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From left, Nicholas Michael Neuman, 40, of Glenhaven, California, and Derek Wayne Stark, 31, of Lakeport, California, were arrested following a traffic stop on Friday, April 3, 2020, in Lakeport, California. Lake County Jail photos.


LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said a vehicle stop conducted by one of its deputies last week resulted in the arrests of two men on a variety of charges and warrants, including forgery and identity theft, as well as violation of the county’s shelter in place order for COVID-19.

At 7 p.m. Friday, a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy was traveling on Highway 29 near 11th Street in Lakeport when he saw a GMC Suburban that was being driven by Nicholas Michael Neuman, 40, of Glenhaven, Paulich said.

Paulich said the deputy knew that Neuman was on felony probation, and had felony and misdemeanor warrants for his arrest.

The deputy stopped Neuman on 11th Street near Central Park Avenue, contacted Neuman and placed him under arrest for his warrants, Paulich said.

The deputy also recognized a male passenger in the vehicle as Derek Wayne Stark, 31, of Lakeport. Paulich said Stark was on felony post release community supervision.

During a search of Stark, Paulich said an obvious altered business check made out to Stark was located on his person.

Paulich said the deputy searched a backpack that was found near where Stark had been sitting in the vehicle and located numerous checks, driver licenses and credit cards, none of which belonged to Stark.

Stark was placed under arrest for forgery, making fictitious checks, identity theft, failing to comply with shelter in place order, and violation of post release community supervision. Paulich said Stark was booked at the Lake County Jail where he remains on a no-bail hold.

Paulich said the deputy determined the vehicle Neuman was driving had a false registration tab.

He said Neuman was placed under arrest for his warrants as well as displaying false registration, failing to comply with shelter in place order and violation of probation.

Neuman was booked at the Lake County Jail where he also remains on a no-bail hold, Paulich said.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – State Sen. Mike McGuire will hold a telephone town hall this Wednesday, April 8, at 6:30 p.m. for Lake and Mendocino County residents to hear the latest updates on the state and local coronavirus response.

“We’re working with all levels of government to ensure a unified response to the coronavirus here in Lake and Mendocino counties and all throughout Northern California,” McGuire said. “It’s critically important folks have the latest, most accurate information needed to protect themselves and their families, which is why we hope neighbors can join us for this informative Telephone Town Hall Wednesday evening.”

To attend, dial 844-767-5679, enter code 204015 and follow the prompts. You will be connected to the live town hall via telephone and you will be able to listen to the officials providing critical updates.

Email your questions and comments in advance and in real-time on Wednesday evening to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Stay up to date on coronavirus efforts across the state and here at home via the California COVID-19 response website, the county of Mendocino’s web page and the county of Lake’s web page.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – As California’s COVID-19 case numbers continue to grow, a newly updated forecast is expecting the state’s cases and resource usage to peak mid-month, a week earlier than previously predicted.

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation is an independent global health research organization at the University of Washington School of Medicine that has been forecasting COVID-19 resource use and deaths across the nation, as Lake County News has reported.

The institute’s forecasts show California’s number of cases creates a far flatter curve than the nation as a whole and many other states.

In updated estimates issued over the weekend, which were based on newer and more complete information, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation puts California’s peak resource use – specifically, hospital beds and ventilators – on April 14, where last week it had been put at April 26.

The institute estimates that California’s deaths will peak on April 17 at about 70 per day. Previously, the forecast had expected deaths to peak at 100 per day on April 25.

The nation’s peak resource use remains at April 15, while the institute has pushed back its peak deaths to April 16.

As of Sunday night, the number of cases statewide totaled 15,182, with 350 deaths, according to a survey of Public Health departments across the state conducted by Lake County News.

Among the new cases on Sunday was Lake County’s first, as Lake County News has reported.

Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace said the patient – who had been from contact with a known case at an out-of-county workplace – is currently doing well, following appropriate precautions, and is isolated.

Officials did not release the patient’s gender or community of residence.

As of Sunday, Lassen, Mariposa, Modoc, Sierra and Trinity have so far not reported positive cases.

