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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The 21st session of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Citizens’ Academy is scheduled to commence on May 28, and will be held in Middletown.

Since the academy’s inception in January of 1998, more than 300 members of the community have successfully completed the program.

The Citizens’ Academy has proven to be a highly successful endeavor to educate residents of Lake County on the operations of the sheriff’s office, as well as the issues relating to law enforcement and the judicial system in general.

The Citizens’ Academy has brought the communities of Lake County closer to their sheriff’s office with each graduating class and in 2002, the program received the “Stars of Lake County” award for best idea of the year in Lake County.

While the program is primarily intended for members of the community simply seeking to become more informed on law enforcement issues, those contemplating a career in law enforcement are also welcome to apply.

The overall focus of the program is to provide a better understanding of the policies and procedures of the sheriff’s office, as well as the approach taken to provide law enforcement services to Lake County communities.

Subject matters for the academy include:

– The history of the office of the sheriff;
– The selection and training process for new employees;
– Field training program;
– Central dispatch operations;
– The role and responsibilities of the uniformed deputy;
– Gang enforcement;
– Criminal investigations;
– Crime scene investigations;
– Elder abuse investigations;
– Sex crimes investigations;
– Jail operations;
– Use of force;
– Marine patrol services;
– Narcotics investigations;
– The civil process;
– Coroner’s investigations;
– Press relations;
– Tactical (SWAT/SERT) operations;
– School resource deputy;
– Search and rescue operations;
– K-9 enforcement;
– Internal affairs investigations;
– Marijuana investigations;
– The sheriff’s chaplain program;
– Emergency services; and
– The budget process.

The program consists of 15 three-hour classes offering classroom and “hands-on” instruction by deputy sheriffs, custody staff, supervisors, civilian employees and command staff whose assignments are specific to their respective subject of training.

Classes will be held on Tuesdays from 6 to 9 p.m.

There is no cost to those attending the academy. However, applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications:

– Resident or employment in Lake County;
– At least 18 years of age;
– No felony convictions;
– No misdemeanor convictions within three years;
– Able to attend all fifteen sessions.

Anyone interested in becoming a more informed member of the community is encouraged to participate in this worthwhile program. Those wishing to enroll can do so by visiting the sheriff’s office Web page at www.lakesheriff.com, where you will find a link for the application and instructions.

Applications must be received no later than May 16.

Class size will be limited to 25 students.

Qualified applicants who are not selected for the Summer 2019 academy will be given priority in future academies.

For additional information, please contact academy director, Lt. Corey Paulich, at 707-262-4200.


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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – This week the sacrifices that members of the US Armed Forces made during the Vietnam War are being remembered locally, across the state and the nation.

Friday, March 29, marks National Vietnam War Veterans Day and Saturday, March 30, is Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day in California.

On March 28, 2017, President Donald Trump signed the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act, which officially recognizes March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

“To ensure the sacrifices of the 9 million heroes who served during this difficult chapter of our country’s history are remembered for generations to come, I signed into law the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017, designating March 29 of each year as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. Throughout this Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, and every March 29 thereafter, we will honor all those who answered our Nation’s call to duty,” President Trump said in his proclamation.

As part of the national commemoration, on Friday the Department of Defense will conduct a wreath laying ceremony with the Department of Veterans Affairs at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC.

In California, Vietnam veterans have had a special commemoration for nearly a decade. On Sept. 25, 2009, then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s signed AB 717, which established every March 30 as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” and encouraged the state’s public schools to use the day to teach students about those veterans’ contributions.

The nation also is in the midst of the 13-year Vietnam War Commemoration.

The Department of Defense reported that the commemoration was authorized by Congress, established under the secretary of defense, and launched by President Barack Obama on May 25, 2012.

It recognizes all men and women who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces from Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975.

The Department of Defense said nine million Americans, approximately 6.4 million living today, served during that period.

The commemoration makes no distinction between veterans who served in-county, in-theater, or were stationed elsewhere during those 20 years. “All answered the call of duty,” the agency said in a statement on the war.

Officials said the commemoration continues through Veterans Day 2025.

On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors offered a proclamation honoring the March 29 and 30 commemorations to several local Vietnam veterans.

District 3 Supervisor EJ Crandell, himself a veteran, presented the proclamation.

