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State Controller Betty T. Yee’s Government Compensation in California Web site this week published new information on special districts around the state.

The Web site now includes 2016 self-reported data from special districts – a total of 157,150 positions across the state and $8.28 billion in wages.

The newly published data are from 3,017 special government districts that focus on air quality, fire, health care, transportation, water and more.

The list of special districts includes 45 from Lake County, among them, Lake County Vector Control, the fire districts, Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District, cemetery, water and conservation districts.

Users of the site can:

· View compensation levels on maps and search for compensation by region;
· Narrow results by name of entity or by job title;
· Build charts; and
· Export custom reports or raw data.

For example, the available data show nine of the top 10 highest-paid special district employees in 2016 worked for health care districts, topping out with a salary of $1,235,939.

California law requires cities, counties, and special districts to annually report compensation data to the state controller.

The state controller also maintains and publishes state government and CSU salary data.

No such statutory requirement exists for superior courts, UC, community college districts, fairs and expositions, First 5 commissions, or K-12 education providers; their reporting is voluntary.

A list of entities that did not file or filed incomplete reports is available here.

All Lake County special districts reported as required this year.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The final days of summer are expected to wind down with cooler temperatures and a chance of rain this week, according to the latest forecast.

The National Weather Service’s Sacramento office reported that a weather system on its way into the area is expected to bring rain to the region’s mountains and possible snow in the Sierra crest.

The specific Lake County forecast anticipates daytime highs in the low 70s and nighttime lows in the low 40s for much of the week, with daytime temperatures expected to rise into the low 80s this weekend, when nighttime temperatures also are expected to rise in the low 50s.

The coolest weather of the week is expected on Wednesday, when daytime temperatures are forecast to drop as low as the mid 60s and the high 30s at night.

Those cooler temperatures coincide with a forecast of rain this week.

The National Weather Service said there is a 20-percent chance of rain beginning on Tuesday night, with a 30-percent chance of rain also predicted on Wednesday.

Winds with speeds ranging up to 15 miles per hour and wind gusts up to 20 miles per hour are forecast around the county through Wednesday night, the forecast 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 Board of Supervisors this week will consider approving a letter asking the governor to sign a new blue ribbon panel to support improving the health of Clear Lake.

The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.

The meeting can be watched live on Channel 8 and online at https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx. Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.

The letter to Gov. Jerry Brown regarding AB 707 is part of this week’s board consent agenda.

The bill would establish the Blue Ribbon Committee for the Rehabilitation of Clear Lake.

In other business, at 9:10 a.m., the board will present a proclamation declaring Friday, Sept. 22, as Native American Day in Lake County.

Also on Tuesday, in an item timed for 9:16 a.m. the board will consider continuing a proclamation of a declaration of a local emergency due to wildfire conditions, pertaining to the Rocky, Jerusalem and Valley fires, and get an update from staff on the Valley Fire Debris Insurance Collection Project.

In an untimed item, the board also will consider its response to the 2016-17 Grand Jury Final Report.

The full agenda is below.

CONSENT AGENDA

7.1: Adopt a proclamation declaring Friday, Sept. 22, 2017, as Native American Day in Lake County, Calif.

7.2: Approve and sign the letter requesting Gov. Brown sign AB 707, which would establish the Blue Ribbon Committee for the Rehabilitation of Clear Lake.

7.3: Approve leave of absence request for Mary Ramus, Environmental Health specialist, from Oct. 6 to 8 or until such time as the Environmental Health Department has completed a recruitment and is ready to make an offer of employment to fill the position, whichever date is sooner.

7.4: Approve leave of absence request for June Richmond, eligibility worker, from Aug. 31, to Oct. 25, 2017.

7.5: Adopt Resolution Approving the AIDS Drug Assistance Program Site Enrollment Agreement between the California Department of Public Health and the county of Lake for fiscal years 2016-2019 and authorize the Health Services director to sign.

7.6: (a) Authorize the Health Services Department to offer applicant interview travel expense reimbursement of up to a maximum of $1,500 and to increase the current relocation reimbursement from $1,000 to $2,000 for health officer, deputy health officer and Environmental Health director positions; and (b) approve request of a waiver of the current county policy for new employee relocation expense to allow an increased reimbursement from “up to $1,000” to “up to $2,000” for a relocation more than 700 miles for the three positions listed above.

