SOUTH LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Evacuations remain in effect along Butts Canyon Road as well as the Berryessa Estates area due to the Butts Fire.

According to Cal Fire reports the Butts Fire has reached 3,200 acres and is at 30-percent containment.

As of 7 a.m. Wednesday 380 structures were threatened and five have been destroyed.

As many as 1,000 personnel are working the fire with 57 engines, ten fire crews, 1 helicopter, 12 dozers and three water tenders, Cal Fire said.

Multiple agencies continue to be involved in the response to the blaze including Red Cross, California Highway Patrol, Napa County Sheriff's Office, Lake County Sheriff's Office, Napa County Fire, South Lake County Fire, Solano County Fire, Sonoma County Fire, Office of Emergency Services, California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, United States Forest Service, Animal Control, Caltrans, Calistoga City Fire, St. Helena City Fire and Napa City Fire.

Cal Fire reported that cooler temperatures and higher humidity reduced fire activity from what it had been on Tuesday, allowing crews to make good progress. The fire continues to burn northeast into Lake County toward Snell Peak.

This page will be updated as new information becomes available.

In case you missed it, please visit http://bit.ly/1qyeS7V to read of last night's progress on the fire and see photographs.

This story is being updated on an ongoing basis.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Firefighters are on the scene of a fast-growing wildland fire in Pope Valley just inside the Napa County line.

The Butts Fire was first reported in the 7800 block of Butts Canyon Road shortly after noon on Tuesday, with one structure said to be involved.

The fire, located in Napa County, has quickly grown in size.

Cal Fire reported just before 2 p.m. that it had burned 200 acres and that it had grown again to 300 acres by 2:30 p.m.

Reports from the scene just before 2:45 p.m. put containment at 10 percent, with one outbuilding confirmed destroyed.

By 2:50 p.m., it was estimated to be at 500 acres and moving toward Butts Canyon, with officials at the scene putting it at close to 600 acres at 3:25 p.m.

At 4:15 p.m. the fire was reported to be 800 acres and was moving to the northeast, according to reports from the scene. It was said to be burning into Butts Canyon.

Cal Fire – along with a Lake County strike team – have sent resources, according to radio reports.

Lake County Public Works is reporting that its crews are closing Butts Canyon Road outside of Middletown to everyone except firefighters and other first responders.

The Napa County Sheriff's Office put out an alert advising people to stay out of the area, and reporting that Aetna Springs Road also was included in the road closures.

Shortly before 1:45 p.m., the Napa County Sheriff's Office said mandatory evacuations are in effect for the west side of the 7800 block of Butts Canyon Road to north of Snell Valley Road. The evacuation center for that area is the Pope Valley School.

Just after 3 p.m., mandatory evacuations were implemented for Berryessa Estates, with the Napa County Sheriff's Office reporting that the evacuation center for that community will be at Middletown High School.

Firefighters are facing challenges including significant wind and long-range spotting, radio reports indicated.

Radio reports are indicating more air tankers from Ukiah and Redding are responding, along with three additional strike teams for structure defense and six dozers which were requested on an immediate need just after 3:15 p.m.

Additional details will be posted as they become available.

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.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – As the Independence Day holiday approaches, the Lakeport Police Department is offering important information to citizens who wish to attend the event.

The city's celebration will take place this Friday, July 4, in and around Library Park.

As in previous years, the city of Lakeport is allowing the sale and use of “safe and sane” fireworks within the incorporated area of Lakeport.

Any person who wishes to purchase and use safe and sane fireworks is strongly encouraged to adhere to the following dates, times and locations for discharging the fireworks.

Dates and hours of discharge:

• Tuesday, July 1: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 2: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Thursday, July 3: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Friday, July 4: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Designated places for discharge:

All safe and safe fireworks are permitted on any street within the incorporated area of Lakeport from July 1 through July 4 as long as it does not violate section 5.30.180B, which states: “It is unlawful for any person to ignite, discharge, project or otherwise fire or use any safe and sane firework, or permit the ignition, discharge or projection upon or over or onto another’s property without his/her permission or within 10 feet of any residence, dwelling or other structure used as a place of habitation by human beings.”

