U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) voted on Wednesday in favor of H.R. 1314, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015.

Thompson's office said the agreement raises the debt limit until March 15, 2017, and sets increased spending levels for two years by partially rolling back sequestration cuts by $80 billion, which will be split equally between defense and nondefense spending.

The agreement also mitigates increases in Medicare Part B premiums that were forecast to impact certain beneficiaries in 2016, limits Part B deductible increases for all Medicare beneficiaries, and it keeps the Social Security disability insurance trust fund solvent until 2022, Thompson reported.

“While the bipartisan budget agreement isn’t perfect, it is better than continuing to govern crisis-to-crisis and cliff-to-cliff,” said Thompson. “It doesn’t include everything I want, nor does it include everything Republicans want. However, it helps keep our government open, makes sure we pay our bills on time, and eases job-killing, across-the-board sequestration cuts. With some stability now in place, both parties should use this modest compromise as a framework to come together to work on a long-term budget solution that puts people to work, lowers our debt and invests in our future.”

The bill passed by a bipartisan vote of 266-167. It now goes to the Senate for consideration. 

Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.

Entering what could be a significant rainy season due to El Niño conditions, state officials said Californians need to be aware of the dangers of landslides and how to best prepare for them.

“A day or two of steady rainfall clearly can do the trick,” said California’s State Geologist Dr. John Parrish. “And that’s particularly true in the several areas around the state in which wildfires have occurred.”

A landslide is any mass of earth and rock that moves downhill by sliding, flowing or falling.

Large, slow-moving landslides composed of bedrock can cause extensive property damage, while debris flows, often called mudslides, can move very quickly.

The California Geological Survey notes that although landslides may occur at any time of year, their occurrence is far more likely when the weather turns rainy.

“Landslides often reoccur in the same unstable locations, or in areas where the vegetation has been burned away, but they can happen on any sloped surface,” Parrish said. “As a seismically active state, we do everything we can to prepare for earthquakes and tsunamis – the geologic phenomenon that can cause widespread damage. But landslides are much more common, and while not on the same scale as earthquakes or tsunamis, they can cause very significant localized damage. Furthermore, while there’s often some warning and time to get out of the path of the larger slides, the speed and force of some smaller ones can be compared to a speeding train.”

On Oct. 16, mudslides engulfed nearly 200 vehicles on Highway 58 in Kern County and shut down Interstate 5 over the Grapevine.

The next day, nearly 2 inches of rain in the foothills caused mudslides that blocked rural roads in parts of Amador and Calaveras counties impacted by the Butte Fire.

The damage is not limited to roadways. Homes and other structures are just as vulnerable as roads to the threat of slides.

“People who own homes that survived the summer’s large fires have another reason to be concerned and alert now that the rainy season has begun,” said Chris Wills, who heads the California Geological Survey’s landslide mapping program. “If your residence is on a slope or at the foot of one, it’s a good idea to hire a consulting geologist to do a site-specific assessment of the landslide potential.”

Another safety tip: check for fresh cracks in the soil, areas of bare soil (the root systems of plants and trees hold soil together), and water or mud streaming downhill.

Three or more inches of rain a day or a quarter-inch an hour also increases the likelihood of a landslide, as soil quickly becomes waterlogged.

“Use your ears as well as your eyes,” Wills advised. “If you hear a rumbling sound, it could be soil giving away, signaling the start of a debris flow.”

The California Geological Survey works with the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, Caltrans and Cal Fire to identify areas impacted by wildfires that are more likely to be impacted by landslides.

Fire causes soil to become less absorbent; some burning plants give off a waxy residue and when coupled with ash, can clog pores in the soil, thereby causing rainwater to run off faster and increasing erosion and flooding.

In the last quarter-century, landslides have killed more than 100 people and caused millions of dollars’ worth of damage to roadways and homes in California.

“The good news is that if residents take some simple precautions and pay attention to the warning signs, they can minimize property damage and possibly save lives – including their own,” Parrish said.

