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The 200-foot-tall (60-meter-tall) front of the Getz Ice Shelf in Antarctica is scored with cracks where icebergs are likely to break off, or calve, in this 2016 photo. The first estimate of Antarctic calving has found that since 1997 ice shelves have lost as much ice from calving as from melting. Credits: NASA/GSFC/OIB.

New research on Antarctica, including the first map of iceberg calving, doubles the previous estimates of loss from ice shelves and details how the continent is changing.

The greatest uncertainty in forecasting global sea level rise is how Antarctica’s ice loss will accelerate as the climate warms. Two studies published Aug. 10 and led by researchers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California reveal unexpected new data about how the Antarctic Ice Sheet has been losing mass in recent decades.

One study, published in the journal Nature, maps how iceberg calving – the breaking off of ice from a glacier front – has changed the Antarctic coastline over the last 25 years. The researchers found that the edge of the ice sheet has been shedding icebergs faster than the ice can be replaced. This surprise finding doubles previous estimates of ice loss from Antarctic’s floating ice shelves since 1997, from 6 trillion to 12 trillion metric tons. Ice loss from calving has weakened the ice shelves and allowed Antarctic glaciers to flow more rapidly to the ocean, accelerating the rate of global sea level rise.

The other study, published in Earth System Science Data, shows in unprecedented detail how the thinning of Antarctic ice as ocean water melts it has spread from the continent’s outward edges into its interior, almost doubling in the western parts of the ice sheet over the past decade. Combined, the complementary reports give the most complete view yet of how the frozen continent is changing.

“Antarctica is crumbling at its edges,” says JPL scientist Chad Greene, lead author of the calving study. “And when ice shelves dwindle and weaken, the continent’s massive glaciers tend to speed up and increase the rate of global sea level rise.”

Most Antarctic glaciers flow to the ocean, where they end in floating ice shelves up to 2 miles (3 kilometers) thick and 500 miles (800 kilometers) across. Ice shelves act like buttresses to glaciers, keeping the ice from simply sliding into the ocean. When ice shelves are stable, they have a natural cycle of calving and replenishment that keeps their size fairly constant over the long term.

But in recent decades, the warming ocean has been destabilizing Antarctica’s ice shelves by melting them from below, making them thinner and weaker. Satellite altimeters measure the thinning process by recording the changing height of the ice, but until this study, there hasn’t been a comprehensive assessment of how climate change might be affecting calving around the continent.

That’s partly because satellite imagery has been challenging to interpret. “For example,” said Greene, “you can imagine looking at a satellite image and trying to figure out the difference between a white iceberg, white ice shelf, white sea ice, and even a white cloud. That’s always been a difficult task. But we now have enough data from multiple satellite sensors to see a clear picture of how Antarctica’s coastline has evolved in recent years.”

For the new study, Greene and his co-authors synthesized satellite imagery of the continent in visible, thermal infrared (heat), and radar wavelengths since 1997. Combining these measurements with an understanding of ice flow gained from an ongoing NASA glacier-mapping project, they charted the edges of ice shelves around 30,000 linear miles (50,000 kilometers) of Antarctic coastline.

Losses from calving have outpaced natural ice-shelf growth so greatly that the researchers think it’s unlikely Antarctica can grow back to its pre-2000 extent by the end of this century. In fact, the findings suggest that greater losses can be expected: Antarctica’s largest ice shelves all appear to be headed for major calving events in the next 10 to 20 years.

Mapping 36 years of ice loss

In the complementary study, JPL scientists have combined almost 3 billion data points from seven spaceborne altimetry instruments to produce the longest continuous data set on the changing height of the ice sheet — an indicator of ice loss — from as early as 1985.

They used radar and laser measurements of ice elevation, accurate to within centimeters, to produce the highest-resolution monthly maps of change ever made of ice loss.

The unparalleled detail in the new record reveals how long-term trends and annual weather patterns affect the ice. It even shows the rise and fall of the ice sheet as subglacial lakes regularly fill and empty miles below the surface.

“Subtle changes like these, in combination with improved understanding of long-term trends from this data set, will help researchers understand the processes that influence ice loss, leading to improved future estimates of sea level rise,” said JPL’s Johan Nilsson, lead author of the study.

Synthesizing and analyzing the massive archives of measurements into a single, high-resolution data set took years of work and thousands of hours of computing time on NASA’s servers. Nilsson says it was all worth it: “Condensing the data into something more widely useful may bring us closer to the big breakthroughs we need to better understand our planet and to help prepare us for the future impacts of climate change.”

Carol Rasmussen works for NASA.
Changes in elevation of the Antarctic ice sheet from 1985 to 2021 are shown. Ice height diminishes (red) as the ice sheet melts by contact with ocean water; it rises (blue) where accumulation exceeds melting. Ice shelves are shown in gray. The missions that supplied data are listed at bottom. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech.
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Gov. Gavin Newsom tours the Antioch Brackish Desalination Project and welcomes his new infrastructure adviser, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Antioch, California. Photo courtesy of the Governor’s Office.