Discharge of safe and sane fireworks will be permitted next to Library Park during the July 4 event. The location will be cordoned off by barrier tape and will be in the 50 block of Fourth Street.

Alcohol will be permitted by persons in the parklands during the July 4 celebration event. The event has been issued a “special permit” for alcohol consumption with certain restrictions which are listed
below.

These restrictions are in place as a precautionary measure to protect public safety, damage to city property or private property and to protect any and all persons in attendance.

Failure to abide by these conditions may result criminal actions, the immediate suspension of the alcohol permit and possible forfeiture of future special events in the city of Lakeport.

Alcohol restrictions to be in force include the following:

• No kegs or other large alcohol storage/dispensing containers.
• No glass containers.
• No sales of alcohol will be allowed.
• Public Intoxication is prohibited.

Noise restrictions:

No amplified music outside of facility or event location.

Park rules:

Park lands will be closed between midnight and 6 a.m. Obey all posted rules and regulations.

Annually, the July 4 event draws a large crowd of people to the parklands thus, causing safety concerns.

The Lakeport Police Department has set up a public information cellular telephone text alert function through NIXLE to provide public safety alerts, other important information, such as lost children, safety concerns, street closures or location information for the safe and sane discharge area to members of the public who are attending the activities during the event.

In order to receive these important public information text messages, members of the public can opt-in by texting the word fireworks to 888777.

The Lakeport Police Department also will have a command post set up in the council chambers at City Hall, 225 Park St., during the event for those who wish to stop by or have questions.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The Glenn County Sheriff's Office has released an update on the investigation into the discovery of human remains in the Sacramento River late in June.

An off-duty California Fish and Wildlife warden and his son discovered the remains in shallow water along the west bank of the Sacramento River, south of Hamilton City, on the afternoon of Saturday, June 21, as Lake County News has reported.

Glenn County Sheriff Larry Jones said Tuesday that an examination of the remains was conducted on June 25 by forensic pathologist Dr. Thomas K. Resk, M.D. The examination was attended by Detective Kelly Knight of the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit.

The skeletal remains consist of the tibia and fibula of a human right leg, still attached to ankle and booted foot. A wool-type sock was attached to the remains, Jones said.

Jones said the boot has been identified as a Brahma brand, men’s size 9.5. The label inside the boot is printed with the following:  “Alpha”, “ASTMF2413-05” and “2590418” stamped on the boot tongue.

Detectives and the boot manufacturer are attempting to trace these numbers in an effort to learn where the boot may have been sold, Jones said.

At this time, Jones said investigators have not been able to determine how long the remains may have been in the river.  

The skeletal remains are currently in the possession of the Chico State University Human Identification Laboratory. Jones said further examination of the skeletal remains are being conducted by the Human I.D. Lab in an effort to gain additional forensic information.

DNA samples will extracted from the remains and run against DNA databases, Jones said.

Jones said the Shasta and Tehama County sheriff’s offices have been contacted and the remains checked against known missing persons and/or skeletal remains recovered in those up-stream counties.  At this time no match has been made.

The Glenn County Sheriff’s Office has sent out a Critical Reach flyer to all law enforcement asking that any agency with a possible missing person match contact them.

Anyone with any information regarding this case is asked to contact Detective Kelly Knight at the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office, 530-934-6721 or 530-934-6431.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Planning Commission on Tuesday will hold a public hearing on a proposed mitigated negative declaration and extension of a use permit on a residential development project.

The commission will meet beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

The public hearing on Monte Vista Homes – proposed by Owen O'Donnell and Ashwin Gulati – will consider approval of a mitigated negative declaration based on a previously prepared initial study, extension of a use permit, the addition of more approval conditions and direction to proceed with a notice of intent to adopt the mitigated negative declaration.

The project's tentative map, adopted by the commission in January 2008, would subdivide a parcel of land at 3595 Old Highway 53 into 23 residential and four commercial lots, and would allow a use permit to build duplexes or single family homes on some of the lots, according to City Manager Joan Phillipe's report to the commission.

