City of Lakeport seeks Planning Commission applicants

LAKEPORT, Calif. — The city of Lakeport is seeking enthusiastic community members to fill two upcoming vacancies on the Lakeport Planning Commission beginning Jan. 1.

If you’re passionate about local government and community planning, this is your chance to make an impact.

One seat may be filled by an applicant residing outside of Lakeport city limits but within the Lakeport zip code. The other seat must be filled by an applicant living within the city limits of Lakeport.

The Planning Commission comprises five members who serve four-year terms and meet monthly to advise the City Council on planning, zoning and land use matters.

Topics include the general plan, rezoning, subdivisions and architectural reviews.

Applications can be accessed on the city’s website under “Now Recruiting: Commission/Committee Openings” at www.cityoflakeport.com (or see Government > Committees & Commissions section).

Submit your application by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12.

For more information, please contact Deputy City Clerk Hilary Britton at 707-263-5615, Extension 102 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Gov. Newsom convenes a special session of the Legislature to protect California values

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday issued a proclamation convening a special session of the California Legislature to safeguard California values and fundamental rights in the face of an incoming Trump administration.

The special session will focus on bolstering California legal resources to protect civil rights, reproductive freedom, climate action and immigrant families.

This is the first of several actions by the Newsom Administration, in partnership with the Legislature, as the governor begins shoring up California's defenses against an incoming federal administration that has threatened the state on multiple fronts.

“The freedoms we hold dear in California are under attack — and we won’t sit idle. California has faced this challenge before, and we know how to respond,” Newsom said. “We are prepared to fight in the courts, and we will do everything necessary to ensure Californians have the support and resources they need to thrive.”

“No matter what the incoming Administration has in store, California will keep moving forward,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “We’ve been through this before, and we stand ready to defend your rights and protect California values. We’re working closely with the Governor and the Legislature to shore up our defenses and ensure we have the resources we need to take on each fight as it comes.”

“Voters sent a clear message this election, and we need to lean-in and listen," said Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister). "But we also must be prepared to defend California values, no matter the challenges ahead, so it makes sense to consider the Governor’s proposal. I’m ready to fight harder than ever for opportunity, equality and a Golden State that works for each and every resident.”

“We learned a lot about former President Trump in his first term — he’s petty, vindictive, and will do what it takes to get his way no matter how dangerous the policy may be," said Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-North Coast). "California has come too far and accomplished too much to simply surrender and accept his dystopian vision for America. This is why we’re moving with speed and investing in our legal defense. This is an important first step in protecting our progress and the values that make this state great. We’ll be working with the Assembly and the Governor in the months ahead to ensure the rights of all Californians are safeguarded.”

Special session goals

The special session responds to the public statements and proposals put forward by President-elect Trump and his advisors, and actions taken during his first term in office — an agenda that could erode essential freedoms and individual rights, including women's rights and LGBTQ+ rights.

A special session allows for expedited action that will best protect California and its values from attacks.

The special session will begin Dec. 2, when the Legislature convenes.

The governor has outlined several urgent priorities to be defended in this special session by bolstering legal defenses against federal actions.

The governor's proclamation calls for legislation to provide additional resources to the California Department of Justice and other state entities to pursue robust affirmative litigation against any unlawful actions by the incoming Trump Administration, as well as defend against federal lawsuits aimed at undermining California’s laws and policies.

The funding will support the ability to immediately file litigation and seek injunctive relief against unlawful federal actions.

Official canvass underway; thousands of ballots still to be counted

CLEARLAKE, Calif. — The work to count all of the ballots submitted for the Nov. 5 presidential election is far from over.

The Lake County Registrar of Voters Office has issued preliminary election results for the 48 precincts and the vote by mail ballots that were counted as of early Wednesday morning.

Out of 37,915 registered voters, only 7,960 ballots, or 20.99%, have been counted.

Presidential elections in Lake County generally draw more than 70% turnout — the 2020 presidential election had 78% turnout — so thousands more ballots are expected to be counted by the time the official canvass is completed and the election certified next month.

