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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors this week is set to hold discussions on cannabis tax revenue, cell tower placement and “K-Class” housing standards.

The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 4, 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.

In an untimed discussion, the board will consider a draft resolution to amend Article 71 of the Lake County Zoning Ordinance regarding regulations for the placement of communications towers and antennae.

The draft resolution suggests that a wireless communication facility must be located at least the height of the tower times two from any residential structure, with the exception of a residential structure that is occupied by the owner of the property upon which the wireless communication facility is located, in which case the setback requirement may be reduced with design certification by an engineer.

The proposal says the setback must include enough area to contain the fall zone entirely within the boundaries of the property owned or leased by the wireless communications provider.

The county’s proposed changes also would require that a wireless communication facility must be located at least two times the fall zone from any public right of way or private road and from any high-tension power lines.

“ In measuring setbacks, an accessory structure constructed to house equipment relating
to the wireless communication facility must be included as part of the wireless communication facility. The edge of an accessory structure to a property line shall constitute an appropriate measurement,” the draft ordinance states.

Also in an untimed on Tuesday, Supervisor Bruno Sabatier is asking for a discussing on cannabis tax revenue being generated from Measure C, which imposes a tax on cannabis cultivation operations in the county’s unincorporated areas, “in order to raise revenue to help fund law enforcement, environmental protection and water quality resources in the County, as well as to establish additional educational programs for County youth relating to drug and alcohol use,” according to his memo to the board.

Sabatier wrote, “Since the local cannabis industry is still in the developmental stages, the amount of ongoing revenue which will be generated by Measure C is in the process of being determined. Nonetheless, a Board discussion, and possible direction to staff to develop policy, would be timely.”

Along with Supervisor Moke Simon, Sabatier also is requesting the board and Community Development Department staff hold a discussion on Tuesday about “K-Class” housing, a type of owner-built housing with less stringent building standards. That discussion also is untimed.

“We are requesting discussion as to where these types of housing could be located and whether or not this type of housing should be allowed in unincorporated areas,” the memo from Sabatier and Simon explains.

In other business, at 9:15 a.m. the board will consider a request from the board of directors of Lake County Community Radio KPFZ, seeking a reduction in the fees it pays to the county for space on a communications tower on Mount Konocti.

The full agenda follows.

CONSENT AGENDA

5.1: Approve side letter to the Lake County Deputy District Attorney Association memorandum of understanding.

5.2: Adopt resolution to establish position allocations for Animal Care and Control officers.

5.3: Approve budget transfer in the amount of $55,000 to cover salaries and benefits for the remainder of FY 18-19 and authorize the chair to sign.

5.4: Approve the purchase of Microsoft Exchange licenses in the amount of $69,381.46 and authorize IT director to issue purchase order. Purchase will be made via the NASPO ValuePoint Data Communications Products and Services statewide contract.

5.5: Adopt resolution establishing county-maintained mileage for 2018.

5.6: Approve amendment one of agreement between Lake County and Ewing and Associates for special legal services for Sheriff Brian L. Martin and authorize the chair to sign.

5.7: Approve waiver of the 900 Hour extra help limit for Law Enforcement Records Technicians Sylvia Pascoe and Terri Whitehead.

5.8: Adopt resolution authorizing the application and acceptance of the 2019/20 Boating Safety and Enforcement financial aid funding from the State of California, Department of Parks and Recreation, Division of Boating and Waterways in the amount of $315,312.

5.9: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Konocti Unified School District for the assignment of a school resource officer for a base rate of $120,000 from July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020; and authorize the sheriff to sign.

5.10: Adopt proclamation for designating the month of June 2019 as Elder and Adult Dependent Abuse Awareness Month in Lake County.

5.11: Approve contract between the county of Lake and Lake Family Resource Center for CalWORKs Domestic Violence Services in the amount of $25,000, from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020, and authorize the chair to sign.

5.12: Approve contract between the county of Lake and North Coast Opportunities Inc. for the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for children in foster care in the amount of $107,654.00, from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2021, and authorize the chair to sign.

