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California National Guard members package supplies for Ukraine. Photo courtesy of the Governor’s Office.

State officials said California continues to deliver relief to the people of Ukraine.

Since March, the state has shipped five, 50-bed field medical stations along with thousands of pieces of protective gear to Ukraine.

“California has stood firm in our support for Ukraine since day one of Russia’s unprovoked invasion,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom. “Our support will save lives and help the people of Ukraine as they experience unspeakable atrocities, and we will continue to support Ukraine’s brave fight against tyranny and oppression.”

For nearly three decades, as part of the California National Guard’s State Partnership Program, members of the Guard have trained members of the Ukrainian military.

Together, both the state National Guard and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, or OES, collaborated with state, local and federal agencies to deliver medical equipment and tactical gear supplies to Ukraine.

The field medical stations are donated by the State of California’s Emergency Medical Services Authority at the California Health and Human Services Agency.

The National Guard has facilitated the shipment of protective gear which includes 4,320 ballistic vests and 1,580 helmets, with additional shipments planned in the coming weeks.

Additionally, OES has facilitated the transfer of PPE and five field medical stations to cities in Ukraine, and is in the process of sending two more to Ukraine in partnership with Direct Relief of Santa Barbara, for a total of seven field medical stations (350 beds).

Packages headed to Ukraine from California. Photo courtesy of the Governor’s Office.

“California is incredibly proud to stand with the Ukrainian people as they have shown phenomenal resilience under extraordinarily difficult circumstances. We will continue to deliver additional aid in the coming weeks which will be used to help save lives and treat those devastated by the ravages of war,” said OES Director Mark Ghilarducci.

“California’s National Guard has formed an unbreakable bond with our Ukrainian counterparts and when the call was made to provide support and aid in a time of need, we responded with overwhelming support. The Guard requested donations of tactical gear from State National Guards throughout the nation and they responded with enthusiasm. Thanks to donations from California and from other National Guard members throughout the country, we are able to supply those fighting in Ukraine with thousands of ballistic vests and other protective supplies,” said Major General David S. Baldwin, Adjutant General of the California National Guard.

The shipment is the latest show of support for Ukraine after Governor Newsom’s meeting with Consul General of Ukraine in San Francisco Dmytro Kushneruk in March.

In that meeting, the governor expressed California’s solidarity with the Ukrainian community and discussed the state’s efforts to support the people and government of Ukraine.

The governor also signed an executive order directing state agencies and departments to ensure their contracts comply with economic sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s attacks and to direct their contractors to do the same, and called for state pension funds to halt the flow of money from the state to Russia and to ban the purchase of Russian debt.

California and Ukraine share close ties and the state is home to one of the largest Ukrainian populations in the country.

The Governor’s Office reported that, as a state of inclusion and a beacon of hope for those seeking refuge, California will continue to be a welcoming place for refugees.

The California Department of Social Services Refugee Programs Bureau has more information available online for Ukrainian families and service providers.

A group from the California National Guard that’s working to package supplies for Ukraine. Photo courtesy of the Governor’s Office.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — With the days getting longer and temperatures on the rise, motorcycle riders are making their way up and down our state highways.

The California Highway Patrol emphasizes the importance of paying close attention to a motorcycle rider’s location, sharing the roadway and working together to keep all motorists safe as we travel throughout the state.

“Motorcycle riders statistically face greater danger than other motorists,” said CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray. “Safe riding practices and cooperation from all road users will greatly help reduce the number of fatalities and injuries.”

In 2020, the CHP responded to approximately 6,500 crashes involving a motorcycle. Nearly 80% of those crashes involved an injury and 328 motorcyclists tragically lost their lives.

As part of May’s Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, the CHP will employ education and enforcement efforts to help call attention to the dangers and vulnerabilities motorcyclists face on the road.

As motorcyclists are often vulnerable on the road and may be difficult to see, riders should always be keenly aware of their surroundings, follow all traffic laws, and wear protective clothing, including a legally required U.S. Department of Transportation-approved helmet.

To help both new and experienced riders understand the laws and refine their safe riding skills, the CHP is proud to oversee California’s official motorcycle training program.

Students who pass the California Motorcyclist Safety Program will be issued a Certificate of Completion of Motorcycle Training, which may be used to waive the motorcycle skills test at the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Graduates would only be required to pass the DMV knowledge test to receive the motorcycle endorsement.

For more information or to register for a California Motorcyclist Safety Program training course near you, please visit https://motorcyclesafetyca.com.
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Toni Scully at the shed during pear harvest. Photo Credit: Karen Pavone Photography.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. — Rotary Club of Kelseyville Sunrise is hosting its second annual online auction to raise money for scholarships and community projects.

