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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Police Department is investigating an illegal marijuana grow discovered by firefighters at the scene of a multi-structure fire on Tuesday.

Det. Ryan Peterson said Clearlake Police officers and Lake County Fire Protection District responded to the 14000 block of Palmer Avenue for a report of a structure fire on Tuesday morning. The structure fire spread to adjacent properties located to the west and south.  

While conducting fire suppression on one of the adjacent properties, fire personnel discovered a marijuana growing operation in a shed-style outbuilding and notified the Clearlake Police Department, Peterson said.

Peterson said the property also had equipment and chemicals indicative to the growing of marijuana.  

The Clearlake Police Department’s Investigation Unit was called to the scene and determined the property to be associated with a marijuana growing operation not in compliance with state law and local ordinances, according to Peterson.  

He said Det. Leonardo Flores authored a search warrant for the property which was authorized by the Lake County Superior Court.  

During the execution of the search warrant, approximately 107 growing marijuana plants were located inside the shed-style outbuilding and seized for destruction, Peterson said.

Peterson said the outbuilding was equipped with wiring and lighting equipment determined to be in violation of state building codes according to the city of Clearlake building department.

This investigation is ongoing with several potential leads of involved parties, Peterson said.

Anyone with information on this investigation is encouraged to contact Det. Flores at 707-994-8251, Extension 315.  

The Clearlake Police Department reminds citizens that Proposition 64 allows up to six plants to legally be grown inside a residence.

Under the City of Clearlake ordinance No. 197-2017 no more than six plants total are allowed to be grown on a property, whether indoors or outdoors, and a permit is required to cultivate marijuana outdoors for personal use.  

For information on the permit process you can visit the city of Clearlake Web site at www.clearlake.ca.us or contact City Hall at 707-994-8201.

Due to past trends and violent crimes associated with the illegal commercial growing of marijuana, Peterson said the Clearlake Police Department is continuing to take a proactive approach on enforcement of all state laws and local ordinances associated with the cultivation and sales of marijuana and marijuana associated products.  

“We encourage the citizens of the city of Clearlake to contact the Clearlake Police Department or Code Enforcement if they observe any illegal activity in their neighborhood,” Peterson said.
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The two candidates in the race to become District 2’s next supervisor participated in a forum on Monday at Clearlake City Hall.

Joyce Overton and Bruno Sabatier, both of whom currently serve on the Clearlake City Council, are seeking to succeed longtime District 2 Supervisor Jeff Smith, who is retiring.

They answered a variety of questions covering topics ranging from changes in the community to fire safety, economic development and job creation, sanctuary cities and Clear Lake.

A video of the nearly 80-minute forum is posted above.

Elizabeth Larson, editor and publisher of Lake County News, moderated the forum, sponsored by the Lake County Bar Association, Lake County Economic Development Corp. and Lake County News.

The groups are sponsoring more candidates’ forums in the coming weeks, including the superintendent of schools race with candidates Brock Falkenberg and Patrick Iaccino at 6 p.m. Monday, April 30, in the Board of Supervisors chambers at the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes, Lakeport.

Judicial candidates Don Anderson, Shanda Harry and Andre Ross are confirmed to participate in a forum on Wednesday, May 2, at the Clearlake Community and Senior Center; District 3 supervisorial candidates EJ Crandell and Denise Loustalot will be featured in a forum on Wednesday, May 9, in the Board of Supervisors chambers; and district attorney candidates Steven Brown and Susan Krones are slated to appear at a forum on Monday, May 14, in the n the Board of Supervisors chambers.
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Approximately 140 movies taken from a Redbox Movie and Game rental machine in Clearlake, Calif., on Tuesday, April 10, 2018, were recovered on Tuesday, April 24, 2018. Photo courtesy of the Clearlake Police Department.


CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Police arrested a Clearlake man on Monday after he was found in possession of 140 movies that had been reported stolen at his workplace earlier this month.

Jason Paul Mifsud, 35, was arrested for felony possession of stolen property, according to Sgt. Tim Hobbs of the Clearlake Police Department.