Hotter and drier weather conditions spurred by climate change could reduce California’s water supply by up to 10% by the year 2040.

To replace and replenish what we will lose to thirstier soils, vegetation and the atmosphere, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday announced California’s latest actions to increase water supply and adapt to more extreme weather patterns caused by climate change.

Thursday’s announcement follows $8 billion in state investments over the last two years to help store, recycle, desalt and conserve the water it will need to keep up with the increasing pace of climate change, generating enough water in the future for more than 8.4 million households by 2040.

The actions, outlined in a strategy document published by the Administration called “California’s Water Supply Strategy, Adapting to a Hotter, Drier Future” calls for investing in new sources of water supply, accelerating projects and modernizing how the state manages water through new technology.

This approach to California’s water supply management recognizes the latest science that indicates the American West is experiencing extreme, sustained drought conditions caused by hotter, drier weather.

The warming climate means that a greater share of the rain and snowfall California receives will be absorbed by dry soils, consumed by thirsty plants, and evaporated into the air. This leaves less water to meet the state’s needs.

“The best science tells us that we need to act now to adapt to California’s water future. Climate change means drought won’t just stick around for two years at a time like it historically has — extreme weather is a permanent fixture here in the American West and California will adapt to this new reality,” Gov. Newsom said at the Antioch Brackish Desalination Project. “California is launching an aggressive plan to rebuild the way we source, store and deliver water so our kids and grandkids can continue to call California home in this hotter, drier climate.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom tours the Antioch Brackish Desalination Project on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022, in Antioch, California. Photo courtesy of the Governor’s Office.


To help make up for the water supplies California could lose over the next two decades, the strategy prioritizes actions to capture, recycle, desalt and conserve more water. These actions include:

• Creating storage space for up to 4 million acre-feet of water, which will allow us to capitalize on big storms when they do occur and store water for dry periods.

• Recycling and reusing at least 800,000 acre-feet of water per year by 2030, enabling better and safer use of wastewater currently discharged to the ocean.

• Freeing up 500,000 acre-feet of water through more efficient water use and conservation, helping make up for water lost due to climate change.

• Making new water available for use by capturing stormwater and desalinating ocean water and salty water in groundwater basins, diversifying supplies and making the most of high flows during storm events.

These actions are identified broadly in the Newsom Administration’s Water Resilience Portfolio — the state’s master plan for water released in 2020 — but they will be expedited given the urgency of climate-driven changes.

To advance the infrastructure and policies needed to adapt, the strategy enlists the help of the Legislature to streamline processes so projects can be planned, permitted and built more quickly, while protecting the environment.

Over the last three years, at the urging of the governor, state leaders have earmarked more than $8 billion to modernize water infrastructure and management.

The historic three-year, $5.2 billion investment in California water systems enacted in 2021-22 has enabled emergency drought response, improved water conservation to stretch water supplies, and enabled scores of local drought resilience projects.

The 2022-23 budget includes an additional $2.8 billion for drought relief to hard-hit communities, water conservation, environmental protection for fish and wildlife and long-term drought resilience projects.
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On Wednesday, an informational hearing was held in Sacramento on California’s two competing sports-betting initiatives.

The hearing provided the public with a clear opportunity to receive an objective review of both measures from the state Legislative Analyst’s Office ahead of the Nov. 8 election.

The hearing also allowed supporters and proponents of both measures, including members of the public, to voice their positions.

“Today’s hearing reinforced key points about two proposals to legalize and regulate sports wagering in California,” Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Napa) said Wednesday. “We held the measures side by side, reviewed them in detail and heard input from stakeholders. The hearing underscored that illegal sports wagering is happening now without regulation, safeguards or benefits to our state. This illegal activity should be taken out of the shadows, generating revenue to improve our state, and I believe this hearing highlighted issues the voters should weigh in that regard.”

The information about Propositions 26 and 27 came at a joint hearing of the Assembly and Senate Governmental Organization committees, co-chaired by Sen. Dodd.

The Legislative Analyst’s Office presented details on how the measures would legalize sports betting and found:

· Proposition 26 would authorize on-site sports wagering at facilities operated by federally recognized Native American tribes and large horseracing tracks. The measure would generate tens of millions of dollars, a portion of which would be used for K-12 education and community colleges. The LAO estimated enforcement costs to the state Department of Justice would also be in the tens of millions of dollars.

· Proposition 27 would authorize statewide online and mobile sports wagering for gaming tribes. The vast majority of illegal sports betting currently takes place online, and to address that market proponents asserted the need for legalizing and regulating mobile wagering. Revenue was estimated to be up to $500 million per year and funding would be dedicated to programs in three areas: homelessness, gambling addiction and tribal development. Enforcement costs were also estimated to be in the tens of millions of dollars.

Speaking in support of Proposition 26 were Anthony Roberts, chair, Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation; Lovina Saul Redner, chair, Santa Rosa Band of Cahuilla Indians; and Jeff Butler, general counsel, Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation.

