LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Water Resources reminds all boaters to continue to support the successful Quagga Mussel Prevention Program by displaying their 2013 resident, or monthly visitor, mussel stickers on all trailered watercraft.

The agency said the program’s administrative citation process is now in operation.

The administrative citation is a method of processing violations of the Quagga Mussel Prevention Program that does not involve the court system, Water Resources reported.

An enforcement official now has the choice to issue a criminal or an administrative citation, the county said.

The fines for an administrative citation match those of criminal penalties and are paid directly to Lake County Water Resources.

The new system reduces the burden on the judicial system while providing due process for those cited, according to the county.

Fines collected as a result of the administrative citation will be used to fund the Lake County Quagga/Zebra Mussel Prevention Program.

A reminder for why there is a mussel prevention program:

• Trailered watercraft are the chief transportation method for mussels across country and within state.
• Boats have been found by the CDFA border station with mussels attached, destined for Lake County.
• Once in a lake, mussels change the ecosystem dramatically, all other life-forms are negatively affected.
• Beaches become littered with piles of glass-sharp mussel shells.
• Mussels foul every surface in a lake, natural (mud, rocks, plants) and man-made (boats, docks, boat engine cooling systems, water pipes).

Prevention results from education. The county asks boaters to please do their part by spreading the word about the Lake County Mussel Prevention Program so that Lake County can stay mussel-free.

Also, remember to check in with a participating screener when you return from an out-of-county trip with your boat.

Rescreening and any necessary decontamination is free.

The county thanked its 26 participating screeners who make the prevention program possible and successful.

For the latest list of screeners see www.nomussels.com or call 707-263-2344.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A weekend traffic stop resulted in two arrests, and the seizure of methamphetamine, heroin in counterfeit currency by a Lake County Sheriff's deputy.

Dylan Thomas Bacon, 34, of Kelseyville, and 26-year-old Jacklyn Marie Ruth of Citrus Heights were arrested following a traffic stop, which occurred last Friday, Aug. 23, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's office.

At 10:45 p.m. last Friday, a patrol deputy was traveling westbound on Scotts Valley Road in Lakeport, directly behind a gray Ford Mustang, Brooks said.

He said the vehicle approached the intersection of Riggs Road and Scotts Valley Road and entered the left turn lane. The vehicle drove onto and crossed over the double yellow lines prior to the indicated turning area, then traveled onto Riggs Road and entered the opposite lane of traffic.

The deputy conducted an enforcement stop near the intersection of Riggs Road and Scotts Valley Road, Brooks said.

The deputy contacted the driver of the vehicle, who was identified as Bacon, as well as Ruth, who was a passenger in the vehicle, according to Brooks.

Lake County Central Dispatch advised Bacon’s license was suspended and that he was on Post Release Community Supervision probation with a search and seizure clause. Brooks said Central Dispatch also advised that Ruth was on probation out of Sacramento County for forgery, with a search clause.

The deputy had both subjects exit the vehicle. He noticed Bacon was exhibiting signs of being under the influence of a central nervous system stimulant. The deputy said Bacon was trembling uncontrollably and sweating profusely. The deputy administered a series of tests which Bacon failed, Brooks said.

Brooks said the deputy conducted a search of the vehicle and noticed two purses on the floorboard of the passenger seat. Ruth told the deputy that both of the purses belonged to her.

During a search of the purses the deputy located several glass pipes commonly used to ingest methamphetamine, 7 grams of suspected methamphetamine, a hypodermic syringe containing 11 milliliters of suspected methamphetamine, 5 grams of suspected heroin, digital gram scale, counterfeit twenty dollar bill, counterfeit ten dollar bill, counterfeit five dollar bill and 5.6 grams of marijuana, Brooks said.

The suspected methamphetamine and heroin were tested using a NIK color test kit. Brooks said the suspected methamphetamine flashed blue, indicating a presumptive positive for methamphetamine. The suspected heroin flashed purple, indicating a presumptive positive for heroin.

Bacon was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance, driving on a suspended license and for violating PRCS probation according to Brooks.

Ruth was arrested for transportation of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, transportation/sell a narcotic controlled substance, possession of a narcotic controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, Brooks said.

They were both transported the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked. Jail records showed that both remained in custody on Monday, with Bacon being held on a no-bail hold and Ruth's bail set at $35,000.

