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LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport’s newest postmaster will be sworn in during a Thursday ceremony.

At 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, Benjamin C. Lovato will follow a tradition that dates back to 1858 when the area that was then known as “Big Valley” Post Office was first opened.

Lovato will raise his right hand to be sworn in as the new postmaster of the Lakeport Post Office at the Hartley Masonic Lodge No. 199, located at 375 N. Main St.

Recently retired Superior Court Judge Richard Martin will administer the official oath of office.

“It is an honor to serve as the postmaster of Lakeport. This is where I first started my career back in 2005,” said Lovato. “I plan to continue to provide excellent customer service to our community.”

This will be Lovato’s second swearing-in as a postmaster and perhaps his most treasured as Lakeport is where his postal career began.

Lovato started his postal career in 2005 as a part-time flexible clerk in Lakeport. He transferred to Clearlake as a part-time flexible clerk in 2007. He subsequently took on other assignments at other offices to broaden his postal knowledge.

In June 2011, Lovato was assigned his first management detail as officer-in-charge at the Laytonville Post Office. The experience he gained with this detail assignment was worth the 900 miles a week he commuted for 11 months.

In April 2012, Lovato received his next officer-in-charge assignment in Hopland, where he worked for six months. Eager to learn more, he asked for an assignment at a Post Office with city delivery.

He was detailed as supervisor customer service at the Healdsburg Post Office in October 2012, under the guidance of the postmaster to learn how to manage a city delivery unit. He earned his delivery-unit wings when he was sent to go to Sebastopol Post Office as a supervisor customer service.

In May 2013, he was promoted as supervisor customer service in Lakeport. His success opened the door for him as the officer-in-charge at the Clearlake Oaks Post Office.

In May 2015, he was assigned as officer-in-charge in Lower Lake and later promoted to postmaster of Lower Lake on Aug. 8, 2015, as Lake County News has reported: http://www.lakeconews.com/index.php/news/43330-lovato-sworn-in-as-newest-lower-lake-postmaster .

Lovato found himself back “home” again in June 2016 as he took on the role of officer-in-charge of Lakeport where he stayed and, finally, came full circle from clerk to Postmaster of his first office, Lakeport, 12 years later in May 2017.

Lovato temporarily donned the hat of station manager of the Santa Rosa Annex from August to November 2017. He is currently back as acting Postmaster in his Lakeport office.

Lovato and his 7-year-old son, Ezra, live in Lake County. He enjoys running, shooting bows, snowboarding, disc golf and, most importantly, spending time with his son. He is an active member of the Masons in Lakeport and currently serves as one of the officers at the lodge.

As Lakeport postmaster, Lovato manages 20 employees who process and deliver an average of 26,000 pieces of mail and packages daily to 5,908 delivery points – business and residential addresses – and 1,541 Post Office boxes.

Lovato succeeds Maria Lane, the current manager of Post Office operations.
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Numerous law enforcement officials were at a location in Nice, Calif., on Monday, February 5, 2018, to investigate an officer-involved shooting. Photo by John Jensen/Lake County News.

NICE, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and California Highway Patrol are on the scene of an officer-involved shooting that occurred in Nice on Monday.

Sheriff Brian Martin confirmed on social media Monday afternoon that the officer-involved shooting incident occurred on Lakeview Drive. He said the situation is contained.

On Monday afternoon, numerous law enforcement officer were at the location, with the roadway at Burpee and Lakeview closed.

The California Highway Patrol had an aircraft that had been involved in a search for an individual earlier in the incident, according to Officer Kory Reynolds.

Martin said investigators are at the location.

A deputy on scene said the incident had occurred over a large area. A crime investigation unit was part of the response.

Martin said additional information will be released as details develop.

John Jensen contributed to this report.

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 will hold a special meeting this week to go through the annual midyear budget review process.

The meeting will take place at 5 p.m., ahead of the regular meeting at 6 p.m., on Thursday, Feb. 8, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

City Finance Director Chris Becnel’s report for the meeting, which can be seen below, goes over the budget details and a variety of proposed changes.

Most of the significant changes come in the budgets for police and Public Works, Becnel 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.

020818 Clearlake midyear budget review by LakeCoNews on Scribd

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UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Mendocino National Forest fire managers are planning to implement the Howard Mill prescribed fire on the Upper Lake Ranger District starting Tuesday, Feb. 6.

Crews plan to burn approximately 80 acres initially and continue operations in this area through the week as conditions allow.

