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Dain Matthew Beck, 19, of Clearlake, Calif., was arrested on Monday, May 20, 2019, following a vehicle pursuit with a California Highway Patrol officer that resulted in him hitting another vehicle and ramming the officer’s patrol car. Lake County Jail photo.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The California Highway Patrol arrested an unlicensed Clearlake teenager who led an officer on a high speed chase, hit another driver head-on and rammed the officer’s patrol car with his vehicle.

Dain Matthew Beck, 19, was taken into custody following the pursuit on Monday evening, according to a report from the CHP’s Clear Lake Area office.

On Monday at 6:28 p.m., CHP Officer Brian Hanson stopped his patrol vehicle at the intersection of Olympic Drive at Old Highway 53, next to a teal blue Scion TC, driven by Beck, the CHP said.

The CHP report said Beck rapidly accelerated as he turned to the left onto Old Highway 53 toward Austin Drive.

Officer Hanson pursued the vehicle for a suspected violation of exhibition of speed. The CHP said Hanson activated his patrol vehicle’s code three lights in an attempt to conduct a traffic stop.

It became immediately apparent to Hanson that Beck did not intend to yield to the patrol vehicle lights and so the CHP said Hanson activated his patrol vehicle's siren.

Beck attempted to turn right onto Austin Drive but due to his excessive speed he went wide into the eastbound lane of Austin Drive and collided head-on with another vehicle, the CHP said.

Officer Hanson stopped his patrol vehicle to the rear of the Scion and began to exit his patrol vehicle. The CHP said Beck reversed his vehicle, ramming Officer Hanson's patrol vehicle, then fled back southbound on Old Highway 53.

The CHP said Officer Hanson pursued Beck onto Old Highway 53 where, seconds later, Beck mis-negotiated the curve in the roadway, just west of Davis Avenue. The Scion ran off the road, traveled up the embankment and overturned onto its side.

Officer Hanson ordered Beck out of the vehicle and placed him under arrest without further incident, the CHP said.

Beck was booked into the Lake County Jail on felony charges of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer and evading a peace officer with disregard for public safety, and misdemeanors of hit and run causing property damage and driving without a license. His bail was set at $50,000, according to his booking sheet.

Jail records showed he remained in custody early Wednesday, and is due to be arraigned later in the day.
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Catfish Derby Adult Division winner Ricardo Pelayo of San Jose, Calif. He caught his 27.29-pound fish the afternoon of Friday, May 17, 2019, the first day of the derby. Courtesy photo.


CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – From as far away as Michigan, Kansas, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington and all over California, this year’s 36th annual Catfish Derby brought in hundreds of people who registered to fish for the biggest Clear Lake catfish.

This year the top prize, a cash award of $4,000, went to Ricardo Pelayo of San Jose who brought in a 27.29-pound fish.

Registration for the three-day fishing derby began on Thursday. By Friday morning, most, including Pelayo, had registered and were on the lake.

Pelayo encountered some car problems on the drive in from San Jose and when he launched his boat, things went from bad to worse.

“My boat engine started giving me trouble right away,” Pelayo said. “After launching, the motor stalled. I kept working on it. It would travel short distances then stall. It sputtered along until it finally quit.”

He added, “I’d come a long way to fish so I decided to start fishing at the spot where the engine finally gave out. After such a fitful start, I wasn’t expecting much.”

To his surprise, Pelayo soon caught a big fish. Rather than continue fishing, he decided to start working on the engine again, hoping to get it going. “I got lucky, managing somehow to get the engine started for the trip back,” Pelayo said.

“It was Friday, the first day of the Derby and all I could think is that this might be the extent of my fishing,” Pelayo said. “I was disappointed, thinking I might not be able to fish again. I knew I had a pretty good-sized fish but had no idea it would place first. Besides, you always want to nab a bigger fish.”

At derby headquarters, Pelayo’s name took the top placement on the adult division leaderboard. The derby volunteers speculated, some said it would be a hard number to top; others said it was just too early to know.

Asked if he would continue to fish, Pelayo said, “Yes, I sure want to.” At that point he didn’t know if he could get his boat engine fixed.

On Saturday it rained. Pelayo couldn’t get his boat engine running so he and his young cousin did a little fishing on a friend’s boat. “I was pretty disappointed and kept calling in to see if anyone had brought in a bigger fish,” he said.

On Sunday, the last day of fishing, Pelayo drove to derby headquarters in Clearlake Oaks after receiving a call from organizer Dennis Locke.

“When Dennis said it was unlikely anyone was going to top my catch, I began thinking about what I might do with that $4,000 cash prize,” Pelayo said. “I had my doubts, there was still an hour of fishing left.”

At noon, when it was clear Pelayo’s fish was the top catch, he said, “I was thinking I’d buy a new engine for my boat but maybe I’ll just buy a new boat.”

Pelayo has been fishing the derby five years. “I’ll be back next year,” he said. “Rain or shine, I’ll be back.”

Blake Re of Nice, Calif., at left, was the winner in the Catfish Derby Kids Division for ages up to 10 years. He caught his fish on the night of Saturday, May 18, 2019. Courtesy photo.

