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Police: Investigation into early morning fight continuing
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Police are continuing their investigation into an early morning fight last week that left a Northshore man with serious head injuries.
Lakeport Police responded to the report of a bar fight downtown early on the morning of Thursday, July 5, finding a 28-year-old man from Nice down in the street at the intersection of N. Main and Second streets, as Lake County News has reported.
Chief Brad Rasmussen said Saturday that the victim – whose name has not yet been released by police – remained in critical condition at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.
Rasmussen said officers so far have not been able to speak to the victim, and hope to do so once the hospital notifies them that his condition has improved.
Since the fight took place, police have received a number of leads that are aiding their investigation, Rasmussen said.
“We expect to be able to solve this case,” Rasmussen said.
In connection with the assault, police also are investigating a break-in at a residence on Sixth Street that they believe was in retaliation for the fight.
Anyone with information regarding one or both of the incidents is asked to contact the Lakeport Police Department at 707-263-5491.
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Lakeport Police Department receives Indian gaming funds
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Police Department has received some much-needed – and, according to the agency, much-appreciated – grant funding from local Indian tribes.
The department received more than $17,000 from the Robinson Rancheria Pomo Indians and Big Valley Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians to offset casino impacts as part of a recent allocation from the Indian Gaming Special Distribution Fund.
The process not only netted the police department monies, but also further strengthened continuing partnerships, according to a Thursday report from Sgt. Dale Stoebe.
Statistical information showed that during the last calendar year the Lakeport Police Department, through mutual aid agreement with the Lake County Sheriffs Office, had responded to and assisted with a number of law enforcement calls for service at both locations.
That, coupled with services provided to casino employees and their children who reside in Lakeport, justified the tribes’ decisions to grant the funds, $10,000 and $7,242.75, respectively, Stoebe reported.
“The tribes have been giving back to the community in many ways for many years, including grant funds,” said Stoebe. “These monies have always been utilized by law enforcement fully to enhance the safety of that community.”
Stoebe added, “In these strained and uncertain financial times, those monies are just needed and appreciated that much more. The most important outcome of the whole process was the further strengthening of our already existing partnerships. Together we will see them into a safer future.”
The received grant monies will be utilized by the Lakeport Police Department on police vehicle maintenance costs and to offset police officers’ mutual aid service times, Stoebe said.
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Police release additional details about Wednesday night stabbing; suspect still sought
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Police are still seeking a suspect who allegedly stabbed another man during a fight on Wednesday night.
Det. Tim Alvarado of the Clearlake Police Department reported Thursday that police are looking for Todd Davi, 31, of Clearlake.
Davi is alleged to have stabbed 32-year-old Joshua Plube, also of Clearlake, according to Alvarado.
On Wednesday at approximately 10:20 p.m. officers responded to Silk’s Bar and Grill for a report of a possible stab victim, Alvarado said.
Upon arriving on scene, officers located a white male adult later identified as Plube, who was suffering from multiple stab wounds and was lifeflighted from the scene to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, where he was treated and later released, according to Alvarado.
Based on witness statements the suspect, Davi came to Silk’s Bar and Grill looking for an altercation with Plube concerning a personal matter that occurred several days prior, Alvarado said.
The two men proceeded to the rear of the bar when Davi pulled out a knife and allegedly stabbed Plube several times. Sgt. Martin Snyder told Lake County News in a Thursday morning interview that Plube sustained two stab wounds to the body and one to the face.
Davi fled the scene prior to the arrival of officers, Alvarado said.
Alvarado said officers searched for Davi at several locations, but were unable to locate him.
If anyone has any information on the possible whereabouts of Davi or may have witnessed the incident, contact Det. Alvarado at the Clearlake Police Department, 707-994-8251.
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Board to delay no confidence discussion on sheriff; concerns over legal issues cited
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A Board of Supervisors discussion on a proposed no confidence vote on the county’s sheriff has been postponed.
The board had tentatively scheduled a discussion on whether or not to take the vote regarding Sheriff Frank Rivero during its meeting next Tuesday, July 10.
However, on Tuesday Board Chair Rob Brown – who called for the vote – said he’s postponing the action.
Rivero – now 19 months into his term – said that he considered it “unfortunate” that the hearing was postponed, as he was looking forward to confronting Brown “with the truth, before the public, in a televised event.”
Explaining why he postponed the matter, Brown said, “I don’t want this to be wrongfully perceived as in any way related to the claims the sheriff has made against the county.”
Specifically, Rivero has a suit against the board – scheduled to be heard later this month – for voting in March to refuse his request to hire an outside attorney.
Rivero – who maintains that a conflict of interest with the County Counsel’s Office exists –
argued that California Government Code guarantees him the right to legal representation in a matter involving District Attorney Don Anderson.
Anderson conducted an inquiry into allegations that Rivero lied during a February 2008 investigation into an incident in which Rivero – then a deputy sheriff – shot his sidearm at a man with pepper spray.
According to documents Lake County News obtained from the county through a Public Records Act request, Anderson is considering giving Rivero a “Brady letter,” meaning Rivero would not be able to testify in court due to concerns about his truthfulness.
In addition, in 2009 Rivero filed a claim with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, alleging that sheriff’s office staff discriminated against him because of race and retaliated against him for making allegations of harassment.
That claim was discussed by the board in several closed sessions in 2009 – the last one in June of that year – according to board meeting records.
On March 6, after nearly three years, the claim reappeared on the board’s closed session, following several weeks of discussion by the board on Rivero’s request for legal representation. At that same meeting, the board would vote down Rivero’s request to hire the outside attorney.
The EEOC claim also is on the board’s July 10 agenda, once again slated for closed session.
Performance issues
The no confidence vote proposal arose during the board’s June 26 meeting.
Brown asked for the action as a result of contract negotiations with the Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s Association.
He alleged that Rivero made public statements that nearly derailed the long-running negotiations.
Brown also accused Rivero of being responsible for a “mountain of lawsuits,” for driving away employees and for not showing up to do his job.
The question about Rivero’s absence hasn’t been raised just by Brown.
Earlier in that same meeting, Supervisor Jeff Smith pressed sheriff’s administrative staff on the sheriff’s whereabouts, noting that he hadn’t seen him in some time.
Ultimately, Brown’s colleagues on the board asked for the no confidence discussion to come back as its own separate agenda item. The board then voted unanimously to approve a new memorandum of understanding with the deputies’ union.
Rivero called the matter an “ambush” and accused Brown of lying about his performance and record as sheriff, alleging that Brown has “a series of mixed motives all inspired by hatred, resent, and retaliation.”
Brown said Tuesday that he was concerned about reports he had that Rivero was planning to bring command staff to the meeting to vouch for whether he has been at work. He said he didn’t want them to be forced to choose between covering for Rivero or losing their jobs.
Rivero called that allegation “a concocted lie,” stating that he has a professional command staff, “none of whom would engage in any activity of the sort.”
As for where Rivero has been over the last few months – with supervisors and county administrative staff noting they’ve rarely seen him – there were reports that he was attending Empire College School of Law in Santa Rosa.
Lake County News contacted the school, which confirmed his presence. The school later called back to say that it “could neither confirm nor deny” Rivero was taking classes there.
In response to Lake County News’ inquiry as to whether or not he was indeed taking law classes, Rivero responded, “Regarding if and where I am attending school, that is frankly none of your concern.”
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