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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – As Lake County prepares to celebrate the Independence Day holiday, the county’s Public Health officer is offering recommendations to community members on how to stay safe in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Fourth of July has always meant large gatherings and events in Lake County. Because of COVID-19, this year will be a little different,” said Dr. Gary Pace.

In recent days, Lake County’s infection rates have begun to climb, following a statewide trend of

“The rates of infection are increasing rapidly right now, probably because of increased activity; especially groups of people from different households mixing together,” Pace said.

He said the Health Department has tracked some of the spread locally to weekend parties with multiple families, especially when masks were not worn and people were drinking and eating together.

“That sounds a lot like what happens on the Fourth of July, doesn’t it?” Pace said.

He said firework displays around the lake have been modified this year as the result of a lot of planning.

The city of Lakeport chose not to hold its fireworks display this year due to concerns that included not having room to ensure social distancing. However, sales of “safe and sane” fireworks by local nonprofits are continuing; those fireworks can only be legally purchased and used in the city limits.

Konocti Vista Casino in Lakeport is having a fireworks display on July 4. The fireworks display will start after dark.

Clearlake will host a public fireworks display with enhanced social distancing. People will drive up and stay in their car, although some people will be able to walk into the event. There will be some food vendors there starting at 4 p.m., with social distancing and masking procedures in place.

Handwashing stations will be present, and volunteers will be there to help remind people to return to their cars and not congregate.

“This type of activity is a bit risky, so we encourage everyone to be particularly mindful of the need to be careful,” said Pace. “Vulnerable people – over 65 or with chronic medical conditions – should not come. If we see a surge of cases after this event, it will be much less likely future gatherings will be possible during the pandemic.”

Pace said that with all of the increased activity around the lake this coming weekend, care should be taken to avoid groups, minimize large social gatherings at home, use masks and proper disinfection, and take particular care of vulnerable people.

“The last few months have been tough on everyone, but using some caution while celebrating this weekend will make the coming months a lot better,” said Pace, adding, “Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!”
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The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office is attempting to identify the man shown in this picture who was responsible for an armed robbery at Express Market in Ukiah, California, on Monday, June 29, 2020. Photo courtesy of the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.


NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office is seeking leads in its efforts to identify the man responsible for an armed robbery on Monday night at a Ukiah market.

The agency said that at 10:40 p.m. Monday its deputies were dispatched to an armed robbery at the Express Market located at 3141 North State St.

Deputies responded to the location and contacted employees who stated a male subject entered the business and approached the checkout area. The male subject displayed a black semi-automatic handgun and demanded money.

The employee fled towards the back of the business and the male subject walked around the counter to the area of the cash register, according to the report.

The male subject forcibly removed the cash drawer containing an undisclosed amount of US currency, and fled the area on foot, the agency reported.

The male subject was described as being a white male adult, approximately 5 feet 11 inches to 6 feet tall, 190 to 200 pounds in weight, with blond hair. The sheriff’s office said the male subject was wearing white tennis shoes, gray pants, a black long-sleeved shirt, gloves, a multi-colored face mask and had a gray shirt tied around his head.

Anyone with information regarding the identity of this subject is urged to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff's Dispatch center at 707-463-4086.

Information can be given anonymously using the Sheriff's Office Tip Line at 707-234-2100 or by contacting the WeTip Anonymous Crime Reporting Hotline at http://wetip.com or by calling 800-732-7463.

The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office is attempting to identify the man shown in this picture who was responsible for an armed robbery at Express Market in Ukiah, California, on Monday, June 29, 2020. Photo courtesy of the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.

The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office is attempting to identify the man shown in this picture who was responsible for an armed robbery at Express Market in Ukiah, California, on Monday, June 29, 2020. Photo courtesy of the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Superior Court reported that it is preparing to resume trials next week after a four-month suspension due to COVID-19.

Court officials said jury trials are tentatively scheduled to resume on July 8 at the Lakeport Courthouse.

The court suspended all jury trials on March 16, three days before state and county shelter in place orders went into effect.