In the 10 years and under children’s division, 7-year-old Blake Re of Nice won $100 for his 22.82-pound catfish.

Rowdy Addington, a 12-year-old from Patterson, also won $100 for his 16.21-pound fish in the 11- to 15-year-old division.

This year, a new award, the Spirit of Lake County, was given to “Team Hood Cats” from Hood River Oregon – three generations of cat fishing enthusiasts who have been attending the derby for about 15 years. Decked out in matching t-shirts, the group plans on returning next year with four generations.

“As always, we had a great time putting on the Catfish Derby this year. The rain kept some away, but we still had a good crowd. Just under 800 registered this year, 67 percent of the entries were from outside Lake County,” said Locke.

“On Saturday, we had our first “celebrity weigh in,” he said.

There were a total of 694 adult entries bringing in 134 fish. For the children, 83 entered and brought in 39 fish.

Organizers said there were 254 entries, or 33 percent, from Lake COunty, and 523, or 67 percent, from outside of the county.

District Attorney Susan Krones, Sheriff Brain Martin and District 3 Supervisor E.J. Crandell worked in heavy rain, weighing fish as they came in.

“You get the sense the entire community is invested in the event,” Locke said. “This year we had the youngest booster in memory, 4-month-old Henry St. Clair. Along with his mom and dad, Henry was on hand every day, braving the rain and cheering us on. Now that’s what community is all about,” he said.

Volunteers from all around the lake stopped in to help, including students from Lower Lake High School.

Natalia Schofield, a third-year volunteer, leads the other volunteers and this year was the derby photographer. “When anyone needs a break, she steps in. She also helps to announce the winners at the awards ceremony. She knows as much about the derby as anyone,” Locke said.

“Of course, the Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Business Association members were here in big numbers. We couldn’t ask for better sponsors,” Locke said.

Hailed as the biggest Catfish Derby west of the Mississippi and arguably the best-attended event of its kind in North America, the derby attracts anglers, their families and friends as well as hundreds more spectators who enjoy the family oriented sport.

More than $10,000 in prize money was awarded to the winners. First place prize is $4,000; second place is $1,000 and third is $800. A total of 20 anglers placed in the adult category with prizes scaling down to $40. In the kid divisions, prizes start at $100 and scale down to $10.

The full standings are shown below.

For more information visit www.clearlakeoaks.org/derby, find them on Facebook, Catfish Derby in the Oaks or on Twitter, CLOGBA.

Rowdy Addington of Patterson, Calif., caught a 16.21-pound catfish on the morning of Sunday, May 19, 2019, to win the Catfish Derby Kids Division for ages 11 to 15 years. Courtesy photo.


Catfish Derby Adult Standings

1. Ricardo Pelayo, San Jose, 27.29 pounds.
2. Tim Bybee, Meridian, 26.91 pounds.
3. Edward Puente, Saugus, 26.73 pounds.
4. Brian Fehrn, Clearlake Oaks, 23.51 pounds.
5. William Wong, Rocklin, 22.89 pounds.
6. Keith Prutt, Sacramento, 22.79 pounds.
7. Dan Sansome, Kelseyville, 22.42 pounds.
8. Ryan Redmond, Brown's Valley, 21.89 pounds.
9. Christopher Lane, Hood River, Oregon, 21.86 pounds.
10. Phillip Quiqley, Gerber, 21.82 pounds.
11. Jason Benzel, Yuba City, 21.52 pounds.
12. Jason Skrock, Grants Pass, Oregon, 21.47 pounds.
13. Mark Dietrick, San Jose, 21.43 pounds.
14. Mark Adams, San Jose, 21.32 pounds.
15. Dustin Davidson, Gold Beach, Oregon, 21.31 pounds.
16. James Hickson, Sacramento, 21.16 pounds.
17. Henry Griffin, Clearlake, 21.09 pounds.
18. Phillip Kester, Clearlake, 21.03 pounds.
19. Mike Weston, Kelseyville, 20.90 pounds.
20. Tanner Castillo, Sutter, 20.80 pounds.

Catfish Derby Kids Standings

Up to 10 Years

1. Blake Re, Nice, 22.82 pounds.
2. Allyssa Adams, Milpitas, 16.83 pounds.
3. Omar Garibay, Maxwell, 16.19 pounds.
4. Olivia Hansard, Brownsville, 15.66 pounds.
5. Alexander Biondini, American Canyon, 13.20 pounds.

11 to 15 Years

1. Rowdy Addington, Patterson, 16.21 pounds
2. Matthew Castillo, Placerville, 15.00 pounds.
3. Ivy Bain, Gerber, 13.52 pounds.
4. Hayden Ramirez, Clearlake Oaks, 12.85 pounds.
5. Kaylee Anderson, Lucerne, 12.5 pounds.


Team Hood Cats, winners of the "Spirit of Catfish Derby." Not all members are pictured. Courtesy photo.
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LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Two local men were seriously injured in a Sunday afternoon crash in which the unusual weekend weather is believed to have played a part.

