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Roadside vegetation fire prompts evacuations in Lucerne
LUCERNE, Calif. — A fast-moving wildland fire along Highway 20 is threatening structures and prompting evacuations in Lucerne.
The Arden fire was first dispatched at around 2:10 p.m. Saturday on Highway 20 and Foothill Drive, on the west end of town.
The first units on scene said the fire was between one and two acres, with a moderate rate of spread and moving uphill with multiple structures threatened.
Cal Fire dispatched air attack and tankers, with units coming from Northshore Fire and Lakeport Fire, and units on call from the Mendocino National Forest.
Evacuations were called for in the fire’s immediate area around Roland Road and Arden Drive.
The California Highway Patrol has been requested to respond and close Highway 20 at the fire’s location.
Air resources arrived just before 2:30 p.m. Air attack reported that at that time the fire was five acres in grass, with a moderate rate of spread and spotting, with the potential for 50 acres.
At about the same time, it was reported that there were some structures involved.
At 2:35 p.m., an evacuation order was sent via phone for the evacuation zone LUC-E053, at the west end of the town. A phone call from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office followed.
A unit was requested to the incident command post at 2:45 p.m. for a medical aid. A short time later, Lakeport’s fire chief transported one person off the incident.
At 2:48 p.m. they said it was 10 to 15 acres, running uphill with multiple structures threatened, but no spotting on the hill.
At around 3 p.m., the evacuation zone was expanded to LUC-E059, LUC-E063 and LUC-E067, taking up much of the town.
The sheriff’s office said a temporary evacuation point is being established in the parking lot of East Lake Elementary School, 13050 High Valley Road in Clearlake Oaks.
Just after 3:30 p.m., the power went off across Lucerne. Initial estimates from PG&E are that power will not be restored until 10:45 p.m. Saturday.
By 4 p.m., zones LUC-E059 and LUC-E067 had been reduced to evacuation warnings. About 10 minutes later, it was reported over the air that the rest of the zones also were reduced to evacuation warnings.
Shortly before 5 p.m., the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center opened as a cooling center due to the power remaining out. The center is located at 3985 Country Club Drive. No pets are accepted. Service animals are OK. Hours will vary based on community needs. Any questions can be directed to the Senior Center at 707-274-8779.
At 6:16 p.m., there was a report of a new fire start at the head of the fire, outside of the fire lines. Incident command requested air attack respond.
That new fire start is reported to be underneath high tension power lines.
This report is being updated on an ongoing basis.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
Lake County celebrates first summer youth CNA graduation
LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Lake County Office of Education celebrates the completion of its first Youth Certified Nursing Assistant, or CNA, Program, with 14 students prepared to take their certification exam and launch their careers in health care.
The graduation ceremony took place on Friday, Aug. 1, at the Kelseyville High School Student Service Center.
The CNA graduates, who are all current high school students or recent graduates, completed an intensive seven-week summer program that prepared them to take the state CNA exam.
During the seven weeks, participants received hands-on clinical training, classroom instruction, and mentorship from experienced health care professionals.
Now that each is certified, students are eligible to work in a variety of health care settings including skilled nursing facilities, assisted living centers, and hospitals.
“This program gave students a fantastic opportunity to explore a career in the medical field and develop real-world skills before they graduate,” said Brock Falkenberg, Lake County Superintendent of Schools. “By preparing them for the workforce while they’re still in high school, we’re helping students take confident steps toward their future, and supporting the needs of our community.”
The Youth CNA Program reflects LCOE’s commitment to helping students succeed by connecting their education to real career opportunities.
“This program gives students a head start on their careers,” said Matt Russell, Director of Adult Education & Career and College Readiness. “It helps them build confidence, earn credentials, and take real steps toward their future.”
To learn more about the CNA Youth Program and other Medical Training Programs offered by the Lake County Office of Education, visit lakecoe.org/mtp.
New Mountain Vista Middle School principal brings fresh perspective
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. — Kelseyville Unified School District is pleased to welcome Rick Kale as Mountain Vista Middle School’s new principal.
Kale is a veteran school administrator with more than 20 years of experience in education.
After a decade as a lawyer, Kale went back to school to earn his teaching credential in 2004.
Since then, he has spent his career as an educator in Mendocino County, first as an English teacher, then as a school principal, and most recently as a district superintendent/principal.
He says he loves middle school because students are at an age where they are discovering what they are all about.
“Middle school is a time to try on every hat, to find out what you like, what you’re good at, and what you want to get better at. When kids ask me which club they should join, I tell them, ‘All of the ones you’re interested in.’ When they ask what sport they should go out for, I tell them, ‘Pick one for every season,’” he said.
Kale uses humor and positivity to encourage students to work hard in whatever they do, be it academics, sports or other extracurriculars.