Speaking in support of Proposition 27 were Jose “Moke” Simon, chair, Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California; and Jennifer Friend, CEO, Project Hope Alliance

Committee members asked questions but did not take positions on the measures. Both propositions go before voters Nov. 8.

A recording of the hearing can be found here.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Clearlake Planning Commission on Tuesday evening voted unanimously to grant permits to allow an anti-abortion group to begin operating a clinic in the city.

The Pregnancy Counseling Center of Ukiah, doing business as Mendo Lake Women’s Clinic, will be located within an existing commercial building built in 1980 that previously housed an eye clinic, located at 14595 Olympic Drive, Suite C.

The center’s administration sought the conditional use permit, sign permit and an environmental categorical exemption for the 2,000-square-foot licensed medical clinic.

The staff report said the Mendo Lake Women’s Clinic is a nonprofit organization, with its parent clinic located in Ukiah.

Nonprofit filings show that the Pregnancy Counseling Center of Ukiah also is known as The Center for Life Choices.

Cathy Hoyt, chair of the board of directors of the Center for Life Choices, said the center is the funding agency for the new clinic, which she directs.

The Pregnancy Counseling Center’s stated mission is, “To erase the need for abortion by effectively serving pregnant, at-risk women by transforming their fear into confidence.”

Internal Revenue Service filings from 2017 to 2019 showed the organization received contributions and grants totaling around $300,000 annually.

City planning documents state that the proposed outpatient clinic will provide limited services at no charge to women with unplanned pregnancy. Services include pregnancy testing, prenatal vitamin provision, limited ultrasounds, options consultation, sexually transmitted infection testing and limited treatment and an abortion pill recovery treatment program.

The outpatient clinic will operate from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursdays, and staffed by up to four employees. A maximum of five patients per day is expected, with a total of 200 patients a year.

Staff recommended approval of the project.

“We are excited about the opportunity to serve the women of Lake County as we have served Mendocino County for over 35 years,” Hoyt said.

Hoyt said the organization is not new to Lake County, and operated as a mobile clinic from October 2012 to January 2019. After the demise of the mobile clinic, they planned to establish a permanent setting, resulting in this project, Hoyt said.

She said their services include recovery for post-abortion syndrome which is a form of PTSD. “Contrary to the common narrative, abortion can be a traumatic event for many women and men, as well as family and friends, and we plan to address this silent mental health thief with an outreach that heals and brings hope.”

Hoyt said they also provide treatment for women who begin the abortion pill procedure and then regret it. When the process is started quickly enough, Hoyt claimed it has favorable results.

“The medically underserved county of Lake will benefit greatly from the presence of this clinic,” not only from the services but from referrals, she said.

Hoyt said they offer their services for free, which is made possible by their donors.

She questioned several city requirements because she said they would increase their cost to operate and delay their opening, including parking, lighting and landscape plans, explaining their renovations are for the building’s interior only.

Other requirements she asked to be waived included a requirement for a trash enclosure and a cultural resource consultant.

Senior Planner Mark Roberts explained many of those requirements were boilerplate, and in the case of some of them — for new curb and gutter on the Buckeye Street side of the building and the cultural resource consultant — the commission was willing to waive them.

However, City Manager Alan Flora cautioned against removing conditions in case things come up, explaining there are obligations from the state and federal government on some of the items, particularly if the ground is disturbed during the project.

During public comment, the project’s contractor questioned what the city’s regulations were accomplishing.

Real estate agent Dave Hughes, a former city planning commissioner representing the building’s owner at the meeting, asked why a use permit process was necessary for the new clinic. “To me this is totally unnecessary, and a waste of staff and applicant time.”

Hughes said it was an undue hardship on the property owner and applicant, suggesting the city was abusing the use permit process. He said the city also had raised its permit fees $2,200.

Commissioner Terry Stewart said he thought Hughes raised valid points and asked if the use permit process could be bypassed.

“The city municipal code says that this use requires a use permit. In fact, Mr. Hughes was on the zoning committee that recommended approval of this very zoning ordinance,” said Flora.

While the council recently had approved new fees, Flora said it didn’t impact the clinic project, and added the city’s fees are still the lowest in Lake County and the region.

“We need a consistent standard. It’s my belief that the city is extremely business friendly,” said Flora. “But you can drive around this town and see the impact that the good old boys network has had on development in the city over the years, and those days need to stop.”

Commissioner Erin McCarrick agreed that the city is a business friendly environment, with staff working on each project specifically. She said they could push the project off for two weeks to look at it more closely but added that she didn’t want to do that and delay it.

Flora encouraged the commission to approve it and move forward. If there are areas in the zoning ordinance that the commissioners have concerns about, Flora said staff is not resistant to a more streamlined process.

“We can streamline it so much that the commission has absolutely nothing to do if that’s what you and the city council would like,” but that’s a different discussion, Flora said.

He said he’s happy to take any recs from the commission to the council to streamline it. However, he said they need to make sure there are conditions of approval, and regulations are followed and that there’s “an orderly and consistent development pattern in the city moving forward.”

Commissioner Fawn Williams moved to adopt the conditional use permit, sign permit and categorical exemption to authorize the clinic’s operation. Commissioner Robert Coker seconded and the commission approved the motion 5-0.

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. — A drinking water advisory remains in effect for households with individual water systems which use private intakes to draw from Clear Lake along the shoreline of the Lower and Oaks arms.

County officials said there is no simple remedy if you are getting your water in this way — boiling or putting chemicals in the lake or tap water does not eliminate the cyanotoxins.

Public water systems remain unaffected by this advisory and continue to provide customers with a safe supply of drinking water absent of cyanotoxins, which meets state and federal water quality standards.

Twenty five gallons per week of drinking water is available at filling stations for affected households, which is generously being provided by Golden State and Mt. Konocti Mutual Water Companies at the following locations:

• 10680 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake: provided by Golden State Water Co., 1-800-999-4033;
• 4980 Hawaina Way, Kelseyville: provided by Mt. Konocti Mutual Water Co., 707-277-7466.

On July 26, Big Valley Environmental Protection Agency sampled 19 locations on Clear Lake’s shoreline. Visible harmful algal blooms, or HABs, were noted at 14 of the locations sampled.

Sixteen samples were submitted for microcystin toxin analysis and qPCR analysis which indicated the following:

• Five locations indicated the presence of danger levels (>20 µg/L) of cyanotoxins;
• Six locations indicated warning levels (>6 µg/L);
• Two location indicated caution levels (>0.8 µg/L);
• Three locations had toxin levels below caution levels.

The five locations with danger levels of cyanotoxins are the following (also see red danger indicators on the map provided):

• Austin Park (AP01, Lower Arm);
• Buckingham Park (BP, Lower Arm);
• Clearlake Oaks (CLOAKS01, Oaks Arm);
• Elem Indian Colony shoreline (ELEM01, Oaks Arm);
• Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine shoreline (SBMMEL01, Oaks Arm).

Recent cooler weather may have temporarily reduced cyanotoxin levels in Clear Lake. Many visible HABs have somewhat dissipated in recent days, but they will likely reappear soon as the summer heat continues.

Officials noted that, if future sample analysis indicates an improvement in the level of cyanotoxins in Clear Lake, this does not ensure it is safe to drink water from privately managed individual water systems.

Testing has shown other contaminants may also be present in these systems. People using individual water systems must make sure they are regularly maintained and tested; for cyanotoxins, nitrates, coliform bacteria and herbicides.

For households getting their drinking water from individual water systems which use private intakes to draw from Clear Lake (and who have not previously participated), testing for these contaminants is available through Big Valley EPA’s Cal-WATCH program detailed here: www.cal-watch.org.

If you live outside of the Clearlake Oaks and Lower Arms, and you have an individual water system with a private intake that draws from Clear Lake, it is important to maintain awareness of current water quality conditions and assess your risk.

The most recent cyanotoxin monitoring data is available here: www.bvrancheria.com/clearlakecyanotoxins.

Exposure to drinking water contaminated with elevated concentrations of microcystin and cylindrospermopsin could cause liver and kidney damage.

The main source of human health effects data for microcystins is from acute recreational exposure to cyanobacteria blooms.

Symptoms include headache, sore throat, vomiting and nausea, stomach pain, dry cough, diarrhea, blistering around the mouth and pneumonia.

If you are concerned you have symptoms resulting from exposure to cyanotoxins, immediately contact your primary health care provider and call County of Lake Health Services at 707-263-1090.

The table below summarizes the health effects caused by the most common toxin-producing cyanobacteria.

“Clear Lake is a beautiful natural resource, and our community has many visitors who come to the area to experience it. Together, with care and consideration, we need to adapt to these changing times, and ensure residents and guests, alike, understand risks posed by cyanotoxins,” the county reported.

For additional information about cyanobacteria and harmful algal blooms, please visit the following websites.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/habs/index.html

Environmental Protection Agency: www.epa.gov/cyanohabs

County of Lake cyanobacteria webpage: www.lakecountyca.gov/Government/Directory/WaterResources/ClearLake/Cyanobacteria.htm

Environmental Protection Agency’s 2015 microcystins report: www.epa.gov/cyanohabs/health-effects-cyanotoxins
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Planning Commission is set to discuss several cannabis grows and a proposal for a new school this week.

The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.

The agenda is here.

To participate in real-time, join the Zoom meeting by clicking this link.

The webinar ID is 975 2826 9622, the pass code is 362891.

Access the meeting via one tap mobile at +16694449171,,97528269622#,,,,*362891# or dial in at 669-900-6833.

The meeting also can be viewed on the county’s website or Facebook page.

In an item scheduled for 9:15 a.m., the commission will hold a public hearing to consider a major use permit and mitigated negative declaration based on initial study for 10 A — Type 3 “Outdoor” cultivation permits with a total canopy area of 432,800 square feet.

Lamperti Farms is seeking the permit. The grow would be located at 1111 Sulphur Bank Dr., 13405 Jensen Road, 565 Sulphur Bank Drive, 1070 Sulphur Bank Drive, 14499 E. State Highway 20, 1350 Sulphur Bank Drive and 1200 Sulphur Bank Drive in Clearlake Oaks.

The last item on the agenda is a request from Konocti Christian Academy for a major use permit for a new private school, serving prekindergarten through ninth grade, at 5805 Live Oak Drive, Kelseyville.

The school currently is located on the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport.

The staff report said the project consists of seven portable classrooms, separate office and restroom buildings, a playground, basketball court, grassy area, gravel parking lot, shade structure and eating area and a large grass field, with the entire property to be enclosed by a 6-foot-tall chain-link fence.

It’s estimated the school will have 150 pickups and drop-offs daily.

The full agenda follows.

AGENDA

Approval of minutes from the July 14, 2022, and July 28, 2022 Planning Commission meetings.

9:05 a.m.: Continued from July 14, with staff requesting it be continued again to Aug. 25, public hearing, consideration of proposed parcel map to create three commercially-zoned lots (PM 21-31), and consider an inclusion under the original final environmental impact report and addendum; Applicant: Valley Oaks Partners LLC/Keith Gapusan; located at 18196 and 18426 S. State Highway 29, Middletown (APNs 014-260-51, 36 & 24).

9:07 a.m.: Discussion and consideration of recommendations to the Board of Supervisors regarding amendments to the county code pertaining to early activation permit regulations.

9:10 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of proposed major use permit (UP 22-20) and mitigated negative declaration based on initial study (IS 22-21); Applicant is Comsites West, located at 20226 E. Highway 20, Clearlake Oaks (APNs: 010-009-42 (tower site), 010-009-39, and 40 (access sites). Staff requests this item be continued to Aug. 25.

9:15 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of proposed major use permit (UP 20-51) and mitigated negative declaration based on initial study (IS 20-75) for 10 (10) A — Type 3 “Outdoor” cultivation permits with a total canopy area of 432,800 sq. ft.; Applicant is Lamperti Farms; located at 1111 Sulphur Bank Dr., 13405 Jensen Road, 565 Sulphur Bank Drive, 1070 Sulphur Bank Drive, 14499 E. State Highway 20, 1350 Sulphur Bank Drive, 1200 Sulphur Bank Dr., (APNs: 006-520-10; 006-520-11; 006-520-12; -006-540-02; 006-540-08; 010-002-37; 010-002-53).

9:20 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of proposed rezone (RZ 22-01) and general plan amendment (GPA 22-01); applicant is Valerie Peng; project located at 11377 Highway 29, Lower Lake (APN: 049-300-02).

9:25 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of an amendment (MMU 21-24) to a major use permit (UP 18-32); and mitigated negative declaration based on initial study (IS 21-37); to allow the conversion of one acre of outdoor cannabis cultivation to 22,000 square feet of mixed light cultivation; applicant is Jason Jones on behalf of Center Grow; project located at 26066 and 27084 Jerusalem Grade Road, Middletown (APNs: 013-017-62 and 66).

9:30 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of proposed major use permit (UP 21-52) mitigated negative declaration based on initial study and addendum (IS 21-54); applicant is Kelseyville Christian Academy; project located at 5805 Live Oak Drive, Kelseyville (APN: 008-061-72).

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. — Due to temporary staffing shortages at the Lakeport Police Department, Clearlake Police officers will begin working patrol overtime shifts in the city of Lakeport beginning Friday, Aug. 12.

The arrangement is the result of a supplemental law enforcement services agreement approved by the city councils of Clearlake and Lakeport in recent weeks.

The agreement also allows for Lakeport Police officers to work in Clearlake should that city ever need the assistance in the future. The city of Lakeport is paying the full cost for this assistance.

“We have a longstanding relationship with Clearlake and have provided each other mutual aid on many occasions,” the Lakeport Police Department said in a Thursday statement. “We have virtually the same policies, procedures and training and do not expect any differences in service provided to our community. We are also members of the same California Intergovernmental Risk Authority which simplifies the process of one agency's staff operating as agents of the other.”

Clearlake Police officers are expected to work a few shifts per week over the next few months, Lakeport officials reported.

Officers will always be wearing the Clearlake Police uniform and generally driving city of Clearlake vehicles although at times they may be in a Lakeport Police vehicle.

There will never be a time when there is not a Lakeport Police officer on duty while Clearlake Police officers are working in the city, officials said.

The arrangement supplements Lakeport’s staffing in order to provide for sufficient officer safety and continued appropriate police services to the Lakeport community, the city reported.

Should a member of the public need to request police records related to work done by Clearlake officers in Lakeport, they shall contact the Lakeport Police Department where all those records will be maintained.