5.13: Approve contract between the county of Lake and North Coast Opportunities Inc., Rural Communities Child Care, for stage one child care services, in the amount of $70,000, from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2022, and authorize the chair to sign.

5.14: Approve contract between the county of Lake and Lake County Office of education for foster youth services in the amount of $45,000, from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020, and authorize the chair to sign.

5.15: Approve contract between the county of Lake and Lake Transit Authority for local public transportation services in the amount of $73,920, from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020, and authorize the chair to sign.

5.16: Approve contract between the county of Lake and Lake County Office of Education for Probation Family PRO in the amount of $36,000, from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020, and authorize the chair to sign.

TIMED ITEMS

6.2, 9:10 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation designating the month of June 2019 as Elder and Adult Dependent Abuse Awareness Month in Lake County.

6.3, 9:15 a.m.: Consideration of request from the board of directors of Lake County Community Radio KPFZ for rate reduction in tower fees.

UNTIMED ITEMS

7.2: Consideration of appointments to the Scotts Valley Community Advisory Council.

7.3: Discussion and consideration of a draft resolution of intention to amend Article 71 of the Lake County Zoning Ordinance, Regulations for the Placement of Communications Towers and Antennae.

7.4: Discussion and consideration of the use of cannabis tax revenue.

7.5: Consideration of proposed findings of fact and decision in the appeal of Aurelia Johnson (AB 18-01).

7.6: Sitting as the Lake County Housing Commission, consideration of (a) the Lake County Housing Commission 5 Year Plan for 2019 – 2024 with Required Certifications and; (b) the Administrative Plan for 2019 and authorization for the chair to sign.

7.7: ADDENDUM: Discussion and consideration of K-class housing in Lake County.

CLOSED SESSION

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

8.2: 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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The historic Kelsey Creek Schoolhouse in Kelseyville, Calif. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Kelseyville Unified School District has begun the process of soliciting proposals from nonprofit groups interested in restoring and maintaining the historic Kelsey Creek Schoolhouse.

In April, the district’s board of trustees voted to donate the 148-year-old building to a nonprofit organization, as Lake County News has reported.

When the board next met on May 21, it approved the request for proposal process developed by Superintendent Dave McQueen that nonprofits must follow to acquire the schoolhouse.

Board President Rick Winer said at the meeting that it’s the board’s intention that the building continues to benefit the community, and “That it’s accessible to the community and that it’s in much better condition than it currently is.”

The building, which is roughly about 850 square feet, has suffered neglect in recent years.

It was last roofed thanks to the county of Lake – in particular, then-County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox – in 2011, but since then it has suffered broken siding, which has allowed birds to nest inside the walls, paint is coming off the building in large chunks and board members were unaware at the May meeting that two of the windows recently had been broken.

The request for proposal process the board approved has two options – keeping the structure at its location on Finley Road East, where it was moved in 1882, or moving it to another location.

Nonprofits interested in submitting proposals have until 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 31.

One of the key requirements is that the building, if moved, must remain within the boundaries of the Kelseyville Unified School District.

The request for proposal process also requires verification of nonprofit status, the proposed final use of the building, a proposed schedule to receive ownership of the schoolhouse, identification of the proposed final destination of the building, a detail of the proposed methodology for and qualifications to relocate by a licensed removal company, a proposed budget for relocation or maintenance of the building, a detail of the ongoing maintenance of the schoolhouse if it remains on the district-owned property in Finley and proof of general liability insurance in specified amounts.

The process also addresses the potential for the school district to need to weigh in on the transfer of the interest in the building should the nonprofit that receives it come to a point where it needs to hand off ownership.

Winer said on May 21 that, in such a case, the matter would need to return to the full board for a decision.

Should the building be granted to an organization that moves it, Winer said the district would continue to own the land and would make a decision about that property at a future time.

For more information, contact Kelseyville Unified Superintendent Dave McQueen at 707-279-1511.

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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Project team members from Wallops prepare the launch pads and shelters on Roi-Namur. NASA/Libby West.

A NASA rocket mission to study disturbances in the upper atmosphere, which interfere with communication and technology systems, will form night-time white artificial clouds visible by residents of the Republic of the Marshall Islands during two rocket flights to occur between June 9 and 21.