In August 2013 O'Donnell requested an extension of the tentative map, and staff research found that the project's use permit had expired, Phillipe said. They also found that the need for time extensions hadn't been discussed with O'Donnell.

“It appears this is another case of a file falling through the cracks,” said Phillipe.

She said staff is requesting that the public hearing be held to consider adopting the mitigated negative declaration and payment of fees.

“There have been no significant changes that would require a new application for a new use permit,” she wrote, suggesting that several new conditions of approval be added.

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.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – A vehicle stop conducted by the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force last week resulted in one arrest and the seizure of 14.7 grams of methamphetamine.

Frederick Edward Schoefer, 53, of Kelseyville was arrested following the stop, which occurred on Thursday, June 26, according to Lt. Steve Brooks.

At 8:20 p.m. June 26 a narcotics detective observed a black Jaguar coupe traveling westbound on Lakeport Boulevard that was exhibiting an erratic driving pattern, Brooks said.

Brooks said Central Dispatch conducted a records check of the vehicle’s license plate and advised the vehicle's registration was both expired and suspended.

The narcotics detective conducted an enforcement stop of the vehicle in the 800 block of Lakeport Boulevard in Lakeport, identifying Schoefer as the driver, Brooks said.

The detective explained the reason for the stop and then deployed his drug-certified K9 to conduct a sniff of the exterior of the vehicle. Brooks said the dog alerted to the odor of a controlled substance numerous times as she walked around the outside of the vehicle.

Brooks said the narcotics detective explained to Schoefer that the dog had provided multiple positive alerts to the vehicle.

When asked, Schoefer adamantly and repeatedly declined a consensual search of his person or the vehicle. He immediately became confrontational and insisted the K9 did not alert, Brooks said.

The detective told Schoefer the he was exhibiting the signs and symptoms of being under the influence of a controlled substance. Brooks said the detective asked Schoefer to participate in a series of tests to determine whether or not he was under the influence, which he refused.

Detectives conducted a search of the vehicle and located a small amount of marijuana in the ashtray. They also located a tool bag in the trunk, which contained numerous hand tools. The bag also had a concealed compartment which contained 17 packages of a white crystalline substance believed to be methamphetamine, Brooks said.

Brooks said the detective asked Schoefer if the tool bag was his and Schoefer replied, “I have the right to remain silent.”

Schoefer was arrested for possession of a controlled substance for sale, transportation of a controlled substance, being under the influence of a controlled substance and for possession of less than one ounce marijuana. Brooks said Schoefer was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.

The methamphetamine later was weighed and determined to have a gross weight of 14.7 grams. Brooks said a small amount of the substance was tested using a narcotics identification kit, which flashed blue indicating a presumptive positive for methamphetamine.

Schoefer remained in custody early Tuesday. Jail records show his bail is set at $125,000.

The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Many Californians and visitors will be celebrating our nation’s independence this July 4 holiday with fireworks, and in the city of Lakeport fireworks booths already are taking part in annual sales.

However, Cal Fire urges extreme caution during California's drought emergency. It can take hundreds of thousands of gallons of water to control a large wildfire.

Effective July 1, Cal Fire Chief Ken Pimlott ordered a ban on open burning throughout the 31 million acres of state responsibility area protected by Cal Fire due to the elevated threat of wildfire caused by the drought emergency.

“The drought has increased the threat of wildfire in California,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, director of Cal Fire. “We are urging the public to celebrate our nation’s independence by attending a professional fireworks display. For those who choose to use fireworks to celebrate, make sure fireworks are allowed in the area of use and follow all safety precautions. You don’t want to ruin your celebration by becoming financially responsible for a fire caused by your activities.”

California has a zero tolerance for the sale and use of illegal fireworks.

Illegal fireworks include sky rockets, bottle rockets, roman candles, aerial shells, firecrackers and other types that explode, go into the air, or move on the ground in an uncontrollable manner.