Counties across the state are following separate reporting protocols. Some have online dashboards that break down case numbers, tests, gender and age, and recovery status, while others do not.

Meanwhile, the number of tests for COVID-19 are continuing to grow across the state.

The California Department of Public Health reported that, as of the latest numbers available on Saturday, approximately 131,500 tests had been conducted in California. At least 116,563 results have been received and another 15,000 are pending.

CDPH said those numbers include data California has received from commercial, private and academic labs, including Quest, LabCorp, Kaiser, University of California and Stanford, and the 22 state and county health labs currently testing.

The state’s numbers indicate that the number of male patients continues to trend higher than females, with the 18 to 49 age group having the largest number of patients – nearly the same as the 50 to 64 and the 65 and above age groups, combined.

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. – The county of Lake and the cities of Clearlake and Lakeport are gauging the potential impacts of a gubernatorial directive issued last week that allows a short-term deferral of sales and use taxes to local governments.

Last week, among a number of measures meant to help address the economic fallout from COVID-19, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order to allow the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration to offer a 90-day extension for tax returns and tax payments for all businesses filing a return for less than $1 million in taxes.

As a result, small businesses will have until the end of July to file their first-quarter returns. The order also extends the statute of limitations to file a claim for refund by 60 days to accommodate tax and fee payers.

Then, on Thursday, Newsom said the state is allowing small businesses to defer payment of sales and use taxes of up to $50,000, for up to 12 months.

Sales and use taxes are key sources of revenue for local governments.

At Thursday night’s Clearlake City Council meeting, City Manager Alan Flora reported the governor’s actions on sales and use tax to the council, explaining that he had just gotten word about it.

Flora called it “pretty shocking”

Although it may be helpful for businesses now, “It’s going to be a big problem for folks when it has to be paid,” Flora said.

Likewise, Flora said it will be an “enormous burden” for local jurisdictions like the city.

“I don’t know what to say other than that. It’s something that’s very surprising to see,” said Flora.

Flora said the deferral has him worried, explaining that the city annually receives about $400,000 from use tax like transient occupancy tax, or bed tax, and the city already is likely to receive very little from that revenue source.

“It’s going to be a real challenge for us,” he said.

The action is raising concern with other leaders in the community, who are trying to better understand what the governor’s order may entail.

“Cities were not given any heads-up that the State was going to announce a sales tax relief,” Lakeport City Manager Margaret Silveira told Lake County News in an email.

“The City is awaiting word from the State if there is going to be any backfill for the cities. This would be a devastating blow to our revenues, if there is no assistance,” Silveira said.

Similarly, County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson said she has questions and concerns.

“Sharing of information regarding the State’s implementation of these particular deferrals remains in a very preliminary stage, but deferral of any tax payments certainly has the potential to significantly affect the County General Fund,” she said via email. “We are monitoring several indicators of County revenues, at present. “With no final guidance on what support will be provided from Federal and State funds, and uncertainty surrounding how long California will be affected by COVID-19, for example, it is not possible to entirely estimate the impact.”

Huchingson added, “This type of uncertainty informed our seeking Board approval to defer detailed budgeting for next year to September, and our approach has been consistent with statewide best practices.”

Last Tuesday, Huchingson went to the board with the plan to use the current year’s budget numbers as a starting point for next year’s budgeting process, with staff to make adjustments in the lead up to the recommended budget hearings on June 9 and the final recommended budget hearings on Sept. 23 and 24.

On Thursday Flora suggested a similar budget process to the Clearlake City Council, recommending very minimal changes to the current budget, which would be amended.

He said it remains to be seen how revenue streams will be impacted

Flora said a lot of restaurants, which are large sales tax generators, are not operating, but he said he’s seen initial numbers on sales tax for major retailers that indicate they are up more than 40 percent.

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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At a former basketball arena being transformed into an alternate care site, Gov. Gavin Newsom said that California is making progress in securing additional beds to treat COVID-19 patients and relieve pressure on the health care delivery system.

On Monday at the former Sleep Train Arena, Gov. Gavin Newsom said that California has already secured up to 4,613 additional beds at alternate care sites and shuttered hospitals to care for an anticipated surge in COVID-19 patients, with even more capacity being finalized.