He noted that his stepfather had served in Vietnam, and he and his family had wondered for many years what bothered him. Later, they found out his stepfather had post traumatic stress disorder.

“You all lived through a trying time and fought through a war where at certain times you weren't appreciated. But we appreciate you now,” Crandell said before reading the proclamation that honored the veterans.

The proclamation, which was sponsored by District 2 Supervisor Bruno Sabatier, noted that the war was an extremely divisive issue in the United States, and members of the US Armed Forces “were caught in the crossfire of public debate.” It wasn’t until 1982 that the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was erected in Washington, DC.

Through their proclamation, the board declared March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day and March 30 as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day in Lake County, offering profound gratitude for the veterans’ extreme sacrifice.

Greg Scott, one of the veterans who received the proclamation, thanked the board.

He mentioned the local contributions of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 951, whose president, Dean Gotham, also was on hand to receive the proclamation. Both men are charter members of the group.

“We’ve very active even though we’re small,” said Scott, noting that they are getting older.

He said the group has offered “commendable outreach,” helping vets with everything from finances to appointments and adding that Gotham is vice chair of the organization’s state council. In that capacity, Gotham travels around the state, informing leaders of issues impacting veterans.

Scott also noted the local Vietnam Veterans of America chapter’s successful work to bring “The Moving Wall” – a traveling version of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial – to Lake County in June 2009.

Scott thanked the board for honoring him and his local Vietnam veterans. “That recognition is a big payback for what most of us have been through.”

Gotham also offered brief remarks thanking the board, noting the nearly six decades of mistakes made regarding Vietnam veterans.

“This is a measure of substantial contribution to the contrary” he said holding up the proclamation and shaking Crandell’s hand.

On Thursday evening, the Clearlake City Council offered its own proclamation honoring Vietnam veterans.

Mayor Nick Bennett, a US Army veteran and retired police sergeant, said in presenting the proclamation to two local veterans that all branches of the military keep the country safe.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors acted to install Dr. Erin Gustafson as permanent Public Health officer.

Dr. Gustafson was initially appointed Lake County’s deputy Public Health officer in November 2017, and elevated to interim Public Health officer in October 2018.

“This is an important step for the county of Lake,” said Board Chair Tina Scott. “Dr. Gustafson has the background and quality of character required to encourage better population health outcomes. We hope many will get the chance to meet Erin at our next round of community visioning forums, which will focus upon health and wellness.”

The early days of Gustafson’s work for the county have brought no shortage of trying circumstances. However, the board credits her with meeting them with tact, grit and determination.

“I chose Lake County because of the extraordinary opportunity to make an impact on the health of the population,” said Gustafson. “Lake County faces challenging economic and social conditions, along with major natural disasters every year since 2015. This is a resilient community that is collaborating to make a positive impact on the health of all of our citizens.”

Gustafson’s swift and insightful work in response to the Mendocino Complex wildfires spoke volumes to her capacity and commitment.

“We dedicated ourselves to ensuring the community was safe, particularly that evacuations of healthcare facilities were accomplished expeditiously and the shelters had their medical needs met.”

Gustafson’s own expedient efforts, informed by experience investigating infectious disease outbreaks for the New York State Department of Health, stemmed the spread of a stomach virus in an emergency shelter.

Dr. Gustafson holds a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from Kansas State University and an MD from the University of Kansas’ School of Medicine.

She completed two years of residency training in pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of Orange County/UC Irvine before her passion for population health led her to preventive medicine. Public Health has been her consistent focus, ever since.

Gustafson weds a strong aspirational vision to great compassion and a commitment to meeting people where they are at.

“During my residency, I learned that only a small percentage of health is a result of medical care, with the remainder coming from the context of community and the social and economic conditions,” she said. “I am excited to continue to lead Lake County’s response to the opioid epidemic, and create a sustainable harm reduction model. Not every drug user, for example, will change from education, alone, and activities such as syringe exchange and increased distribution of naloxone save lives.”

She has already begun work to increase access to Hepatitis C treatment for county residents through UC San Francisco’s Project Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes, or ECHO, and led efforts to realize the best possible local emergency medical care system. Much lies ahead.