This year’s auction offers more than 35 packages including event tickets, overnight stays, experience packages and more for your bidding pleasure. Read on for a sneak peak at some of the wonderful items that are waiting for you.

Visit the auction website at https://rcks2022.ggo.bid to preview the auction packages now.

Click the Get Started button on the top of the page to register to bid. Bidding opens at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 6, and closes at 9 p.m. on Sunday, May 8.

Offerings include event tickets for this year’s Kelseyville Pear Festival Farm to Fork Dinner. The family style dinner will be prepared by Lake County Chef Jeremy Zabel using the freshest local produce. Round out the evening with dancing to the tunes of the Funky Dozen.

Bidders also will have a chance to win a behind the scenes tour of Scully Packing Shed led by Toni Scully. See firsthand how over a million cartons of fresh pears are packed for shipping every year and learn fascinating facts and history of the pear industry in Lake County.

Other items include Visit Lake County overnight stays. Looking for a peaceful farm stay – checkout Finca Castelero. Prefer a great location in town – Suites on Main is your gig. Wishing for a romantic getaway – Laujor Vineyard Loft is the one. If you want to be on the water, Skylark Shores Resort or Konocti Vista Casino and Hotel are the ticket. Need something a bit bigger – The Dome, a fabulous house on the water that sleeps six will meet your needs.

The Rotary Club of Kelseyville Sunrise is made up of local business, professional and civic leaders. Members meet regularly, get to know each other, form friendships, and get things done in the community.

For membership and other information about the Rotary Club of Kelseyville Sunrise, visit www.kelseyvillerotary.org or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Another experience package — dinner in the orchard is a fabulous dinner for eight in a century old pear orchard. The table is set and waiting for our guests. Courtesy photo.
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. — Clearlake Animal Control has a great group of dogs waiting to be adopted.

The City of Clearlake Animal Association also is seeking fosters for the animals waiting to be adopted.

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

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

The following dogs are available for adoption.

“Terry.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control.

‘Terry’

“Terry” is a handsome male shepherd mix with a short brindle coat.

He gets along with other dogs, including small ones, and is discovering that he enjoys toys. He also likes water, playing fetch and keep away.

Staff said he is now getting some training to help him build confidence.

He is dog No. 48443693.

“Captain.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control.

‘Captain’

“Captain” is a male border collie mix with a black, white and blue coat.

He is dog No. 49623709.

“Big Phil.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control.

‘Big Phil’

“Big Phil” is a 13-year-old male American pit bull terrier mix with a blue coat.

He is dog No. 49951647.

“Andy.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control.

‘Andy’

“Andy” is a male American pit bull mix with a short gray and white coat.

He is dog No. 48995415.

“Bear.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control.

‘Bear’

“Bear” is a male Labrador retriever-American pit bull mix with a short charcoal and fawn coat.

He has been neutered.

“Chai.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control.

‘Chai’

“Chai” is a female Alaskan husky mix with a gray and white coat.

She has been spayed.

She is dog No. 49279552.

“Colt.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control.

‘Colt’

“Colt” is a male Rhodesian Ridgeback mix with a short rust and black coat.

He has been neutered.

He is dog No. 49812106.

“Fritz.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control.

‘Fritz’

“Fritz” is a male Australian shepherd mix with a black and white coat.

He is dog No. 49278179.

“Snowball.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control.

‘Snowball’

“Snowball” is a male American Staffordshire mix terrier with a white coat.

He has been neutered.

He is dog No. 49159168.

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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As part of its “Let’s Change This to That” public education campaign, Caltrans is sharing the top sources of stormwater pollution and ways to prevent them from contaminating California’s waterways.

As stormwater travels into storm drains, it captures pollutants from highways, streets, sidewalks and yards that flow into waterways.

The top six pollutants have an outsized impact on the water quality of lakes, rivers, streams and the ocean, and many are preventable through small actions Californians can take.

The following lists the top six pollutants and actions to stop them at the source:

• Trash and litter: Properly secure items in truck beds and put trash and recycling in the correct bin.
• Sediments: Prevent soil erosion by using mulch in the garden, planting trees and shrubs, and sweeping driveways instead of hosing them off.
• Nutrients: Avoid overfertilizing lawns and plants and limit vegetation waste by keeping fallen leaves out of storm drains.
• Bacteria: Limit pet and RV waste by picking up after your pet and using appropriate RV dumping stations.
• Metals: Regularly check tire pressure, change oil and fluids, and use commercial car washes to prevent metals generated from vehicle, tire, and brake wear from ending up on highways.
• Pesticides: Use organic pesticides and properly dispose of unused portions.

Caltrans is tasked with managing stormwater runoff and mitigating pollution within its 350,000 acres of right of way, which includes more than 15,000 centerline miles of highways.

