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LAKEPORT, Calif. – Poet Jabez William Churchill will present “From South to North and Back Again” as the keynote address of the NEA Big Read in Lake County.

The presentation will take place beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, at the Mendocino College Lake Center at 2565 Parallel Drive in Lakeport.

Churchill’s address explores themes found the NEA Big Read selection, “Into the Beautiful North” and other works by Luis Alberto Urrea.

The Lake County Library is partnering with the Lake County Friends of Mendocino College to present this free event for the public.

Churchill, the poet, examines novelist Urrea’s works in terms of his eloquent images, his craftsmanship, his masterful writing, his impossible-seeming stories and his cultural perspectives.

Churchill is currently reading and absorbing Urrea’s novel “The Hummingbird’s Daughter,” based on people and events in Urrea’s family history, as is much of his writing.

Churchill teaches modern languages at Mendocino Community College and Santa Rosa Junior College. He served as Poet Laureate of Ukiah 2014-2016 and has been a California Poet in the Public Schools since 1998, working primarily with bilingual youth and youth at risk.

His published works include “Song of Seasons,” “Controlled Burn,” “Durmiendo con Fantasmas/Sleeping with Ghosts” and “El Velo/The Veil.” His work has been published in anthologies and literary journals, and he enjoys performing readings of his poetry.

“Into the Beautiful North” follows the adventures of 19-year-old Nayeli who works at a taco shop in her Mexican village and dreams about her father who journeyed to the United States when she was young. Recently, it has dawned on her that he isn't the only man who has left town. In fact, there are almost no men in the village – they've all gone north.

While watching “The Magnificent Seven,” Nayeli decides to go north herself and recruit seven men--her own "Siete Magníficos” – to repopulate her hometown and protect it from the bandidos who plan on taking it over.

A national initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest, the NEA Big Read broadens our understanding of our world, our communities, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book.

For more information on this event, please contact the library at 707-263-8817. You also can view a full calendar of events for the NEA Big Read in Lake County, which continues through October, at http://www.lakecountybigread.com.

The Lake County Library is on the internet at http://library.lakecountyca.gov and Facebook at www.facebook.com/LakeCountyLibrary.

Jan Cook is a library technician with the Lake County Library.
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NORTH COAST, Calif. – A semi wreck that occurred on the Hopland Grade has led to planned closures of the highway this coming week in order to recover the truck and its trailer.

Caltrans posted video of the Thursday wreck, which can be seen above.

In a crash report issued on Friday, the California Highway Patrol’s Ukiah Area office said the crash occurred at 1:25 p.m. Thursday on the Mendocino County side of Highway 175 near a construction zone.

Lodi resident Christopher Cortez was driving a 2012 Peterbilt westbound with an attached loaded trailer of plywood. The CHP said he had passed multiple regulatory signs prohibiting any vehicle over 39 feet in length, which he failed to obey.

Due to the overall length of the semi and trailer, Cortez was unable to negotiate the turn in the roadway, causing the vehicle to roll down the embankment, the CHP said.

The Caltrans video shows the trailer beginning to overturn first before the semi twisted over onto its passenger side and slid off the roadway.

The CHP said Cortez, who was the semi’s only occupant, was uninjured, and neither alcohol nor drugs were factors in the wreck, which remains under investigation.

The Caltrans District 1 office reported that recovery of the truck and trailer is set for next week.

Caltrans spokeswoman Cori Reed said full closure of Highway 175 will be necessary during the recovery operation.

She said Highway 175 from 5.6 miles east of Highway 101 to Mathews Road outside of Lakeport will be under a full closure on Monday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., during which time the truck and trailer will be recovered.

Reed said the truck’s load of plywood will be recovered on Tuesday and Wednesday.

On those days, the closures will be shorter, lasting from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., in order to help accommodate commuter traffic, Reed 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. – A Lake County Deputy sheriff who died in the line of duty last year received a special and permanent honor on Thursday when a section of Highway 29 in Lakeport was renamed in his honor.

The Deputy Sheriff Robert Rumfelt Memorial Highway was dedicated during a special ceremony on Thursday morning.

