CLEARLAKE, Calif. – On Friday, the Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College will celebrate the graduation of the class of 2017.
 
The college invites the community to the commencement ceremonies at the Konocti Education Center Cornelison Event Center, located at 15850 Dam Road Extension in Clearlake.
 
Students who have earned certificates of achievement will be recognized for their accomplishments at the 3 p.m. certificate ceremony.
 
The student speaker will be Jermaine Gregoire of Kelseyville.
 
At 7 p.m., students who have earned an associate in arts or associate in science degree will be recognized for their accomplishments at the graduation ceremony, hosted by Executive Dean Annette Lee.
 
Yuba Community College District Board of Trustees Vice President Richard (Doc) Savarese will confer the degrees.
 
Student speakers will be Lena Murphy of Cobb and Ada Calderon of Clearlake.
 
Below are the lists of students receiving certificates and degrees.
 
For more information, contact the campus at 707-995-7900 or visit http://lcc.yccd.edu .
 
CERTIFICATES
 
Business
 
Accounting Certificate of Achievement: Stanley Silsby, Shawna Theodorou of Clearlake; Rachel Black of Lower Lake; Katlyn Gillies, James Rayburn of Middletown.
 
Advanced Accounting Certificate of Achievement:  Araceli Sepulveda of Clearlake;  Rachel Black of Lower Lake;  James Rayburn of Middletown.
 
Income Tax Preparation Certificate of Achievement: Araceli Sepulveda of Clearlake.
 
Business Computer Applications Certificate of Achievement:   Shawna Theodorou of Clearlake.
 
Administrative Assistant Certificate of Achievement: Janet Hernandez of Clearlake.
 
Small Business Management Certificate of Achievement: Stanley Silsby of Clearlake; Jermaine Gregoire of Kelseyville.
 
Advanced Small Business Management Certificate of Achievement: Stanley Silsby of Clearlake.
 
Culinary Arts
 
Culinary Arts Certificate of Achievement: Harley Clemons, Charles Eberitzch, Joshua Guerrero, Richard Phillips Jr. of Clearlake; Jennifer Kooyman of Clearlake Oaks; Ian Pickersgill of Lakeport; Jill Baker of Lower Lake; Kyle Karlsson of Upper Lake.
 
Early Childhood Education
 
Child Development Associate Teacher Certificate of Training: Alana Bowman, Ada Calderon, Mitzi Grimley, Elizabeth McClure, Katie Rick, Eunice Rivera of Clearlake; Chelsea Cherney of Cobb; Deanna Hoyal of Fairfield; Laura Roldan Arreola of Hidden Valley Lake; Krystyn Gregore, Angelique Ikeler of Lower Lake.
 
Child Development Teacher Certificate of Achievement: Ada Calderon, Maria Mendoza of Clearlake.
 
Diversity Specialization Certificate of Achievement: Stephanie Garcia of Clearlake; Tonya Albright of Hidden Valley Lake.    
 
Infant and Toddler Specialization Certificate of Achievement: Stephanie Garcia of Clearlake.
 
Environmental Technology
 
Drinking Water and Waste Water Technologies Certificate of Achievement: Aaron Beecher, Joseph Beecher, Scott Davis, Patrick Grillett, Kurt Jensen Jr., Lachlan McCracken, David Schober, Ahimsah Wonderwheel of Clearlake; Cyril Barmore of Gualala; Peter Holleman of Hidden Valley Lake; Craig Peterson of Middletown.
 
Human Services
 
Chemical Dependency Awareness Certificate of Achievement: Lonni Laven of Lakeport; Jennifer Chavez of Lower Lake.    
 
Chemical Dependency Counselor Certificate of Achievement: Michael Mos of Cobb; Lonni Laven of Lakeport; Jennifer Chavez of Lower Lake.
 