This the second flight of the Waves and Instabilities from a Neutral Dynamo, or WINDY, mission. The mission this time is referred to as Too-WINDY -- it’s catchier than WINDY 2.

Too-WINDY will study a phenomenon that occurs in the ionosphere – a layer of charged particles in the upper atmosphere. Known as equatorial spread F, or ESF, these disturbances occur after sunset at latitudes near the equator in part of the ionosphere known as the F region. The disturbances can interfere with radio communication, navigation and imaging systems and pose a hazard to technology and society that depends on it.

The Too-WINDY mission consists of two NASA suborbital sounding rockets that will be launched five minutes apart in a window between 8 p.m. and 3.a.m. local time (4 a.m. and 1 p.m. EDT) June 9 to 21 from Roi-Namur. The Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands is near the magnetic equator, where post-sunset ionosphere storms are more intense, making the site an ideal location for these studies.

The first rocket launched, a two-stage 47-foot long Black Brant IX rocket, will carry and release both tri-methyl aluminum (TMA) and lithium. The release of the lithium vapors is not visible to the naked-eye but can be viewed with the special cameras.

The TMA will form white artificial clouds that glow in the night sky. Scientists on the ground and from a NASA Langley Research Center aircraft will photograph the movement of these clouds to measure the winds and energetic particles that are in motion in the upper atmosphere. The clouds are expected to be visible for about 30 minutes.

The TMA is deployed between 50 and 112 miles altitude, while the lithium is deployed between 155 and 210 miles altitude. Both substances, which are harmless after release from the experiment, move with the atmospheric winds and can therefore be used to determine the wind speeds and direction over the area where these ionosphere storms are occurring.

TMA reacts spontaneously on contact with oxygen to produce a pale white glow visible from the ground. For the Too-WINDY mission, sunlight reflected by the Moon, will illuminate lithium producing an emission that can be detected with cameras equipped with narrow-band filters. Using moonlight allows the launches to occur later in the evening when the critical ESF conditions occur.

The second rocket, also a Black Brant IX, will be launched five minutes after the first rocket. The second rocket carries instruments to measure ionosphere densities and electric and magnetic fields present in these storms.

During WINDY, launched in September 2017, the second rocket payload did not obtain useful data. Improvements have been made to the payload’s instruments to correct for the anomaly during the WINDY mission.

The ionosphere is defined as the layer of Earth’s atmosphere that is ionized by solar and cosmic radiation. Ionization occurs when incoming energetic radiation strips electrons from atoms and molecules, creating temporarily charged particles.

The nighttime ionosphere has two layers E and F. Disturbances in the F layer, the layer studied by Too-WINDY, degrade radio and radar signals at magnetic latitudes. Predicting these disturbances ahead of time, could help improve the reliability of space-borne and ground-based communication systems.

Too-WINDY attempts to answer questions about the origin of ESF by measuring how horizontal thermosphere winds influence the formation of ESF, as well as taking direct measurements of ionosphere densities and electric and magnetic fields inside these storms.

Data from the ARPA Long-Range Tracking and Instrumentation Radar, or ALTAIR, located on Kwajalein Atoll will play a key a role in the mission. ALTAIR is used to monitor the state of the upper atmosphere and ionosphere in order to determine when the large-scale disruptions occur and will tell the scientists when to launch the rockets. ALTAIR also will be used to monitor the evolution of the ESF after the rockets launch.

Too-WINDY is supported by researchers from Cornell University, in Ithaca, New York; Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina; and Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.

More information on NASA sounding rocket missions and the use of artificial clouds and vapor tracers in science research is available at www.nasa.gov/soundingrockets .

NASA's Sounding Rocket Program is conducted at the agency's Wallops Flight Facility, on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Wallops is managed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. NASA's Heliophysics Division manages the sounding-rocket program for the agency.

Keith Koehler works for NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility.


One of the two Too-WINDY payloads is prepared for vibration testing at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility prior to shipment to the Marshall Islands. Credits: NASA / Berit Bland.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council this week is scheduled to hold a budget workshop ahead of its regular meeting, along with considering the appointment of a new planning commissioner and a request to defer fees for a new housing project.