John Ritter, 55, of Hidden Valley Lake and Gary Reis, 65, of Kelseyville both sustained major injuries in the wreck, which occurred at 12:21 p.m. Sunday on Highway 29 north of Diener Drive, between Kelseyville and Lower Lake, according to the Clear Lake Area office of the California Highway Patrol.

The CHP said Ritter was driving a 2015 Ford Edge SUV southbound on Highway 29 at approximately 55 miles per hour as Reis drove a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado pickup northbound at approximately 45 miles per hour.

For reasons that the CHP said are yet to be determined, Ritter lost control of his SUV and crossed over the set of solid double yellow lines into the northbound lane and into the path of Reis’ pickup.

Reis was not able to avoid Ritter’s SUV, and the two vehicles collided head-on in the northbound lane, where both vehicles came to rest, blocking that lane, the CHP said.

The CHP said both Reis and Ritter were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the collision.

Ritter was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital while Reis was taken to Adventist Health Clear Lake for treatment, the CHP said.

The CHP said it appears that inclement weather conditions were a contributing factor in the cause of this collision.

Lake County residents reported a heavy hailstorm had occurred in the Lower Lake area late Sunday morning, not long before the crash was reported.

Following the crash, there also were reports of at least one other vehicle sliding off the roadway nearby, based on scanner traffic.

The cause of the collision is still under investigation, the CHP said.

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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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – A Clearlake man prosecuted by the federal government for a 2013 human trafficking case in which he and a co-defendant kept a runaway teenage girl in a box and sexually assaulted her has been sentenced to prison.

US District Court Judge Charles Breyer sentenced 30-year-old Patrick Steven Pearmain to 150 months – or 12 and a half years – in federal prison, to be followed by 10 years’ supervised release. He’s also to pay $6,778.28 in restitution.

Pearmain pleaded guilty in October to charges of conspiracy to manufacture, possess with intent to distribute and distribute marijuana and employment of a minor to violate drug laws. His sentencing took place on April 19, according to court records.

The government motion to dismiss a remaining count against Pearmain of manufacturing marijuana was dismissed.

On the same day as he was sentenced, Pearmain was remanded to the custody of the US Marshal, with the court recommending he be housed at the Federal Correctional Institution in Lompoc, a low-security prison for male offenders.

His co-defendant, Ryan Alan Balletto, 36, of Lakeport is set to be sentenced on July 10 in San Francisco, based on his case records.

In a change of plea hearing held before Judge Breyer Dec. 7, Balletto pleaded guilty to conspiracy to manufacture, possess with intent to distribute and distribute marijuana, possession of firearms in furtherance of narcotics trafficking and employment of a minor to violate drug laws.

The case against them began in May 2013, when the Lake County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team, Narcotics Task Force and Major Crimes Unit served a search warrant at a 681-acre property owned by Balletto in Clearlake Oaks.

The warrant service led to the seizure of nearly 1,500 marijuana plants, $4,000 in cash and what authorities called a “sophisticated bulk of weapons” totaling 22 firearms including high powered military grade sniper and assault rifles, automatic assault rifles and pistols.

In the following weeks, the investigation led authorities from a number of agencies to determine that the men had kept a 15-year-old runaway girl from Southern California at a remote grow location for about a month before their arrests, sexually assaulting her and keeping her in a metal box as punishment.

By June 2013, the Lake County District Attorney’s Office had charged the pair with human trafficking and a host of sex-related crimes – statutory rape, oral copulation on a person under age 16, sodomy, false imprisonment, and annoying or molesting a child. Balletto also was charged with lewd and lascivious acts on a child under age 14 or 15.

However, the following month, the District Attorney’s Office dropped its charges as the US Attorney’s Office secured indictments of Balletto and Pearmain and took over the case.

Then-District Attorney Don Anderson said the two men were facing much more severe penalties in the federal prosecution than they would have locally.

Balletto and Pearmain subsequently were transported from the Lake County Jail to federal custody in the Bay Area, where they have remained over the past six years.

In the years since the federal government has taken over the case, the prosecution of the two men has followed a complex process that has included repeated status hearings, attorney appointments, time waivers filings due to the length of the proceedings and the need for attorney preparation, and change of plea hearings, based on the docket history.

A jury trial had been scheduled for May 2016 but later was vacated. Reasons cited at the time in court filings included “significant progress in settlement discussions” which, however, didn’t appear to have yielded the anticipated results in the coming months, based on court documents.

At the same time, it was noted in a May 2016 document, “counsel for the government and counsel for Mr. Balletto have discussed a recent incident which raises the possibility that Mr. Balletto’s mental condition may need to be evaluated prior to proceeding further with this matter.” The issue was not disclosed in the public documents and it appeared that, after further requests for time for research, it was resolved, as it was not raised again by 2017.

Numerous documents relating to the two men’s plea agreements with the federal government remain under seal.

Those documents include the April sentencing memorandum, which Pearmain’s attorney asked be filed under seal because the plea agreement was also sealed, “and in order to protect the privacy interests of the defendant.”

In Balletto’s case, since his December change of plea hearing, his sentencing date has been reset four times, including dates in April, this week and next month before being reset to July 10.

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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Classic cars are a fixture at the Lower Lake Daze Parade in Lower Lake, Calif. Photo by Ginger Kite.