He said the state has aggressively planned for a surge in hospitalizations in the coming weeks and aims to add 50,000 beds to our existing hospital capacity of nearly 75,000 beds.

At least 60 percent of those additional beds, or 30,000, will come from within existing hospitals, and the state will secure the remaining beds, up to 20,000.

“California has been working closely with hospitals to aggressively expand our state’s ability to treat the coming surge in COVID-19 patients,” said Newsom. “As a result, California is adding tens of thousands more hospital beds, sourcing and distributing lifesaving medical supplies and ventilators, and significantly expanding our health care workforce. This is an all hands on deck effort, and I am extremely grateful to all of our partners in the medical community, the private sector and across government for helping us get this far. All of these efforts will only pay off if we continue to slow the spread of the virus. Staying home will save lives.”

The former Sleep Train Arena, now known as Natomas Arena, in Sacramento is one of several alternate care sites that will provide care for less sick patients, thus allowing hospitals to focus their resources on those with the most acute needs.

The state’s alternate care sites to date include:

– Eight federal medical stations operating or being set up across the state, each with a maximum of 250 beds;
– The former Sleep Train Arena, which has a maximum capacity of 400 beds;
– Fairview Developmental Center, with a maximum capacity of 520 beds;
– Porterville Developmental Center, with a maximum capacity of 246 beds;
– San Carlos Hotel, with a maximum capacity of 120 beds; and
– CPMC - Pacific Campus, with a maximum capacity of 291 beds.

Alternate care sites will be staffed using a number of resources, including the newly established California Health Corps. The Health Corps is made up of health care providers, behavioral health professionals, and health care administrators who sign up to work at alternate care sites. They will add to the existing state health care workforce with underutilized and underemployed professionals, and with qualified student, retiree and out-of-state health care providers.

In addition, the state has leased two hospitals and received a naval medical ship from the federal government as surge facilities:

Seton Medical Center in Daly City, which has a maximum capacity of 220 beds;
St. Vincent Medical Center in Los Angeles, which has a maximum capacity of 266 beds; and
USNS Mercy, which has an easily-accessible maximum capacity of up to 550 beds.

Visit www.covid19.ca.gov for critical steps Californians can take to stay healthy, and resources available to those affected by the outbreak.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors this week will hear the latest on COVID-19 in Lake County from the Public Health officer and discuss requirements regarding benefit zones formed last year to reduce the threat of wildland fire.

The board will meet virtually beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 7, 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 on the county’s Facebook page or at https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx . Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.

Because the meeting will be held virtually, members of the public are asked to submit comments on items to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please note the agenda item number addressed.

At 9:30 a.m., the board will consider an update on the requirements for the benefit zones established in the Clear Lake Riviera, Buckingham, Riviera West and Riviera Heights last year in an effort to reduce vegetation.

In a memo to the board, Supervisor Rob Brown asked that, in light of the COVID-19 crisis and likely overlap with the impending wildland fire season, he’s asking the board to consider an update on benefit zone efforts, a shortening of the abatement requirements for necessary fuel reduction, public notifications of the need for property owners to ramp up reduction of hazardous vegetation, and reinforcement and confirmation of the definition of “essential worker” to include vegetation services, tree maintenance, landscapers, gardeners and property managers.

“Given our current situation, with the very likely potential of COVID-19 in Lake County, we would be hard pressed to deal with an additional and avoidable disaster such as a wildland fire. We need to, more than ever, reduce that possibility and I am asking the Board to consider any action possible that would further the reduction to that risk,” Brown wrote.

In other business, at 9:10 a.m., the Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace will give the board an update on the COVID-19 situation.

In an untimed item, the board will continue its discussion from last week about sending a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom to suspend legislation that would affect private enterprise jobs.

In another untimed item, the board will consider a letter responding to the city of Clearlake regarding the city’s concerns with property tax sales by the Lake County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office.

The full agenda follows.

CONSENT AGENDA

5.1: Approve late travel claim for County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson for January 2020, authorizing the auditor-controller to pay.