The council will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 4, for the workshop before the regular meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

On the regular meeting agenda is the appointment of a new planning commissioner in the wake of Commissioner Jeri Driver’s resignation last month.

City Clerk Kelly Buendia said the city is recommending Brandon Disney, a prior applicant, for the seat.

In other business, City Manager Margaret Silveira will ask the council to consider approving a wastewater connection fees and water capacity fees deferral agreement/loan for the 48-unit affordable family rental housing project, the Martin Street Family Apartments.

The apartment complex is the second phase of an affordable housing project being built by AMG & Associates – Pacific West Communities.

“To provide affordable housing in Lakeport, the developer needs assistance through the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee (CTCAC) in order to make the project affordable. This is a competitive application process and to obtain the points necessary for the funding, the local jurisdiction needs to partner with the developer to receive the tax credits,” Silveira wrote.

Silveira said the city does not have the capacity to invest monetarily, thus the deferral of the wastewater and water connection fees would meet the needed match.

“The total for wastewater connection fees deferred is $706,041 and the total water capacity fees deferred is $188,310. This deferral will allow the project to proceed which is consistent with the City’s General Plan and Housing Element. This is also consistent with State’s Housing
Policy to provide affordable housing. The payback for the deferral will be a 55 year loan paid through annual installments limited to 20% of Residual Receipts generated by the project. The deferral will be secured by a deed of trust,” Silveira’s report explained.

The council also will consider approving a new police lieutenant and captain classification series, including monthly salary changes for the lieutenant and the police chief positions, and salary range for the captain position, all effective July 2; and a deputy city clerk III-records supervisor classification at salary range 44, effective July 1.

Also on Tuesday, the council will discuss the purchase of Laserfiche software and authorize the city manager to sign a licensing agreement and the first year’s annual maintenance and support agreement with Synapse, and there will be the presentation of the city of Lakeport employee scholarship.

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 21; 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; and approval of response to the Lake County Grand Jury regarding Lampson Field.

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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Diogenes' lantern. Photo by Kathleen Scavone.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The late spring rains we have enjoyed in Lake County have extended the opportunities for native wildflower viewing under our pellucid skies.

Besides our seemingly ever-present state flower, the California poppy that grows alongside highways and in our many parks, you can take pleasure in the multi-hued clovers, Ithuriel's spear, evening primrose, chicory, lupine and more.

A fireworks display of color can be found at the Lake County Land Trust's Rabbit Hill in Middletown.

There are sprays of the yellow woolly sunflower, or Eriophyllum lanatum. These commonly found flowers thrive in parched open areas below 10,000 feet. This is a perennial plant that grows from one to two feet in height and attracts lupine ghost moths as well as geranium plume moths in certain areas.

A uniquely beautiful woodland flower set amongst the dense curtain of grasses in shady areas, is Diogenes' lantern, or Calochortus amabilis. This yellow, nodding flower is also called golden fairy lantern. Endemic to California, the plant's bulb was a traditional fare of the Kashaya Pomo, or "bo" who prepared them to eat by first baking or boiling.

Ithuriel's spear. Photo by Kathleen Scavone.

If you look carefully, you will spy the flowers of the wavy soaproot plant. These delicate white blooms open near the end of the day, and stretch up, on a straight stalk amidst the center of the leaf rosette. Soaproot is related to the lily.

These marvels of evolution do not have to rely upon bees or wasps for pollination. They depend upon small night flying beetles, flies or moths to do the deed.

Many traditional uses of soaproot were employed by California Indians. Soaproot has been used to construct utilitarian brushes from the strong, brown fibers which cover the bulb.

When the plant fibers were removed from the bulb, and cleaned of debris, they could then be fashioned into various sized bundles for sifting acorn flour.

The handle for the soaproot brush was often made from boiled soaproot bulbs. Once it was made into a pulp, it adhered to the soaproot fibers and dried. Brushes from the soaproot plant were put to use to clean their baskets, mortars and pestles.

