With spring now taking hold in California, Cal Fire is already staffing up for fire season, while focusing the efforts of its crews on preventing large and damaging wildfires.

Recent rains have been a welcome sight to drought parched California, but Cal Fire firefighters are not letting their guard down, instead they are training for another potential busy fire season and working hard to prevent wildfires.

Across the State, Cal Fire has already hired a surge of over 400 additional seasonal firefighters, whose focus includes fire prevention, fuel reduction and defensible space programs.

“While the winter rain has helped decrease the fire risk in some areas, it has not been enough to end the drought,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, director of Cal Fire. “The rain is welcome, but it will not revive the millions of trees that have already died due to drought and bark beetle. Our firefighters are taking advantage of the weather and ensuring that we are doing everything we can to prevent the types of wildfires we experienced last year.”

While the additional firefighters are available to respond to wildfires, like the 240 fires that have already occurred since Jan. 1, these firefighters will focus their efforts of fire prevention.

The projects the crews are working on range from removing dead trees, creating and maintaining fire breaks, removing dense brush, performing prescribed burning, and assisting homeowners with education on defensible space.

While firefighters are busy performing fire prevention projects, it’s critical that residents do their part to prepare for wildfires by maintaining 100 feet of defensible space around their homes and property.

This includes removing weeds and other dead or dying vegetation, limbing up tree branches, and cleaning off leaves and debris from roofs and gutters.

For more information on how to create defensible space and prepare for fire season, visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Home sale prices in February edged down, but the number of sales was up, according to a new report from the Lake County Association of Realtors.

LCAOR reported that the February median sales price of single family residences in Lake County pulled back by 18.24 percent when compared to the January 2016 median sales price.

The number of sales increased by 8 percent, rising from 50 sales in January to 54 sales in February, the association reported.

On a year-over-year basis, the number of sales increased 25.6 percent, going from 43 in February 2015 to the 54 sales in February 2016, according to the report.

The February 2016 median price of $190,000 increased 5.6 percent over the February 2015 median sales price of $180,000, LCAOR said.

“Even though the month to month median price went down the real estate market has been very active especially for this time of year,” said 2016 LCAOR President Erin Woodward. “As inventories tighten and prices increase in surrounding counties more buyers will consider opportunities in Lake County.”

LCAOR said ash sales financed 44.44 percent of the February transactions. The trend for cash sales has been in the low 30 percent range for some time.

Conventional loan financing made up 27.8 percent of the deals and FHA financing accounted for another 11.11 percent of the month’s sales, according to the report.

Distressed property sales jumped to 18.5 percent of the sales after falling to 8 percent in January. A number of different types of sales make up distressed properties including auction sales, real estate owned (foreclosed properties) and short sales, LCAOR said.

On a statewide basis the California Association of Realtors (CAR) reported that existing, single family home sales totaled 393,360 in February, up 2.8 percent from January 2016 and 6.4 percent above February 2015.

The median sales price was $446,460, down 4.7 percent from January 2016 and up 3.8 percent from February 2015, CAR reported.

With regards to the statewide market CAR Vice President and Chief Economist Leslie Appleton-Young stated, “February’s home price increase was the slowest rate of growth in six months, reflecting a shift in sales toward lower-priced, inland areas as buyers feeling the affordability crunch and tight supplies move away from urban cores to find affordable housing. Home buyers in the Bay Area are seeking to buy in Contra Costa, Solano, or Sonoma counties, rather than San Francisco, and Southern California home buyers are moving inland to Riverside, San Bernardino, or Central Valley areas, where housing inventory is more abundant and affordable.”

LAKE COUNTY NUMBERS AT A GLANCE

February 2016
Median price: $190,000
Median days to sell: 81
Units sold: 54

January 2016
Median price: $232,500
Median days to sell: 78
Units Sold: 50

February 2015
Median price: $180,000
Median days to sell: 118
Units sold: 43

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has a full shelter of dogs needing new homes this week.

The dogs offered for adoption this week include mixes of American Staffordshire Terrier, border collie, boxer, Chihuahua, German Shepherd, hound, husky, Labrador Retriever, spaniel, terrier and pit bull.

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.

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

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”).

'Joe'

“Joe” is an older male Labrador Retriever.

He's got a short coat chocolate-colored coat.

