NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Like a lot of folks, I want to get outdoors and feel more connected to our local wild areas, But in my older years I just don’t have the stamina or desire to do a hike that is too strenuous for me. I just want to find some place that’s interesting to look at and easy to walk through.

Luckily, we have some really remarkable “go-to” places in and around the new Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.

First, there’s the Fremont Weir State Wildlife Area in Yolo County.

The wildlife area itself is relatively flat and comprised of riparian habitat, oak woodlands and annual California grasses.

It contains a variety of native trees like oaks, willows and cottonwoods, and critters such as muskrats, deer and river otters.

It’s also touted to be an “awesome” place for birding. Pheasant, valley quail and waterfowl are often found here.

One word of warning: the area is a floodplain for the Sacramento River, so you can’t enter it when the river is at flood stage.

To get there: take Interstate 5 toward the Yolo Bypass, and find County Road 22. Turn east onto County Road 22 and take the first left, County Road 117, over the railroad tracks. Travel on County Road 117 for 5.8 miles and turn left (west) on County Road 16 (unpaved). County Road 16 will terminate at the parking lot on the east levee of the Fremont Weir Wildlife Area. Park at the top of the levee, and hike north along the levee, until you reach the weir. There are no developed trails, so the distance can be as far as you like.

Then you might try out the Redbud Trail in Lake County. This is an “out and back” trail, so you can go as far as you want.

The trail winds up to Perkins Ridge where you get a fabulous view of the main fork of Cache Creek and Brushy Sky High Mountain.

Once you reach Baton Flat, the trail crosses the creek and heads to the Wilson Valley. On this trail you might get a glimpse of tule elk. Fall is the rutting season for the elk, so you may hear the males bugling. This is an area where black bears may also be seen.

This hike is particularly interesting now as it was burned in the Rocky fire. You’ll be able to see how some places burned really “hot” and others

burned “cooler” and going out to the trail now will give you some idea of how wildfires affect an ecosystem.

Taking “before” photographs now, and “after” photographs in the spring (when the wildflowers will be in bloom) will demonstrate for you the incredible resiliency of nature.

To get there: Take Highway 20 and follow it into Lake County until you cross over the bridge at the North Fork of Cache Creek. Look for the Redbud Trail and Cache Creek Management Area sign on the side of the road. Turn into the parking area there.

Finally, you can try out the East Shore Trail at Lake Berryessa in Napa County.

The east shore is an undeveloped wildlife area backed by cattle ranches. A large variety of raptors and waterfowl may be viewed along the shoreline including white pelicans, golden and bald eagles, western grebes, cormorants and many species of ducks. This time of year there are lots of migrating birds to be seen.

The well-maintained gravel East Shore Ranch and Fire Access Road allows public access for almost six miles of the shoreline starting from the Knoxville-Berryessa Road and extending south to a turnaround loop. Short trails lead from each gate to the shore.

Note: The somewhat confusing "closed area" signs mean only that the area behind the sign is closed to off-road vehicle use. Unless otherwise noted, foot access is allowed and hikers are welcome.

See? Many can be about relaxing and enjoying the outdoors at your own pace. So get out there, get some fresh air and exercise, and get connected with your public lands.

Check out Tuleyome’s Web site at www.tuleyome.org for more trails and hiking information.

Tuleyome is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization based in Woodland, Calif. Mary K. Hanson is a Certified California Naturalist and author of “The Chubby Woman’s Walkabout” blog. For more information on Tuleyome, visit www.tuleyome.org .

LUCERNE, Calif. – Northshore Fire has a new piece of equipment to help keep the community safe.

The district has taken delivery of its new water tender, a 2015 Freightliner truck built by Florida-based Pierce Manufacturing.

Northshore Fire Chief Jay Beristianos said the water tender cost just over $238,000.

The new water tender, which goes by the number 9011, was primarily funded by a $194,072 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grants program.

The grant, which the district received over the summer, was written by Pat Brown, who retired earlier this year from his deputy chief post with the district. Brown said he had tried for several years before his grant application was successful.