This effort involves picking up roadside litter and clearing out storm drains to preserve roadway safety and drivability during all types of weather conditions.

Unlike water that goes down the sink or toilet in a home, stormwater is untreated and flows directly into lakes, rivers and other waterways. Stopping pollutants at the source is critical Caltrans’ efforts to keep stormwater runoff clean

“Preventing stormwater pollution requires the help and support of every Californian, and it starts with keeping highways and roadways clean,” said Steven Keck, acting director of Caltrans. “Californians must work together to take necessary steps to prevent pollution at the source and keep our waterways clean.”

Summer is the peak season for recreation in and around local waterways. This year, as hot, dry weather is expected to intensify drought conditions throughout the state, Caltrans is amplifying water quality as a top priority.

During a drought, the state’s lakes, rivers, and streams have lower water levels, which leads to a higher concentration of pollutants. By preventing a buildup of metals, trash and other pollutants on highways and roadways in dry conditions, Californians can help keep pollutants from traveling into local waterways during rainstorms.

The “Let’s Change This to That” stormwater public education campaign is calling on Californians to pledge to do their part to keep stormwater clean. Visit CleanWaterCA.com to take the pledge and learn more about the sources and pathways of stormwater pollution.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Our mental health has a powerful influence on our quality of life.

It affects how we feel, how we see ourselves, how we handle stress, how we make choices, and how we relate to others.

Our mental health deserves the same attention as our physical health, but is far too often overlooked or ignored.

The month of May is Mental Health Matters Month. Now is the time to check in on our own mental health and the mental health of the people we care about.

Please support and encourage those you are connected with to take action to attend to mental health needs.

Behavioral Health Services staff invite you, particularly, to “Take Action 4 Mental Health” on Saturday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Library Park in Lakeport. The event will have a booth and information. Also, check out Lake County Prevention on Facebook for more events and information.

“Taking Action 4 Mental Health” starts with you. Check in on your own mental health and the mental health of someone you care about. You may find self-care activities or other support give your mind and body an opportunity to recharge.

When you check in with others, let them know you’re there for them if they want to talk. Help them get support from other sources, if they are in need. To get started, visit the “Take Action 4 Mental Health” website’s check-in page at https://takeaction4mh.com/.

Most people have times when we feel sad, stressed out, anxious or just weighed down. If “a few bad days” occur often, and/or last more than two weeks, this can be a sign of something more serious.

If you recognize signs additional support may be needed, for yourself or someone else, take time to learn more about self-care, services, and supports available. Find a positive path forward.

If you feel overwhelmed, or mental health challenges interfere with your life, it’s time to seek help. Reach out and connect with family, friends, peer support groups, or other resources available in your community.

Lake County Behavioral Health Services also offers many community trainings for suicide prevention. The trainings provide tools to start challenging, but important, conversations about mental health and suicide.

These trainings are available for the entire community, as well as schools and agencies. For more information, please contact Kendra Boyce, Prevention Specialist at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 707-533-7358, or Michael Mos, Prevention Specialist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.:

· Know the Signs is designed to teach people how to: recognize warning signs of suicide; find the words to get the conversation started; and reach out to the resources available. You are not alone. There is HOPE.

· Question Persuade Refer, or QPR, is a short training that offers tools for emergency response when someone is in a mental health crisis; this information can save lives.

· Adult Mental Health First Aid teaches adults how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders in their peers, friends, and family. This 8-hour training offers skills needed to reach out and provide initial support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem, and help connect them to appropriate care.

· Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches adults who work with youth to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. This 6.5-hour training builds the skills needed to reach out and provide initial support to children and adolescents (ages 6-18) who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem, and help connect them to appropriate care.

· Teen Mental Health First Aid teaches high school students how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders among their friends and peers. Students are equipped with skills to have supportive conversations with their friends, and get a responsible and trusted adult to take over, as necessary. This training, designed to be delivered in schools or community sites, encompasses three interactive classroom sessions of 90 minutes each, or six sessions of 45 minutes each.

If you, or another person, are in a crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You can also call the Lake County Behavioral Health Services Crisis Line, 1-800-900-2075, to speak with a trained counselor who can help.

Texting HELP to 741741 is another simple way to connect with someone when you are feeling depressed, anxious, just need to talk to someone, or you are or someone you know is in crisis.

The Take Action 4 Mental Health website also offers many support resources to help children and youth and the LGBTQIA+ community, and substance use and sexual assault and domestic violence hotline. There are many support options to try; each person can explore what works best for them.

This May, let’s all step up and do something for ourselves and those around us.

Let’s take action for our individual and collective mental health in Lake County.

Remember: It’s Ok to Not Be OK.