The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be contacted through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Six young cats are waiting for adoption at the county's animal shelter this week.

The cats range in age from 6 months to 2 years. Five are females and one is a male.

In addition to spaying or neutering, cats that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are microchipped 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 there, hoping you'll choose them.

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

Domestic short hair mix

This female domestic short hair mix is 6 months old.

She has a black and white coat, and has not yet been spayed.

Find her in cat room kennel No. 1c, ID No. 37540.

Dilute calico

This female domestic medium hair mix is 2 years old.

She has dilute calico coloring and blue eyes, and has been spayed.

She's in cat room kennel 6a, ID No. 37510.

Female brown tabby

This female brown tabby is 1 year old.

She has a short coat and shelter staff did not report if she had been altered.

She's in cat room kennel No. 6b, ID No. 37515.

Male lynx point mix

This male lynx point mix is 1 year old.

He weighs 9 pounds, has a long coat and has been neutered.

Find him in cat room kennel No. 19, ID No. 37517.

'Tigger'

“Tigger” is a 7-month-old female domestic medium hair mix.

In she has an orange and white coat, weighs nearly 6 pounds and has been spayed.

She's in cat room kennel No. 74, ID No. 37464.

'Mom'

“Mom” is a 2-year-old flame point Siamese mix.

She has a medium-length white coat and has not yet been spayed.

She's in cat room kennel No. 90, ID No. 37619.

Adoptable cats also can be seen at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Cats_and_Kittens.htm or at www.petfinder.com .

Please note: Cats listed at the shelter's Web page that are said to be “on hold” are not yet cleared for adoption.

To fill out an adoption application online visit http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dog___Cat_Adoption_Application.htm .

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, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 1 p.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.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lake County's premiere family event, the Lake County Fair, opens this Thursday, Aug. 29, and runs through Sunday, Sept. 1.

The Lake County Fair is one of Lake County's favorite summertime events, and is enjoyed by nearly 40,000 people each year.

The fair features a variety of entertainment, food, exhibits, a carnival and livestock shows.

This year's fair theme is “Find Great Treasures!”

Special features for the 2013 Fair include the People's Choice Wine Tasting and Awards, a canned food drive, the annual Junior Livestock Auction, and thousands of exhibits entered in various competitions.

Fairgoers also can expect appearances by a variety of local musical acts and attractions on two stages, as well as clowns, magicians, and other strolling performers.

Fiesta Latina activities will take place on the Theater Main Stage area on Sunday, September 1st, and are presented by Robinson Rancheria Resort and Casino.

Events in the grandstand arena include the Lake County BMX Bicycle Madness trick show and motorhome crash on Thursday, the Lakeport – Ukiah Bomber Challenge final race on Friday, the WGAS Cal State Tuff Truck Finals on Saturday, and the Masters of Destruction One Shot Truck Derby and burnout contest on Sunday, sponsored by the Lake County Tribal Health Consortium.

All grandstand shows start at 7:30 pm.

Local participants also are encouraged in the demo derby, the tuff truck races, and the burnout competition.

Live local entertainment occurs continuously on two stages. The Theater Main Stage will showcase national touring act Twice As Good on Saturday at 8pm. Other local acts, including the LC Diamonds, Snake Alley Band, the “E” Ticket Band, and the Mark Weston Band, will also play the main stage. The Mediacom Stage will host a variety of acts including Travis Rinker, Michael Barrish and the Cherry Road Gang.

A fair parade, the kick-off event for the annual Lake County Fair, takes place beginning at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29.

The parade starts at Natural High in Lakeport, travels south on Main Street, and ends at the main gate to the fairgrounds with the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Upon arrival at the main gate, everyone who enters the parade with a float will receive free entry to the fair.

Fair buildings and grounds swell to bursting with the thousands of displays made, grown, or raised for entry by talented residents both young and young at heart. Entries for judging in the fair include most types of fine arts, home arts and crafts, photography, amateur wine and beer, many types of agriculture and floriculture, livestock, small animals, and horses.

Walk on contests this year include a hula hoop contest, a water balloon toss, an on-the-spot fruit sculpting contest and a bubble gum blowing contest. Horse and wagon rides will be provided free by Calpine Corp.