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – “The best little parade around” is returning to Lower Lake this weekend as part of the Memorial Day weekend.

The Lower Lake Community Action Group will host its annual Lower Lake Daze Parade and Barbecue on Sunday, May 26, along Main Street in the downtown.

The parade starts at 11 a.m, with the old time barbecue, live music, craft fair, horses and vintage cars featured beginning at noon.

This year’s parade theme is “Lake County Roots,” with Lonne Sloan acting as coordinator.

The community is invited to participate in this old-fashioned parade.

“Adults – decorate or costume yourselves, your children, your pets, bicycles, wagons or whatever and join us. It’s a good way to start getting your children involved in community affairs. We invite you to join us in the park to enjoy our Old Time Barbecue, live music, vendors selling their wares and your community,” said Sloan.

Don’t miss the grand finale in the parade – the fire department and volunteers put on a full-fledged show.

This year’s grand marshals are Russ and Joan Cremer, whose roots are firmly planted in Lake County.

Russ Cremer’s family ties to the Lower Lake area go back to 1879 when his great-grandfather settled in Lower Lake after a teaching career, and he and his wife began cattle ranching, acquiring multiple properties.

The home place south of Lower Lake and the range land off Dam Road in Clearlake were both in continuous operation as a cow-calf operation into the 1960s. Although the cattle are gone the properties are still in use for farming and rangeland.

Joan Cremer’s family ties go back to the mid 1800s in Mattole Valley and Ferndale in Humboldt County. She and her mother moved to Clearlake in the mid 1960s, Joan and Russ met in 1969 and the rest is history.

If you’re interested in participating in the parade or need more information, contact Mike Dean of the Lower Lake Community Action Group at 707-994-9174.

The Lake County Fire Protection District members put on a performance during a past Lower Lake Daze Parade in Lower Lake, Calif. Photo by Ginger Kite.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors is planning to continue a discussion on potential regulation of industrial hemp.

The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 21, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.

The meeting can be watched live on Channel 8 and online at https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx . Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.

At 9:45 a.m., in an item continued from April 9, the board will consider giving staff direction on county regulation regarding industrial hemp.

Community Development Director Michalyn DelValle’s report to the board explained that the California Office of Administrative Law recently approved regulations pertaining to industrial hemp.

DelValle said the California Department of Food and Agriculture can now open registration with county agricultural commissioners for industrial hemp cultivation.

She said the state has determined that industrial hemp is an agricultural commodity and therefore is currently permitted as a primary use within the following zoning districts: Agricultural preserve, agriculture, timberland preserve, rural lands, rural residential and open space.

DelValle’s report said that, based on her research, when male hemp plants are grown it poses a risk to cannabis cultivation where cross pollination can occur. She said several other counties have recommended that hemp be grown at least 10 miles from commercial cannabis cultivation.

Because it can be difficult to distinguish between hemp and cannabis, she said staff recommends that hemp sites be fenced for security purposes and be set back from uses that may attract children or that provide a service for children.

Staff is recommending that the Lake County Zoning Ordinance be amended to require a zoning permit for industrial hemp in the zoning districts listed above and that industrial hemp cultivation sites follow these rules: Have a setback of a minimum of 10 miles from an approved commercial cannabis site; be completely fenced with a minimum of 6 foot high solid fence; be set back a minimum of 1,000 feet from any public or private school for grades K through 12, a developed park containing playground equipment or a licensed child care facility or nursery school, church or youth orientated facility catering to or providing services primarily intended for minors.

Also on Tuesday, in an item timed for 10 a.m., the board will hold a public hearing regarding amendments to county rules pertaining to adult personal use, qualified patient and primary caregiver cultivation, commercial cannabis cultivation and to establish a permit process for microbusiness and amendments to allow retail sales of cannabis subject to obtaining a major use permit and an amendment to allow retail sales of cannabis as a permitted use.

Under the same item, sitting as Lake County Air Quality Management District Board of Directors, the supervisors will discuss and consider a resolution establishing a temporary deferral of the collection of fees for processing Air Quality Management District cannabis cultivation permits.

In untimed items, the board will get an update on development projects currently in process and consider a resolution declaring the intent to sell county-owned land on Arabian Lane in Hidden Valley Lake. The staff report said the county has been approached by Valley Oaks Land and Development Inc. about the possibility of transferring ownership of the property, valued at about $4,000.

The full agenda follows.

CONSENT AGENDA

5.1: Adopt proclamation designating the week of May 19 to 25, 2019, as Wildfire Awareness Week in Lake County.

5.2: Approve second amendment to side letter with the Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s Association for on-call status for patrol deputies.

5.3: Adopt resolution approving a cooperative Agreement No. 19-0040-000-SA with the California Department of Food and agriculture farmer’s market program for the county of Lake.

5.4: Adopt resolution approving a cooperative Agreement No. 19-73-06-0256-RA with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide an animal damage control program for the county of Lake.

5.5: Approve advanced salary step appointment of Richard Bachman to county veterinarian.

5.6: Adopt proclamation designating the month of May 2019 as Mental Health Awareness Month.