“The board’s vision, ‘Considering and promoting the well-being and economic resilience of every Lake County resident,’ will require broad contributions from within and outside of the county,” said Gustafson. “I look forward to continuing to lead through open communication and collaboration with strategic partners.”
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KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Lake Family Resource Center’s 10th annual Kelseyville Olive Festival will take place on Sunday, April 28.

It will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Chacewater Winery & Olive Mill, 5625 Gaddy Lane.

“Lake Family Resource Center is grateful to be affiliated with this first rate Lake County event that is also a fundraiser for our organization,” said Executive Director Lisa Morrow.

Benefits from the event go toward supporting Lake Family Resource Center’s community programs with a mission to “strengthen our community one family at a time.”

This year celebrates the 10th anniversary of this free, family fun event by offering olive mill tours, a variety of artisan and craft booths, food vendors, people’s choice olive oil judging, children’s area with face painting and activities, live music by Lake County’s very own Hip Replacements and of course olives.

Try your luck with the famous pit spitting contest which judges by both distance and accuracy.

Enter the poster contest and earn the right to become the poster art for next year’s festival.

For wine and beer enthusiasts, local wine and beer tastings will be available for a $20 tasting fee.

Vendor applications are still available, donations and sponsorship are always welcome.

Find more information the Lake Family Resource Center’s Web site or Facebook page, or call 707-279-0563 for more information.
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From left, Clearlake Public Works Director Doug Herren was honored on his retirement by Mayor Nick Bennett and Russell Cremer on Thursday, March 28, 2019. Photo courtesy of City Manager Alan Flora.


CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The city of Clearlake is bidding goodbye to its longtime Public Works director, who officials have credited with helping the city make great strides despite limited resources.

A reception for Doug Herren took place on Thursday evening ahead of the Clearlake City Council meeting.

Then, during the meeting, city leaders, staff, county officials and community members lauded Herren for his efforts in serving the city since 2001.

It’s a time of transition for Clearlake, which also this month is bidding farewell to City Manager Greg Folsom, who is taking the city manager’s job at Suisun City. His assistant city manager, Alan Flora, was appointed as the new city manager at the March 14 meeting, as Lake County News has reported.

In Herren’s case, he’s not taking another job but retiring with wife Lori to Idaho.

Clearlake Mayor Nick Bennett said he was sad to see Herren go. “Doug has done wonders over the years with little resources, little staff,” he said.

“We’re going to really miss you. There’s going to be a big hole to fill,” said Councilman Russell Cremer, who added that he hoped the city can find a successor who will measure up to Herren.

Councilman Phil Harris said Herren is more than a Public Works director. He’s been a friend to everyone in the city, and was instrumental in helping with the city’s Measure V sales tax for roads. He’s also been instrumental in getting the city grants for projects.

Harris said those are huge achievements for the city, accomplished in the midst of the chaos of the county’s fire disasters.

Councilwoman Joyce Overton – who told everyone to wave to Herren’s wife, who was watching the livestream of the meeting from Idaho – said Herren has shown what Public Works can do. She said she appreciated Herren’s friendship and his wife’s commitment and support to his time-consuming work.

The council then presented a proclamation to Herren, who received a standing ovation from the full council chamber.

Flora then came forward with an orange traffic cone. “Sometimes you need to use a lot of caution around Doug,” said Flora, who recounted Herren coming to his office, slamming his budget down on his desk and staring at him.

He said Herren has a huge heart and is a hard worker. “He doesn’t give up.”

Flora then gave Herren the traffic cone, signed by city staff, wishing him well and giving him a hug.

“It’s hard to believe this day has finally come,” said Herren, who noted mixed emotions and repeatedly cleared his throat to avoid his voice breaking.

While he’s looking forward to more leisure time, he said he’ll miss his city friends and coworkers. “The city feels like a family to me,” he said, adding, “Leaving today feels like moving away from home for the very first time.”

He thanked Folsom – his 12th city manager – for giving him a chance, for having vision and turning him loose to do his work. Herren said Folsom let him do his job, adding Folsom could have all the credit.

“Thank you, Doug,” Folsom called from the back of the room.

Herren told Flora that he feels that with his vision, direction and team, “You’re destined for greatness.”

He said Clearlake is a great city, and over the past 10 years growth and innovation have been its hallmark.

He thanked his wife for her support and his many friends in the room, from retired Parks Ranger Tom Nixon to Sheriff Brian Martin and county Public Works Director Scott De Leon.