The new vehicle is a kind of tank truck firefighters use to bring water to areas where there aren't hydrants or other readily available water sources.

The grant required that the vehicle cost at least $203,000, with a $9,700 match from the district. For the district to get the top quality, lasting equipment it needed, Beristianos said it was decided to spend more than that base amount.

Like its predecessor, the new water tender holds 3,000 gallons of water, Beristianos said. What's new is that it has an additional 3,000 gallon portable tank.

The old vehicle was 1989 model with more than 600,000 miles. It was a converted construction water tender with a 13-speed manual transmission. That earlier truck was top heavy and difficult to drive, and so it was hard to find qualified operators, Beristianos said.

The new water tender is an automatic and handles nicely. Beristianos said Pierce Manufacturing had it driven to Lake County from Florida.

The district has sold the old water tender to a local contractor who is now using it for work in the Valley fire area, Beristianos said.

The grant required that the old equipment be sold with a stipulation that it cannot respond any longer to 911 calls. The idea, Beristianos said, is to get old, outdated equipment out of the fire service.

The new water tender will be based in Upper Lake. The district's second water tender, 7511, is a 2010 model at the other end of the district, in Clearlake Oaks, Beristianos said. That truck has about 12,000 miles on it.

Beristianos said the district is looking forward to updating other emergency equipment.

In mid-December, the district expects to take delivery of a new ambulance for its Lucerne station. Beristianos said the district has four frontline ambulances and two older backup models.

In 2016 there are plans to buy another new ambulance, which Beristianos said would gave all of the stations ambulances less than 10 years old – an important update considering the amount of use the district's ambulance get.

He said two new defibrillator units, costing a total of $72,000, recently were purchased to put on district ambulances, in an attempt to have the best, most state-of-the-art equipment for the community they serve.

He said a donation a few years ago from SuperLotto winner Tony Velasquez of Clearlake Oaks had funded other new defibrillator units.

Email Elizabeth Larson at elarson@lakeconews.com . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

With the Thanksgiving holiday just around the corner, Cal Fire is reminding Californians about the dangers that lurk during the holiday season.

When most people think about Thanksgiving, they envision turkey, pumpkin pie and time spent with their loved ones. Who thinks of fire at this time?

“During the holidays we tend to have multiple items cooking on the stove while we are visiting with friends and family,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE director. “It is critical to not get distracted and to always stand next to what you are cooking. Thanksgiving Day is often one of our busier days responding to home cooking fires; we would like to reduce that number by practicing a little extra fire safety. Hopefully, together we can prevent cooking fires and you can enjoy your Thanksgiving with family and friends.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), three times as many home cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving as on a typical day.

NFPA’s latest cooking estimates show that there were 1,550 cooking fires on Thanksgiving in 2013, reflecting a 230-percent increase over the daily average.

Home cooking fires also spike on other major U.S. holidays, including Christmas Day, Christmas Eve and Memorial Day weekend.

“Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires,” said Chief Tonya Hoover, State Fire Marshal. “That is why it is so important to 'keep an eye on what you fry' and stay in the kitchen when preparing your holiday meal so it isn’t left unattended. One more safety measure is to ensure you have working smoke alarms installed throughout your home. It’s an added measure to protect you from fires in your home. ”

To help reduce the chance of fire and injuries associated with holiday cooking fires, Cal Fire offers the following tips:

– Remain in the kitchen while you’re cooking, and keep a close eye on what you fry. Always stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling or broiling food. If you have to leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove. Regularly check on food that’s simmering, baking or roasting, and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.

– Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Someone walking by is less likely to bump them or pull them over.

– When using a turkey fryer, be sure to follow instructions closely. Don’t exceed the recommended oil level and only use the device outdoors!

– Make sure a fire extinguisher is handy at all times. Never use water to put out a grease fire.

– Ensure you have working smoke alarms installed in your home.

For more tips on cooking fire safety visit www.fire.ca.gov . 

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The deadline for Lake County wildfire survivors to register with Federal Emergency Management Agency has passed, but officials said various forms of disaster assistance remain available.