The project is in Lake County, about five miles north of Upper Lake and five miles south of Lake Pillsbury, forest officials reported.

Smoke may be visible from Lakeport, Upper Lake, Kelseyville and Potter Valley, but a report from the forest said it is not expected to reach communities.

People using the OHV trails in the vicinity should be aware that Trail 8 will be temporarily closed during prescribed fire activities.

Travelers on M1 and Upper Deer Valley Road need to be alert to low visibility on roads and to watch for firefighters and equipment in the project area.

Prescribed fires are conducted to reduce the potential for future severe wildfires, increase firefighter safety, remove hazardous fuels, and protect communities and watersheds.

The ignition of all projects is dependent on the availability of personnel and equipment, favorable weather, conditions that minimize smoke impacts as best as possible, and California Air Resources Board approval.

Burns are conducted within a “prescription” that is determined by appropriate fuel moisture, temperature, humidity, wind, and ventilation.

Fire crews implement, monitor, and patrol each project to ensure it meets the goals and objectives outlined in the prescribed burn plan.

For more information, please call the Upper Lake District office at 707-275-2361.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors this week will discuss the response to a series of community visioning forums held last month and also consider whether to direct that a request for proposals go out for the preparation of an employee compensation study.

The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.

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

In an item timed for 9:30 a.m., administrative staff will give the board a report on the community visioning forums held in each supervisorial district in January 2018 and seek possible direction from the board.

County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson’s report to the board explains that staff “has been focused on solutions to the County's very serious and worsening financial situation including redesign of business practices and exploration of new revenue sources. As part of this process, we embarked upon a series of CV [community visioning] forums to educate our citizenry on the significant financial challenges and to engage them in developing solutions and establishing service priorities.”

Huchingson said that the forums have “been very positive experiences,” with community members sharing ideas about most valued services along with suggestions for greater efficiencies and possible new revenue sources.

“As was conveyed by staff to the public during each forum, given our long history of ‘doing more with less,’ there is little doubt that finding new revenues will be an essential part of the solution. Both the Cities of Clearlake and Lakeport successfully passed sales tax measures enabling both jurisdictions to address financial challenges,” she said in her memo to the board.

Based on community sentiment in the community visioning forum process, Huchingson said “there may be support for a similar measure in the County.”

As such, she’s asking the board to consider directing staff to initiate the procedure to prepare an ordinance to establish a general purpose sales tax.

In other business, in an untimed item Huchingson is asking the board to consider the Classification, Compensation, Recruitment and Retention Committee’s plans for the coming year and its recommendation that the board direct staff to issue a request for proposals for a consultant to conduct a comprehensive classification and compensation study.

Huchingson said the county last conducted such a study in 2003, and since then its challenges with recruitment and retention have grown, as it has been unable to keep with with the pay offered by other counties.

“The study is needed, after a 15 year hiatus, to review classifications and salary relationships, and gather important data on compensation in comparable jurisdictions, as we prepare to address impending issues including minimum wage and the need for periodic cost of living adjustments,” Huchingson wrote in her memo to the board.

She said the committee also is recommending the board consider adopting a compensation philosophy statement, and the board is being asked to direct staff to finalize such a statement for future consideration.

The full agenda follows.

CONTRACT CHANGE ORDERS

6.1: Consideration of Contract Change Order No. 3 for the Valley Fire Water Meter Replacement Project, Bid No. 16-07.

6.2: Consideration of Contract Change Order No. 3 for the CSA-7 & CSA-18 Water System Repair Project, Bid No. 16-11.

6.3: Consideration of Contract Change Order No. 1 for the CSA-7 Bonanza Springs Ridge Road Mainline project, Bid No. SD17-05.

CONSENT AGENDA

7.1: Adopt proclamation designating the month of February 2018 as Black History Month and celebrating Martin Luther King's Birthday.

7.2: Approve minutes of the Board of Supervisors meeting held Nov. 7, 2017

7.3: Adopt resolution expressing support for Lower Lake Parade and Barbecue (May 27, 2018).

7.4: Approve the Brooks Trust dated Feb. 2, 1996, nomination for appointment of successor trustee, and authorize the Animal Care and Control director to sign.

7.5: Approve Amendment 2 to the agreement between the county of Lake and Davis Guest Home for adult residential support services and specialty mental health specialty services for fiscal Year 2017-18 for an increase of $50,000 for a new contract maximum of $130,000 and authorize the chair to sign.