It is illegal to sell, transport, or use fireworks that do not carry the “Safe and Sane” seal, as well as possess or use any fireworks in a community where they are not permitted.

If convicted, a violator could be fined up to $50,000 as well as sent to jail for up to one year.

There are nearly 300 communities within California – including Lakeport – that allow “Safe and Sane” fireworks.

“Every year Cal Fire and fire departments across California respond to fireworks-related incidents that hurt people and cause damage to property and natural resources, ” said State Fire Marshal Tonya Hoover, Cal Fire-Office of the State Fire Marshal. “If you are going to use fireworks, check with your local Fire department first to make sure they are allowed in your area. If they are, use only fireworks that carry the State Fire Marshal’s ‘Safe and Sane’ seal.”

Cal Fire is asking the public to take the following precautions:

• First check that fireworks are allowed in the area of use;
• Make sure the firework has the state fire marshal “safe and sane” seal;
• Purchase only from legitimate organizations authorized to sell;
• Have a bucket of water, sand or garden hose available at firing site;  
• Read all instructions before use;
• Never alter, modify or enhance fireworks – use only in the manner intended;
• Make sure fireworks have proper clearance from flammable materials including dry grass and brush.

Cal Fire has already responded to more than 2,500 wildland fires this year, a large increase in the average number of fires for the same time period.

Residents are urged to visit www.ReadyforWildfire.org for tips on how to prepare their homes and family for wildfire.

The Web site also links to important water saving tips, a resource critical to the control of wildfires.

CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – A Clearlake Oaks vacation home was damaged in a Sunday evening fire.

A fire was first reported in the downstairs bedroom of the home, located at 11702 E. Highway 20, just before 5:30 p.m., according to radio reports.

Reports from the scene indicated Cal Fire and Northshore Fire responded to the incident.

Initial reports indicated that there were concerns that the fire was spreading into nearby wildland, but firefighters were able to quickly knock it down and contain it. Mop up continued for a few hours.

Northshore Fire Chief Jay Beristianos said the fire in the two-story summer home was accidental in nature. No one was injured.

The family who was staying there had arrived on Sunday for a three-week vacation, he said.

Beristianos said there was fire damage to two rooms and a storage area, as well as heavy smoke damage throughout the structure.

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.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Two Hidden Valley Lake residents were injured and flown to a regional trauma center late Saturday following a single-vehicle crash on Highway 29.

Driver Laura Kosar, 46, and passenger Matthew Kosar Jr., 22, were transported via separate air ambulances to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital following the wreck, which occurred at around 11 p.m. Saturday, according to the California Highway Patrol's Clear Lake Area office.

Officer Kory Reynolds said Laura Kosar was driving a 2004 Mazda MPV northbound on Highway 29 just north of St. Helena Lane outside of Middletown when she went off the road and struck an embankment.

As a result of the crash, both Laura Kosar and Matthew Kosar had complaints of neck and back pain, Reynolds said.

Reynolds said Matthew Kosar was flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital via REACH, while Laura Kosar was transported to the same hospital by CalStar.

Radio reports had indicated that the vehicle came to rest on its top, but Reynolds could not confirm if the vehicle had indeed flipped over based on the initial investigative report. He said the Mazda had major front end and left side damage.

The highway was closed down for a short time while emergency responders worked at the scene, according to radio reports.

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.

SOUTH LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County officials on Tuesday evening issued an evacuation advisory for the area near a wildland fire that began at the Napa and Lake County line earlier in the day.

At 6:30 p.m. the Lake County Office of Emergency Services and the Lake County Sheriff's Office put a voluntary evacuation in place for the Butts Canyon corridor in Lake County due to the Butts Fire.

This is an advisory evacuation only, officials said.

As of 7:30 p.m., the last confirmed size estimate from Cal Fire officials at the scene was 2,700 acres with 30-percent containment.

Evacuations began earlier for residents on the west side of the 7800 block of Butts Canyon Road to north of Snell Valley Road and in Berryessa Estates in Napa County, as Lake County News has reported. Additional residents in those areas were to be escorted out Tuesday evening.