Survivors who registered with the FEMA are urged to stay in touch with the agency.

“Even though the Disaster Recovery Centers are closed, FEMA remains in California to work with the state and local governments to provide assistance with recovery,” said Tim Scranton, federal coordinating official for this disaster. “FEMA will remain as long as needed.”

Charles Rabamad, the deputy state coordinating officer added: “Recovery is ongoing, all this work could not be done without our federal, state and local partnerships. California Office of Emergency Services continues to support and assist these communities in the rebuilding and redeveloping efforts.”

Applicants can track their claims and should notify FEMA of changes to their mailing addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and if they receive insurance settlements or discover additional damages.

How to reach FEMA:

• Go online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or www.fema.gov ;
• Dial the FEMA Helpline 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585;
• For those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services, call 800-621-3362;
• The toll-free numbers are operated from 6 a.m. to midnight daily.
• Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages.

Although the Disaster Recovery Centers are closed, the U.S. Small Business Administration will operate a Disaster Loan Outreach Center at the Middletown Senior Center, 21256 Washington St. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

At the Disaster Loan Outreach Center disaster loan applications, started before Nov. 23, can be finalized. The facility will remain open until further notice.

For more information, contact the SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@SBA.gov or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/disaster . Deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

The Disaster Loan Outreach Center will be closed from Thanksgiving Day through the weekend, reopening Monday, Nov. 30.

Other services available to survivors include:

• Crisis counseling is a service provided through your county Mental Health Department. Services, for children and adults, help survivors deal with the emotional affects of going through a crisis. Call the Lake County Mental Health Crisis Hotline is 800-900-2075.
• Legal services is provided to survivors for free through the Young Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association. Legal advice is limited to cases that will not produce a fee including assistance with insurance claims, advice on landlord/tenant problems, home repair contracts and contractors, mortgage-foreclosure problems, assisting in consumer protection matters, remedies and procedures and replacement of wills and other important legal documents. Survivors unable to pay for legal services may call 800-657-0479 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. For TTY: call 711.

NICE, Calif. – A Northshore man is facing charges including attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon after authorities say he stabbed his neighbor during a Sunday fight.

James Fredrick Ledesma, 40, of Nice was arrested by sheriff's deputies shortly after the incident, which occurred late on Sunday morning, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Just before noon on Sunday sheriff's deputies responded to a residence located in the 6000 block of Crump Avenue in Nice for a report of an assault, Brooks said.

When the deputies arrived on scene they located a male stabbing victim on the residence's front porch, according to Brooks.

Brooks said the man appeared to have been stabbed multiple times and was bleeding profusely.  Deputies administered first aid to the victim until medical personnel arrived and took over his medical care.

The victim told deputies that Ledesma had become angry and stabbed him because he had alluded to Ledesma being a thief, Brooks reported.

According to the victim's account, Ledesma walked over to his residence and they began to argue. Brooks said the two began to fight and during the altercation Ledesma stabbed him three times.

An air ambulance responded to a landing zone set up near Sentry Market to transport the victim. Brooks said the man was taken to an out-of-county trauma center.

Brooks said Tuesday that the latest information he had on the victim's condition is that he remained in intensive care but is doing well.

“It appears he will recover,” Brooks said.

Deputies located a surveillance system at the victim's residence which appeared to have recorded the entire incident, Brooks said.

Brooks said deputies were able to rewind the system and watch as the victim walked out onto the porch and talked to someone off camera. Ledesma appeared within view of the camera and removed a knife from his pocket as they continued to argue. 

The victim kicked at Ledesma and they began to physically fight. Brooks said the surveillance system showed Ledesma stabbing the victim multiple times. 

Brooks said the video also showed witnesses break up the fight and law enforcement arriving on scene.

Deputies subsequently arrested Ledesma on Sunday afternoon and transported him to the Lake County Jail, Brooks said.

Brooks said Ledesma is a sex offender registrant who the sheriff's office has come in contact with due to compliance checks. He said he had no record of other local criminal cases involving Ledesma.