Welding
 
Welding Technologies Certificate of Achievement: Gerardo Bravo, Joshua Brooks of Clearlake; Benjamin Edwards, Travis Woodland of Lower Lake; Dean Ohlen of Middletown.
 
ASSOCIATE DEGREES
 
Clearlake
 
John Adams - Associate in Science, General Education: Social & Behavioral Science
Ada Rebecca Calderon - Associate in Science, General Education: Social & Behavioral Science
Miranda Carmichael - Associate in Science, Human Services
Michelle Case - Associate in Arts, General Education: Arts & Humanities
Timothy Cox - Associate in Science, Human Services Chemical Dependency Counselor
Heather Critser - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
Lisannette Diaz - Associate in Science, General Education: Social & Behavioral Science
Elisabeth Fortino - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
Amanda Graf - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
Jonathan Grafton - Associate in Science, Business Computer Applications
Heather Gravlee - Associate in Science, General Education: Social & Behavioral Science
Selena Hale - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
Teresa Jones - Associate in Arts, Psychology; Associate in Science, Human Services
Thomas Karopoulos - Associate in Science, Culinary Arts
Stephanie Ledesma - Associate in Science, Accounting; Associate in Science, Business Administration
Jael Limon - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
Benjamin Mann - Associate in Arts, English
Maria Mendoza - Associate in Science, Early Childhood Education
Wendy Mitchum - Associate in Science, Administrative Assistant; Associate in Science, Business Computer Applications; Associate in Science, Word Processing
John Morris - Associate in Science, Business Administration
Michael Oranje - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
Krystal Rampone - Associate in Science, Accounting; Associate in Science, Business Administration
Araceli Sepulveda - Associate in Science, Accounting; Associate in Science, Business Administration; Associate in Science, Business Computer Applications; Associate in Science, General Business Management; Associate in Science, Income Tax; Associate in Science, Small Business Management
Stanley Silsby - Associate in Science, General Business Management; Associate in Science, Small Business Management
Danielle Stennet - Associate in Science, Administrative Assistant; Associate in Science, Medical Office Skills; Associate in Science, Word Processing
Beau Stephens - Associate in Science, Accounting; Associate in Science, Business Administration
Jeremy Thompson - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
Audel Torres - Associate in Science, General Education: Social & Behavioral Science
 
Clearlake Oaks
 
Jessica Anglen - Associate in Science, Early Childhood Education
Serena Blais - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
Daniel Clark - Associate in Science, General Education: Social & Behavioral Science
 
Clearlake Park
 
Sarah Roath - Associate in Science, Administrative Assistant
 
Cobb
 
Michael Mos - Associate in Science, Human Services Chemical Dependency Counselor
 
Hidden Valley Lake
 
Jonathan Dawkins - Associate in Science, Business Administration
Amelia Johnson - Associate in Science, Business Computer Applications
 
Kelseyville
 
Amanda Fossa - Associate in Science, Accounting
Jermaine Gregoire - Associate in Science, Business Administration; Associate in Science, General Business Management
Brittaney Harms - Associate in Science, Culinary Arts
Ashley Medlin - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
 
Lakeport
 
Jealena Cooke - Associate in Arts, Psychology
Lonni Laven - Associate in Science, Human Services Chemical Dependency Counseling
 
Lower Lake
 
Rachel Black - Associate in Science, Accounting
Margaret DuBecky - Associate in Science, Human Services
Steven Ingraham - Associate in Arts, English
Gabriella Torrez - Associate in Arts, Psychology
 
Middletown
 
Katlyn Gillies - Associate in Science, Business Administration; Associate in Science, General Education: Arts & Humanities
 
Santa Clara
 
Haley Moore - Associate in Science, General Education: Social & Behavioral Science
 
Upper Lake
 
Kayla Ward - Associate in Science, General Education: Social & Behavioral Science

MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. –  Winter storms brought much-needed precipitation to Northern California but also caused problems in various areas of the Mendocino National Forest.
 