5.7: Approve advance step 5 hiring of Ms. Judith Krings in the position of registered nurse, extra help 900-hour .

5.8: Approve contract between the county of Lake Health Services and Trina Maia, for physical therapy services in support of the California Children’s Services Program and the Medical Therapy Program for a term starting July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020, and a maximum amount of $108,500; and authorize the board chair to sign.

5.9: Approve contract between the county of Lake Health Services and Sheila McCarthy for occupational therapy services in support of the California Children’s Services Program and the Medical Therapy Program for a term starting July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020, and a maximum amount of $27,245.00; and authorize the board chair to sign.

5.10: Award of bid for the Clark Drive Pavement Repair Project; Bid No. 18/24; Federal Aid Project No.: BRLS-5914(025) .

5.11: Approve budget transfer in the amount of $28,937 in the Sheriff/Marine Patrol budget 2205, transferring funds from object code 17.00 into 62.74, in the amount of $28,937.

5.12: (a) Waive the formal bidding process, per Ordinance #2406, Purchasing Code 38.2, as it is not in the public interest due to the unique nature of goods or services; and (b) approve agreement between the county of Lake and PJ Helicopters for Calendar Year 2019 in the amount of $60,000 and authorize the chair to sign; (c) approve agreement between the county of Lake and A&P Helicopters for Fiscal Year 2019-20 in the amount of $100,000 and authorize the chair to sign; and (d) approve agreement between the county of Lake and Sierra Air Helicopters in the amount of $30,000 and authorize the chair to sign.

5.13: Adopt resolution to appropriate revenue from the Drug Enforcement Agency to the Sheriff/Marijuana budget 2203, in the amount of $75,000 for marijuana eradication.

5.14: Approve first amendment to the contract between county of Lake and North Coast Opportunities Inc. for the Housing Support Program in the amount of $1,927.60, from Jan. 1, 2018, to December 31, 2021, and authorize the chair to sign.

TIMED ITEMS

6.2, 9:10 a.m.: (a) Presentation of proclamation designating the month of May 2019 as Mental Health Awareness Month; and (b) presentation of proclamation designating the week of May 19 to 25, 2019, as Wildfire Awareness Week in Lake County.

6.3, 9:11 a.m.: Consideration of continuing a proclamation of a local emergency due to an atmospheric river event 2019.

6.4, 9:12 a.m.: Consideration of continuing a proclamation of a local emergency due to the Mendocino Complex fire incident (River and Ranch fires).

6.5, 9:13 a.m.: Consideration of continuing a proclamation of a local emergency due to the Pawnee fire incident.

6.6, 9:14 a.m.: Consideration of continuing a proclamation of a local emergency due to the Sulphur fire incident.

6.7, 9:15 a.m.: Consideration of continuing a proclamation of a local emergency due to Clayton fire.

6.8, 9:16 a.m.: Consideration of continuing a proclamation of a local emergency due to the atmospheric river storm 2017.

6.9, 9:17 a.m.: Consideration of continuing the declaration of a local health emergency and order prohibiting the endangerment of the community through the unsafe removal, transportation, and disposal of fire debris for the Mendocino Complex fire.

6.10, 9:20 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of a resolution amending the master fee schedule for departmental services rendered by the county.

6.11, 9:30 a.m.: Public hearing, sitting as the Lake County Housing Commission, five-year plan for 2019 to 2024, and administrative plan for 2019.

6.12, 9:45 a.m.: Continued from April 9, consideration of discussion and direction to staff concerning the county regulation of industrial hemp.

6.13, 10 a.m.: (a) Public hearing, consideration of ordinance amendment, AM 19-02 to amend Chapter 21 of the Lake County Zoning Ordinance to allow amendments to Article 27 pertaining to adult personal use, qualified patient and primary caregiver cultivation, commercial cannabis cultivation and to establish a permit process for microbusiness and amendments to Article 18 to allow retail sales of cannabis subject to obtaining a major use permit and amend Article 19 allow retail sales of cannabis as a permitted use; and (b) sitting as Lake County Air Quality Management District Board of Directors, discussion and consideration of a resolution establishing a temporary deferral of the collection of fees for processing Air Quality Management District cannabis cultivation permits.

UNTIMED ITEMS

7.2: Consideration of presentation to update the board on development projects currently in process.

7.3: Consideration of the Award of Bid No. 18-14 for the Southshore Behavioral Health Re-Roofing Project in the amount of $217,700 to Solano County Roofing Inc. and authorize the chair to sign the agreement and notice of award.

7.4: Consideration of resolution declaring the Board of Supervisors intent to sell property not required for public use, located at Arabian Lane, Hidden Valley Lake, California Pursuant to Government Code Section 25520 Et.Seq.

CLOSED SESSION

8.1: Public employee evaluations: County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson, Community Development Director Michalyn DelValle.

8.2: Conference with legal counsel: Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(d)(2)(e)(3): California River Watch.

8.3: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.9(d)(1): County of Lake, et al. v. PG&E, et al.

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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Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved California’s request for presidential major disaster declarations submitted in April to bolster ongoing state and local recovery efforts following severe winter storms that caused widespread flooding, mudslides and damage to critical infrastructure across California.

