UPPER LAKE, Calif. – A probation search conducted last week has resulted in the arrest of an Upper Lake man and the seizure of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Ira Jude Donelson, 36, was arrested in the case, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

At 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, sheriff’s patrol deputies conducted a probation search of Donelson at his residence, which is located in the 9000 block of Elliott Street in Upper Lake, Brooks said.

As the deputy approached the residence, he could hear people talking inside the detached garage, according to Brooks.

Brooks said the deputy knocked and identified himself at the side door of the garage, which is within close proximity of the front door of the residence. After several seconds, the deputy could hear what sounded like people moving items around inside the garage.

The deputy opened the unlocked door and saw Donelson reaching into a coffee can, which was sitting on a metal shelf. Brooks said Donelson was holding a loaded hypodermic syringe in his left hand and was trying to conceal it prior to the deputy entering the garage.

Donelson admitted the syringe contained methamphetamine. The syringe was seized as evidence and it appeared to contain approximately 24 milliliters of a clear liquid, Brooks said.

When asked if there were any other illegal items in the garage, Donelson provided the deputy with a box he said contained paraphernalia, Brooks said.

Inside the box the deputy located 36 hypodermic syringes and needles, another hypodermic syringe containing approximately 25 milliliters of suspected methamphetamine and a small metal box that contained a white crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine, Brooks reported.

A small amount of the crystalline substance and some liquid from each of the syringes were tested using a narcotic identification kit. Brooks said each test kit flashed blue indicating a presumptive positive for methamphetamine.

Donelson was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession of controlled substance paraphernalia, and destroying or concealing evidence. He was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked, Brooks said.

The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – “Bandemonium!” – a benefit for the Clear Lake High School concert, jazz and marching bands – returns this year on Saturday, Sept. 14.

The rockin' end of summer fundraiser will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Natural High School on Main Street in Lakeport.

Events will include a car, truck or boat wash a tri-tip barbecue, a bake sale and live music performed by Clear Lake High School musicians throughout the day.

According to organizers, Clear Lake High School recently lost a major source of funding for its music program, therefore all funds necessary for extracurricular activities involving the concert, jazz, and marching bands must now be raised by the CLHS Band Boosters Club and band members.

For further information regarding the CLHS Music Program, contact Jenny Ingram at 707-262-3010, Extension 7009, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The alleged shooter in a Sunday homicide in Clearlake and his three co-defendants made their first court appearances in the case on Tuesday afternoon.

Clearlake residents Joshua Robert Beavers, 24; Orlando Esquivel Sr., 48; Angel Aileen Esquivel, 50; and Brenden Alicea, 26, appeared in Judge Richard Martin's court on Tuesday afternoon.

The four are facing charges in connection to the Sunday afternoon triple shooting that left 29-year-old David Ferrell dead.

Beavers is alleged to have used a .22-caliber handgun to fatally shoot Ferrell and to wound Rachel Patterson, 25, and Paul Cressy, 52, during a confrontation at a residence at 19th and Gardner avenues, according to the prosecution.

Patterson, grazed on the side by a bullet, was taken to St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake on Sunday and released a short time later. An air ambulance took Cressy to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for treatment of a wound to his elbow, police said.

Police said the shooting followed a fight that took place earlier on Sunday between one of the suspects and one of the shooting victims.

All four suspects were detained at a residence on 21st Avenue in Clearlake within hours of the shooting police said.

Late Sunday night police found the handgun they believe was used in the shooting, along with a .410 shotgun with a pistol grip that also was present at the incident but not used, in some bushes in the area of 16th and Boyles avenues.

The District Attorney's Office has filed 11 counts and numerous special allegations against Beavers, including murder, attempted murder, assault with a firearm, discharging a firearm in a grossly negligent manner, assault with a semiautomatic firearm and carrying a loaded handgun in a vehicle or public place.

Beavers, who has previous felony convictions in Sonoma County in 2008 – participation in a criminal street gang and vandalism – also is facing charges for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

At Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff's request, Judge Martin set Beavers' bail at $2.9 million, which adheres to the standard bail schedule.