Work is being done to repair roads and service campgrounds but some recreation areas will be inaccessible over the Memorial Day weekend.
 
The winter storms left snow remaining in the high country – last reported around the 6,300 foot level – and resulted in several road closures being implemented across the forest.
 
Road closure information is on the forest Web site at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mendocino/alerts-notices .
 
If forest visitors want to travel from Covelo to Willows, State Route 162 (turning into Forest Highway 7) is not passable yet. Also, be alert to logging activity on the M4 Road.
 
While there are many known hazards and closures, there may be other problems such as downed trees and rock slides that have not been identified yet as some areas are unsafe for employees to enter. High clearance vehicles are recommended for travel on the forest.
 
“Please be responsible and have a safe and enjoyable trip on the forest,” said Mendocino National Forest Supervisor Ann Carlson, who invites the public to get outdoors and experience the Mendocino.
 
However, it’s not all bad news. Road work is being done where it’s safe to have heavy equipment. The M10 Road is open with sections of one-lane traffic at times.
 
With the repairs on M10, employees were able to open Letts Lake and Mill Valley campgrounds. While some campgrounds remain unavailable, dispersed camping is allowed in those areas that are reachable under motor vehicle use rules.
 
Please note, the Red Bluff Recreation Area is full for the Memorial Day weekend.
 
The number of visitors in campgrounds and on trails generally increases over the Memorial Day weekend. Please plan ahead and be properly prepared for your trip.
 
Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return. Remember that cell phones are unreliable in many parts of the forest. Be aware that weather can change very quickly and plan accordingly.
 
Visitors are encouraged to check with local offices for information about current conditions before traveling to the forest.
 
There are no fire restrictions at this time; however, the fire danger has increased to the moderate range. Campfire permits are required for the use of campfires, charcoal fires or portable gas stoves outside designated recreation sites.
 
Permits are available online at http://www.preventwildfireca.org/ .
 
Remember to always practice fire safety and follow these campfire guidelines:
 
· Clear all flammable material away from the fire for a minimum of five feet in all directions.
· Make a fire only if you have a shovel and sufficient water to put it out.
· Have a responsible person in attendance at all times.
· Never leave your campfire unattended.
· Never build a campfire on a windy day.
· To make sure your campfire is out, drown with water and stir with dirt, making
sure all burned materials are extinguished. Feel with your hand to make sure it’s out cold.
· Every campfire will be put DEAD OUT before leaving it.
 
OPEN                                     
 
Grindstone and Upper Lake OHV areas, Letts Lake campground, Mill Valley campground, Pillsbury Lake campgrounds, Eel River campground, Red Bluff Recreation Area, Traveler’s Home trail, Bloody Rock trail, Thomes Gorge trail, Bear Creek Campground, Grizzly Flat Dispersed Camping Area, Whitlock, Sugarfoot, Black Bear and Del Harleson.
 
CLOSED
 
M5 Road: From southern intersection with Forest Trail No. 85303 then north to its northern intersection with Forest Trail No. 85303.
 
M1 Road: From a point about 4.4 miles northeast of the Eel River Work Station to the seasonal gate closure on Boardman Ridge.
 
FR 17N06 Boundary Road: From FR M10 1.6 miles to Summit Springs Trailhead.
 
FR 17N02 Letts Valley Road: From FR 17N09 to junction with Miner Ridge trail.
 
FR 20N59 Bowman Ridge Road: From FR 20N01 to junction with FR 20N85.
 
Forest Service offices will be closed Monday, May 29, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.
 
For more information, check the forest Web site at https://www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino , Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MendocinoNF/ , Twitter @MendocinoNF or call 530-934-3316.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Three local men have been arrested for possession of child pornography, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
 
Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said the men who were arrested are Daniel Laine Wood, 35, of Middletown; Scott Michael Davis, 44, of Clearlake Oaks; and Jose Angel Mendoza, 24, of Upper Lake.
 