Under emergency orders issued by the Judicial Council of California, the constitutional right to a speedy trial was extended by 90 days.

While the county and state shelter in place orders remain in effect, the county of Lake is moving through approved phases of reopening.

The Lake County Superior Court reopened its public counter in early June and has continued many kinds of hearings and appearances via video conference.

Now, it’s moving toward reestablishing one of its key functions, jury trials.

Court officials said jury summonses have been sent out to community members for next week’s jury selection.

“Trial by jury is foundational to our democracy and the cornerstone of our justice system,” said Presiding Judge Michael Lunas. “The court is always appreciative of jurors who fulfill their responsibility to serve on a jury, especially those who will be called on to do so during these uncertain times.”

During the past several months, the court has implemented additional physical distancing measures based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the California Department of Public Health.

The court also has been working closely with Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace to ensure all appropriate precautions have been taken.

The measures are designed to reduce the potential transmission of COVID-19 while also allowing the court to increase operations and expand access to justice.

The court said its plans to restore services balance the court’s constitutional responsibilities while supporting the goals of public health in mitigating the potential spread of COVID-19.

Precautions to keep jurors safe include the following:

– Enhanced cleaning measures have been implemented.
– All courtrooms have a supply of hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes and cleaning spray, and gloves available.
– Touchless hand sanitizing stations are available throughout the court building.
– In accordance with the governor and the Public Health officer’s orders for mandatory face coverings when indoors, all jurors, attorneys, parties, court staff and judges will be required to wear face coverings.
– The reporting times will be staggered to reduce the number of people in jury assembly and the courtroom.
– The number of jurors sent to a courtroom at one time will be limited. Courtroom seating has been taped off seating to enforce social distancing.
– Plexiglass guards have been installed on the witness stands.
– Once seated on a jury, the jurors will deliberate in the courtroom instead of the jury deliberation room.
– An online hardship request process is available which will allow jurors to request a hardship without physically coming to the court building.
– Individuals considered at high-risk of COVID-19-related complications may reschedule their jury service online.
– Any individuals who appear to be ill will be sent home.

For more information about court operations and updates, visit the court’s website.

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. – Elizabeth “Beth” Shepherd has joined the Lake County Office of Education as the Special Education Local Planning Area, or SELPA, senior director beginning July 1.

She brings a wide range of special education experience to the community.

“We welcome Beth and are excited about her breadth of experience. Her enthusiasm for coming to Lake County in this capacity is very exciting,” said Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg.

Shepherd’s impressive list of experience includes leadership roles at the county level, district office level and site level.

She has also taught elementary school, grades kindergarten through sixth, and has been a teacher of sixth through 12th grades at Court School.

Shepherd is relocating to Lake County from the Central Valley.

“I have dedicated my entire career to the education of children, teachers and administrators,” said Shepherd.

Shepherd is taking over the position from Patti Langston, who is retiring.

Langston has more than 28 years of special education experience at the site, district and county levels, and has spent the last 10 years at the Lake County Office of Education.

While at the Lake County Office of Education, Langston spent a significant amount of her time specializing in autism. As a member of the State Cadre, she learned evidence-based practices for students identified on the spectrum and was able to come back to Lake County to coach and train teachers on those practices.

Falkenberg said, “Patti is fantastic! I have never met an educator that is more motivated and dedicated to educating at-risk students.”

Although she is retiring, Langston said she intends to stay involved in special education in Lake County, which will include advocating for special education and writing curriculum.

It is Shepherd though, who will now be responsible for the development and implementation of SELPA goals and priorities for Lake County.

Among her duties, she will work within the Lake County Office of Education, assuming full management responsibilities for SELPA, and will fulfill requests for services from the Lake County School Districts.

She also bears the responsibility to ensure that the Lake County SELPA remains in compliance with rules, regulation and laws, both state and federal.

“I look forward to collaborating with and supporting Lake County’s school districts, partner agencies, communities, and parents in our profound and important work of delivering excellent educational services and programming to our students with special needs in ways that ensure that every student thrives,” Shepherd said.