For more information, please contact Carrie Manning at Lake County Behavioral Health Services at 707-274-9101 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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A map of proposed road projects around Lake County, California. Map courtesy of Lake County Public Works.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Public Works director has presented a plan to the Board of Supervisors that proposes to complete more than $84 million in roadwork over the coming five years.

Director Scott De Leon presented the 5-Year Pavement Rehabilitation Plan to the supervisors at their April 26 meeting.

He said he’s excited about the plan, which gives the county a path and a visual for taking on millions of dollars in needed road work and improvements.

De Leon, who acknowledged that he makes a lot of reports and presentations, told the supervisor, “This is perhaps the most important presentation I’ve made to this board or any boards in my career as the Public Works director.”

He said the plan has been a long time coming, and he hopes it’s a step toward changing the conditions of Lake County’s roads.

However, he acknowledged, “This is going to be a pretty expensive proposition.”

Public Works maintains over 600 miles of road, a couple hundred bridges and thousands of culverts, De Leon said.

“Historically, we’ve been reactionary,” he explained, with the department focusing on patching potholes and responding to safety concerns.

When funding becomes available, they do pavement preservation or capital improvement projects, many of which are grant driven. De Leon said the discretionary funding that they have through the gas tax is limited.

By the time they pay for equipment, labor and materials, they don’t have a lot of money to do large scale pavement projects. However, De Leon said they are seeing an increase in funding with SB 1.

De Leon said he felt it was time to start looking ahead, be less reactionary and begin planning for the future. He went to the board in October and asked them to approve a contract with NCE, the preeminent pavement engineering company, which has a lot of history in Lake County.

NCE subsequently put together the five-year pavement rehabilitation plan for the county, De Leon said.

Initially, De Leon said Public Works wanted to pursue a pavement condition index target of 70 in five years. He said they knew it was going to be extremely ambitious.

NCE looked at that proposal and had not gotten too far into their study when they called Public Works and said they didn’t think it was financially attainable. That’s because the estimated cost was put at $174 million.

“That’s just not really an option,” said De Leon.

So they lowered the target to a pavement condition index of 50 in five years. De Leon said that would be better than the county’s current pavement condition index, which is hovering in the mid 30s.

Next, De Leon wants to hire a consultant to develop plans and specifications based on the list of roads the plan contains in order to begin preliminary environmental work. That, in turn, will ensure Public Works is prepared to pursue funding opportunities when they arise.

The plan gives the annual breakdown as follows:

• 2023: $15 million, focus on the Northshore.
• 2024: $15.4 million, areas would include Clearlake Oaks, Lower Lake and some roadways along Highway 175 in Cobb.
• 2025: $17.8 million, Buckingham, Soda Bay, Kelseyville Riviera, Riviera West, Cobb.
• 2026: $18.2 million, areas in and around Cobb, Kelseyville proper and Middletown.
• 2027: $18.1 million, north Lakeport and Kelseyville.

Public Works is very close to being able to handle the first year of the plan with some reserves they have developed over the last couple of years, De Leon said. Several projects that have been placed in year two, including some projects in the Clearlake Oaks area, will actually be handled by crews this summer.

When NCE established the road work list, they wanted to group neighborhoods and treatment types together, with the plan being community focused. De Leon said they roughly allocated 50% of available funding for local streets and roads, then to arterials.

All roads with a pavement condition index of less than 25, which means that the road has basically failed, were included in the plan. “Historically, we have not done that,” De Leon said, explaining that if roads failed, they would instead work on other roads.

The first year of the plan, 2023, focuses predominantly on the Northshore, with work set to take place in the communities of Nice, Lucerne and Upper Lake, De Leon said.

De Leon said Public Works needs to contact utility companies to make them aware that there is a plan to rebuild the roads in their area and that if they have projects, they need to get them done now. That’s because once the roads are reconstructed and repaved, no encroachment or retrenching permits will be issued for five years.

Supervisor Bruno Sabatier suggested having De Leon return between years three and four years for review, and to have another five-year plan ready to go for continuity. De Leon agreed.

De Leon said the road department has been setting aside funds and reserves in expectation of needing a lot of money for a big project. For 2023, they will be getting close to the necessary $15 million for that year’s road work. However, in the years after that, getting the money will be more of a challenge.

The road department will have an estimated $5 million in discretionary funding to put toward projects annually. However, De Leon said there’s a shortfall, as the department’s annual projects total $15 million to $17 million.

He said they need to find more money and go after every grant that’s available. So he’s spoken to administrative and auditor-controller staff, who have told him about capital improvement funding programs.

De Leon also raised the proposal for a sales tax. A half-cent sales tax could bring in an additional $2 million a year for road projects. He pointed to the city of Clearlake’s success with its Measure V road sales tax.