De Leon offered praise for Herren on behalf of himself and his staff, noting that Herren has done some amazing things. “I don’t have to tell you what we do is difficult.”

He presented Herren with a framed picture that he titled “Insanity,” which depicted them in an air boat trying to break up lyngbya mats on Clearlake in 2010.

Phil Dow of the Area Planning Council also lauded Herren, noting there are three things a person can do when they’re faced with not having a lot of money or staff: collect a paycheck, complain or take Herren’s path – “just go do it, get the job done with the resources you have.”

Dow added, “What he’s done here is no small potatoes.”

Folsom said one of the things he values in employees is work hard and getting it done. He said that during the major fires that have impacted the county, Herren has worked 100-hour weeks.

Herren got grants for road projects on 18th and Phillips avenues, and Folsom said the work to build the new portion of the Dam Road Extension – completed last year – may be the pinnacle of Herren’s accomplishments in Clearlake.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Office of Education has announced the winning schools for the 2018-2019 Attendance Challenge.

This was a countywide competition with nearly 10,000 Lake County students participating.

The winners were determined based on the highest average attendance data over two different weeks within the 2018-2019 school year.

The winning schools are:

– Kelseyville Preschool: 93.59 percent
– Upper Lake Elementary School: 97.33 percent
– Terrace Middle School: 95.140 percent
– Konocti Education Center: 92.17 percent
– Clear Lake High School: 96.64 percent
– Hance Community School: Best overall improvement in attendance

The competition for the top spots was fierce, particularly in the middle school category. Middletown Middle School took second place, missing the top spot by only 0.003 of a percentage point.

Upper Lake Elementary School not only had the top attendance rate for all elementary schools, they had the top attendance rate for all Lake County schools with an average attendance rate of 97.33 percent.

“Thank you to the students, families, teachers and school staff for taking the Attendance Challenge seriously,” said Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg.

Falkenberg added, “I’d like to thank the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake Tribe for their generous financial contributions to the winning schools.”

Each winning school will receive $500, an “Attendance Challenge Winner” banner, and bragging rights for the next year. Schools are encouraged to use the money to support and celebrate good attendance.

“The leadership of the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake Tribe is proud to support the efforts of Lake County Office of Education to spotlight the importance of and promote school attendance,” said Sherry Treppa, chairperson of the executive council.

Rob Young, Lake County Office of Education’s Emergency Services/Special Projects Coordinator, organized the event. He explained, “Our goal was to have an event that would stimulate positive conversation about the importance of student attendance at 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,” added Falkenberg.

For more information on the top three winners in each category, please go to www.lakecoe.org. You can read more about attendance at www.lakecoe.org/Attendance.
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Dennis Fordham. Courtesy photo.

Some misconceptions regarding estate planning repeat themselves frequently enough to merit discussion because they are commonplace.

One misconception is that trust documents are filed with the county. False. Only trust transfer deeds transferring real property into the name of the trustee are filed with the county recorder.

Nor are trusts are filed with the court, unless someone were to petition the court for an order regarding the trust and attach the trust as an exhibit. normally, trusts are administered privately by the successor trustee who assumes office when the initial trustee (usually the settlor who established the trust) becomes either incapacitated or dies.

Wills, however, are required to be lodged with the court in the county where the decedent resided. If a probate is required, or is necessary, and one is commenced, then the probate file – including the will – becomes a public record.

A second misconception is that if a person has a will then no probate is required. False. Having a will may require a probate for the will to be administered. Unless the decedent’s probate estate has a gross value of less than $150,000 or the estate is left to the decedent’s surviving spouse (or registered domestic partner), the will is subject to probate.

A third misconception is that wills are notarized. False. Unlike trusts, which are commonly notarized, wills are witnessed and are not notarized. That is, two persons, who are disinterested in the terms of the will and are not beneficiaries must witness the testator signing his or her will.

Alternatively, the testator may later show each witness the will and acknowledge his or her signature after the fact. The witnesses, in turn, each read and sign an attestation clause that makes certain declarations in order for the will to be a so-called, “self-proving” will.

A fourth misconception is that powers of attorney continue to be effective after the person named as the principal in the power of attorney dies. False. Powers of attorneys become completely ineffective once the principal dies. If a person named as an agent in the power of attorney dies, however, that agent may be replaced, if an alternative agent is nominated in the instrument.