TIMED ITEMS

8.2, 9:10 a.m.: Presentation of a proclamation declaring Friday, Sept. 22, 2017, as Native American Day in Lake County, Calif.

8.3, 9:16 a.m.: (a) Consideration of continuation of a proclamation of a declaration of a local emergency due to wildfire conditions, pertaining to the Rocky, Jerusalem and Valley fires; and (b) update on Valley Fire Debris Insurance Collection Project.

8.4, 9:17 a.m.: Consideration of continuation of a proclamation of a declaration of a local emergency due to Clayton fire.

8.5, 9:18 a.m.: Consideration of continuation of a proclamation of a declaration of a local emergency due to the atmospheric river storm.

8.6, 9:30 a.m.: Hearing, consideration of proposed notice of assessment and recordation of lien for nuisance abatement, in the amount of $4,757.42, on property located at 12542 Oak Street, Clearlake Oaks (APN 035-152-41 - Darryl Wienke).

8.7, 9:45 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of a resolution amending the master fee schedule for departmental services rendered by the county.

8.8, 10 a.m.: Public hearing, continued from Aug. 22, Aug. 1 and June 27. Consideration of a proposed ordinance amending Article 72 of the Lake County Code to allow the outdoor collective cultivation of medical cannabis in "RL" Rural Lands and to create a certification of compliance process for cannabis cultivation.

UNTIMED ITEMS

9.2: Discussion and board direction regarding Congressman Jared Huffman's Potter Valley Ad Hoc Committee.

9.3: Consideration of response to the 2016-17 Grand Jury Final Report.

9.4: Consideration of (a) update on Amendment No.1 to the contract agreement between the county of lake and the fire protection districts for dispatch services; (b) update on Lake Red Net radio frequency and possible direction to staff; and (c) rescission of first amendment to agreement between the county of Lake and the fire protection districts for dispatch services.

9.5: Sitting as the Lake County Watershed Protection District, consideration of an agreement between Lake County Watershed Protection District and Stetson Engineers Inc. for a water availability analysis for the Middle Creek Flood Damage Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration Project, and authorize the chair to sign.

CLOSED SESSION

10.1: Public employee evaluations: Water Resources Director Phil Moy.

10.2: Conference with legal counsel: Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.9 (d)(2), (e)(3) – Claim of PG&E.

10.3: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.9 (d)(1) – Loberg v. County of Lake, et al.

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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NORTH COAST, Calif. – Firefighters are battling a wildland fire along Highway 101.

The Grape fire was first reported just after 12:30 p.m. Tuesday on Highway 101 at mile post marker 14 near Hopland, according to reports from Cal Fire and the California Highway Patrol.

Cal Fire’s latest report late Tuesday afternoon put the fire at 100 acres with no containment.

The agency said eight aircraft, 12 engines, four crews, four water tenders, eight chief officers and two dozers are assigned.

The CHP reported that one lane of the highway was closed north of mile post marker 14 due to the fire and was expected to be closed until close to midnight.

Additional information will be posted as it becomes 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.
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A bill meant to bridge the “digital divide” and bring greater broadband investment to California’s rural areas is heading to the governor’s desk.

AB 1665, joint-authored by several bipartisan members of the Assembly, including Lake County’s representative, Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters), along with Eduardo Garcia (D-Coachella) and Brian Dahle (R-Bieber), was approved on the Senate Floor Wednesday before heading back to the Assembly for concurrence on Friday.

The bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in both houses of the Legislature.

This bill is the result of the successful negotiation of a $330 million bill package to expand broadband access and digital literacy in communities deprived of a reliable Internet connection.

Several past efforts to increase funding to close the connectivity gap between the “haves” and the “have-nots,” known as the “digital divide,” were intensely opposed by the largest telecommunications and cable companies.

After a three-year stalemate, this bill represents a cooperative effort between legislators of both houses and both parties, consumer advocates, and representatives from the telecommunications and cable industries to invest in broadband access and rural development.