7.6: Approve Butler-Keys Community Services District’s Resolution No. 2018-1 calling a special election to place a special tax measure on the ballot and requesting approval of the Lake County Board of Supervisors to consolidate the district’s special election with the June 5, 2018 Statewide Direct Primary Election.

7.7: Authorize waiver of County Policy and Procedure, Section 15 - Travel Policy Section 1.4F, claiming requirements for the reimbursement to Saul Sanabria in the amount of $68; and authorize the chair to sign.

7.8: Sitting as the Lake County Watershed Protection District Board of Directors, adopt resolution for the Lake County Watershed Protection District Quagga/Zebra Mussel Infestation Prevention fee grant program application and funding agreement.

7.9: Approve the Sun Ridge Systems software support services agreement for the FY 2017/18 in the amount of $37,282 for the support of its Law Enforcement Software Suite, and authorize the chair to sign.

7.10: Approve amendment to lease agreement between the county of Lake and Sam Polo for the annual amount of $38,042.40 through June 30, 2021, and authorize the chair to sign.

7.11: Adopt Resolution amending Resolution No. 2008-168 authorizing access to state and local summary criminal history information by the Department of Social Services.

7.12: Approve acceptance of easement deeds on multiple parcels in Anderson Springs for the Anderson Springs Septic to Sewer Project and authorize clerk of the board to sign.

7.13: Adopt resolution accepting the CSA-2 Spring Valley Water Distribution System Upgrade project as complete and authorize the CSA-2 administrator to sign the notice of completion.

7.14: Adopt resolution accepting the CSA-7 Bonanza Springs Ridge Road Water Main project as complete and authorize the CSA-7 administrator to sign the notice of completion.

7.15: Adopt resolution accepting the CSA-7 & CSA-18 Water System Repair Project as complete and authorize the CSA-7 & CSA-18 administrator to sign the notice of completion.

7.16: Adopt resolution accepting the CSA-7 & CSA-18 Valley Fire Water Meter Replacement project as complete and authorize the CSA-7 & CSA-18 administrator to sign the notice of completion.

TIMED ITEMS

8.2, 9:10 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation designating the month of February 2018 as Black History Month and Celebrating Martin Luther King's birthday.

8.3, 9:15 a.m.: Provide update on status of CSA #16 Consolidation Project and seek direction from Board of Supervisors.

8.4, 9:30 a.m.: Report on community visioning forums held in each supervisorial district during January 2018 and possible direction to staff.

UNTIMED ITEMS

9.2: Consideration of the following appointments: Child Care Planning and Development, Glenbrook Cemetery District.

9.3: Consideration of Classification, Compensation, Recruitment and Retention Committee plans for 2018, and direction regarding RFP for classification and compensation study, and development of compensation philosophy statement.

CLOSED SESSION

10.1: Conference with legal counsel: Existing Litigation Pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54956.9(d)(1): Shikman v. County of Lake, et al.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
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Upper Lake High School’s Academic Decathlon team won its third competition in a row on its home turf in Upper Lake, Calif., on Saturday, February 3, 2018. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Upper Lake High School on Saturday clinched the Lake County Academic Decathlon title for the third year in a row, earning a trip to the state competition along with Willits High.

In an event which focused this year on the subject of Africa, Upper Lake edged out Clear Lake High Team A.

Also competing were Clear Lake High Team B and Middletown High.

Willits High School, the only team in Mendocino County, once again made the trip in order to compete so it could be eligible to participate in the California Academic Decathlon March 23 and 24.

“Lake County students are thriving,” said Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg in remarks ahead of the Super Quiz.

Community members looked at posters created by Academic Decathlon students at the Academic Decathlon at Upper Lake High School in Upper Lake, Calif., on Saturday, February 3, 2018. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.

In addition to the Academic Decathlon, Falkenberg pointed to the many other events highlighting local students’ academic excellence, including the Mock Trial competition coming up later this month, along with SkillsUSA and music competitions.

He noted at that point that there was not yet a clear winner among the competing Academic Decathlon teams.

“It is all coming down to this Super Quiz,” he said.

After the Super Quiz, Clear Lake High School Team A and Upper Lake High were tied, but once the judges were finished with all of the day’s scoring, Upper Lake once again won, and got to keep the county competition trophy.

Upper Lake High Head Coach Anna Sabalone said she was surprised by the outcome because of the fierceness of the competition.