Yerba santa. Photo by Kathleen Scavone.

One more soaproot factoid: According to a survivor of the 1846 Donner party, pioneer Patrick Breen detailed in his diary that a local Indian he met then shared a half-dozen of the roots of this plant for a small meal, which look like small onions. Soaproot, aka soap plant or amole, is considered to be one of the most abundant bulbs in California.

Another plant with white flowers is the Yerba santa, or Eriodictyon californicum.This bush proliferates in and amongst the serpentine soils, rocks and boulders here in Lake County. It also thrives in oak woodlands, redwood and pine forests.

Yerba santa acquired its moniker from early Spanish settlers who thought of it as a “blessed herb.” It was used by the Spanish in California in the early 1800s, as well as American Indians before them, who concocted a tea for asthma or colds.

For a great seasonal plant uses list of plants used by the local Clear Lake people visit Dr. John Parker's 'Lake County Archaeology" Web site at http://wolfcreekarcheology.com/Pomo2.html .

Kathleen Scavone, M.A., is a retired educator, potter, freelance 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.”
Woolly sunflower. Photo by Kathleen Scavone.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Fire Protection District got good news on Friday – final confirmation that its Measure M fire tax has passed.

The Lake County Registrar of Voters Office on Friday reported to district officials that the special May 7 all-mail election has been certified and finalized, with the measure passing. The agency had 30 days to complete the official canvass.

“I know the district is very pleased and humbled to see the overwhelming support of the Lakeport area community in passing Measure M,” said Lakeport Fire Board member Alan Flora, one of the newer board members who also is city manager for Clearlake.

Measure M needed a supermajority of 66.7 percent to pass.

The final vote count showed that the measure received 1,700 yes votes, or 74.27 percent, versus 589 no votes, or 25.73 percent.

Counted ballots cast totaled 2,289, with another four reported as “undervotes,” or ballots not counted due to unclear markings, based on the official canvass documents.

The Registrar of Voters Office said 5,983 ballots had been mailed to registered voters in the fire protection district’s boundaries. The turnout rate was 38.33 percent.

Lakeport Fire put the measure before voters in order to bring in much-needed revenue to the district, which last year laid off three full-time firefighters.

Measure M is forecast to bring in $1,206,000 in its first year, rising to more than $1.3 million by the fifth year thanks to annual consumer price index adjustments not to exceed 3 percent.

The first payments on the measure won’t start coming in until the December property tax bills.

“Now the real work begins in bringing the district back up to the state of readiness the citizens expect and deserve. It is my pledge to advocate for responsible spending of district revenues in a way that ensures sustainable service into the future,” Flora said.

The Lakeport Fire Protection District Governing Board will hold its next meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, at Station 50, 445 N. Main St.

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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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – City Manager Alan Flora announced that the city of Clearlake has just released the first public draft of the 2019-27 Housing Element.

This is an eight-year update to the city’s General Plan Housing Element; a policy document describing existing housing conditions, a review of resources available to facilitate new housing construction and a strategy that addresses goals, policies and programs for Clearlake’s housing needs.

A second public workshop with the Clearlake Planning Commission has been scheduled in the city council chambers, located at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive, on Tuesday, June 4, starting at 6 p.m.

The Preliminary Draft Housing Element may be reviewed from the city’s Web site at http://www.clearlake.ca.us/355/Housing-Element-Update-2019-27 or hard copies of the document can be obtained for purchase from the Planning Department at 707-994-8201.

After the workshop, the document will be prepared for submittal to the California Department of Housing and Community Development, or HCD, which will review it for compliance with state housing codes.

After this review, the housing element document will be scheduled for adoption by the planning commission and city council in late summer, and then again be returned to HCD for final certification.

Final certification provides city access to grants and many housing programs offered by the state.