“After years of failed efforts, I am proud that our group was finally able to break through,” said Aguiar-Curry. “I’ve been working on this issue as a local official for over a decade. I’ve watched families get their first email address, and farmworkers finally able to talk to their kids’ teachers despite their long work hours. I’ve witnessed how Internet access can transform a community. AB 1665 will transform communities across California.”

The California Advanced Services Fund, or CASF, is a state program aimed at closing the digital divide.

The CASF does not depend upon general fund dollars, but instead is funded by a small, existing surcharge on in-state phone bills.

The current goal of this program is to incentivize the expansion of broadband infrastructure to 98 percent of California households.

AB 1665 expands this goal to 98 percent of households in every geographic region of the state. This new goal creates a target that cannot be achieved by serving urban and suburban areas alone; it will ensure broadband infrastructure projects funded by AB 1665 are focused in rural California.

“I am happy my colleagues supported AB 1665 and took this important step towards getting much-needed Internet service to historically unserved and underserved communities across the state,” Assemblymember Dahle said. “This bill will provide services to rural areas of the state that have long been forgotten, or seen as too difficult and remote to provide service. I am proud to be a part of this bipartisan effort to close the digital divide and bring rural regions of our state up to speed.”

Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia added, “Legislative success for the ‘Internet for All Now Act of 2017’ will help increase connectivity to Californians stuck on the wrong side of the digital divide. This feat is attributed to the dedicated efforts of our bipartisan coalition of coauthors, who rallied together from all corners of our state to rectify our broadband infrastructure shortfall. Internet access has become a passport to health, economic, and educational opportunities. By extending funding into the California Advanced Services Fund we can provide access to this modern day necessity for our state’s most vulnerable communities.”

AB 1665 passed with a vote of 36-2 on the Senate Floor before receiving a final 68-8 vote of approval in the Assembly.

In a rare display, a group of Assembly members formed behind the joint-authors to stand with them in support as the vote took place.

AB 1665 is now on the governor’s desk, where the joint-authors say they will fight to ensure the bill is signed into law.

“I want to thank Communications and Conveyance Committee Chairman Miguel Santiago for helping convene an extensive stakeholder process, which ultimately led to our successful effort,” said Aguiar-Curry. “This is 2017. In today’s global economy, having Internet access is not an option; it is a necessity. People don’t start businesses in areas where they can’t even send an email. When we invest in providing Internet for all, we are investing in education for all, access to health care for all, and economic development for every community in our state.”

Aguiar-Curry represents the Fourth Assembly District, which includes all of Lake and Napa counties, parts of Colusa, Solano and Sonoma counties, and all of Yolo County except West Sacramento.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council this week is set to consider and discuss the recently completed Lakefront Revitalization Plan and options for solar-based energy upgrades.

The council will meet beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

Community Development Director Kevin Ingram will take to the council a proposed resolution approving the Lakeport Lakefront Revitalization Plan.

The Lakeport Planning Commission unanimously approved the plan last month, as Lake County News has reported.

On Tuesday the board also will review a proposed scope of work prepared by OpTerra Energy Systems to implement solar and other energy conservation measures at various city facilities.

As part of that item, the council will consider authorizing City Manager Margaret Silveira to negotiate and execute a program development agreement with the company for an amount not to exceed $25,000, subject to legal review.

Also on Tuesday, Finance Director Nick Walker will present a proposed resolution that authorizes him and Silveira to work with the financing team to refinance the prior bonds by issuing wastewater revenue refunding bonds with a principal amount of approximately $3 million.

In other business, the council will consider authorizing the city manager to execute the proposed professional services agreements with James Bauman dba Pacific Quest Investigations; Gary R. Buchholz dba LACO Investigation; Cline Investigations, LLC; and Bob Nishiyama Investigations.

Additionally, the city will present certificates of appreciation to the sponsors of the 2017 National Night Out event, held in August.

Items on the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances; minutes of the regular council meeting on Sept. 5; adoption of the proposed resolution accepting construction of the Giselman Street Waterline Replacement Project, Bid 17-01 by Green Right O’Way Constructors Inc., and authorization of the filing of the notice of completion; and approval of Application 2017-029 with staff recommendations for the Konocti Challenge Cycling event to take place on city streets Oct. 7, 2017.

