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California added 186,807 residents to bring the state’s estimated total population to 39,927,315 people as of Jan. 1, 2019, according to new population estimates and housing data released by the California Department of Finance.

The report contains preliminary January 2019 and revised January 2018 population data for California cities, counties, and the state.

One of the key findings in the report is that California’s 2018 population growth rate of 0.47 percent is the slowest in the state’s history.

This rate is driven by a significant decline in births, down by more than 18,000 over the previous year, as well and data reflecting lower student enrollment. Deaths continued an upward trend seen since 2010 as California’s “baby boomers” continue to age.

Lake County showed a flat growth rate. At the start of 2018, the population was reported at 65,064, and a year later it had only grown by seven people, based on the report.

The city of Clearlake’s population dropped by 1 percent, from 14,975 to 14,828, while the city of Lakeport grew by half a percent, rising from 4,784 to 4,806 residents. The balance of the county grew by 0.3 percent, increasing from 45,305 to 45,437.

Lake’s neighboring counties had the following population change rates: Colusa, 0.2 percent; Glenn, 1.3 percent; Mendocino, -0.1 percent; Napa, - 0.1 percent; Sonoma, -0.4 percent; and Yolo, 0.6 percent.

The report also reflects the dramatic changes caused by the state’s catastrophic wildfires.

The Camp fire in Butte County was the most destructive wildfire in California history, with more than 14,600 housing units destroyed. The fire destroyed almost 90 percent of the housing stock and displaced 83 percent of the population in the town of Paradise, which suffered the loss of 11,371 housing units.

The majority of the displaced persons from the Camp fire relocated to the surrounding cities of Chico and Oroville, each adding more than 20 percent to their total populations.

The impact from the Camp fire led to Chico – with a population of 112,000 – seeing the largest numeric change in the state, adding more than 19,000 persons.

The city of Orland in Glenn County, located about 20 minutes away from Chico, had a 4.2-percent increase in population, also likely an impact of the Camp fire.

With a population of 508,000 persons, Sacramento added over 7,400 persons. San Diego (1,421,000) added 6,200 persons, followed by Irvine (280,000) adding 6,100 persons. Santa Clarita (218,000) rounds out the top five cities by numeric growth with 5,700 new residents due to a large annexation from Los Angeles County.

Another result of the wildland fires is that, throughout the state, more than 23,700 housing units were demolished in 2018, with wildfires heavily influencing a number of areas.

The counties with most housing loss due to fire include Butte (14,600), Shasta (900), Ventura (700), and Lake (300). The city of Malibu in Los Angeles County also lost close to 500 housing units due to wildfire.

In terms of population growth from housing production not related to wildfires, the top five cities include: Lathrop (5.2 percent) in San Joaquin County, San Juan Bautista (4.8 percent) in San Benito County, Dublin (4.4 percent) in Alameda County, Irwindale (4.1 percent) in Los Angeles County, and Beaumont (4.0 percent) in Riverside County.

California's statewide housing growth, as measured by net unit growth in completed housing units for 2018, was 77,000 units. Total housing in California reached 14,235,000 units, a 0.6-percent increase.

Ranked by net housing gains, Los Angeles (16,525), San Diego (4,505), Irvine (3,384), Santa Clarita (2,486) and Sacramento (2,353) added the most housing units in 2018.

Of the 10 largest cities in California, Sacramento had the largest percentage gain in population (1.49 percent, or 7,400) with Bakersfield (1.11 percent, or 4,300) a distant second.

Of the 14,235,000 housing units in California, 9,186,000 are single family and 4,490,000 are multi-family with 560,000 mobile homes. Multi-family housing growth outpaced single family housing by over 1,900 net units (“net” refers to new construction minus demolition), narrowing the difference from previous years but continuing a seven-year trend.

Los Angeles led the state with 12,217 multi-family units, comprising 73.9 percent of their total housing growth, followed by San Diego (3,648 for 81.0 percent), San Francisco (2,277 for 99.5 percent) and Irvine (1,439 for 42.5 percent).

Group quarters account for about 2 percent of the total state population (849,000). This population includes, among others, those living in college dorms (243,000) and in correctional facilities (215,500).

In 2018, the group quarters population grew by just over 200 people or 0.03 percent. The college dormitory population grew the fastest at 3,800 (1.6 percent), the military group quarters population decreased by 2,700 (4.8 percent), local jails decreased by 260 (less than 1 percent) and state prisons decreased by 370 (less than 1 percent).

State prisons are generally located in remote areas; as a result, increases or decreases in this population can account for significant changes in their respective locations.

