This small shrine was set up at a candlelight vigil held in memory of 4-year-old Skyler Rapp of Clearlake, Calif., at Redbud Park in Clearlake on Wednesday, June 22, 2011. The child died as the result of gunshot wounds he sustained in a shooting incident on Saturday, June 18, 2011. That same incident left five other people injured, including the boy's mother, Desiree Kirby, 22. Photo by Elizabeth Larson.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Four days after a shooting devastated a family and left the community both shaken and enraged, hundreds of people gathered for a candlelight vigil in Clearlake.

People of all ages arrived at Redbud Park shortly before 9 p.m., gathering at the baseball field and forming a ring of flickering candles around the baseball diamond.

Behind home plate was a little shrine of candles, mementos, a teddy bear and pictures of a little read-headed boy, Skyler Rapp, whose portrait also adorned t-shirts worn by dozens of people at the park.

The 4-year-old was with his mother, her boyfriend and several friends at a gathering on Lakeshore Drive last Saturday night when armed assailants arrived and allegedly shot at the group.

In addition to Skyler, his mother, 22-year-old Desiree Kirby and her boyfriend, 25-year-old Ross Sparks, were wounded, as was Ross Sparks' 23-year-old brother, Andrew, 19-year-old Ian Griffith and 15-year-old Joey Armijo.

The little boy died a short time after the shooting. His parents and the rest of the shooting victims were flown to area hospitals. On Wednesday, Kirby remained in serious condition at UC Davis Medical Center, with Andrew Sparks and Ian Griffith reported by a hospital official to be in good condition.

Ross Sparks, released earlier in the week, was present at the event, as was Sunni Forney, Kirby's mother. Sparks was surrounded by friends and well-wishers, offering support and consolation.

Interim Clearlake Police Craig Clausen, several of his officers and a number of District Attorney's Office investigators were on hand to monitor the event, which was peaceful.

Clausen has confirmed that the June 18 incident claimed the most casualties of any shooting in the city's history.

The response from the community during the past several days community members has been one of outrage.

Some community members have gone so far as to post messages on their own Facebook pages, on the Lake County News Facebook page and in article comments sections calling, in some cases, for revenge.

But on Wednesday night, as darkness fell on the crowd and faces were framed in candlelight, those gathered heard a call for peace and healing.

Pastor Mitch Rodgers of Clearlake's Harvest Fellowship Church was asked to speak at the gathering. Like some others at the event, he hadn't known of the family before the tragedy, and the events of June 18 have filled his thoughts and prayers since then.

He thanked the community for its “overwhelming” support of the family, pointing out the size of the gathering said something about the heart of Clearlake's community, which was experiencing a ripple effect from the shooting.

“We can have a vengeful and retaliatory attitude,” said Rodgers, but that, in the end, only puts the person who takes that route in the same place as the men accused of shooting the family and their friends.

Rodgers suggested there was another option.

“We can change the atmosphere of this county,” he said, adding they had the ability to come together as a community.

“There are evil forces at work and we can put a stop to them,” Rodgers said.

He suggested community members could choose to be people of love, peace, harmony and joy, and could take back their city.

After Rodgers finished speaking, a rap song in Skyler's honor was performed and people began to gather in close to home plate, their candles held high.

People continued to stay and talk for more than an hour after the event ended.

Police still have not disclosed a possible motive in the case, but earlier this week they arrested 21-year-old Paul William Braden and 23-year-old Orlando Joseph Lopez, both of Clearlake Oaks, and are seeking 29-year-old Clearlake resident Kevin Ray Stone.

In a brief arraignment in Lake County Superior Court on Wednesday afternoon, both Braden and Stone were formally charged with murder, attempted murder, mayhem, assault with a deadly weapon and a number of special allegations, according to Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff.

Charges have not so far been filed on Lopez, Hinchcliff said.

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Gary Anthony Archer, 55, of Santa Rosa, died as a result of the incident, according to Capt. James Bauman of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Bauman said that on Monday at approximately 9:45 p.m. sheriff’s deputies responded to the Lake Pillsbury Resort to investigate a reported drowning.

As deputies were en route to Lake Pillsbury, Sheriff’s Dispatch received further information that the victim had actually been struck by a boat. Bauman said deputies with the Sheriff’s Marine Patrol Unit were called out to respond as well to investigate the boating accident.