For more information about Lake County’s SELPA, please visit http://lakecoe.org/SELPA .
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County’s Public Health officer said Wednesday that testing has confirmed 19 new cases of COVID-19 in the county.

The 19 new cases reported on Wednesday bring the county’s total to 79, Dr. Gary Pace reported.

It’s the largest single-day spike in confirmed cases for Lake County since the pandemic began.

“Lake County has experienced a significant rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases over the last week,” said Pace, noting that on June 25 the county was at 42 total cases.

Of Lake County’s 79 cases, 39 are active and 40 are recovered, with four people currently in the hospital, Pace said.

Pace said that none of the four hospitalized cases have been intubated.

“Thankfully, most of the people recently infected have relatively mild symptoms. The newly diagnosed folks with mild symptoms are stable and isolating at home with daily check-ins with Public Health,” he said.

Of the 37 cases reported since June 25, Pace said at least half resulted from an outbreak in the farmworker community, with the other cases stemming from a variety of sources.

“This pattern of spread indicates that there is at least some community transmission,” Pace said.

Pace said the initial case in the outbreak in the farmworker community was identified last week. The day after it was identified, a standup testing site was erected and more than 300 people were tested at that time.

Because of slow-downs in lab processing at the state level, Pace said the results are just now coming in.

The Public Health COVID-19 dashboard showed that 5,068 tests have been conducted, with the results from 911 of those tests still pending as of Wednesday evening.

There also have been details requiring confirmation for appropriate documentation, Pace said. For example, some of those tested work in Lake County but reside in another county, and will be added to the total in their county of residence.

“We are hopeful all results will be available by the end of the day,” he said.

Pace said the agricultural community and the farmworker representatives have all been extremely helpful and cooperative in testing and coordination. “Their operations have been put on hold until we are able to get on top of the spread.”

Some of the other cases confirmed over the past week involve several separate contacts with people out of the area who were later confirmed positive. “A few of the new cases have no identifiable source,” Pace said.

Pace said Lake County’s uptick in cases is consistent with statewide trends, which in recent weeks have shown a case surge.

By early Wednesday evening, more than 233,000 cases and 6,100 deaths statewide had been reported, based on Public Health departments reports.

Case investigation process explained

Pace said that the Lake County Health Department’s process in handling a confirmed case of COVID-19 is to do a “case investigation.”

They get information about the likely source of the infection and the people who have been in contact with the individual who has tested positive, and then they provide education regarding how to isolate, Pace said.

“Then, the people identified as contacts during the contagious period will get a call, and they are encouraged to quarantine and given information on how and where to get tested,” he said.

In situations where someone who tests positive has a job working with the public, Pace said the Health Department encourages the business to inform anyone who was present during the relevant time periods about the positive case.

Pace said any business is at risk now, so if one of the stores you go to informs the public of an employee who turns positive, “this is a very positive thing for that business to do.”

He added, “By being transparent about when infections may be present, the public can be reassured in those businesses that at other times, they are relatively safe. We strongly encourage the business community to work with the Health Department in letting the public know when a positive case occurs amongst their employees.”

Pace also continued to urge people to wear masks and practice social distancing to protect themselves and others.

“When investigating the contacts, it is clear people who wear masks and engage in social distancing are causing fewer of their friends and family to get COVID-19. Those who live in a household with individuals with underlying medical conditions or other vulnerabilities to severe complications must be particularly cautious,” he said.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The city of Lakeport is encouraging everyone to enjoy a safe Independence Day holiday weekend, with officials reporting on measures being taken to prepare for the upcoming event.

City officials reported that the Lakeport Fire Protection District and the Lakeport Police Department will have a dedicated illegal fireworks enforcement team working in the city to seize illegal fireworks and arrest or cite violators.

Fire danger is expected to be very high and so there will be zero tolerance for the use of any illegal fireworks.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the city of Lakeport canceled its large professional fireworks display in order to protect the health and safety of residents. Normally this display would be viewed from city lakefront land including Library Park, the old Natural High School grounds and the adjacent Dutch Harbor.