Congressman Mike Thompson, state Sen. Mike McGuire, Sheriff Brian Martin, Tom Fitzgerald of Caltrans District 1, Board of Supervisors Chair Jim Steele and Supervisor Moke Simon, who also is Rumfelt’s cousin, were among the dignitaries on hand for the occasion. Rumfelt’s family also was in attendance to mark the day.

Agencies in attendance included Cal Fire, California Highway Patrol, Caltrans, Clearlake Police Department, Lake County District Attorney’s Office, Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Lakeport Police Department. Council members and city staff from Clearlake and Lakeport, District Attorney-elect Susan Krones and Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg also were there to show their respects.

The event was held at the Lakeport Cinema 5, a short distance from where the sign would later be put into place along the highway, near the intersection of Highway 29 and Soda Bay Road.

Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin speaking at the ceremony where a portion of Highway 29 in Lakeport, Calif., was named in honor of Deputy Rob Rumfelt on Thursday, October 11, 2018. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.

Rumfelt died on the night of Aug. 22, 2017, following a physical fight with a domestic violence suspect in Lakeport.

He and another deputy had taken the suspect into custody and then he had gotten into his patrol SUV and left the scene. Witnesses said he drove a short way before slumping over, crashing into a tree not long afterward. Lakeport Fire transported him to Sutter Lakeside Hospital, where he died a short time later, as Lake County News has reported.

The medical examiner would later conclude that Rumfelt suffered sudden cardiac death 30 minutes after a stressful physical encounter.

His death came as a huge blow to the sheriff’s office, which only a year previously had mourned the loss of Deputy Jake Steely, who was mortally injured after he and his son were swept into the ocean at Fort Bragg.

“Deputy Rumfelt was an incredible human being,” said Thompson, noting his service as a Marine, a policy officer, a deputy and family man. “He was a cop’s cop.”

Sen. McGuire, who wrote the legislation that made the highway renaming possible, recognized the many organizations and dignitaries in attendance.

He noted that renaming a highway for a person is one of the greatest honors the state offers.

Sheriff Martin, who acted as master of ceremonies for the event, said there were many agencies and individuals who worked behind the scenes to bring the effort together.

“It’s been 415 difficult days since we lost Rob,” said Martin, who recalled Rumfelt as a friend.

He said the sign also is a reminder of how dangerous the law enforcement profession is.

Martin said Rumfelt had his own way of doing things. He was direct, sometimes blunt and tough, and had strong leadership capabilities; he also didn’t tolerate laziness, whether it was at the gym, on duty or as a coach at Clear Lake High School.

“He was a very proud man,” said Martin.

Martin said that, although they were friends, he didn’t know all about some of Rumfelt’s achievements, including how in March 2010, while working as a government contractor in Iraq, he saved the life of a gravely injured soldier during an improvised explosive device attack.

More recently, during the 2015 Valley fire, Rumfelt braved the flames to rescue south county residents, Martin said. But Rumfelt never bragged about his achievements.

Members of Deputy Rob Rumfelt’s family, in the front row, at the dedication ceremony for a portion of Highway 29 in Lakeport, Calif., named in his honor on Thursday, October 11, 2018. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.

“The loss of such a good deputy leaves a void in our community,” Martin said.

The sheriff said Rumfelt won’t be forgotten. “Godspeed, Rob. We love you.”

Fitzgerald said one is hard-pressed to find a community where agencies work together as well as they do in Lake County, which he said has become more clear over the past few years.

He also recognized Rumfelt’s loss for the community.

Supervisor Steele noted Rumfelt’s dedication. “Truly, he served his country, he served this county,” he said.

He then read a proclamation recognizing Rumfelt’s life.

Rumfelt’s father, Bob, joined by Simon, thanked everyone who came to honor his son.

“Rob would not appreciate this like we do,” said Bob Rumfelt.

He added, “We miss Rob every day.”

Wearing a Raiders shirt in his cousin’s honor, Simon called Rob Rumfelt “a superhero to me.”