Visit the California Geological Survey Web site for more information about landslides, including maps, tips for residents and mitigation steps.

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – A Lower Lake man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol following a solo-vehicle crash early Sunday morning that left him with serious injuries.

Kyle Pearce, 28, was arrested following the crash, which occurred at around 2:30 a.m. Sunday on Highway 29 south of Diener Drive, according to the California Highway Patrol's Clear Lake Area office.

CHP Office Joe Wind said Pearce was driving southbound on Highway 29 in a 2004 Jeep Liberty when his vehicle rolled.

Radio reports from the scene had indicated that after the crash the vehicle caught fire and the driver was trapped but successfully extricated.

The vehicle fire was reported to have resulted in a quarter-acre of the nearby hillside burning before firefighters put it out, according to reports from the scene.

Wind said Pearce, who was wearing his seat belt, suffered major injuries.

Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash, and Wind said Pearce was placed under arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence before he was transported to the hospital.

Pearce was taken via REACH air ambulance to Kaiser Permanente Vacaville Medical Center for treatment, Wind said.

Wind said CHP Officer Shawn Bertram is investigating the crash.

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.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The 77th quilt block on the Lake County Quilt Trail is “Burns Valley Tiger.”

It has been installed on the Burns Valley School, located at 3629 Pine St., Clearlake, and is sponsored by Burns Valley School.

“Burns Valley Tiger,” an 8-foot by 8-foot quilt block, is sponsored by the Burns Valley Parent Teacher
Organization.

Burns Valley School was built in 1934 and is in the Konocti Unified School District.

The school has been educating the children of Clearlake for more than 80 years.

The main building has a bell tower and bell which would ring to call Lake County children to school. It has been said the bell could be heard across the lake.

The bell is still rung on the first and last day of school every year. Burns Valley School is on one side of Austin Park with a wonderful view of Clear Lake. The school also can be seen from Lakeshore Drive and Olympic Avenue.

The Lake County Quilt Trail is an agricultural and tourism project designed to promote community pride.

The quilt block was drawn and painted by the Lake County Quilt Trail team which is a group of dedicated volunteer quilters, graphic artists, painters, writers, carpenters and a videographer.

For more information about the Lake County Quilt Trail visit www.lakecountyquilttrail.com or visit the group on Facebook.

Caltrans has launched the planning process for the first California State Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, or CSBPP.

The visionary and comprehensive CSBPP will focus on improving safety and access for everyone across all modes, particularly bicycle and pedestrian.

“More Californians are choosing alternatives to driving that have health benefits and cut greenhouse gases,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. “Caltrans will collaborate with a variety of stakeholders who have a stake in safe and accessible transportation in California.”

In keeping with Caltrans’ new mission to “provide a safe, sustainable, integrated, and efficient transportation system to enhance California’s economy and livability,” bicycle and pedestrian transportation must play a larger role in California’s transportation system.

Public participation is critical to developing a Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan that strengthens bicycling and pedestrian safety and increases opportunities across the State.

To achieve wide participation, Caltrans is engaging a broad range of stakeholders through targeted outreach activities statewide.

Additionally, Caltrans has launched the CSBPP Web site at www.cabikepedplan.org , where visitors may take an online survey and sign up for email updates about new project information and outreach activities. You can also follow the hashtag #CSBPP on Twitter for more information.

When completed in the upcoming year, the CSBPP will help guide future investments, such as Caltrans’ Active Transportation Program (ATP), which funds projects that take cars off the road, helping to clean the air, conserve our natural resources, and promote healthier, sustainable communities.

To date, Caltrans has allocated $360 million statewide in ATP grants. On Oct. 23, 114 biking and walking projects were adopted as part of its 2015 Active Transportation Program.

The CSBPP will provide a framework to guide the planning and development of non-motorized transportation on State facilities and maximize the use of future investments.