“Any questions?” Judge Martin asked Beavers after going over all of his counts and bail.

“No sir,” said Beavers, sitting in the front row of the jury box, wearing a black and white jail jumpsuit, his head newly shaved.

Orlando Esquivel, Angel Esquivel and Alicea each are facing one count of conspiracy. They are alleged to have had knowledge of the murder and to have harbored, concealed or aided Beavers. Police said the three are believed to have helped hide evidence.

While standard bail for conspiracy is $15,000, due to the seriousness of being accessories to a first-degree murder and two attempted murders, Hinchcliff asked that bail for the Esquivels and Alicea be set at $250,000.

Martin approved the request and granted leave for further bail review at a future time.

“This is just not a mere aiding and abetting. It's aiding and abetting some very, very serious crimes,” Martin said.

Martin appointed attorneys for all four suspects: Doug Rhoades will represent Beavers and Barry Melton will be counsel for Orlando Esquivel, while Komnith Moth will take Alicea's case and Mitchell Hauptman will represent Angel Esquivel.

All four suspects are next to appear in court at 8:15 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, in Judge Andrew Blum's Department 3 courtroom.

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.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – On Monday a local man who had attempted to rob at gunpoint a Lakeport business earlier this year was sentenced to six years in prison.

Lonny Teter, 69, of Lakeport received the sentence from Judge Andrew Blum, according to Chief Deputy District Attorney Rich Hinchcliff, who prosecuted the case.

As part of an agreement reached with the District Attorney's Office, Teter pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and assault with a firearm, and admitted that he personally used a handgun in the commission of the attempted robbery, Hinchcliff said.

Hinchcliff said the six-year sentence Teter received was the middle term for the charges. He could have served as little as four years and four months, or as many as 13 years.

Teter's defense attorney, Tom Quinn, chose not to offer comment on the case when reached by Lake County News on Monday.

Hinchcliff originally had charged Teter with two counts of attempted robbery for incidents that happened in January and February.

It's alleged that on Jan. 31, Teter – wearing dark camouflage clothing and a nylon stocking over his face, and armed with a revolver – was seen behind the Lakeport Sears store, located at 2570 S. Main St.

He is alleged to have pointed the handgun at one of the store's employees then disappeared before sheriff's deputies arrived.

Less than a month later, on Feb. 21, Teter would be arrested after he attempted to rob Premier Flooring – located next door to Sears – at gunpoint, Hinchcliff said.

Sufi Ratcliffe, who owns the store along with husband Justin, was in the store when Teter, Hinchcliff said.

Justin Ratcliffe went into the store to find his wife being chased by Teter, who Hinchcliff said was pointing a gun at the woman.

Hinchcliff said Justin Ratcliffe hit Teter in the face with flooring boards and wrestled with him to get the gun away.

On Monday, Justin Ratcliffe gave a victim impact statement to the court. “He said Teter was trying to get the gun pointed at him,” with Teter's finger on the trigger, Hinchcliff said.

Hinchcliff said an employee from UCC Rentals, which is next door to Premier Flooring, came to Ratcliffe's aid and helped subdue Teter.

While Teter admitted to police that he showed up to rob the store, Hinchcliff said Teter later claimed that he was very depressed – due in part to an impending divorce – and that he was hoping for “suicide by cop,” or to be shot at the scene.

But Hinchcliff said that claim didn't add up when considering Teter's actions – including wearing dark clothing, the nylon over his face to disguise his features and latex gloves, and his actions in chasing Sufi Ratcliffe and then struggling with her husband.

“The evidence we have does not indicate he just showed up to try to get cops to kill him,” Hinchcliff said.

Residents of Sterling Shores mobile home park in north Lakeport, where Teter had lived, sent in letters on his behalf, as did members of his Elks Lodge, said Hinchcliff.

Maria Teter, who is divorcing Lonny Teter, gave a statement on his behalf in court, explaining that he was a nice man who had struggled with depression, anxiety and anger issues for many years, and wasn't getting the proper medications from doctors, according to Hinchcliff.