5.2: Adopt resolution approving Agreement No. 19-0737-008-SF with the California Department of Food and Agriculture to provide reimbursement for Asian Citrus Psyllid Winter Trapping Program for the amount of $8,762 beginning Oct. 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020.

5.3: Sitting as Lake County Air Quality Management District, authorize the air pollution control officer to submit the Ozone Emergency Plan exemption request to ARB and EPA.

5.4: Approve geothermal consultant agreement between the county of Lake and Harold W. Bertholf Inc. for appraisal services starting April 30, 2020, and authorize the chair to sign.

5.5: Adopt resolution authorizing Lake County Behavioral Health Services rate adjustment for substance use disorder services.

5.6: Approve agreement between county of Lake and Behavioral Health Services as lead agency of the Lake County Continuum of Care and Kelseyville Methodist Church as the fiscal agent of the Hope Rising Warming Center Project for Fiscal Year 2019-20 and authorize the chair to sign.

5.7: Approve Amendment No. 1 to the agreement between the county of Lake and Hilltop Recovery Services for Substance Use Disorder Intensive Outpatient Program and outpatient drug free services for Fiscal Year 2019-20, and authorize the chair to sign.

5.8: Adopt resolution of the Lake County Board of Supervisors authorizing Lake County Behavioral Health Services Department to advance funds in order to maintain COVID-19 shelter operations until receipt of COVID-19 emergency homelessness funding from the California Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council.

5.9: Approve 6th Cycle (2019-2027) Housing Element Update contract with EMC Planning Group for $51,960 and authorize chair to sign.

5.10: Adopt proclamation designating the month of April 2020 as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

5.11: (a) Waive the formal bidding process, pursuant to Lake County Code Section 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and (b) approve Amendment No. 1 to the agreement between the county of Lake and Mountain Valley Family and Child Services for specialty mental health services for Fiscal Year 2019-20 increasing the total amount payable from $25,000 to $48,400 and authorize the board chair to sign the amendment.

5.12: Adopt resolution approving county of Lake Health Services to apply for one time grant funding in the amount of $158,987 through the California Department of Public Health for Fiscal Year 19/20.

5.13: Approve extended leave of absence for Deputy Probation Officer III Claudia Acosta from March 9 to May 10, 2020.

TIMED ITEMS

6.2, 9:06 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation designating the month of April 2020 as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

6.3, 9:10 a.m.: Consideration of Update on COVID-19 .

6.4, 9:30 a.m.: Consideration of (a) update on benefit zone requirements, (b) shortening abatement requirements for necessary fuel reduction, (c) public notifications of the need for property owners to ramp up reduction of hazardous vegetation, and (d) reinforcement and confirmation of the definition of essential worker to include vegetation services, tree maintenance, landscapers, gardeners and property managers.

6.5, 10:30 a.m.: Public hearing, continued from March 24, industrial hemp zoning ordinance text amendment (AM 20-01) categorical exemption (CE 20-07).

UNTIMED ITEMS

7.2: Continued from March 31, consideration of letter to Gov. Newsom asking to suspend legislation that would affect private enterprise jobs.

7.3: Consideration of ratification of county administrative officer's action to send letters to tenants of the Harbor Village Artist Cottages to offer relief of rent during the COVID-19 Health emergency.

7.4: Consideration of letter responding to the city of Clearlake regarding concerns with property tax sales by the Lake County Treasurer-Tax Collector.

7.5: Consideration of acceptance of a donation of a refrigerated trailer for disaster response by Hub Group Inc. of Oak Park, Illinois.

7.6: Consideration of Change Order No. 3 with Coleman Environmental Engineering Inc. for FEMA FMAG Culvert Replacement No. 1 & No. 2, Federal Project No.'s FMAG DR 5093-1-1R & FMAG DR 5112-1-1R, Bid No. 19-01, For an increase of $2,540.94 and a Revised Contract amount of $647,841.27.

CLOSED SESSION

8.1: Conference with labor negotiator: (a) Chief Negotiator: M. Long; county negotiators: C. Huchingson and P. Samac; and (b) employee organizations: LCDDAA, LCDSA, LCCOA, LCEA, LCSEA and LCSMA.