He's in kennel No. 2, ID No. 4518.

Female Chihuahua mix

This older female Chihuahua mix has a short tan coat.

She's in kennel No. 3, ID No. 4555.

Pit bull terrier mix

This male pit bull terrier mix has a short black coat with white markings.

Shelter staff said he is very sweet and submission, and is great with other dogs both male and female. Very sweet and submissive. Because he is very undersocialized it's suggested that he go home with an experienced owner.

He's in kennel No.4, ID No. 4511.

Female boxer mix

This female boxer mix has a short gray coat with white markings.

She's in kennel No. 5, ID No. 4551.

'Momma-Doo'

“Momma-Doo” is a female pit bull terrier mix.

She has a short brown coat with white markings, and a winning grin.

She's in kennel No. 6, ID No. 4552.

Male German Shepherd

This male German Shepherd has a sable, black and tan coat.

He's in kennel No. 7, ID No. 4565.

Female pit bull terrier mix

This young female pit bull terrier mix has a short all-white coat.

She's in kennel No. 9, ID No. 4572.

Male pit bull terrier mix

This young male pit bull terrier mix has a short black coat with white markings.

He's energetic and loves to play.

He's in kennel No. 18, ID No. 4491.

American Staffordshire Terrier puppy

This American Staffordshire Terrier puppy has a white coat with tan and black markings.

He's in kennel No. 19, ID No. 4566.

Pit bull-husky mix

This male pit bull-husky mix puppy has a short multicolored coat.

He's in kennel No. 20, ID No. 4561.

Male pit bull terrier mix

This male pit bull terrier mix has a short gray and white coat.

He is energetic and likes to play.

Shelter staff said he is good with dogs his same size, and would do best in a home with no cats or small dogs. He loves people.

He's in kennel No. 21, ID No. 4432.

'Buddy'

“Buddy” is a handsome male shepherd-pit bull terrier mix with a short tricolor coat.

Shelter staff said he would do great in a home without livestock.

He's in kennel No. 22, ID No. 4487.

Male German Shepherd

This handsome male German Shepherd has a short tan and black coat.

Shelter staff said he is good with other larger dogs, male or female, and would do best in a home with no small dogs or cats and children above age 5.

He's friendly and likes to play.

He's in kennel No. 23, ID No. 4514.

Female pit bull mix

This female pit bull mix has a short gray and white coat.

She's in kennel No. 25, ID No. 4588.

Labrador Retriever-spaniel mix

This young male Labrador Retriever-spaniel mix has a black coat with white markings.

Shelter staff said he is a fun, playful boy who is great with other dogs, male and female.

He needs basic training and will make a great family pet.

He's in kennel No. 26, ID No. 4541.

Labrador Retriever puppy

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

He's in kennel No. 28, ID No. 4423.

Female pit bull mix

This female pit bull mix has a short brown brindle coat with white markings.

She loves cuddles and attention, and does very cute play bows, enjoys playing and is great with other dogs, but would do best in a home without cats.

She's in kennel No. 29, ID No. 4337.

Labrador Retriever-pit bull mix

This female Labrador Retriever-pit bull mix has a short black coat with white markings.

Shelter staff said she's an adorable girl is who is very sweet, great with other dogs – male and female – and very submissive.

She's in kennel No. 31, ID No. 4486.

Male Labrador Retriever

This male Labrador Retriever has a short yellow coat.

Shelter staff said he appeared to be suffering from some deafness.

He is very friendly and gets along with other dogs.

He's in kennel No. 32, ID No. 4545.

'Tank'

“Tank” is a male border collie mix, according to shelter staff.

He has a short black coat.

Shelter staff said he's great with other submissive dogs.

He's in kennel No. 33, ID No. 4497.

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

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

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

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The forecast for the coming week calls for more rain on Monday and possibly Tuesday, with clearing conditions and a sunny Easter weekend.

Sunday saw storms in the county as predicted by the National Weather Service.

For the 24-hour period ending at 1 a.m. Monday, the National Weather Service posted the following rainfall totals, in inches: Bear Canyon Road (near Middletown), 0.97; Hidden Valley Lake, 0.65; Kelseyville, 0.43; Lower Lake, 0.32; Middletown, 0.71; Upper Lake, 0.30; and Whispering Pines, 0.80.