The governor previously declared a state of emergency for 33 counties across the state due to the storms. Lake was among those counties.

Other counties included in the declarations are Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt, Los Angeles, Marin, Mendocino, Modoc, Mono, Monterey, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Shasta, Sonoma, Tehama, Trinity, Ventura, and Yolo counties.

“I want to thank the president and FEMA for moving quickly to approve our requests,” said Governor Newsom. “This federal aid will get money and resources where they are needed and help communities recover.”

The presidential major disaster declarations will help state, tribal and local governments with recovery projects including the repair and replacement of disaster-damaged facilities and infrastructure, such as roads, bridges and utilities.

The declarations include hazard mitigation, which helps state and local governments reduce the risks and impacts of future disasters.

More information on the federal disaster declaration process can be found here.

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The Lake County High School Fishing Club duo of Cooper Goff and Nathan Phillips, both of Kelseyville, California., won the 2019 Bass Pro Shops FLW High School Fishing Clear Lake Open. Photo by Rob Matsuura.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County High School Fishing Club duo of Cooper Goff and Nathan Phillips, both of Kelseyville, brought a five-bass limit to the scale Saturday weighing 23 pounds, 9 ounces to win the 2019 Bass Pro Shops FLW High School Fishing Clear Lake Open.

A field of 53 teams competed in the no-entry fee tournament, which was hosted by and launched out of Konocti Vista Casino Resort & Marina in Lakeport.

In FLW and TBF High School Fishing competition, the top 10-percent of teams competing advance to the High School Fishing National Championship.

The top five teams on Clear Lake that advanced to the 2019 High School Fishing National Championship were:

First place: Lake County High School Fishing Club – Cooper Goff and Nathan Phillips, both of Kelseyville, Calif., five bass, 23-9.

Second place: Lake County High School Fishing Club – Sheldon Reese, Witter Springs, Calif., and Sam West, Fort Bragg, Calif., five bass, 19-14.

Third place: Vista Del Lago High School, Folsom, Calif. – Christopher Gritts and Westly Gritts, both of Folsom, Calif., five bass, 19-3.

Fourth place: Anzar High School, San Benito County, Calif. – Michael Alaga, Aromas, Calif., and Brandon Delbridge, Tracy, Calif., five bass, 18-7.

Fifth place: Lodi High School, Lodi, Calif. – Kyle Mann, Lodi, Calif., and Cole Koenig, Woodbridge, Calif., five bass, 17-12.

Rounding out the top 10 were:

Sixth place: Alhambra High School, Alhambra, Calif. – James Alderman and Ryan Beaty, both of Martinez, Calif., five bass, 17-10.

Seventh place: Nor Cal Junior Bass Club – Gavin Eberhart and Evan Funk, both of Palo Cedro, Calif., five bass, 17-8.

Eighth place: Buchanan High School, Clovis, Calif. – Josh Poore and Brendan Holden, both of Clovis, Calif., 17-0.

Ninth place: Vista Del Lago High School, Folsom, Calif. – Hunter Jacobson, Orangevale, Calif., and Brennon Sharp, Folsom, Calif., five bass, 16-8.

10th place: Yuba Sutter Fishing Club – Brian Lopez, Yuba City, Calif., and Jake Keithly, Lakeport, Calif., five bass, 16-2.

Complete results from the event can be found at www.FLWFishing.com .

The 2019 Bass Pro Shops FLW High School Fishing Clear Lake Open was a two-person (team) event for students in grades 7-12, open to any Student Angler Federation affiliated high school club in the United States.

The top 10 percent of each Challenge, Open, and state championship field will advance to the 2019 High School Fishing National Championship on a body of water that has yet to be revealed.

The High School Fishing national champions will each receive a $5,000 college scholarship to the school of their choice.

In addition to the High School Fishing National Championship, all High School Fishing anglers nationwide automatically qualify for the world’s largest open high school bass tournament, the 2019 High School Fishing World Finals, held in conjunction with the National Championship. At the 2018 World Finals more than $150,000 in scholarships and prizes were awarded.

Full schedules and the latest announcements are available at www.HighSchoolFishing.org and www.FLWFishing.com .
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – This week the Lakeport City Council will get the illegal fireworks plan from the police chief and consider a surface water plant equipment purchase.

The council will meet beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

On Tuesday Police Chief Brad Rasmussen will ask the council to receive and file the Illegal Fireworks Police Operation Plan for the 30-day period surrounding July 4 – June 17 through July 16.

City municipal code requires that the Lakeport Police Department present the operation plan to the council.

The plan has to identify areas in the city where illegal fireworks were a problem in the previous year, a detailed explanation of the deployment of fire and law enforcement personnel to deal with those troublesome areas as well as with the balance of the city, a report on the apparatus and personnel who will be on duty for the period of June 17 through July 16, and more particularly, on July 1 through 5, and recommendations on and discussion of what, if any, dedicated illegal fireworks enforcement patrols there should be for that year and all other relevant information and statistics deemed necessary by the City Council.