Sabatier asked about De Leon’s next steps. De Leon said he wants to hire a consultant to begin design work. And while he hadn’t initially planned to seek the board’s formal acceptance, he agreed to do so.

County Counsel Anita Grant suggested that he might seek formal approval by coming back with a resolution. Sabatier said he liked formalizing the plan with a resolution, as it holds the county accountable.

Grant added that the resolution can speak to the need for flexibility in how the plan is carried out.

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. — County officials say they have begun issuing well drilling permits once again after a gubernatorial executive order issued in March in response to worsening drought conditions led to a local pause in permitting.

On March 28, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-7-22, a response to what his office reported were the driest first three months of a year in California’s recorded history.

Specifically, Newsom’s order called on local water suppliers to move to level two of their water shortage contingency plans, which require “locally-appropriate actions that will conserve water across all sectors.”

Newsom also directed the State Water Resources Control Board to consider a ban on the watering of decorative grass at businesses and institutions. The proposed ban would not include residential lawns or grass used for recreation, such as school fields, sports fields and parks.

The California Department of Water Resources estimated that the proposed ban alone will result in potential water savings of several hundred thousand acre-feet. An acre-foot of water serves the needs of approximately three households for a year.

Since Newsom issued that executive order at the end of March, Lake County residents seeking to drill new wells found they couldn’t do so.

One of them was Dr. Susan Cannon, who owns Wasson Memorial Veterinary Clinic in Lakeport. Cannon found out about it in early April when the well at her clinic failed due to a cracked casing, not a lack of water.

When her well driller, Matt Hutton, went to Lake County Environmental Health to apply for a permit for a new well, he was told the county wasn’t issuing new permits and was studying the situation, Cannon said.

Cannon said she couldn’t believe the county wasn’t going to allow a well that had been in use for more than 50 years to be replaced. During that time, she said she was having to have water trucked into her clinic.

Hutton, whose father founded Upper Lake-based Hutton Well Drilling in 1950, said it was when he went to the county offices during the first week of April to get permits for well drilling projects that county staff told him that it would be some time before they would be able to resume issuing permits due to the need to study the executive order.

Since then, Hutton said he’s spoken to a casing supplier who said some other counties have stopped issuing well drilling permits altogether due to the executive order.

“I’m very disappointed in Gov. Newsom’s executive order,” Hutton said, adding he wished the governor had left it up to the counties. “He chose a one-size-fits-all mandate. Each county is different. We all have different issues. We can handle this drought differently, some better, some worse.”

Normally, it’s not a problem to drill a replacement well. However, in this case, the executive order resulted in about a half dozen permits Hutton was seeking — including the one for Cannon’s replacement well — being put on hold while the county paused the process.

Studying the order

Dwight Coddington, spokesman for Lake County Health Services, said the agency’s Environmental Health Division took time to study the gubernatorial executive order addressing drought conditions assistance from county counsel.

Coddington pointed to Section 9 of Newsom’s executive order, which triggered the county’s pause in issuing permits.

That section states:

To protect health, safety, and the environment during this drought emergency, a county, city, or other public agency shall not:

a. Approve a permit for a new groundwater well or for alteration of an existing well in a basin subject to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and classified as medium- or high-priority without first obtaining written verification from a Groundwater Sustainability Agency managing the basin or area of the basin where the well is proposed to be located that groundwater extraction by the proposed well would not be inconsistent with any sustainable groundwater management program established in any applicable Groundwater Sustainability Plan adopted by that Groundwater Sustainability Agency and would not decrease the likelihood of achieving a sustainability goal for the basin covered by such a plan; or

b. Issue a permit for a new groundwater well or for alteration of an existing well without first determining that extraction of groundwater from the proposed well is:

(1) not likely to interfere with the production and functioning of existing nearby wells, &

(2) not likely to cause subsidence that would adversely impact or damage nearby infrastructure.

In order to ensure thorough adherence to this order, Coddington said Environmental Health had suspended the issuing of any new permits for wells or for repairs, pending review by counsel.

Then last Tuesday, April 26, during the public comment period at the start of the Board of Supervisors’ meeting, Environmental Director Health Craig Wetherbee gave the board a brief update on the situation.

He explained that Section 9A of the executive order — the same one that Coddington pointed out to Lake County News — had a direct impact on the county related to the issuing of well permits.

Wetherbee said the executive order “has essentially stopped us from issuing well permits for the past three weeks.”

He said Environmental Health had been working closely with county counsel to find solutions. As a result, “We now have in place our solutions to this.”

Regarding Section 9a of the executive order and its direction on managed water basins, Wetherbee said the Big Valley watershed is the only one currently managed in Lake County.

For the Big Valley area, getting a well permit now required signatures from the watershed’s management team, he said.