Lonny Teter, who has remained in custody since his arrest in February, will serve his time in the California prison system, not in the Lake County Jail, Hinchcliff said.

Because the robberies are violent felonies, Hinchcliff said Teter must serve 85 percent of his sentence before being eligible for release.

Hinchcliff said Teter had no criminal history prior to the incidents earlier this year.

“Even the judge said this is just a really unusual case,” Hinchcliff 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.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – An event benefiting the Highlands Senior Center's Meals on Wheels program will take place later this month.

“Rockin' to the '50s” dinner and dance happens Saturday, Sept. 21, at the center, 3245 Bowers Road in Clearlake.

Proceeds benefit the “Meals On Wheels,” program, which currently serves more than 100 homebound seniors daily.

The band “Southern Comfort” will rock the night away “and we'll dance until we drop,” said center Executive Director Linda Burton.

Fifties dress is optional but there will be a contest for best costume, best hair and best socks.

There also will be a silent auction, 50/50 raffle and the Lakeshore Lions will host a cocktail bar.

Burton said the program relies heavily on the community's support in light of federal funding cuts.

“We need community support now more than ever since sequester dropped our funding by 20 percent,” she said. “We are trying to deliver the meals and services that people need, in spite of the cut in funding.”

Burton said the program promotes better health through improved nutrition and reduced isolation.

Meals are delivered to eligible seniors Monday through Friday with frozen meals for the weekend and holidays available. She said more than 40,000 meals are delivered annually.

“Rockin' to the '50s” dinner and dance tickets are available at Bob's Vacuum, 4165 Mullen Ave. in Clearlake and at the Highlands Senior Center.

Dinner choices include roast beef or chicken, with all the trimmings for a donation of $30 per meal.

For more information call the Highlands Senior Center at 707-994-3051.

Email Denise Rockenstein at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – After getting a handle on several large fires around the state last week, firefighters across California faced new firefighting challenges as the new week began.

Nearly 200 fires burned an estimated 2,000 acres last week, and several new incidents began Sunday and Monday, according to Cal Fire's latest Fire Situation Report, which can be seen below.

Cal Fire said the Clover Fire in Shasta County, which began early Monday afternoon, burned 6,740 acres in its first day and was only 5 percent contained.

Also sparking on Monday was the Lyons Fire in San Diego County, which has burned 250 acres and is 10 percent contained, the agency said.

The Morgan Fire in Contra Costa County, which began Sunday afternoon, had burned 3,718 acres by Monday evening and was 20 percent contained, Cal Fire said.

The Angora Fire in Tulare County, which is in the Sequoia National Forest, also began Sunday. Forest officials said the fire has burned 109 acres and is 20 percent contained.

The Rim Fire – the state's largest fire this year – has burned 253,332 acres in and around Yosemite National Park in Tuolumne County since it began Aug. 17, according to the Stanislaus National Forest. That fire is now 80 percent contained.

Cal Fire said the Rim Fire is now the third-largest wildland fire in California's history.

The largest, the Cedar Fire in San Diego County in October 2003, burned 273,246 acres, followed by the August 2012 Rush Fire in Lassen County, which burned 271,911 acres in California and 43,666 acres in Nevada, according to Cal Fire records.

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

CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – An ongoing marijuana investigation by the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force has resulted in the arrest of a Clearlake Oaks man and the seizure of 98 marijuana plants, 10 firearms and 54 ounces of processed marijuana.

Thomas Scott Gray, 61, was arrested at his home on Tuesday, Aug. 27, according to sheriff's Lt. Steve Brooks.

On that day at approximately 3:49 p.m., narcotics detectives responded to a residence located in the 700 block of Sulphur Bank Road in Clearlake Oaks, regarding an ongoing marijuana investigation, Brooks said.

Detectives could see approximately 40 marijuana plants as they approached the residence. Brooks said detectives contacted Gray, who lives at the residence, and he admitted to having approximately 46 marijuana plants in the back yard.

Gray denied having any marijuana growing inside the residence and told detectives the house was completely empty and he was living in a trailer on the property, Brooks said.