The annual Junior Livestock Auction takes place on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 1 p.m. in the Baldwin Pavilion. Businesses and individuals are invited to bid on the prize-winning livestock raised and exhibited by local youth.

Various livestock species are displayed throughout the fair, including swine, beef, sheep, goat and horse exhibits from local 4-H and FFA exhibitors. Small animals are represented as well, with chickens, turkeys, rabbits and cavies all residing in the barn areas.

Also in the Baldwin Pavilion, the annual Round Robin contests pit the best showmen and showwomen in each species against each other to be named the best showperson of the fair. The Round Robin takes place at 6 p.m. on Saturday, immediately following the Livestock Auction.

Regular admission prices for the 2013 Lake County Fair remain unchanged since 2011. Prices are $10 for a regular ticket, $6 for a senior over age 60, and $6 for children ages 6 through 11. Children under 6 years old are admitted free every day.

Children through age 11 are admitted for $3 on Thursday, Aug. 29, only, for “Kid's Day.”

A special admission program is in place for Friday, Aug. 30. Anyone who brings four four cans of food to the gate between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. will receive free admission, with the food benefiting local food pantries through Lake County CAN.

The Lake County Fair is located at 401 Martin St., Lakeport.

For more information visit www.lakecountyfair.com .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A vehicle stop conducted last Friday night by a Lake County Sheriff’s patrol deputy has resulted in one arrest and the seizure of prescription medication.

April Lynn Blakley, 46, of Ukiah was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and transportation of a controlled substance, according to Lt. Steve Brooks.

On Aug. 23 at approximately 9:45 p.m. a deputy was traveling westbound on Highway 20 in Upper Lake. Brooks said the deputy was directly behind a Buick sedan when he noticed the vehicle cross over the marked double yellow lines.

The deputy conducted an enforcement stop of the vehicle in the area of Highway 20 and Van Sleeper Drive, according to Brooks.

As the vehicle was pulling over and coming to a stop, the deputy noticed that the driver side brake lamp did not illuminate. Brooks said the deputy also noticed the driver lean toward the passenger side and reach downward.

The deputy contacted the driver, who was identified as 49-year-old Lynne Sisnerov of Fremont, who denied reaching down toward the passenger area when asked by the deputy, Brooks said.

The deputy also contacted Blakley, who was a passenger in the vehicle. Brooks said the deputy had both Blakley and Sisnerov exit the vehicle.

As Blakley was exiting the vehicle, she stopped, reached inside and removed her purse. Brooks said the deputy took custody of the purse and placed it on top of the vehicle. He asked her why she went back for the purse and Blakley replied that it was habit.

The deputy asked Blakley for consent to search her purse, which she provided. The deputy located 33 Hydrocodone pills and five Carisoprodol pills which were in two clear plastic bags. Blakley said she did not have a prescription for the medication and denied ownership, Brooks said.

Blakley told the deputy that the pills belonged to a friend, but refused to identify the friend. When asked why she had her friends medication, Blakley explained she was transporting them to Mendocino County, because her friend did not have a way to transport them, according to Brooks.

Blakley was arrested and transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.

The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Blues music is traditionally a male domain, but some of the country’s premier female blues performers will be on display Labor Day Monday, Sept. 2, in the garden between the Tallman Hotel and Blue Wing Saloon in Upper Lake.

The “Queen of Boogie Woogie” Wendy DeWitt on piano will open the annual Blue Wing Labor Day Blues Extravaganza for the seven-piece band “Girls Got The Blues” headed by vocalist Lara Price.

“With the Lake County Fair over and guests gone home, a little quality music out in the garden is a great way to end the Labor Day weekend,” said Blue Wing owner Bernie Butcher.

The show starts in the cool of the evening at 5:45 p.m. and the price of admission ($50 plus tax) includes the two bands plus a gourmet barbecue dinner.

“Both Wendy DeWitt and Lara Price have wowed the crowd up here several times,” said Butcher. “I knew that, for special occasions, Lara assembles an all-star cast of women into the fabulous band called Girls Got the Blues. We’re in for a treat when they perform for us on Labor Day.”

Wendy DeWitt will warm up the crowd with her energetic and fast paced boogie woogie piano backed by Kirk Harwood on percussion. She has rightly earned the title of “Queen of Boogie” in the Bay Area and beyond.