“We also want the public to be aware that this arrangement will not affect the staffing at Clearlake, that is their staffing levels to the Clearlake community will not be shorted to provide coverage here. Clearlake Police officers are only working voluntary overtime when available,” the Lakeport Police Department reported.

Lakeport Police reported that it expects its current staffing to be increased to sufficient levels within the next few months. The most significant reason for the current staffing situation is that four new officers are in training and unable to staff a patrol position. As the public may be aware, for over the past 5 or more years police recruitment and retention has been a significant problem in our state and country. However, we continue to look for innovative ways to address it locally.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — In collaboration with the California Office of the Small Business Advocate, Lake County Economic Development Corp. has launched the California MicroBusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant Program.

Funded by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate, the grant program will provide financial relief to microbusinesses in Lake County, who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Thursday, Aug. 11, Lake County Economic Development Corp., or Lake EDC, will launch an online grant application portal on its website.

Grants will be funded in the amount $2,500 per microbusiness, on a first come, first serve basis until grant funds are depleted.

On Aug. 15, from noon to 2 p.m., Lake EDC staff will host a hybrid meeting to review grant eligibility and the application process.

Interested parties can attend the information session in person or on zoom.

Businesses can join in person in the City of Clearlake’s Council Chambers at 14050 Olympic Drive, or preregister to join via Zoom at this link: https://tinyurl.com/LakeEDCMicroGrant.

A recording of the meeting will be posted on the Lake EDC website for individuals unable to attend in person.

For businesses looking for grant application details, information can be found on the Lake EDC website.

The Lake County EDC may be contacted at 707-263-6217.
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MIDDLETOWN, Calif. — Hidden Valley Lake residents Chris Ochs and Annette Lee announced that they are running for the Middletown Unified School Board in this November’s election.

As a team, they believe they have a strong set of complementary skills that can help successfully navigate and overcome the challenges faced by Middletown Unified and move it forward in a positive direction, benefitting its students, staff and community.

Chris Ochs is a 14-year resident of Hidden Valley Lake, current MUSD board member, and director of facilities, maintenance, operations, and transportation for Calistoga Joint Unified School District.

Ochs’ expertise has already been an invaluable asset to MUSD as the district begins to aggressively invest in much-needed facility improvement projects using Measure H bond dollars.

Ochs is known in the community as a down-to-earth, accessible and very involved parent. He plans to continue to be available and accessible to all district members as a sounding board and to take parent viewpoints into account when making decisions as a board member.

He also is a long-time MUSD volunteer who has actively been involved in multiple PTO projects including the installation of Coyote Valley Elementary’s playground equipment.

“Students, teachers, and staff need a modern, safe, and clean environment to learn and teach in. I know that I can be a valuable contributor to accomplish this work at MUSD, and I will approach this duty with an open mind and the expertise needed to help MUSD
succeed,” said Ochs.

For years MUSD has been challenged by a lack of stability, and Ochs believes that he and Lee can provide the strong and knowledgeable leadership necessary to help the District get back on course and attract and retain high-quality, compassionate educators.

“Most importantly, Annette and I agree that we must prioritize the educational and social-emotional needs of our children to guarantee they become strong, knowledgeable and confident members of society,” said Ochs.

Annette Lee is a graduate of Middletown High School, whose family has lived in Hidden Valley Lake for 38 years.

After spending a decade in Silicon Valley working in high tech and supply chain management, Lee decided to shift gears and dedicate herself to public education. And what better place to give back than the place where she grew up.

“Shane and I wanted to move back to my hometown to become educators and raise our children,” said Lee.

Since moving back to Hidden Valley Lake in 2006, Lee has worked alongside her parents, Bonnie and Jay Albertson, and her husband Shane Lee in the field of education.

Currently the interim dean of Woodland Community College’s Lake County Campus, or LCC, Lee has also served Lake County schools as a dance and business teacher for Lower Lake High School and as a Professor of Business for Woodland Community College LCC.

She has also served as the executive dean of centers for Woodland Community College.

Lee has successfully co-authored multiple grants for the college and will help MUSD access more funding as well.

She has a doctorate in educational administration, a master’s degree in business administration, a K-12 teaching credential and is certified in K-12 school business management.

Lee has worked with children of all ages and wants to see South Lake County’s children have access to every opportunity for success.

“MUSD was once a destination school district and I think we can be that again. Together I believe Chris and I can help the MUSD community create a healthy, positive learning and working environment to retain and attract the best teachers, staff, and administrators. We will work hard to ensure MUSD provides the very best education and learning environment for our children,” said Lee.

Lee and Ochs have both given many hours of volunteer time and in-kind donations in support of the schools and have been regularly attending board meetings since 2021.

Annette and Shane Lee have two children currently attending MUSD schools. Heather and Chris Ochs are parents of two MUSD students as well.

As board members and as parents themselves, Lee and Ochs said they will streamline access for parents to MUSD board meetings and will work hard to support and promote parent involvement, better academic achievement for the kids, and make MUSD a reason that families move to and stay in Lake County.