It will also lead to improved connections between the state’s bicycle and pedestrian facilities with the existing network and other modes of transportation, as well as help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and vehicles miles traveled.

The plan will not replace existing policies and implementation plans at the regional and local levels.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Authorities in Glenn County have arrested two men for their part in an illegal marijuana grow in the Mendocino National Forest.

Jose Herrera Ortiz, 29, of Michoacan, Mexico, and Fernando Herrera Esquivel, 24, of Bakersfield were taken into custody last week, according to a report from the Glenn Interagency Narcotics Task Force, or GLINTF.

On Oct. 23 GLINTF, along with the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Forest Service officers and California Department of Fish and Wildlife K-9 officers conducted a raid of a marijuana cultivation site that had been located in the forest.

During the raid, Herrera Ortiz and Herrera Esquivel were taken into custody as they attempted to flee the site, officials reported.

Law enforcement officers located two loaded handguns, along with 352 marijuana plants that were eradicated and disposed of, officials said.

Approximately 43 pounds of processed marijuana was located in the cultivation site. The marijuana plants that were seized weighed a total of 563 pounds, according to the report.

Officials said the street value of the marijuana was $395,000.

Both men were booked into the Glenn County Jail for marijuana cultivation, criminal conspiracy will destruction of public land, diverting water and littering, and a special allegation of being armed with a firearm, with bail for each et at $126,000, authorities said.

The California Highway Patrol and the California Office of Traffic Safety are working together to reduce collisions caused by impaired driving.

The Reducing Impaired Driving II (RID II) campaign will focus on a combination of education and enforcement efforts aimed at saving lives and reducing driving under the influence.

The year-long campaign continues through Sept. 30, 2016.

The CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System shows, 645 people were killed while another 10,478 others were injured in impaired driving collisions in 2013.

Each of these collisions represents a preventable tragedy that had a profound effect on all those involved.

“A DUI crash or arrest can be avoided by designating a sober driver, using public transit, calling a taxi, or by staying where you are for the night,” CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow said. “Spending a little money to get home safely is a bargain compared to the cost of a DUI arrest. The fine for a first-offense DUI along with associated costs can exceed $15,000.”

To reduce impaired driving in California, the CHP will conduct traffic safety presentations, DUI checkpoints, and saturation patrols throughout California. These efforts are designed to raise public awareness and apprehend impaired drivers.

Additionally, the CHP will actively participate in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, anti-DUI campaign.

The CHP would like to remind the public to call 9-1-1 if they see a suspected impaired driver. Be prepared to provide the dispatcher with a location, direction of travel and vehicle description.

The CHP will continue to make every effort to remove impaired drivers from the roadway to prevent the loss of life, injury, and property damage.

If you have questions regarding impaired driving, please contact your local CHP Area office. The CHP's Clear Lake Area office can be reached at 707-279-0103.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through NHTSA.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A man identified as one of two people responsible for a July armed robbery at a Clearlake bank has been arrested in Michigan.

Samuel Campbell, 25, formerly of New York, was taken into custody by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Flint, Mich., on Oct. 20, according to a report from Lt. Tim Celli of the Clearlake Police Department.

On the morning of July 8 the Bank of the West, located at 15050 Olympic Drive in Clearlake, was robbed at gunpoint by two suspects, one a male and the other a female, as Lake County News has reported.

Celli said Clearlake Police officers and detectives responded to the reported robbery, working diligently to collect evidence and statements to aide in the identification of the suspects.

Through the course of the investigation, evidence was collected that ultimately led to the identification of the male subject as Campbell, Celli said.

Clearlake Police investigators requested the assistance of the FBI. Through the efforts of Clearlake Police Officer Joseph Myers and the FBI, the investigation led to Flint, Mich., Celli said.

Celli said that a federal arrest warrant was obtained for Campbell through the assistance of the FBI and the United States Attorney General’s Office.

Last Tuesday, the FBI located and arrested Campbell in Flint. Celli said Campbell is currently in custody in Michigan, awaiting extradition to California.