Hobbs said that on April 10 the Redbox Movie and Game rental machine located at the Carl’s Jr. restaurant at 15885 Dam Road Extension in Clearlake was broken into and about 200 movies were stolen from inside the machine.

On Tuesday at 9:45 a.m. Clearlake Police Officer. Steven Hobb responded to a residence in the 15800 block of 30th Avenue for a disturbance call. During the call, Hobb contacted Mifsud, who was involved in the disturbance and reported to be in possession of a firearm, according to Hobbs’ report.

Hobbs said during the investigation it was discovered that Mifsud was illegally camping in a tent on the property.

During a search of the tent, Hobb located 140 of the stolen movies. Mifsud denied stealing the movies, but admitted he knew they were stolen and that he painted over the barcodes and a majority of the cases in an attempt to disguise them, Hobbs said.

Hobbs said the value of the stolen movies that were recovered was $3,570.

Mifsud works at the Carl's Jr. where the Redbox machine that was broken into is located, Hobbs said.

Mifsud was arrested and booked into the Lake County Jail, with his bail set at $15,000.

Jail records showed that Mifsud remained in custody on Wednesday.
Jason Paul Mifsud, 35, of Clearlake, Calif., was arrested for felony possession of stolen property on Tuesday, April 24, 2018. Lake County Jail photo.
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On Thursday Caltrans honored the legacies of two of its employees during its 28th annual Workers Memorial at the State Capitol.

There have been a total of 188 Caltrans employees who have lost their lives on the job since 1921.

Dignitaries, Caltrans employees, and family and friends paid special tribute to Si Si Han and Annette Brooks at this year’s memorial.

Han was killed while collecting tolls at the Bay Bridge, when a box truck collided with several other vehicles and her toll booth on Dec. 2, 2017.

The driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter and is scheduled to enter a plea on May 1.

Han was with Caltrans for more than 10 years.

Brooks was a steel structural painter supervisor and was shot and killed at a Caltrans facility in Rio Dell on April 24, 2017. She started her career with Caltrans more than 35 years ago as a toll collector.

“The workers memorial helps us keep our fallen colleagues’ memories alive and recognize the tremendous loss that their loved ones have suffered,” said Caltrans Director Laurie Berman. “It is also an opportunity to remind ourselves that it is our responsibility to help keep our highway workers safe by slowing down, paying attention and moving over when amber lights are flashing.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, highway construction and maintenance work is one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States.

In 2015, there were 7,476 work zone collisions on California highways resulting in 56 fatalities and 3,853 injuries, compared to 6,525 work zone collisions resulting in 43 fatalities and 3,243 injuries in 2014.

Nationally drivers and passengers account for 85 percent of the people who are killed in highway work zones. These numbers don’t include the close calls highway workers experience every day.

This memorial serves as a somber reminder of the risks and dangers thousands of highway workers face every day just by going to work and serving the public,” continued Berman. “We each must do our part to keep California’s roadways safe for everyone.”

Drivers can dramatically improve safety in work zones by slowing down, reducing distractions such as talking on the phone or texting, dedicating all attention to the roadway.

Motorists are also required by state law to move over a lane when safe to do so, or slow down when approaching vehicles with flashing amber warning lights.

Caltrans has partnered with the California Transportation Foundation to develop two funds to benefit the families of Caltrans workers killed on the job.

The Fallen Workers Assistance and Memorial Fund helps with the initial needs a surviving family faces and the Caltrans Fallen Workers Memorial Scholarship is available to the children of these workers.

For more information or to make donations, visit www.transportationfoundation.org.
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Officials in the city of Clearlake are urging community members who are planning to grow marijuana to get the required permit.

Under the Personal Marijuana Cultivation Ordinance No. 197-2017, a permit through the city is required to legally cultivate marijuana for personal use outdoors within the city limits.

Permit applications are available at City Hall and are downloadable from the city’s Web site.

Residents have until April 30 to submit the application to City Hall in order to legally cultivate marijuana for personal use. There also is a $250 registration fee required to help offset the city’s cost to administer the program.