The Megan's Law Web site showed that Ledesma lives at an address in the same block as where the fight took place.

District Attorney Don Anderson said Ledesma was arraigned in Lake County Superior Court on Tuesday.

During his Tuesday court appearance, Ledesma was assigned a defense attorney and his bail was raised from the $200,000 set at booking to $1 million at the request of the prosecution, Anderson said.

Anderson said his office is charging Ledesma with attempted murder; assault with a deadly weapon – in this case, a knife; a special allegation of being armed with a knife; and a prior prison term for his September 2000 rape and sodomy conviction in Sonoma County.

Ledesma is due to return to court on Dec. 1 for entry of plea in the case, Anderson said.

Email Elizabeth Larson at elarson@lakeconews.com . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Three defendants in a 2014 double homicide case have reached plea agreements with the District Attorney's Office, with one of them facing life in prison and the other two released from custody.

Conrad Joseph Velez, 43, of Lakeport, is facing 50 years to life in prison, while his son, 21-year-old Dakota Joseph Velez of Kelseyville, is being placed on formal probation.

Conrad Velez's girlfriend at the time of the murders, Dahnna Phyllis Burrows, 28, of Lakeport, already has served the time required for the sentence she's expected to receive early next month.

The three were arrested and charged in connection with the January 2014 murders of 54-year-old William Frank Busch of Lakeport and Edward Harry Morgan, 46, of Kelseyville.

The body of Busch, who Borg said died of skull fractures but also suffered numerous stab wounds – was found in a burning building on Highland Springs Road in Lakeport late on the night of Jan. 27, 2014, with a vehicle that belonged to him found burning in a field on Soda Bay Road the following morning.

On the afternoon of Jan. 28, 2014, deputies and firefighters were dispatched to the area of Robin Hill Drive and Lakeshore Boulevard near Lakeport on the report of an assault victim found Morgan with stab wounds, with the Velezes and Burrows having left in his white Chevy Tahoe. He died at the scene shortly after deputies and firefighters arrived.

Conrad Velez and Burrows were arrested at a relative's home in the city of Napa on Jan. 28, 2014. Dakota Velez was arrested at a family member's home in Hopland the following evening.

The plea agreements for each of the defendants was reached early last week, according to District Attorney Don Anderson.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Ed Borg – who has led the prosecution of the case, with assistance from Anderson – said that while the pleas all occurred at the same time, it wasn't a “global” offer, which would have required that all of them take the deals.

“We never discussed it that way, it just all sort of happened at the same time,” he said.

The most serious charges – two counts of first-degree murder – were placed against Conrad Velez, who has a violent criminal history including three previous strikes, Anderson said.

Prosecutors asserted that Conrad Velez was responsible for killing both Bush and Morgan. “They were very physical murders. They were very brutal,” said Borg.

Anderson said that as a result of the plea, Conrad Velez got two 25-years-to-life sentences, which are consecutive. As such, he has to serve the 50 years of the determinate sentence before he starts the life sentence.

At the time of the killings, Conrad Velez was a parolee at large, and had only gotten out of state prison weeks beforehand.

“We hope he’s going to remain in prison for the rest of his natural life,” said Borg.

Barry Melton, Velez's attorney, did not respond to a request for comment on the case.

Earlier this year, the District Attorney's Office had concluded – after consulting with the victims' families – that the death penalty would not be sought in the case against the Velezes, as Lake County News has reported.

Borg said Burrows pleaded to two counts of being an accessory – one for each victim – and the theft of Morgan's vehicle, which was recovered at the time of her arrest in Napa. When she was arrested, she was in possession of the keys, Borg said.

Although Burrows originally had faced murder charges, “Her charges were greatly reduced at preliminary hearing,” said her attorney, Angela Carter.

Burrows, who had no prior criminal record, was looking at a maximum prison time of three years, Anderson said.

When she returns for her sentencing on Dec. 7, Burrows will receive time served, Carter said.

Burrows had been in jail since her January 2014 arrest, but has now been released, as has Dakota Velez. “The plea agreement provided for their release on their own recognizance,” said Carter.