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 Lakeport City Council this week will consider updates to city code and ratification of an order that will allow the city to better enforce local and state actions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The council will meet virtually beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 7. Council members will be participating telephonically and will not be physically present in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall.

If you would like to speak on an agenda item, you can access the meeting remotely. Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/1359917069095029262 or by phone at 1-877-309-2074 (toll-free) or 415-930-5229, access code 620-529-293.

Comments also can be submitted via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . To give the city clerk adequate time to print out your comments for consideration at the meeting, please submit your written comments prior to 4:30 p.m. Please indicate in the email subject line “For public comment” and list the item number you wish to comment on.

Comments that you want read to the council will be subject to the three minute time limitation (approximately 350 words). Written comments that are only to be provided to the council and not read at the meeting will be distributed to the council prior to the meeting.

On Tuesday, Assistant City Manager Kevin Ingram will present to the council an ordinance adopting the 2019 California Building Code along with additional revisions to the Lakeport Municipal Code removing references to obsolete building codes. The council will host a public hearing for the item.

The council also will consider ratifying Executive Order 2020-01, executed by City Manager Margaret Silveira – who also acts as the city’s director of emergency services – on March 28.

The order renders violations of orders issued by the Lake County Public Health officer or the governor of the state of California related to the COVID-19 emergency as violations of the Lakeport Municipal Code.

“As a result, the City now has the ability to issue administrative citations to those violating the Health Officer’s or Governor’s Shelter in Place orders, as well as abate violations as a public nuisance. Violation of the Shelter in Place order constitutes a violation of the Lakeport Municipal Code Chapters 1.08, 8.22 and 8.30,” according to Silveira’s report to the council.

“This goal remains to achieve voluntary compliance with all orders designed to reduce the spread of the COVID19 virus within our community. Staff does not desire to issue citations; however, should the need arise. This order gives the Lakeport Police Department more flexibility with enforcement of the local and state orders,” Silveira wrote.

On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances; minutes of the special council meeting on March 17 and the regular council meeting on March 17; the March 13 warrant register; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the Mendocino Complex fire; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the February 2019 storms; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the October 2019 public safety power shutoff; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the COVID-19 public health emergency; approval of the memorandum of understanding between the Lakeport Unified School District and the Lakeport Police Department for the services of a school resource officer for fiscal years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 and direct the city manager to sign; and award of a construction contract to Thompson Contracting for the spray field fence replacement project.

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.



040720 Lakeport City Council Agenda Packet by LakeCoNews on Scribd

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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace said he has extended Lake County’s shelter in place order for another month.

Pace said the updated order will extend through May 3.

The order, which went into effect on March 19, had an original end date of April 10.

However, Pace said Monday that, with Lake County now having two confirmed cases of COVID-19, there are clear indications regional activity of the virus continues to escalate.

As of Monday morning, Pace said the California Department of Public Health had confirmed 15,158 total positive cases in California, and 350 deaths.

“Effects in cities and rural areas, alike, around the country have been truly sobering, and it has never been more important that we remain vigilant to protect those close to us, and those most vulnerable in our communities,” Pace said.

At the recommendation of Gov. Gavin Newsom and State Superintendent Tony Thurmond, the Lake County Office of Education acted on Friday, April 3, to extend its distance-based instruction “through the end of the school year, unless the situation improves and warrants a safe return to the classroom.”

Pace said he’s been in regular contact with Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg and others, and strongly believes this move reflects the actual conditions brought by the COVID-19 epidemic.

As a result, Pace said he issued an addendum to his school operations order and to the shelter in place order and its two addenda.

Through May 3, 2020, all individuals currently living within Lake County – including the incorporated cities of Clearlake and Lakeport – are ordered to shelter at their place of residence, unless leaving for essential activities, essential government functions, to work for essential businesses or to perform minimum basic operations for non-essential businesses. Each of these terms is defined as indicated in his Addendum 3 to Public Health Order No. C20-3.

“Individuals experiencing homelessness remain exempt, but are strongly urged to find shelter, and I am grateful for the work of Pastor Shannon and the Warming Center to expand their services, and provide shelter for many at this critical time,” said Pace.

