; and e) approval of contract for the temporary equipment rental between the county of Lake and Rain for Rent in the amount of $48,200 and authorize the chair to sign.

CLOSED SESSION

10.1: Public employee evaluations: Behavioral Health administrator.

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.
Posted On

LAKEPORT, Calif. – A forum for the two candidates in the race to be Lake County’s next district attorney will be held on Monday, May 14.

The forum will begin at 6 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St. in Lakeport.

Steven Brown and Susan Krones will participate in the event.

They will answer a round of at least 10 questions in a timed, rotational format.

Community members may submit questions at the event or by emailing moderator Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The forum also will be recorded and posted online.

This year’s forums are sponsored by the Lake County Bar Association, Lake County Economic Development Corp. and Lake County News.
Blog Left ad
Posted On

Jasmin Clarke with her awards for her second-place win at the 2018 Women’s World Trials in Irving, Texas. Photo courtesy of Orlando Zarate.


KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – One of Lake County’s standout high school wrestlers has added another award to her collection after an excellent performance in a national wrestling tournament this weekend.

Jasmin Clarke brought home a second-place finish at the Women’s World Trials, formerly known as Body Bar, in Irving, Texas.

Her coach, Orlando Zarate, said Clarke competed in the 78 kilogram – or 171-pound – weight class, which is new to her, in the juniors and cadets divisions in her effort to make the United State’s junior world team.

Zarate said Clarke received a first round bye in the round of 16 before wrestling Iman Thomas of Texas in the quarter finals. During that match, Clarke won by fall in 1:46 seconds.

In her second match against Wilma Mason of Washington, Clark won by technical fall by the score of 10-0, Zarate said.

On Sunday morning, Clarke moved on to wrestle in the finals against Elisa Robinson of Kansas, according to Zarate.

Clarke and Robinson got into a body lock position and Robinson “was able to hit a big throw to put Jasmin on her back,” Zarate said.

“Leading up to the finals Jasmin wrestled really tough and it was her first time competing at this weight,” Zarate said.

Zarate said this is Clarke’s second time being a national runner up and this makes her a four-time All-American.

It’s the latest in a series of sporting accomplishments for Clarke.

In July, she won the national title at 200 pounds at the U.S. Marine Corps Junior and Cadet Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota. She was then moved up to the 225-pound weight class, where she was runner up.

During the school year she competed at 189 pounds and placed fourth in the state meet. In April she competed at 180 pounds at the freestyle state event where Zarate said she placed second and qualified again for Fargo.

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.
Jasmin Clarke, at right, competing in the 2018 Women’s World Trials in Irving, Texas. Photo courtesy of Orlando Zarate.
Posted On

NORTH COAST, Calif. – A Sonoma County Sheriff’s deputy is recovering after being shot on Sunday morning by a car wash employee.

The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office reported that at 11 a.m. Sunday deputies were dispatched to the Jolly Washer gas station/car wash in the 19200 block of Highway 12 in Sonoma.

A manager of the car wash told dispatch that a 19-year-old employee was acting strange at work and was told to go home, but refused to leave. The manager also said the employee appeared to have a BB gun with him, according to the report.

The sheriff’s office said two deputies, who are assigned to the Sonoma Police Department, responded to the call.

They saw the employee standing behind a gray pickup in the car wash line. Authorities said the employee was behind the truck and acting suspicious. The suspect then pulled out a handgun and fired at the deputies.

At least one deputy then used his service weapon to return fire, but did not hit the suspect as he was ducked down behind the truck, the sheriff’s office reported.

The suspect’s handgun appeared to have jammed and the suspect threw his gun down, at which time the deputies took him into custody, authorities said.

The sheriff’s office said the suspect’s loaded 9 millimeter semiautomatic handgun was retrieved and secured.

One deputy was struck by the suspect’s bullet. The projectile fired by the suspect was one that had multiple pellets, commonly called a snake shot. The deputy was struck in multiple places on his body. The suspect’s handgun was loaded with several more rounds of this type of ammunition, according to the report.

Authorities said the deputy was flown to a local hospital. He was reported to be in good condition and is expected to survive his injuries.

“We are thankful that our deputy is going to be ok and we appreciate the community’s support during this difficult time,” the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office said in its statement on the incident.
Posted On

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has a full shelter of dogs of all ages and sizes waiting to find their new families.

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

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”).

“Panda” is a female blue heeler mix in quarantine kennel No. 2, ID No. 9985. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.