At right, Anisha Kalan, Upper Lake High Academic Decathlon team captain, and Head Coach Anna Sabalone following the competition in Upper Lake, Calif., on Saturday, February 3, 2018. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.

She said that every competing team wants to represent Lake County at the state competition. “We have to stay on our toes to be able to keep the honor.”

Upper Lake’s team captain and top scorer, Anisha Kalan, 17, won the speech contest among other subjects, and gave her speech on the development of racism to the audience of about 100 people.

This is Kalan’s fourth year in the Academic Decathlon. “Every year is different. It’s a different team.”

At Upper Lake, the Academic Decathlon is a class, so the team works to prepare over time, as well as putting more intense study in before the contest.

Kalan is now in the midst of applying for colleges, among them, Yale, Stanford, Harvard, Berkeley and Davis. She plans to study political science.

Music students from Upper Lake High performed during an intermission in the Academic Decathlon at Upper Lake High School in Upper Lake, Calif., on Saturday, February 3, 2018. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.

Dr. Giovanni Annous, who became Upper Lake Unified School District’s superintendent in May, was delighted with the event.

“It brought tears to my eyes,” Annous said after joining the team for a picture.

He noted his students’ excitement, and also lauded the other teams and their students for their cordial and professional behavior toward each other in the course of the competition.

Annous said it’s also exciting to know that hard work pays off. He said students’ jingling medals was a great sound.

He and the coaches were preparing at that point to take the team out for a celebratory dinner in Lakeport. “They deserve every celebration possible.”

Sabalone, an Upper Lake High alumna who was herself an Academic Decathlon competitor, has coached the team for 10 years. She’s assisted by Angel Hayenga and Christal Coatney.

She said her team this year has 13 members – down slightly from past years – with four of them seniors.

From left, Upper Lake Academic Decathlon Head Coach Anna Sabalone, and assistant coaches Christal Coatney and Angel Hayenga following the competition in Upper Lake, Calif., on Saturday, February 3, 2018. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.

“They’re very excited,” about the competition outcome, she said.

However, they won’t jump immediately into the preparation for the state event, as many of them have to prepare for other activities – such as the Mock Trial, a music competition in Chico next weekend as well as basketball.

After the Mock Trial concludes on Feb. 12 – Sabalone also is helping to coach that team – they’ll get down to work on prepping for the state finals, she said.

Upper Lake’s coaches gave a big shout out to fellow staffers and parents – “Especially the parents,” said Hayenga – for their unwavering support.

Part of the process of getting ready will be fundraising. Sabalone said the trip to Sacramento for the state finals is estimated to cost around $6,000, half of which goes for hotel rooms, as well as $500 for registration.

For information on making a donations, call Upper Lake High at 707-275-2338.

The full results of the competition are below.



Clear Lake High School
Superintendent April Leiferman, Principal Jill Falconer, Coach Kristi Tripp
Team members: Brenden Allen, Kaity Avila, Carlos Bernardino, Michael Camacho, Nicabec Casido, Adrian Ceja, Luis Cortez, Zoe Cramer, Anna Del Bosco, Sereno Dominguez, Camille Donald, Anahit Govorgyan, Brent Hinchcliff, Trinitee Hoaglen, Blake Jensen, Brody Jensen, Kyle Jensen, Julia Lyon, Isabella Mattina, Courtney McIntosh, Nathan Porter, Oscar Quilala, Jessica Romero, Felix Salinas, Quintin Scott, Alexa Shepherd, Connor Simons, Kally Vinson, Shawnee Weed, Ethan Wynacht

Middletown High School
Superintendent Catherine Stone, Principal Bill Roderick, Coach Jeff Mielke
Team members: Makenna Brown, Taylor Harris, Steven Harvey, Austin Lapic, Colleen Schimansky, Amy Trapani, Amida Verhey

Upper Lake High School
Superintendent Giovanni Annous, Principal Sandy Coatney, Coaches Anna Sabalone, Angel Hayenga and Christal Coatney
Team members: Alan Balderas, William Cromwell, Daniela Estrada-Flores, Jeff Fannon, Anisha Kalan, Deeya Kalan, Jessica Lee, Kehlani McKelvey, Katlyn Minnis, Robert Porterfield, Brenna Sanchez, Seneca Snow, Maria Tinoco, Sarah Williams