Lara Price is a dynamic blues vocalist with a non-traditional background. She was born in Vietnam and was part of the 1975 Operation Baby Lift, bringing plane loads of orphans to the US. She was captivated by the blues at an early age and is now a fixture on the South Bay music scene.

All of the musicians that Lara has assembled into this band are stars in their own right. “I’ve not met GG Amos or Janice Maxie Reid,” said Butcher, “but I know for sure that Lara and Pam Hawkins on vocals and Nancy Wright on sax will knock your socks off.”

Pam Hawkins is called the “Hurricane of Soul” and Nancy Wright is the premier female jazz and blues sax player in the Bay Area. Janice Maxie Reid is a classically trained pianist and vocalist whose inspiration and fire come from gospel and jazz. GG Amos heads her own Bay Area Blues Band.

This group will be backed by Ariane Capp on bass and Robin Roth on drums.

Butcher was quick to thank Gregory Graham, Steele and Glamazon Wines as well as Allora DaCar Productions and KXBX 98.3 FM for helping make the Labor Day event possible.

Tickets for the Blue Wing Labor Day Blues Extravaganza may be purchased by calling the Tallman Hotel at 707-275-2244, Extension 0.

After three decades of increases, adult obesity rates remained level in every state except for one, Arkansas, in the past year, according to “F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2013,” a new report from the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Thirteen states now have adult obesity rates above 30 percent, 41 states have rates of at least 25 percent, and every state is above 20 percent, according to the report.

In 1980, no state was above 15 percent; in 1991, no state was above 20 percent; in 2000, no state was above 25 percent; and, in 2007, only Mississippi was above 30 percent.

The report ranked Louisiana No. 1 with the highest obesity and Colorado with the lowest. California was ranked No. 41.

Since 2005, there has been some evidence that the rate of increase has been slowing. In 2005, every state but one experienced an increase in obesity rates; in 2008, rates increased in 37 states; in 2010, rates increased in 28 states; and in 2011, rates increased in 16 states; at that time, the methodology for the report also was changed.

“While stable rates of adult obesity may signal prevention efforts are starting to yield some results, the rates remain extremely high,” said Jeffrey Levi, PhD, executive director of Trust for America's Health. “Even if the nation holds steady at the current rates, Baby Boomers-who are aging into obesity-related illnesses-and the rapidly rising numbers of extremely obese Americans are already translating into a cost crisis for the healthcare system and Medicare.”

Levi added, “In order to decrease obesity and related costs, we must ensure that policies at every level support healthy choices, and we must focus investments on prevention.”

Key findings from the 2013 F as in Fat report include:

• Rates vary by region. Of the states with the 20 highest adult obesity rates, only Pennsylvania is not in the South or Midwest. For the first time in eight years, Mississippi no longer has the highest rate-Louisiana at 34.7 percent is the highest, followed closely by Mississippi at 34.6 percent. Colorado had the lowest rate at 20.5 percent.
• Rates vary by age. Obesity rates for Baby Boomers (45-to 64-year-olds – includes most Baby Boomers, who range from 49-67 year olds) have reached 40 percent in two states (Alabama and Louisiana) and are 30 percent or higher in 41 states. By comparison, obesity rates for seniors (65+ years old) exceed 30 percent in only one state (Louisiana). Obesity rates for young adults (18-to 25-year-olds) are below 28 percent in every state.
• Rates by gender are now consistent. Ten years ago, there was nearly a 6 percentage point difference between rates for men and women (men: 27.5 percent, women: 33.4 percent), and now rates are nearly the same (men: 35.8 percent, women 35.5 percent). Men's obesity rates have been climbing faster than women's for this last decade.
• Rates of "extreme" obesity have grown dramatically. Rates of adult Americans with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher have grown in the past 30 years from 1.4 percent to 6.3 percent-a 350 percent increase. Among children and teens (2-to 19-year-olds), more than 5.1 percent of males and 4.7 percent of females are now severely obese.
• Rates vary by education. More than 35 percent of adults ages 26 and older who did not graduate high school are obese, compared with 21.3 percent of those who graduated from college or technical college.
• Rates vary by income. More than 31 percent of adults ages 18 and older who earn less than $25,000 per year were obese, compared with 25.4 percent of those who earn at least $50,000 per year.