For more information, please visit www.ochsleemusd.com.
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Gas prices continue to roll back, and are now the lowest they’ve been in five months, according to AAA.

Since Monday, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline dropped six cents to $3.99.

The national average has not been below $4 per gallon since March 5.

In Lake County on Thursday, gasbuddy.com reported the following gas prices around Lake County:

• Clearlake: $4.59.
• Middletown: $4.99.
• Upper Lake: $5.05.
• Lower Lake: $5.17.
• Kelseyville Riviera: $5.19.
• Kelseyville: $5.23.
• Nice: $5.29.
• Clearlake Oaks: $5.57.
• Lucerne: $5.59.
• Lakeport: $5.69.

In the spring, oil prices spiked in reaction to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, leading the national average to a new all-time high.

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration, gas demand increased from 8.54 million barrels per day, or b/d, to 9.12 million b/d last week. However, the rate is 307,000 b/d lower than last year.

Moreover, according to EIA, total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by 5 million barrels of crude oil, or bbl, to 220.3 million bbl.

Although gasoline demand has increased and supply has tightened, lower oil prices have helped lower pump prices. If oil prices continue to decline, drivers will likely continue to see pump prices decrease.

At the close of Wednesday’s formal trading session, WTI increased by $1.43 to settle at $91.93. Crude prices rose yesterday after the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a smaller than expected increase in inflation last month at 8.5%.

The rise in market optimism helped to boost prices despite EIA reporting that total domestic crude supply increased by 5.4 million bbl last week.

Since last Thursday, these 10 states have seen the largest decreases in their averages: Colorado (−21 cents), Arizona (−21 cents), Illinois (−19 cents), Maine (−19 cents), Ohio (−18 cents), Kansas (−18 cents), West Virginia (−18 cents), Wyoming (−17 cents), Arkansas (−17 cents) and Indiana (−17 cents).
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Gov. Gavin Newsom administers the oath of office to Supreme Court Associate Justice Patricia Guerrero early in 2022. Photo courtesy of the Governor’s Office.

On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced his nomination of Supreme Court Associate Justice Patricia Guerrero to serve as California’s next chief justice after Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye concludes her current term of office on Jan. 2, 2023.

A first-generation Californian, Justice Guerrero was the first Latina to serve on the California Supreme Court and, if confirmed, will be the first Latina to serve as California’s chief justice.

The governor also announced his intention to appoint Alameda County Superior Court Judge Kelli Evans to serve as an associate justice of the California Supreme Court to fill the vacancy created by Justice Guerrero’s elevation to chief justice.

Judge Evans has broad experience throughout the nonprofit, private and public sectors and served as Gov. Newsom’s lead attorney on a wide range of law enforcement, public safety, and criminal justice and civil rights-related law, policy and litigation issues.

“Justice Guerrero has established herself as a widely respected jurist with a formidable intellect and command of the law and deep commitment to equal justice and public service,” said Gov. Newsom. “A first-generation Californian from the Imperial Valley, Justice Guerrero broke barriers as California’s first Latina Supreme Court justice, enriching our state’s highest court with her insights and deep understanding of the real-world impacts of the court’s decisions in the lives of everyday Californians. I thank Justice Guerrero for her willingness to step into this role and am confident that the people of California will continue to be well served by her leadership for years to come.”

“I am humbled by this nomination to lead our state’s Supreme Court and thank the governor for entrusting me with this honor,” said Justice Guerrero, who was sworn in to the California Supreme Court by Gov. Newsom earlier this year. “If confirmed, I look forward to continuing the strides the court has made under Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye to expand equal access to justice and create a fairer justice system for all Californians.”

“Throughout her career, Judge Evans has dedicated herself to helping all Californians have an equal chance at justice,” said Gov. Newsom. “Raised by her grandmother in public housing, Judge Evans was inspired from a young age to find ways to help expand justice and opportunity for everyone, especially marginalized and vulnerable communities. I have seen firsthand her commitment to the highest ideals of public service, and her passion to protect and advance civil rights and liberties for all Californians. I have no doubt that her exemplary talent, wide-ranging knowledge and experience, strong moral compass, and work ethic will make her an outstanding Supreme Court Justice,” said Gov. Newsom.

“I am truly honored by this opportunity to serve the people of California on our state’s highest court,” said Judge Evans. “I have worked my entire career to promote equality and access to justice and to protect the rights of some of society's most disenfranchised members. If confirmed, I look forward to furthering our state’s work to ensure equal justice under the law for all Californians.”

“Gov. Gavin Newsom has made historic appointments to the California Supreme Court in nominating Justice Patricia Guerrero to be the new Chief Justice and Judge Kelli Evans to be a Justice. These two individuals are impeccably qualified,” said Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. “They will lead the California Supreme Court in using the California Constitution and California law to advance freedom and equality.”

Raised in the Imperial Valley by immigrant parents from Mexico, Justice Guerrero, 50, of Coronado, served as an associate justice at the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One from 2017 to 2022 and has wide-ranging experience as a trial court judge, partner at a major law firm and assistant U.S. attorney.