Forecasters are calling for more rain on Monday, with up to three quarters of an inch predicted all day and into the night.

There is a 20-percent chance of showers on Tuesday, with partly cloudy conditions that night, according to the forecast.

However, beginning on Wednesday and lasting through the weekend, clear and cool conditions are expected to prevail, with nighttime lows in the low 40s and daytime highs in the high 60s.

Easter Sunday is forecast to be clear and sunny, with a high of 69 degrees, based on the specific forecast.

Thanks to the recent storms, Clear Lake remains above its full level of 7.56 feet Rumsey, according to the US Geological Survey.

Early Monday, the lake's level was at 7.78 feet Rumsey, having leveled off after rising dramatically last week, based on survey records.

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.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The selection of a new elementary school principal, an updated board meeting schedule and the 2016-17 school year schedule will go to the Upper Lake Unified School District Board for consideration this week.

The board will meet for a 4 p.m. closed session before the regular public session at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 22, in the library/student center at Upper Lake High School, 675 Clover Valley Road.

Documents and background information for agenda items are available to the public at http://www.boarddocs.com/ca/ulusd/Board.nsf/Public . 

One of this week's main agenda items is the hiring of a new elementary school principal.

Valerie Gardner, who has been the principal and superintendent of Upper Lake Union Elementary School District and a key supporter of unifying Upper Lake's two school districts, is retiring this summer after school ends.

The recruitment began earlier this year and closed in March, with district interim Superintendent Patrick Iaccino heading up a selection committee that included Gardner, and elementary school parents and teachers.

The candidate being proposed for hire is Stephanie Wayment, who is director of Educational Resources and Accountability at the Lake County Office of Education.

The board is being asked to approve Wayment's hire, effective July 1.

In other business for Tuesday, staff will present the 2016-17 school calendar.

The proposed calendar has the Upper Lake Unified School District's first full year of school beginning on Aug. 10 and ending on May 26.

Also on Tuesday, the board – which has been meeting twice a month to work through the many tasks necessary to complete the unification process – will consider moving to a once-a-month meeting schedule beginning April 12.

The meeting also will include a public hearing on sunshine contract openers with the school employee unions, department reports, and reports from Business Manager Sue Milhaupt and from Iaccino.

Board members are President Mel O'Meara, Clerk Diane Plante, and members Keith Austin, Don Meri and Claudine Pedroncelli.

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. – During the late 19th and early 20th centuries the Eastern and Southeastern Pomo Indians, along with other native peoples, used clamshell beads for trade.

Along with the beads' use as a medium for trade, clamshell bead necklaces signified wealth in those communities.

Although trade and use of bead necklaces were different in the various communities, according to the writings of the 1926 Edward Winslow Gifford papers, it was ascertained that there were expeditions to Bodega Bay by the Southeastern Pomo Indians. Then, they would bring back packs weighing up to 100 pounds full of clamshells.

Differing accounts were given of the type of trade items exchanged, but they could include bows, obsidian arrowheads, salt cakes, feathers or skins. 

Taken from my historical novella, “People of the Water”: “Plans for the journey to the sea were made well in advance. The men from the village readied their carrying baskets by packing much in the way of trade goods. They packed acorns, skins, fish, obsidian and magnesite beads. These unique, cylindrical beads were made from a special stone. Some were worn by the wealthy, and some beads were incorporated into decoration on baskets. They also brought striking strands of painstakingly crafted clamshell beads.

“These beads were part of their monetary system, and an important commodity. Large strands of beads designated wealth in the community. The process of bead-making required much time, and was not an easy task. To the contrary, it was a specialized occupation. The shells were first collected, then broken into pieces. They were then smoothed into disc shapes by rubbing the shells on the rough surface of a stone. Next, a hole was drilled in the center of the bead. When the beads were strung, they could be smoothed into uniform and rounded shapes.

“The profession of bead-making was inherited. The process was undertaken with utmost care. The bead-maker was sure to rise early in the morning to complete his task, having abstained from meat beforehand. It was important for the process of clamshell bead-making to take place outside the house. If this taboo were to be broken, then certainly the drill would break. The drill-bit was typically flaked from flint, while the string for the pump-drill was often made from sturdy woven grasses, or leather. In times past another type of drill was in use. It was a shaft which was rolled back and forth, by hand, on the bead maker's leg. When completed, the beads were carefully polished to a sheen on deerskin, each disc standing out like a full, white moon on a black, star-lit night."