For example, state prison declines led to population decreases in Calipatria in Imperial County, Chowchilla in Madera County, and Blythe and Norco in Riverside County, while driving population increases in Tehachapi in Kern County, Coalinga in Fresno County, Corcoran in Kings County, Folsom in Sacramento County and Vacaville in Solano County.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Warmer weather leads to more motorcycles on California roadways and emphasizes the need for all motorists to share the road.

During May, recognized as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, the California Highway Patrol and the California Office of Traffic Safety, or OTS, will work together to promote roadway safety for motorcycles through education and awareness projects.

Motorcyclist deaths occurred 28 times more frequently than fatalities in other vehicles, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, reported in a study of 2016 crash data.

“Safe riding practices and cooperation by all users will help reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on our roadways,” CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said. “It is especially important for motorists to understand the safety challenges that motorcyclists face because they are often difficult to see.”

“We can all do our part to share the road and look out for one another,” OTS Director Rhonda Craft said. “We are all going places. By keeping our distance, watching our speed and checking blind spots before changing lanes, motorcycles and cars are able to arrive to their destinations safely.”

In 2018, California saw almost 17,000 collisions involving motorcycles, preliminary data from the Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, or SWITRS, shows, with 460 victims killed.

Preliminary 2017 SWITRS data shows more than 17,000 collisions involving motorcycles, with 577 victims killed in California. The California Department of Motor Vehicles reports more than 900,000 registered motorcycles in the state and more than 1.4 million licensed riders.

One way the CHP and OTS address the safety challenge is with the Get Educated and Ride Safe, or GEARS, program, funded by a $625,000 grant from OTS through NHTSA. All eight CHP Divisions will hold outreach events to promote motorcycle safety during May under the GEARS grant.

As part of its continual motorcycle safety program, the CHP strongly encourages all riders, new and experienced, to enroll in the California Motorcyclist Safety Program, or CMSP.

The CMSP has 107 training sites throughout the state and trains approximately 55,000 motorcyclists per year. For more information or to find a training site near you, visit www.californiamotorcyclist.com.

“Driving a car and riding a motorcycle require different skills and knowledge. The training provided through CMSP makes the journey safer,” said Commissioner Stanley.

Riders can help protect themselves by always using turn signals, avoiding riding in a vehicle’s blind spot, following the rules of the road, and always riding sober.

Wearing an approved U.S. Department of Transportation compliant motorcycle safety helmet and proper protective gear can mean the difference between life and death.

Motorists can also do their part by sharing the road. The majority of multi-vehicle motorcycle collisions are caused when other drivers simply did not see the motorcyclist.

Look twice for motorcyclists and leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the rider.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The annual burn ban in Lake County starts on Wednesday, May 1.

The Lake County Air Quality Management District said the burn ban is meant to address concerns over both fire hazard and air quality.

The burn restriction applies to all areas in Lake County. All burn permits expire on April 30.

The burn ban includes all open waste burning, though exemptions are possible for agricultural operations, essential control burns for fire hazard reduction projects, public safety burns and others.

The annual burn ban was first implemented in 1986 in response to weather conditions that often create extreme fire danger and poor air quality.

The district said a managed approach incorporating fire and air agency concerns has been implemented and improved upon for many years.

The ban allows a quick fire agency response to all fires observed from May 1 on, as they are all assumed to be uncontrolled fires unless specifically authorized by an exemption permit.

This successful program is one of the primary reasons Lake County has superior and healthful air quality, the district said.

To obtain an exemption permit to burn after May 1, first contact Air Quality at 707-263-7000 to determine need, then contact your local fire agency so that your burn site can be inspected for fire safety.

After the fire agency notifies the air district that the proposed burn site is fire safe then an exemption permit may be obtained from the air district.

Anyone responsible for open burning during the ban without an exemption permit may be subject to citation, fines, and fire agency response costs to extinguish the fire. Burn restrictions will remain in effect until Cal Fire declares an end to fire season.

The district asks that community members help reduce the danger and losses caused by uncontrolled fires, and protect the county’s clean air.

“Public cooperation is greatly appreciated and results in a safer and more healthful environment for us all,” Air Pollution Control Officer Doug Gearhart said.
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake Animal Control has several dogs waiting for adoption this week.

The following dogs have been cleared to go to new homes.

“Cadbury.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control.

‘Cadbury’

“Cadbury” is a female Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix with a smooth medium-length beige coat.

She is No. 1215.

“Macy.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control.