In addition to the latest data showing a stable rate for adult obesity, a new report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) earlier this month shows 18 states and one U.S. territory experienced a decline in obesity rates among preschool children from low-income families.

The report provides state-specific trends in obesity rates among children ages 2 to 4 who are enrolled in federal health and nutrition programs, such as the Special Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

“After decades of unrelenting bad news, we're finally seeing signs of progress. In addition to today's news about the steady rates for adults, we've seen childhood obesity rates declining in cities and states that were among the first to adopt a comprehensive approach to obesity prevention,” said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, MD, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation president and chief executive officer. “But no one should believe the nation's work is done. We've learned a lot in the last decade about how to prevent obesity. Now it's time to take that knowledge to scale.”

F as in Fat features a series examining high-impact policies to prevent and reduce obesity in the United States.

The series highlights significant policy accomplishments over the past decade, including: historic changes to nutrition standards for school foods; improved health screenings for children; changes to improve nutrition and health counseling in the WIC program; increased understanding about how the built environment affects our ability to eat healthy foods and be physically active; the growth of a “complete streets” movement; the launch of a Prevention and Public Health Fund and National Prevention Strategy; and a growth in community-based programs for obesity and related illnesses.

The report includes a growing set of strategies that have improved health- but stresses that they are not yet implemented or funded at a level to reduce obesity trends significantly.

Some key recommendations from the report regarding strategies that should be taken to scale include:

• All food in schools must be healthy;
• Kids and adults should have access to more opportunities to be physically active on a regular basis;
• Restaurants should post calorie information on menus;
• Food and beverage companies should market only their healthiest products to children;
• The country should invest more in preventing disease to save money on treating it;
• America's transportation plans should encourage walking and biking; and
• Everyone should be able to purchase healthy, affordable foods close to home.

The full report with state rankings in all categories and new interactive maps are available at http://www.fasinfat.org/ . TFAH and RWJF collaborated on the report, which was supported by a grant from RWJF.

2012 STATE-BY-STATE ADULT OBESITY RATES

According to recently released CDC data, part of the 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, adult obesity rates by state from highest to lowest were:

Note: 1 = Highest rate of adult obesity, 51 = lowest rate of adult obesity.

1. Louisiana (34.7%); 2. Mississippi (34.6%) 3. Arkansas (34.5%); 4. West Virginia (33.8%); 5. Alabama (33%); 6. Oklahoma (32.2%); 7. South Carolina (31.6%); 8. Indiana (31.4%); 9. Kentucky (31.3%); 10. (tie) Michigan and Tennessee (31.1%); 12. Iowa (30.4%); 13. Ohio (30.1%); 14. Kansas (29.9%); 15. (tie) North Dakota and Wisconsin (29.7%); 17. (tie) Missouri and North Carolina (29.6%); 19. Texas (29.2%); 20. (tie) Georgia and Pennsylvania (29.1%); 22. Nebraska (28.6%); 23. Maine (28.4%); 24. (tie) Illinois and South Dakota (28.1%); 26. Maryland (27.6%); 27. Virginia (27.4%); 28. (tie) New Hampshire and Oregon (27.3%); 30. New Mexico (27.1%); 31. Delaware (26.9%); 32. (tie) Idaho and Washington (26.8%); 34. Nevada (26.2%); 35. Arizona (26%); 36. (tie) Alaska and Minnesota and Rhode Island (25.7%); 39. Connecticut (25.6%); 40. Florida (25.2%); 41. California (25%); 42. (tie) New Jersey and Wyoming (24.6%); 44. (tie) Montana and Utah (24.3%); 46. Vermont (23.7%); 47. (tie) Hawaii and New York (23.6%); 49. Massachusetts (22.9%); 50. District of Columbia (21.9%); 51. Colorado (20.5%).

2012 STATE-BY-STATE ADULT OBESITY RANKINGS FOR BABY BOOMERS

Note: 1 = Highest rate of adult obesity, 51 = lowest rate of adult obesity. Data for this analysis was obtained from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) dataset (publicly available on the web at www.cdc.gov/brfss).