Simon continued, “This is a good honor for a great man.”

At the end of the ceremony, Rumfelt’s family members were called forward to open small reproductions of the highway sign as Sheriff Martin and Supervisor Simon unveiled the large green and white highway sign.

McGuire then invited up Rumfelt’s friends and other community members for photos with the sign, which was later mounted along the roadway.

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.
Officials and members of Deputy Rob Rumfelt’s family gather with the highway sign that marks a portion of Highway 29 in his honor at a ceremony in Lakeport, Calif., on Thursday, October 11, 2018. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Control has a remaining fire dog and several new dogs needing homes this week.

Dogs available for adoption this week include mixes of German Shepherd, hound, husky, Labrador Retriever, McNab, pit bull, Rottweiler, terrier and Shiba Inu.

One of the dogs featured is Winston, the last of the dogs taken in during the Mendocino Complex.

Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.

If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets hoping you'll choose them.

The following dogs at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (additional dogs on the animal control Web site not listed are still “on hold”).

This female pit bull terrier is in kennel No. 18, ID No. 11199. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Female pit bull

This female pit bull terrier has a short fawn and white coat.

She already has been spayed.

She’s in kennel No. 18, ID No. 11199.

This female Shiba Inu mix is in kennel No. 19, ID No. 11198. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Shiba Inu mix

This female Shiba Inu mix has a short red and brown coat.

She already has been spayed.

She’s in kennel No. 19, ID No. 11198.

This female terrier-McNab mix is in kennel No. 20, ID No. 11210. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Female terrier-McNab mix

This female terrier-McNab mix has a short black coat.

She’s in kennel No. 20, ID No. 11210.

This male terrier-McNab mix is in kennel No. 21, ID No. 11211. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Male terrier-McNab mix

This male terrier-McNab mix has a short black coat.

He’s in kennel No. 21, ID No. 11211.

This female pit bull terrier is in kennel No. 22, ID No. 11192. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Female pit bull terrier

This female pit bull terrier has a short brown coat.

She’s in kennel No. 22, ID No. 11192.

“George” is male pit bull terrier in kennel No. 25, ID No. 11082. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

‘George’

“George” is a male pit bull terrier with a short brindle and white coat.

He’s in kennel No. 25, ID No. 11082.

“Naquysa” is a female husky-shepherd mix in kennel No. 27, ID No. 11000. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

‘Naquysa’

“Naquysa,” which means “Star,” is a 9-year-old female husky-shepherd mix with a long black and tan coat.

Shelter staff said she is good with other larger dogs, but she is not recommended for a home with small dogs or cats.

She’s in kennel No. 27, ID No. 11000.

This male German Shepherd mix is in kennel No. 28, ID No. 11223. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Male German Shepherd mix

This male German Shepherd mix has a short brown and black coat.

He already has been neutered.

He’s in kennel No. 28, ID No. 11223.

This male Labrador Retriever mix is in kennel No. 29, ID No. 11151. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Male Labrador Retriever mix

This male Labrador Retriever mix has a short black coat with white markings.

He already has been neutered.

He’s in kennel No. 29, ID No. 11151.

This female pit bull is in kennel No. 30, ID No. 11152. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control

Female pit bull

This female pit bull has a short brindle and white coat.

She already has been spayed.

She’s in kennel No. 30, ID No. 11152.

“Hashi” is a male pit bull terrier-shepherd mix in kennel No. 31, ID No. 7499. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

‘Hashi’

“Hashi” is a senior male pit bull terrier-shepherd mix.

He has a short tan coat and already has been neutered.

Shelter staff said he is good with other dogs and with children, but is not good with cats.

He’s in kennel No. 31, ID No. 7499.

This female hound is in kennel No. 32, ID No. 11116. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Female hound

This female hound has a brown and white coat.

She already has been spayed.

She’s in kennel No. 32, ID No. 11116.

“Winston” is a male pit bull terrier-Rottweiler in kennel No. 34, ID No. 10970. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

‘Winston’

“Winston” is a male pit bull terrier and Rottweiler mix with a short black and brown coat.