As for Section 9b, the requirement for ag wells, Wetherbee said those who want well drilling permits must get a hydrologist or another professional to attest to their well not impacting performance of the nearby well and that their well is not likely to cause a subsidence.

“In Lake County, the likelihood of causing a subsidence is very minimal,” Wetherbee said.

However, concerns about interfering with production of another well has been ongoing for some time, he said.

“We will be moving forward with the issuing of permits under the following conditions,” Wetherbee said.

Domestic use wells, for residences and businesses, will be granted exemptions per the executive order, Wetherbee said, provided that they do not take more than two acre feet a year.

He said Environmental Health will be moving forward with permitting those wells with a certification from the property owner that they understand the limitation and will agree to abide by it.

Wetherbee said agriculture wells will be required to continue to provide the report that makes the statement that they will not likely affect any other wells in the nearby area or cause a subsidence.

As of April 26, Wetherbee said they were issuing well permits, which he was very happy to be able to do.

“We have a lot of folks whose wells are starting to run dry and they’re looking to get work done,” he said.

Cannon told Lake County News late last week that her permit application was accepted based on the fact that the water is being used for "domestic use” and that it’s in the process of being approved.

She credited the county with finding a workaround to the situation.

Coddington said late last week that it was his understanding that no permits have been denied as a result of Environmental Health “coming into thorough compliance with the governor’s recent executive order.”

He added, “All pending requests have or are being moved forward at this time, and we are very appreciative of the community’s patience throughout this process.”

Hutton said he received a call on Monday notifying him that his permits for domestic and public wells would be accepted by Environmental Health. For agriculture, it will be more difficult, as it will require additional reporting.

Some of the fallout from the executive order is continuing. With word of it spreading throughout the community, Hutton said it’s causing some panic and he’s getting calls even from those in stable water situations.

For more information on groundwater well permits, visit http://www.lakecountyca.gov/Government/Directory/Environmental_Health.htm .

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Clearlake City Council will discuss approving contracts, a land sale and a committee reorganization this week.

The council will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 5, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

The meeting will be broadcast live on the city's YouTube channel or the Lake County PEGTV YouTube Channel. Community members also can participate via Zoom or can attend in person.

The agenda can be found here.

Comments and questions can be submitted in writing for City Council consideration by sending them to City Clerk Melissa Swanson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

To give the council adequate time to review your questions and comments, please submit your written comments before 4 p.m. Thursday, May 5.

Each public comment emailed to the city clerk will be read aloud by the mayor or a member of staff for up to three minutes or will be displayed on a screen. Public comment emails and town hall public comment submissions that are received after the beginning of the meeting will not be included in the record.

Under council business, they will consider awarding the contract for the Austin Park splash pad and the Second and Modoc roadway improvement projects.

The council also will discuss the sale of a vacant parcel of land at 13981 Morgan Ave. for $20,000.

In other business, the council will consider reorganizing the Clearlake Marketing Committee, which was formed in 2016 to assist in economic development and marketing the city.

Councilmember David Claffey, who chairs the Marketing Committee, will present a new direction and reorganization the committee discussed and developed consensus upon at the April meeting.

The council on Thursday also receive the Lake County Tourism Improvement District’s annual report and present six proclamations, recognizing May 2022 as Military Appreciation Month and Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, May 15 to 21 as Police Week, May 1 to 7 as Public Service Appreciation Week and National Small Business Week, and May 9 to 13 as Economic Development Week.

On the meeting's consent agenda — items that are considered routine in nature and usually adopted on a single vote — are warrants; approval of Resolution 2022-21 approving a temporary road closure on May 21, 2022; approval of the sole source purchase of light poles from JAM Services; consideration of Resolution No. 2022-22 approving a temporary street closure for the Hope 4 Health event on May 14; acceptance of the contract with Clean Lakes Inc. in the amount of $148,603.80 for the Austin Beach Water Project; continuation of the declaration of local emergency issued on Aug. 23, 2021, and ratified by council action on Sept. 16, 2021, and keep the declaration of emergency active and set next review in 60 days; continuation of declaration of local emergency issued on Aug. 18, 2021, and ratified by council action on Aug. 19, 2021, keep declaration of emergency active and set next review in 60 days; discontinuation of declaration of local emergency issued on March 14, 2020, and ratified by council action on March 19, 2020; the second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 261-2022 adopting a military equipment use policy; and continue the authorization to implement and utilize teleconference accessibility to conduct public meetings pursuant to Assembly Bill 361.

Following the public portion of the meeting, the council will go into closed session to discuss an existing lawsuit against the county treasurer-tax collector, a potential case of litigation and labor negotiations with the Clearlake Municipal Employee Association and Clearlake Police Officers Association.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Lake County’s Public Health officer has issued an update on the COVID-19 situation, discussing variants that are making their way into the United States and available treatments.