Borg said Dakota Velez pleaded to arson of a structure and assault with a deadly weapon on Morgan. He will be sentenced on Jan. 4.

Dakota Velez's plea agreement allows for him to be on five years' formal probation, Anderson said. He had to waive his time served credits – which would have been close to a total of four years' time – which means if he violates his probation he could do six years in state prison.

Anderson said the two charges Dakota Velez pleaded to as part of the agreement are strikes. If he were ever to commit and be convicted of a third strike offense, he could potentially face life in prison.

While Dakota Velez's sentence may seem light, “This is as much as we could prove of his involvement,” said Anderson, adding that at the time of the murders the younger Velez was only 18. “He had no prior record.”

Anderson said Conrad Velez coerced his son to commit the arson through threats. “Conrad was the type of person who would carry out those threats.”

While that's not a justification, Anderson said a jury would have been able to consider that coercion had the case gone to trial.

Mitch Hauptman, Dakota Velez's attorney, declined to comment on the case at this point in the proceedings.

As for what led to the murders, “We can’t say definitively what the motive was,” said Anderson.

He said that Conrad Velez and Busch had some dealings with each other relating to controlled substances, but “we don’t know to what extent.”

They also haven't found out what occurred with Morgan, who had given the three a ride. “We don't even know where they were going. That never came out,” said Anderson.

“Somewhere along the way, something went wrong,” said Anderson, noting that Conrad Velez may have been angered by something or it may have been a carjacking.

What prosecutors do know is that Conrad Velez – who was seated in the back seat of Morgan's Chevy Tahoe – started stabbing Morgan, throwing him out of the vehicle.

Borg said he doesn't know why Busch and Morgan were targeted, explaining that “most murders are, by their nature, completely pointless.”

He added, “There’s no way to look at this and have it make any sense that someone would do these things to other people.”

Only the people who were present know what was at the root of the incident, “And they’ve never really told us,” Borg said.

Email Elizabeth Larson at elarson@lakeconews.com . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Thanksgiving weekend, traditionally one of the busiest travel times in America, can also be one of the deadliest.

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) will have all available officers on patrol during a maximum enforcement period to help avoid tragedies for California motorists.

In 2014, over the Thanksgiving weekend, 45 people died in collisions on California roadways – a 36-percent increase from the same period in 2013.

In addition, the CHP arrested almost 1,000 people for driving under the influence.

“Having a safe Thanksgiving drive this year – and being here to enjoy next Thanksgiving – can be as simple as buckling up,” CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow said. “Nearly half the people who died in the CHP’s jurisdiction over Thanksgiving last year were not wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision.”

The maximum enforcement period will begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, and continue through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29.

During the maximum enforcement period, CHP officers will not only be enforcing the law, but also assisting motorists.

“Buckling up, avoiding distracted driving, traveling at a safe speed, designating a sober driver – all are especially important during the holidays,” Commissioner Farrow said. “During the maximum enforcement period, our officers will emphasize education and enforcement throughout the state to ensure everyone can enjoy their holiday.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, urges “Buckle Up America – Every Trip. Every Time.”

Nationwide, more than half the drivers and passengers killed in crashes are not wearing seat belts.

NHTSA estimates that nationally, seat belts saved the lives of 12,854 passenger vehicle occupants in 2013.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps is working hard with volunteers from Lake County to receive, sort and redistribute donations to those affected by the Valley Fire as well as other distribution centers countywide.

The AmeriCorps NCCC team, Gold 2 is made up of 13 members ranging in age from 18 to 24. They have come from across the country to Lake County from Nov. 7 to Dec. 18 to help with post fire relief.

The county of Lake requested the team serve in the area two months after the Valley fire destroyed nearly 2,000 structures, including more than 1,300 homes. It is ranked the third most damaging fire in California history.

“In any community the effects of natural disasters can be monumental, but in Lake County – where the businesses and lands used for farming and ecotourism were so greatly affected – the recovery process is going to require a lot of support now and in the future,” said Jennifer Zaplitny, team leader for AmeriCorps NCCC team, Gold 2.