He was taken in during the Mendocino Complex in the city of Lakeport.

He’s good with people and other dogs, and is high energy.

He’s in kennel No. 34, ID No. 10970.

Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm .

For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.

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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Members of the Executive Council of the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake Tribe present a check to the Lake County Office of Education for the Lake County Attendance Challenge. Pictured left to right are Sherry Treppa, Brock Falkenberg, Amber Jackson and Sam Icay. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake Tribe donated $4,000 to the Lake County Office of Education to be awarded to the six Lake County schools with the best attendance during the 2018-2019 countywide Attendance Challenge.

The Attendance Challenge runs two different weeks this year. The first week runs from Oct. 15 through 19. The second week begins on March 19.

The winning schools will be determined based on the attendance rate of both weeks combined.

“The Habematolel consistently supports within our tribe and the community our youth’s educational and extracurricular goals through tribal programs and direct contributions to local school programs and individuals,” said Sherry Treppa, chair of the Habematolel Pomo Executive Council.

Habematolel donated award money for last year’s Attendance Challenge. Clear Lake High School, Terrace Middle School and Coyote Valley Elementary School were the winning schools.

This year there are six categories, which include:

1. Highest Attendance Percentage for a Lake County Elementary School.

2. Highest Attendance Percentage for a Lake County Middle School.

3. Highest Attendance Percentage for a Lake County High School.

4. Highest Attendance Percentage for a Lake County Alternative School.

5. Highest Attendance Percentage for a Lake County Preschool School.

6. Most Improved Attendance Percentage Lake County School.

“With chronic absenteeism being a true concern for Lake County students, LCOE staff brainstormed solutions to help educate the students, parents and community on the importance of attendance. And thus, the Attendance Challenge was born,” said Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg.

The definition of “chronic absenteeism” is missing 10 percent of the school year—or about 18 days – for any reason, excused or unexcused. This equals missing two days of school a month.

Rob Young, Emergency Services/Special Projects Coordinator at LCOE, who is responsible for organizing the Attendance Challenge, explained that the winning school in each category will receive $500 to be used to celebrate and support good attendance.

The remainder of the donation money will purchase “Attendance Challenge Winner” banners for each winning school to display.

Treppa said, “Our youth are our future workforce, and our tribal and community leaders. It is vital that current leaders and parents ensure our youth are well educated, socially adjusted and prepared to take on those responsibilities. The first step to achieving this is to assure their attendance at school.”

“The Lake County Office of Education is grateful for the partnership with the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake Tribe,” Falkenberg added. “We thank them for their continuing support of our county’s attendance activities for all local students.”
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council on Thursday evening upheld abatement orders on several properties where marijuana was being grown out of compliance with city rules and approved a fuel purchase program that will save the police department time and money.

Code Enforcement staff presented the abatement order appeals for 14170 Konocti St., 3602 Ciwa St., 3275 14th St., 16076 25th Ave. and 16326 34th Ave.

On all of the properties city staff had found marijuana being grown in violation of city rules, with all of the appellants failing to obtain cultivation permits.

Other violations ranged from cultivating outdoors on land without a dwelling structure to lack of an enclosed fence, growing in an area larger than a 10-foot by 10-foot enclosure and being visible from the right-of-way.

In the case of the 16076 25th Ave. property, the appellants had been fined last year for violations and so, under city rules, will be prohibited from growing for a period in the future.

Mark Stewart and Donna Wynn, of the Ciwa Street and 14th Street properties, respectively, were the only appellants to speak to the council in opposition to the abatement orders.

Stewart said he didn’t know about the requirements and has a medicinal need, and stated that the plants were at most six weeks out from being ready.

Wynn, who said she also uses the plant for medical needs, told the council that the 10-foot by 10-foot size limit is not big enough, that she kept her yard clean and had no idea about the rules.

The council voted unanimously to deny all of the appeals.

The council also heard from staff about the Enterprise vehicle leasing program and approved entering into a fuel purchase agreement through the ExxonMobil Fleet National Card Program.