‘Panda’

“Panda” is a female blue heeler mix with a medium-length coat.

She’s in quarantine kennel No. 2, ID No. 9985.

“Cherise” is a female boxer mix in kennel No. 10, ID No. 10014. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.


‘Cherise’

“Cherise” is a female boxer mix with a short brown and white coat.

She’s in kennel No. 10, ID No. 10014.

“Emma” is a female German Shepherd in kennel No. 11, ID No. 9657. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.


‘Emma’

“Emma” is a very sweet senior female German Shepherd.

She has a short black and tan coat and already has been spayed.

She is available for a $30 adoption ($10 re-registration on microchip and $20 license fee), with all other costs paid.

Animal control said she has heartworm and is being treated for it. They will ask the adopter for a donation towards the treatment.

She’s in kennel No. 11, ID No. 9657.

This male pit bull-Rottweiler mix is in kennel No. 15, ID No. 10023. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.


Male pit bull-Rottweiler mix

This male pit bull-Rottweiler mix has a short black and brindle coat.

He’s in kennel No. 15, ID No. 10023.

“Bitsy” is a female Chihuahua mix in kennel No. 18a, ID No. 9881. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.


‘Bitsy’

“Bitsy” is a female Chihuahua mix with a short black and brown coat.

She’s in kennel No. 18a, ID No. 9881.

“Sadie” is a female Chihuahua in kennel No. 18c, ID No. 9879. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.


‘Sadie’

“Sadie” is a female Chihuahua with a short black and gray coat.

She’s in kennel No. 18c, ID No. 9879.

This male pit bull terrier mix is in kennel No. 26, ID No. 10000. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.


Male pit bull terrier

This male pit bull terrier mix has a short white coat.

He’s in kennel No. 26, ID No. 10000.

This male German Shepherd is in kennel No. 27, ID No. 10011. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.


Male German Shepherd

This male German Shepherd has a medium-length black and tan coat.

He’s in kennel No. 27, ID No. 10011.

This male Labrador Retriever mix puppy is in kennel No. 29b, ID No. 10027. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.


Male Labrador Retriever pup

This male Labrador Retriever mix puppy has a short black and white coat.

He’s in kennel No. 29b, ID No. 10027.


This male Labrador Retriever mix puppy is in kennel No. 29c, ID No. 10028. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.


Male Labrador Retriever pup

This male Labrador Retriever mix puppy has a short black and white coat.

He’s in kennel No. 29c, ID No. 10028.

This female Labrador Retriever mix puppy is in kennel No. 29d, ID No. 10029. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.


Female Labrador Retriever pup

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

She’s in kennel No. 29d, ID No. 10029.

This male pit bull terrier is in kennel No. 31, ID No. 10013. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.


Male pit bull terrier

This male pit bull terrier has a short red coat.

He’s in kennel No. 31, ID No. 10013.

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.
Posted On

Runners gather for the start of the 2017 Fun Walk & Run at the Westside Community Park in Lakeport, Calif. Courtesy photo.


LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Westside Community Park Committee will hold the third annual Two-Mile & 5K Fun Walk and Run on Sunday, May 27.

This event supports future development at the park and the committee’s ongoing operation and maintenance of the Jane Barnes Field.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. with the walk and run commencing at 8:30 a.m.

The start will be from the Jane Barnes Field parking lot at the Westside Community Park, 1401 Westside Park Road in Lakeport.

This year’s course will take participants through the undeveloped portion of the park, across Forbes Creek and through the Puett property to Martin Street.

The finish will be at the Kiwanis Club of Lakeport’s Craft Fair located on the grounds of Natural High, 810 N. Main St. in Lakeport.

Participants are encouraged to ride share with a friend leaving a car at the finish for the return trip to the park. For those needing a return ride, a shuttle will be provided by Guy Strohmeier’s Auto Center in Lakeport.

The registration fee is $20. Each participant will receive a Westside Community Park T-shirt and an entrant’s bid. Pets are welcome on a leash.

Advanced registration is available at the Committee’s Web site, www.westsidecommunitypark.org.

Carol Thorn, financial officer of the Westside Community Park Committee, thanked Lisa Hutton and Michelle Kundsen for allowing the run to pass through their property.

Thorn added, “With this year’s run passing through the back portion of the park and the Puett property participants can enjoy the natural beauty of the area.”

The Westside Community Park Committee is a local nonprofit group of community volunteers developing a regional recreation park for the City of Lakeport. The park is accessed from Parallel Drive just past the Matt Mazzei Auto Dealerships.