Kathleen Scavone, M.A., is an educator, potter, writer and author of “Anderson Marsh State Historic Park: A Walking History, Prehistory, Flora, and Fauna Tour of a California State Park” and “Native Americans of Lake County.” She also writes for NASA and JPL as one of their “Solar System Ambassadors.” She was selected “Lake County Teacher of the Year, 1998-99” by the Lake County Office of Education, and chosen as one of 10 state finalists the same year by the California Department of Education.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A new group of adult cats are waiting for new homes at Lake County Animal Care and Control this week.

Tabbies, black cats and a tuxedo cat are available.

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.

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

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”).

'Jinx'

“Jinx” is a male domestic short hair mix.

He has a brown tabby coat with white markings.

He's in cat room kennel No. 34, ID No. 4567.

Male black cat

This handsome fellow has a mostly black coat, with the exception of a little white spot on his chest.

Shelter staff said this guy likes attention, and he's also chatty.

He's in cat room kennel No. 35, ID No. 4325.

Female domestic long hair

This female domestic long hair mix has a black and white tuxedo coat.

Shelter staff said she came in as a stray but is as nice as a house cat.

She's in cat room kennel No. 48, ID No. 4583.

'Cookie'

“Cookie” is a male domestic short hair cat.

He has a light brown coat.

He's in cat room kennel No. 54, ID No. 4584.

Domestic long hair mix

This domestic long hair mix cat has a black coat.

Shelter staff did not report the cat's gender.

It is in cat room No. 87, ID No. 4520.

Domestic long hair mix

This female domestic long hair mix cat has a gray tabby coat.

She's in cat room kennel No. 120b, ID No. 4536.

Domestic medium hair mix

This male domestic medium hair mix has a black coat with white and tan markings.

He's in cat room kennel No. 147, ID No. 4358.

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 .

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

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

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

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Valley fire, health care, the upcoming election and important legislation all were topics on Saturday night when Congressman Mike Thompson hosted his annual ravioli feed.

Hundreds of people were on hand for the popular 25th annual event, held this year for the first time at Boatique Wines in Kelseyville.

Owned by Robert and Madi Mount, the venue overlooks Mt. Konocti and features classic cars and antique wooden boats that Thompson called works of art.

The popular fundraiser dinner for the Fifth Congressional District representative once again drew people from all across the political spectrum, who came out to enjoy local wines and a pasta dinner served by local officials, and hear from Thompson about what he's working on in Washington, DC.

This year, the Valley fire was a key topic, and Thompson invited forward Carol Huchingson, who takes over next month as the new county administrative officer, to share an update.

“This has been my passion,” Huchingson said of the fire recovery.

In addition to her longtime role as county Social Services director, Huchingson volunteered last fall to take on the task of the county's recovery coordinator.

A Hidden Valley Lake resident, Huchingson recounted seeing the destruction of the fire in her own community, even on her own street.

Huchingson shared with the group the results of a recent survey of Valley fire survivors.

She said the survey received more than 400 responses, which revealed that 67 percent of survivors are still living in Lake County. Up until the survey was complete, Huchingson said county officials didn't have a solid idea of where many of the survivors had gone.

Huchingson said 56 percent of respondents indicated they will rebuild, 20 percent said they won't and 24 percent said they are unsure.

“Rebuilding really is under way,” she said, noting that dozens of permits for new homes have been issued. There also are 66 temporary structures in the fire area and 50 manufactured housing units from the Federal Emergency Management Agency housing survivors.

During his remarks, Thompson noted, “This fire was horrific. It was absolutely horrific.”

He added, “I've never seen anything like this before in my life.”

All of Lake County changed overnight as a result of the fire, Thompson said.

Thompson was in Georgia when the fire broke out on Sept. 12. He said he flew back to Lake County right away, recalling the devastation he found when he arrived with his longtime district representative, Brad Onorato.

He credited the county's residents for the exceptional way they came together in the time of crisis. “Everyone had their shoulders to the wheel.”

Surrounding communities also offered assistance, including Thompson's home county of Napa, which opened its fairgrounds for fire evacuees.