Willits High School
Superintendent Mark Westerburg, Principal Michael Colvig, Coach Mary Colvig
Team members: Jacob Arms, Brieana Evans, Isabelle Grieve, Nicholas Hebel, Elizabeth Henning, Savanna Hofmaister, Mychaela Nowlin, Ariel Reyes, Micah Stamps, Naomi Strickland, Byron Torres, Ian Watson, Alisabeth Wilcox

TEAM PLACEMENT

Lake County

First place: Upper Lake High School, 36,838 points
Second place: Clear Lake High School, 32,575 points

Mendocino County

First place: Willits High School, 33,848 points

AWARDS

Poetry contest

First place: Anahit Govorgyan, Clear Lake High
Second place: Alexa Shepherd, Clear Lake High
Third place: Nicabec Casido, Clear Lake High

The Lake County Arts Council provided awards of $25, $15 and $10, respectively, for the three top finishers.

Poster contest

First place: Kaity Avila, Clear Lake High
Second place: Trinitee Hoaglen, Clear Lake High
Third place: Camille Donald, Clear Lake High

The Lake County Arts Council provided awards of $25, $15 and $10, respectively, for the three top finishers.

Super Quiz

First place: (tie) Clear Lake High Team A, Upper Lake High
Second place: Clear Lake High Team B
Third place: Willits High

SUBJECTS

Science

First place: Isabella Mattina, Clear Lake High
Second place: Sereno Dominguez, Clear Lake High
Third place: (five-way tie) Mychaela Nowlin, Willits High; Savanna Hofmaister, Willits High; Jessica Romero, Clear Lake High; Brenna Sanchez, Upper Lake High; Sarah Williams, Upper Lake High

Economics

First place: Anisha Kalan, Upper Lake High
Second place: Daniela Estrada-Flores, Upper Lake High
Third place: Nicholas Hebel, Willits High; Ian Watson, Willits High

Music

First place: Brenna Sanchez, Upper Lake High
Second place: Sarah Williams, Upper Lake High
Third place: Ian Watson, Willits High

Mathematics

First place: Amida Verhey, Middletown High
Second place: Jacob Arms, Willits High
Third place: Michael Camacho, Clear Lake High

Social Sciences

First place: Zoe Cramer, Clear Lake High
Second place: Sarah Williams, Upper Lake High
Third place: Anisha Kalan, Upper Lake High

Art

First place: Zoe Cramer, Clear Lake High
Second place: Maria Tinoco, Upper Lake High
Third place: Kehlani McKelvey, Upper Lake High

Language and Literature

First place: (four-way tie) Savanna Hofmaister, Willits High; Ian Watson, Willits High; Jessica Romero, Clear Lake High; Michael Camacho, Clear Lake High
Second place: (three-way tie) Kaity Avila, Clear Lake High; Zoe Cramer, Clear Lake High; Anisha Kalan, Upper Lake High
Third place: (tie) Sarah Williams, Upper Lake High; Brent Hinchcliff, Clear Lake High

Essay

First place: Amida Verhey, Middletown High
Second place: Maria Tinoco, Upper Lake High
Third place: Nicholas Hebel, Willits High

Interview

First place: (tie) Brieana Evans, Willits High; Brent Hinchcliff, Clear Lake High
Second place: (tie) Amida Verhey, Middletown High; Isabella Mattina, Clear Lake High
Third place: Michael Camacho, Clear Lake High

Speech

First place: Anisha Kalan, Upper Lake High
Second place: Daniela Estrada-Flores, Upper Lake High
Third place: Isabella Mattina, Clear Lake High

TOP FINISHERS FOR EACH ACADEMIC LEVEL

Honors category (3.75-4.00 grade point average)

First place: Anisha Kalan, Upper Lake High
Second place: Zoe Cramer, Clear Lake High
Third place: Michael Camacho, Clear Lake High

Scholastic category (3.00-3.74 GPA)

First place: Ian Watson, Willits High
Second place: Brenna Sanchez, Upper Lake High
Third place: Elizabeth Henning, Willits High

Varsity category (2.99 GPA or below)

First place: Sarah Williams, Upper Lake High
Second place: Alisabeth Wilcox, Willits High
Third place: Jeff Fannon, Upper Lake High

HIGHEST SCORING STUDENTS, PER SCHOOL

Clear Lake High School: Zoe Cramer
Middletown High School: Amida Verhey
Upper Lake High School: Anisha Kalan
Willits High School: Savanna Hofmaister

The Lodge at Blue Lakes provided $100 scholarships for each of the schools' top-scoring students, along with additional gift certificates to the lodge.