Brooks said the arrests were the result of three separate and extensive investigations conducted by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit in response to cyber tips it received.
 
During these investigations numerous search warrants were authored by detectives for searching residences, electronic devices and electronic service providers, Brooks said.
 
Brooks said detectives spent numerous hours conducting these investigations and examining the evidence collected. The investigations uncovered tens of thousands of images and movies depicting child pornography.
 
All of the cases appear to be unrelated to each other, Brooks said.
 
On April 19, detectives obtained information that Wood may be in possession of child pornography, according to Brooks.
 
Brook said Wood was on parole and a search was conducted at his residence. Authorities arrested Wood for a parole violation and booked into the Hill Road Correctional Facility.
 
Detectives later obtained evidence connecting Wood to the possession of child pornography and the possession of child pornography charge was added, Brooks said.
 
Based on separate investigations, Davis and Mendoza were taken into custody on arrest warrants on April 30 and May 18, respectively, according to Brooks.
 
All three men remained in custody in the Lake County Jail on Tuesday night, according to jail records.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The search for a Santa Rosa woman missing since Friday ended on Tuesday afternoon with the discovery of her body.

The Sonoma County Sheriff’s volunteer search and rescue team found the body of 54-year-old Catherine Huberty at about 2:25 p.m. Tuesday in a steep area along Redwood Hill Road, according to Sgt. Spencer Crum.

Huberty, who had mental health and mobility issues, had been reported missing on Saturday, according to Crum.

Crum said that during the investigation authorities found that she had been captured by a video surveillance system walking uphill in the 2200 block of Mark West Springs Road on Friday evening.

The search and rescue team, which had been actively looking for Huberty since she was reported missing, located her body about 150 feet down a steep ravine in the 2000 block of Redwood Hill Road, Crum said.

Due to the difficult terrain, Huberty’s body had to be flown out by the sheriff’s helicopter, Crum said.

Crum said initial indications are that Huberty slipped and fell. 

He offered the agency’s condolences to her friends and family.

The California Department of Public Health is working with local public health departments across the state to help control norovirus outbreaks that have increased in the past few weeks, and are occurring in schools and other institutional settings.
 
Norovirus is highly contagious and can spread quickly in settings where people come in close contact with each other such as cruise ships, daycare centers, schools and health care facilities. It is the leading cause of gastrointestinal illness in the U.S.
 
“Norovirus outbreaks usually have an annual peak like we are seeing now. They can be particularly large and disruptive in schools, affecting both students and teachers,” said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith. “Norovirus is very infectious and can spread rapidly wherever people congregate and share food and bathroom facilities. Fortunately, most people with norovirus infection will recover quickly, usually in one to three days.”
 
Norovirus activity is seasonal and typically peaks in late winter or spring each year. A peak in May is somewhat later than usual.
 
CDPH is working with local health departments to help ensure the impacted schools are properly disinfected to contain the virus.
 
Norovirus can remain in a person’s body for up to two weeks after that person feels better. It can also stay on surfaces for a long time so proper disinfection is essential to stop the spread.
 
Most norovirus illnesses do not require medical care and go undiagnosed. Data on the current number of norovirus disease cases, is therefore, not available.
 
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there are between 19 to 21 million cases of norovirus illness each year in the U.S.
 
Additionally, the CDC estimates that norovirus contributes to 56,000 to 71,000 hospitalizations and 570-800 deaths each year in the U.S.
 
CDPH does not have data on the number of cases in the state during this current outbreak because state and local health departments are not required to report individual norovirus cases.
 
Norovirus causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain.
 
While most people with norovirus get better within one to three days, the virus can make a person feel extremely ill with vomiting and diarrhea many times a day. This can lead to dehydration, especially in young children, older adults and people with other illnesses.
 
Symptoms of dehydration include decreased urination, dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing up. Children who are dehydrated may cry with few or no tears and be unusually sleepy or fussy. It is important that children with norovirus stay well-hydrated.
 