Selling marijuana cultivated for personal use is illegal and commercial cannabis cultivation requires additional state and local permits.

Currently, California Law allows for up to six plants to legally be grown indoors. Under the City’s ordinance, no more than six plants total are allowed to be grown on a property, whether indoors or outdoors. A permit is required to cultivate marijuana outdoors for personal use only.

Growing more than six plants is illegal in the City of Clearlake. Citizens are encouraged to contact Code Enforcement if they see or suspect more than six plants are being cultivated on any property.

Those found to be illegally cultivating marijuana will be subject to significant penalties as well as an order to abate and / or criminal prosecution. “While the city of Clearlake wants to work with those who wish to legally cultivate marijuana, it will continue to crack down on those who do not abide by the laws,” said City Manager Greg Folsom.

“Since the city began its crackdown on illegal marijuana grows, the city has experienced an 85 percent drop in the homicide rate,” said interim Police Chief Tim Celli. “The police department will be continuing to work closely with Code Enforcement to eradicate illegal marijuana and those found to be violating marijuana state laws are also subject to arrest and criminal prosecution. The department has sent personnel to the most up to date training to investigate illegal marijuana grows, which may also include environmental crimes.”
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Interested community members are being invited to apply to be part of a new committee that is looking at the health of Clear Lake.

The California Natural Resources Agency is tasked by AB 707 (Aguiar-Curry, Chapter 842, Statues of 2017) with the creation of a Blue Ribbon Committee for the Rehabilitation of Clear lake.  

The committee is responsible for identifying, and reporting on, potential solutions to water quality issues for Clear Lake. It also will make recommendations for potential funding sources for restoration activities.  

The Board of Supervisors is accepting applications for review prior to making their appointments to these spots:

– Expert in local economic development;
– Expert in agriculture;
– Expert in the environment; and
– Representative of a public water supplier that draws its drinking water supply from Clear Lake.

The committee, convened by CNRA, shall meet quarterly in Lake County for the purposes of discussion, reviewing research, planning, and providing oversight regarding the health of Clear Lake.  

The first meeting of the committee will take place in May. The committee will be subject to the requirements of the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act.

Application forms are available through and must be submitted by 5 p.m. Friday, April 27.

For more information visit http://www.lakecountyca.gov/Assets/Departments/BOS/docs/BoardApp.pdf.

For more information, please contact the County Administrative Office at 707-263-2580.
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A large crane places new portable classrooms at Kelseyville High School in Kelseyville, Calif., on Thursday, April 5, 2018. Courtesy photo.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – A 2016 bond measure is funding new improvements across the Kelseyville Unified School District.

Groundbreaking for the new multi-use room to be shared between Kelseyville Elementary School and Mountain Vista Middle School is scheduled for Monday, April 30.

The new multi-use room is one of many projects that Kelseyville Unified School District has completed or intends to complete with Measure U bond funds.

Kelseyville voters approved Measure U in June 2016 to provide funds to renovate and modernize the district’s six schools, including old electrical, heating, plumbing and ventilating systems, as well as leaky roofs.

Work began in early 2017 with several projects at Kelseyville Elementary school, Kelseyville High school, Mountain Vista Middle School and Riviera Elementary School.

Last summer, numerous old portable buildings were removed from Kelseyville High School to make room for new modulars and a second quad area for students to congregate.

On April 5, a large crane placed new modular classrooms and single use restrooms on the prepared site.

“We’re excited to make room for a second quad area for our students right in the heart of the school,” said Kelseyville Unified Superintendent Dave McQueen.

Many in Lake County are also excited about the new mechanical shop planned for Kelseyville High School. The new facility will include auto, metals and wood shops.

No date has yet been set for groundbreaking, as the district is still in the process of preparing construction documents.

District officials hope that ground will be broken by the end of May.

Built in the 1950s the current shop sits on the side of a hill.

Although additions and upgrades were made over the years, there are still problems with American Disability Act compliance, electrical wiring, and plumbing.

“Our shop is very important to Kelseyville Unified,” said McQueen. “We pride our high school in turning out students who are ready to go to work with a trade skill.”