Thompson gave special recognition to the first responders, volunteers, Pacific Gas and Electric, and the government officials from all levels who were part of the response.

Among that last group, Thompson singled out Supervisor Rob Brown and Sheriff Brian Martin for their extraordinary efforts in the response and recovery.

Thompson said the Lake County Winegrape Commission and the Lake County Winery Association created the Lake County Rising effort, which has raised $800,000 in fire assistance. In a Washington, DC event, Thompson also was able to raise $100,000 toward that effort by auctioning off Lake County wines.

Lake County Rising is holding a fundraising event at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena on Sunday, Thompson noted.

He went on to outline the millions in federal assistance that has been granted – including $16 million in small business loans.

Thompson pledged to remain with the county as the recovery continues. “We'll get through this. We'll get it done.”

Moving on to other priority issues, Thompson said Social Security and Medicare need to be preserved for generations ahead, veterans must get the help they need when they return home and afterward, and the nation needs a strong health care system.

He said the Affordable Care Act has resulted in 20 million people signing up for health care who didn't have it before.

While there have been more than 65 votes by Congress to repeal the act, “It's not going to be repealed,” he said.

Rather than spending time trying to overturn the legislation, Thompson suggested it would be better to fix the parts of it that need fixing. He said he sponsored such legislation to extend a provision allowing doctors to make home visits under certain circumstances.

He said he also intends to continue working to prevent gun violence and keep mentally ill people from acquiring firearms.

Regarding the country's education system, Thompson said there is growing need for more strength in math and the sciences, with the nation needing 2.3 million new scientists.

Thompson said he wants to make sure people have opportunities as a result of their education. “That's what it's all about.”

Last week he spoke to Kate Rubins, a Napa native who will lift off on June 21 on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft to join the crew of the International Space Station.

He said Rubins has dreamed of going to space since she was a child. She went on to get her education in the sciences when the opportunity to join the National Aeronautics and Space Administrative came up. Her educational background allowed her dreams to become a reality.

“I want every kid to be able to live their dreams,” said Thompson.

Thompson also touched on the dedication which he attended earlier in the day for the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, which encompasses some 331,000 acres in Lake, Napa, Yolo, Mendocino and Solano counties.

For many years Thompson had sponsored legislation to create the monument before launching an effort to get President Barack Obama to use his executive power to make the monument designation, which he did in July.

In his remarks Thompson also touched briefly on the upcoming presidential election, saying that the country can't allow candidates to further divide it.

He called the current presidential race a “very, very serious” situation, adding that the angriest voices in the nation can't be allowed to choose the next president.

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.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell on Saturday joined with hundreds of community members and local leaders to dedicate the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, which was designated by President Barack Obama on July 10, 2015, to protect nearly 331,000 acres of public lands in Northern California.

The dedication and spring festival took place at Cowboy Camp, a popular recreation area for hikers, equestrians, mountain bikers, and wildlife enthusiasts near the town of Williams.

Secretary Jewell was joined by Bureau of Land Management Director Neil Kornze, California State Director for the Bureau of Land Management Jerry Perez, U.S. Representatives Mike Thompson and John Garamendi, California Secretary for Natural Resources John Laird, Sen. Lois Wolk, Assemblyman Bill Dodd and other community and conservation leaders.

“It’s a great day to celebrate the culmination of more than a decade of work to protect this stunning landscape so its beauty and richness will be passed on to future generations,” said Secretary Jewell. “The president’s action to recognize Berryessa Snow Mountain as a national monument is a testament to this community’s vision and dedication. We expect the designation will boost local economies through increased tourism from families and outdoor enthusiasts seeking adventure, recreation, and solitude that only nature can provide.”

“Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument provides an important balance between Northern California's urban environments of Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area and the wild, remote landscapes that surround the farms, ranches, orchards and vineyards that nourish our nation,” said Chief Tidwell. “The balance is important because it helps ensure these lands continue to serve the region and nation as a sustainable, working landscape that supports local economies and critical resources from fresh water and grazing lands to recreation areas and habitat for important plant, fish and wildlife species.”

The monument extends almost 100 miles from Berryessa Peak and other lands in Napa, Yolo, and Solano counties through the spectacular lands of Lake, Colusa and Glenn counties to the eastern boundary of the Yuki Wilderness in Mendocino County.