As an appellate justice at the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Justice Guerrero authored numerous opinions to protect the rights of consumers and individuals, while also ensuring that defendants’ constitutional rights are protected and that all parties, including the government, are treated fairly and consistent with the rule of law.

She served as a judge at the San Diego County Superior Court from 2013 to 2017 and was supervising judge for the family law division at the court in 2017. Justice Guerrero was hired as an associate at Latham & Watkins and became a partner in 2006.

She served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of California from 2002 to 2003. Justice Guerrero earned a Juris Doctor degree from Stanford Law School.

The compensation for this position is $293,286. She is a Democrat.

“This is truly an exceptional and historic day for the people of California and for the justice system. Justice Guerrero is an outstanding choice to lead our court system. This includes chairing the work of the California Supreme Court in reviewing the landscape of thousands of legal opinions across the state and ensuring that the development of the law is consistent with the statutory and constitutional mandates that govern our state,” said retired California Supreme Court Justice Carlos R. Moreno. “Justice Guerrero’s inspiring nomination demonstrates that, regardless of humble beginnings, hard work and commitment to one’s values can lead to the fulfillment of the true American dream.”

Judge Kelli Evans. Courtesy photo.

Devotion to social justice

Instilled with the importance of education by her grandmother, Judge Evans, 53, of Oakland, excelled academically and was able to attend a top-rated high school when her family moved from a public-housing project to a HUD subsidized apartment.

One of only a small number of students of color at the school, she managed to thrive and graduate among the top of her class while working 20 hours a week to help support her family.

Judge Evans went on to attend Stanford University and earn a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law, where she received the Martin Luther King, Jr. award for exceptional public service.

Judge Evans has served as a judge in the Alameda County Superior Court since 2021. Prior to this appointment, she served as chief deputy legal affairs secretary in the office of Gov. Gavin Newsom, where she helped shape California’s moratorium on capital punishment and advised the governor and executive agencies on myriad issues in administrative proceedings and in state and federal trial and appellate courts.

Judge Evans served as special assistant to the attorney general at the California Department of justice from 2017 to 2019 and was senior director for the administration of justice at the California State Bar from 2014 to 2017. She was associate director of the ACLU of Northern California from 2010 to 2013, where she served as an attorney from 1995 to 1998.

She was a partner at Independent Assessment & Monitoring LLP from 2006 to 2010 and an associate at Relman and Associates from 2001 to 2004. Judge Evans served as a senior trial attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice from 1998 to 2001 and as an assistant public defender at the Sacramento County Public Defender’s Office in 1995.

She has served as a member of federal court-appointed monitoring teams for the Oakland and Cleveland Police Departments. The compensation for this position is $279,677. She is a Democrat.

“Judge Kelli Evans is a brilliant choice to serve as associate justice on the California Supreme Court. Besides being an amazingly accomplished lawyer and judge, she has devoted her professional life — and her very heart and soul — to social justice for all and is ideally suited for service on the state’s highest court. I cannot imagine anybody better than Judge Evans to fill the vacancy,” said Kevin Johnson, dean of the University of California, Davis School of Law.

The governor’s nominations and appointments must be submitted to the State Bar’s Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation and confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments.

The Commission on Judicial Appointments consists of Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, Attorney General Rob Bonta and Senior Presiding Justice of the state Court of Appeal Manuel Ramirez.

The nomination of Justice Guerrero as Chief Justice must also be confirmed by the voters in the Nov. 8 general election.
Posted On

An artist’s rendition of the proposed Highway 20 wildlife overcrossing in Colusa County, California. Image courtesy of Caltrans.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA — Caltrans is hosting a community open house next week to seek public comments about a proposed wildlife overcrossing on State Highway 20 in Colusa County.

The event will be Thursday, Aug. 18, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Williams City Hall, 810 E St.

Community members can view displays and review maps and other materials, including a draft environmental document. Caltrans staff members will be available to answer questions and receive comments from the public.

Caltrans is proposing construction of a $9 million wildlife overcrossing on Highway 20 about 10.5 miles west of Williams.

The Cortina Ridge Wildlife Overcrossing would restore Tule Elk range and habitat connectivity between Cortina Ridge and Bear Valley.

The Environmental Document, referred to as an initial study and proposed negative declaration, is available for review from Aug. 10, through Sept. 9. The document may be viewed at the following locations:

• Caltrans District 3, 703 B St., Marysville, CA 95901.
• Colusa County Administration Office, 547 Market St., Colusa, CA 95932.
• Williams City Hall, 810 E St., Williams, CA 95987
• The environmental document also will be available to view online.

The public is asked to submit comments or questions about the project via postal mail or email by 5 p.m. Sept. 9.

Submit comments to Caltrans District 3, Environmental Management M2 Branch, 703 B St., Marysville, CA 95901, Attn: Michael Ferrini, email, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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