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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Andrew Crowningshield. Photo courtesy of the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office

NORTH COAST, Calif. – A Little River man who authorities say shot the mother of his child on Sunday before fleeing has been captured in Glenn County.

Andrew Crowningshield, 27, was taken into custody in Elk Creek on Monday morning, according to Lt. Shannon Barney of the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.

Shortly after 9 a.m. Sunday the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a shooting in the 6000 block of North Highway 1 in Little River, Barney said.

Barney said the reporting party, victim Daniel Alonso, said that he and his friend, victim Autumn Smith, who also went by the last name of Johnson, were traveling southbound on North Highway 1 from Fort Bragg.

As they passed the area of Caspar they observed Crowningshield in his vehicle. Barney said Alonso reported that Crowningshield followed their vehicle as they drove south.

Crowningshield and Smith had a previous relationship together and they share a child in common, a 3-year-old boy. Barney said their relationship had ended over a year prior to this incident and they shared custody of the child.

In the 6000 block of North Highway 1 Smith pulled to the side of the road to talk to Crowningshield about their son and when she could pick up the child, Barney said.

Smith approached Crowningshield's vehicle and for reasons unknown at this time, Crowningshield fired numerous rounds at Smith, who fell to the ground, according to Barney’s report.

Barney said that Alonso told authorities that he believed Crowningshield also fired numerous rounds at him while he was seated in the other vehicle.

Alonso used Smith's vehicle to drive to a nearby business to report the shooting to the sheriff's office. At the same time, Barney said Crowningshield fled the area in a large four-wheel-drive Ford pickup.

Initially, Mendocino County Sheriff’s deputies were concerned that the 3-year-old boy might have been taken by Crowningshield but it was later learned to not be the case. Barney said deputies later found the child safe, with relatives, and learned he was not at the scene nor was he involved in the incident in any way.

Responding deputies and members of the Albion Litter River Fire Department arrived on scene and found Smith deceased. Barney said sheriff’s detectives were called to conduct the investigation while deputies, officers from the California Highway Patrol – both patrol units and a helicopter – as well as officers from the Ukiah Police Department and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife combed the area looking for the suspect.

Several reports came in the suspect may have been seen on the Comptche-Ukiah Road but deputies were unable to locate him, Barney said.

Barney said additional reports came in the suspect vehicle might have been seen on the Eel River Road leading to Lake Pillsbury. A be on the lookout was issued to all allied agencies to stop and arrest the suspect.

Just before 7 a.m. Monday, Crowningshield’s vehicle was spotted in Elk Creek in Glenn County. Barney said responding Glenn County Deputies observed Crowningshield near the vehicle and placed him into custody without incident.

Crowningshield was transported to the Mendocino County Jail where he was booked late Monday afternoon on an open charge of homicide and an open charge of attempted homicide. This is a no-bail status, Barney said.

The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office thanked all allied agencies who assisted and all citizens who called in information about possible sightings.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council this week will honor an outgoing planning commissioner and appoint his successor, discuss changes to the ordinance for the Parks and Recreation Commission and consider seeking proposals for a City Hall remodel project.

The council will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb 6, for a closed session to discuss property negotiations related to 800 N. Main St., 810 N. Main St. and 910 Bevins St. before the public portion of the meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

The council on Tuesday will present a proclamation honoring Harold Taylor for his 14 years of service on the Lakeport Planning Commission.

That will be followed by the proposed appointment of Kipp Knorr to the Lakeport Planning Commission, to fill Taylor’s term, which expires Dec. 31 2018.

The council also will appoint Pamela Harpster, Dan Peterson and Andy Lucas, to the Lakeport Economic Development Committee effective immediately, with those terms expiring Dec. 31, 2019.

In other business, staff will introduce an ordinance to amend the Lakeport Municipal Code regarding the Parks and Recreation Commission.

“During the most recent recruitment for positions to the Parks and Recreation Commission, staff received feedback from interested applicants that the number of meetings was creating a bigger commitment than these volunteers were willing to make given the types of matters under discussion,” City Clerk Kelly Buendia wrote in her report to the council. “This spurred conversations about the necessity of once per month meetings and also about making meetings later in the day or in the evening which would open this opportunity to more residents who might be interested in participating. While the staff assigned to the Park and Recreation Commission could accommodate evening meetings for members, the frequency of meetings would require changes to the ordinance.