In a Wednesday statement, Dr. Erik McLaughlin said state and local public health professionals are closely watching COVID-19 and doing their best to preserve the health and wellbeing of our communities.

“At this time, it is important to keep in mind that the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing and is still changing from week to week, as new variants develop and more information is learned,” McLaughlin said.

McLaughlin pointed to a global increase in cases due to the spread of recently discovered variants such as BA.4 and BA.5, which are variants of Omicron.

“Once again, we are seeing concerning information coming out of South Africa where they are experiencing a 173% increase in cases and 20% of all COVID-19 tests administered are coming back positive,” McLaughlin said. “Sadly, hospitalizations have increased by 63% there. However, the number of those being hospitalized with severe illness remains much lower compared to previous surges, as do death rates.”

In the United States, there is a 49% increase in cases mostly from the BA.2.12.1 variant. McLaughlin said the newer variants of Omicron such as BA.4 and BA.5 are active in the U.S, but at lower levels.

“This will likely change in the next few weeks,” he said.

He said the Northeastern region of the nation continues to have the highest numbers of new cases. Puerto Rico has shown a 271% increase in cases over the last two weeks, with Puerto Rico seeing a 120% increase in hospitalizations.

In California, McLaughlin said there are 4,302 new cases and 14 deaths per day, with 3.1% of all COVID-19 tests administered having tested positive.

“Case counts are slowly increasing, along with hospitalizations and death rates. However, this is not nearly as severe as previous surges such as the Delta variant,” he said.

In Lake County, COVID-19 cases also are increasing slightly, McLaughlin said.

He said there is no significant increase in hospitalizations and there have been 10 new cases since last week, with 2.7% of all COVID-19 tests administered coming back positive.

As of Thursday, Lake County had a total of 137 deaths and 10,758 cases, according to the state’s COVD-19 dashboard.

As case rates rise nationally, McLaughlin said oral antiviral treatments for COVID-19 are also increasingly available in Lake County by prescription from a health care provider.

McLaughlin said medications can reduce the chance of severe illness, hospitalization or death when taken soon after symptom onset. An oral five-day course of Paxlovid, for example, has been shown to reduce hospitalization risk by 89% in higher-risk individuals when initiated within five days of symptom onset.

Lake County Health Services is promoting awareness and access to potentially life-saving treatments for COVID-19 infections for residents who are at highest risk for severe outcomes.

While vaccination continues to provide the best protection against COVID-19, ensuring access to therapeutics to treat the virus can reduce the chance of severe illness, hospitalization or death, when taken soon after the onset of symptoms.

Lake County Health Services recommends that residents who are at higher risk for serious outcomes should have home test kits available and test promptly for any COVID-19 symptoms and if positive, reach out to their medical provider to discuss a possible prescription for oral antiviral medication.

Medical providers across the county are equipped to review with patients whether treatment is indicated and prescribe medication in one of several Lake County pharmacies that carry COVID-19 treatments.

Both testing and treatment are time-sensitive to be fully effective, McLaughlin said.
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With the U.S. Supreme Court apparently poised to overturn Roe v. Wade — which was revealed in a leaked draft decision document this week — state leaders and a North Coast member of Congress said Tuesday that they have plans to protect women’s reproductive rights in California.

The draft opinion would overrule the 1973 Supreme Court ruling Roe v. Wade as well as the 1992 Planned Parenthood v. Casey decision, which upheld the right to an abortion established in Roe.

Gov. Gavin Newsom called the document “an appalling attack on the rights of women across this country,” adding, “it stands, it will destroy lives and put countless women in danger. It will be the end of fundamental constitutional rights that American women have had for nearly 50 years.”

The governor continued, “We have a Supreme Court that does not value the rights of women, and a political minority that will stop at nothing to take those rights away. This won’t stop with choice and the right to privacy. They are undermining progress, and erasing the civil protections and rights so many have fought for over the last half century.”

Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-05), whose district includes Lake County, said the draft decision “is deeply troubling and problematic as it would allow states to criminalize abortion and ban it, even in the case of rape, incest, and threat to the life of the mother. The decision to have an abortion should be made by a woman in consultation with her doctor, her family, and her faith, but this draft opinion would upend that fundamental right and put reproductive care at risk for millions of women.”

He also pointed out that both Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh had said in their confirmation hearings that Roe was precedent and has been reaffirmed multiple times.

“Justice Kavanaugh said that precedent ‘is not just a judicial policy…it is constitutionally dictated to pay attention and pay heed to rules of precedent.’ If Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh are part of this majority decision, they both would be doing a complete 180 degree turn from their confirmation hearings where they stated they believed in precedent and the rule of law under oath,” Thompson said.