Lakefront parkland will remain open for public use on Independence Day. However, city officials are asking that visitors practice social distancing and wear masks as directed by the county and state health orders.

“As we have learned over the past five days, COVID-19 cases are increasing in Lake County,” the city said in a Wednesday report.

Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in all public areas including the parks in the city of Lakeport.

Safe and sane fireworks sales in Lakeport will start on Wednesday, July 1, and continue through Saturday, July 4.

Safe and sane fireworks can only be legally possessed and used within the incorporated boundaries of the city of Lakeport, except for all city parklands where they are and have always been illegal.

The city of Lakeport is unable to set up any safe and sane fireworks discharge area as it has in past years during the community celebration and professional fireworks display.

Please contact the Lakeport Police Department at 707-263-5491 with questions or concerns.
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The city of Clearlake will host a socially distanced Independence Day fireworks show and celebration at the newly renovated Austin Park on Saturday.

The outdoor event, sponsored by the Clearlake Lions Club, is scheduled to begin at approximately 4 p.m. with food vendors inside Austin Park.

The fireworks will be fired off at dark, at around 9 p.m. The event will be over immediately following the fireworks show.

The fireworks display is designed to be viewed from your vehicle although there will be limited space available inside Austin Park – designated by visible circles – for people without vehicles. These circles will be spread out to maintain social distancing.

Compliance with health orders is required to include masking and social distancing. Facemasks are required per order of the county health officer.

The temporary construction fencing around the perimeter of the park will remain in place throughout the event in order to limit access to designated areas such as the parking lots and main walkways.

Event parking is limited and will be on a first-come, first-served basis. It is recommended to arrive early to obtain your parking space. There will be no readmittance for parking once you leave the event parking area.

There will be road closures in the area. The entire surrounding area of Austin Park will be closed off to through traffic with the exception of Olympic Drive. Please choose an alternate route to navigate around the event for through traffic.

The roads that will be closed for event parking are as follows:

– Lakeshore Drive, both lanes from Division Avenue to Olympic Drive.
– Uhl Avenue from Olympic Drive to Division Avenue.
– Austin Road from Uhl Avenue to Lakeshore Drive.

The entrance point for the event parking will be located at Austin Drive and Uhl Avenue which can be accessed from Pine Avenue

There are several laws and rules that you need to be aware of while attending this event. These rules will be enforced via citation, removal from the park and/or arrest:

– No alcoholic beverages are allowed in the park. This includes open and sealed alcoholic beverages.
– No glass containers are allowed in the park.
– Pets must be on a 6-foot leash and you must pick up and dispose of pet waste
– No smoking is allowed inside the park.
– No unpermitted fireworks are allowed anywhere in the city of Clearlake. It is unlawful for any person to possess, use, sell, or explode any unpermitted fireworks within the city limits.

“We appreciate all the work that went into making this event possible so that our citizens can enjoy a celebration of our independence. Please honor that work by following the rules that are in place for your safety and the enjoyment for everyone,” city officials said in a Wednesday statement.
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Todd Gary Ousterhout, 37, of Lakeport, California, was arrested on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, for felony abuse of elder and/or dependent adults, prowling and resisting a police officer. Lake County Jail photo.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Police have arrested a Lakeport man who assaulted two senior adults at Library Park on Tuesday, with authorities trying to identify the men who helped officers subdue the suspect during a struggle.

Todd Gary Ousterhout, 37, was arrested on Tuesday evening, according to the Lakeport Police Department.

At 5:50 p.m. Tuesday, Lakeport Police officers were dispatched to Library Park to investigate the report of a physical altercation, the department said.

Upon arrival, the department said officers contacted a 67-year-old male with visible injuries who stated that a subject later identified as Ousterhout had punched him in the back of the head then the nose, and also pushed his 92-year-old mother, who is recovering from recent surgery and has dementia.

The male victim identified and pointed out Ousterhout to the police officers on the scene. Police said Ousterhout looked toward the officers and then began running from the park heading north. Three officers began searching the area.

One officer spotted Ousterhout leaving a residential property in the 700 block of North Forbes Street and confronted him, giving him orders to show his hands. Police said Ousterhout complied and dropped a cellular telephone.

The officer then approached Ousterhout and attempted to take him into custody. Police said Ousterhout resisted arrest and while attempting to control Ousterhout, both the officer and Ousterhout fell to the ground as the struggle continued in the street.

Two unidentified male citizens stopped and began assisting the officer, as did a second officer who arrived at the location. Police said the two officers and two citizens were able to take Ousterhout into custody and remove him from the street.

During the course of the investigation, officers were contacted by another citizen who advised that prior to Ousterhout being contacted by police on North Forbes Street, he had been in the bushes at a private residence using his cell phone to take photographs of the inside of an occupied residence, according to the report.

Numerous witnesses were identified who saw and heard parts of the attack at Library Park. Police said the investigation revealed that Ousterhout had become violent and committed the assault over the fact that the male victim was wearing a Harley Davidson shirt and his belief that the victim was racist.

There is no indication at this time that any of the victims at the park or the residence being photographed were known to Ousterhout, police said.

The police department reported that Ousterhout was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for minor injuries and cleared for booking.

Ousterhout was booked for felony abuse of elder and/or dependent adults, prowling and resisting a police officer, police said.

Officers are seeking to identify the two male citizens who stopped and assisted police with the arrest of Ousterhout. Those persons are asked to contact the department at 707-263-5491, by private Facebook Message @LakeportPolice or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
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On Tuesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 350, which protects California by giving the state the authority to hold Pacific Gas and Electric Co. accountable if the company fails to adhere to public safety policies, and to put safety, reliability and its customers at the center of its business model.

SB 350, by Sen. Jerry Hill, provides California with a failsafe if PG&E does not exit bankruptcy, or if the utility falls short of achieving the reforms in practices and operations that have been required by law.

SB 350 builds on the framework set up by AB 1054, which was signed in July 2019, as well as on requirements set in motion by the California Public Utilities Commission, the bankruptcy court and most importantly, by the governor’s push for fundamental changes to transform PG&E into a utility that is reliable and accountable to its customers and to all Californians.

“No more business as usual for PG&E,” said Gov. Newsom. “As we head into wildfire season amid a pandemic, Californians need to have confidence that their utility is focused on customer safety – preventing wildfire sparks and making critical safety upgrades. SB 350 marks a critical step in the transformation of PG&E into a utility that is accountable to those it serves – the people of California. I would like to recognize and thank the Legislature for taking action on this important legislation.”

“California must have a backstop in place to protect ratepayers and our state if PG&E does not meet the strict requirements for emerging from bankruptcy and for becoming a safe, reliable and sustainable energy provider,” said Sen. Hill, D-San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties.

“My thanks go to Governor Newsom and to Senators Bill Dodd and Mike McGuire and Assemblymember Chris Holden, the coauthors of SB 350, for sharing the vision of a transformed PG&E,” said Sen. Hill. “I also thank the governor and my colleagues in the Legislature for supporting measures to safeguard California and PG&E customers. SB 350 isn’t a bill we want, but it is a bill we need.”

SB 350 authorizes the creation of a new entity, Golden State Energy, as a nonprofit public benefit corporation, which would step in and take over if PG&E fails to emerge from bankruptcy or if the utility does not transform as required by Assembly Bill 1054, the legislation by Assemblymember Holden that Governor Newsom signed into law in 2019.

The governor signed SB 350 one day before PG&E is expected to conclude the bankruptcy case it filed in January 2019.

The state won key victories in the company’s reorganization plan as a result of its intervention. These included sweeping governance and operational reforms, including a newly constituted board of directors, and billions of additional benefits to ratepayers, victims and the people of California.

The state’s involvement also ensured that the company emerged from bankruptcy in a position to make massive upgrades necessary to deliver safe, reliable, clean electricity, and to swiftly compensate victims.

The California Public Utilities Commission approved PG&E’s bankruptcy plan on May 28 in a decision that placed enforceable requirements on PG&E to meet the mandates of AB 1054.

The Senate passed SB 350 with a 30-8 vote on Monday. Earlier this month, the Assembly voted 57-17 to pass the legislation.

The new law takes effect Jan. 1, 2021.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Wherever people choose to observe Independence Day in the state, they can expect the California Highway Patrol to be out in force for a maximum enforcement period, or MEP, from 6 p.m. on Friday, July 3, to midnight, Sunday, July 5.

As California gradually reopens, many people will be eager to celebrate the holiday weekend with family and friends.

To help reduce the risk and slow the spread of COVID-19, the California Department of Public Health is urging the public to avoid traveling long distances for vacations or pleasure as much as possible.

However, if you decide to leave home, take steps to keep everyone safe like wearing face coverings, physical distancing, and washing hands frequently.

"Should the upcoming weekend include a road trip, stay safe and healthy with a few additional precautions," said CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley. “Obeying speed limits, buckling up, and not driving impaired or distracted will be more important than ever.”

Traffic has been lighter on California roadways the past few months, which has resulted in an increase in citations for excessive speed.

Motorists are encouraged to take their time this holiday weekend and arrive safely at their destination.

During the recent Memorial Day MEP, CHP officers issued 458 citations for speeding in excess of 100 mph, which is a 173-percent increase from the same period in 2019.

The 2019 Independence Day MEP was four and a half days, which was two days longer than the upcoming MEP.

During that 102-hour enforcement effort, 36 people lost their lives in traffic crashes, 21 within CHP jurisdiction. Of those 21 individuals, 11 were not wearing seat belts.

Additionally, CHP officers made 1,317 arrests for driving under the influence.

“However you choose to celebrate the weekend, do it without putting yourself or others at risk,” said Commissioner Stanley.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Tuesday, the day the county’s COVID-19 shelter for homeless individuals had been set to close, the Board of Supervisors approved an updated agreement that will keep the facility open for another month.

The board unanimously approved the second amendment to the agreement between Lake County Behavioral Health, acting as the lead agency for the Lake County Continuum of Care, and Kelseyville United Methodist Church, acting as the fiscal agent for the Hope Harbor Warming Center Project.

The agreement extends the center’s operations from July 1 to 31, at a cost of $79,000. The staff report from Behavioral Health Services Director Todd Metcalf said that funding for the one-month extension will come from the existing Continuum of Care Homeless Housing and Prevention grant as allowed by the state for such COVID-19-related activities.

The board voted 4-1 to add the agreement as an extra item to the agenda for the special Tuesday afternoon meeting. Supervisor Rob Brown objected because he did not believe it met the criteria for a special item.

Metcalf asked for the matter to be taken up by the board as a special item because he said time was of the essence.

The warming shelter opened over the winter at New Hope Fellowship Church in Lakeport and then moved a short distance away to the former Record-Bee building at 2150 S. Main St. It converted into a COVID-19 shelter in March thanks to special funding from the state, as Lake County News has reported.

Kelseyville United Methodist Church has been Hope Harbor’s ongoing fiscal sponsor, but Metcalf said the church had pulled out of further shelter operations.

However, in a Thursday meeting the church agreed to continue for one more month, but Metcalf said the church indicated it would need funding before July 4 in order to keep going.

County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson checked with the county’s auditor-controller to find out how early funds could be released if the agreement was approved on Tuesday, which Metcalf said was July 9. Based on the discussion, the church is still willing to move forward despite funds coming available several days later.

“If this is approved we are working on an exit strategy. We are going to make sure that the folks that are in the shelter will receive resources and information, a warm handoff so to speak,” until Hope Center – a transitional housing project in Clearlake – opens around Sept. 1, Metcalf said.

At the same time, work is underway on a plan for transitional housing for the homeless at the county’s former juvenile hall facility, he said.

“There will legitimately be a hiccup in this,” said Metcalf, explaining that after July 31 there will still be a lag time period until another housing option is available.

He said with Project Roomkey, which is housing the homeless in motel and hotel rooms in Clearlake, they’ve had 10 or 11 participants, of which about three or four have secured permanent housing.

Taking the same approach with Hope Harbor, Metcalf said if the partners work hard enough, they may be able to come up with a more permanent housing solution for shelter clients.

City of Lakeport seeks county’s assistance

Brown said he was concerned that the city of Lakeport hadn’t been notified about the extra item being added to the agenda. “They’re impacted by this.”

Metcalf said the city was represented at the Thursday meeting that involved local officials and the church. “They should be fully aware of what’s going on right now.”

City Manager Margaret Silveira, who called in to the meeting, said the city has been working with Behavioral Health and the shelter.

She confirmed that the church had not intended to go forward with continuing the shelter. One reason was that they were not getting from Behavioral Health and Social Services the same type of around-the-clock program assistance for their 45 clients that has been offered through Project Roomkey.

In speaking to the church, Silveira asked if they would be interested in helping with the shelter’s transition if they got help, and they said yes.

She said there are people who have been at the shelter who are getting jobs and housing, and doing well. To just put them on the street immediately without having a transition would be a disservice to them as they work hard to stay clean and pursue new opportunities in their lives.

Silveira said the church’s members, who have big hearts, agreed to help for another 30 days. With the shelter building expected to be rented out as of Aug. 1, there will be a definite end to the use of that facility at that time.

The Lakeport Police Department has spent 80 percent of its time in recent months working with people at the shelter and dealing with those who were kicked out because of breaking the rules, Silveira said.

“That has been a huge burden for our police department,” with the city also bearing the financial cost, Silveira said.

Metcalf said he and his staff have put together a schedule that will have them at the COVID-19 shelter five days a week, eight hours a day, to help with the transition over the next month.

He said he hadn’t been made aware that the system they previously set up to work with the Lakeport shelter was broken, but his staff will be on scene to help with whatever is needed for the duration of the COVID-19 shelter project.

Supervisor Bruno Sabatier said that it will be important to look at outcomes and keep track of the data when it comes to the shelter’s clients. He said the county needs to not just feel good about it but make sure it’s getting the results it’s looking for, such as people finding jobs and housing, and decreases in drug addiction.

Sabatier said he appreciates people stepping up. “We are taking on something that we haven’t taken on in such a way.”

By the end of July, Sabatier said he wants a strong, concrete plan on what to do rather than shutting down and figuring out where to put people.

Metcalf pointed out that the county is currently seeking requests for proposals to run the former juvenile hall as a shelter. That RFP closes July 17. “That’s also happening behind the scenes.”

Supervisor Tina Scott agreed that a lot of work is being done and now there is a 30-day period to try to get assistance. She hopes someone will respond to the RFP and that the Hope Center will be up and running in a few months.

Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace offered his total support and said the effort is worthwhile.

“Hopefully it doesn't have to come to a screeching halt” at the end of July, Pace said of the sheltering effort, noting it would be a big support for the county’s whole COVID response.

Scott moved to approve the agreement, which Sabatier seconded and the board approved 5-0.

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. – With hundreds of test results still pending, four additional COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Lake County on Tuesday.

Lake County Public Health said the four new cases bring the county’s total to 60.

Details about the four new cases were not released by Public Health.

Of Lake County’s 60 cases, Public Health said 20 are active and 40 are recovered.

Four people currently are hospitalized, an increase of one over Monday, according to the Public Health reporting.

Approximately 4,911 tests have been conducted, with Public Health reporting that the results from 789 tests are pending.

On Tuesday, the California Department of Public Health said that 4,167,139 tests had been conducted in the state and reported as of Monday, an increase of 105,447 tests over the prior 24-hour reporting period.

The state said those testing numbers include data from commercial, private and academic labs, including Quest, LabCorp, Kaiser, University of California and Stanford, and the 25 state and county health labs currently testing.

As of Tuesday evening, county Public Health departments statewide reported more than 230,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and approximately 6,083 deaths.

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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