LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – In Tuesday's election, Clearlake voters rejected a second attempt at a sales tax measure for roads and code enforcement, and school board and special district seats in several parts of the county were decided.

Measure H – which would have instituted a 1-percent sales tax to generate an estimated $1.4 million annually to improve Clearlake's roads and fully restore its code enforcement services – failed to get the necessary supermajority of 66 percent, according to the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office.

The measure received 979 yes votes or 61.2 percent, compared to 621 no votes, or 38.8 percent, based on Tuesday night's returns.

Altogether, only 26.6 percent of Clearlake's registered voters participated in the election.

Measure H followed by a year a similar sales tax proposal, Measure G, which also needed a supermajority but fell several percentage points short.

In the race for the Lake County Board of Education Area No. 3 seat, incumbent Patricia Hicks was reelected with 52 percent, or 543 votes, with challenger Dawn Binns receiving 48 percent, or 502 votes.

In a big field seeking three seats on the Upper Lake Elementary School Board, Diane Tomkins Plante led the field with 20.8 percent, or 252 votes, to win a seat, along with Joanne Breton, with 16.2 percent or 196 votes, and Don Meri, 14.6 percent or 177 votes. Alisa Bloom received 13.8 percent, 167 votes; Kelly Palmer Burns, 12.5 percent, 151 votes; Marie Henry, 12.2 percent, 148 votes; and Katy Swaney, 9.9 percent, 120 votes.

In the Lakeport Unified School District Board race, where two seats were available, incumbents Dennis Darling and Tom Powers were reelected to the board. Darling took 38.9 percent of the vote, or 846 votes, while Powers received 36.2 percent, or 788 votes. Challenger Beth Ackermann finished third with 24.9 percent or 541 votes.

The Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District Board had two seats available. Linda Herndon received 380 votes or 38.7 percent of the vote, to win one of the seats, while Judy Mirbegian won the second seat with 34.6 percent or 339 votes. Richard Pritchard came in third with 26.7 percent or 262 votes.

The Registrar of Voters Office now must turn to the work of certifying the election's final results.

Elections officials will conduct a manual tally of ballots from randomly selected precincts from Tuesday's election beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, at the Registrar of Voters Office, Room 209 on the second floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St. in Lakeport. Observers are welcome.

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.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The driver and a child in a small school bus received minor injuries when the vehicle went off of Highway 29 and overturned on Tuesday afternoon.

The crash involving the Lake County Office of Education bus occurred just before 3 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.

The CHP said school bus driver Martin Hernandez, 63, of Clearlake was driving the small bus northbound on Highway 29 at Highway 281 at 50 to 55 miles per hour when he made an unsafe turning movement.

That movement allowed the bus to veer off the roadway and hit an embankment, the CHP said.

The school bus continued in a northerly direction, overturned on its right side, went down a ravine and hit a tree, according to the report.

Hernandez and one student, 8-year-old Elijah Fragoso, sustained minor injuries. The CHP said Hernandez complained of head pain and the child had ankle pain.

Another student on the bus, 11-year-old Connor Oswalt, and a second adult, Kimberly Shaw, 42, of Lakeport, were not injured, the CHP said.

Editor's note: This story replaces an early version based on a report from a first responder which incorrectly identified the injured and the number of people on the bus.

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. – The Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee will host a presentation by the Lake County Winegrape Commission president during its next regular meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 6.

The committee will meet from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

The meeting is open to the public.

Debra Sommerfield, president of the Lake County Winegrape Commission, will be the featured speaker.

Lakeport City Manager Margaret Silveira will give an update on regional economic development, and there will be updates a Lakeport branding campaign, committee member reports and outreach efforts involving Lakeport businesses.

LEDAC's next meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 11, will host a presentation by Jennifer Strong, ride director for the Lakeport Rotary's Konocti Challenge, which took place Oct. 5.

The committee advocates for a strong and positive Lakeport business community and acts as a conduit between the city and the community for communicating the goals, activities and progress of Lakeport’s economic and business programs.

Committee members include Carol Cole-Lewis, Bill Eaton, Melissa Fulton, Barbara Johnson, George Linn, Nina Marino, Wilda Shock, Taira St. John and Mireya Turner, with ex-officio members includes Lakeport City Manager Margaret Silveira and Planning Services Manager Andrew Britton.

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.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The service of a search warrant by the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force last weekend resulted in one arrest and the seizure of approximately half an ounce of methamphetamine.

Manuel Vincent Sotelo, 48, of Kelseyville was arrested for possession of a controlled substance for sale, conspiracy to commit a crime and driving on a suspended license, according to Lt. Steve Brooks.

Last Friday, Nov. 1, narcotics detectives secured a search warrant for Sotelo's person, home and vehicle, Brooks said.

This past Sunday, Nov. 3, at approximately 3:30 p.m., detectives observed Sotelo get into his vehicle and drive onto Cypress Avenue. Brooks said two detectives conducted an enforcement stop of Sotelo’s vehicle while additional detectives served the warrant at Sotelo’s residence, which is located in the 3400 block of Cypress Avenue in Kelseyville.

As detectives entered the residence they detained Kelseyville residents Robert Nathaniel Harris, 36, and 28-year-old Ashley Nicole Saxon, who had attempted to leave the residence through the back door, Brooks said.

Detectives seized a glass meth pipe from Saxon, which was heavily coated with white and brown residue. Brooks said narcotic detectives were able to detain both of them without further incident. The detectives, who had conducted the enforcement stop, escorted Sotelo back to the residence.

During the search detectives located a digital gram scale and various containers of marijuana in the bedroom, Brooks said. Detectives located a black case on the kitchen floor, which Sotelo admitted was his.

They opened the case and located 15.68 grams of methamphetamine, which they seized as evidence. Brooks said narcotics detectives also located $907 in Sotelo’s wallet, which the seized pending asset forfeiture proceedings.

Sotelo was arrested and transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility, where he was booked. Bail was set at $25,000, and jail records indicated he later posted the required portion of bail and was released.

Detectives did not arrest Saxon on Sunday. Brooks said they are requesting the District Attorney’s Office review the arrest report for a complaint against Saxon for conspiracy to possess methamphetamine for sales and possession of drug paraphernalia. Harris was released from the scene.

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

NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Family Service Agency of Marin’s North Bay Suicide Prevention (NBSP) Project and the Bay Area Suicide and Crisis Intervention Alliance (BASCIA) will host a day-long set of suicide prevention trainings on Wednesday, Nov. 6, in Ukiah.

Among the resources offered will be:

• Training for educators, clergy, cultural, ethnic and LGBTQ counselors, law enforcement and other first responders to learn practical tools to use when working with individuals who are suicidal.
• Workshops for educators, survivor families, the Native American community and a discussion group focused on self-harm, wellness and recovery.
• Ongoing support for organizations to implement suicide prevention strategies locally.

"We want to reach people on the front lines of suicide prevention and give them the best, most current information needed to help people in crisis,” said Amy Faulstich, NBSP project coordinator.

The program, called “Strengthen Your Role in Suicide Prevention,” is one way the voter-approved Mental Health Services Act (Prop. 63) is equipping communities to meet Californians’ mental health needs.

The meeting will convene at the Ukiah Valley Conference Center, 200 S. School St., from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Registration is online at www.bascia.org .

“Broad community support is key to the Strengthen Your Role in Suicide Prevention program,” said Paul Muller of BASCIA.

With a suicide in the Mendocino and Lake County area every 10 days, the program has attracted interest from a number of community agencies.

Co-sponsors for the event include Mendocino County Behavioral Health Department, Lake County Behavioral Health Department, Mendocino County Office of Education, Circle of Native Minds Wellness Center, Manzanita Services, Redwood Children's Services, the city of Ukiah, Mendocino College Foster and Kin Care Education Program and Mendocino County Youth Project.

In addition, regional and national organizations working to prevent suicide will offer perspectives on best practices.

Expected to participate are the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Bridge Rail Foundation, Veterans Administration and others.

This meeting is part of a quarterly series of gatherings that rotate through a 14 county region that stretches from Mendocino, through the entire Bay Area and south to Monterey. The program will continue through June 2014.

BASCIA is offering the Strengthen Your Role in Suicide Prevention Program in partnership with the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), an organization of county governments working to improve mental health outcomes for individuals, families and communities.

CalMHSA’s Suicide Prevention program is funded by Prop. 63 and is one of the agency’s several Prevention and Early Intervention Initiatives. CalMHSA operates services and education programs on a statewide, regional and local basis.

For more information, visit www.calmhsa.org .

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – A probation search conducted Saturday night has resulted in the arrest of an Upper Lake man and the seizure of methamphetamine.

Ira Jude Donelson, 36, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sale and for violating the terms of his probation, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

At 11:50 p.m. last Saturday, patrol deputies responded to the 9600 block of Elliott Street in Upper Lake to conduct a probation search of Donelson, Brooks said.

Deputies contacted Donelson at the residence and informed him they would be conducting a probation search. Brooks said Donelson denied having anything illegal in his possession when asked by the deputies.

One of the deputies conducted a search of Donelson and located four individually wrapped clear plastic bags in his pants pocket. Brooks said the deputy noticed each bag contained a clear crystalline substance, which he recognized to be methamphetamine.

Due to the amount of methamphetamine located in Donelson’s pocket and the way it was packaged, the deputy said it was consistent with possession for sales and not personal use, Brooks said.

Donelson was arrested and transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked, according to Brooks.

The deputy later weighed the four bags of suspected methamphetamine, which Brooks said weighed a total of 12.5 grams and reportedly has a street value of $1,250.00.

Brooks said Donelson currently is in custody and being held without bail for violating the terms and conditions of his probation.

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

In an effort to curb motor vehicle fatalities and injuries caused by aggressive driving and speeding – California’s No. 1 contributor to collisions – the California Highway Patrol has launched an enforcement and public education campaign to “help prevent unsafe driving and deadly collisions.”

According to the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), approximately one third of all fatal and injury collisions in California are a direct result of unsafe speed.

With the support of a federal traffic safety grant, “Reduce Aggressive Driving Incidents and Tactically Enforce Speed (RADIATES) II,” the CHP is determined to educate motorists about the dangers of aggressive driving and take appropriate enforcement action.

“Through this grant-funded education and enforcement campaign, the CHP will target motorists who speed and display aggressive behavior behind the wheel to help prevent dangerous driving and deadly collisions,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow.

Preliminary SWITRS data for 2011 shows more than 48,600 total collisions attributed to unsafe speed. Improper turning led to more than 22,100 collisions, while driving on the wrong side of the road resulted in more than 5,700 crashes.

These aggressive driving behaviors contributed to the more than 1,100 people killed and an additional 106,494 others injured.

The primary goal of this grant is to reduce by 5 percent the number of fatal and injury traffic collisions where speed, improper turning, and driving on the wrong side of the road are primary collision factors.

To achieve this goal the CHP will combine an active public awareness campaign with enhanced enforcement.

“We are dedicated to saving lives throughout the state,” added Commissioner Farrow. “This grant will help reinforce our traffic safety efforts through additional education and enforcement statewide.”

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The mission of the California Highway Patrol is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security to the people of California.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Monday a Clearlake man was sentenced to 16 years in state prison for molesting an 11-year-old girl.

Daniel Joseph Brazil, 66, of Clearlake, was sentenced to 16 years in state prison following his guilty plea to two counts of molesting the girl in 2006, according to the Lake County District Attorney's Office.

On Aug. 12, Brazil pleaded guilty to two counts of committing a lewd act on a child by force or duress, as Lake County News has reported.

On Monday afternoon, Judge Andrew Blum sentenced Brazil to the maximum term of eight years on each count, to be served consecutively, the District Attorney's Office said.

The molestation was reported to law enforcement in late 2012. The victim, who currently lives out of state, was visiting relatives in Clearlake when she disclosed to an adult relative that several years previously, she had been molested by Brazil during an overnight stay at his house, and then again approximately a week later.

That relative immediately contacted the Clearlake Police Department. Det. Ryan Petersen initiated an investigation which led to charges against Brazil being filed this past April.

Because the charges are violent felonies, or strikes, Brazil must serve 85 percent of his sentence – 13 years and seven months – before he is eligible for release, the District Attorney's Office reported. Brazil also will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Brazil was represented by defense attorney Komnith Moth. The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Ed Borg.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A local biologist has been named to the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board.

Gregory Giusti of Kelseyville was appointed to the board by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Giusti, 58, has been an advisor and director of forest and wildlands ecology at the University of California Cooperative Extension since 1985, and has an in-depth knowledge of Clear Lake.

He was an agricultural biologist at the San Mateo County Department of Agriculture from 1981 to 1985 and chief biologist at the Marine Ecological Institute from 1979 to 1981.

He earned a master of arts degree in ecology and population biology from California State University, San Francisco.

This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem.

Giusti is registered decline-to-state.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Trowel & Trellis Garden Club’s annual chrysanthemum show will be held this year on Friday, Nov. 8.

The show will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Lakeport Yacht Club, 15 Fifth St.

This will be the sixth consecutive year the club has organized this “no admission” show and anyone interested in the art of arranging or in growing their own chrysanthemums is encouraged to attend.

“This show is really one of our gifts to the community; it is an opportunity for our members to share their incredible talents of gardening and world-class flower arranging,” said LCT&TGC’s President Carol Dobusch.

This year's theme will be “Show Time For Mum,” and each member will create a named arrangement pertaining to the theme.

Many different types of arranging styles will be shown including Ikebana, Synergistic and Spatial Thrust, in addition to simple arrangements in classic containers.

Many arrangements will feature creative hand-made containers and background props. Every arrangement-no matter how exquisite, charming, or humorous, will have one thing in common, though- the glorious colors of fall’s favorite flower.

Additionally, individual specimens of myriad types of mums will be available for viewing by attendees (and perhaps to take notes about what gorgeous choices to add to their own yards!).

The LCT&TGC Chrysanthemum show began decades ago and was originally a “grand affair,” according to long-time club member and Chrysanthemum Show Chairperson Shirley Estrem.

“I first attended the show in 1963; back then it was held at the fairgrounds and it was a Standard Flower Show with accredited judges and a formal ‘Silver Tea’ put on by the members,” said Estrem. “The first show was held years before that at the home of local Chrysanthemum grower and Charter Garden Club Member Carol Kesey. Eventually, the show became too large and time-consuming for us to organize, and the decision was made to present a show every year just for fun and enjoyment.”

For many years Charter Member Carol Kesey grew many varieties of chrysanthemums in her yard for club members to utilize for the show; now that project has been taken on by Leanne and and Jim Harvey of Lakeport.

The Lake County Trowel & Trellis Garden Club members are committed to learning and sharing gardening knowledge through fun and friendly meetings and events, and to donating their time and talents to community-based beautification and enrichment programs.

Anyone interested in joining the club is encouraged to attend a meeting, held the third Tuesday of every month except July and August at noon at the Scotts Valley Woman’s Clubhouse, 2298 Hendricks Road, Lakeport.

For more information go to the Web site at www.CLTTGC.org .

CLT&TGC is a member of the Mendo-Lake District, California Garden Club Inc., Pacific Region and National Garden Clubs Inc.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that 94 nominations in 21 categories were received for the 16th annual Stars of Lake County Community Awards program.

The program will be held on Saturday, Nov. 16, beginning with a reception at 5 p.m. in the Soper-Reese Community Theater, 275 S. Main St. in Lakeport.

Bellissimo! Wine Country Catering will be serving substantial appetizers during the reception hour and chamber directors will be staffing the no host bar.

David Neft will play for the reception hour as he has for every year of Stars since 1998.

After everyone is seated at 6:15 p.m., Jackie Hansen of Lakeport Grocery Outlet will begin the evening with a song tribute to all the nominees.

U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson who sponsors the Hero of the Year Award, will also be with us for the 16th year in a row. Congressman Thompson will present every Star recipient with a special recognition certificate.

Thanks to Konocti Harbor Resort and Greg Bennett, the large lighted star that has been in place on stage each year, will be at the Soper-Reese for this 16th annual celebration of Lake County Stars.

At this time, all those nominated have been notified by personal letter of their nomination. The chamber is collecting photos of everyone and Tony Barthel, a director of the chamber and owner of Featherbed Railroad B&B, is creating the video which will be shown during the reception.

Each nominee is gifted with one free ticket for the evening and all nominees will be seated in the front sections of the theater. Barthel also supplies the music during the awards presentation, which is matched by Barthel with the nominee and or the specific award category they are in, making the experience even more meaningful.

The Stars Selection Committee is meeting on Nov. 8 to make the determinations on which nominees will be receiving the Star Awards. All Award recipients will be announced from the podium on the 16th as their letter of nomination is read by the category sponsor representative.

The Stars of Lake County is only made possible through the support of the business community. For 2013, sponsors include Lake County Record-Bee, Cliff and Nancy Ruzicka, WestAmerica Bank, Marymount California College, Mendo Mill Lumber & Home Center, Disney Trophies & Awards, Sutter Lakeside Hospital, SERVPRO, Twin Pine Casino, Savings Bank of Mendocino, Mendo Lake Credit Union, Calpine, Foods, Etc., Konocti Vista Casino, Bruno’s Shop Smart, Kathy Fowler Auto Center, U.S. Congressman Mike Thompson, John Tomkins Tax Consultant, North Lake Medical Pharmacy, Strong Financial Network and Lake Event Design.

Tickets are on sale now with all seats costing $25/person, reserved seating only. The chamber does not anticipate any seats being available on the evening of the event as there are only 300 seats in total. Tickets may be purchased only through the Lake County Chamber of Commerce at 875 Lakeport Blvd. at Vista Point. The chamber can accept credit card orders over the phone, Visa, Master Card or Discover.

All questions regarding the Stars of Lake County Community Awards Program may be addressed to the Chamber at 707-263-5092.

The full list of nominees is below.

STARS OF LAKE COUNTY NOMINEES

Marla Ruzicka Humanitarian of the Year
Sponsored by Cliff and Nancy Ruzicka

• Mary Ferrara, Clearlake Oaks
• Michael Smith, Clearlake

Senior of the Year
Sponsored by Westamerica Bank

• Nelson Strasser, Lakeport
• Joe Totorica (posthumously)
• Linda Burton, Clearlake
• Ladona Hartman, Kelseyville

Volunteer of the Year
Sponsored by Marymount California University-Lakeside Campus

• Diana Dahl, Lakeport
• Michael Vandiver, Clearlake
• Mary Veeninga, Lakeport
• Anna Jones, Kelseyville
• Esther Stone, Lakeport
• Bruno Sabatier, Clearlake
• Theresa Cortez, Hidden Valley Lake
• Andrea Anderson, Lakeport

Student of the Year – Female
Sponsored by Mendo Mill Home Center & Lumber

• Michelle Page, Clearlake
• Rebecca Bisaccio, Lakeport
• Joy Bennett, Kelseyville
• Amelia Fenk, Middletown

Student of the Year – Male
Sponsored by Disney’s Trophies and Awards

• Noah Lyndall, Kelseyville
• Antonio Perez, Lakeport
• Erick Pelayo-Moreno, Clearlake
• Christian Villalobos, Clearlake
• Eduardo Alatorre, Kelseyville

Youth Advocate of the Year – Volunteer
Sponsored by Sutter Lakeside Hospital

• Lake County As, Lake County
• Mark Cooper, DDS, Clearlake
• Roscoe Thomas, Lucerne

Youth Advocate of the Year – Professional
Sponsored by SERVPRO-Lake & Mendocino Counties

• Franklin D. Gudmundson Jr., Upper Lake
• Tim Biasotti, Clearlake

Agriculture Award
Sponsored by Twin Pine Casino & Hotel

• Patsie Pachie, Middletown
• Bella Vista Farming, Kelseyville
• Ken Fountain, (Posthumously)
• Six Sigma Ranch, Lower Lake

Organization of the Year – Nonprofit (has paid staff)
Sponsored by Savings Bank of Mendocino

• Lakeport Senior Center, Lakeport
• The Literacy Task Force, Lakeport
• Workforce Lake, Lakeport & Clearlake
• VA Outpatient Clinic, Clearlake
• Freedom Christian University, Kelseyville

Organization of the Year – Volunteer (all volunteer staff)
Sponsored by Mendo Lake Credit Union

• Lake County Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitative Services, Lakeport
• Hammers For Hope, All Around Lake County
• Lake List, Lower Lake
• Animal Coalition of Lake County, Clearlake
• Konocti Lioness Club, Kelseyville
• Save Our Seniors, Lakeport
• Clear Lake Horsemen’s Association, Lakeport
• South Lake Fire Sirens, Middletown
• Lakeport Women’s Civic Club, Lakeport

Environmental Award
Sponsored by Calpine Corp.

• WorldMark by Wyndham
• Greg Dills, Lakeport

New Business of the Year
Sponsored by Konocti Vista Casino & Marina

• Danny’s Roadside Kitchen, Lower Lake
• The Spot Juice Bar, Middletown
• Cheese’s Main Street Pizza, Lakeport
• The Boathouse Restaurant, Nice
• McKinley Photography, Clearlake

Small Business of the Year
Sponsored by Food’s Etc.

• Middletown Florist, Middletown
• Mark Holt Pest Control, Cobb
• Kelseyville Appliance, Kelseyville
• Blue Wing Saloon Restaurant/Tallman Hotel, Upper Lake
• Featherbed Railroad Bed & Breakfast, Nice
• The Art House Gallery, Clearlake

Large Business of the Year
Sponsored by Bruno’s Shop Smart

• Mendo Mill Home Center & Lumber, Lakeport and Clearlake
• Twin Pine Casino & Hotel/Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians, Middletown

Best Idea of the Year
Sponsored by Kathy Fowler Auto Center

• Upper Lake Horticultural Happening-Grow With Us!, Upper Lake
• Lake County Hunger Task Force, Bountiful Gift Baskets, Kelseyville
• Memory Bear Family Keepsake, Clearlake
• The Hub, Lakeport
• Bloom Maternity Home, Hidden Valley Lake
• Flush Away Cancer!, Lakeport

Local Hero of the Year
Sponsored by US Congressman, Mike Thompson

• Casse Waldman Forczek, Lakeport
• David Estep, Clearlake
• Don Anderson, Lakeport
• Forrest Seagrave (Posthumously)
• Jacob Bogner, Clearlake Oaks
• Jon Henry, Middletown

The Arts Award of the Year – Amateur

• Joshua Dylan Blair (posthumously)
• Lacey Baumer, Clearlake
• April Hansen, Lakeport
• Elsa Meyer, Lakeport

The Arts Award of the Year – Professional

• Melinda Young, Clearlake
• Bernie Butcher, Upper Lake
• Sheila O’Hara, Lower Lake
• James Max Butler, Upper Lake
• Sherry Harris, Clearlake
• Amber Sheridan, Kelseyville

Woman of the Year
Sponsored by Northlake Medical Pharmacy

• Jennifer Strong, Lakeport
• Beverly McVey, Lakeport
• Pearlina Drummond, Lucerne

Man of the Year
Sponsored by Lake County Record-Bee

• Wally Holbrook, Lakeport
• Jonathan Crooks, Nice
• Tom Jordan, Lakeport
• Jerry Pfann, Lakeport

Lifetime Achievement
Sponsored by Strong Financial Network

• Dennis Rollins, Lakeport
• Gardiner “Buster” Jones, Lucerne
• Griff Ratterree, Clearlake
• Carl Stein, Clearlake

Spirit of Lake County Award, sponsored by John Tomkins, is chosen by the Selection Committee from nominations received in other categories.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Seven cats are ready and waiting for new home this week at Lake County Animal Care and Control.

The cats range in age from 6 months to 6 years, with a variety of coat types and colors.

In addition to spaying or neutering, cats that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are microchipped before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.

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

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”).

Male domestic short hair

This male domestic short hair is 1 year old.

He has a black and white coat, and weighs nearly 9 pounds. He has not yet been neutered.

Find him in cat room kennel No. 9, ID No. 38209.

Male domestic long hair mix

This male domestic long hair mix is 4 years old.

He weighs 9 pounds, has a black and white coat, and has been neutered.

Find him in cat room kennel No. 13, ID No. 38326.

Dilute calico

This dilute calico is 6 years old.

She has a short coat, weighs 13 pounds and has been spayed.

She's in cat room kennel No. 32, ID No. 38256.

Female brown tabby

This female brown tabby is 1 year old.

She has green eyes and a short coat, and has not yet been spayed.

Find her in cat room kennel No. 41, ID No. 38213.

Domestic medium hair mix

This domestic medium hair mix cat is 6 months old.

She has has a black and white coat and gold eyes. Shelter staff did not report of she has been altered.

Find her in cat room kennel No. 67, ID No. 38040.

Female gray tabby

This female gray tabby is 6 months old.

She has a short coat; shelter staff did not report if she has been spayed.

She's in cat room kennel No. 98, ID No. 38287.

Dilute calico

This dilute calico is 6 months old.

She weighs 5 pounds, has a short coat and has not been spayed.

Find her in cat room kennel No. 126, ID No. 38320 .

Adoptable cats also can be seen at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Cats_and_Kittens.htm or at www.petfinder.com .

Please note: Cats listed at the shelter's Web page that are said to be “on hold” are not yet cleared for adoption.

To fill out an adoption application online visit http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dog___Cat_Adoption_Application.htm .

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, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm .

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.