A fifth misconception is that all trust assets go to the surviving spouse if the couple established a revocable living trust together. Not always true. Many married couples who established their joint living trust before 2002 still have so-called “A-B” or “A-B-C” Trusts. These more complicated to settle trusts – that transfer the first settlor-to-die’s share of the trust into the irrevocable “B” and sometimes “C” trusts -- were commonly used before 2002; the Estate Tax had the much lower threshold of $600,000.

A sixth misconception is that all powers of attorney are equal. False on many accounts. A power of attorney signed by someone who lacked capacity to sign the instrument or who signed under coercion is invalid.

A pre-printed power of attorney obtained from a stationary store will not address numerous issues covered by an attorney drafted power of attorney.

Generally, an attorney drafted power of attorney specifically address issues and purposes identified in the attorney client meeting. A preprinted stationary power of attorney may or may not be adequate.

A seventh misconception is that a copy of a will is as good as the original. False. A copy of a will is a mere copy. It contains information but is no substitute for the original itself.

Unless a court is persuaded that the original will is missing but was not destroyed – and so revoked – a mere copy of the will is informational.

Many more estate planning misconceptions exist. People who proceed as their own attorney run the hazard of commonplace misconceptions regarding the law.

While engaging an attorney is costly, not engaging an attorney may prove to be even more costly.

Dennis A. Fordham, attorney, is a State Bar-Certified Specialist in estate planning, probate and trust law. His office is at 870 S. Main St., Lakeport, Calif. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and 707-263-3235.

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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The city of Clearlake is set to begin a project to make improvements at the civic center.

On Thursday night the Clearlake City Council unanimously approved the award of a construction contract to Granite Construction for the Burns Valley Civic Center Enhancement Project.

Granite Construction, which was the only company to submit a bid in response to the city’s February project advertisement, is estimating the work will cost approximately $549,136, about $1,000 less than the city engineer’s estimate, according to Public Works Superintendent Mike Baker.

As part of approving Granite Construction’s bid, the city council allowed for new City Manager Alan Flora – who was in the city manager’s seat for the first time on Thursday – to approve up to an additional 10 percent in unforeseen contract amendments.

Baker went over the project’s background, explaining that the civic center location has either no facilities or substandard ones for proper pedestrian and bicycle travel.

He said it will provide pedestrian improvements including high visibility crosswalks, retro-reflective signs and striping, rapid-flashing beacons and other pedestrian/bicyclist improvements.

It also will add sidewalks and a bike route along Olympic Drive from Pine Street to Lakeshore Drive and extend around the corner along the east side of Lakeshore Drive from Olympic Drive to the end of the City Hall property.

The SB1 Local Partner Program will provide $200,000 for the project. The staff report said the remaining $349,136 was to come from the city’s Series A bonds. However, on Thursday night, Baker said only $320,000 in bond funding was available, so staff recommended that the remaining $30,000 come from the gas tax fund.

He said it’s an important project to implement the city’s strategic plan goal No. 3, which is improving the quality of life in Clearlake with improved public facilities.

Councilman Dirk Slooten asked if utility undergrounding is to be a part of the project.

Retiring Public Works Director Doug Herren said no. He said he had talked to Pacific Gas and Electric which has projects that are still a year or two out, and the city didn’t want to wait. Herren said the city needs to set an example by installing curb, gutter and sidewalk at its facilities if it’s requiring it of community members.

Slooten asked if the city could force the company to do their projects quicker. Herren said no, but he added that if PG&E were to do an undergrounding project, it’s unlikely to impact the work by the city, which isn’t buying any right of way.

Councilman Phil Harris asked about the location of the high visibility crosswalks. Herren said the location is at Olympic and Pine, not Olympic and Lakeshore.

Harris asked if there are provisions for lighting in the project; Herren said no. Harris then followed up by asking if the city could incorporate conduit and vaults into its work in order to make provisions for future undergrounding projects.

Herren said it’s possible, noting that many construction projects are up to four years behind due to the region’s fires. He said more projects are now using line or directional boring for undergrounding, which is less destructive.

Slooten said the City Hall property probably isn’t now compliant with federal Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. “It’s important that we set an example.”

Councilman Russell Cremer moved to approve the contract award, which the council approved 5-0.