When deputies arrived at the Lake Pillsbury Resort, they located Archer lying on the dock of the resort surrounded by rescue personnel and witnesses. Bauman said a Bay Area doctor who had been vacationing at the resort had already pronounced Archer deceased.

Northshore Fire Chief Jim Robbins told Lake County News that one of his agency's medic units was called out to transport Archer and was released after he was declared dead. However, they later were called back to transport a woman who had dived into the water to help Archer and was injured.

Bauman said deputies learned that Archer had been water skiing behind a Glasstron GT 150 powerboat, operated by 39-year-old Christian John Speckman of San Francisco.

Speckman had reportedly maneuvered the boat towards the lake’s shoreline with Archer in tow, Bauman said. Speckman apparently made a sharp turn before reaching the shoreline with the intent that Archer would release the ski line and glide into shore. Somehow, Archer was struck by the boat while he was still in the water.

Several key witnesses who were either friends or relatives of Archer had apparently left the area prior to the deputies’ arrival to respond to Santa Rosa and console his relatives, Bauman said. Deputies have contacted those witnesses in order to determine the exact cause of the fatal accident.

The investigation is ongoing, Bauman said.

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Winemaker Scott Simkover, owner of Smiling Dog Ranch, took home gold/first place for his Backyard Zin and dry-farmed Merlot, as well as Best in Show for best red wine of the day at the 2010 Winefest. Photo by Terre Logsdon.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Scratch one of Lake County's professional winemakers and you're likely to find an amateur lurking inside.

That's because many of the men and women who craft the county's premium vintages started out as home winemakers.

On Saturday, June 25, many of them will have the chance to impart much of the knowledge they've gained to the many amateurs who gather for the Lake County Home Wine Makers Festival, taking place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Lakeport's Library Park.

Since its inception nearly a decade ago the Winefest – an abbreviated version of the name – has always had most of the area's leading wineries rubbing shoulders with their less-skilled contemporaries, and it's been a happy mixture for all involved.

Although the pros are not eligible for awards they do provide attendees the opportunity to taste the best that the county has to offer, all in one place at one time.

They also provide judges to reward the winners – and sometimes advise the losers – among the dozens of wines submitted for judging by the home wine makers.

The same applies to home brewers, who profit from the know-how of the commercial brewers attending the show.

Amateur wine makers submitting samples for judging should deliver them to 125 Park St. next to Bigg's Cafe, across the street from the Library Park Festival venue, no later than 9 a.m. on the day of the event. It is the future site of Bell Hill Vineyard 's downtown wine tasting room.

Home brewers should deliver their entries no later than 6 p.m. on Friday, June 24, to Guidos Pizza, 5440 Live Oak Drive, Kelseyville.

Commercial wineries providing tastes at this year's Winefest include Rosa D'Oro, Tulip Hill, Vigilance, Bell Hill, Cougar's Leap, Moore Family Winery, Lavender Blue Wines, Steele Wines, Laujor Estate Winery and High Valley Vineyard.

Award-winner Jean Ownbey of Wild Diamond Vineyards took home gold for Mourvedre, silver for Sangiovese and bronze for Barbera at the 2010 Winefest. Photo by Terre Logsdon.

Wine Judges are Pietro Buttita of Rosa D'Oro, Stephen Dilley of Lavender Blue, Valerie Ramirez of Wildhurst, Charlie Hossom of Snows Lake, Pamela Shine-Duncan of Steele Wines, Stephanie Green of Focused on Wine and Restauranteur Jack Vos.

Home brews and ales will be judged by Jerry Worswick, a Beer Judge Certification Program-certified judge; Weston Siefert of the Saw Shop restaurant in Kelseyville; and Paul Lew, local president of the Home Brewing Club.

The annual Home Wine Makers Festival is sponsored by nonprofit Clear Lake Performing Arts, and all proceeds go to support its music activities including the Lake County Symphony, the CLPA Youth and Junior Youth Orchestras and scholarships.

The event is open to the public and families are welcome. However those wishing to taste samples of either the commercial wines, or the amateur efforts, need to purchase a commemorative wine glass. This also makes them eligible to vote in the Peoples Choice competitions for the homemade wines.

The tickets for the glasses are $20 at the gate or $15 when purchased in advance at Kitchen Gallery, Watershed Books, Shari's Secret Garden, Catfish Books or the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, all in Lakeport; Rosa D'Oro or Wildhurst in Kelseyville; Steele Wines in Finley; Tulip Hill in Nice; and High Valley Winery in Clearlake Oaks.