Campbell refused to provide a statement to the arresting officers, Celli said.

The investigation is still under way to positively identify the female subject who took part in the robbery. Celli said a person of interest has been developed.

The Clearlake Police Department thanked the FBI for its assistance in locating and capturing Campbell. 

Any person with information on this case is urged to contact Officer Joseph Myers at 707-994-8251, Extension 505.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake Area Rotary Club Fire Relief Fund is offering a grant program to businesses located in the areas affected by this summer's fires in Lake County.

The goal of this grant program is to assist in fire recovery with an emphasis on getting store front, agriculture and home businesses back into operation or preventing them from closing due to losses suffered as a result of the fires.

Losses can be economic or physical and grants of up to $2,000 will be made based upon need.

“Businesses are the heart of a community and we believe that it’s important to support them in the rebuilding process while helping them get back on their feet during these unprecedented times,” said Andy Peterson, chair of the Lake Area Rotary Club Fire Relief Fund.

To complete a grant application online, or to print an application, visit www.larca5130.org .

Completed applications should be mailed to LARCA Business Grant Program, P. O. Box 2921, Clearlake, CA 95422.

Questions can be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-279-0563.

For more information on the Lake Area Rotary Club Fire Relief Fund or to make donations, go to www.larca5130.org .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County District Attorney's Office has released a full report on the in-custody death of a Santa Rosa woman in August.

District Attorney Don Anderson's report concluded that the Aug. 2 death of 56-year-old Elizabeth Dara Gaunt was a suicide.

Anderson's final report explained that Gaunt was taken into custody on the afternoon of Aug. 1 after deputies responded to a report of a suspicious female in Nice banging on residential yard gates.

Gaunt was arrested for giving deputies false identification and being under the influence of a controlled substance, Anderson said.

Anderson said Gaunt was taken to the Lake County Jail for booking, during which she denied being suicidal when questioned by jail staff.

Shortly after 1:30 p.m. Aug. 1 Gaunt was placed in a sobering cell where she remained for just over 24 hours, until her death, based on the report.

From shortly before 4 p.m. Aug. 1 until just before 12:30 p.m. Aug. 2 Gaunt had another woman as a cellmate, the report said.

The report explained that at about 1:45 p.m. Aug. 2, just over an hour after her cellmate was moved out, Gaunt tried to get the attention of correctional officers; she is believed to have said something like, “Please help me,” and in a followup exchange with a sergeant began yelling and asking for help. She also stated she did not feel good.

At approximately 2:09 p.m., a correctional officer did a cell check, and could see Gaunt's feet moving and heard her making noise. Anderson's report said the officer went to the booking area and asked another officer to check the monitor.

It was another 15 minutes before still another correctional officer entered Gaunt's cell and found her on the floor, a strip of her torn up cell blanket around her neck and also tied to the sink, Anderson said.

The correctional officers began CPR on Gaunt, Anderson said, with paramedics arriving at 2:36 p.m. and transporting her to the nearby Sutter Lakeside Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 3:12 p.m.

An autopsy ruled that Gaunt died from asphyxia due to hanging, and a drug screen found that she had a level of methamphetamine in her system that was potentially toxic, Anderson reported.

Anderson's report included a chronology based on law enforcement personnel reports and interviews, statements of a fellow inmate, as well as jail records and video surveillance.

“It is the finding of the Lake County District Attorney’s Office that Elizabeth Dara Gaunt died of self inflicted injuries as a result of her attempt to commit suicide,” Anderson wrote. “It is further our finding that correctional officers and medical staff at the Lake County Correctional facility acted appropriately in their care of Ms. Gaunt and made every effort to save her life. No wrong doings have been found and there shall be no criminal charges filed on any individual in this matter.”

Gaunt was a native of Indiana who had come to California in 1990, according to her obituary. She received a master's degree in counseling and worked as a substance abuse counselor in Santa Rosa.