In other business on Thursday, the council approved an agreement with the Lake County Tourism Improvement District for administrative services related to collection of the newly established 1.5-percent assessment from lodging establishments within the city and held a first reading of an ordinance to make what City Attorney Ryan Jones termed as a “minor amendment” to the city code’s exceptions to competitive bidding requirements.

The council also approved a resolution certifying the appointment of Jill Martin as the city’s finance director. Martin is a recent retiree in the CalPERS system. Flora told the council members that they needed to certify that the position is critically needed in order to waive the requirement that she not work for another CalPERS employer within six months of her retirement.

Martin will be a retired annuitant, which allows her to work up to 960 hours per fiscal year. Flora, who has held the finance director job along with the assistant city manager job, said the city will now work on finding a permanent finance director.

On Thursday the council also gave Herren a sendoff – with a reception before the meeting and honors at the start of the meeting.

The council also honored honor retiring police dispatcher Wendy England, presented a proclamation recognizing March 29 as Vietnam Veterans Day and heard a report on the Public, Education and Government Channel’s annual budget.

Departing City Manager Greg Folsom – who hired Flora last year – spoke briefly during public comment, reporting that it was Flora’s birthday and leading everyone in singing “Happy Birthday” to him.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A Fairfield woman has been sentenced to probation, fines and community service for environmental crimes in relation to a black market marijuana grow in Lower Lake.

On March 11, Elizabeth Garcia, 33, was sentenced to three misdemeanor violations relating to the use of a banned pesticide at the grow, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Garcia was placed on three years probation, ordered to pay fines and fees of $22,700 and complete 240 hours of community service. In addition, she has prohibitions related to cannabis possession and cultivation.

The violations stem from a September 2018 investigation by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the California State Water Resources Control Board, or SWRCB, for black market sales and environmental crimes. The illegal grow contained 850 plants and was not permitted by the county or licensed by the state.

"The conviction of this case was a result of a team effort with CDFW scientists and enforcement, SWRCB, U.C. Davis Veterinary Medicine and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation," said Lake County District Attorney Susan Krones. "The abundance of natural resources in our county should be respected and treated with care. This conviction demonstrates that noncompliance with state environmental laws will not be tolerated."

While serving a search warrant, wildlife officers observed the presence of a suspected illegal substance and a dead bird, identified as a hermit thrush, found within the cultivation site and another bird carcass nearby. Plant samples and the deceased bird were tested and both returned positive for carbofuran.

"Black market marijuana operations can be very harmful to the environment," said David Bess, deputy director and chief of the CDFW Law Enforcement Division. "Grows of this nature are a public safety threat and keep the legal cannabis market from reaching its full potential."

Carbofuran has been banned in the United States since 2009. A single aspirin-sized tablet of carbofuran is toxic enough to kill 20,000 small birds and just a teaspoon can kill a 300-lb. black bear.

CDFW encourages cannabis operators to obtain state licenses and local authorization for commercial cultivation. Learn more at wildlife.ca.gov/cannabis.

CDFW would like to remind the public to report environmental crimes such as water pollution, illegal water diversions and poaching to the CalTIP hotline by calling 888-334-2258 or by texting "CALTIP" followed by a space and the desired message, to 847411 (tip411).
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Want to take a trip to the center of the Milky Way? Check out a new immersive, ultra-high-definition visualization.

This 360-movie offers an unparalleled opportunity to look around the center of the galaxy, from the vantage point of the central supermassive black hole, in any direction the user chooses.

By combining NASA Ames supercomputer simulations with data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, this visualization provides a new perspective of what is happening in and around the center of the Milky Way.

It shows the effects of dozens of massive stellar giants with fierce winds blowing off their surfaces in the region a few light years away from the supermassive black hole known as Sagittarius A* – Sgr A* for short.

These winds provide a buffet of material for the supermassive black hole to potentially feed upon. As in a previous visualization, the viewer can observe dense clumps of material streaming toward Sgr A*. These clumps formed when winds from the massive stars near Sgr A* collide.

Along with watching the motion of these clumps, viewers can watch as relatively low-density gas falls toward Sgr A*.

In this new visualization, the blue and cyan colors represent X-ray emission from hot gas, with temperatures of tens of millions of degrees; red shows ultraviolet emission from moderately dense regions of cooler gas, with temperatures of tens of thousands of degrees; and yellow shows of the cooler gas with the highest densities.