“We are making a big effort to reach out to the public to obtain their input regarding the city’s housing needs, and would like to hear from our community at this second public workshop. We plan to have other meetings with the public in a few more months too, so if you miss this workshop, we can always hear from you during the adoption workshops coming this summer,” said Flora.
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Joy Marcks, education director at Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake, holds the inaugural Pinwheel Trophy. Marcks and tribal youth from the Habematolel Education Center accepted the trophy on behalf of the town of Upper Lake, Calif. The trophy honors Upper Lake’s display of pinwheels commemorating April 2019 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Pictured left to right are Alexis Miller, Michael F. Marcks, Steven Krohn, Janine Bechtol, Joy Marcks, J. and Hope Marcks II. Photo courtesy of the Lake County Office of Education.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The town of Upper Lake was awarded the Lake County Children’s Council’s inaugural Pinwheel Challenge trophy, honoring the community’s display of pinwheels to raise awareness of child abuse prevention, during the National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April.

The students of the Kelseyville High School ag mechanics class created the bronze pinwheel trophy under the direction of Michael Zeni.

The pinwheel is a national symbol for child abuse prevention because it serves as a reminder of the great childhoods we want for all children.

The Lake County Office of Education’s Ana Santana, director of the Lake County Children’s Council and Healthy Start Youth & Family Services, said, “It was exciting to see so many great displays of pinwheels in Lake County this year. Upper Lake was awarded this trophy because of the sheer heart the entire community put into this project.”

There were many Lake County participants in this year’s Pinwheel Garden Challenge including individuals, communities, agencies, schools and more. Lake County Probation, Lake Family Resource Center, Tule House, Supervisor Tina Scott and family, and Middletown Unified School District were just a few of the wonderful displays of pinwheels.

Santana added, “What was wonderful about Upper Lake’s display is that the pinwheels were handmade and hand colored by the children of Upper Lake, the population that we are working so hard to safeguard.”

“This was a collaborative effort. Paper pinwheel decorations were courteous of youth who attend Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake Education Center, the kindergarten classes of Mrs. Wurm and Ms. Glenn at Upper Lake Elementary School, and Upper Lake Head Start Half Day Site,” said Joy Marcks, education director for the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake.

Many Upper Lake businesses displayed the pinwheels including the Upper Lake Post Office, Highlights by Amanda, Upper Lake Water District, Country Carpets, Mi Chelas Mexican Restaurant, Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake Tribal Office, Double Dee’s Coffee Shop and the Gingerbread Barn.

April has been established as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and communities across the nation participate to raise awareness about abuse prevention.

Child abuse is expensive. The cumulative financial impact to the Lake County community for the 136 verified child victims last year is $29.3 million.

Though these costs are accrued over the course of the victim's life, Lake County will continue to incur the same cost each year until we are able to reduce and ultimately end child abuse.

The Lake County Children’s Council is administered through the Lake County Office of Education, and is a consortium of several local agencies who work towards child abuse prevention in Lake County. It is funded through the California Department of Social Services and other grants.

The goal statement is, “Child abuse prevention through the transformation of Lake County into a trauma informed, resilience focused community.”

For more information please visit www.lakecoe.org/Childrens_Council .
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – A week after the Lake County Planning Commission voted to deny a cell tower project in downtown Middletown, Verizon Wireless has filed to appeal the decision to the Board of Supervisors.

The commission voted on May 23 to deny a minor use permit, variance and categorical exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act that Verizon is seeking to place nine 4G antennas on a 60-foot-tall lattice tower owned by Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Co. and located at 21347 Highway 175.

One of the key points of contention has been the very small setback – 43 inches, when the zoning ordinance requires a 100-foot setback from residences – from the closest neighboring property, owned by Rosemary Cordova.

The commission sided with residents’ concerns and voted down the project.

However, on Friday, the Lake County Community Development Department reported that Cellco Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless, appealed the decision.

In a letter to the Board of Supervisors included in the appeal documents, Paul Albritton, Verizon’s attorney, alleged that the planning commission erred in its decision and abused its discretion, “and that the decision is in direct violation of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.”

Albritton argued that the commission’s error and abuse of discretion came in declaring that the proposed wireless communications facility didn’t satisfy the findings for the minor use permit, variance and CEQA exemption.

He also said the commission’s denial violated the Telecommunications Act because it was not supported by “substantial evidence.”

In this case, Albritton wrote that there is “substantial evidence to demonstrate that the Proposed Facility satisfies all required findings for approval and meets all applicable County standards or qualifies for a variance.”