Assistant City Manager Alan Flora gave the council the update about the vehicle leasing and fleet program.

His written report explained that in June the council authorized the finance director to execute the necessary documents to replace city vehicles through the Enterprise Fleet Management Program, an action which included the initial lease of four vehicles as well as authorizing the city manager to lease additional vehicles as appropriate based on available funding in the council’s adopted budget.

Flora told the council that the city has leased five non-patrol police vehicles, one Code Enforcement truck funded by Community Development Block Grant funds, one Building Department truck and one Measure V-funded Public Works truck.

Recently, he said the city ordered 10 new police patrol vehicles from Ford, which he said aren’t anticipated to be delivered until the spring because of a lengthy lead time.

Beyond the vehicle purchases, he said city staff also wanted to bring back an update on fuel management.

Flora explained that the city buys all of its fuel from Redwood Coast Fuels at a card lock station in Lower Lake. The fuel purchases are governed by a historical agreement reached through the county that the city has “piggy-backed” off of in the years since. That agreement gives the city a discounted fuel price.

City staff, in working with Enterprise Fleet Management, became aware of that company's’ fuel purchase program, which allows the city to track fuel usage and mileage for each vehicle, even those that are not leased, issues fuel cards for each vehicle with a unique PIN for the drivers, offers fuel cards that can be used at nearly any filling station except for those that require a membership, and gives the city a five cent per gallon cash rebate when filling up at Mobil stations, Flora reported.

Flora said the city’s biggest fuel user is the police department. The current arrangement also requires that police personnel drive to Lower Lake – sometimes several times a day – to gas up their vehicles.

With a round trip to Lower Lake for fuel totaling 10 miles, at 110 fill ups per month, the department’s personnel are driving 14,000 miles a year just to get gas, Flora said.

In fiscal year 2017-18, Flora’s written report said the city spent approximately $93,292 on fuel.

He told the council that the time spent driving out of town for gas can be better spent on community policing within the city.

At the same time, if police personnel can buy gas within the city limits, that will benefit the city’s discretionary sales tax as well as its sales tax measures, P and V, he said.

Flora said that the fuel agreement with Redwood Coast Fuels will stay in effect and still be utilized by the city’s Public Works Department.

He said that the compilation of the cash rebate, recovery of time lost filling up and saving money spent on fuel just to drive back and forth to Lower Lake is expected to result in a cost savings to the city, plus offer the benefit of better tracking of the city’s vehicle fleet.

Council members agreed. Vice Mayor Phil Harris said he also liked the concept of having officers in town as much as possible, buying there gas there.

“I don’t see any downside to this program at all,” said Councilman Russ Cremer.

Harris added that he wanted officers to use all of the city’s fueling stations, not just Mobil stations, and to be visible.

“This is looking so much better than just getting our fleet upgraded,” said Mayor Bruno Sabatier.

Harris moved to authorize Flora to executive the documents required for the fleet management and ExxonMobil Fleet National Card Program, which was approved unanimously.

In other business the council unanimously approved a resolution revising the City Master Fee Schedule.

Police Chief Andrew White reported to the council that several problems were discovered with the fee schedule.

He said those problems included several sections that were not included which prevented officers from writing parking related citations. It also didn’t allow for issuing fix-it tickets and did not include a late payment penalty and cost recovery for evaluating and establishing payment plans and placing DMV holds.

The council also approved the first reading of Ordinance No. 214-2018 adding section 3-4.16 to the Clearlake Municipal Code to provide information bidding procedures under the Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act, and Sabatier presented proclamations declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

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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A supernova (bright spot at lower left) and its host galaxy (upper center) as they would appear if gravitationally lensed by an intervening black hole (center). Miguel Zumalacárregui image.

BERKELEY, Calif. – For one brief shining moment after the 2015 detection of gravitational waves from colliding black holes, astronomers held out hope that the universe’s mysterious dark matter might consist of a plenitude of black holes sprinkled throughout the universe.

University of California, Berkeley, physicists have dashed those hopes.