The Westside Community Park is home to the Konocti Youth Soccer League, the Lakeport team of the Williams Men’s Soccer League, the Lions Club Horseshoe League and is used by the Westshore Little League for its softball program. Facilities include baseball and softball fields, soccer fields, a dog park, horseshoe pits, bicycle pump track, picnic tables and a walking trail.

Future development will include beach sports courts. The committee also will develop a horse park at a site located on Highway 175 just west of the Lakeport city limits. Ruzicka Associates is currently working on plans for the horse park.
Posted On

Wayne Breazeale of Kelseyville, Calif., won the Costa FLW Series at Clear Lake presented by Evinrude Saturday, May 12, 2018. Photo by Jesse Schultz.


LAKEPORT, Calif. – Pro Wayne Breazeale of Kelseyville won the Costa FLW Series at Clear Lake presented by Evinrude Saturday after bringing a limit of bass weighing 14 pounds, 6 ounces to the scale.

Breazeale’s three-day total of 15 bass weighing 60-7 gave him the win by a 2-pound, 15-ounce margin and earned him the top prize of $82,338, including a brand new Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard.

“This is the biggest win of my career,” Breazeale said about his first career victory in FLW competition. “I live on the lake and have been fishing it for 40 years. I had to pull a few tricks out of my hat this week, but I had a phenomenal tournament and I really needed this win.”

Breazeale estimated that he caught around 100 keepers throughout the week, with the majority coming on Thursday and Friday and around 20 keepers on Saturday.

He targeted docks and the thick tule shorelines on the south end of the lake with a Margarita Mutilator-colored Roboworm on a drop-shot rig, a wacky-rigged watermelon and purple flake-colored Yamamoto Senko and a white Yamamoto Grub on a dart head jig.

“About half of my fish came from the tules, half from the docks,” Breazeale said. “I was catching a couple of sight fish as well – I caught two on each of the first two days and one on Saturday on the Senko.

“I really think that there were two keys to my win this week,” Breazeale went on to say. “First was my experience on the lake. I had to try some tricks – real light line. The 6-pound (Seaguar InvisX) fluorocarbon was key. Also, I was fishing the new Powell Endurance rods along with the Max 3D series and they were crucial to feeling those light bites and keeping them buttoned up.”

The top 10 pros on Clear Lake finished:

First: Wayne Breazeale, Kelseyville, Calif., 15 bass, 60-7, $82,338.

Second: Nick Nourot, Benicia, Calif., 15 bass, 57-8, $13,810.

Third: Joe Uribe Jr., Surprise, Ariz., 15 bass, 56-8, $10,792.

Fourth: Richard Dobyns, Marysville, Calif., 15 bass, 51-14, $9,158.

Fifth: Benjamin Byrd, Moab, Utah, 15 bass, 51-14, $8,019.

Sixth: Scott MacKenzie, Hercules, Calif., 15 bass, 51-0, $7,128.

Seventh: Vince Hurtado, Turlock, Calif., 15 bass, 49-3, $6,237.

Eighth: Matt Dal Porto, Sutter, Calif., 15 bass, 45-12, $5,346.

Ninth: Paul Bailey, Kelseyville, Calif., 15 bass, 45-2, $4,455.

Tenth: Stephen Tosh Jr., Modesto, Calif., 15 bass, 43-2, $3,564.

Full results for the entire field can be found at www.FLWFishing.com .

Dobyns caught an 8-pound, 7-ounce bass Friday – the biggest of the tournament – and earned the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $248.

Rick Grover of Trabuco Canyon, California, won the Co-angler Division and a Ranger Z175 with a 90-horsepower outboard motor and a $5,000 Ranger Cup bonus with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 42 pounds, 1 ounce. Geoff Peterson of Huntington Beach, California, finished runner-up with 15 bass weighing 41-6, good for $4,532.

The top 10 Co-anglers on Clear Lake finished:

First: Rick Grover, Trabuco Canyon, Calif., 15 bass, 42-1, Ranger Z175 boat with 90-horsepower outboard + $5,000 Ranger Cup.

Second: Geoff Peterson, Huntington Beach, Calif., 15 bass, 41-6, $4,532.

Third: Derek Gray, LaFayette, Calif., 15 bass, 40-8, $3,751.

Fourth: Jose Juarez, Kelseyville, Calif., 14 bass, 38-7, $3,137.

