The Department of Water Resources (DWR) on Monday commissioned a new research vessel as a state-of-the-art replacement for the San Carlos, which since America’s bicentennial year has been monitoring water quality in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and upper San Francisco Estuary.  

The Sentinel is a floating laboratory whose mission is to protect water quality.

The flagship of DWR’s Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP) enables staff to conduct water quality, nutrient and lower trophic (phytoplankton, zooplankton and benthos) monitoring of the Delta.

The research vessel plays a critical role helping to meet water quality objectives and the mandated requirements of biological opinions issued by the courts to guide water quality issues in the Delta.

The Sentinel was named by DWR Director Mark W. Cowin, who is retiring at month’s end after a 36-year career at the Department.

Cowin named the vessel to honor the late Laura King Moon, DWR’s former chief deputy director who died in 2015.

“Laura King Moon worked tirelessly as a guardian of California’s water supply and its environment,” Cowin said. “This new research vessel is dedicated in her memory.”

Moon was an environmental champion who dedicated her 38-year career to resource and water policy.

The Sentinel’s commissioning took place aboard the historic Delta King on the Sacramento River in the Old Sacramento Historic District.

During the ceremony, Cowin drew a comparison between the era of the Delta King’s commissioning in the 1920s and the current era.

“We are experiencing a period of great change – climate change, political change and changes in water management,” he said. “I think we can agree that the Sentinel is a welcome change.”

The Sentinel replaces the San Carlos, which provided valuable service for the past 40 years gathering information that informed water quality analysis, biological opinions and State Water Project (SWP) decisions.

Cowin said it was time for a “new guardian of the Delta waters to greet new challenges.”

Design and construction of the Sentinel was accomplished with funding from the SWP’s 29 contractors.

The construction project began in February 2015, and the vessel was launched by builder Vigor Industrial of Seattle, WA, in October 2016. Sea trials have been occurring since the launch.

The Sentinel’s characteristics:

· Length: 60 feet.
· Beam : 24 feet.
· Draft – 3 feet, 6 inches.
· Weight: 36 tons.
· Engines – twin Cummins QSB 6.7 conventional propulsion – 419 HP.
· Speed – 20 knots.
· 14-foot work skiff with 30 HP motor.
· Overnight accommodations for five people.
· Meets U.S. Coast Guard’s safety regulations for passenger vessels.
· Lab area – 266 square feet.
· Aft deck work area – 337 square feet.
· Air-conditioned.
· Lab raw water manifold with remote value operations.
· 30 Local Area Network connections.
· 4G wireless.
· Three 3,300-pound-capacity cranes, one with direct connection to the lab.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Carl Francis Laslovich, 89, passed away peacefully on Dec. 16, 2016.

He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1926, while his father was serving in the military. He was one of seven brothers and sisters.

He was a longtime resident of the San Francisco Bay Area, moving permanently to Lake County in 1977.

At the age of 15 1/2 during World War II he joined the Merchant Marines and served for four years.

After discharge he met the love of his life, Glynnie, and they were married in 1948.

In 1952, he enlisted and served honorably in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict.

After 20 years as a mechanic he retired and began a second career in farming in Lakeport, Calif.

Carl was an avid sports enthusiast, participating IN everything from gymnastics, water sports to riding motorcycles. His love of water sports let him to becoming a swim instructor and coach for all ages including individuals with special needs.

As a resident of Lake County he was active in the Kelseyville Lions Club, Kelseyville Cemetery Board and the US Marine Corp Breakfast group.

Carl is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Glynnie; and was the proud father of his daughter Patty (Jon) of Texas, and his son Steve (Joanne) San Diego. He also is survived by six grandchildren, Stephanie, Kimberly, Amanda, Jessica, Sarah and William; six great-grandchildren, Casey, Haley, Mason, Wesley, Bella and Harper; and two siblings, Lloyd and Dorthy.

A memorial service will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 1625 N. High St. in Lakeport at noon on Thursday, Dec. 22.

Immediately following the memorial service please join the family at Kelseyville Cemetery for the Lake County Military Funeral Honors Team presentation. Family and friends will be gathering at the American Legion Hall in Kelseyville after services.

For further information please contact Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Konocti Lioness Club has offered its help with providing Christmas gifts to community members in need this holiday season.

On Thursday, Dec. 15, following a club meeting, dozens of gaily wrapped gifts donated by the club members were delivered to the Lake Family Resource Center in Kelseyville. 

The group presented the gifts to Lake Family Resource Center Executive Director Jennifer Dodd and Michael Stajura, center project director.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Toys filled the conference room at Sutter Lakeside Hospital in magnitude to rival the North Pole last week.

Sutter Lakeside Hospital collected toys for more than 100 Lake County children as part of the Lake County Family Resource Center toy drive.

“Year after year, we’re blown away by the generosity of our staff,” said Siri Nelson, chief administrative officer, Sutter Lakeside Hospital. “Staff participate voluntarily, and always go above and beyond when providing Christmas gifts for the children.”

Sutter Lakeside Hospital has participated in the toy drive for over a decade, providing toys for over 1,000 children throughout the years.

“When staff members choose a tag, I think there’s a sense of bonding with the child they pick,” said Nelson. “Even though we don’t see the children receive their gifts, it’s rewarding all the same.”