Additional information may be obtained at www.homewinemakersfestival.com or by calling 707-277-7812 or 707-277-7076.

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His analysis sought to determine whether the budget met the requirements of Proposition 25 and Proposition 58, which forfeit legislative pay if a balanced budget is not passed by June 15.

“My office’s careful review of the recently-passed budget found components that were miscalculated, miscounted or unfinished,” said Chiang. “The numbers simply did not add up, and the Legislature will forfeit their pay until a balanced budget is sent to the governor.”

In a statement issued Tuesday afternoon, Gov. Jerry Brown said of Chiang's decision to withhold Legislators' pay, “The Controller has made his determination. We should all work together to pass a solid budget.”

Proposition 25, titled the “On-Time Budget Act of 2010,” was approved by voters on Nov. 2, 2010.

The initiative lowered the vote requirement for passing a budget from two-thirds to a simple majority without lowering the two-thirds vote required for tax increases.

It also forfeits legislators’ pay and living expenses incurred from June 16 until “the day that the budget bill is presented to the Governor.”

Nothing in the Constitution or state law gives the state controller the authority to judge the honesty, legitimacy or viability of a budget. The controller can only determine whether the expected revenues will equal or exceed planned expenditures in the budget, as required by Article 4, Section 12(g) of the Constitution: “. . .the Legislature may not send to the Governor for consideration, nor may the Governor sign into law, a budget bill that would appropriate from the General Fund, for that fiscal year, a total amount that. . .exceeds General Fund revenues for that fiscal year estimated as of the date of the budget bill's passage. That estimate of General Fund revenues shall be set forth in the budget bill passed by the Legislature.”

“While the vetoed budget contains solutions of questionable achievability and some to which I am personally opposed, current law provides no authority for my office to second-guess them in my enforcement of Proposition 25,”said Chiang. “My job is not to substitute my policy judgment for that of the Legislature and the Governor, rather it is to be the honest-broker of the numbers.”

Using this standard, the controller’s analysis found that the recently-vetoed budget committed the state to $89.75 billion in spending, but only provided $87.9 billion in revenues, leaving an imbalance of $1.85 billion.

The largest problem involved the guaranteed level of education funding under Proposition 98. The June 15 budget underfunded education by more than $1.3 billion. Underfunding is not possible without suspending Proposition 98, which would require a supermajority (2/3) vote of the Legislature.

The budget also counted on $320 million in hospital fees, $103 million in taxes on managed-care plans, and $300 million in vehicle registration charges. However, the Legislature never passed the bills necessary to collect or spend those funds as part of the State budget.

A summary of the Controller’s analysis of the authorized expenditures versus the estimated revenues can be found on the Controller’s website at www.sco.ca.gov.

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ATLANTA – A steady reduction in overall cancer death rates translates to the avoidance of about 898,000 deaths from cancer between 1990 and 2007, according to the latest statistics from the American Cancer Society.

“The nearly 900,000 cancer deaths avoided over a 17-year period stand in stark contrast to the repeated claim that cancer death rates have not budged,” said John R. Seffrin, Ph.D., chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society and its advocacy affiliate, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN). “Nonetheless, we refuse to be satisfied, and are committed to doing whatever it takes, not only to ensure cancer death rates continue to drop, but to accelerate the decline.”

However, the report, “Cancer Statistics 2011,” and its companion consumer publication “Cancer Facts & Figures 2011” find that progress has not benefited all segments of the population equally.

A special section of the report finds cancer death rates for individuals with the least education are more than twice those of the most educated and that closing that gap could have prevented 37 percent – or 60,370 – of the premature cancer deaths that occurred in 2007 in people ages 25-64 years.

Each year, the American Cancer Society estimates the numbers of new cancer cases and deaths expected in the United States in the current year and compiles the most recent data on cancer incidence, mortality, and survival based on incidence data from the National Cancer Institute, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, and mortality data from the National Center for Health Statistics.

A total of 1,596,670 new cancer cases and 571,950 deaths from cancer are projected to occur in the U.S. In 2011.

Overall cancer incidence rates were stable in men in the most recent time period after decreasing by 1.9 percent per year from 2001 to 2005; in women, incidence rates have been declining by 0.6 percent annually since 1998.

Overall cancer death rates, which have been dropping since the early 1990s, continued to decrease in all racial/ethnic groups in both men and women since 1998 with the exception of American Indian/Alaska Native women, among whom rates were stable.