Anderson's full report is posted below.

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.

FINAL REPORT
IN CUSTODY DEATH OF ELIZABETH DARA GAUNT

INTRODUCTION

On August 1, 2015, at about 1:27 p.m., Officers of the Lake County Sheriff’s Department arrested Elizabeth Dara Gaunt at Lakeshore Blvd. and Sayre Street in Nice, California, for violation of Penal Code Sections 148.9, producing false identification to a peace officer and Health and Safety Code Section 11550, use or being under the influence of a controlled substance.

On August 2, 2015, at about 2:26 p.m. officers from the Lake County Correctional facility discovered Elizabeth Dara Gaunt hanging in her sobering cell. Life saving measures was attempted by correctional officers and medical staff; however, such efforts were not successful and Ms. Gaunt succumbed to her injuries.

It is the finding of the Lake County District Attorney’s Office that Elizabeth Dara Gaunt died of self inflicted injuries as a result of her attempt to commit suicide. It is further our finding that correctional officers and medical staff at the Lake County Correctional facility acted appropriately in their care of Ms. Gaunt and made every effort to save her life. No wrong doings have been found and there shall be no criminal charges filed on any individual in this matter.

FACTS

On August 1, 2015 at about 11:39 a.m. Lake County Sheriff’s Dispatch Center received several calls of a suspicious female in the area of Lakeshore Blvd. and Sayre Street in Nice, California. It was reported that this white female adult was banging on different yard gates to residences in the area. Deputies Kalen Brockwalder and Michael Davis were dispatched to this incident.

At about 12:13 p.m. deputies Brockwalder and Davis contacted Elizabeth Gaunt. They were later joined by Deputies Alvear and Kruetzer. In questioning Ms. Gaunt she gave deputy Brockwalder the false name of Carrey Scott and maintained that name throughout his contact with her.

Deputy Brockwalder also noted other incorrect information from Ms. Gaunt, such as it was the year 2005, they were in Florida and George Bush was president. Ms. Gaunt denied taking drugs; however, after a drug evaluation test by deputy Brockwalder he formed the opinion Ms. Gaunt was under the influence of a controlled substance.

Elizabeth Gaunt was placed under arrest for being under the influence of a controlled substance and booked under that charge. After determining her true identity an additional charge of providing false information to a peace officer was added.

At booking, deputy Brockwalder asked Ms. Gaunt if she wanted to hurt herself or had any suicidal thoughts. Her response was “No”.

Below is a chronological account of the events after Elizabeth Gaunt arrived at the Lake County Correctional Facility. This account is evidenced by officer’s reports and interviews, jail records and video surveillance.

August 1, 2015

1:07 p.m. Elizabeth Gaunt arrives at the booking desk where she was searched and booked into the facility. In her Pre-Booking Medical Report, Ms. Gaunt replies that she is not suicidal but does acknowledge she is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. There are no notations or information gathered from the Sobering Cell Inmate Assessment Forms, Booking Forms and Sobering Cell logs that would alert correctional officers or medical personnel that Ms. Gaunt was considering harming herself.

1:34 p.m. Elizabeth Gaunt is placed in sobering cell number 2.

3:47 p.m. April Holland is placed in sobering cell number 2 with Ms. Gaunt.

7:20 p.m. Nurse Briggs does a medical review for Ms. Gaunt.

8:46 p.m. Nurse Briggs does a medical review for Ms. Gaunt.

10:22 p.m. Nurse Quillen does a medical review for Ms. Gaunt.

August 2, 2015

3:33 a.m. Nurse Quillen does a medical review for Ms. Gaunt

5:21 a.m. Nurse Quillen does a visual check on Ms. Gaunt.

9:56 a.m. Officer Prince does a cell check, notes “nurse in” on log.

10:07 a.m. Nurse Robbins does medical review for Ms. Gaunt with Officer Prince.