A collection of X-ray-emitting gas is seen to move slowly when it is far away from Sgr A*, and then pick up speed and whip around the viewer as it comes inwards. Sometimes clumps of gas will collide with gas ejected by other stars, resulting in a flash of X-rays when the gas is heated up, and then it quickly cools down.

Farther away from the viewer, the movie also shows collisions of fast stellar winds producing X-rays. These collisions are thought to provide the dominant source of hot gas that is seen by Chandra.

When an outburst occurs from gas very near the black hole, the ejected gas collides with material flowing away from the massive stars in winds, pushing this material backwards and causing it to glow in X-rays. When the outburst dies down the winds return to normal and the X-rays fade.

The 360-degree video of the Galactic Center is ideally viewed through virtual reality (VR) goggles, such as Samsung Gear VR or Google Cardboard. The video can also be viewed on smartphones using the YouTube app.

Moving the phone around reveals a different portion of the movie, mimicking the effect in the VR goggles. Finally, most browsers on a computer also allow 360-degree videos to be shown on YouTube. To look around, either click and drag the video, or click the direction pad in the corner.

Dr. Christopher Russell of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (Pontifical Catholic University) presented the new visualization at the 17th meeting of the High-Energy Astrophysics (HEAD) of the American Astronomical Society held in Monterey, Calif. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, manages the Chandra program for NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge, Massachusetts, controls Chandra's science and flight operations.

Read more from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory at http://www.nasa.gov/chandra.
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UKIAH, Calif. – A defendant who planted a pipe bomb under the kitchen sink in an attempt to inflict injury on his wife in August was committed to California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Wednesday by the Mendocino County Superior Court.

Gerald Richard Orth, age 63, formerly of Ukiah, was sentenced to seven years in state prison, a sentence from his January conviction by plea of attempting to explode a destructive device with intent to wrongfully injure another person, a felony, according to the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office.

Because Orth also admitted a prior felony conviction for a forcible rape that occurred in 1982 in Lake County, a “strike” under the current version of the Three Strikes law, his sentence was doubled to 14 years, officials said.

A strike conviction also limits the good time/work time credits an inmate may be able to earn in state prison to no more than 20 percent – versus the default 50 percent – of the overall sentence.

The prosecutor who has been directing the prosecution of this defendant is Deputy District Attorney Scott McMenomey.

The investigating law enforcement agencies that gathered the necessary evidence to convict were the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Bomb Squad and the Fresno Police Department.

Mendocino County Superior Court Judge John Behnke imposed the state prison sentence after considering the Adult Probation Department's sentencing recommendation and listening to sentencing arguments presented by the attorneys.




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MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – The Mendocino National Forest is planning a hazard tree management project on approximately 7,000 acres adjacent to selected roads within the Ranch fire area.

The purpose of the project is to provide a safe transportation system to access key areas including private property, communication sites, facilities and developed recreation areas.

The project involves treating all hazard trees that compromise forest visitor and employee safety along priority roads.

Merchantable trees with 50 percent or greater probability of fire-induced mortality that pose a hazard will be removed within 200 feet on both sides of selected roads and within 100 feet on the roads that run adjacent to the Snow Mountain Wilderness.

Smaller non-merchantable hazard trees will be treated in a variety of ways such as chipping or hauling to biomass processing plants.

Hazard tree management along travel corridors is a forest-wide safety priority that needs to be completed before roads within the burned area can be safely reopened to the public.

The first project will be the Bartlett project on the Upper Lake Ranger District, involving approximately 500 acres around Bartlett Springs Road and arterial roads.

The Ranch fire area remains closed due to potential threats to life and safety.

“Post-fire threats include flooding, debris flows, hazard trees and loss of ingress and egress along roads, trails, recreation areas, and facilities,” said Forest Supervisor Ann Carlson. “Forest employees are doing everything possible to reasonably reduce risks to the public and reopen areas as soon as possible. We are also exploring opportunities for volunteers to help with cleanup and restoration.”

The areas proposed for hazard tree management will be analyzed under 36 CFR 220.6 (d) (4), to meet National Environmental Protection Act requirements.

This category provides for repair and maintenance of roads, trails and landline boundaries.

A larger version of the project map is available here.

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