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.

091917 Lakeport City Council agenda packet by LakeCoNews on Scribd

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MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Area Town Hall on Thursday hosted an update from Six Sigma Ranch and Winery on plans to host an upscale camping site at its Lower Lake property, and also heard an update on plans for a large housing and resort development near Middletown.

Christian Ahlmann, whose family owns Six Sigma Ranch, made the presentation on “Huttopia” at the MATH meeting, held at the Middletown Community Center on Thursday evening. Ahlmann’s presentation begins at the 22-minute mark in the video above.

The Ahlmanns purchased the 4,300-acre property now known as Six Sigma Ranch in 2000, and have since built a respected winery, vineyard and cattle operation at the site, where they also host tours and events.

Ahlmann said his family has discussed for a long time the idea of offering accommodations at the ranch. It’s an expensive proposition, and while they have had a number of different companies propose various ideas, before now they’ve ultimately said no.

“It’s serious business,” he said.

Ahlmann explained, “We're very careful with the brand. We want to do it right,” and not have something “hokey” on the property.

Recently they were approached by a representative of Huttopia, a French company that specializes in offering “nature campsites” in 43 locations across France.

According to its Web site, Huttopia’s sites are located “in unspoilt natural environments, beautiful pitches for tents, caravans and campers, wood and canvas lodges that blend in harmoniously with the site, swimming pools, and a whole range of activities for you to enjoy a wonderful holiday.”

Ahlmann termed Huttopia’s offerings as “glamping” – the term to describe glamorous or luxury camping – with everything from small tents to more upscale, deluxe tents.

Huttopia opened its first North American site in 2015 in Sutton, Canada and followed up this June by opening in the first Huttopia in the United States in the White Mountains near Albany, New Hampshire. Ahlmann and his wife visited the Sutton location and he recounted his visit in a blog post here.

Ahlmann said the company purchases or leases land for its projects. In this case, it will lease land from Six Sigma Ranch for a small fee.

After visiting Huttopia himself, Ahlmann said he thought it would work well in Lake County.

He said his family has signed a letter of intent with Huttopia, but added, “We haven’t made a contract yet.”

Ahlmann said Six Sigma representatives have met with the county and, at first glance, a review of the basic project doesn’t appear to show big environmental impacts and is in line with the county’s interests.

He said they would love to have people from the Bay Area come up to stay at the ranch. “People who stay in nice tents like nice wine.”

In Ahlmann’s opinion, Huttopia fits with Lake County better than a Marriott.

If all goes well with the planning process, Huttopia would start building next year and have the site in place by the end of 2018, Ahlmann said.

Unlike other Huttopia sites, the one at Six Sigma Ranch would be able to operate year-round, which Ahlmann said is one reason why the company likes the site so much, although Huttopia officials have voiced concerns about California’s planning processes.

Ahlmann said the Huttopia at Six Sixma will have a range of offerings from simple tents to more upscale tents and cabins featuring bathrooms and camp stoves, a setup that he said will be similar to camping facilities in national parks. All of the tents will have decks.

He said Huttopia wants to build 150 tents in phases that will be spread out across an area of between 100 and 150 acres on the property. The tents will be accessed through the same entrance as the winery.

“When you drive into the property you won’t really see them,” Ahlmann said.

Community Development Director Bob Massarelli, who was on hand at the meeting to also give an update on the Guenoc Valley project, confirmed that his staff met with Six Sigma for a preapplication meeting.

He said an application for the project had yet to be submitted at that point, but that he didn’t see any issues.

During the discussion, Ahlmann also reported that the project will generate transient occupancy tax, also known as bed tax, which is an important tourism-related revenue stream for county government.

In response to a question, he also confirmed that fire safety and an evacuation plan will be part of the review process for the project.

In other south county project news, Massarelli gave the group a brief update on the latest regarding the Guenoc Valley project, located at Langtry Farms.