Working closely with Ted Mandrones, the community liaison for Lake County, as well as the dedicated volunteers who spearheaded the distribution sit, Gene and Lori Thornton and their daughter-in-law Sharon, the AmeriCorps NCCC team hopes to sort all of the donations at the warehouse on Work Right Circle in Lakeport as well as the many trucks still coming in from counties away.

“We started Monday after the fire and we’re here for the long haul,” said Lori Thornton.

While many of the local distribution sites have ceased operations, Work Right Circle Valley Fire Relief Distribution Center, located at 4615 Work Right Circle in Lakeport, continues to accept donations. The greatest needs in the coming months are for winter coats, boots, kitchen appliances and furniture as people get settled into their homes.

The AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps and its FEMA Corps units engage 2,800 young Americans in a full-time, 10-month commitment to service each year.

AmeriCorps NCCC members address critical needs related to natural and other disasters, infrastructure improvement, environmental stewardship and conservation, and urban and rural development; FEMA Corps members are solely dedicated to disaster preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery work.

The programs are administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through its AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Social Innovation Fund and Volunteer Generation Fund programs, and leads the president's national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit www.NationalService.gov .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A winter weather advisory has been issued for parts of Northern California including northern Lake County due to concerns about the potential for snow in the mountains.

The National Weather Service issued the advisory, which is in effect from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Forecasters are predicting a cold winter storm will move into the region on Tuesday, bringing heavy snow to the mountains and upper foothills Tuesday and into early Wednesday.

Snow accumulations are predicted to range between 2 and 4 inches above 2,500 feet and 4 to 7 inches at the highest elevations, according to the advisory.

Forecasters said the brunt of the storm is expected to hit on Tuesday afternoon and evening, with snow showers in the foothills above 2,500 feet through Wednesday morning.

In the area of Lake County that's expected to be impacted – which includes the High Glade Lookout above Upper Lake and north – forecasters are predicting a 70-percent chance of precipitation during the day on Tuesday, with up to 2 inches of snow possible and gusts of wind up to 21 miles per hour.

On Tuesday night, the National Weather Service predicts a 50-percent chance of snow showers and up to 1 inch of snow accumulation, with up to 18-mile-per-hour wind gusts.

Other parts of Northern California expected to be impacted include the Sierras, Burney, Highway 299, Highway 89, Alder Springs and the Mendocino Pass.

Snow accumulations along the crest of the Sierras could be as much as 18 inches, 6 to 12 inches above 4,000 feet and 2 to 6 inches above 2,500 feet for the Mother Lode and the northeast foothills, where snow may fall as low as 1,500 feet, forecasters said.

Forecasters urge anyone planning to travel in mountain areas to be prepared for slippery roads and travel delays, and the possibility of the need for chains.

Email Elizabeth Larson at elarson@lakeconews.com . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – A Sebastopol man wanted in connection to the Monday morning murders of his parents has been captured in Ukiah.

Nathan Alexander Wilson, 34, was taken into custody without incident late Monday afternoon, according to a report from Sonoma County Sheriff's Sgt. Cecile Focha.

Authorities had been looking for Wilson since his parents, David and Adrienne Wilson, were found stabbed to death at their home on Sexton Road in the Twin Hills area outside of Sebastopol shortly after 9:30 a.m. Monday, as Lake County News has reported. Nathan Wilson reportedly lived on the property with them.

Focha said that at around 4:30 p.m. Monday, a citizen called into the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office saying they saw Nathan Wilson’s black Toyota pickup truck parked along Tomki Road in the Redwood Valley area of Mendocino County.

Mendocino County Sheriff's deputies found the truck abandoned and began to search for Wilson on foot in the area, Focha said.

Soon afterward, the Ukiah Police Department contacted a man matching Wilson's description walking down the street in town near Mendo Mill, according to Focha.

Focha said that Wilson lied about his name, but the Ukiah Police officers identified him by the California Driver’s License in his pocket.