Anyone ignoring the shelter in place order is breaking the law and is subject to a misdemeanor citation and fine.

Precautions must be taken, especially for those leaving their residence to perform essential activities. Any individual leaving their place of residence, for any purpose allowed by the order, must strictly comply with the order’s social distancing and hygiene requirements, Pace said.

“Essentially all public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a household or living unit are prohibited,” he said.

Pace said individuals working exclusively from home can continue work-related activities. However, all businesses with a facility in Lake County, except essential businesses, must suspend all activities at their facility, except minimum basic operations.

Essential businesses must prepare, post, and implement social distancing protocols and follow industry-specific guidance from the California Department of Public Health, and businesses with nonessential components to their business operation must scale down operations to only essential business operations, Pace said.

Pace offered some further clarifications of limited exceptions.

Real estate, for example, has been deemed an “essential business,” per Gov. Gavin Newsom’s supplemental guidance to Executive Order N-33-20, issued March 20. Pace said this order addendum requires that appointments and other residential viewings occur virtually, unless an exemption is specifically provided by the Health Department.

To discourage travel, and to protect those sheltering in place, exemptions will only be considered for local residents, and only when the unit is unoccupied. Hand washing and disinfecting of surfaces are likewise required, Pace said.

In the interest of limiting wildfire risk to Lake County, Pace said essential workers now explicitly include landscapers and tree trimmers that are working on wildfire abatement, to include vegetation services, tree maintenance, landscapers, gardeners and property managers.

Directives for hotels have likewise been clarified, noting Lake County residents with special medical or other needs for temporary residence outside of the home may be accommodated when specifically exempted by the Health Department, Pace said.

“Please know I am aware how disruptive these mandates are, and that many facets of basic family life and business activity have become more difficult, or been precluded, altogether,” Pace said. “Fortunately, there are some positive signs that statewide shelter-in-place orders are having a positive benefit, and slowing the spread of the virus. We were proactive, even anticipating the governor’s mandate, in the interest of giving our local healthcare system the best possible chance to keep Lake County’s cases at a manageable level.”

Pace added, “Thanks to the cooperation of so many residents, we were able to buy valuable time, and there remains no evidence of community spread in Lake County, which is a great positive.”

With the virus now confirmed in Lake County, Pace said everyone must commit to these primary strategies to limit entry and spread of the virus:

– Stay at home (and in contact with those in your immediate household, only) except for essential business;
– Isolate, even from family, if you develop symptoms;
– Wash your hands frequently; and
– Use cloth masks (not N95 or surgical masks) when out of the house.

Guidance and options for making your own cloth masks are provided here.

For Lake County-specific Coronavirus information, visit the Lake County Health Services Department’s website, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Public Health during business hours at 707-263-8174.



2020-04-06 Lake County Order of the Public Health Officer C20-1 (A2) by LakeCoNews on Scribd

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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – April is National Alcohol Awareness Month, and it will be celebrated locally and nationally, with the aim of educating people about prevention and treatment of alcoholism, especially among our youth.

This also highlights the important role parents of young adults can play in providing their children a better understanding of the impact that alcohol (and drugs) can have on their lives, and the lives of those around them, according to Lake County Behavioral Health Services officials.

Alcohol and drug use by young people is extremely dangerous, not only to themselves and the community at large, but is also directly associated with educational failure, violence, traffic fatalities, suicide, unsafe sex and alcohol overdose. This even applies to those who may never develop dependence and/or addiction.

Adolescence is the prime time of elevated overall risk-taking, and as alcohol and drugs enter the picture, parents are often faced with a very unique set of challenges.

Parents sometimes justify underage drinking or drug use as a “rite of passage.” Parents must adjust their attitudes and take an active role to learn about alcohol and drugs, and how to assist their kids in doing the same.

It is not always an easy task to discuss the perils of drinking and drug use with children, but is well worth the effort parents put into it.

Studies have shown that children who have conversations with their parents early on and learn about the dangers of alcohol and drug use are more than 50 percent less likely to use these substances than those who did not have such discussions.

This is the opportunity for parents to reinforce the fact that imbibing alcohol is not a “rite of passage.”