Chinese developer Yiming Xu and his firm, Lotusland Investment Holdings Inc. of San Francisco, are proposing to build the project on an area that encompasses 16,000 acres, with 1,200 residential units, 1,200 hotel units and as many as nine different resorts with their own themes and architecture. He said 14,000 acres will be preserved in a natural state.

He said his staff is still in the process of getting proposals from consultants to perform the project’s environmental impact report.

The request for proposals was sent out to 15 consulting firms around the state, with an original deadline of Sept. 11, Massarelli explained.

However, Massarelli said some of the consultants have asked for more time, so the deadline was extended to Sept. 25. He said he expects to get proposals from five to six consultants, which will be a good-sized pool from which to choose.

A consultant selection committee has been formed of department heads and outside individuals, and Massarelli said he would report back to MATH at its October meeting about that selection process.

Massarelli said the county has not yet received an application for the project or much new information on the developer’s plans.

“The design team is really focused on incorporating it into the environment,” he said.

Massarelli said the Aman resort chain is involved with the project. He referred to Aman’s Utah resort – Amangiri, located at Canyon Point, where rooms range from $2,000 to $4,600 a night – for how it blends into the environment.

He said Guenoc Valley’s project will have equestrian and outdoor facilities, with some of those amenities to be open to the community at large.

A village center proposal has been removed from the plans in order to show support for the community and not detract from downtown Middletown, he said.

He’s hired one staffer to handle the project’s environmental studies and is recruiting a senior planner to handle permitting.

Lotusland has given the county a $65,000 deposit to cover planning expenses, which will be raised to $100,000 once an application is submitted, Massarelli said.

The developer will have to deposit $250,000 with the county when the contract is signed with the consulting firm that will conduct the environmental impact report, according to Massarelli.

Massarelli said the amount of planning work on the project involved is expected to run into the high six figures and possibly the seven figures.

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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Gene Paleno. Courtesy photo.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – On Saturday, Sept. 23, the docents and volunteers of the Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum will welcome Gene Paleno to talk about his new book “The Wish Machine.”

Paleno was raised on a farm near Detroit, Mich., in the early 1930s, a son of Italian immigrants. He learned to drive in an old Model T Ford, and worked on his family's rural farm.

He served in the US Navy during World War II and then taught school after graduating from Michigan State University in 1946.

In the early 1950s, during the aerospace industry boom, the entire Paleno family packed up and relocated to California.

He raised his family in Southern California where he began his career in art, then sales and marketing.

Later in life, Paleno fell in love and married a second time to a beautiful Dixieland musical entertainer. They built a small farm in Upper California and enjoyed life together for many years.

Paleno embraces every day at age 90.

He began to write stories more than 30 years ago.

“As a writer, science fiction was my first love,” he said. “I’ve written a score of science fiction novels exploring time travel, artificial intelligence, alien life and everything in between. I am proud to share my first science fiction book – in print. I hope you enjoy it.”

He continues to write and looks forward to publishing all of his stories.

The Lake County Historical Society’s Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum is located at 9921 State Highway 281 (Soda Bay Road) in Kelseyville, near the Clear Lake Riviera, just north of Highway 29-Kit's Corner. Current hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.

Living History events are held on the fourth Saturday of each month and begin at noon.

Visit www.elystagestop.org or www.lakecountyhistory.org, check out the stage stop on Facebook at www.facebook.com/elystagestop or call the museum at 707-533-9990.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has a mix of cats and kittens who are ready for new homes this week.

This week’s featured felines include two that are offered for adoption for free thanks to an anonymous donor.

If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets there, hoping you'll choose them.

For those looking for a barn cat to keep the rodents at bay, be sure to ask about the barn cat adoption program. Feral barn cats are adopted out for $1 each, which includes altering, ear notching and vaccines.

The following cats at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (other cats pictured on the animal control Web site that are not listed here are still “on hold”).

This female domestic short hair kitten is in kennel No. 11a, ID No. 8524. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Domestic short hair kitten

This female domestic short hair kitten has a black and white coat and gold eyes.

She’s in kennel No. 11a, ID No. 8524.

This female domestic short hair kitten is in kennel No. 11b, ID No. 8525. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Domestic short hair kitten

This female domestic short hair kitten has a black and white coat and gold eyes.