For those who wish to evacuate, an evacuation center with overnight accommodations has been set up by the Red Cross at the Middletown High School, located at 20932 Big Canyon Road.

Officials ask that area residents not call 9-1-1 unless they have a current life or death emergency.  

If you are evacuating and are unable to do so because of a medical/ambulatory condition, please call the dispatch nonemergency number at 707-263-2690 to coordinate your removal to the evacuation center.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County's many communities will be celebrating Independence Day with carnivals, boat races, fireworks and fun.

The following is a roundup of the events countywide.

Event calendars are available at www.lakeconews.com and www.lakecounty.com , with updates also available at www.facebook.com/visitlakecountyca .

Thursday, July 3

Schoeppner Shows Carnival

CLEARLAKE – The Schoeppner Shows Carnival, sponsored by Lakeshore Lions, will offer rides, games and food all day at Austin Park.

For more information contact Lakeshore Lions Parade Chairman Ray Bridges at 707-994-3070.

Maxine Sherman Memorial Annual Fireworks display

CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – The Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Business Association will present the Maxine Sherman Memorial Annual Fireworks at dusk on Thursday, July 3.

The fireworks are launched from Clearlake Oaks Beach Park over Widgeon Bay.

The association said the best – and most fun – viewing area is from a boat, anchored east of Rattlesnake Island. Another great viewing area is Clarks Island.

Friday, July 4

Schoeppner Shows Carnival

CLEARLAKE – The Schoeppner Shows Carnival, sponsored by Lakeshore Lions, will offer rides, games and food all day at Austin Park.

Lakeport July 4 celebration

LAKEPORT – The city of Lakeport will host its annual Independence Day celebration from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, July 4.

The all-day event will include street vendors and a fair on Park Street and the Duct Tape Regatta.

Fireworks will be set off from a barge on Clear Lake at dusk.

Duct Tape Regatta

LAKEPORT – The Lakeport Yacht Club will once again sponsor the annual Cardboard and Duct Tape Regatta at Library Park near the Third Street launch ramp in the swimming beach across from TNT on the Lake restaurant.

Sign up for the free event begin at 9:30 a.m., with the races beginning at 11 a.m.

Rules require that the boats – which may be of any design, size or shape – be made using only cardboard and duct tape. Paddles may be of any material.

For the boats to qualify at the end of the races, the participants must be in them.

Life jackets are required for all participants. Unruly pirates will walk the plank.

There are three age groups: ages 6 to 11 (parents may assist but not propel the boat); 12 to 19; and 20 and above.

Trophies will be awarded to first, second and third place in each age group. This year the Yacht Club also will award a trophy for the crowd favorite boat.

For more information, contact Larry Wiggins at 707-263-4601 or Brandy Cubbage at 432-614-7707.

Saturday, July 5

Schoeppner Shows Carnival

CLEARLAKE – The Schoeppner Shows Carnival, sponsored by Lakeshore Lions, will offer rides, games and food all day at Austin Park.

57th annual Redbud Parade and Festival

CLEARLAKE – The Lakeshore Lions Club will host the 57th annual Redbud Parade and Festival on Saturday, July 5.

In addition to the all-day carnival at Austin Park, at 10 a.m. the “Show 'n' Shine” car show will begin in the park.

At 11 a.m. the annual Redbud Parade begins, to be followed by the famed International Worm Races.

Fireworks will be featured at dusk.

Hidden Valley Lake Independence Day Celebration

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE – The fun starts at 10 a.m. at either of the community's beaches.

There will be live music all day.

Games for children – including a casting contest and sand castle building – will be offered at the Little Beach from noon to 2 p.m.

At 3 p.m. they will hold the “Blessing of the Fleet” for all watercraft at the center of the lake.

Pre-fireworks celebrations will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. at the pool water slide, where a jumpy house for children will be offered.

The fireworks display will begin at dusk, weather-permitting.

Changes mandated by Cal Fire due to the necessity for emergency vehicle access will result in Lakeridge Circle being closed to through traffic from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., but dropoffs will be allowed at the Community Center. Cars will then have to exit and follow the signs to free parking at the Fiddlers Field.