He also stated that “as there is a significant gap in Verizon Wireless service, and there is no less intrusive alternative to address the gap,” denying the project application constitutes a prohibition of service in violation of federal law.

It’s not yet been determined when the appeal may make it to the Board of Supervisors, with planning staff on Friday offering a rough estimate of at least a month.

Senior Planner Mark Roberts did not immediately respond to a request from Lake County News for a more specific time frame for the appeal to be heard by the board.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Association of Realtors, or LCAOR, reported that the sales of single-family residences have remained relatively flat over a three-month period.

The Lake County median sales price for April was $259,950, up 4.4 percent over the March median of $249,000. The February median was $257,050.

Year-over-year trends showed an 8.5-percent decline in the median price with April of 2018 having a median of $284,000.

The number of sales in April was 58, up 13.7 percent over 51 sales in March. February had 61 sales, the most thus far for any month of the year.

The number of sales in April 2018 was 79, resulting in April 2019 sales being down by 26.6 percent on a year-to-year basis.

The percentage of homes financed with cash in April was 32.8 percent, which was up from 23.5 percent in March and up from 22.8 percent in April 2018.

“With prices remaining below last year’s we have seen affordability rise,” said Mary Benson, 2019 LCAOR president. “According to the California Association of Realtors 44 percent of Lake County residents can afford to buy a median priced home, which is up from 40 percent during the same time period in 2018.”

On a statewide basis, the California Association of Realtors reported that 32 percent of California residents could afford the first quarter median price of $545,820, up from 28 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018 and up from 31 percent in the first quarter of 2018.

Affordability is based on 30-year fixed rate loans at a 4.62-percent interest rate.

The California Association of Realtors reported existing, single-family home sales in California totaled 396.760 in April on a seasonally adjusted annualized rate, down 0.1 percent from March and down 4.8 percent from April 2018.

April’s statewide median home price was $602,920, up 6.5 percent from March, and up 3.2 percent from April 2018.

The 30-year, fixed-mortgage interest rate averaged 4.14 percent in April, down from 4.47 percent in April 2018, according to Freddie Mac. The five-year, adjustable mortgage interest rate rose in April to an average of 3.75 percent up from 3.66 in April 2018.

LAKE COUNTY NUMBERS AT A GLANCE

April 2019
Median price: $259,950
Units sold: 58
Median days to sell: 56

March 2019
Median price: $249,000
Units sold: 51
Median days to sell: 69

April 2018
Median price: $284,000
Units sold: 79
Median days to sell: 37
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has many dogs waiting for new homes this week.

Dogs available for adoption this week include mixes of beagle, border collie, Chihuahua, German Shepherd, hound, Labrador Retriever, pit bull, poodle, shepherd, terrier and treeing walker coonhound.

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.

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”).

“Blaze” is a male Labrador Retriever in kennel No. 2, ID No. 12304. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

‘Blaze’

“Blaze” is a male Labrador Retriever with a short black coat and white markings.

He already has been neutered.

He’s in kennel No. 2, ID No. 12304.

“Buddy” is a male beagle in kennel No. 5, ID No. 11906. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

‘Buddy’

“Buddy” is a male beagle with a short brown and white coat.

He already has been neutered.

He’s in kennel No. 5, ID No. 11906.


“Scooby” is a male poodle mix in kennel No. 11, ID No. 12312. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

‘Scooby’

“Scooby” is a male poodle mix with a medium-length white and tan coat.

Shelter staff said he previously was an outside-only dog in a family with 5- and 12-year-old children. His owner described him as very friendly and smart.

He is in kennel No. 11, ID No. 12312.

“Scubi” is a male pit bull in kennel No. 12, ID No. 12290. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

‘Scubi’

“Scubi” is a male pit bull with a short tan and white coat.

He already has been neutered.

He’s in kennel No. 12, ID No. 12290.

“Luke” is a male treeing walker coonhound in kennel No. 18, ID No. 11771. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

‘Luke’

“Luke” is a male treeing walker coonhound with a short tricolor coat.