Rasmussen’s report notes that there are significant increases in the number of visitors to our city during the July 4 holiday and the 30-day period surrounding it.

“In order to provide for proper public safety, the Police Department increases its staffing levels as much as possible in the period surrounding July 4. During the fireworks show on July 4, the Police Department deploys all of our staff as well as mutual aid staff from other law enforcement agencies in Lake County. The police department has developed the 2019 fireworks period operation plan along with public notices regarding the use and discharge of legal fireworks,” his report said.

In other business, the utilities superintendent will ask the council to authorize the city manager to execute the contract with Carbon Activated Corp. to replace the granular activated carbon in two of the four vessels at the surface water plant for an amount not to exceed $54,372.16.

Also on the agenda Tuesday is a presentation of the Business of the Quarter award by the Lakeport Main Street Association and a presentation by Maryanne Petrillo of the West Business Development Center.

On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances; minutes of the regular council meeting on May 7; the May 14 warrant register; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the Mendocino Complex fire; confirmation of the continuing existence of a local emergency for the February 2019 storms; approval of the Lakeside Car and Boat Show event application and agreement between the city of Lakeport and Tony Barthel and David Lakotas and require event staff to continue to meet with city staff to ensure that all concerns and requirements are met prior to the event; approval of event application 2019-018, with staff recommendations, for the 2019 Pumpkins in October event; approval of event application 2019-019, with staff recommendations, for the Loki Fest event, and require event organizers to meet with city staff to ensure that all concerns and requirements are met prior to the event; adoption of resolution adopting the city of Lakeport Title VI Plan; and review and filing of the third quarter financial update.

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.

052119 Lakeport City Council agenda packet by LakeCoNews on Scribd

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Just days after Bay Area counties released their homeless point-in-time figures showing significant increases in their homeless populations, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday announced the formation of the Homeless and Supportive Housing Advisory Task Force and its co-chairs Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg and Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas.

Earlier this month, the governor released his May budget revision which included an unprecedented $1 billion to fight California’s homelessness crisis.

The budget would increase emergency aid for local jurisdictions, make money available to cities and counties directly and fund permanent supportive housing or innovative approaches like motel and hotel conversions.

“No Californian can say homelessness is someone else’s problem – it affects us all,” said Governor Newsom. “Homelessness is a matter of statewide concern, but solutions will come from the local level. Mayors, county supervisors and city councils around the state are working hard to reduce homelessness and its underlying causes. We’ll be watching these local and regional solutions closely, to lend a hand and help them scale.”

The governor announced the new Task Force after touring a hotel conversion site in downtown Oakland that is now the Henry Robinson Multi-Service Center transitional housing facility.

Standing alongside Mayor Steinberg, Supervisor Ridley-Thomas, Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and California Health and Human Services Secretary Mark Ghaly, the Governor met with formerly homeless individuals and underscored the importance of state-local partnerships to combat homelessness.

“The growing problem of homelessness is nothing less than a humanitarian, public health, safety and economic crisis facing California,” said Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg. “I’m looking forward to working closely with Supervisor Ridley-Thomas and the administration of Gov. Newsom to develop comprehensive recommendations for how we can get thousands of people off the streets and into housing, and also help prevent thousands more from slipping into homelessness.”

The Homeless and Supportive Housing Advisory Task Force will meet a number of times throughout the year in cities and counties around the state to observe best practices firsthand and receive input from governments and constituents statewide to propose solutions to address the homelessness epidemic.

The governor will announce additional members of the Task Force and future meeting dates and locations in the coming weeks.

“I look forward to partnering with California Governor Gavin Newsom, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, and other members of this Task Force to ensure that the State of California steps up its efforts in confronting the defining civic and moral crises of our time,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. “It is time for all levels of government to intensify our efforts, and take urgent and swift action to combat homelessness."

The governor also named psychiatrist and neuroscientist Dr. Tom Insel as a key advisor providing insight in developing strategies to address mental health issues. Dr. Insel is a nationally recognized leader in the science of mental health and evidence-based practices to assist people suffering from various conditions.

Working with Secretary Ghaly, Dr. Insel will inform the state's work as California builds the mental health system of tomorrow, serving people whether they are living in the community, on the streets or if they are in jails, schools or shelters.

Dr. Insel served as director of the National Institute of Mental Health, or NIMH, the component of the National Institutes of Health committed to research on mental disorders. Prior to serving as NIMH director, Dr. Insel was a professor of psychiatry at Emory University, where he was founding director of the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience in Atlanta.

Dr. Insel led the Mental Health Team at Verily (formerly Google Life Sciences) in South San Francisco and, most recently, has served as co-founder and president of Mindstrong Health. Dr. Insel is a member of the National Academy of Medicine.

Homelessness is a matter of statewide concern most efficiently and effectively addressed at the local level through deep regional collaboration. The Task Force will consult with local and regional governments around the state to assess best practices and strategies to increase the production of Navigation Centers, positive housing exits and information sharing. The Task Force should guide local governments as they develop joint regional plans to address homelessness.