1. (tie) Alabama and Louisiana (40.0%); 3. Arkansas (38.9%); 4. Mississippi (38.5%); 5. Tennessee (38.2%); 6. West Virginia (37.8%); 7. Indiana (37.0%); 8. Missouri (36.9%); 9. South Carolina (36.8%); 10. Oklahoma (36.7%); 11. Kentucky (36.0%); 12. Iowa (35.9%); 13. Wisconsin (35.4%); 14. North Dakota (35.0%); 15. Texas (34.9%); 16. Ohio (34.8%); 17. North Carolina (34.7%); 18. Georgia (34.6%); 19. Nebraska (34.5%); 20 (tie) Maryland and Michigan (34.4%); 22. Kansas (34.3%); 23. Virginia (34.2%); 24. Illinois (33.6%); 25. Delaware (33.5%); 26. Pennsylvania (33.2%); 27. South Dakota (32.9%); 28. Maine (32.5%); 29. Alaska (32.4%); 30. Utah (32.3%); 31. Idaho (32.1%); 32. Oregon (32.0%); 33. District of Columbia (31.9%); 34. (tie) New Hampshire and Washington (31.3%); 36. Nevada (31.1%); 37. California (31.0%); 38. Florida (30.7%); 39. (tie) New Mexico and Rhode Island (30.2%); 41. Minnesota (30.0%); 42. Wyoming (29.4%); 43. Montana (29.1%); 44. Arizona (28.9%); 45. Connecticut (28.4%); 46. New York (27.6%); 47. Massachusetts (27.5%); 48. New Jersey (27.3%); 49. Hawaii (26.8%); 50. Vermont (26.4%); 51. Colorado (24.6%).

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Nearly half of the children living in Lake County are eligible for free or reduced meals. Local United Methodist churches remind residents that Lake County CAN! is working to reduce this statistic.

For the second year in a row, volunteers are joining hearts and hands to stock 12 area food pantries on Friday, Aug. 30, and Saturday, Aug. 31.

New this year, organizers have partnered with the 2013 Lake County Fair. Between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Aug. 30, visitors can receive free admission to the fair for donating four nonperishable food items per person.

The Lake County Fairgrounds are located at 401 Martin St. in Lakeport.

Volunteers are also needed on Saturday, Aug. 31, to sort, pack and deliver the food donations from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Mendo Mill, located at 2465 S. Main St. in Lakeport.

Last year they collected more than one ton of food to distribute around Lake County, but the need is greater than ever.

Help them reach two tons this year. Together we CAN make a difference.

Throughout the year, multiple drop-off sites accept food donations for local pantries.

For a detailed list, and to register to donate or participate during this year’s Lake County CAN! event, go to www.lakecountycan.org .

During registration, participants have the option of signing up for hunger alerts. These alerts will send email notifications when food pantry shelves are running low throughout the year.

Local church partners include United Christian Parish, Upper Lake UMC, Clearlake Community UMC, Kelseyville UMC, Clearlake Oaks Community UMC, Lower Lake Community UMC and Middletown UMC.

Sponsors for the event include United Methodist Communications, the Lake County Fair, Mendo Mill Lake Family Resource-Freedom House Domestic Violence Center and Lake County News.

LOCH LOMOND, Calif. – Emily Newfield, the owner of the Loch Lomond Roadhouse, demures from credit for giving returning Cobb Mountain Elementary School students $4,400 worth of school supplies.

“I think the people who donated deserve all the credit,” said Newfield, who raised the funds this summer. “I don't deserve any credit for this because I couldn't have done it without them.”

Her comment circumvents the fact that the funds couldn't be raised without her.

Indeed, Newfield staged a do-it-yourself one-woman fundraising project worthy of a case study.

It included what she called “guest checks,” printed with the word “Apple” along with a picture of an apple (an apple for the teacher … get it?) a space for the contributor's name and amount pledged.

The guest checks attracted interest in the roadhouse bar, and, in turn, donations.

She also put together a late-July spaghetti feed fundraiser.

Then she took it a step further by personally purchasing all of the school supplies for Cobb Mountain Elementary with the raised funds, some items by searching online, others by shopping at a number of stores, i.e. Staple's, Walmart and Kmart.

“We filled up four shopping carts and raised enough money to buy 100 backpacks,” she said proudly.

Her purchases were targeted to the specific needs for each grade, kindergarten through seventh, at Cobb Elementary.