She’s in kennel No. 11b, ID No. 8525.

“Oscar” is a young male domestic short hair mix cat in kennel No. 16, ID No. 8412. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

‘Oscar’

“Oscar” is a young male domestic short hair with a gray coat and gold eyes.

He is offered for adoption for free with an approved application thanks to an anonymous donor.

Shelter staff said he is feisty so is not recommended for homes with children under age 8.

He’s in kennel No. 16, ID No. 8412.

This female adult domestic short hair cat is in kennel No. 53, ID No. 8527. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Domestic short hair cat

This female adult domestic short hair cat has a gray and white coat and gold eyes.

She’s in kennel No. 53, ID No. 8527.

This male domestic medium hair mix kitten is in kennel No. 111b, ID No. 8228. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.


Domestic medium hair mix kitten

This male domestic medium hair mix kitten has a black coat and green eyes.

He is offered for adoption for free with an approved application thanks to an anonymous donor.

He’s in kennel No. 111b, ID No. 8228.

“O’Malley” is a male domestic short hair kitten is in Kennel No. 128, ID No. 8276. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

‘O’Malley’

“O’Malley” is a male domestic short hair kitten with an orange tabby and white coat, and he’s one of the three cats offered free for adoption with an approved application.

Shelter staff said he has had one eye removed.

He’s a sweet kitten that gets along with dogs.

He’s in Kennel No. 128, ID No. 8276.

Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.

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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MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – A Napa man was seriously injured on Saturday afternoon in a solo-vehicle crash near Middletown.

Stephen Mann Jeffries, 61, was injured in the wreck, which the California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office said occurred at 12:50 p.m. Saturday on Butts Canyon Road.

The CHP said Jeffries was driving his 2007 Nissan Pathfinder westbound on Butts Canyon Road, west of Oat Hill Road, when he lost control of his vehicle.

Jeffries’ Nissan veered across the eastbound lane of Butts Canyon Road and left the roadway, traveling onto the dirt shoulder before the front of it hit a tree, the CHP said.

The CHP said Jeffries suffered major injuries and was transported by REACH air ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.

The report stated that Jeffries was using his seat belt at the time of the wreck.

The CHP said the cause of the crash remains under investigation.

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. – Firefighters on Sunday were able to quickly contain and extinguish two small vegetation fires, one in Lower Lake and one in Clearlake.

The first occurred in the 19000 block of Morgan Valley Road in Lower Lake at around noon, according to Lake County Fire Chief Willie Sapeta.

Sapeta said an individual was mowing in the middle of the day when he hit a rock, sparking the fire.

Firefighters were able to stop the fire quickly and keep it to only a small spot, Sapeta said.

He reminded area residents that until the rains arrive they should still not be mowing after 10 a.m., and when they do mow, they should walk the area first to look for rocks.

While vegetation retains some moisture early in the morning, by midday it’s dry and primed, Sapeta said.

The second incident, another grass fire, occurred at around 1:30 p.m. in the area of Eureka and 43rd Avenue in Clearlake, Sapeta said.

The fire was behind a house in a creekbed drainage, he said.

“We got pretty lucky there,” he said, with firefighters quickly containing it to about an eighth of an acre.

He said the scene was still being processed on Sunday evening in order to determine a cause.

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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MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – Fire crews are winding down operations on the Slides and Skeleton fires on the Upper Lake District of the Mendocino National Forest, officials said Sunday.

The 200-acre Skeleton fire is four miles east of Lake Pillsbury and 100-percent contained while the 50-acre Slides fire, located four miles west of Lake Pillsbury, is 90-percent contained, according to forest spokeswoman Sandra Moore.

Moore said fire personnel assigned to the incidents will remain on scene mopping up and repairing fire lines.

On Monday there will be one crew and one engine working on each fire, she said.

Visitors traveling around the fire locations are reminded to watch for personnel and equipment on forest roads, Moore said.

Moore said Forest Order No. 08-17-27 that closed the Lower Nye Campground and a portion of the M3 Road from its junction with the M10 Road and then north 14 1/2 miles to the Lower Nye Campground will be lifted Monday.

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