Based on a statistical analysis of 740 of the brightest supernovas discovered as of 2014, and the fact that none of them appear to be magnified or brightened by hidden black hole “gravitational lenses,” the researchers concluded that primordial black holes can make up no more than about 40 percent of the dark matter in the universe.

Primordial black holes could only have been created within the first milliseconds of the Big Bang as regions of the universe with a concentrated mass tens or hundreds of times that of the sun collapsed into objects a hundred kilometers across.

The results suggest that none of the universe’s dark matter consists of heavy black holes, or any similar object, including massive compact halo objects, so-called MACHOs.

Dark matter is one of astronomy’s most embarrassing conundrums: despite comprising 84.5 percent of the matter in the universe, no one can find it. Proposed dark matter candidates span nearly 90 orders of magnitude in mass, from ultralight particles like axions to MACHOs.

Several theorists have proposed scenarios in which there are multiple types of dark matter. But if dark matter consists of several unrelated components, each would require a different explanation for its origin, which makes the models very complex.

“I can imagine it being two types of black holes, very heavy and very light ones, or black holes and new particles. But in that case one of the components is orders of magnitude heavier than the other, and they need to be produced in comparable abundance. We would be going from something astrophysical to something that is truly microscopic, perhaps even the lightest thing in the universe, and that would be very difficult to explain,” said lead author Miguel Zumalacárregui, a Marie Curie Global Fellow at the Berkeley Center for Cosmological Physics.

An as-yet unpublished reanalysis by the same team using an updated list of 1,048 supernovas cuts the limit in half, to a maximum of about 23 percent, further slamming the door on the dark matter-black hole proposal.

“We are back to the standard discussions. What is dark matter? Indeed, we are running out of good options,” said UrošSeljak, a UC Berkeley professor of physics and astronomy and BCCP co-director. “This is a challenge for future generations.”

The analysis is detailed in a paper published Oct. 1 in the journal Physical Review Letters.

Dark matter lensing

Their conclusions are based on the fact that an unseen population of primordial black holes, or any massive compact object, would gravitationally bend and magnify light from distant objects on its way to Earth.

Therefore, gravitational lensing should affect the light from distant Type Ia supernovas. These are the exploding stars that scientists have used as standard brightness sources to measure cosmic distances and document the expansion of the universe.

Zumalacárregui conducted a complex statistical analysis of data on the brightness and distance supernovas catalogued in two compilations – 580 in the Union and 740 in the joint light-curve analysis (JLA) catalogs – and concluded that eight should be brighter by a few tenths of a percent than predicted based on observations of how these supernovas brighten and fade over time. No such brightening has been detected.

Other researchers have performed similar but simpler analyses that yielded inconclusive results. But Zumalacárregui incorporated the precise probability of seeing all magnifications, from small to huge, as well as uncertainties in brightness and distance of each supernova.

Even for low-mass black holes – those 1 percent the mass of the sun – there should be some highly magnified distant supernovas, he said, but there are none.

“You cannot see this effect on one supernova, but when you put them all together and do a full Bayesian analysis you start putting very strong constraints on the dark matter, because each supernova counts and you have so many of them,” Zumalacárregui said. The more supernovas included in the analysis, and the farther away they are, the tighter the constraints. Data on 1,048 bright supernovas from the Pantheon catalog provided an even lower upper limit – 23 percent – than the newly published analysis.

Seljak published a paper proposing this type of analysis in the late 1990s, but when interest shifted from looking for big objects, MACHOs, to looking for fundamental particles, in particular weakly interacting massive particles, or WIMPs, follow-up plans fell by the wayside. By then, many experiments had excluded most masses and types of MACHOs, leaving little hope of discovering such objects.

At the time, too, only a small number of distant Type Ia supernovas had been discovered and their distances measured.

Only after the LIGO observations brought up the issue again did Seljak and Zumalacárregui embark on the complicated analysis to determine the limits on dark matter.

“What was intriguing is that the masses of the black holes in the LIGO event were right where black holes had not yet been excluded as dark matter,” Seljak said. “That was an interesting coincidence that got everyone excited. But it was a coincidence.”