Shuttle buses will take beach and pool patrons to the Community Center. No parking will be allowed at the Big Beach, and parking areas along Lakeridge and the horse shoe area will be closed.

For more information, contact the Hidden Valley Lake Association at 707-987-3138.

Lakeport Speedway hosts firework display

LAKEPORT – The Lakeport Speedway will put on a fireworks display Saturday night following the Deake Lyndall Memorial Race.

Racing starts at 5 p.m., with the fireworks to be shot off from the infield afterward.

The speedway is located at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St.

Visit www.lakeportspeedway.com for more information.

Sunday, July 6

Schoeppner Shows Carnival

CLEARLAKE – The Schoeppner Shows Carnival, sponsored by Lakeshore Lions, will offer rides, games and food all day at Austin Park.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The latest report on unemployment from the state showed a large drop in Lake County's jobless rate thanks to late spring farming.

The Employment Development Department's report on May unemployment figures shows that Lake County's May unemployment rate was 9 percent, down from 10.3 percent in April and 11.3 percent in May 2013.

The May rate is the lowest the county has seen since the 8 percent recorded in October 2007. For context, during the recession the Lake County unemployment rate topped out at 18.2 percent in January 2010 and January 2011, according to state records.

California's unemployment rate for May was 7.6 percent, down from 7.8 percent in April and 9 percent the previous May, the report showed.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that nationwide employment in May was 6.3 percent rate, the same as for April, but down from 7.5 percent from May 2013.

The California Employment Development Department's report said that statewide in May nonfarm payroll jobs increased by 18,300 for a total gain of 1,327,000 jobs since the recovery began in February 2010.

The state's nonfarm jobs totaled 15,448,000 in May, an increase of 18,300 jobs over the month, according to a survey of 58,000 California businesses that measures jobs in the economy.  The year-over-year change, May 2013 to May 2014, shows an increase of 340,200 jobs, up 2.3 percent.
 
A federal survey of 5,500 California households – which is used to determine the unemployment rate – showed an increase in the number of employed people. It estimated the number of Californians holding jobs in May was 17,235,000, an increase of 40,000 from April 2014, and up 305,000 from the employment total in May of last year.

The number of people unemployed in California was 1,423,000 – down by 35,000 over the month, and down by 261,000 compared with May of last year, according to the report.

Once again, Marin had the lowest unemployment of any county in May, at 3.8 percent, with Imperial's 21.1 percent gaining it the No. 58 rank.

Lake County was No. 36 statewide for its 9-percent unemployment rate in May, the state said.

Regarding employment in specific areas within the county, Clearlake Oaks had the highest May unemployment, 14 percent; followed by Nice, 13.6 percent; the city of Clearlake, 13.4 percent; Lucerne, 9.5 percent; Kelseyville and Middletown, tied at 9.1 percent; city of Lakeport, 8.6 percent; Cobb, 7.9 percent; Lower Lake, 7.4 percent; Hidden Valley Lake, 7.3 percent; north Lakeport, 7 percent; and Upper Lake, 4.4 percent.

Lake's neighboring counties ranked as follows in May, according to the Employment Development Department: Colusa, No. 57, 15.6 percent; Glenn, No. 47, 10.3 percent; Mendocino, No. 13, 5.9 percent; Napa, No. 4, 4.5 percent; Sonoma, No. 6, 5 percent; and Yolo, No. 21, 6.8 percent.

In Lake County, top industries that showed job growth in May included total farm, 78.4 percent; state government, 17.6 percent; information and federal government, both with 7.1 percent; other services, 7 percent; mining, logging and construction, 5.6 percent; goods producing, 3.2 percent; and financial activities, 2.5 percent.

The Employment Development Department also reported there were 435,763 people receiving regular Unemployment Insurance benefits during the May survey week, compared with 481,018 last month and 479,718 last year.

At the same time, new claims for Unemployment Insurance were 53,388 in May 2014, compared with 62,715 in April and 54,526 in May of last year, the state reported.

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.