The landscape rises from near sea level in the south to over 7,000 feet in the north, and encompasses diverse landscapes including steep canyons, scenic rivers, rolling oak woodlands and elaborate springtime wildflower displays.

Miles of hiking, horseback riding, and designated off-road vehicle trails offer visitors views of the Sacramento Valley and Sierra Nevada Mountains to the east and the Coastal Mountains to the west, as well as panoramic vistas overlooking Clear Lake, Lake Berryessa, and the steep canyon of Cache Creek. Hunting and angling are popular activities year-round.

The Cache Creek, Cedar Rough and Snow Mountain wilderness areas provide opportunities for remote backcountry travel and Cache Creek provides the closest commercial whitewater rafting to San Francisco.

The new monument contains one of the greatest concentrations of biodiversity in California and is home to threatened and endangered plant and wildlife species including northern spotted owls, marten, and fisher. California Coastal Chinook salmon and Northern California steelhead spawn in the area’s waterways.

The region’s proximity to population centers such as Sacramento, San Francisco and Santa Rosa make the area an important recreation setting for millions of Northern California residents.

An independent study estimates an increase in visitors could bring up to $26 million in new economic activity to local economies over the next five years.

A study by the Winters Chamber of Commerce found protected public lands are major contributors to our country’s $646 billion outdoor recreation economy. In California alone, more than half of all residents participate in outdoor recreation each year, supporting more than 700,000 jobs and generating more than $6 billion for our state’s economy.

The proclamation allows for continued historic uses of the area, including hunting, fishing and livestock grazing, which will be managed under existing rules and regulations.

The designation does not alter or affect valid water rights, rights of way or existing special use permits or commercial activities on public land, as long as they are consistent with the care and management of the objects and resources protected by the designation.

The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument will continue to be managed by the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management and the Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service.

The agencies will jointly prepare a management plan for the monument in an open process with maximum public involvement from federal, state and local government, community members and interested stakeholders.

In December 2014, Secretary Jewell, U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell, and USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Robert Bonnie visited the Berryessa Snow Mountain area at the request of U.S. Representative Mike Thompson to hear from the community about their vision for conservation in the region.

Since 2012, Congressman Thompson and U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer have introduced legislation to protect this area.

The boundary declared by the president’s designation follows the approach contained in legislation introduced in February of 2014, following extensive public outreach and engagement by the congressman.

“After years of tireless work by countless numbers of people, the Berryessa Snow Mountain region finally has the permanent protection it deserves,” said Congressman Thompson. “It was an honor to join those who have been incredible partners and supporters in this effort at today’s dedication ceremony.”

The Bureau of Land Management’s National Conservation Lands contain some of the West’s most spectacular landscapes.

They include more than 873 federally recognized areas comprising approximately 32 million acres of National Monuments, National Conservation Areas, Wilderness Areas, Wilderness Study Areas, Wild and Scenic Rivers, National Scenic and Historic Trails, and Conservation Lands of the California Desert.

  Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Map

COBB, Calif. – This weekend the Cobb area was hit by several earthquakes in the 3-magnitude range.

The US Geological Survey said the quakes occurred on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

The first quake, measuring 3.4 on the Richter scale, was at 2:20 p.m. on Saturday, the survey said.

It was centered two miles west northwest of Cobb and 10 miles southwest of Clearlake at a depth of half a mile, the survey reported.

The survey received 11 shake reports from Kelseyville, Lakeport, Lower Lake and Middletown, and from Healdsburg.

On Sunday, there were two back-to-back quakes, both measuring 3.1 in magnitude, according to US Geological Survey records.

The epicenter of the first, which occurred at 12:30 p.m., was two miles west northwest of Cobb and 11 miles southwest of Clearlake, at a depth of 0.6 of a mile, the survey reported.

The second quake, which survey records said occurred six seconds later, was centered in almost the exact same place, but at a depth of 0.4 of a mile.

One shake report from Ukiah was submitted to the US Geological Survey for the first quake, and seven responses from Kelseyville, Santa Rosa and Mill Valley for the second, according to its online records.

In addition to the larger quakes, the US Geological Survey reported that the Cobb and The Geysers areas also experienced four quakes measuring between 2.5 and 2.9 magnitude since Wednesday.

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.