Wilson was taken into custody without incident and is being held in the Mendocino County Jail, where Focha said he is awaiting extradition to Sonoma County to face charges for the murders of his parents.

The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office extended its thanks to its law enforcement partners at the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office and the Ukiah Police Department for their assistance in bringing Wilson into custody.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Sonoma County Sheriff's Office is asking for the assistance of the public in locating a man wanted in connection to the murders of his parents.

Nathan Alexander Wilson, 34, of Sebastopol, is believed to have killed his parents, David and Adrienne Wilson, on Monday morning, according to a report from Sonoma County Sheriff's Sgt. Cecile Focha.

Just before 9:30 a.m. Monday the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a double homicide, Focha said.

A man called the sheriff's dispatch center stating that he thought his nephew had just killed his brother and sister-in-law at a residence on Sexton Road, in the area known as Twin Hills outside of Sebastopol, in the unincorporated region of Sonoma County, according to Focha's report.

Focha said the man had seen the couple on the floor inside the house covered with blood, as well as his nephew covered in blood.
 
Patrol deputies went to the house at 1220 Sexton Road, with paramedics also responding, Focha said. The California Highway Patrol provided support from above with their helicopter, H30.
 
The deputies found two people, a man and a woman, unresponsive inside the home. The pair, identified as David and Adrienne Wilson, suffered multiple wounds from a sharp object. They were both declared dead at the scene. A possible weapon was found within the house, Focha reported.
 
Detectives from the Violent Crimes Investigations unit responded and assumed control of the case. Focha said the CSI Detective team and detectives from other investigations units also assisted.

Focha said detectives identified the murder suspect as Nathan Wilson, who lived on the property with his parents.

He was last seen near a shed on the property, but had left likely driving his black Toyota truck. Focha said deputies and other law enforcement agencies were alerted to be on the lookout for him and his truck.

Focha said deputies went to the addresses of family members and friends in case Wilson was headed to their homes. Deputies also checked locations where he was known to frequent. He is known to carry knives and is very strong.
 
Detectives from the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office Violent Crimes Investigations Unit released a photograph, shown above, of Nathan Wilson.

He is described as a white male adult, 6 feet 1 inch in height, with a thin build, dark blond – almost brown – hair and green eyes. Authorities said he was last seen wearing green pants and an unknown colored shirt.

Wilson is likely driving a black 2006 Toyota 4WD truck, California License plate of 8S95610. It has a regular cab, short bed and after-market tires, officials said.

Authorities said that if a member of the public sees Wilson or his truck, do not approach him. Instead, immediately call 911, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office dispatch center at 707-565-2121 or your local law enforcement agency.

According to a new report, the youth drug overdose death rate in California and a number of other states has more than doubled in the last 12 years, a public health issue that is being tied to prescription drug misuse and the increase in the use of heroin.

Trust for America’s Health report, “Reducing Teen Substance Misuse: What Really Works,” 24 states scored five or lower out of 10 on key indicators of leading evidence-based policies and programs that can improve the well-being of children and youth and have been connected with preventing and reducing substance – alcohol, tobacco or other drugs – misuse.

Four states tied for the lowest score of three out of a possible 10 – Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi and Wyoming – while two states achieved 10 out of 10 – Minnesota and New Jersey. The indicators were developed in consultation with top substance misuse prevention experts.

The Reducing Teen Substance Misuse report includes an analysis of the most recent drug overdose death rates among 12- to 25-year-olds.

It found that current rates were highest in West Virginia (12.6 per 100,000 youth) – which were more than five times higher than the lowest rates in North Dakota (2.2 per 100,000).

In addition, males are 2.5 times as likely to overdose as females (10.4 vs. 4.1 per 100,000).

In 1999-2001, no state had a youth drug overdose death rate above 6.1 per 100,000. By 2011-13, 33 states were above 6.1 per 100,000.