‘Macy’

“Macy” is a female Labrador Retriever mix with a smooth short black coat.

She already has been spayed.

She is No. 11.

“Neve.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control.

‘Neve’

“Neve” is a female terrier puppy with a smooth medium-length white coat.

She is No. 1216.

“Sammy.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control.

‘Sammy’

Sammy is an American Pit Bull Terrier mix puppy with a short brown and white coat.

He is No. 1890.

“Wynn.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control.

‘Wynn’

“Wynn” is a male American Staffordshire Terrier with a short brindle coat.

He is No. 969.

Clearlake Animal Control’s shelter is located at 6820 Old Highway 53, off Airport Road.

Hours of operation area noon to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The shelter is closed Sundays, Mondays and major holidays.

Call Clearlake Animal Control at 707-994-8251, Extension 1, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to inquire about adoptions.

Visit Clearlake Animal Control on Facebook or at the city’s Web site.

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. – Beginning on Wednesday, May 1, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, will make residential burn permits available online for residents living within the state responsibility area of Sonoma, Lake, Napa, Solano, Yolo and Colusa counties.

Cal Fire burn permits are required every year after May 1 to conduct open burning in the State Responsibility Area.

A declared Cal Fire burn suspension voids the permit until conditions are such that the burn
suspension can be lifted.

The Cal Fire permit is required in addition to an air quality permit and any local fire agency permit. For more information contact your local Cal Fire station or your local fire department.

The online application provides a convenient alternative to obtaining a Cal Fire permit for residents within these counties.

Applicants will access the Web site at https://burnpermit.fire.ca.gov/ and watch the mandatory video which reviews burning requirements and safety tips, fill in the required fields, submit the form and a dooryard burn permit will be created. The applicant must then print the permit.

Permits are valid for the calendar year in which they are issued and must be reissued annually on or after January 1st of each year. Contact your local fire department or Cal Fire to determine what permit requirements or burning restrictions apply in your area and always call or check the link listed on your air quality management district permit to ensure burn day status prior to igniting a fire.

Residents must obtain all required permits from their local air quality management district. In Lake County, contact the Lake County Air Quality Management District at 707-263-3121.

For larger burn projects, a different Cal Fire burn permit is required and shall be obtained from Cal Fire. This type of burn permit is not available online and will require a Cal Fire inspection before a permit will be issued.

Residents are urged to take precautions while burning outdoors to prevent sparking a wildfire. A
leading cause of wildfires this time of year is from escaped landscape debris burning.

Anyone who has an escaped debris burn and was not burning under the proper conditions can be criminally or civilly held responsible.

Ensure that piles from landscape debris are no larger than 4 feet in diameter, have a 10-foot clearance down to bare mineral soil around the burn pile and that a responsible adult is in attendance at all times with a water source and a shovel.

For more information on debris burning, visit the Cal Fire Web site at http://www.readyforwildfire.org/Debris-Burning/.
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The city of Clearlake said it will begin this week enforcing city rules on overgrown vegetation and other fire hazards on properties this week.

Over the past several years, wildfires have impacted the city as well as neighboring towns and
communities.

The 2019 fire season has arrived and with it comes the responsibility of each property owner within our city to ensure their property is free of all overgrown vegetation and fire hazards, city officials reported.

Beginning May 1, the Clearlake Police Department Code Enforcement Bureau will begin strict enforcement of overgrown vegetation and fire hazards.

Property owners whom have failed to have their property cleared of these violations will be issued an Administrative Citation resulting in a monetary fine, as well as still being required
to abate the violations.

Each and every day the violation remains to exist can result in additional fines and
penalties.

All overgrown vegetation shall be cut to 4 inches height or less. Overhanging tree canopies shall have a minimum clearance of 4 feet or greater from the ground.

Cut brush, tree trimmings etc. must be removed from the property.

Firewood and all other ignition sources and combustible materials must be stored properly, 5 feet from each property line and dwelling structures. Fuels and fuel cans shall be stored out of the sun.

The Clearlake Police Department Code Enforcement Bureau asks for the cooperation of all property owners in taking the time to ensure their property is not a contributing factor to the ever increasing risk of fires in our community.

For additional information or to file a request for investigation, please contact Code Enforcement Technician Jan Brejska at 707-995-8251, Extension 309, or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – May is “CalFresh Awareness Month,” a month of public outreach to increase awareness and enrollment in CalFresh, California’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Lake County Social Services recognizes the need to reduce hunger by increasing participation in food assistance benefits, particularly for the elderly, disabled, families and children.