“Additionally, since the parks are enjoyed by non-residents, the proposed ordinance would allow one (1) non-resident on the board, as the Council has done with other committees,” Buendia said.

Buendia said staff is requesting that the council set the commission’s regular meetings to quarterly meetings with the ability to cancel if needed. “Special meetings can also be called when needed, to conduct more urgent business. This would create a more reliable schedule for both staff and Commission, as well as, give staff needed time to follow up on discussion items.”

In other business, Community Development Director Kevin Ingram will present a request for staff direction pertaining to the request for proposals for a remodel of a portion of City Hall to create a “one-stop customer service center” to assist in providing greater customer service to the public.

Proposed changes are meant to make the space more user-friendly for customers of the various departments – including the Finance Department and Community Development Department. The council chamber doors also are proposed to be relocated beyond the entry to the conference room to reduce conflicts between the users of those space, according to Ingram’s report.

Ingram said the city’s capital improvement projects listing includes some additional identified improvements to City Hall, “that although not budgeted, should be at a minimum considered as part of the RFP as there will likely be significant cost savings if they are made a part of this project.”

He said those improvements include upgrading City Hall’s security system, constructing a fur wall along the north building concrete wall in order to achieve greater energy efficiency within the entire building, and repairing the exterior building coating to prohibit water seepage through concrete exterior walls currently creating efflorescence in the council chambers.

Also on Tuesday, Police Chief Brad Rasmussen will take to the council a proposed resolution authorizing the conducting of criminal background checks for commercial cannabis licensing purposes.

Rasmussen notes in his report that his agency is tasked with conducting those background checks as part of the ordinance the council recently enacted to govern the licensing of commercial cannabis activities in the city.

Items on the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances; minutes of the council’s regular meeting on Jan. 16; the Jan. 23 warrant register; approval of Application 2018-003, with staff recommendations, for Cinco de Mayo event to be held in Library Park on May 6; authorization for the city manager to sign Contract Change Orders No. 8 and 9, as well as sign and file the Notice of Completion with Granite Construction Co. on the Lakeshore Blvd ER Project; approval of the Resolution accepting Exhibit 13-A, stating the Lakeshore Boulevard Roadway Repair project has no acquisition of right of way associated with it; and receipt and filing of the draft minutes of the Jan. 17 Measure Z Advisory Committee.

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.

020618 Lakeport City Council agenda packet by LakeCoNews on Scribd

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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Planning Commission will meet this week to discuss the city’s zoning interpretation manual.

The commission will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

Planning consultant Gary Price, who wrote the manual will be in attendance for the discussion.

The manual’s introduction explains that the city is in the process of conducting a comprehensive update to its zoning code.

“This Manual was developed to provide on-going definitions of how certain regulations in the current Zoning Code are to be interpreted between now and when the Zoning Code takes effect,” the document states.

The manual also is meant to establish consistent procedures for staff to use in administering the code, and has been designed to evolve over time.

Commission members are Chair Dirk Slooten and Vice Chair Russ Cremer, and commissioners Nathalie Antus, Richard Bean and Carl Webb.

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.

Zoning Interpretation and Procedures Manual 02-06-18 by LakeCoNews on Scribd

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Law enforcement units at the scene of a fatal officer-involved shooting in Nice, Calif., on Monday, February 5, 2018. Photo by John Jensen/Lake County News.

NICE, Calif. – On Monday in Nice a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy fatally shot an armed man who had been reported for brandishing a firearm.

Lt. Corey Paulich said deputies first responded at 11:40 a.m. Monday to the 6000 block of Marin Street on a report of a suspicious male in the area.

Then, at 11:55 a.m., the sheriff’s office received a second report of a male brandishing a firearm in the 4000 block of Nice Road, Paulich said.

Paulich said a deputy contacted the armed man in the area of Burpee Drive and Lakeview Drive.

Shots were fired and the suspect died as a result of his injuries at the scene, according to Paulich.

He said the scene is contained and the sheriff’s office does not believe there are any outstanding suspects.

The identity of the man who died is not being released pending notification of next of kin, Paulich said.

Paulich said the deputy was not injured and will be placed on routine paid administrative leave.

The county's critical incident protocol was activated, and Paulich said the Lake County District Attorney’s Office will be assisting the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit with the investigation of this incident.

The investigation is continuing and additional details will be released when they are available, Paulich said.