12:21 p.m. April Holland is removed from Sobering Cell number 2 for release. April Holland later reports that Ms. Gaunt was nice with her and did not see anything that appeared out of the ordinary. She did describe her as being a little “Out there”.

12:58 to 1:20 p.m. Ms. Gaunt first picks up her blanket and goes behind the wall examining it. She starts tearing the blanket, and then starts examining and testing the strength of the sink.

1:09 p.m. Ms. Gaunt starts tearing blanket into pieces again.

1:19 p.m. Ms. Gaunt starts examining the sink and again tries to take apart sink fixtures.

1:23 p.m. Sgt Leffler does a cell check, Ms. Gaunt gets up and walks to the door to talk to her.

1:28 p.m. Ms. Gaunt returns to the sink and starts examining it again.

1:38 p.m. Sgt. Leffler has a conversation with Ms. Gaunt.

1:44 to 1:46 p.m. Ms. Gaunt tries to get correctional officer’s attention and said something sounding like “Please help me”. Sgt Leffler comes to door and speaks with Ms. Gaunt. Ms. Gaunt becomes agitated and continues to yell through the door asking if they can hear her and asking for someone to help her. Sgt. Leffler later states she told Ms. Gaunt to remove the blanket strips from her feet. Sgt. Leffler said she could not talk to Ms. Gaunt because Ms. Gaunt would only scream at them. She did recall Ms. Gaunt indicate she was not feeling good. She reported this to Nurse Robbins.

1:52 p.m. Nurse Robbins walks up to cell door then walks away after making a log entry.

1:53 p.m. Nurse Robbins gets contact information from Ms. Gaunt regard her ex-husband and son.

1:55 to 2:07 p.m. Ms. Gaunt takes strips off the blanket and starts looking at the toilet, then starts talking to herself. She walks to the front of the cell and picks up strips of blanket, she then attempts to secure a strip of blanket to sink nozzle, then goes to the cell door. She picks up a strip of blanket from the front of the cell and goes back to the sink. Ms. Gaunt attaches a strip of blanket to the sink nozzle. She wraps the strip of blanket around her neck. She lays down between the toilet and the wall and ties a knot in the strip of blanket that is around her neck. She struggles for a short time and turns onto her left side.

2:09 p.m. Officer Prince arrives at cell window and does a cell check. Ms. Gaunt's feet are visible from the window as they extend past the wall. Ms. Gaunt’s feet are moving and she is making noise. Office Prince returns to booking area and asks Officer Aleman to check the monitor.

2:24 to 2:26 p.m. Officer McCollough does a cell check by entering the cell and observes Ms. Gaunt on the floor. He calls for assistance, then removes the blanket from the sink. Officers move Ms. Gaunt to the center of the cell and start CPR.

2:36 p.m. Paramedics arrive and begin treatment. Ms. Gaunt is transported to the hospital.

3:12 p.m. Ms. Gaunt is pronounced dead at Lakeside Hospital.

INVESTIGATION

Independent investigations are conducted by the Lake County Sheriff’s Department and the Lake County District Attorney’s Office. Although the investigations are independent of each other, interviews, evidence, records and investigations are shared between the departments.

A review of the Observation Logs concerning Ms. Gaunt show that in the two hours prior to discovering Ms. Gaunt, cell checks were conducted by correctional officers eight times, at 12:23, 12:38, 12:53, 1:10, 1:25, 1:40, 2:07 and the last on 2:25 p.m.. This is consistent with Lake County Sheriff’s Department policy.

On August 5, 2015, an autopsy was conducted by Arnold R. Josselson. The autopsy findings are as follows:

    1. Multiple cutaneous abrasions and contusions.
    2. Abrasion furrow of neck.
    3. Bilateral hemothoraces, most likely caused by CPR.
    4. Hemopericardium, most likely caused by CPR.
    5. Bilateral rib fractures, most likely caused by CPR.

The cause of death is stated as Asphyxia due to hanging, (minutes).