On June 1, more than 3,600 elderly and disabled SSI recipients in Lake County may be newly eligible for CalFresh benefits.

SSI recipients can start pre-applying on May 1, and if eligible would start receiving benefits no earlier than June 1.

Current CalFresh households with an SSI household member do not need to apply, changes will be applied to your case at your next periodic report, or you can call your worker to request changes be applied sooner.

Currently, 11,237 individuals are enrolled in CalFresh in Lake County. With more than 64,000 people residing in Lake County, it is estimated that only about two-thirds of those eligible are receiving CalFresh.

Many households may be unaware that they qualify. For example, a family of four making up to $4,184 per month may be eligible for CalFresh.

The application process is simple and secure, no office visit is required.

After the application is filed, the interview is completed by telephone, and documents are submitted online or by mail.

Most applications are decided within 30 days, sooner if eligible for Expedited Services.

CalFresh recipients choose and purchase their own food from grocers using an EBT card, which works much like an ATM card.

To apply for CalFresh benefits, go to www.getcalfresh.org.

You can also apply by calling 707-995-4200 or visiting 15975 Anderson Ranch Parkway, Lower Lake, Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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The California Department of Water Resources has announced draft basin prioritization for 57 groundwater basins recently affected by basin boundary changes under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, or SGMA.

For more than 75 percent of these basins, the results are a confirmation of prioritizations established in 2015.

“SGMA is a pillar of the department’s integrated, holistic approach to water management and supply,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “These results allow local water agencies to determine their path forward to meet the law's sustainability goals and secure the long-term resiliency of our state's groundwater resources."

Basin prioritization is based on factors including population, irrigated acreage, and the number of wells in the basin.

Changes in prioritization generally reflect changed conditions, new information about existing conditions, changes to basin boundaries, and considerations required under SGMA.

Considerations include adverse impacts to habitat and streamflow, adjudicated areas, critically overdrafted basins and groundwater-related transfers.

SGMA requires local agencies throughout the state to sustainably manage groundwater basins. Basins prioritized as high or medium are required to develop groundwater sustainability plans, or GSPs, while basins prioritized as low or very low are not required to create plans but are encouraged to do so.

The current round of basin prioritization was released in two phases. Phase 1, released in January 2019, finalized priorities for 458 basins and identified 56 basins that are required to develop GSPs.

In that first phase, the Big Valley basin in Lake County was listed in the medium-priority category, the highest of any county water basin. Others were listed as low priority.

The draft Phase 2 decisions released Tuesday prioritized the remaining 57 basins using the new basin boundaries defined by the 2018 Basin Boundary Modifications. Phase 2 identified 38 basins that are required to develop GSPs.

In the Phase 2 draft release, two basins have been elevated in priority from the initial 2015 prioritization and will be required to create GSPs. Twelve basins have been lowered in priority and will not be required to develop GSPs.

Of those 12, eight are affected by adjudicated areas, which are not required to develop GSPs and are instead required to submit annual reports to DWR on their groundwater management and monitoring.

The results for Phase 1 and draft Phase 2 require local agencies for 94 basins to develop GSPs.

A 30-day comment period will now be held to invite further input from the public and local agencies.

DWR will accept comments on the draft basin prioritization at a public meeting at 1 p.m., Monday, May 13, at Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, 11020 Sun Center Drive, Suite 200, in Rancho Cordova. The meeting will also be webcast live.

Comments can be submitted online at any time during the public comment period, which ends May 30.

All public comments received throughout the process will be reviewed and evaluated before final basin prioritization results are announced.

043019 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act Basin Priority Process Document by LakeCoNews on Scribd

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Brian Richard Gard, 33, of Lakeport, Calif. Mendocino County Jail photo.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Mendocino County authorities over the weekend arrested a Lakeport man after he threatened to kill his girlfriend.

Brian Richard Gard, 33, was arrested following an incident that occurred early Sunday, according to a report from Sgt. Mike Dygert of the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.

Shortly after 2 a.m. Sunday, a Mendocino County Sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to a possible domestic violence incident in the 100 block of West Lake Mendocino Drive in Ukiah, Dygert said.

Upon arriving at the scene, the deputy learned that Gard and a 42-year-old Lakeport woman were traveling in a vehicle northbound on Highway 101 near Ukiah when they became involved in an argument, Dygert said.

Dygert said the woman asked that Gard stop the vehicle and let her exit so she could have a relative pick her up.

Gard drove the vehicle to a gas station at the 100 block of West Lake Mendocino Drive and parked the car, according to Dygert.