The Task Force will deliver at least one annual report to the governor on the work it performed to guide the creation of joint regional plans to address homelessness, including highlighting best practices and model programs at the local level.
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Chico State University duo of Carson Leber of Dixon, California, and Chad Sweitzer of Chico, California, won the YETI FLW College Fishing event on Clear Lake in Lake County, Calif., on Saturday, May 18, 2019. Photo courtesy of FLW.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Chico State University duo of Carson Leber of Dixon, California, and Chad Sweitzer of Chico, California, won the YETI FLW College Fishing event on Clear Lake presented by Costa Saturday with a five-bass limit weighing 17 pounds, 9 ounces.

The victory earned the Wildcats’ bass club $2,000 and a slot in the 2020 FLW College Fishing National Championship.

“We ran south and fished near Rattle Snake Island, mostly rock and offshore in 12- to 20-feet-of-water,” said Sweitzer, a junior majoring in accounting. “It was a tough tournament to get bigger fish. We caught a ton of solid 2- to 3-pounders, then Carson caught a big 5½ to 6-pounder and that was the difference maker for us.”

The duo said that they caught the majority of their fish with ½-ounce brown and purple Pepper Custom Baits Football jigs with brown and purple Strike King Rage Craws.

“Near the end of the day we started throwing a Megabass Vision 110 jerkbait on offshore grass and we caught around 10 keepers,” said Leber, a senior majoring in concrete industry management. “It was awesome and I wished we would have tried that a little earlier. But, our key bait throughout the day was definitely the jig.”

The top 10 teams that advanced to the 2020 College Fishing National Championship are:

First place: California State University-Chico – Carson Leber, Dixon, Calif., and Chad Sweitzer, Chico, Calif., five bass, 17-9, $2,650.

Second place: New Mexico State University – Ty Faulconer, Santa Clarita, Calif., and Daylon Smith, Frazier Park, Calif., five bass, 16-11, $1,200.

Third place: California State University-East Bay – Yuan Liu, Hayward, Calif., and Zane Kazaka, Clearlake, Calif., five bass, 15-4, $500.

Fourth place: Washington State University – Madden Tobeck, Eatonville Wash., and Nathan Baespflug, Sumner, Wash., five bass, 14-9, $500.

Fifth place: California Polytechnic State University – Hugh Cosculluela, The Woodlands, Texas, and Patrick Ellis, San Diego, Calif., five bass, 13-15, $500.

Sixth place: Sonoma State University – Josh Hanna, Danville, Calif., and Logan Green, Arroyo Grande, Calif., five bass, 13-11.

Seventh place: California Polytechnic State University – Wyatt Debusk, Paso Robles, Calif., and Dane Morris, Agoura Hills, Calif., five bass, 13-5.

Eighth place: California Polytechnic State University – Ryan Scarcella, Gilroy, Calif., and Sam Morita, Sebastopol, Calif., five bass, 12-8.

Ninth place: California Polytechnic State University – Hadyn Evans, Lower Lake, Calif., five bass, 12-5.

Tenth place: University of California-Merced – Kalib Caples, Sebastopol, Calif., and Herbie LeBlanc, Merced, Calif., five bass, 12-4.

Complete results for the entire field can be found at www.FLWFishing.com .

The YETI FLW College Fishing event on Clear Lake presented by Costa was hosted by Konocti Vista Casino Resort & Marina. It was the second of three regular-season qualifying tournaments for Western Conference anglers.

The next event for FLW College Fishing anglers will be the YETI FLW College Fishing at the Chesapeake Bay presented by Bass Pro Shops, May 31 at the Chesapeake Bay in Edgewood, Maryland.

YETI FLW College Fishing teams compete in three regular-season qualifying tournaments in one of five conferences – Central, Northern, Southern, Southeastern and Western. All participants must be registered, full-time students at a college, university or community college and members of a college fishing club that is recognized by their school.

The top 10 teams from each division’s three regular-season tournaments and the top 20 teams from the annual FLW College Fishing Open will advance to the 2020 FLW College Fishing National Championship.

Additional teams will qualify for the National Championship if the field size in regular-season events exceeds 100 boats. The Potomac River and Marbury, Maryland, will play host to the 2019 FLW College Fishing National Championship, June 4 to 6, 2019.

For complete details and updated information visit www.FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow YETI FLW College Fishing on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has four cats waiting to be adopted this week.

The following cats at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption.

This female domestic short hair cat is in kennel No. 68, ID No. 12183. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Female domestic short hair

This female domestic short hair cat has an all-black coat and gold eyes.

She already has been spayed.

She’s in kennel No. 68, ID No. 12183.

This female domestic short hair cat is in cat room kennel No. 78, ID No. 12225. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Female domestic short hair

This female domestic short hair cat has a gray tabby coat and green eyes.

She’s in cat room kennel No. 78, ID No. 12225.

This male domestic short hair is in cat room kennel No. 134, ID No. 12218. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Male domestic short hair

This male domestic short hair has a gray coat and gold eyes.

He’s in cat room kennel No. 134, ID No. 12218.

This male domestic short hair is in kennel No. 137, ID No. 12163. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Male domestic short hair

This male domestic short hair has an orange tabby coat and gold eyes.

He’s in kennel No. 137, ID No. 12163.

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.

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