Central Valley Toxicology completed a drug screen from Blood submitted by the Lake County Sheriff’s Department. The reports stated that Elizabeth Gaunt had a methamphetamine level of 0.80 mg/L and amphetamine level of 0.09 mg/L. The report states that a potentially toxic level of methamphetamine is 0.2 – 5 mg/L.

Medical records from the California Forensic Medical Group indicate notations for Ms. Gaunt of substance abuse and chronic pain on May 17, 2011. Medical reports also show a history of substance abuse.

Information obtained from the Sonoma County Correctional Facility states that Elizabeth Gaunt was booked into their facility on November 6, 2013 and again on April 13, 2015. On both occasions Ms. Gaunt says that she is not thinking of killing herself now. Sonoma County Correctional Officers also report they do not believe she is a suicide risk.

FINDINGS

It is the findings of the Lake County District Attorney’s Office that Elizabeth Dara Gaunt entered the Lake County Correctional Facility at a time when she was highly under the influence of methamphetamines. Her behavior was at times described as nice and at other times she appeared hysterical.

For an unknown reason, Ms. Gaunt tied a strip of blanket with one end secured to a sink nozzle and the other around her neck. She purposely laid back in an effort to strangle herself. Death is determined to be the result of a suicide.

Officers and medical staff at the Lake County Correctional Facility conducted security cell checks on a routine basis and within the policy of that facility. There were no indications or observations by correctional officers or medical staff that Ms. Gaunt was a risk to herself or others.

Therefore, it is the findings of this office that the death of Elizabeth Dara Gaunt was the result of a suicide and was not contributed to, or caused by any member of the Lake County Sheriff’s Department or Correctional Facility personnel.

_____________________________
Don A. Anderson
Lake County District Attorney

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Forecasters are predicting chances of rain Tuesday and Wednesday in Lake County and throughout much of interior Northern California.

The National Weather Service said a weakening weather system will bring scattered showers, the possibility of a thunderstorm and light snow in higher elevations in the 8,000 to 9,000 foot range on Tuesday and Wednesday.

In some parts of Northern California, north winds with gusts of up to 40 miles per hour are expected Thursday and Friday, although heavier winds are not so far included in Lake County's specific forecast.

In fire areas – such as those where the Rocky, Jerusalem and Valley fires have left well over 100,000 burned acres in Lake County – the concern is for rain followed by wind that may impact burn scars, forecasters said.

Lake County's specific forecast calls for a 50-percent chance of showers beginning after 11 p.m. Tuesday and continuing into Wednesday morning, with precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch.

On Wednesday, chances of rain range up to 70 percent countywide during the day, with rainfall totals estimated at between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible, based on the forecast. Chances of rain for Wednesday night are in the 20-percent range.

Winds of up to 21 miles per hour also are forecast for the county over those two days.

Conditions are then expected to clear for the rest of the week, with slight chances of showers returning on Sunday and Monday, the National Weather Service said.

During the week, nighttime temperatures are expected to range into the low 50s, with daytime highs in the low 80s, according to the forecast.

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.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Property owners who need to clean up structures burned in the Rocky and Jerusalem Fires have until this Friday, Oct. 30, to file a right of entry permit or a private cleanup application.

The deadline was set by Lake County Environmental Health, CalRecycle and the California Office of Emergency Services.

It is based on the need for property owners to abate debris remaining from structures and related items destroyed by the fires in a timely manner.

Many property owners in the two fire areas have already submitted right of entry permits that will allow the CalRecycle/OES teams to remove the debris from their properties.

Some property owners have chosen to submit private cleanup applications to clean the properties themselves or have a licensed contractor clean the property. 

Property owners who fail to submit an right of entry or a private cleanup application by Friday, Oct. 30, will be referred to the Lake County Planning and Community Development Department for future action.

This deadline applies to the Rocky and Jerusalem Fires only.

More information and right of entry forms can be found at www.lakecountyrecovers.com .