“I want each student to succeed. I’m always looking for ways to support kids in their goals,” he explained. He went on to share his desire to be part of a community of staff and parents who are dedicated to continually learning, collaborating, and helping students thrive, describing education as a “team sport.”
He said he has an open-door policy and welcomes questions and ideas. His contact information is available via the MVMS website.
“We are so glad Rick has joined our administrative team,” said Kelseyville Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Nicki Thomas said. “His positive attitude and excitement for working with kids makes him a good fit in a district where students come first.”
While he certainly sees the need for boundaries — these are middle schoolers, after all — he is a proponent of positive behavior interventions and support, or PBIS, a framework that focuses on helping children better understand how their actions affect others with the overall goal of creating a consistent, predictable and safe learning environment for all students.
As principal, he wants to reconnect staff to the joy of helping students grow and learn. He also hopes that by modeling his love-to-learn approach, he will create an environment where students and staff constantly ask themselves, “What can I learn next?” and “How can I make this even better?”
He believes many students take their cues from how the adults around them respond to adversity. When he is faced with a challenge, he says he often gets excited about how he can make things better.
He said he is looking forward to moving to Kelseyville and getting to know the community. He likes what he has seen so far: beautiful natural resources, friendly people, and educators dedicated to excellence.
Gov. Newsom and California leaders host Texas officials, discuss response to gerrymandering attempts
Gov. Gavin Newsom and California leaders on Friday hosted Texas Democratic lawmakers who are breaking quorum to defend democracy against the GOP’s hyper-partisan gerrymander.
The governor and state leaders have floated a potential statewide ballot measure that would reaffirm California’s commitment to national independent redistricting and allow voters to temporarily adjust the state’s congressional map only if Texas or other GOP-led states manipulate theirs.
“Donald Trump is tipping the scales of justice toward injustice for us all – he realizes his agenda is so unpopular that he’d rather rig the next election and prevent voters from holding him accountable and provide a check on his deeply unpopular policies,” said Newsom. “California stands ready to flex its muscle to ensure the integrity of our democracy nationwide.”
“We came here knowing the risks. Lawsuits, threats, and intimidation won’t stop us. We swore an oath — not to Trump, not to Abbott, and not to any party. We swore to defend the Constitution and the people we represent. We’re not backing down,” said Texas Rep. Ann Johnson.
“Now that Republicans know they are going to lose the House next year, they’re trying to change the rules to redraw Congressional district maps and rig the elections in their favor,” Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi said. “Democrats must respond to Republicans’ blatant partisan power grab. We cannot and will not unilaterally disarm,” said Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi.
“When Republicans in Texas, Indiana, Florida and other states are lining up to steal additional congressional seats, something has to be done. I want to thank our Texas lawmakers for standing up for democracy and the rule of law. Our congressional delegation is united and ready to take on this fight with Governor Newsom and our state legislative partners. California cannot stand idly by and watch as Republicans and Donald Trump strip food programs from California schools, cut millions of Californians from their health insurance, do permanent damage to California’s clean air and clean water, and through their tariff scheme drive small businesses into bankruptcy and force hand force hard working Californians to lose their jobs. This is a blatant power grab, and we will not stand for it,” said Rep. Zoe Lofgren, chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation.
“Today, we are at a flash point set in play by Donald Trump and Texas Republicans who see the writing on the wall that they’ll lose the midterms — and they’re trying to cheat to win. President Trump’s cynical ploy to redraw congressional maps in Texas is rotten to its core. It is our sacred responsibility to defend our democracy and the people of the Golden State, so if Texas moves forward, we need to be prepared to do the same,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire.
“California Democrats will not allow Trump’s Republican Party to rig the system and take permanent control of the U.S. House of Representatives. We are prepared and we will fight fire with fire. We will do whatever it takes to defend our democracy. We will do whatever it takes to protect the voices, the votes, and the rights of every American,” said Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas.
In July, the governor hosted other Texas state leaders to discuss the special session that is underway in the Lone Star State.
President Trump has publicly and repeatedly pressured an uneasy state legislature to take the unprecedented step of redrawing their congressional map — mid cycle — to more favorably support Republicans.
In fact, recent polling found 63% of likely Texas voters view its Trump-backed redistricting plan as unnecessary.
Friday’s meeting participants included:
• Gov. Gavin Newsom.
• Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (CA-11).
• Congressmember Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation.
• Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-North Coast).
• Senator Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside).
• Senator Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara).
• Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas).
• Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters).
• Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles).
• Assemblymember Avelino Valencia (D-Anaheim).
• Texas State Rep. Rhetta Bowers.
• Texas State Rep. Gina Hinojosa.
• Texas State Rep. Ann Johnson.
• Texas State Rep. Ray Lopez.
• Texas State Rep. Mary Ann Perez.
• Texas State Rep. Vince Perez.