When detectives asked about the window-mounted air conditioner that was attached to the house and running, Gray also admitted he had an indoor grow, according to Brooks.

Detectives detained Gray and secured a search warrant for the property, which they served, Brooks said. During the search, detectives located and seized 50 marijuana plants which were growing outside and 48 marijuana plants from the indoor grow.

Brooks said they also seized 53.9 ounces of processed marijuana and 10 firearms.

Gray told detectives that he did not have a valid medical marijuana recommendation. Brooks said Gray also told detectives that he only needed three pounds of processed marijuana to meet his medical needs and intended on selling the rest for profit.

Gray was arrested for the possession of marijuana for sales, cultivating marijuana and for being armed while in the commission of a felony, Brooks said.

He was transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.

The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be contacted through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Attorney General Kamala D. Harris on Monday joined San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee and San Francisco Police Chief Greg Suhr to launch the California Department of Justice’s JusticeMobile app.

JusticeMobile is a mobile app that gives law enforcement agents, for the first time, secure and immediate access to state and federal criminal justice information. Until now, officers have had to use a phone or radio to contact personnel to obtain this information.

JusticeMobile was tested over the past five months by more than 600 San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) officers.

Now, JusticeMobile is being rolled out to all SFPD officers, giving them access to internal SFPD, California DOJ and federal law enforcement databases.

Justice Mobile will soon be available to law enforcement agencies across the state. The Los Angeles Police Department plans to equip 3,600 officers with the technology.

“We have mobile apps for everything from banking to board games on our phones. But, incredibly, law enforcement hasn’t had the tools to access important criminal justice information on handhelds and tablets until now,” said Attorney General Harris. “JusticeMobile is a quantum leap forward for public and peace officer safety, and it demonstrates our commitment to facilitating the adoption of new technology by law enforcement. I thank Mayor Lee and Chief Suhr for their partnership on this important project.”

In San Francisco, the Attorney General’s office partnered with SFPD’s Technology Division, the Mayor’s Office and technology companies through the San Francisco Citizens Initiative for Technology and Innovation (sf.citi).

“San Francisco’s men and women in uniform need 21st Century tools to keep our city safe,” said Mayor Lee. “This is a game changer. Under the leadership of Attorney General Harris, SFPD and sf.citi, the JusticeMobile smartphones give officers on the streets instant access to law enforcement data where information in real time counts. The City’s violent crime rates are now at historic lows and implementing innovative crime prevention strategies like this will help keep San Francisco as one of the safest big cities in America.”

“Talk about loving when a plan comes together, and I want to acknowledge the vision of Mayor Lee, Attorney General Kamala D. Harris, the Police Commission, and sf.citi in moving this initiative forward,” said SFPD Chief Greg Suhr.

“That vision, coupled with the tenacity of SFPD CIO Susan Giffin and her award winning team, San Francisco will be a safer place because it’s a smarter place,” Suhr said. “This is the force multiplier SFPD has been working toward. In this case, some of San Francisco’s finest citizens came together to give ‘San Francisco’s Finest’ a 21st century tool that will go a long way towards making the City the safest big city in the country.”

JusticeMobile employs many rigorous security standards, including: strong password requirements, a Virtual Private Network requiring two-factor authorization, encryption, limits on downloads and backup/syncing, and prohibiting copying or screen captures.

JusticeMobile is also being used on a pilot basis to keep illegal firearms out of the hands of dangerous criminals.

DOJ agents are using JusticeMobile on their iPads to check potential gun buyers at weekend firearms shows in California, by checking names against the Bureau of Firearms Armed Prohibited Persons (APPS) database.

Previously, agents were able to run only 20 individuals against the APPS list at a weekend gun show. Now, using JusticeMobile on iPads, agents are running 80 individuals, an increase of 300 percent.

California attorney general JusticeMobile app.pdf

NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Humboldt County Sheriff's SWAT Team on Monday afternoon arrested a former Lake County man and a teenage girl for allegedly killing one man and wounding another with a crossbow the previous day.

Phoenix Triton King, 20, formerly of Clearlake, and the 16-year-old girl – whose name was not released due to her age – were taken into custody at around 3:15 p.m. Monday, according to the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office.