When the Space Age began more than 50 years ago, explorers were eager to visit the planets of the solar system. As the years have passed, however, astronomers have realized that the moons of the solar system may be even more interesting.

Many of these moons are “water worlds”– and planetary scientists, like golden retrievers, always follow the water.

“On Earth, where there is water, there is life,” said Brian Day of NASA’s Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute. “It doesn’t matter if it’s boiling hot like the bubbling acid hot-springs in Yellowstone National Park or frigid like the waters of the Arctic.”

Consider Enceladus, a tiny moon floating just outside Saturn's rings. This little wonderland features a vast underground ocean that could be friendly to microbial life.

That ocean is capped by a thick crust of ice. Yet, NASA’s Cassini spacecraft found Enceladus busily puffing plumes of water vapor, icy particles, and organic compounds out through fissures in its frozen outer shell. Cassini has actually flown through these plumes a few times, sniffing out their composition.

Day said, “The exciting results from Cassini have researchers designing possible future missions that would provide more detailed analyses of Enceladus’ water and look for potential signatures of life.”

Titan, another of Saturn’s moons, is shrouded in a thick atmosphere of nitrogen and methane. There is evidence that Titan, like Enceladus, has a sea of water beneath its icy shell. But Titan’s frigid surface is mosaicked with lakes of liquid methane and ethane.

Day noted, “It's the only body in the solar system other than Earth with substantial liquid on its surface.”

The seas of Titan intrigue astrobiologists. Here on Earth, our seas are teeming with life – and indeed the seas may be where life began. What kind of life might arise in the alien seas of Titan? The exotic environment of hydrocarbon seas could teach astrobiologists a lot about the basic chemistry critical to the formation of life.

More water worlds with icy shells are found at Jupiter. Europa, Ganymede, and perhaps Callisto also show strong evidence of liquid water oceans beneath their global ice crusts. Day would most like to “dive in” at Europa.

“This is a big world – much bigger than Enceladus and even bigger than any of the ‘dwarf planets.' Europa’s ocean is a significant body of water with amazing potential for life,” Day said.

In fact Europa has twice as much liquid water as Earth, and like the water of Enceladus, it might be accessible.

“There is some evidence that Europa may have periodic eruptions of plumes of water, similar to those seen on Enceladus,” said Day. “We’ve even seen apparent icebergs on the surface that are tipped up as if sitting in slush. All of these provide us with tantalizing clues of what lies beneath – an ocean of liquid water.”

Meanwhile, orbiting Jupiter not far from Europa, is a completely different kind of satellite:

“Io,” said Day, “is the most volcanically active body in our solar system.”

Io gets its fiery warmth from tidal heating – that is, a back and forth stretching of the moon’s interior caused by Jupiter’s intense gravity.

“Each moon is stretched and pulled differently, causing varying rates of tidal heating,” said Day. “Orbiting more closely to Jupiter than the other Galilean moons, Io is stretched the most – hence its volcanism. Europa, next closest to Jupiter, is stretched less, followed in order by Ganymede and Callisto.”

Day continued, “Tidal heating is a source of energy that can melt ice and expand the potential for life. It creates a ‘habitable zone’ among the moons of Jupiter, with Europa sitting squarely in the middle.”

Planets are exciting, but there’s an even greater number of amazing moons in the solar system.

Said Day: “The lure is irresistible, and the potential is amazing. It’s time for us to go!”

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Six months after the third most destructive wildland fire in California history began in Lake County, Cal Fire investigators have not yet settled on a final cause.

The Valley fire began on Sept. 12 and burned for nearly a month, scorching approximately 76,067 acres in Lake, Napa and Sonoma counties.

There were four confirmed deaths and nearly 2,000 residences – including about 1,300 homes – were destroyed as thousands were evacuated from their homes.

The fire was dispatched just before 1:30 p.m. Sept. 12 as a vegetation and structure fire at 8015 High Valley Road in the Cobb area.

While the investigation into what sparked the fire began soon after the incident began, on Friday Fire Capt. Amy Head of Cal fire told Lake County News that the agency hasn't completed its inquiry into the fire's cause.

As to when the investigation might be finalized, Head said she couldn't give an estimate of the time it might take.

She said the agency has been getting a lot of requests about the cause, and she hoped the investigation would be completed soon.

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.