A large number of sheriff’s and California Highway Patrol units have been at the scene throughout the afternoon for processing the scene, which a deputy told Lake County News covered a large area.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Five community visioning forums the county of Lake held in January are available for viewing online.

The videos, shot by Lake County News, are below, In order of occurrence. They also can be found at Lake County News’ YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews/videos .

The Kelseyville forum took place on Jan. 8, with about 120 people in attendance. The Clearlake forum, attended by about 70 people, took place Jan. 10 and the Northshore forum was hosted on Jan. 11 with about 110 community members attending.

The Jan. 17 forum, held in Lakeport, had about 150 people in attendance, with the last forum, which crew about 160 people, taking place in Middletown on Jan. 29.

A review of suggestions and community members’ concerns that were submitted at the forums will be presented at the Board of Supervisors meeting at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.











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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has more news dogs that are now available for adoption.

The dogs offered adoption this week include mixes of Akita, German Shepherd, golden retriever, Labrador Retriever, Maltese, mastiff, pit bull, shepherd, Rottweiler and terrier.

Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.

If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets hoping you'll choose them.

The following dogs at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (additional dogs on the animal control Web site not listed are still “on hold”).

This male terrier has is in quarantine kennel No. 2a, ID No. 9396. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Male terrier

This male terrier has a short tricolor coat.

He’s in quarantine kennel No. 2a, ID No. 9396.

This female Maltese-terrier mix is in quarantine kennel No. 2d, ID No. 9394. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Female Maltese-terrier mix

This female Maltese-terrier mix has a short brown and black coat.

She is in quarantine kennel No. 2d, ID No. 9394.

This female terrier is in quarantine kennel No. 8, ID No. 9395. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Female terrier

This female terrier has a short tricolor coat.

She’s in quarantine kennel No. 8, ID No. 9395.

This female German Shepherd-Akita mix in kennel No. 14, ID No. 9219. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

German Shepherd-Akita mix

This female German Shepherd-Akita mix has a short black and tan coat.

She’s in kennel No. 14, ID No. 9219.

This male pit bull is in kennel No. 15, ID No. 9383. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Male pit bull

This male pit bull has a short white and brindle coat.

He’s in kennel No. 15, ID No. 9383.

This female German Shepherd Dog is in kennel No. 16, ID No. 9275. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Male German Shepherd

This female German Shepherd Dog has a black and tan coat.

She is in kennel No. 16, ID No. 9275.

“Bella” is a female Labrador Retriever-Rottweiler mix in kennel No. 17, ID No. 9375. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

‘Bella’

“Bella” is a female Labrador Retriever-Rottweiler mix with a short black and brown coat.

She is in kennel No. 17, ID No. 9375.

This male pit bull terrier is in kennel No. 18, ID No. 9371. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Male pit bull terrier

This male pit bull terrier has a short tricolor coat.

He already has been spayed.

He’s in kennel No. 18, ID No. 9371.

This male pit bull terrier is in kennel No. 19, ID No. 9372. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Male pit bull terrier

This male pit bull terrier has a short brindle and white coat.

He’s in kennel No. 19, ID No. 9372.

This male Labrador Retriever is in kennel No. 23, ID No. 9410. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Male Labrador Retriever

This male Labrador Retriever has a short black coat with white markings.

He already has been neutered.

He’s in kennel No. 23, ID No. 9410.

This male terrier in kennel No. 27, ID No. 9398. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Male terrier

This male terrier has a short tricolor coat.

He is in kennel No. 27, ID No. 9398.

This female terrier is in kennel No. 28a, ID No. 9399. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Female terrier

This female terrier has a short tricolor coat.

She’s in kennel No. 28a, ID No. 9399.

This female terrier is in kennel No. 28b, ID No. 9400. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Female terrier

This female terrier has a short tricolor coat.

She’s in kennel No. 28b, ID No. 9400.

This male pit bull is in kennel No. 32, ID No. 9369. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Male pit bull

This male pit bull has a short buff-colored coat.

Shelter staff said he is a lovely boy who will sit on command and give you a handshake.

He’s in kennel No. 32, ID No. 9369.

This male golden retriever is in kennel No. 34, ID No. 9302. Photo courtesy of Lake County Animal Care and Control.

Golden retriever

This male golden retriever

Has a medium-length golden coat.

He already has been neutered.

He’s in kennel No. 34, ID No. 9302.

Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm.

For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.

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

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