Shelter staff said he is dominant with other dogs and would prefer not to play but just soak up human affection. He can live with others but prefers to not have them in his space. Luke is good with children ages 6 and above.

He has been neutered.

He’s in kennel No. 18, ID No. 11771.

This male German Shepherd is in kennel No. 20, ID No. 12272. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Male German Shepherd

This male German Shepherd has a medium-length black and brown coat.

He already has been neutered.

He’s in kennel No. 20, ID No. 12272.

This female German Shepherd is in kennel No. 21, ID No. 12273. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Female German Shepherd

This female German Shepherd has a medium-length black and tan coat.

She is in kennel No. 21, ID No. 12273.

This female pit bull-border collie mix is in kennel No. 23, ID No. 12274. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Pit bull-border collie mix

This female pit bull-border collie mix has a short tricolor coat.

She is in kennel No. 23, ID No. 12274.

“Charlie” is a male Labrador Retriever in kennel No. 25, ID No. 12262. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

‘Charlie’

“Charlie” is a male Labrador Retriever with a black coat and white markings.

He’s in kennel No. 25, ID No. 12262.

This male Chihuahua-terrier mix is in kennel No. 29a, ID No. 12112. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Chihuahua-terrier mix

This male Chihuahua-terrier mix has a short black coat.

He’s in kennel No. 29a, ID No. 12112.

“Duke” is a male Labrador Retriever in kennel No. 34, ID No. 11022. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

‘Duke’

“Duke” is a male Labrador Retriever with a short black coat with white markings.

He already has been neutered.

He’s in kennel No. 34, ID No. 11022.

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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Dr. Art Pimentel. Courtesy photo.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Yuba Community College District Chancellor Dr. Douglas B. Houston will recommend Dr. Artemio “Art” Pimentel as the new Woodland Community College President at the June 13 regular board of trustees meeting.

Pending approval by the governing board, Dr. Pimentel will assume office on July 1.

He is the third president of Woodland Community College in its 11-year history as an accredited California Community College.

“The Yuba Community College District conducted a state wide search to find the perfect administrator to serve as the next President of Woodland Community College. The college and community are ever changing and strong bold leadership will lead us to new heights,” said President Richard Teagarden, “We are delighted to welcome Dr. Pimentel as the newly selected President and a member of the Yuba Community College District leadership team.”

Born in the city of Woodland, Dr. Pimentel is a proud product of the Woodland Joint Unified School District, graduating from Woodland High School in 1997.

Dr. Pimentel served in 2006 as the public information officer at Woodland Community College, as the director of TRiO Programs in 2009 and was appointed as the executive dean for the Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College in 2012.

In July 2014, Dr. Pimentel accepted the position of campus dean for the West Sacramento Center for Sacramento City College in the Los Rios Community College District and was appointed as the district director of educational services and student success.

In addition to his career in higher education, Dr. Pimentel was elected to the Woodland City Council in 2004, serving as Mayor of Woodland in 2008. Additionally, Dr. Pimentel served on the Woodland Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees in 2014, as the Chairman for the Yolo County Transportation District, Yolo-Solano Air Quality District, and the Cleaner Air Partnership of Sacramento.

He received his Bachelor of Arts in social sciences from California State University, Sacramento, a Master of Arts in educational leadership from California State University, Sacramento and a Doctorate in Education from the University of California, Davis.

“A community college should be the center of a community, an institution that supports lifelong learning, civic engagement and a place where students can grow and thrive,” said Dr. Pimentel. “I look forward to working with the college campus and community to build upon the energy and commitment to continue this vision.”

Yuba Community College District Chancellor Dr. Douglas B. Houston attributes the leadership and involvement of Woodland Community College’s faculty, staff, students, and community members and leaders of the city of Woodland in assisting with attracting and selecting such a highly-qualified campus leader.

"I am very proud that after a very competitive search process, that attracted numerous highly qualified applicants, to be nominating Woodland's own Dr. Art Pimentel to serve as the next WCC President,” said Houston. “Dr. Pimentel has been highly successful in all that he has done for this region and is passionately dedicated to Woodland and the communities served by the college."

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