Fifth: Txawjtas Tas Moua, Fresno, Calif., 15 bass, 38-1, $2,689.

Sixth: Aaron Echternkamp, Moses Lake, Wash., 14 bass, 37-6, $2,241.

Seventh: Bruce Harris, Oakdale, Calif., 15 bass, 34-13, $1,793.

Eighth: David Swendseid, Bend, Ore., 14 bass, 34-12, $1,569.

Ninth: Matthew Diaz, Pomona, Calif., 14 bass, 30-15, $1,510.

Tenth: Travis Williams, Stockton, Calif., 11 bass, 27-13, $1,120.

Diaz caught the biggest bass of the tournament in the Co-angler Division Friday, a bass weighing 6 pounds, 6 ounces that earned him the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $165.

The Costa FLW Series on Clear Lake presented by Evinrude was hosted by the Konocti Vista Casino Resort & Marina. It was the second of three FLW Series Western Division tournaments in the 2018 season.

The next Costa FLW Series tournament will be a Central Division tournament, held June 7 to 9 on Lake Barkley in Cadiz, Kentucky presented by T-H Marine. For a complete schedule, visit www.FLWFishing.com.

The Costa FLW Series consists of five U.S. divisions – Central, Northern, Southeastern, Southwestern and Western – along with the International division.

Each U.S. division consists of three regular-season tournaments with competitors vying for valuable points that could earn them the opportunity to compete in the season-ending Costa FLW Series Championship.

The 2018 Costa FLW Series Championship is being held Nov. 1-3 on Lake Guntersville in Guntersville, Alabama, and is hosted by the Marshall County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Posted On



NASA is sending a helicopter to Mars.

The Mars Helicopter, a small, autonomous rotorcraft, will travel with the agency’s Mars 2020 rover mission, currently scheduled to launch in July 2020, to demonstrate the viability and potential of heavier-than-air vehicles on the Red Planet.

“NASA has a proud history of firsts,” said NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine. “The idea of a helicopter flying the skies of another planet is thrilling. The Mars Helicopter holds much promise for our future science, discovery, and exploration missions to Mars.”

U.S. Rep. John Culberson of Texas echoed Bridenstine’s appreciation of the impact of American firsts on the future of exploration and discovery.

“It’s fitting that the United States of America is the first nation in history to fly the first heavier-than-air craft on another world,” Culberson said. “This exciting and visionary achievement will inspire young people all over the United States to become scientists and engineers, paving the way for even greater discoveries in the future.”

Started in August 2013 as a technology development project at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the Mars Helicopter had to prove that big things could come in small packages.

The result of the team’s four years of design, testing and redesign weighs in at little under four pounds (1.8 kilograms).

Its fuselage is about the size of a softball, and its twin, counter-rotating blades will bite into the thin Martian atmosphere at almost 3,000 rpm – about 10 times the rate of a helicopter on Earth.

“Exploring the Red Planet with NASA’s Mars Helicopter exemplifies a successful marriage of science and technology innovation and is a unique opportunity to advance Mars exploration for the future,” said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate at the agency headquarters in Washington. “After the Wright Brothers proved 117 years ago that powered, sustained, and controlled flight was possible here on Earth, another group of American pioneers may prove the same can be done on another world.”

The helicopter also contains built-in capabilities needed for operation at Mars, including solar cells to charge its lithium-ion batteries, and a heating mechanism to keep it warm through the cold Martian nights. But before the helicopter can fly at Mars it has to get there. It will do so attached to the belly pan of the Mars 2020 rover.

“The altitude record for a helicopter flying here on Earth is about 40,000 feet. The atmosphere of Mars is only one percent that of Earth, so when our helicopter is on the Martian surface, it’s already at the Earth equivalent of 100,000 feet up,” said Mimi Aung, Mars Helicopter project manager at JPL. “To make it fly at that low atmospheric density, we had to scrutinize everything, make it as light as possible while being as strong and as powerful as it can possibly be.”

Once the rover is on the planet’s surface, a suitable location will be found to deploy the helicopter down from the vehicle and place it onto the ground. The rover then will be driven away from the helicopter to a safe distance from which it will relay commands.

After its batteries are charged and a myriad of tests are performed, controllers on Earth will command the Mars Helicopter to take its first autonomous flight into history.

“We don’t have a pilot and Earth will be several light minutes away, so there is no way to joystick this mission in real time,” said Aung. “Instead, we have an autonomous capability that will be able to receive and interpret commands from the ground, and then fly the mission on its own.”