Thompson said the draft decision “clearly demonstrates the pressing need for the Women’s Health Protection Act to enshrine the right to accessible reproductive care for every American.”

On the state level, there are indications that effort is moving forward.

On Tuesday, state Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, who formerly represented Lake County in the Assembly, said he’s working with other state California leaders to guarantee women’s reproductive rights in California's Constitution.

“Clearly, the court is pursuing dangerous policy, undoing decades of precedent, and putting the lives of millions of women at risk,” Sen. Dodd said. “In California, we will continue to defend a woman’s right to choose as well as access to health care by building a protective firewall in our state constitution.”

Gov. Newsom, Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Lakewood, said this week that they would ask voters in November to put permanent protections in the California Constitution.

Sen. Dodd said he plans to co-author the bill, which would need a two-thirds majority in the Legislature to qualify for the Nov. 8 ballot.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta also reaffirmed this week California’s commitment to protecting reproductive rights.

He said that, over the next few weeks, he will meet with reproductive health advocates throughout California to help ensure that Californians know their rights and their protections under state law, and how to access reproductive healthcare.

“California values and protects reproductive rights, freedom, and justice,” said Attorney General Bonta. “My office will continue our fight to preserve and protect access to reproductive healthcare. Our position has been clear from the beginning: Roe v. Wade has been the law of the land for half a century and it should be upheld.”

Bonta added, “As our state's chief law enforcement officer, I will use the full force of the law to defend Californians' reproductive rights. Reproductive freedom is non-negotiable, and we will continue to fight to defend it.”

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Blue Zones Project Lake County, in partnership with Adventist Health Clear Lake, will celebrate its official launch in the community with the Blue Zones Project Community Kickoff and inaugural Hope4Health Festival/Hope in the Park Concert.

Lake County residents are invited to join the fun-filled day of events on Saturday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Austin Park in Clearlake.

The free, family-friendly Blue Zones Project Kickoff and Hope4Health Festival experiences will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., followed by the inaugural Hope in the Park Concert featuring the inspirational music of Unity Voices from 3 to 5 p.m.

“We are so pleased by the incredible amount of community support we received over the last six months as we worked with local stakeholders to create the foundation for this project,” said Jamey Gill, executive director of Blue Zones Project Lake County. “We are now excited to engage with the public at large through people, places, and policy. We encourage everyone in Lake County to come to our Community Kickoff at Adventist Health’s Hope4Health Festival, meet our team, and learn how to get involved!”

“We are proud to team up with local organizations to bring this annual family-friendly festival to Lake County offering free food, activities, live concert, and health screenings for all ages,” said David Santos, president of Adventist Health Clear Lake. “Promoting activity and making healthy choices aligns with our mission to better the well-being of the community. This year, in collaboration with the Blue Zones Project, we invite you to bring your friends and family to enjoy the Hope4Health Festival and Hope in the Park Concert.”

Based on principles discovered during an ongoing twenty-year longevity study developed by Dan Buettner, National Geographic Fellow and New York Times bestselling author of The Blue Zones and The Blue Zones Solution, Blue Zones Project is designed to make healthy choices easier through permanent and semi-permanent changes to a community’s built environment, public policies and social networks.

The Blue Zones Project Community Kickoff celebration event will explore core themes inspired by the original Blue Zones Power 9 principles that help people live longer, healthier lives: Connect, Eat Wisely, Move Naturally and Right Outlook.

Attendees will be invited to sample healthy bites from local culinary talent in the Taste of Blue Zones area, family-friendly games and activities including hourly demonstrations, plant mini gardens, downshift by visiting a featured petting zoo and Hula Hoop contest.

Guests can also enjoy interactive stations hosted by partner organizations and businesses such as NCO Gardens Project, Easterseals, various Rotary clubs and WIC.

Special guest speaker Nick Buettner, Vice President of Community Engagement and producer of Blue Zones expeditions, will take the stage to share his exploration story to the original blue zones longevity hot spots, and the habits and longevity secrets discovered to help everyone live a longer, better life.

Throughout the day guests will also receive fun giveaways and a chance to win prizes like paddleboards, kayaks and body boards.

All Blue Zones Project community events are free for participants. To volunteer, learn more, and register for the Kickoff event visit lc.bluezonesproject.com/community-kickoff.

More information about Blue Zones Project Lake County is available at https://lc.bluezonesproject.com/home.

For updates on more ways to get engaged and the latest events and local happenings, follow on Facebook @bzplakecounty and Instagram at @bzp_lakecounty.

More information about Hope4Health is available at https://www.adventisthealth.org/clear-lake/about-us/community-wellness/hope4health/.

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