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Lakeport Police logs: Saturday, Jan. 10
Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026
00:00 EXTRA PATROL 2601100001
Occurred at Lake County Law Library on 3D....
First snow survey of the season shows snowpack near average for California
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA — Recent storms have boosted California’s snowpack following a hot summer and fall.
The Department of Water Resources, or DWR, on Thursday conducted the first snow survey of the season at Phillips Station.
The manual survey recorded 24 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 9 inches, which is 91% of average for this location, DWR reported.
The snow water equivalent measures the amount of water contained in the snowpack and is a key component of DWR’s water supply forecast. Statewide, DWR said the snowpack is 108% of average for this date.
Recent years in California have been marked by extremely hot and dry conditions broken up by periods of intense rain and snow. So far, this water year has been no different, according to DWR’s report.
A record-breaking hot and dry summer continued well into the fall, but a powerful atmospheric river in November broke several rainfall records in Northern California. DWR said a series of storms in late December provided another boost.
“While our snowpack looks good now, we have a long way until April when our water supply picture will be more complete,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “Extreme shifts between dry and wet conditions are continuing this winter and if the past several years are any indication, anything could happen between now and April and we need to be prepared.”
DWR’s electronic readings from 130 stations placed throughout the Sierra Nevada indicate that the statewide snowpack’s snow water equivalent is 10.7 inches, or 108% of average for this date, compared to 28% on this date last year.
California has seen this pattern before. In both 2013 and 2022, the January snowpack was well above average thanks to December storm activity, only for dry conditions to take over the rest of the winter, quickly erasing early season snow totals and continuing existing drought conditions across the state.
“We are fortunate to have had several solid snow-producing atmospheric river systems so far this season,” said DWR’s Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit Manager Andy Reising. “The fall was extremely dry, so our healthy snow totals are thanks to a handful of big storm systems in November and late December. But to finish the year where we need to be, we will still need additional snow building at a regular pace throughout the winter.”
Major reservoirs statewide are currently 121% of average thanks to two consecutive years of above average snowpack conditions, which occurred after the driest three-year period on record in California.
DWR is preparing for these swings between extreme conditions by investing in climate resilience, including the use of Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations, floodplain and flood infrastructure improvements and groundwater recharge efforts that will ensure California is able to capture and use as much water during flood conditions as possible.
On average, the Sierra snowpack supplies about 30%t of California’s water needs. Its natural ability to store water is why the Sierra snowpack is often referred to as California's “frozen reservoir.”
Data from these snow surveys and forecasts produced by DWR’s Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit are important factors in determining how DWR manages the state’s water resources.
In other hydrology news, in the Mendocino National Forest, the season’s first snow measurements show below-average conditions.
At Anthony Peak in the Covelo Ranger District and Stony Creek river basin, the December snow measurement showed a depth of 21 inches with 8 inches of water content and 38 % density.
No available measurement at that site was available in December 2023, but in December 2022, the density at that site also was 38%
At Plaskett Meadows, in the Eel River basin, measurements are not expected until April.
Authorities identify woman killed in crash with semi truck
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has identified the Clearlake Oaks woman killed in a Christmas Eve crash with a semi truck.Frances Cline Novak, 76, died in the wreck, said sheriff’s spokesperson Lauren Berlinn.
The California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office said Novak was traveling on state Route 53, south of state Route 20 near Clearlake Oaks in a a 2000 Lexus RX3 when she made a U-turn from the southbound shoulder ahead of a 2015 Peterbilt truck tractor driven by Javier Gomez Jimenez, 57, of Williams.
As a result, Novak’s Lexus was hit broadside by the semi truck, and she died of her injuries at the scene, the CHP said. Gomez Jimenez was not injured.
The crash remains under investigation.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
California boosts paid family leave and disability benefits to record levels for new claims
On Thursday, California’s Employment Development Department announced a major boost in Paid Family Leave and disability benefits for workers — up to 90% of pay for workers earning less than $63,000 per year, and 70% for higher income workers.“Expanded Paid Family Leave benefits are about making it easier for Californians to care for themselves, bond with a new child, and care for their families without worrying about how they’ll pay the bills,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “This is another example of California leading the way in supporting workers, creating a more affordable California, and building more opportunity for all.”
“This benefit boost makes it more affordable to take time off work and care for an ill family member, bond with a child, or recover from illness or injury,” said EDD Director Nancy Farias. “These investments strengthen California’s workforce and improve the lives of millions of Californians.”
California’s benefit boost will help workers take time off work for pregnancy, childbirth, or recovery from illness or injury.
It will also help people care for seriously ill family members, bond with new children, or support family during military deployment abroad.
The new law that increases these benefits, Senate Bill 951 (SB 951), went into effect Jan. 1, 2025, and is not retroactive — meaning claims from 2024 continue payment at 2024 rates (which paid 60 to 70% of weekly wages).
Information about this transition period is posted on the 2025 Benefit Payment FAQs webpage.
Paid Family Leave and Disability Insurance are insurance plans that cover more than 18 million California workers. Workers pay into these insurance plans through payroll contributions and then draw benefits when needed. Eligible workers receiving disability can get up to 52 weeks of benefits and workers taking Paid Family Leave are eligible for up to 8 weeks of benefits, plus 4 weeks before birth for expecting mothers. On average, workers last year received over $870 per week in Paid Family Leave and over $780 per week for disability.
"SB 951 will ensure every California worker can afford to care for their family and themselves during life’s most important moments," said Sen. Maria Elena Durazo, author of SB 951. "I applaud Governor Newsom for signing my bill into law, which will allow middle and low paid workers to receive up to 90 percent of their wages when out on leave. This change will benefit millions of workers who have contributed to the program during their careers. This bill, which I was proud to introduce, is part of the historic work California is doing to expand equitable access to paid leave."
"SB 951 will make a huge difference to California parents and caregivers who will now be able to afford to take the time to bond with their children, care for their family members, or to heal from their own serious health condition,” said Jenya Cassidy, director of the California Work & Family Coalition. "I'm really proud to have been part of the huge effort that made this possible. Now we need to spread the word to make sure everyone knows about it!"
"We are thrilled to see SB 951 go into effect," said Sharon Terman, director of the Work & Family Program at Legal Aid at Work. "By raising benefit rates to 90 percent for low-paid workers, this landmark law makes Paid Family Leave and State Disability Insurance accessible to Californians with low incomes who previously could not afford to take a massive pay cut when dealing with a family medical crisis or welcoming a new child. Thanks to SB 951, millions more workers will be able to afford to take the leave they need to take care of themselves and their families, without having to risk their economic stability."
For more information and updates visit EDD’s State Disability Insurance webpage.
Clearlake Animal Control: ‘Sahara’ and the dogs
The shelter has 44 adoptable dogs listed on its website.
This week’s dogs include “Sahara,” a female Doberman pinscher mix with a short black and tan coat.
The shelter is located at 6820 Old Highway 53. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
For more information, call the shelter at 707-762-6227, email
This week’s adoptable dogs are featured below.
Email Elizabeth Larson at