Additional photos of the incident can be seen here: http://lostcoastoutpost.com .

King and the teen girl traveling with him allegedly had shot two homeless men near Eureka on Sunday – killing one – because they believed the men had stolen from their transient camp, officials reported.

The two fled into nearby woods, resulting in an extensive manhunt that lasted until late Sunday night, according to the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff's officials said the agency received a call on Monday from citizens who reported a possible sighting of King and the girl in the area of the “Friends of the Dunes.”

A California Highway Patrol helicopter, along with the Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team and sheriff’s detectives, responded to the scene, according to the report.

The helicopter spotted the suspects and ordered them to surrender, which they did. The report said the SWAT team was directed to the suspects by the helicopter and took the two into custody without incident. They suspects were unarmed.

They face murder and attempted murder charges for the crossbow shootings, officials said.

Thanks to the Lost Coast Outpost, http://lostcoastoutpost.com , for its assistance in followup on this story.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Authorities in Humboldt County are searching for a Lake County man and a teenage female who they say shot two homeless men with a crossbow, killing one of them.

Phoenix Triton King, 20, is being sought in connection to the Sunday murder and attempted murder, according to a Monday report from the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office.

A 16-year-old girl traveling with King also has been named as a suspect in the case. Because of her age, officials have not released her name.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the arrest of both for murder and attempted murder.

King and the girl are to be considered dangerous and potentially armed, according to Humboldt County Sheriff's Lt. Dave Morey.

Morey said that at 12:32 p.m. Sunday the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a 911 call of a possible injured man lying on the southbound shoulder of Highway 255, approximately 100 yards north of the intersection with New Navy Base Road in Eureka.

While deputies were responding, a second person called the sheriff’s office to report the injured male appeared to have been shot twice with an arrow and there were two people fleeing the area on bicycles, possibly suspects or involved with this incident, Morey said.

One witness attempted to detain these individuals, at which point the suspects abandoned their bicycles and fled into a heavily wooded area on the west side of the road, according to Morey's report.

Morey said deputies arrived in the area around 12:39 p.m. and located a 41-year-old male victim who had suffered three injuries that would later be determined to be from a crossbow.

The victim had a grazing scalp wound, an arrow to the hip and an injury on his shin from a glancing arrow injury. Morey said the victim was transported to an area hospital where he was treated and released for his injuries.

Deputies then located a second victim, a 44-year-old male who was deceased, approximately 200 yards west and into the wooded area from where the first victim was located. Morey said the second victim suffered a single arrow to the face.

Morey said Monday that the names of both victims were being withheld.

An extensive manhunt was undertaken in the heavily wooded and coastal area for the two suspects, Morey said.

Assisting was a helicopter from the California Highway Patrol, wardens from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Arcata Police Department officers and one of their K9s, Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies and Sheriff’s Office Special Services including ATVs for searching the beach, and rangers from the Bureau of Land Management, he said.

Morey said the search was called off at approximately 11:45 p.m. Sunday.

Detectives from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office have been assigned to this investigation, he said.

The motive for the shootings, according to the investigation so far, is the suspects' belief that the victims may have stolen items from their transient camp.

He said the victims are homeless and have been occupying an encampment for the last several months.

It appears that King and the girl are newly arrived to the area and had a crude encampment, which a search warrant was sought for and served on, Morey said.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the assistance of the public for any information on the suspects.

King is described as a white male with short blond hair, blue eyes and black heavy framed glasses. He's 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighs 140 pounds.

The female is described as having black or dark skin, shoulder-length dark brown hair described as frizzy in texture that she often wears in a bun, with brown eyes. She is 5 feet tall and weighs 120 pounds.

King, who formerly lived in Clearlake, has previous arrests in Lake County for drugs and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to Lake County Jail records.

Anyone who believes they have seen these individuals is encouraged to not approach them but to call 911 with information.

Det. Jen Turner has been assigned as the lead investigator on this incident. Anyone with further information on this case is asked to call her at 707-268-3642.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Upcoming paving and road maintenance projects planned in north Lakeport in Lucerne are expected to result in some road closures, according to the Lake County Road Department.