Kelseyville’s shop is open to students from all Lake County school districts, not just Kelseyville Unified.

The new shop will provide even more vocational opportunities to Lake County schools, and with the addition of a Career Technical Education grant from the California Department of Education, Kelseyville Unified officials hope they can continue to expand their shop programs.

Other future projects include stadium upgrades at Kelseyville High School, and site improvements at Riviera Elementary School.

McQueen extended his thanks to the community for the passage of Measure U and their support for education. “Without their support, these great improvements would not be possible.”

All projects and plans approved by the Kelseyville Unified Board of Trustees for future bond projects can be found on the district’s Web site at www.kvusd.org .
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – On Saturday, April 28, the city of Clearlake – in coordination with the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, Clearlake Waste Solution and Citizens Caring 4 Clearlake – is sponsoring the annual Clearlake Clean-up Day event.

The event will begin at 8 a.m. at Austin Park and will end at noon with hot dogs and refreshments.

Volunteers, including elected officials, service clubs, citizens and city staff, will spend the morning picking up trash and cleaning various areas in Clearlake.

”This event is a tradition in the City of Clearlake that has been going on for many years as a way to start off the tourist season,” said Clearlake Public Works Director Doug Herren.

Volunteers are needed to provide the maximum impact on eliminating trash in the community.

“I look forward to this event every year and seeing the dedication our citizens have to the community,” said Clearlake City Manager Greg Folsom. “Come out and show your pride in Clearlake by helping make Clearlake an even more beautiful place to live.”

Volunteers can register at the event. Bags and tools will be provided.
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The California Department of Water Resources on Tuesday announced a statewide increase in State Water Project allocations for 2018.

SWP contractors can now expect to receive 30 percent of their requests, up from the initial 15 percent allocation in December and the 20 percent announced in January.

“Late precipitation and snow in March has brought us closer to an average year, however, this year has been anything but normal,” said Karla Nemeth, DWR director. “While our storage is in good shape, our snowpack is low. California’s highly variable weather reminds us that prudent planning and water conservation is a necessity and is the new norm.”

A 30 percent allocation amounts to 1,268,724 acre-feet of water, distributed among the 29 SWP contractors who serve more than 27 million Californians and about 750,000 acres of farmland.

A 100 percent allocation is rare even in wet years due to Delta pumping restrictions to protect threatened and endangered fish species. The last 100 percent allocation was in 2006.

One of the leading factors in determining allocations is snow water content. The statewide snow water content is currently 37 percent of average.

Despite the above-normal precipitation received in March and April, warm temperatures increased runoff and snowmelt in the Northern Sierra, resulting in diminished snowpack for this time of year.

The state’s major reservoirs continue to be well above their historical averages. San Luis Reservoir, the largest off-stream reservoir in the United States where water is stored for the SWP and Central Valley Project, or CVP), is at 89 percent of capacity.

Shasta Lake, the CVP’s largest reservoir, is at 92 percent of capacity. Lake Oroville is at 67 percent of capacity. New Melones Lake is at 86 percent of capacity.
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Sgt. Joe Dutra of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office presents to representatives of local school districts in Lake County, Calif., on Friday, April 20, 2018. Photo courtesy of the Lake County Office of Education.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Office of Education hosted Sgt. Joe Dutra of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office on Friday, April 20, for an active threat training.

Dutra presented “Safety for School Professionals” to more than 30 representatives of local K-12 school districts, charter schools and community colleges.

Dutra laid out a brief history on the major school shootings since Columbine in 1999, which changed the way Law Enforcement responds to active threats on school campuses.

He then explained to the educational professionals what a potential shooting scenario could look like on a campus, and what the law enforcement response might be.

After the presentation, site administrators and school representatives were able to ask questions, share best practices and air concerns.

“Definitely plan for communication issues,” warned Dutra.

This training was just one measure of the Lake County Office of Education’s commitment to student safety.

Although there has been an Emergency Services liaison in the Lake County Office of Education for many years, things changed after the Valley Fire in 2015.