Fortunately, norovirus illnesses are usually self-limiting and resolve with supportive care. 
 
The best ways to stop transmission from occurring is to properly wash hands and handle food safely. Infected people should stay at home when they’re sick, and avoid caring for other people and preparing food for others during illness and for at least two days after symptoms stop.
 
Surfaces and objects in contact with vomit or diarrhea should be disinfected with a bleach solution or washed in a washing machine with detergent. Wear gloves and wash hands carefully after any contact with contaminated objects.
 
For more information about norovirus, please visit the CDPH Web site or the CDC Web site.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a woman missing since last week.

The search for 54-year-old Catherine Huberty is continuing in the 2200 block of Mark West Springs Road, according to Sgt. Spencer Crum.

Crum said a video surveillance system captured Huberty walking uphill on a dead-end road at about 6:45 p.m. on Friday and she hasn't been seen since.

Huberty was wearing a black dress with a white shawl and she was pulling an orange-bristled push-broom up the hill with her, Crum said.

Crum said Huberty has mental health issues and is mobility impaired.

If anyone has seen a woman in that area over the weekend, or maybe picked up a hitchhiker that matches her description, please call Sonoma County Sheriff's Office Dispatch at 707-565-2121.

Huberty is described as a Caucasian woman, 5 feet 6 inches tall, 115 pounds, brown hair and blue eyes.

Crum said the area of her disappearance is very steep, mountainous terrain. They aren't seeking any volunteers at this time to assist in the search as the area is physically limiting where she could have possibly gone.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Temperatures will soar across the western United States early this week, surpassing even late-summer heat levels.
 
The recent period of dry weather in many Western cities will make it easier for heat to build in the region.

"A large area of high pressure will transport some of the warmest air since last summer across the West Coast early this week," AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Rathbun said. "Records will be challenged from Washington to California."

Rathbun said higher temperatures are expected from Seattle – which could have its first day above 80 F since last August – south to Sacramento.

"Portland, Oregon, could break 90 F for the first time since August," Rathbun said. The city will challenge Monday's record high of 95 F from 2001.

Even in late July and August, normal temperatures only peak in the middle and upper 70s in Seattle and the lower 80s in Portland.

Monday's record high to beat is 100 F in Sacramento, California; the forecast high in the upper 90s will come close.

Residents looking to beat the heat can head to the beaches, where a cooling effect from the Pacific Ocean will prevent temperatures from significantly soaring.

While the century mark is not uncommon in the Central Valley of California in the summertime, these conditions will be the hottest of the season thus far.

Residents must take precautions to enjoy the heat and sunshine responsibly.

The sun angle is currently similar to that of late July, making for a very high UV index and increased threat of sunburns.

Reapplying sunscreen regularly, wearing protective clothing and limiting time spent in direct sunlight can greatly decrease the chances of a bad sunburn.

Heat exhaustion is also a dangerous side-effect of the upcoming weather pattern.

"Anyone doing strenuous outdoor activities across central California should take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water," Rathbun said.

While the heat will be most extreme in the lower elevations, the unusual warmth will lead to rapid snowmelt in the mountains, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Jim Andrews.

"The melting snow will cause rivers flowing out of the Sierra Nevada to rise," Andrews said. "The Walker River near Mason, Nev., is expected to reach major flood stage later this week."

For those looking to dip into the streams and rivers to beat the heat should find other means of cooling down.

"Most rivers flowing out of the Sierra and across the Pacific Northwest are either flowing too fast due to melting snow or are too cold to enter," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski said. "There is a risk of cold water shock."

The heat is expected to break after only a few days, providing relief to the baking West Coast.

"A storm will begin to cool the West down by the middle of the week, especially across the Pacific Northwest," Andrews said.

Faith Eherts is a meteorologist for www.AccuWeather.com .