When parents foster a change in attitude about alcohol and drug use in both themselves and their children, it helps them all to understand drinking is not a way to be or feel independent, “cool,” or to fit in, socially.

Young people can learn alcohol and drugs are not a requirement in order to have a good time, and non-use of any substance is a viable and, most importantly, the healthiest option. We must learn to honor and respect another individual’s decision not to drink alcohol.

Behavioral Health Services said that alcohol and drug use is a very risky business for young people, and parents are the lynchpin in making a difference. The longer young people delay alcohol and drug use, the less likely they are to develop the inherent problems associated with it.

For more information, please contact Lake County Behavioral Health Services at 707-274-9101 or 707-994-7090.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The county of Lake is planning a special virtual town hall this week aimed at helping the business community.

The town hall will take place beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 9.

It will be broadcast live on Lake County PEG TV, and online at the county’s Facebook page, with both English and Spanish livestreams, and on the county’s Web site (available once the meeting starts – refresh your browser until you see, “In progress”). American Sign Language interpretation will be available on the English-language feeds.

Send any questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Wednesday, April 8, at 5 p.m. Include, “Business Town Hall,” in the Subject line.

The COVID-19 crisis has affected nearly every facet of daily life. Business owners have been among the hardest hit.

Categories of businesses being determined non-essential, demands to rapidly change the way services are delivered, and a web of state and federal programs offering support have understandably left many with questions.

District 5 Supervisor Rob Brown, wants to ensure the most critical questions are answered, and business owners can continue to invest in the communities they serve, both now and when we emerge from the pandemic.

He invites community members to join the special virtual town hall this Thursday.

Those supporting Supervisor Brown in presenting this important meeting will include moderator Michelle Scully, deputy county administrative officer, who has a track record of successful leadership in a cross-section of Lake County private industries and service sectors.

The panel will likewise include Jeff and Andy Lucas of Community Development Services, which has been providing a variety of supports to local businesses for decades, including facilitating access to state and federal funding opportunities. Representatives from the financial services sector and others have likewise been invited.

“Every one of us is affected by the health and success of local businesses,” said Brown. “Business owners create jobs, and their activity drives revenue for those in the government and service sectors, as well. I hope as many people as possible will tune in to this meeting, to understand a little better what business leaders in our communities are facing. I consider it a privilege to be a part of the local business community, and am looking forward to connecting people with the information they need.”
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County’s Public Health officer on Monday said a second positive case of COVID-19 has been identified in the county.

On Sunday, Dr. Gary Pace reported that the first positive case in Lake County had been identified, and was an individual who had been in contact with a known case at an out-of-county workplace, as Lake County News has reported.

On Monday, Pace said the second case was confirmed, and it’s a family member of the first patient to test positive.

“There continue to be no signs of community transmission in Lake County,” Pace said.

He called Monday’s development “not unexpected,” adding that it reinforces the fact precautions must be taken.

Pace said people should:

– Stay at home (and in contact with those in your immediate household, only) except for essential business;
– Isolate, even from family, if you develop symptoms;
– Wash your hands frequently; and
– Use cloth masks (not N95 or surgical masks) when out of the house.

“People strictly following these rules will give us the best chance of keeping the spread slow enough it is manageable for our medical facilities,” he said.

Pace said that anyone ignoring the shelter-in-place order, which went into effect on March 19, is breaking the law. They’re also running the risk of jeopardizing family and friends’ health, as well as the health of the vulnerable people in their area.

For Lake County-specific Coronavirus information, visit the Lake County Health Services Department’s website, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Public Health during business hours at 707-263-8174.
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Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order expanding consumer protection against price gouging as California continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The order generally prohibits sellers of any kind from increasing prices on food, consumer goods, medical or emergency supplies, and certain other items by more than 10 percent.

The order also gives additional tools to the California Department of Justice and Attorney General’s Office, among others, to take action against price gougers.

“This crisis has impacted every Californian and our normal way of life, and we are ensuring that all consumers are able to purchase what they need, at a fair price,” said Gov. Newsom.

Visit www.covid19.ca.gov for critical steps Californians can take to stay healthy, and resources available to those impacted by the outbreak.

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