Newfield worked from a list of recommended supplies she obtained from school principal Shelly Todd.

“But I didn't talk to the school until I was totally done,” said Newfield.

The school expressed its appreciation on its Web site, thanking Newfield for a fundraiser “that supplied all our students with all the necessary supplies needed (and then some) to begin the year!”

The idea of raising funds for Cobb Mountain Elementary students, she added, originated when a bartender at the roadhouse drew her attention to a growing list of needs at the school.

It was a perfect fit for her because her youngest son was a sixth-grade student in the first year of the school's operation in the mid 1980s.

Plus she was looking for a worthy beneficiary after a barbecue benefiting leukemia she had held for four years had to be discontinued when her partner in that event left the area.

“I just thought that little school was so neat,” said Newfield. “They have really good teachers, a garden and started a music program.”

Believe or not, Newfield's donation to a school in the Middletown Unified School District was a complicated process.

“I ran into a lot of roadblocks,” she said.

One MUSD administrator, she added, was “rude” to her.

“I started to get mad and I said 'I'm going to do this,'” Newfield recalled.

One more reason she wanted to was the well-known fact that nearly every adult associated with Cobb Mountain Elementary has ponied up personal funds in support of the school, a model for rural schools.

“Even teachers have been taking money out of their wallets for years,” Newfield asserted. “I just wanted to give them a little rest from their wallet this year.”

Email John Lindblom at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport Police officers and sheriff's deputies made several arrests over the weekend following a large fight in downtown Lakeport.

Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen reported that Timothy Fredrico Navarro, 30, and Jeremy Dale Treadaway, 26, both of Lakeport; Marcos Gonzalez, 25, and Jami Renee White, 29, both of Kelseyville; and James Lee Kollenborn, 56, of Redwood Valley were arrested in the case.

Rasmussen said that at 10:43 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24, four Lakeport Police Department units, assisted by four Lake County Sheriff’s Office units, were dispatched to the Clearlake Club Bar in the 200 block of N. Main St. to investigate the report of 30 persons involved in a physical fight.

Upon arrival officers located subjects outside engaging and challenging each other to fight. Rasmussen said there were large crowds of people in the area who were hostile and interfering with one enforcement efforts to take control of the situation.

Three subjects – Navarro, Treadaway on Gonzales – were immediately arrested for fighting or challenging another to fight in a public place.

After the three subjects were secured in police vehicles, officers continued to remain on scene to monitor the crowd and restore order at the location, Rasmussen said.

During this time, officers again located numerous hostile persons and saw a male subject challenging others, Rasmussen said.

Officers attempted to detain the subject but he resisted arrest and continued being hostile, Rasmussen said. Additional officers assisted and the subject was taken into custody and identified as Kollenborn.

Rasmussen said Kollenborn was charged with challenging another to fight and resisting, delaying and obstructing officers in the performance of their duties.

During Kollenborn’s arrest a female subject identified White was interfering with the situation and was arrested for public intoxication, Rasmussen said.

He said persons who were continuing to loiter in the area were advised to disperse and officers remained on scene for approximately 45 minutes until the area was clear, he said.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – After receiving state and federal regulatory approval, members of Fort Bragg Community Federal Credit Union voted in favor of merging with Mendo Lake Credit Union during a special meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 21.

Mendo Lake will assume all of Fort Bragg Credit Union’s assets and liabilities, and the continuing credit union will maintain the Mendo Lake name and brand.

On Tuesday, Oct. 1, the Mendo Lake Credit Union branch in Fort Bragg will move around the corner into the Fort Bragg Credit Union Office, located at 120 N. Franklin St. ATM service also will be at that same location.

The Fort Bragg office will be managed by MLCU branch manager and longtime Fort Bragg resident, Tracy McDaniel. System integrations are scheduled throughout October, and a smooth transition is anticipated.

In addition, the merger agreement includes a provision for two of the volunteer board members of Fort Bragg Credit Union to join the volunteer Mendo Lake Credit Union board of directors, and one Fort Bragg Credit Union volunteer to join the supervisory/audit committee.

The merger of the two cooperative organizations is designed to assure the best in ongoing service to the continuing membership, ensuring continued stability, vitality and growth.