To find out more about how to support Sutter Lakeside Hospital’s nonprofit mission, please contact Morgen Wells at 707-262-5121 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Morgen Wells is Community Relations and Fund Development coordinator at Sutter Lakeside Hospital.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Johannes (Hans) Christoffer Carmiggelt passed away peacefully in his Lakeport home on Dec. 12, 2016. He was 94 years old.

Hans was born in Utrecht, Holland, on May 18, 1922, to Jan and Jootje Carmiggelt.

He came of age during very troubling times in Europe and served in the Dutch resistance movement for the duration of World War II. In later years he enjoyed regaling friends and family with stories of his war time experiences.

He was a master sailor and put his talents to work sailing the canals of Holland, undertaking acts of sabotage against the Nazis, who maintained a brutal occupation of their country.

He and his fellow resistance comrades helped their friends and families survive the war and eventually reclaim their country after the German surrender. And Hans had the honor of being issued the first sailing instructor’s license by the post war Dutch government.

Sometime after the end of the war, Hans and his bride Hennie moved to Indonesia in search of opportunity.

Hans, who was a professional engineer, ended up designing and assisting with the construction of numerous airports and commercial building projects around the country.

He and Hennie started their family there as well, with Hennie giving birth to daughter Olga and son Coen.

In 1958 the family returned to Holland, where Hans continued his engineering career.

In March of 1960 Hans, sensing better opportunity, migrated to the United States, settling in Southern California, and in 1965 he discovered and moved his family to Lake County. He was quickly hired by the Lake County Public Works Department where he served as county engineer under director Gene Collins.

Hans’ construction accomplishments are still on display here. He oversaw the design and construction of most of the public boat launching ramps that remain in service today around the lake. He also headed up the county’s role in the construction of State Highway 29 from Kelseyville to Upper Lake.

In 1985 Hans retired and devoted full time to his lifelong passion of sailing. He served multiple terms as commodore of the Lakeport Yacht Club, which, coincidentally, was designed by his father, also an engineer, while on vacation in Lakeport.

Hans sailed competitively for many years, winning numerous trophies, including the Konocti Half Cup.  His home was located at the very entrance to the Land’s End estuary where he enjoyed teaching his grandchildren the art of sailing and seamanship.

Hans was preceded in death by Hennie, his wife of 52 years; his son, Coen; and his brother, Walter.

He is survived by daughter, Olga Racine, and her husband Paul; grandson, Paul (P.J.) Racine and his wife Sausha; granddaughter, Tara Racine and her husband Raoul Belleau; stepdaughter, Elsien Beens; grandson, Jeroen Van Den Berg; and great-grandchildren, Addison, Riley, Jasmine, Kaia, Luna and Malia.

A celebration of life and party will be held on May 20, 2017, at Hans’ home at 2500 Reeves Lane, Lakeport.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Congressman Mike Thompson stopped by Lake Family Resource Center last week to help provide Christmas gifts to local children.

On Dec. 14, Thompson presented a check for $1,500 from Toys for Kids to the staff at Lake Family Resource Center for toys for their clients children for Christmas.

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Edna Frances (Pat) Reeder passed away on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016, at her home in Lower Lake.

Born in Klamath Falls, Ore., on Jan. 24, 1928, and formerly of Cloverdale, Calif., Pat was a 35-year resident of Lake County, Calif.

She was a devoted mother and was employed at the Sonoma County Tax Assessor’s Office.

She was a volunteer campground host for the U.S. Forest Service in Northern California with her late husband Al.

Pat was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Lake County Chapter No. 231. She loved to crochet, fish, and take care of her kids and family.

Pat was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Al.

She leaves behind her son, Greg Reeder, and wife Ginger of Spring Creek, Nev.; daughters, Marie Studebaker of Spokane, Wash., and Ginny Brown of Las Vegas, Nev.; along with seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

At Pat’s request, no services will be held. Donations in Pat’s memory may be made to Hospice Services of Lake County, 1862 Parallel Drive, Lakeport, CA 95453 or the United Methodist Church of Clearlake Oaks, 12487 The Plaza, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423.

Arrangements under the care of Jones & Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel. Please share your loving memories of Pat by signing her online guestbook at www.jonesandlewis.com .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Saturday, Dec. 17, the Clear Lake Cardinals sent wrestlers in two directions – five boys to the Fort Bragg Holiday Classic and eight girls to the 14th annual Castro Valley Wrestling Classic at Chabot College in Hayward.

In Fort Bragg, silver medalists were Isaac Lewis (170 lbs.) with one pin and William Green (285 lbs.).

Frankie Sturr (138 lbs.) won a bronze medal with one pin. Justin Cantrell (Boys 152 lbs.) went 1-2 with one pin and Hayden Eastham (126 lbs.) also battled through some matches.

In Hayward, the girls had their work cut out for them in a tournament that featured several state medalists, state qualifiers and section medalists.

The 111-pound weight class alone contained three state medalists, a state qualifier and 3 section placers. 

Mavis Pyorre (111 lbs.), Scarlett Ballard (121 lbs.) and Ashley Vasquez (189 lbs.) each went 1-2 with one pin. 

Also wrestling some tough matches throughout the day were Mackenzie Markham (106 lbs.), Mia Miller (126 lbs.), Madi Ferguson (131 lbs.), Shelby Butcher (189 lbs.) and Samantha Bruno (235 lbs.).