“It became apparent that stronger coordination between our schools and our first responders would provide better protection for all Lake County schools and students in the event of a disaster or crisis,” said Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg.

The new position of emergency services/special projects coordinator was created at LCOE effective July 1, 2017, and is filled by Rob Young.

Young dedicates half of his work time towards coordinating with local school districts, Lake County first responders and other governmental agencies on emergency services planning and training for Lake County schools.

“Due to the student voice as a result of the Parkland incident, active shooters are on the forefront of the minds of our school staff, parents and students. The Lake County Office of Education is pleased to partner with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office to bring this important training to our local districts and community colleges,” said Falkenberg.

Falkenberg added, “Safety has always been and remains a top priority for our Lake County students.”

Jill Ruzicka is communications coordinator for the Lake County Office of Education.
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Tractor Supply Co. has begun construction on a retail store in Clearlake.

Construction on the store – located at 15930 Dam Road, Unit C, in the former Ray’s Food Place building – began earlier this month with a goal of opening in the summer.

The building also is set to house a new Big 5 Sporting Goods store, as Lake County News has reported.

Tractor Supply will serve as a one-stop shop for the Clearlake community’s farmers, livestock and pet owners, ranchers, part-time and hobby farmers, gardeners, homeowners, tradesmen and others.

“We’re not just building a store, we’re building a team that understands the needs of the Clearlake community,” said District Manager Toni Hernandez. “We know this community values living ‘Life Out Here’ just like us – with a focus on caring for their home, land, pets and animals. With the addition of our new location, we’re able to ensure the Clearlake community is fully equipped with the products they need.”

The Clearlake Tractor Supply plans to hire 12 to 15 employees with firsthand knowledge and expertise in caring for pets, livestock and land.

At the store, customers will be able to shop a wide selection of products at a great value including workwear and boots, tractor and trailer parts and accessories, lawn and garden supplies, sprinkler and irrigation parts, power tools, fencing, welding and pump supplies, riding mowers and more.

The Clearlake store will also carry a wide variety of food and supplies for pets, equine and livestock, as well as a pet wash station where customers will have access to professional grade wash bays, grooming tables and tools.

The Tractor Supply team will also seek to support pet adoption initiatives, area 4-H clubs and FFA chapters, county fairs and livestock shows.

Lakeview Construction will construct the 21,862-square-foot retail space. The store plans include a sales floor, external support service area and pet wash station.

The store opening, which is expected to occur in the summer, will kick off with a four-day grand opening celebration, during which customers can sign up for Tractor Supply’s loyalty program, Neighbor’s Club.

By registering, customers will receive member-only offers, birthday offers, personal purchase summaries and receipt-free returns.

To learn more about Tractor Supply Company, visit www.TractorSupply.com. For additional information on the Neighbor's Club program, please visit www.NeighborsClub.com.
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Firefighters are investigating the cause of an early morning fire in Clearlake that burned several structures, destroying two of them.

Lake County Fire Chief Willie Sapeta said the fire was dispatched just after 7 a.m.

The fire originated in a vacant structure at 14537 Palmer Ave. where police officers recently had been chasing out squatters, Sapeta said.

He said the fire originally was reported as a fully involved structure. As fire personnel were on the way, they heard police radio traffic that indicated there also were other buildings on fire.

Sapeta said the fire destroyed the structure of origin. It spread to a house on the east side, doing minimal damage there, and then to a converted studio off of Emory to the south, which he said was 75-percent damaged.

To the west of the main structure was a small structure that was destroyed. In that building firefighters found an illegal marijuana grow, Sapeta said.

Lake County Fire was joined by Northshore Fire in working the incident, with a total of five engines, a water tender, three medic units and two company officers committed to the incident, according to Sapeta.

Sometime between 8:30 and 8:45 a.m. the fire was fully contained, but Sapeta said several hours of overhaul were required.

There were no injuries, he said.

On Tuesday afternoon Sapeta said the fire’s cause remained under investigation.

“We’re not sure how that got so well involved without anybody seeing it,” he 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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