The full 30-day flight test campaign will include up to five flights of incrementally farther flight distances, up to a few hundred meters, and longer durations as long as 90 seconds, over a period. On its first flight, the helicopter will make a short vertical climb to 10 feet (3 meters), where it will hover for about 30 seconds.

As a technology demonstration, the Mars Helicopter is considered a high-risk, high-reward project. If it does not work, the Mars 2020 mission will not be impacted. If it does work, helicopters may have a real future as low-flying scouts and aerial vehicles to access locations not reachable by ground travel.

“The ability to see clearly what lies beyond the next hill is crucial for future explorers,” said Zurbuchen. “We already have great views of Mars from the surface as well as from orbit. With the added dimension of a bird’s-eye view from a ‘marscopter,’ we can only imagine what future missions will achieve.”

Mars 2020 will launch on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, and is expected to reach Mars in February 2021.

The rover will conduct geological assessments of its landing site on Mars, determine the habitability of the environment, search for signs of ancient Martian life, and assess natural resources and hazards for future human explorers. Scientists will use the instruments aboard the rover to identify and collect samples of rock and soil, encase them in sealed tubes, and leave them on the planet’s surface for potential return to Earth on a future Mars mission.

The Mars 2020 Project at JPL in Pasadena, California, manages rover development for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. NASA’s Launch Services Program, based at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, is responsible for launch management.

For more information about NASA’s Mars missions, go to https://www.nasa.gov/mars.
Posted On

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council this week will welcome an art exhibit to the city and discuss an agreement with Lake County Behavioral Health.

At 5:30 p.m., city council members will participate in a reception for the opening of the Resilience Project art exhibit before the meeting begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

On Tuesday the council will present a certificate of appreciation to the Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club for its civic beautification project at Westside Community Park along with a proclamation designating May 13 to 19 as Police Week.

Lisa Kaplan from the Middletown Art Center also will give a presentation on the Resilience Art project exhibit.

In council business, Police Chief Brad Rasmussen will present a license agreement between the city of Lakeport and the county of Lake for Behavioral Health staff to work out of the Lakeport Police Department station.

Rasmussen also will take to the council the illegal fireworks police operation plan for the July 4 holiday.

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 1; receipt and filing of the Fiscal Year 2016/2017 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the city of Lakeport; approval of the 2017 flood damage insurance settlement agreement and authorization for the city manager to sign the agreement; adoption of a resolution calling for, providing for and giving notice of the General Municipal Election to be held in the city of Lakeport, county of Lake state of
California Nov. 6 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, and 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.

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.
Posted On

Trinkets from the treasure chest are just some of the prizes in the Lake County Library Summer Reading Program, this year open to people of all ages. The library everyone to read some books, have some fun, and maybe win a prize. Find out how at any branch of the Lake County Library. Photo courtesy of the Lake County Library.


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.

Signups begin May 19 at all four Lake County Library branches. You can sign up any time 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 children to adults.

The Lakeport Library at 1425 N. High St. will host “Super Sign-up Saturday” on May 19 for the children’s program. Fun, surprises and other good stuff are on the agenda for the day. The library is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

When young people aren’t engaged in educational activities during the summer, they experience learning loss. Reading just five books over the summer can prevent summer learning loss. Rich, engaging and free educational activities like summer reading programs are excellent tools to address the achievement gap.

Library summer reading programs began in the 1890s as a way to help children maintain their reading skills when school was out for the summer. Summer reading programs have been happening in Lake County for decades.

There have been many studies that show that students who read often achieve higher academic success than students who rarely read. Also, students who read just for fun are more likely to do better in school.

A study performed by Dominican University in 2010 found that students who were part of a library summer reading program had better reading skills at the end of the third grade than students who didn’t participate.

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.
Posted On



LAKEPORT, Calif. – The two Northshore residents vying to be the next District 3 supervisor participated in a Wednesday forum.

EJ Crandell and Denise Loustalot answered questions and discussed their goals and issues in the event, which was held in the Board of Supervisors chambers at the Lake County Courthouse in Lakeport.

The full video of the event is shown above.

A forum for district attorney candidates Steven Brown and Susan Krones will be held on Monday, May 14, also in the Board of Supervisors chambers.

This year’s forums are sponsored by the Lake County Bar Association, Lake County Economic Development Corp. and Lake County News.

LCNews

Responsible local journalism on the shores of Clear Lake.

 

Memberships:

 

Search