African American and Hispanic men showed the largest annual decreases in cancer death rates during this time period, 2.6 percent and 2.5 percent, respectively. Lung cancer death rates showed a significant decline in women after continuously increasing since the 1930s.

Other highlights of the report include:

– Among men, cancers of the prostate, lung and bronchus, and colorectum account for more than half (about 52%) of all newly diagnosed cancers. Prostate cancer alone accounts for 29 percent (240,890) of incident cases.

– The three most commonly diagnosed types of cancer among women in 2011 are breast, lung and bronchus, and colorectum, accounting for about 53 percent of estimated cancer cases in women. Breast cancer alone is expected to account for 30 percent (230,480) of all new cancer cases among women.

– The lifetime probability of being diagnosed with an invasive cancer is higher for men than women.

– It is estimated that about 571,950 Americans will die from cancer.

– Cancers of the lung and bronchus, prostate, and colorectum in men, and cancers of the lung and bronchus, breast, and colorectum in women continue to be the most common causes of cancer death.

– Lung cancer is expected to account for 26% of all cancer deaths among women.

– The lung cancer mortality rate in women has finally begun to decline, more than a decade later than the decline began in men. The lag in lung cancer trends in women compared with men reflects a later uptake of cigarette smoking in women, among whom smoking peaked about 20 years later than in men.

– Recent rapid declines in colorectal cancer incidence rates largely reflect increases in screening that can detect and remove precancerous growths.

– The overall cancer death rate decreased by 1.9 percent per year from 2001-2007 in males and by 1.5 percent in females from 2002-2007, greater declines than those seen in the 1990s.

– Between 1990-91 and 2007, cancer death rates decreased by 22.2 percent in men and by 13.9 percent in women.

– Mortality rates have continued to decrease for colorectum, female breast and prostate cancer.

– Among men, the reduction in death rates for lung, prostate and colorectal cancers account for nearly 80 percent of the total decrease in the cancer death rate, while among women, a reduction in death rates for breast and colorectal cancers account for almost 60 percent of the decrease.

The reports feature a special section on the impact of eliminating disparities on cancer deaths. Level of education is often used as a marker of socioeconomic status.

In 2007, cancer death rates in the least educated segment of the population were 2.6 times higher than those in the most educated. This disparity was largest for lung cancer, for which the death rate was five times higher in the least educated than for the most educated.

Differences in lung cancer death rates reflect the striking gradient in smoking prevalence by level of education; 31 percent of men with 12 or fewer years of education are current smokers, compared to 12 percent of college graduates and 5 percent of men with graduate degrees.

The special section also estimated the numbers of potential premature cancer deaths that could be avoided in the absence of socioeconomic and/or racial disparities.

If all adults ages 25 to 64 in the United States in 2007 had the cancer death rate of the most educated non-Hispanic whites, 37 percent – or 60,370 out of 164,190 – premature cancer deaths could potentially have been avoided.

For African Americans, closing the gap between death rates among the most and least educated could potentially avert twice as many premature cancer deaths as eliminating racial disparities between blacks and whites, underscoring the preponderance of poverty in cancer disparities across all segments of the population.

The annual reports have become critical tools for scientists, public health experts, and policymakers in assessing the current burden of cancer. These estimates are some of the most widely quoted cancer statistics in the world.

The Society’s leading team of epidemiologic researchers, in collaboration with scientists from the National Cancer Institute, compiles and analyzes incidence and mortality data to estimate the number of new cancer cases and deaths for the current year nationwide and in individual states.

The expected numbers of new cancer cases and cancer deaths should be interpreted with caution because these estimates are based on statistical models and may vary considerably from year to year, the American Cancer Society said.

Not all changes in cancer trends can be captured by modeling techniques and sometimes the model may be too sensitive to recent trends, resulting in over- or under-estimates.

For these reasons, the estimates should not be compared from year-to-year to determine trends; age-standardized cancer incidence and death rates are the best way to monitor changes in cancer occurrence and death.

Despite these limitations, the American Cancer Society’s estimates of the number of new cancer cases and deaths in the current year provide reasonably accurate estimates of the burden of new cancer cases and deaths in the United States.

Such estimates will assist in continuing efforts to reduce the public health burden of cancer, the group said.

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Cancer Statistics 2011

The Lake County Sheriff's Marijuana Suppression Unit discovered this device, which looked like an explosive but was inoperable, during marijuana eradication operations on Tuesday, June 21, 2011. Photo courtesy of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Marijuana Suppression Unit's discovery of an apparent explosive device – later determined to be inoperable – during eradication operations resulted in a coordinated response by multiple allied agencies on Tuesday.

Sheriff's Capt. James Bauman said that on Tuesday, June 22, at approximately 8:45 a.m., sheriff’s deputies, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) agents, and a C.A.M.P. team with the California Department of Justice (DOJ) were inserted by helicopter into an illegal marijuana growing operation in the area of Dry Creek Road and Highway 175 near the Sonoma County Line.

Shortly after their insertion, deputies were approaching an unoccupied camp they had located in the middle of the grow when they discovered an apparent explosive device at the entry point into the camp, Bauman said.

The device consisted of 15 to 20, 12 gauge shotgun rounds taped together with a small circuit board and positive/negative leads attached to a small ATV sized battery. Bauman said the device also had a trip-wire leading across the entrance to the camp.

Upon discovering the device, the eradication team backed off and secured the immediate area of the camp, Bauman said. After reporting their discovery to personnel at the operation’s nearby landing zone, they notified sheriff’s command staff and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services coordinator to begin requesting responses from allied agencies to assist with abating the device.

Members of the Napa County Sheriff’s Bomb Response Team were deployed to Lake County shortly before 11 a.m. and while they were en route, the Lake County Department of Public Works responded to the area with sandbags and other materials to support the bomb team, according to Bauman.

Shortly after the Napa County bomb team arrived at around 1 p.m., a Cal Fire engine and medic unit, as well as a REACH air ambulance, were staged as a precautionary measure, Bauman said.

Two bomb technicians were inserted into the marijuana grow by helicopter and after disabling the device, the bomb team determined the device was not functional to begin with, Bauman said.

He said officials believe the device was left by illegal growers to stall potential eradication efforts and allow suspects to flee the operation without being pursued by law enforcement.

After the illegal grow was secured and rendered safe, the marijuana suppression operation resumed and deputies ultimately eradicated more than 21,000 marijuana plants. Bauman said the operation concluded at approximately 5 p.m. and no suspects were located.

Sheriff Frank Rivero thanked Cal Fire, Lake County Department of Public Works and REACH for supporting the operation and expressed his deepest gratitude to the Napa County Sheriff’s Bomb Response Team for rendering the eradication operation safe.

Sheriff's officials reminded members of the public to always be aware of their surroundings when venturing into wilderness areas and to immediately back out and notify authorities any time indications of a possible marijuana grow are discovered.

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The doublewide mobile home with added on structures, located on Carson Way, was fully involved by the time Northshore Fire Protection District firefighters arrived on scene at about 3:30 a.m. Monday, according to Deputy Chief Pat Brown.

Brown said Northshore Fire responded with three engines, one water tender and two chiefs.

The fire was knocked down within about 45 minutes, with all units clearing the scene following mop up at 7:30 a.m., he said.

At that point, the scene was handed over to Lake County Code Enforcement officers, Brown said, adding the structure was a total loss.

Brown said the mobile home had been vacant and a trouble spot for some time. There was no power or water to the home, he added.

The cause is under investigation, he said.

He estimated the total loss at $80,000.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews, on Tumblr at www.lakeconews.tumblr.com, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .

Interim Clearlake Police Chief Craig Clausen said in an early Sunday morning statement that his officers were dispatched to a “shots fired” call in the 14000 block of Lakeshore Drive at about 10:50 p.m. Saturday. Radio reports indicated the closest cross street to the shooting site was Kabal Street.

Clausen said when officers arrived at the scene they discovered several victims with apparent gunshot wounds.

One of the victims later died, according to Clausen, while three others were flown to out-of-county hospitals for treatment of their injuries.

A family member posted on Lake County News' Facebook page that the shooting victim who died was a 4-year-old child, with his mother, father and another relative also wounded.

Radio reports had indicated that at least one suspect in the shooting had been detained near the scene shortly afterward.

The suspects, based on Facebook posts by family and friends of the victims, were said to be a group of young Clearlake men with Norteno gang affiliations.

However, Clausen did not release the names of the victims or the alleged suspects early Sunday, noting that more information would be released as soon as police were able to do so.

There also has been reports posted on the Lake County News Facebook page that police officers had possibly been hurt in the incident, but Sgt. Tom Clements told Lake County News early Sunday that no officers had been injured.

During the night Clearlake Police Department officers secured multiple scenes in preparation of issuance of search warrants, and were assisted in the investigation by the Lake County District Attorney’s Investigation Unit, Clausen said.

The Clearlake Police Department also received assistance from other agencies around the county as the night unfolded.

The California Highway Patrol sent officers to the area, and sheriff's deputies were called in to help back up the police in responding to other calls, based on radio traffic.

Likewise, Lake County Fire Protection District, based in Clearlake, was assisted by medic units from Northshore Fire, Kelseyville Fire and Cal Fire's South Lake County units in responding to transport victims from the scene to St. Helena Hospital Clearlake as well as to a helicopter landing zone at Ray's Food Place on Dam Road.

For several hours following the shootings REACH and Cal Star helicopters came and went from the city in order to transport the victims to hospitals around the region, including Santa Rosa Memorial and UC Davis Medical Center.

Police are asking anyone with information about the case to contact Sgt. Clements at 707-994-8251. Callers may remain anonymous.

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At an afternoon hearing before Judge Andrew Blum in Lake County Superior Court's Lakeport division, Paul William Braden, 21, and 29-year-old Kevin Ray Stone were charged in the case, filed by Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff.

Stone is not yet in custody, but Braden and another suspect, Orlando Joseph Lopez, were arrested earlier this week, as Lake County News has reported.

Lopez so far has not been charged, Hinchcliff said.

“At this point we don't have sufficient evidence to charge him,” he said of Lopez, who remained in the Lake County Jail Wednesday afternoon with bail set at $500,000.

However, Hinchcliff said the investigation is continuing. “The Clearlake Police Department is going to be working on this case for a long time.”

Police have confirmed that it's the largest single shooting incident in the city of Clearlake's history.

Braden and Stone face a long list of charges that, according to an initial calculation, could send them both to prison for life if they're convicted.

Hinchcliff has charged both Braden and Stone with one count of murder for the death of 4-year-old Skyler Rapp, who succumbed to his wounds not long after the late night shooting.

The murder count carries either 15 years to life on a second-degree conviction or 25 years to life on a first-degree conviction, Hinchcliff explained.

According to Hinchcliff, both men also are facing five counts of attempted murder for shooting Desiree Kirby, 22, Skyler Rapp's mother; Ross Sparks, 25, and his brother, Andrew, 23; Ian Griffith, 19; and Joey Armijo, 15.

Each attempted murder charges carries a potential life sentence, Hinchcliff noted.

Hinchcliff said Braden and Stone also are facing two counts of mayhem for the most seriously injured victims; six counts of assault with a deadly weapon for each shooting victim; and numerous other special allegations, including personally using and discharging a firearm causing great bodily injury.

Those special allegations each carry possible 25-years-to-life sentences, Hinchcliff said.

As for what both men could face if convicted of all charges, Hinchcliff said, “I haven't even tried to calculate what a potential sentence would be,” but added that most of the main counts carry potential life terms.

Hinchcliff said the court assigned Jacob Zamora as Braden's defense attorney.

Braden – and, if he's taken into custody, Stone – are scheduled to return to court at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 28, for entry of plea. Hinchcliff said they will appear before Judge Stephen Hedstrom in the Lake County Superior Court Clearlake division.

Hinchcliff said it's not unusual to charge someone in absentia, as was done in Stone's case. He said it happens quite frequently that the District Attorney's Office has probable cause, files charges and issues an arrest warrant.

Police have still not revealed what they believe spurred the late night shooting, in which the suspects are alleged to have shot the victims while they were at a party.

Hinchcliff said he couldn't discuss the specifics of the investigation, which is ongoing, or the possible motives.

He confirmed, however, that none of the special allegations related to gang involvement.

As for the victims who survived the shooting, the three who remained in care at UC Davis Medical Center had their conditions upgraded from earlier in the week.

On Wednesday afternoon, UC Davis Medical Center spokesman Charles Casey said Kirby is in serious condition, and both Griffith and Andrew Sparks are listed as in good condition.

Ross Sparks was discharged earlier this week, a hospital official said previously. Armijo had been treated at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital and released, according to media reports.

A candlelight vigil for Skyler Rapp and his family will take place on Wednesday beginning at 9 p.m. at the baseball field at Redbud Park, 14655 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake. Hundreds of people are expected to attend.

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The teen, whose name was not released due to his age, was arrested for attempted murder and booked into the Mendocino County Juvenile Hall, with bail set at $250,000, according to Capt. Kurt Smallcomb of the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office.

On Sunday, June 19, at 6:30 p.m. Mendocino County Sheriff's Office deputies were contacted at the Ukiah office by a 44-year-old woman who advised them that her teenage son attempted to kill her. She brought the teen with her to the sheriff's office lobby, Smallcomb said.

During the interview with the woman, deputies learned that she had discovered her son had been acting out lately, and had stolen from her, created a fake Web account on an adult Web site and taken her vehicle without permission, Smallcomb said.

He said the victim stated she started to discipline the teen by taking away certain privileges, such as not allowing him computer use or playing sports at school.

The woman told deputies that at 7 a.m. Sunday she awoke, made a cup of coffee and spoke with friends on the phone, according to Smallcomb's report.

Smallcomb said she reported leaving her coffee on the counter for a short time before returning to drink it. The victim stated when she took a sip of the coffee she immediately knew someone had put something caustic in it because of the chemical taste it had.

The woman confronted her son but he denied any knowledge on putting anything in it. Smallcomb said the woman reported discovering open bottle of Drano nearby and determined that's what was put in her coffee.

The victim contacted the poison control center and then went to Ukiah Valley Medical Center where Smallcomb said she was treated for her injuries and released.

Later in the day, the 15-year-old male admitted pouring Drano into his mother's coffee cup because he was angry with her for taking away his sports and computer activities. Smallcomb said the male juvenile suspect stated he would either kill himself or his mother if he had the chance again.

The juvenile suspect was arrested without incident, transported and booked into the Mendocino County Juvenile Hall.

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The feathery fronds of the dill plant are best snipped with scissors, rather than chopped with a knife, to preserve its delicate flavor. Photo by Esther Oertel.

A backyard herb garden is slowly taking shape at my home.

Throughout the last month, a variety of fragrant starts have found their way into terra cotta dwellings on my deck or patio. Little by little, the garden – such as it is – is growing, both in height and breadth.

Its latest addition is a healthy little dill plant, though “little” is a relative term. Compared to the young starts of other herbs such as basil, mint or thyme, it’s fairly tall, with feathery-leaved arms waving in the breeze, looking loftily down on its shorter herbal brethren.

Some dill plants grow to an impressive height of more than five feet; however, three feet or so is a more typical size. Dill attracts bees to the garden and is often used as a magnet for beneficial insects in companion plantings with vegetables.

Dill, hearty and resilient, is known for reseeding and spreading throughout a garden.

Dill flowers are umbels, meaning many stalks emanate from a common stem, each with a flower at its tip. Together they form a large, round, flat-topped yellow bloom about six inches across.

Dill’s feathery foliage may be harvested beginning in spring and throughout the summer. The blooming season for dill is generally from July through September, and seeds are harvested when the flowers mature.

With both the foliage and seeds used in cuisine, dill leaves are sometimes called “dill weed” to differentiate it from the seeds of the plant.

Dill is native to southern Russia, western Asian (India, for example) and the Mediterranean region of southern Europe and North Africa. It’s popular as a seasoning in the cuisines of these regions, in addition to northern and central Europe (think Scandinavia and Germany), the Middle East (particularly Iran) and Southeast Asia (specifically Laos, though parts of northern Thailand and areas of Vietnam utilize it).

In Southeast Asia, dill is known in English as Laotian coriander, and is typically used with seafood in that country, such as with fish steamed in banana leaves or in seafood curries.

Similarly, in Scandinavia, dill is used to flavor gravlax, a cured salmon dish. Dill, along with salt, sugar and coarse black pepper, coat the fish as it’s curing, a process that’s done over a few days in the fridge while the salmon is wrapped and weighted. Thin slices of gravlax make a slightly sweet and salty appetizer, often paired with hearty rye bread, mustard and cucumber.

Dill, both the leaves and seeds, are used as pickling spices. Dill pickles made from cucumbers preserved in brine and dill are enjoyed throughout Europe and North America; however, dill is also used as a pickling spice in Arabic countries, where the term for dill translates as “cricket eye.”

The root of the English word for dill is not quite as colorful, though it has a practical meaning. It comes from the Norse word “dilla,” which means “to lull,” appropriate because of its calming effect on the muscles, particularly those of the digestive tract. It’s been used for centuries in teas and other remedies as a curative for digestive problems.

This baby dill - purchased in a local market - may be used to flavor a variety of dishes and is compatible with a wide range of foods, from beets to salmon to eggs to potatoes to cucumbers and tomatoes. Photo by Esther Oertel.