Robert Sanders writes for the UC Berkeley News Center.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Cal Fire firefighters are preparing for the potential extreme fire weather across many parts of California.

The National Weather Service is predicting gusty winds and low humidity this weekend in much of Northern California, including Lake County.

The National Weather Service has issued a fire weather watch beginning at 12 a.m. Sunday until noon on Monday.

The weather forecast shows winds of more than 25 miles per hour on both Saturday and Sunday in parts of Lake County.

On Monday, parts of southern California could experience much of the same conditions, officials said.

“As we remember the tragic fires that occurred this time last year, they should serve as a reminder for everyone to be prepared for the unexpected. We have increased our staffing, but need the public to remain vigilant,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, Cal Fire director. “It is important to follow evacuation orders and leave early as fires move very fast under these conditions."

Cal Fire urges everyone to exercise extreme caution when in or near the wildland or open areas to prevent sparking a fire. One less spark, means one less wildfire.

A few helpful reminders and safety tips include:

– Don’t mow or trim dry grass on windy days.
– Never pull your vehicle over in dry grass.
– Target shoot only in approved areas, use lead ammunition only, and never at metal.
– Ensure campfires are allowed, and if so, be sure to extinguish them completely.
– Report any suspicious activities to prevent arson.

For more fire prevention tips and evacuation steps visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org.
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The three candidates in this year’s Clearlake City Council race will participate in a forum on Thursday, Oct. 18.

The forum will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

Russell Cremer, Russell Perdock and Dirk Slooten are in the running for two seats on the council, one currently held by Cremer and the second held by Mayor Bruno Sabatier, who will leave the council later this year after having been elected the new District 2 member of the Board of Supervisors.

Cremer is on the ballot for the first time for the council, although he is an incumbent, having been appointed earlier this year to fill the unexpired term of Perdock, who left the council in February to seek the city’s police chief position.

Perdock, who did not receive the police chief appointment, is seeking to return to the council. He served more than three years on the council previously.

Slooten is a longtime city planning commissioner and businessman, and a Rotarian who has been instrumental in raising funds for fire recovery. This is his first run for the council.

The forum will be recorded and posted online.

Community members may submit questions at the event or by emailing moderator Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The forum is sponsored by the Lake County Economic Development Corp. and Lake County News.
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Sam Lindsey Massette, 37, of Lakeport, Calif., has reached a plea agreement with the District Attorney’s Office in a human trafficking case. Lake County Jail photo.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Lakeport man arrested earlier this year for trafficking young local women as prostitutes in the Bay Area has reached a plea agreement with the Lake County District Attorney’s Office.

On Friday, Sam Lindsey Massette, 37, pleaded guilty to two counts of human trafficking for the purposes of prostitution and two counts of pimping women in prostitution, according to District Attorney Don Anderson.

Under an agreement with Anderson, Massette will receive sentences of 20 years for human trafficking of a victim identified as Jane Doe 2.

He also will receive concurrent sentences of 20 for human trafficking of Jane Doe 1, six years for pimping of Jane Doe 3 and six years for pimping of Jane Doe 4, for a total maximum aggregate term of 52 years, Anderson said.

Anderson said that charges against Massette for human trafficking of Jane Doe 5 were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

The agreement comes days ahead of Massette’s preliminary hearing in the case, which Anderson had previously reported was set for Oct. 17.

On Oct. 2, Massette’s wife, Krystina Pickersgill, 28, pleaded guilty to one count of human trafficking, as Lake County News has reported.

Under an agreement with Anderson, Pickersgill will be placed on probation with a maximum prison sentence of 12 years if she does not complete probation.

Her agreement was entered into based on her mental health issues and lack of any criminal history. Anderson explained that Massette had taken her off her medication and then started an effective pattern of manipulation and brainwashing.

In the beginning Pickersgill was a victim of human trafficking and is now starting her recovery and getting her life back, Anderson said.

The investigation into this matter started after the performance “Jane Doe in Wonderland” about human trafficking. After the performance victim Jane Doe 1 approached Anderson, who was a speaker at the play, and explained she was a victim of human trafficking.