In an effort to better maintain local roads, the agency said it will be paving an area of Hill Road and applying a preventative maintenance treatment called chip seal on 13th Avenue in Lucerne.

The paving and chip seal projects will occur as follows:

– Tuesday, Sept. 10: Full closure of Hill Road, from Scotts Valley Road to Shady Lane in north Lakeport, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

– Wednesday, Sept. 18: Full closure of Hill Road, from Scotts Valley Road to Shady Lane in north Lakeport, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

– Tuesday, Sept. 24: Full closure of 13th Avenue, from Highway 20 to Country Club Drive in Lucerne, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

– Friday, Sept. 27: Full closure of 13th Avenue, and Highway 20 to Country Club Drive in Lucerne, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There will be full closures on those roadways during those dates and times. All traffic will need to use alternative routes and residents on the affected roadways will need to ensure that vehicles are parked out of the right-of-way, officials said.

The chip seal treatment will consist of applying a coating of road oil covered with gravel chips over the entire paved surface to seal and preserve pavement.

The Lake County Road Department is asking the public not to park or drive on the treated roadways during construction. Children should not be allowed to play near the treated areas.

For more information, call the Lake County Road Department at 707-263-2341.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Big Read proudly presents a month of program events this October in connection with featured reading selection “The Joy Luck Club” by Amy Tan.

Two exhibits, one focusing on art and writing, and the other on local history, are in full swing, through local partnerships and volunteer efforts.

Entries for both literature and art in any medium – no larger than 11 inches by 14 inches, framed and ready to hang – are due by Sept. 24 at noon to the Main Street Gallery in Lakeport.

There will be a judging of entries and featured work will be on display at the gallery for the First Friday Fling event from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 4. Lajour and Cougars Leap wines will be poured, along with entertainment by Michael Barrish on guitar. This event is free and open to the public.

A mother/daughter photo exhibit will be on display at the Lake County Office of Education building in October, coordinated by volunteer curators Patti and Fallon Diener.

Community members are asked to contribute a framed photograph depicting a mother and daughter relationship, including a brief description of the photo’s content.

All photographs will be safely stored and can be brought to the LCOE office or to Robin Fogel-Shrive at Carlé High School in Lower Lake by Sept. 27.

Mother/daughter relationships are at the heart of the novel, and this is an opportunity to bring people together to appreciate our own mother/daughter connections.

A gallery walk is scheduled for Oct. 2 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Refreshments will be served and the event is free and open to the public.

Two teacher events are scheduled for the first week of programming. The Little Read Professional Development for K-5 educators will take place on Thursday, Oct. 3, at the LCOE office in Lakeport.

Copies of Amy Tan’s “The Moon Lady” and a story for the youngest of readers, “Mooncakes,” will be provided.

These books, and curriculum created by members of the Lake/Mendocino Reading Council, will be available for each elementary school in Lake County.

Refreshments will be provided and the event is free of charge. To register, visit the LCOE Web site at www.lakecoe.org and click on The Big Read page.

Secondary English and Language Arts teachers are invited to meet for an informal curriculum discussion at the Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 1:30 p.m.

This opportunity to collaborate will precede the Book Launch party featuring keynote speaker Cathy Kroll at 4 p.m.

Dr. Kroll, assistant professor of English at Sonoma State University, is a specialist in world literature. She will be speaking on the relevance of “The Joy Luck Club” today in her talk entitled, “Tiger Mothers, ‘Lean In’ Mothers, and Millennials – The Joy Luck Club’s Fierce Endurance.”

The book launch event is free and open to the public. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made by visiting the LCOE Web site’s Big Read page.

For a complete and updated listing of Big Read events, visit the National Endowment for the Arts Big Read Web site at www.neabigread.org or the LCOE Web site at www.lakecoe.org .

The Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in collaboration with Arts Midwest. Lake County is one of 77 communities in the U.S. to receive grant funding to support reading efforts.

For more information, contact Lake County Big Read program director Robin Fogel-Shrive at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .