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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Scotts Valley Community Advisory Council will hold its next meeting on Monday, May 24.

The group will meet at 5 p.m. via Zoom.

The meeting ID is 946 2182 6581, pass code is 121115. The meeting also can be accessed via phone at 1-669-900-6833.

The group will host Deputy Water Resources Director Marina Deligiannis, who will give a presentation on Scott Valley’s groundwater, followed by a question-and-answer session.

Under old business, the group will discuss site visits with the US Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, the bridge approach over Scotts Creek at Scotts Valley Road and Hendricks and an cannabis early activation permit on Eickhoff Road, the Scotts Valley water basin and mapping of Scotts Creek via drone.

Under new business, they will discuss new use permits and the Scotts Valley Firewise Committee report.

There also will be an open forum for community members to share their concerns with District 4 Supervisor Tina Scott.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A Novato woman charged with vehicular manslaughter for a double-fatal car crash in March has been found mentally competent.

Keilah‌ ‌Marie‌ ‌Coyle,‌ ‌22,‌ appeared in Lake County Superior Court on Tuesday, May 11, for a hearing on her mental competence after her attorney raised concerns last month.

Coyle is facing several counts of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated plus special allegations for causing great bodily injury and the death of more than one person for the March 13 wreck near Middletown that claimed the life of Clearlake residents Cassandra‌ ‌Elaine‌ ‌Rolicheck, 53, and Miguel‌ ‌Maciel‌ ‌Dominguez,‌ ‌47.

At an April court appearance, Tim Hodson of Sacramento, Coyle’s attorney, declared a doubt about her competency, which triggered a mental competency review process before the criminal case could proceed.

On May 11, the court received a doctor’s report and Coyle was found to be competent.

Hodson told Lake County News that he didn’t object to the finding and they’re moving forward with additional proceedings.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff said a bail review hearing has been set for May 25.

At that point, Coyle — who has remained in custody since her arrest early on the morning of March 14 — will make a bid for release or a reduction of her $2 million bail, Hinchcliff said.

Hinchcliff said Coyle’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 12.

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. — The Clearlake City Council this week will discuss a property deal to bring 85 new housing units to the city and a plan to reoffer another city-owned property to developers.

The council will meet for a 5 p.m. budget preparation workshop before the regular meeting convenes at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 20, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

The public may attend, however, the council chambers will have limited capacity and attendees must adhere to masking and social distancing mandates.

The meeting will be broadcast live on the city's YouTube channel or the Lake County PEGTV YouTube Channel. Community members also can participate via Zoom.

The agenda can be found here.

Comments and questions can be submitted in writing for City Council consideration by sending them to Administrative Services Director/City Clerk Melissa Swanson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can also visit the city’s town hall site and submit written comments at https://www.opentownhall.com/portals/327/forum_home. Identify the subject you wish to comment on in your email’s subject line or in your town hall submission.

To give the council adequate time to review your questions and comments, please submit your written comments before 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 20.

Each public comment emailed to the city clerk will be read aloud by the mayor or a member of staff for up to three minutes or will be displayed on a screen. Public comment emails and town hall public comment submissions that are received after the beginning of the meeting will not be included in the record.

Under council business, City Manager Alan Flora will ask the council to authorize him to execute an exclusive negotiation agreement with DANCO Communities for a portion of a property at 14795 Burns Valley Road.

The city previously closed escrow on a 31-acre property on Burns Valley Road with the intent of creating a mixed-use development, as Lake County News has reported.

Flora said staff have been working with the Burns Valley Sports Complex Ad Hoc Committee regarding designs for the recreation amenities at the property and have been in discussion with DANCO Communities, a housing developer from Arcata, about developing mixed income housing on a portion of the site.

“The project is still in the early design phase, but we currently expect development of approximately 85 units of mixed income housing. The project will be funded primarily with Disaster Tax Credits, which DANCO will be applying for on July 1st,” Flora said.

He said the city expects to commit a portion of the $7.5 million of the 2018 Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funding that is allocated to the cities of Clearlake and Lakeport to this project.

Flora said the city and DANCO expect construction to begin in 2022.

Total investment in this project is expected to be approximately $50 million, Flora said.

In other business, Flora will ask the council, in its dual role as the Clearlake Redevelopment Successor Agency, to take action to declare a 29 acre property at 2890 Old Highway 53 as surplus so it can offer the property to developers.

In December, Flora said the successor agency approved an exclusive negotiating agreement with Summitt Development for future purchase of the property.

“Negotiations with the developer have been unfruitful and on May 9th Summitt Development notified the City they would like to withdraw from the agreement,” Flora wrote in his report.

To be able to reoffer the property, Flora said there are several steps that must be initiated, including declaring it surplus.

Also on Thursday, the council will get an update on May’s adoptable dogs, present proclamations declaring May 22 to 28 as Safe Boating Week and May as California Tourism Month, hear a presentation by Pacific Gas and Electric regarding the outlooks for its public safety power shut-offs and wildfire safety efforts, and get the Lake County Tourism Improvement District’s annual report.

On the meeting's consent agenda — items that are not considered controversial and are usually adopted on a single vote — are warrants; minutes of the April 14 Lake County Vector Control District Board meeting; and receive and file the Clearlake Waste Solutions notice of intent to adjust rates July 1.

The council will meet in closed session following the public portion of the meeting to hold another conference in ongoing negotiations with the Clearlake Municipal Employees Association, Clearlake Police Officers Association and Clearlake Middle Management Association.

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 remains of 2020 wildfire survivors’ homes and property — burned metal, concrete, ash and contaminated soil — have now been cleared from more than 80 percent of the properties enrolled in California’s statewide Consolidated Debris Removal Program, the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services reported.

Cal OES said most properties still need critical soil testing, erosion control and hazard tree removal to ensure the lots are safe for families to rebuild.

In 2020, more than 8,000 climate-induced wildfires burned 4.2 million acres of California, destroying more than 5,700 homes.

Property owners incur no direct costs for participation in the state-managed clean up and recovery program, administered by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, or CalRecycle, and the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services in collaboration with 25 participating counties.

Major clearing work: 83.4% complete

Wildfire survivors had the option to either use their own contractor or enroll in the state-managed program.

Of the 5,991 properties with damage from the 2020 fires, 3,764 signed up to have the remains of their homes and other structures cleared by the state.

As of May 12, state-managed crews cleared burned metal, concrete, ash and contaminated soil from 3,141 or 83.4% of the properties participating in the program.

That includes about half a dozen properties in southern Lake County impacted by last summer’s LNU Lightning Complex.

Steps left to complete

Before homeowners can begin rebuilding, cleared properties need additional work including:

— Separate contractors collect soil samples for verification at a state certified laboratory that they meet state environmental health and safety standards.

— Contractors next may install erosion control measures.

— Certified arborists or professional foresters assess wildfire-damaged trees in danger of falling on the public or public infrastructure for removal by separate contractors.

— Finally, state officials inspect the property to verify all completed work meets state standards. Debris officials submit a final inspection report to local officials to approve the property for reconstruction.

So far, 940 properties have gone through the entire post-debris removal steps of soil testing, erosion control, and removal of fire-damaged trees in danger of falling on public infrastructure before being returned to the county to begin reconstruction. 897 properties have cleared the entire process.

Property owners can track the above data on the Debris Operations Dashboard for the 2020 statewide wildfires.

The dashboard is updated every hour and provides users with the ability to search by county or address.
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Dean Enderlin, past department commander of the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War, and Cindy Eddy, past department president of the Auxiliary, will perform a headstone dedication ceremony for Civil War veterans Hiram Cook, Phillip Maxwell and David Henry Thorne at the Middletown Cemetery District’s Memorial Day services on Monday, May 31, 2021, in Middletown, California.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. — The Middletown Cemetery District will hold Memorial Day services to honor our veterans on Monday, May 31.

The event will begin at 9 a.m. in the Mary Hardesty building, on the top of the hill on the cemetery grounds at 16357 Butts Canyon Road. Parking is provided at the locations.

The office building will not be open to the public due to COVID-19 restrictions, but refreshments and water will be provided outside.

The ceremonies include colorful flowered wreaths, made by the floral design class at Middletown High School. The wreaths are presented in honor of veterans who have given so much to our country.

Commander Rich Feiro and Sergeant of the Guard Bob Perez from the Lake County Military Honors Team will begin the ceremonies and Veteran Chaplin Woody Hughes will do the invocation and Taps.

The Lake County Military Honors Team will perform the 21-gun salute. They will be ushered in by Rick Rice of the Patriot Guard Riders.

The 4-H Club is in charge of the flag ceremony and Girl Scouts Troop No. 10403 will help with wreath placement, programs and will place the flags on the 219 veteran’s graves, assisted by Daisy Troop No. 10917 will help.

District 1 Supervisor Jose “Moke” Simon III, who also serves as tribal chair for the Middletown Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians, will be the guest speaker and read the names of the veterans buried at Middletown Rancheria.

Jim Comstock, former District 1 supervisor, will read the names of the veterans buried in the Middletown Cemetery.

Linda Diehl Darms, chairwoman of the Middletown Cemetery District, will act as mistress of ceremonies.

The benediction will be given by Voris Brumfield, president of the Historical Society and pastor of the Middletown Methodist Church.

David Neft will provide the sound and keyboard accompanying Kathleen Escude vocalist.

The Lion’s Club faithfully provides the chairs, tables and ice and helps with many set up items on this special day.

In addition, this year there will be a headstone dedication ceremony performed by Dean Enderlin, past department commander of the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War, and Cindy Eddy, past department president of the Auxiliary for three Civil War veterans, Hiram Cook, Phillip Maxwell and David Henry Thorne.
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Health officials said Monday that California will keep its existing guidance around masks in place until June 15 when the state plans to fully reopen the economy.

That announcement was in response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s new guidance last week that said fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.

The California Department of Public Health said that, as of May 3, face coverings are no longer required outdoors except at crowded events, and for unvaccinated people, when physical distancing cannot be maintained.

In indoor settings outside of one's home, including public transportation and schools, face coverings continue to be required regardless of vaccination status, CDPH said.

“California has made amazing progress in our fight against COVID-19. With more than 34 million vaccines administered, we now have among the lowest case and positivity rates in the nation,” said California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly.

On June 15, California plans to implement the CDC’s guidelines around masking to allow fully vaccinated Californians to go without a mask in most indoor settings, Ghaly said.

“This four-week period will give Californians time to prepare for this change while we continue our relentless focus on delivering vaccines, particularly in underserved communities,” Ghaly reported.

He added, “We urge all Californians to get vaccinated to ensure that infection and hospitalization rates remain low across the state and that we can all return to the activities we love.”

For more information, visit www.covid19.ca.gov.
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From left, Joe Nathan Boggs, 24, of Lucerne, California, and Nina Phyllis Martin, 19, of Nice, California, were arrested on the night of Tuesday, May 18, 2021, following a high-speed chase with the California Highway Patrol. Lake County Jail photos.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A Tuesday night vehicle pursuit involving a stolen vehicle led to the California Highway Patrol arresting two local residents.

Joe Nathan Boggs, 24, of Lucerne, and Nina Phyllis Martin, 19, of Nice, were taken into custody late Tuesday night, the CHP’s Clear Lake Area office reported.

The CHP said that on Tuesday at 9:42 p.m. Officer Ryan Erickson observed a white Chevrolet TrailBlazer traveling southbound on Highway 29, north of Park Way near Lakeport, in excess of the maximum speed limit of 65 miles per hour.

Officer Erickson attempted a traffic stop on the speeding vehicle, however the driver, later identified as Martin, attempted to flee and a vehicle pursuit ensued, the CHP said.

Officers Brian Hanson and Brooks Faraco and Sgt. James Rexius responded to assist with the pursuit, according to the CHP report.

The CHP said Martin continued to flee law enforcement and traveled into the Kelseyville area, where she sideswiped a guard rail on Stone Drive.

Martin then drove to a residence on Soda Bay Road where she ran into a wood post. The Chevrolet became disabled as a result of the crash and the CHP said Martin exited the vehicle and fled on foot.

The CHP said Martin’s male passenger, later identified as Boggs, exited the passenger side and also fled on foot in a different direction.

Officer Hanson and Officer Faraco pursued Boggs and Martin on foot and apprehended them a short time later, the CHP said.

One CHP officer sustained minor injuries during the arrest. Martin also complained of pain to her chest and lower back, however, the CHP said her transportation by ambulance was not required.

The CHP said Martin was medically cleared at Sutter Lakeside Hospital and booked at the Lake County Jail.

The Chevy TrailBlazer Martin was driving during the chase was determined to have been stolen out of Chico, the CHP said. Due to it having paper plates, which have smaller numbers, the officers weren’t able to read the plate number until the end of the pursuit.

Her booking sheet showed she is being held on felony counts of taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, receiving stolen property, evading a peace officer with disregard to safety and evading a peace officer by driving in the opposing lane, and two misdemeanor outside agency warrants.

Boggs also remained in custody on Wednesday for a no-bail warrant and resisting arrest, based on the CHP report and booking records.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Parts of the North Coast, including northern Lake County, are under a hazardous weather outlook due to chances of frost this week, with the potential for thunderstorms also in the forecast along with high winds in other parts of the county.

The National Weather Service issued a frost advisory for Wednesday morning and also for frost conditions expected Thursday and Friday morning.

The area in Lake County expected to be affected is north of Upper Lake, including the Mendocino National Forest and Lake Pillsbury.

During the day on Wednesday and on Wednesday night, that area also is forecast to have double-digit winds — topping out at more than 20 miles per hour.

On Thursday, there is a 20-percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 a.m.

Conditions in that area are forecast to have daytime highs in the low 60s and nighttime temperatures that drop into the high 30s.

Temperatures are expected to warm up as the weekend arrives, with temperatures during the day rising into the mid-70s and nighttime temperatures reaching the mid-40s.

Elsewhere around the county this week, in Kelseyville, patchy frost is expected on Wednesday night and into Thursday morning.

On Wednesday, the south county could see winds of more than 20 miles per hour during the day and up to 44 miles per hour at night, when wind gusts could hit 55 miles per hour.

On Thursday night, south county winds are forecast to be around 16 miles per hour, with gusts of up to 21 miles per hour.

South county temperatures are predicted to rise into the mid 80s by early next week, with nighttime temperatures reaching about 46 degrees, the forecast said.

During the same time frame, the rest of the county is expected to see daytime temperatures in the high 70s with temperatures ranging form the mid-40s to the mid-50s at night.

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 Bureau of Land Management announces seasonal fire restrictions, including temporary limitations on target shooting, effective May 21.

The restrictions are for public lands managed by the Central Coast, Mother Lode and Ukiah field offices due to dry conditions and wildland fire danger.

These seasonal restrictions are in addition to the year-round statewide fire prevention order, issued on April 28, 2020, and will remain in effect until further notice.

BLM-managed public lands affected by the restrictions are primarily located in Amador, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, western Fresno, Glenn, Lake, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Tuolumne, Yolo and Yuba counties.

The fire restrictions will also apply at popular recreational areas along the American, South Yuba and Merced rivers, as well as at Panoche, Tumey and Griswold hills; Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument; North Cow Mountain Rifle Range; and Indian Valley Management Area.

Campfires and target shooting are also always prohibited at Fort Ord National Monument due to munitions hazards and public safety.

Fire prevention orders for the Central Coast, Mother Lode and Ukiah field offices are available online.

On average, human-caused wildfires make up 95% of all wildfires in California.

Records show recreational target shooting has sparked more than half the wildland fires within some field office boundaries in the last decade.

Many of these wildfires occur close in proximity to roadways, communities and recreational areas, posing considerable threat to public safety.

Taking individual responsibility to reduce wildfire risk while recreating on public lands, around homes and communities, before a fire occurs, can help keep property, the public, and wildland firefighters safe.

In 2020, approximately 275 wildland fires burned nearly 200,000 acres of BLM-managed public lands in California.

An increase in wildfire severity is expected based on forecast climate scenarios, as well as an expansion of wildfire season over much of the western United States.

The following restrictions will remain in place until the fire danger subsides:

— No campfires, barbecues or open fires, except in a developed campground. Portable stoves with gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed with a valid California campfire permit available free at all BLM, U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire offices, or at https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prevent-wildfire/campfire-safety/ .
— No target shooting — hot bullet fragments, exploding targets and metal from recreational shooting can spark a wildfire. Use of firearms for hunting is still allowed. Hunters must abide by state of California laws and regulations. Visit www.wheretoshoot.org for alternative recreational target shooting locations.
— No motorized vehicles off BLM designated roads or trails.
— No tools powered by internal combustion engines off BLM designated roads or trails (such as chain saws or lawn mowers).
— No smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, at a developed recreation site, or other designated areas.
— No welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.

Anyone found guilty of violating a fire prevention order may be fined not more than $100,000 and/or imprisonment for not more than 12 months. Restitution for total fire suppression and damage costs incurred may be borne by the trespasser.

To learn how you can do your part to prevent wildland fires visit www.readyforwildfire.org.

A listing of fire restrictions throughout BLM California is available at https://go.usa.gov/xmUEG.

For specific questions, please contact the Central Coast Field Office at 831-582-2200, Mother Lode Field Office at 916-941-3101 or the Ukiah Field Office at 707-468-4000.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Lakeport’s police chief updated the Lakeport City Council on Tuesday evening on plans to deal with illegal fireworks in the weeks surrounding the Independence Day holiday this summer.

Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen presented the Illegal Fireworks Operation Plan for the 30-day period surrounding July 4 — June 17 through July 16 — to the council as he’s required to do under the Lakeport Municipal Code.

New Lakeport Fire Chief Jeffrey Thomas also was on hand during the Zoom meeting, with Rasmussen noting that he and Thomas had worked together on the plan.

Thomas, who arrived in April, was formally introduced to the council on Tuesday night, ahead of the plan’s presentation.

Rasmussen said the plan has to identify areas within the city where illegal fireworks were a problem the previous year; how fire and law enforcement personnel will be deployed to those areas as well as the rest of the city; what apparatus and personnel who will be on duty for the period of June 17 through July 16 and, specifically, July 1 through 5; and include recommendations for dedicated enforcement.

He said last year’s problem areas were the city’s parklands; Willopoint; major shopping centers such as Willow Tree Plaza, Shoreline Shopping Center, Vista Point and 16th and Hartley Street; the Lakeport Unified School District campuses; and the residential districts surrounding those areas.

Lakeport Fire will be operationally ready for a response and Lakeport Police will do routine patrols and extra patrols as staffing permits in any of the problem areas, Rasmussen said.

On July 4 itself, when there will be a larger city celebration taking place, Rasmussen said Lakeport Police’s entire police force will be deployed. As in past years, the department has requested mutual aid from allied law enforcement agencies across Lake County.

Rasmussen said one police officer and one Lakeport Fire firefighter acting as a fire prevention officer will work together, forming a specialized team dedicated to a focused patrol targeting illegal fireworks. His written report said they’ll use an unmarked police vehicle.

“Their only job for 12 hours during that afternoon and evening and into the early morning hours will be to attempt to catch those persons that are setting off the dangerous and illegal fireworks that are happening in our city,” Rasmussen said.

Illegal fireworks are a problem every year and expected to be so again this year, said Rasmussen, adding that they plan to do a media outreach campaign to inform the community.

Councilman Michael Green asked Rasmussen how police know which fireworks are legal and which ones aren’t, especially on private property at places like the Safeway parking lot.

Rasmussen said they have experience in knowing the difference between safe and sane, which typically stay on the ground, and illegal fireworks, which tend to be fired off into the air.

He said various locations put up signs that they don’t want fireworks discharged on their property but due to the amount of fireworks activity, especially on Independence Day, police have to focus their efforts on the illegal and dangerous ones.

Green followed up by asking what police do if they run across safe and sane fireworks that are being discharged in an unsafe manner.

“We’re not going to ignore that,” said Rasmussen, adding that police encourage people to call and report dangerous fireworks activity.

“We’re looking for violations that are dangerous to public safety,” said Rasmussen.

Mayor Kenny Parlet asked Rasmussen how many years he’s worked on the July 4 holiday. “I think this will be 32,” said Rasmussen.

Parlet asked about an idea that Green had suggested at a previous meeting regarding expanding areas where the city allows safe and fireworks to be used.

Rasmussen said yes, and that a plan that includes those expanded areas will be presented to the council at its June 1 meeting.

Councilwoman Mireya Turner said she was thankful to hear about police and fire personnel teaming up to target the areas where the city has had trouble with illegal fireworks. “That’s helpful. That’s reassuring.”

Rasmussen said he appreciates Thomas for allowing him to have a fire department staffer for 12 hours, noting Lakeport Fire, like the police department, is short-staffed.

In other business on Tuesday, the council approved a resolution to approve the future issuance of one or more series of pension obligation bonds in order to address the city’s $8.4 million in unfunded pension liabilities.

The resolution also approved the commencement of a judicial validation action related to the issuance of the bonds, a process expected to take several months. At that point, the council will have to take final action to go forward with issuing the bonds, staff and bond counsel told council members.

In a related action, the council voted to appoint Green and Parlet to the Unfunded Accrued Liability Policy and Restructuring Ad Hoc Committee, which will make policy recommendations and evaluate restructuring options.

The council also presented proclamations designating the week of May 22 through 28 as Safe Boating Week and the month of May as California Tourism Month, and received an update from the Lake County Tourism Improvement District 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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Robert Cooker of Sacramento, California, won first place and $5,000 in the 2021 Catfish Derby in Clearlake Oaks, California. Courtesy photo.

CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. — After a year off due to the pandemic, the annual Catfish Derby returned this month, with record registrations and lots of big fish.

Timing is everything. The 37th annual Catfish Derby was canceled in 2020, one of the county’s first major events to be a casualty to the pandemic.

In 2021, the Derby planners had a tough decision to make: Forego the Derby one more year or change it up to meet the COVID-19 restrictions and, hopefully, get enough entries to cover the upfront cash outlay and prizes required.

“We made the right decision,” said Derby Director Dennis Locke. “We actually had a record number of pre-registrants and more total entries than in 2019.”

Locke added, “In 2019 it rained and we registered 781 anglers. This year, we registered 882.”

“The pandemic threw us for a loop. We spun our wheels a little then took a leap of faith,” said Camille Gouldberg, president of the Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Business Association.

For 37 years, the business association has sponsored the Derby. The proceeds support the Clearlake Oaks community including schools, sports, senior programs and other activities.

Throughout the three-day fishing tournament, the grins on the faces of the children and adults spoke volumes.

Seven-year-old Lillie Perez from Clearlake Oaks has been fishing with her parents since she was 2.

Lillie brought in her biggest catch ever, a 17.88-pound catfish, scoring fifth place in the 10 and under kids’ division.

In the same division, Scarlett Riordan of Lakeport scored first place, winning $100 with her 22.43-pound catch. Scarlett is 8 years old and has been fishing with her family since she was a youngster.

In the two kid divisions, seven of the 10 winners were locals, the remaining three were from Citrus Heights, Folsom and Marysville.

A complete list of the winners can be found on the Business Association website under derby standings, www.clearlakeoaks.org.

Robert Cooker, a first-time derby participant from Sacramento, was all smiles holding his $5,000 first prize check for his 23.72-pound catch.

Cooker said he remembered fishing as a kid but had only recently taken up fishing as an adult. “My birthday was May 11,” he said. “It’s been a good birthday week!”

Asked if he would be back next year, Cooker said yes. “Heck, I’ll probably be back next week!”

Donnie Hall of San Jose, California, took second place and won $1,000 in the 2021 Catfish Derby in Clearlake Oaks, California. Courtesy photo.

Donnie Hall, a longtime derby participant from San Jose, took second prize in the adult division, $1,000, for his 23.57-pound catch.

Unlike Cooker, Hall and his brother, Steve Johnson, are derby regulars. “We’ve been fishing in the Derby for 23 years and over time added others to our team, sparking a brotherhood we call the Katfish Posse,” Hall said. “Our numbers change from time to time but at present, there are 15 of us.”

In 2001, Hall’s brother broke the record derby catch with his 32.5-pound catfish, a record he still holds. That year, Johnson won a boat.

Hall and Johnson began fishing off the shore and soon learned boat fishing was a better way to go. “I helped my brother get his first boat and he always said if he ever won a boat, he’d give me his. He kept his word and the next year we had two boats and room for friends,” Hall said.

Of the decision to cancel the Derby in 2020 and the changes this year, Hall said the past year had been hard on everyone.

“I’m in the construction business and had to make big adjustments, so I understood why the 2020 derby was canceled,” he said. “Although I was not able to bring my wife, a disabled veteran, because of the weigh-in location, I’m so glad you brought back the Derby this year. Thank you all for what you do.”

On his way out, Hall thanked his old friend Locke, giving him a quick hug.

Seven-year-old Lillie Perez from Clearlake Oaks, California, won fifth place in the 10 and under kids’ division in the 2021 Catfish Derby in Clearlake Oaks, California. Courtesy photo.


Locke, who led the Derby planning team through the ups and downs of a tough decision, said, “That’s what makes this all worthwhile. Guys like Donnie, who come back year after year, bringing their friends and families to Clear Lake.”

He added, “No awards ceremony, no music, no food and no raffles this year. Just fishing with family and friends and reconnecting after a long year of isolation, a build-it-and-they-will-come kind of moment.”

As in past years, Lower Lake High School student volunteers helped out the entire three days of fishing.

On the last day, Evelyn, a sophomore, was on hand early in the morning. Evelyn had already completed her community service hours but decided to volunteer anyway.

“Drama is my love and this is my first-time volunteering at the Derby,” she said. “I like the Derby and want to come back next year.”

This year, 66% of the Derby participants came from out of county and 34% from within Lake County.

For more information about the 37th Annual Catfish Derby and a complete listing of the winning entries, check the website, www.clearlakeoaks.org; the Facebook page, Catfish Derby At The Oaks; or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..


Evelyn, a volunteer from Lower Lake High School, at the 2021 Catfish Derby in Clearlake Oaks, California. Courtesy photo.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council this week will meet the new fire chief and consider moving forward with pension obligation bonds to deal with unfunded liabilities.

The council will meet in closed session at 5:15 p.m. to discuss labor negotiations before the public portion of the meeting begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 18.

The agenda can be found here.

To speak on an agenda item, access the meeting remotely here or join by phone by calling toll-free 669-900-9128 or 346-248-7799. The webinar ID is 973 6820 1787, access code is 477973; the audio pin will be shown after joining the webinar. Those phoning in without using the web link will be in “listen mode” only and will not be able to participate or comment.

Comments can be submitted by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To give the City Clerk adequate time to print out comments for consideration at the meeting, please submit written comments prior to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18.

Indicate in the email subject line "for public comment" and list the item number of the agenda item that is the topic of the comment. Comments that read to the council will be subject to the three minute time limitation (approximately 350 words). Written comments that are only to be provided to the council and not read at the meeting will be distributed to the council prior to the meeting.

On Tuesday, the council will present proclamations designating the week of May 22 through 28 as Safe Boating Week and the month of May as California Tourism Month.

The Lake County Tourism Improvement District Board also will give the council an update.

The council also will get a formal introduction to new Lakeport Fire Protection District Fire Chief Jeffery Thomas, who started work with the district at the start of April.

On Tuesday, Police Chief Brad Rasmussen will present the Illegal Fireworks Operation Plan for the 30-day period — June 17 through July 16 — surrounding July 4.

Finance Director Nick Walker will present staff’s recommendation to adopt a proposed resolution which would approve the future issuance of one or more series of pension obligation bonds, approve a form of indenture of trust pursuant to which the bonds would be issued and authorize the commencement of a judicial validation action related to the issuance of pension obligation bonds.

“If the resolution is adopted, City staff would return to the City Council for a future approval of the final terms of any series of bonds, following the conclusion of the validation action, and prior to actual issuance,” Walker said in his written report.

Walker said the city’s unfunded accrued liability for its CalPERS Miscellaneous and Safety Plans has grown 22%, from $6.9 million to about $8.4 million.

That unfunded accrued liability represents the shortfall or gap between what is needed to pay retiree benefits versus how much in current assets the city actually has in its accounts with CalPERS, Walker said.

Walker explained that, combined with remaining principal on the lease agreement with Umpqua Bank that the city entered into in 2015 to restructure a portion of its then-existing unfunded accrued liability, the city has about $10.4 million in pension liability on its balance sheet.

He said Mayor Kenny Parlet is also being asked to appoint two council members to a Unfunded Accrued Liability Policy and Restructuring Ad Hoc Committee for policy recommendations and evaluating restructuring options.

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 4; the May 10 warrant register; approval of event application 2021-006, with staff recommendations, for the 2021 Old Time Machines Car Show on Aug. 14; approval of event application 2021-009, with staff recommendations, for the Lakeport Inside Out events to be held on the second Thursday of each month through Oct. 14; approval of event application 2021-010, with staff recommendations, for the 2021 Fourth of July Arts & Crafts Fair on July 4, 2021; approval of event application 2021-011, with staff recommendations, for the 2021 Taste of Lake County event on Aug. 28; approval of event application 2021-012, with staff recommendations, for the 2021 Pumpkin and Dia de los Muertos Festival on Oct. 2; approval of event application 2021-013, with staff recommendations, for the 2021 Trick or Treat Main Street event on Oct. 29; Approval of event application 2021-014, with staff recommendations, for the 2021 Dickens’ Faire on Nov. 27, 2021; review and filing of the draft minutes of the Measure Z Advisory Committee meeting of April 21; and rejection of all bids for the standby water generator procurement because doing so best serves the interests of the city.

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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