In the past 12 years:

– Rates have more than doubled in 18 states (Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina and Tennessee);
– Rates have more than tripled in twelve states (Arkansas, Delaware, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Oklahoma, Utah and West Virginia); and
– Rates have more than quadrupled in five states (Kansas, Montana, Ohio, Wisconsin and Wyoming).

“More than 90 percent of adults who develop a substance use disorder began using before they were 18,” said Jeffrey Levi, PhD, executive director of Trust for America’s Health. “Achieving any major reduction in substance misuse will require a reboot in our approach – starting with a greater emphasis on preventing use before it starts, intervening and providing support earlier and viewing treatment and recovery as a long-term commitment.”

The increase in youth drug overdose deaths is largely tied to increases in prescription drug misuse and the related doubling in heroin use by 18- to 25-year-olds in the past 10 years – 45 percent of people who use heroin are also addicted to prescription painkillers.

In addition, youth marijuana rates have increased by nearly 6 percent since 2008 and more than 13 percent of high school students report using e-cigarettes.

Youth from affluent families and/or neighborhoods report more frequent substance and alcohol use than lower-income teens – often related to having more resources to access alcohol and drugs.

The report highlights 10 indicators of the types of policy strategies that can help curb substance misuse by tweens, teens and young adults:

Limiting access:

– 37 states and Washington, D.C. have liability "dram shop" laws holding establishments accountable for selling alcohol to underage or obviously intoxicated individuals.
– 30 states and Washington, D.C. have smoke-free laws prohibiting smoking in public places, including restaurants and bars.
– Supporting Improved Well-being of Tweens, Teens and Young Adults: 30 states had rates of treatment for teens with major depressive episodes above 38.1 percent; 29 states and Washington, D.C. increased funding for mental health services in Fiscal Year 2015; 21 states have comprehensive bullying prevention laws; 35 states have at least an 80 percent high school graduation rate; 31 states and Washington, D.C. have taken action to roll back "one-size-fits-all" sentences for nonviolent drug and other offenses.

Improving counseling, early intervention and treatment and recovery support:

– 32 states and Washington, D.C. have explicit billing codes for screening (questionnaires/conversations), brief intervention (short counseling) and referral to treatment (sbirt) in their medical health (Medicaid or private insurance) programs, yet currently fewer than half of pediatricians report talking to teen patients about alcohol and other drug use.
– 31 states and Washington, D.C. have laws in place to provide a degree of immunity from criminal charges or mitigation of sentencing for an individual seeking help for themselves or others experiencing an overdose.
– 30 states and Washington, D.C. provide Medicaid coverage for all three medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of painkiller addiction.

“The case for a prevention-first and continuum-of-care approach is supported by more than 40 years of research, but the science hasn’t been implemented on a wide scale in the real world,” said Alexa Eggleston, senior program officer, domestic programs, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. “It’s time to bring innovations to scale and invest in more proactive and sustained approaches that promote positive protective factors, like safe, stable families, homes, schools and communities and intervene early to address youth substance use before addiction develops.”

Reducing Teen Substance Misuse identified a set of research-based approaches and recommendations to modernize the nation’s strategy to prevent and reduce substance use and support a full continuum-of-care, including:

– Putting prevention first, using evidence-based approaches across communities and in schools. Each state should have an end-to-end network of experts and resources to support the effective community-based selection, adoption, implementation and evaluation of evidence-based programs;
– Strategically investing in evidence-based programs that show the strongest results in reducing risk factors for substance misuse, poor academic performance, bullying, depression, violence, suicide, unsafe sexual behaviors and other problems that often emerge during teen years and young adulthood;
– Integrating school-based and wider community efforts, via multisector collaboration – and effectively collecting data to assess community needs, better select programs that match with those needs and improve accountability. Schools cannot and should not be expected to solve the problem on their own;
– Renewing efforts to gain support for the adoption and implementation of evidence-based and sustained school-based programs – moving beyond decades of ineffective approaches;
– Incorporating SBIRT as a routine practice in middle and high schools and health care settings – along with other regular health screenings – even brief counseling and interventions can have a positive impact; and
– Increasing funding support for sustained and ongoing mental health and substance use treatment and recovery.