“The greater capital resources of the combined organization will continue to provide a high level of local service while maintaining the reserves needed for growth and stability in the years to come,” said Richard Cooper, president and chief executive officer of Mendo Lake Credit Union.

All employees of Mendo Lake and Fort Bragg Credit Unions will retain their jobs under the merger agreement, with the exception of Pam Merritt, CEO of Fort Bragg Credit Union, who is looking forward to retiring with over 39 years in the financial world.

Merritt says she sees the merge as “an opportunity for members to have access to additional lending options and expanded services, and to keep all of the employees that members are used to seeing each day.”

Fort Bragg Credit Union has been serving member financial needs since 1952, and Mendo Lake since 1959. Mendo Lake has three additional branches located in Ukiah, Lakeport and Clearlake.

The combined organization will be more than $170 million in total assets and serve more than 24,000 members.

Out of that total, the Fort Bragg branch of Mendo Lake will now have over $50 million in deposits, more than $26 million in loans and serve more than 7,000 members.

Member deposits will continue to be insured to $250,000 by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund – a U.S. Government agency.

For more information visit www.fbcredit.com or www.mlcu.org .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Local animal rescue organizations have a variety of dogs available for adoption this week.

Those looking to add a canine to their homes can find everything from shepherds, cattle dogs and retrievers to a husky, terriers and pit bulls.

Dogs, big and little, pups to mature dogs, are featured from Lake County Animal Care and Control and the SPCA of Clear Lake are featured this week.

In addition to the animals featured here, all adoptable animals in Lake County can be seen here: http://bit.ly/Z6xHMb .

SPCA OF CLEAR LAKE

All dogs have been spayed or neutered, are microchipped and current on all their vaccinations and started on heartworm preventative. For more information on the dogs listed below, contact the SPCA of Clear Lake, 707-279-1400.

'Arthur'

“Arthur” is a blue nose pit bull mix who was found abandoned in a van.

He is very sweet and walks well on a leash. Arthur does not jump or pull and he makes the sweetest grunting noises.

Come on by and take a look at this sweet boy.

'Jade'

“Jade” is a very sweet and beautiful border collie/malamute mix pup.

She is the last of the litter, looking for her forever home.

'Len'

“Len” is a male boxer/lab mix pup. He's a littermate of Larry, seen below.

He's very sweet and full of fun.

'Larry'

“Larry” is a male boxer/lab mix pup.

Like his brother Len, he's a sweet, fun guy.

LAKE COUNTY ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL

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”).

'Delilah'

“Delilah” is a 4-and-a-half-year-old border collie mix.

She weighs nearly 25 pounds, has a short black coat and has been spayed.

Delilah needs a home with no cats. She is more of a woman's dog due to fear of men. Shelter staff said she is good with children of all ages, she's very sweet and loves to play outside.

She's also available for a low adoption fee.

She's in kennel No. 4, ID No. 32044.

Terrier mix

This male terrier mix is 7 months old.

He weighs 29 pounds and has a short brown coat. Shelter staff did not report if he was altered.

Find him in kennel No. 8, ID No. 37318.

'Hank'

“Hank” is a 4-year-old cattle dog mix.

He has a short black and white coat and he's been altered.

Hank is available for a low adoption fee. Shelter staff said he needs to go to a home with no children or cats. He's a very personable, sweet boy just looking for the right home.

He's in kennel No. 9, ID No. 37583.

'Bear'

“Bear” is a 1-year-old Labrador Retriever mix.

He has a short black coat, weighs 66 pounds and has been altered.

He's in kennel No. 16, ID No. 37345.

Shepherd mix

This male shepherd mix is 6 years old.

He weighs 66 pounds, has a short tricolor coat and has been neutered.

He's available for a low adoption fee.

Shelter staff said he is a gentle boy.

Find him in kennel No. 20, ID No. 37597.

Husky mix

This male husky mix is 2 years old.

He has brown eyes, a short red and white coat, and has been neutered.

He's available for a low adoption fee.

Shelter staff said he would be an outstanding addition to an active family willing to exercise him. He has no food aggression, is calm with cats but use caution with huskies, and he gets along with other dogs.

Find him in kennel No. 23, ID No. 37530.

To fill out an adoption application online visit http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dog___Cat_Adoption_Application.htm .

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, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 1 p.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.