In India, dill is used in “mukhwas,” an after-meal digestive aid, and in medieval Europe, Charlemagne is said to have made dill seeds available on his banquet tables as a carminative (an anti-flatulence agent) for his guests. Gripe water, a remedy for colicky babies, has dill seed as an ingredient.

The ancient Greeks considered dill a sign of wealth, even burning the oil to display status.

Hippocrates, a physician in that society, recommended dill for cleaning the mouth. His recipe reads more like an after dinner drink than a cleanser, however: “Clean teeth with a ball of wool dipped in honey and rinse with 1 teaspoon of dill seed boiled in 1/2 cup of white wine.”

Whenever possible, use fresh dill leaves, rather than dried, as the flavor and fragrance of the fresh, feathery fronds are superior. Because the flavor of fresh dill breaks down in cooking, add it at the last minute. It is recommended that dill be snipped with scissors, rather than chopped with a knife, to preserve its delicate flavor.

Fresh dill should be stored in the fridge, either with its stems placed in water or wrapped in a damp paper towel. Dill can be frozen, either whole or chopped, in an airtight container. Some people keep whole dill fronds in zipper locked bags in the freezer, pulling them out to snip off just enough dill for a recipe and then returning them to the freezer.

Dried dill seeds will stay fresh for about six months if kept in an airtight container (preferably glass) in a cool, dry, dark place.

Both the seeds and leaves contain calcium, iron and manganese; in fact, a tablespoon of dill seeds contains as much calcium as one-third of a cup of milk. Dill is considered a good source of fiber.

Dill has anti-bacterial properties due to the volatile oil present in the plant. As well, the activity of its volatile oils qualify it as a “chemoprotective” food (much like parsley) that can help neutralize particular types of carcinogens, such as smoke from charcoal grills, cigarettes and the like.

In addition to pickling, dill seeds are used to flavor breads, like the caraway seeds to which they’re often compared. The seeds have a stronger flavor than the leaves.

Fresh dill leaves make a wonderful sauce for fish or asparagus when combined with mayonnaise, yogurt or sour cream and flavored with fresh lemon juice.

Dill is a main flavor component of beet borscht, Russia’s signature soup and a favorite in Eastern European countries. I especially love borscht served hot with a dollop of thick Greek yogurt or sour cream and freshly-snipped dill.

Fresh dill adds brightness to scrambled eggs, omelets, egg salads and stuffed eggs. I like using it in sandwiches, such as with tuna or fresh garden tomatoes.

Cucumbers and dill are made for each other, as are dill and tomatoes. When these companionable vegetables are pulled from summer gardens, make a salad, simply dressed with olive oil, a splash of red wine vinegar and fresh dill.

Combining cucumber, yogurt and fresh dill makes for a cooling summer salad. When the cucumber is diced finely, an Indian- or Greek-inspired dip or sauce is created.

You may be wondering why I didn’t mention dill and potatoes, another classic combo, especially in cold potato salads. Perhaps you could say I saved the best for last.

I made a red potato salad with dill this evening for dinner, and I made note of the proportions of each component so I could fashion it into a recipe for you. My version of this classic salad, simple yet tasty, is below. Enjoy!

Dilled red potato salad

2 pounds or more small red potatoes

3-4 scallions, white and green parts thinly sliced

Approximately ¼ cup snipped fresh dill (or less to taste)

½ cup sour cream

½ cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

Salt and pepper to taste

Wash potatoes and remove eyes. (Do not peel.) Cut them into bite sized pieces and cook until just tender in salted, boiling water. Drain and plunge into ice water bath to stop cooking process.

Combine sour cream, mayonnaise, vinegar, dill and scallions and blend well. Adjust seasonings, adding salt and pepper to taste.

Drain potatoes and put in a serving bowl. Pour sour cream dressing over them, gently folding potatoes into dressing to coat all pieces well.

Makes six to eight servings.

Recipe by Esther Oertel.

Esther Oertel, the “Veggie Girl,” is a culinary coach and educator and is passionate about local produce. Oertel teaches culinary classes at Chic Le Chef in Hidden Valley Lake, Calif., and The Kitchen Gallery in Lakeport, Calif., and gives private cooking lessons. She welcomes your questions and comments; e-mail her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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This dilled red potato salad is flavored with fresh dill and scallions and is dressed very simply to allow those flavors to shine. Photo by Esther Oertel.