LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The drastic change of weather that rolled into Lake County on Thursday – bringing with it much colder temperatures, rain and mixed snow – will remain in place Friday.

Forecasters state that today’s high temperatures will top-out in the upper-40s again and the chance for rain mixed with snow stays in the forecast.

Overnight lows will once again dip down near freezing as showers taper off.

Skies will be mostly clear for the weekend, but temperatures will remain unseasonably cool with daytime highs near 50 and overnight lows in the low- to mid- 30s both Saturday and Sunday.

Rain returns to the forecast on Monday night and continues through Wednesday.

Email Terre Logsdon 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.

NICE, Calif. – A man who was found breaking into a Nice home last Friday is facing prosecution for felony burglary as well as drug charges.

Jerome David Jones, 25, of Nice was arrested on the afternoon of Nov. 2, according to jail and case records.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff said he is charging Jones with felony first-degree burglary of an inhabited residence, which carries a maximum sentence of six years in prison if Jones is convicted.

In addition, case records show that Jones is charged with misdemeanors including possession of burglary tools, being under the influence of methamphetamine and possessing drug paraphernalia.

At about 7 a.m. Nov. 2 a resident of Nice found Jones in his home trying to steal several items, Hinchcliff said.

The alleged victim gave a description of Jones to sheriff’s Deputy Mauricio Barreto. Hinchcliff said later that day the burglary victim saw Jones and again notified the sheriff’s office.

Barreto, who was familiar with Jones, was able to track him down and arrest him early that afternoon, Hinchcliff said.

Jones was arraigned on Tuesday, at which time his bail was set at $50,000 and Doug Rhoades was appointed his defense attorney. Hinchcliff said Jones’ next court appearance will take place Nov. 14.

Jail records showed that Jones, who works in construction, remained in custody on Thursday.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Two sales tax measures placed on the ballot to address local needs fell short of the necessary percentages on Tuesday while a local fire district successfully passed a measure to increase its appropriations.

Measure E, a half-cent countywide sales tax that was to have been devoted to improving the condition of Clear Lake, and Measure G, a one-cent tax put before Clearlake’s voters as a way of improving road and code enforcement conditions, needed to each pass by 66 percent super majorities.

According to the last report posted by the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office late Tuesday, with 69 of 70 precincts reporting, Measure E had a 62.2 percent “yes” vote, or 9,720 ballots, to 5,900 “no” votes, or 37.8 percent.

With eight of nine precincts reporting, Measure G had “yes” votes totaling 1,497 ballots or 61.1 percent, to 952 “no” votes, accounting for a 38.9 percent return.

In the Middletown area, the South Lake County Fire Protection District’s Measure F, meant to increase the district’s appropriations limit, easily won the simple majority vote it needed, with 2,027 “yes” votes, or 64.3 percent, to 1,126 “no” votes, or 35.7 percent.

All 15 precincts had reported for Measure F late Tuesday.

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.

LUCERNE, Calif. – A 52-year-old Hopland man was injured early Thursday morning when his semi truck overturned on Highway 20.

Bobby Fackrell was injured in the wreck, which occurred at 4:25 a.m. on Highway 20 east of Rosemont Avenue in Lucerne, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Fackrell was driving a 2000 Freightliner truck tractor towing a flat bed trailer loaded with drilling equipment at an unsafe speed, attempting to negotiate a moderate right curve in the roadway, the CHP said.

Due to Fackrell's unsafe speed, the Freightliner overturned onto its left side and struck two vehicles that were legally parked on the north side of Highway 20, according to the CHP.

The truck came to rest on its left side, partially blocking the westbound lane of Highway 20, the CHP said.

Fackrell received moderate injuries. The CHP said he was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital for treatment.

The CHP said alcohol or drugs do not appear to be a factor in this collision.

The roadway was closed for approximately 30 minutes until one way traffic control was established, the CHP said.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Mount Konocti docents are planning to lead a hike to the top of the mountain on Saturday, Nov. 24.

The guided hike will begin at 8:30 a.m. and take approximately four hours.

The hike is moderately strenuous and will cover approximately six miles roundtrip. Participants are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes appropriate for rugged terrain and to bring a lunch, a supply of water, a daypack, as well as binoculars and/or a camera.

The number of spaces for the docent-led hike is limited, and reservations are required. Minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Inclement weather cancels the hike.

The hike, which will be led by docents Val Nixon and Mike Riley, will include a visit to the historic Downen Cabin and the top of Wright Peak, with an optional climb to the top of the Cal Fire lookout tower.

At 4,299 feet in elevation, Wright Peak is the highest point on the mountain, and the tower, which was built in 1976 and used until recently by fire lookout crews, provides stunning 360-degree panoramas.

The climb to the top of the tower requires accompaniment by a guided docent, and it will be accessible only to those 18 years of age and older.

Tower access requires a moderately strenuous climb up several flights of exterior stairs, and thus, may not be appropriate for those prone to vertigo or with heart-related and other health conditions.

Tom Nixon, a retired State Parks Ranger and member of the Konocti Regional Trails Team (KRTT), champions the docent tour program, which includes docent-led hikes of the mountain as well as a bus tour pilot project.

The docents have been trained and are knowledgeable about a range of topics including the mountain and its geology, history, flora, fauna and even folklore.

Mount Konocti County Park is an undeveloped park with somewhat rugged terrain and gravel areas. Three waterless vault restrooms have been installed on the mountain, as well as several picnic tables and benches. Smoking is strictly prohibited.

As with other county-owned parks, glass and alcohol are prohibited. Rattlesnakes are present, and care should be taken to avoid disturbing rocks.

In its monumental 2011 acquisition, the county of Lake purchased 1,520 acres of land on top of Mount Konocti, thereby creating the new Mount Konocti County Park and placing it into public hands for perpetuity.

The county-owned land is contiguous with an existing 821 acres of public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

The reservation deadline for the guided hike is Nov. 14.

To reserve a space, contact the Lake County Public Services Department at 707-262-1618.

For information on Mount Konocti County Park, including a downloadable map, visit www.konoctitrails.com .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The races to represent Lake County in the U.S. House of Representatives and the California Assembly were decided by wide margins on Tuesday night.

Congressman Mike Thompson and John Garamendi won the races for the Fifth and Third Congressional districts, respectively, while Mariko Yamada took the victory for the Fourth Assembly District.

Thompson previously had represented all of Lake County. However, redistricting resulted in the new Fifth District covering the southern part of Lake County as well as all or parts of Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Contra Costa counties.

With 91 percent of the vote counted early Wednesday morning, Thompson led the race with 74 percent of the vote to Republican challenger Randy Loftin’s 26 percent, the California Secretary of State’s Office reported.

Thompson said Tuesday night that he was honored by the overwhelming show of support he received throughout the district.

“With the election behind us, it is time to move forward – not divided as Republicans and Democrats, but united as Americans – with the common purpose of building a stronger nation where hard work is rewarded and everyone has a fair shot at success,” Thompson said.

He promised to “continue working with people on both sides of the aisle to make sure that if folks work hard and play by the rules, then they will have the opportunity to put food on the table, gas in their car, buy a home, send their kids to college and put some money away for retirement.”

Garamendi and Colusa County Supervisor Kim Vann had been engaged in a tough race for the Third Congressional District, which was redrawn to cover the northern part of Lake County as well as all or parts of Colusa, Glenn, Sacramento, Solano, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba counties.

With 88 percent of the vote in early Wednesday, Garamendi led with 53.1 percent of the vote to Vann’s 46.9 percent, the Secretary of State’s Office said.

In the Fourth District Assembly race, as of 1:30 a.m., with 90 percent of the precincts reporting, Yamada led the Assembly race with 60.8 percent compared to Republican challenger John Munn’s 39.2 percent, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.

Assemblyman Wes Chesbro, who has long represented Lake County in the state Legislature, now represents the Assembly’s Second District, which is farther up the North Coast. He beat Democrat Tom Lynch Tuesday night.

In the statewide race for U.S. Senate, with 75 percent of the precincts counted, the Secretary of State’s Office reported that Dianne Feinstein led with 60.5 percent of the vote to Republican Elizabeth Emken’s 39.5 percent.

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.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Three people were hurt early Thursday morning when the vehicle they were riding in went off Highway 20 and down an embankment, with the driver later being arrested.

Ukiah residents Leona Maria Delapena, 29; Jason Steele, 21; and a 17-year-old female, whose name was not released, were injured in the single-vehicle wreck, which occurred at 1:40 a.m. Thursday on Highway 20 west of Witter Springs Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Delapena was driving eastbound in her 2008 Honda Accord when, for reasons still under investigation, she went off the south shoulder of the highway and hit a tree, the CHP reported.

The CHP report said Delapena and Steele both suffered moderate injuries while the teen had major injuries.

Alcohol appears to have been a factor in the crash, the agency said. Delapena was placed under arrest.

The teenage girl was flown by CalStar to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, Delapena was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital and Steele went to Ukiah Valley Medical Center for treatment, the CHP said.

All three were wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash, according to the CHP.

The CHP said the crash remains under investigation.

REDWOOD VALLEY, Calif. – A 6-year-old girl helped authorities locate a man with Alzheimer’s who had gone missing from his home on Tuesday.

Mendocino County Sheriff’s Lt. James Van Hagen said young Natalie Wildberger helped bring the story to a happy conclusion thanks to her alertness.

At 3:40 p.m. Tuesday Mendocino County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Walnut Lane in Redwood Valley regarding an elderly missing adult, Van Hagen said.

When they arrived at the scene deputies learned that an 86-year-old male with Alzheimer’s had gone for a walk with his dog and was possibly missing or lost, according to Van Hagen.

Approximately one hour after the man left his dog returned home without him. Van Hagen said family members searched the immediate area and when they were unable to locate the man they called the sheriff’s office. Deputies then called Redwood Valley Fire Department and Ukiah Ambulance to assist.

While deputies were searching the area they were advised the missing man may have been located on Road “A.” Van Hagen said sheriff’s deputies, Redwood Valley Fire and Ukiah Ambulance responded to the Road A location and found the subject stuck in some brush.

While at the Road A location deputies learned that Natalie Wildberger was outside playing when she heard noises coming from the brush, Van Hagen said.

Natalie said she continued to listen and thought she heard someone calling for help. Van Hagen said Natalie then went and got her father and they both found the missing man on the other side of a fence, stuck in the brush.

Van Hagen said Redwood Valley Fire and Ukiah Ambulance removed the man from the brush and transported him to Ukiah Valley Medical Center for further observation.

“The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Natalie for a job well done,” Van Hagen said.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Two motorcycle crashes in different parts of the county on Tuesday were reported to have resulted in major injuries.

The crashes occurred in the Lucerne and Loch Lomond areas, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The first crash occurred shortly before 1 p.m. in the 6900 block of Laurel Del Drive, CHP said.

CHP Officer Joe Wind said 22-year-old Lucerne resident Joseph Valencia was riding a mini bike toward Highway 20 when, while turning the bike, he was thrown off of it.

Valencia broke his leg and was transported to a local hospital by Northshore Fire Protection District ambulance, Wind said.

Wind said Valencia was wearing a helmet, but the mini bike was not street legal.

Later in the day, CHP and firefighters responded to another solo motorcycle crash in the area of Highway 175 and Arroyo Vista Road.

Wind said CHP was dispatched to the call at 4:16 p.m.

A male motorcyclist, whose name Wind did not have Tuesday evening, hit gravel and went down on the roadway.

The man suffered pain to his hip and some road rash, and may have had a head injury, according to reports from the scene.

Wind said the man was flown to Queen of the Valley Hospital in Napa County.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, and Lake County News, @LakeCoNews .

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – A single-vehicle crash resulted in injuries early Thursday morning.

The crash was reported shortly before 2 a.m. on Highway 20 between Witter Springs Road and Bachelor Valley Road near Upper Lake, according to radio reports.

The vehicle, described as a Honda Accord, had gone off the road and about 100 feet down an embankment, according to initial California Highway Patrol reports.

Reports from the scene indicated an injured woman crawled up to the highway and flagged down a FedEx truck.

The woman – who was having chest and stomach pains, as well as difficulty breathing – reported that two other unresponsive people were in the vehicle, the CHP said.

Northshore Fire personnel arriving at the scene reported finding a second person, but said they could not account for a third.

A CalStar air ambulance was requested and set down at a landing zone at the Pivniska Ranch at Bachelor Valley Road and Highway 20 just before 2:40 a.m., radio reports stated.

Additional ground ambulances also came from Northshore Fire and Lakeport Fire, according to radio traffic.

Firefighters did another ground search but could not locate the third subject who was reported to have been in the vehicle, scanner reports said.

CHP reports indicated that the third person may have fled the scene.

One ground ambulance from Northshore Fire reported it was transporting one patient to Sutter Lakeside Hospital.

CalStar lifted off just before 2:50 a.m. en route to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with the second patient.

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.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A Clearlake man was arrested on Wednesday after he allegedly hit his roommate with a hatchet and then stabbed him with a knife during an early morning argument.

Ronald Babb, 63, was arrested for allegedly assaulting roommate Richard Kee, 45, according to Sgt. Dominic Ramirez of the Clearlake Police Department.

Ramirez said that at approximately 4:24 a.m. Wednesday Clearlake Police officers were dispatched to 3717 Koloko St. for a report of an assault victim.

When the officers arrived, they contacted Babb and Kee, who Ramirez said both live at the home.

During the investigation it was discovered that a verbal altercation took place between the two men, with Babb allegedly striking Kee with a hatchet in the head twice, causing moderate injuries, according to Ramirez.

Ramirez said Kee left the residence, however, he later returned and the argument continued. At that point, Babb allegedly stabbed Kee in the stomach with a knife.

Police arrested Babb for assault with a deadly weapon and booked him at the Lake County Jail, where he is being held on $25,000 bail, Ramirez said.

Ramirez said Kee was flown out of county for medical treatment. He was listed in stable condition and later released.  

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call Officer Thompson at the Clearlake Police Department, 707-994-8251.

SONOMA COUNTY, Calif. – A Santa Rosa man who embezzled $125,000 from the Oakmont Golf Club pro shop has entered no contest pleas in the case.

Ryan Drucker Andress, 31, pleaded no contest to two felonies, grand theft and possessing stolen property, and admitted the charged sentencing enhancement of embezzling more than $65,000, according to a report from Sonoma County District Attorney Jill Ravitch.

“We are working with law enforcement to hold the offenders in these employee embezzlement cases accountable,” said Ravitch. “We encourage businesses to review existing auditing controls to ensure proper asset protection and account compliance to protect themselves from these cunning schemes.”

Immediately after being promoted to golf operations manager, Andress devised a scheme within the internal electronic accounting controls to systematically reverse legitimate cash and credit card golf shop purchases, Ravitch reported.

The investigation revealed that Andress would then use the business' accounting software to debit the revenue onto an Oakmont Gift Card. Andress then used the gift card to purchase golf equipment from the golf shop to be later sold via his personal account on eBay.

The scheme provided him the appearance of increased golf shop sales under his management, all while he was personally profiting from the theft and eBay sales, Ravitch said.

She said the embezzlement continued for approximately 14 months and was only discovered when another manager questioned one of the reversed transactions.

Ravitch said Andress will be sentenced on Jan. 10, 2013, before the Honorable Judge Conger in Department Seven.

He will receive a stipulated 12 months county jail sentence with a probation period of three years upon his release. Ravitch said Andress also is ordered by the court to provide a partial restitution check made payable to Oakmont Golf Club in the amount of $50,000 on his sentencing date or risk the maximum penalty under his pleas of 4 years, 8 months in state prison.

The case was investigated by Santa Rosa Police Detective Joe Bjornstrom and prosecuted by Chief Deputy District Attorney Bill Brockley.