The investigation led to the service of 26 search warrants for locations including Massette’s house at 2569 Lagoon Drive, Lakeport, were the defendants were arrested, Anderson said.

The investigation revealed Massette ran a high class human trafficking ring, using Lake County girls, and working primarily out of San Francisco, according to Anderson.

Anderson said Massette and Pickersgill recruited girls at an early age while they are still in high school.

It’s also alleged that in 2006 Massette trafficked two minors ages 16 and 17 for prostitution. Anderson said some of the victims were coerced and threatened to perform acts of prostitution. Pickersgill was not part of the human trafficking of the minors in 2006.

In addition to their respective sentences, Massette and Pickersgill have waived all their interest in property seized by the District Attorney’s Office pursuant to the Profits Organized Crime Act, Anderson said.

Seized by the District Attorney’s Office was $14,530 in cash and four vehicles valued at more than $300,000. Anderson said the seized assets will be turned over to the county of Lake’s general fund.

Anderson extended his appreciation to the five women who came forward and put a stop to this human trafficking ring.

“These women showed extreme bravery by coming forward and helping our office,” he said. “They have undoubtedly saved many young women from a life of being trafficked into prostitution.”

He added, “I also want to extend sincere gratitude to the human trafficking investigators of the District Attorney’s Office who have worked countless hours fighting the once growing epidemic of human trafficking in Lake County.”

Anderson said the District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting two other separate cases involving human trafficking.

“We will continue to make every effort to free these victims from those who force them into prostitution against their will and help give them a new start in life,” he said.
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This year's International Observe the Moon Night is on Saturday, Oct. 20, when astronomy clubs and science centers invite you to view the moon at their star parties.

The 11-day-old waxing gibbous moon rises in the late afternoon and sets before dawn. There are great features to enjoy whether you're observing with the unaided eye, through binoculars or through a telescope.

Sinus Iridum – the Bay of Rainbows – is the little half circle visible near the lunar terminator, the line between light and dark.

The Jura Mountains ring the western edge and catch the morning sun. Mare Imbrium is the large lunar mare (or sea) just south of Sinus Iridum.

As the moon approaches full, the large craters Copernicus and Tycho take center stage. Copernicus is 93 kilometers across, and its impact crater rays will be much more visible at full moon, although they are impressive on the 20th.

Tycho lies in a field of craters near the south limb. Its massive ray system spans over 1500 kilometers. At 85 kilometers across, it's a little smaller than Copernicus.

On Oct. 20, you can check off all 6 of the Apollo lunar landing locations, too!

You can still catch the great lineup of bright planets in October, with Jupiter, Saturn and Mars meeting up with the moon again this month. Early birds can catch Venus just before dawn.

You can find out more about International Observe the Moon Night at www.moon.nasa.gov/observe.

And you can catch up on all of NASA's current-and future-missions at www.nasa.gov.

Jane Houston Jones works for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) and Rep. John Garamendi (CA-03) announced that the Mendocino Complex Disaster Declaration has been amended to offer Small Business Administration loans to private nonprofit organizations in Lake County.

This assistance is available to organizations that offer essential government service.

“Throughout the recovery process, our community depends on the service of our second responders, those organizations that provide relief, centralize support services, and distribute aid once the fires have been extinguished. Today I am proud to announce that the federal government will provide loans to those organizations that provide that support that may have been damaged in the fire,” said Thompson. “I will continue fighting to bring every federal dollar and resource to our community throughout this recovery period. Together, we will rebuild and come back even stronger.”

“The availability of SBA loans for non-profit organizations that are facilitating recovery efforts is great news for Lake County,” said Garamendi. “We need the active participation of the whole community to help Lake County recover from these devastating wildfires, and this is another step in the right direction. I’m doing everything in my power to ensure Lake County gets every piece of federal support it is entitled to.”

Organizations interested in applying can visit https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ or call 800-659-2955 to find out if they qualify and submit their application.

Applications must be received by May 6, 2019.

You can also click here to download Thompson’s Fire Recovery Guide.

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