Dygert said Gard then threatened to kill the woman if she exited the vehicle, causing her to called 911 to report the incident.

Deputies learned Gard and the adult female were in a cohabitant dating relationship and subsequently arrested Gard for criminal threats, Dygert said.

Gard was booked into the Mendocino County Jail where he was to be held in lieu of $20,000 bail, according to Dygert’s report.
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MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – A tank trailer carrying fertilizer that overturned on Saturday required a hazmat cleanup that authorities said lasted several hours.

The crash occurred at approximately 10:42 a.m. Saturday on Butts Canyon Road north of the Lake-Napa County line, according to a report from the California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office.

The CHP said a 29-year-old St. Helena man, whose name was not released, was driving a late model Chevy pickup pulling a small tank trailer partially filled with a liquid fertilizer.

While traveling in the northbound lane through a sweeping left curve, the driver abruptly turned his combination of vehicles to the right, causing the towed trailer to overturn and spill most of its chemical contents in the roadway, according to the CHP.

As a result of the chemical spill, the CHP said both lanes of Butts Canyon Road were closed for more than six hours to necessitate cleanup efforts.

Reports from the scene indicated that Lake County Environmental Health was among the agencies responding to the incident.

The CHP said no injuries resulted from the crash, and the driver was wearing his seat belt.

Neither drugs nor alcohol played a role in what led to the wreck, the CHP said.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – “Shakespeare on the Lake” will return to Lakeport’s Library Park in July and August, and auditions and rehearsals are set to begin in May.

The fourth annual production will present “The Taming of the Shrew.”

The play is a story about a power struggle, a battle of the sexes in which an ambitious man tames his female bride to be. But, what if it were told the other way around? What if women wield the power and the men are expected to conform?

This production of “The Taming of the Shrew” will feature what producers are calling “gender switched casting.” Female actors will be auditioning for roles traditionally cast as male. Male actors will be auditioning for roles traditionally cast as female.

Auditions will be held at the Mendocino College Lake Center, 2565 Parallel Drive in Lakeport, on Thursday, May 16, at 6 p.m. and Saturday, May 18, at 2 p.m.

Audition materials can be found at www.LCTC.us under the “Shows and Events” tab.

Exact rehearsal times are role dependent. Rehearsals begin Tuesday, May 28, and will occur at the Lake Center, the Work Right Building at Lampson Field or at Library Park, all in Lakeport, Monday through Thursday from 6 to 9:30 p.m. and four Saturdays, to be announced.

Performances are Saturday, July 27, and Sunday, July 28, at 6:30 p.m. in Lakeport and Friday, Aug. 2, Saturday, Aug. 3, and Sunday, Aug. 4, at 6:30 p.m. in Clearlake.

Please come prepared to read and with a list of any conflicts you may have.

This is a joint production between Mendocino College Lake Center and Lake County Theatre Co., in cooperation with the city of Lakeport, the city of Clearlake, the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce and the Lake County Friends of Mendocino College.

For more information, please contact Charise Reynolds at 707-278-9628.
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As climate change continues to threaten California’s water infrastructure and reliability, Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order directing his administration to think differently and act boldly by developing a comprehensive strategy to build a climate-resilient water system.

The order seeks to broaden California’s approach on water as the state faces a range of existing challenges, including unsafe drinking water, major flood risks that threaten public safety, severely depleted groundwater aquifers, agricultural communities coping with uncertain water supplies and native fish populations threatened with extinction.

“California’s water challenges are daunting, from severely depleted groundwater basins to vulnerable infrastructure to unsafe drinking water in far too many communities. Climate change magnifies the risks,” said Gov. Newsom. “To meet these challenges, we need to harness the best in science, engineering and innovation to prepare for what’s ahead and ensure long-term water resilience and ecosystem health. We’ll need an all-of-above approach to get there.”

The order directs the secretaries of the California Natural Resources Agency, California Environmental Protection Agency and the California Department of Food and Agriculture to identify and assess a suite of complementary actions to ensure safe and resilient water supplies, flood protection and healthy waterways for the state’s communities, economy and environment.

The order directs the state to think bigger and more strategically on water by directing the agencies to inventory and assess current water supplies and the health of waterways, future demands and challenges.

The agencies will seek input over the coming weeks and months through listening sessions, information workshops and other public meetings to help inform the water resilience portfolio that will be recommended to the governor.

A copy of the order issued by Governor Newsom on Monday can be seen below.

042919 California governor's executive order on water infrastructure and climate change by LakeCoNews on Scribd

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