The Secretary of State’s Office said county elections officials must report final official results for presidential electors by Dec. 3 and all other state contests by Dec. 6. On Dec. 13, the Secretary of State’s Office will certify the results.

The preliminary totals of the Lake County races — including bond and ballot measures — follow.

COUNTY AND CITY RACES

District 1 supervisor

Helen Owen: 722 votes, 54.45%
John Hess: 604 votes, 45.55%

Clearlake City Council: Three seats

Mary Wilson: 428 votes, 14.63%
Jessica Hooten: 423 votes, 14.46%
Tara Downey: 401 votes, 13.70%
David Claffey: 360 votes, 12.30%
James Rivera, 358 votes, 12.24%
Joyce Overton: 356 votes, 12.17%
Brett Freeman: 325 votes, 11.11%
Russell Perdock: 275 votes, 9.40%

Lakeport City Council, Four-year term: Three seats

Kenny Parlet: 279 votes, 22.98%
Christina Price: 256 votes, 21.09%
Kim Costa: 236 votes, 19.44%
Carl Porter: 232 votes, 19.11%
Michael Froio: 211 votes, 17.38%

Lakeport City Council, Two-year unexpired term: One seat

Brandon Disney: 542 votes, 100%

Northshore Fire Protection District Director Upper Lake Zone: One seat

Walt Christensen: 120 votes, 54.05%
Gary Lewis: 102 votes, 45.95%

SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Kelseyville Unified School District Governing Board Member: Three seats

Mike Brown: 1,039 votes, 35.64%
Sabrina Andrus: 757 votes, 25.97%
Gilbert Rangel, incumbent: 603 votes, 20.69%
Mary Beth Mosko, incumbent: 516 votes, 17.70%

Konocti Unified School District Governing Board Member: Two seats

Joan Shelley Mingori: 955 votes, 35.77%
Zabdy Neria, incumbent: 935 votes, 35.02%
Tina Viramontes: 780 votes, 29.21%

Lakeport Unified School District Governing Board Member: Three seats

Catherine “Cat” Dunne: 806 votes, 33.97%
Scott Johnson: 575 votes, 24.23%
Jennifer Richardson, incumbent: 535 votes, 22.55%
Dan Buffalo, incumbent: 457 votes, 19.26%

Middletown Unified School District Governing Board Member, Four-year terms: Two seats

Annette Lee: 514 votes, 38.85%
Zoi Ann Bracisco, incumbent: 481 votes, 36.36%
Frederic Fahey: 328 votes, 24.79%

Middletown Unified School District Governing Board Member, Two-year unexpired term: One seat

Patricia Patchie: 519 votes, 52.85%
Nathan Willis: 463 votes, 47.15%

Yuba Community College District Governing Board Member, Trustee Area 7

Doug Harris, incumbent: 1,623 votes, 56.12%
Jeffrey Lee Dryden: 1,269 votes, 43.88%

BOND AND ADVISORY MEASURES

Kelseyville Unified School District Measure R: Must have 55% support to pass

Yes: 937 votes, 53.27%
No: 822 votes, 46.73%

Konocti Unified School District Measure S: Must have 55% support to pass

Yes: 1,335 votes, 59.60%
No: 905 votes, 40.40%

Advisory Measure U, to change “Kelseyville” to “Konocti”

No: 5,429 votes, 71.99%
Yes: 2,112 votes, 28.01%

South Lake County Fire Protection District Measure T

Yes: 920 votes, 73.42%
No: 333 votes, 26.58%

STATE AND FEDERAL RACES, LAKE COUNTY PRELIMINARY COUNT ONLY

Member of the State Assembly, Fourth District

Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, incumbent: 4,081 votes, 53.34%
Darren T. Ellis: 3,570 votes, 46.66%

United States Representative, Fourth District

Mike Thompson, incumbent: 4,255 votes, 54.73%
John Munn: 3,520 votes, 45.27%

United States Senator, full term

Adam Schiff: 3,912 votes, 50.39%
Steve Garvey: 3,852 votes, 49.61%

United States Senator, partial/unexpired term

Adam Schiff: 3,832 votes, 50.13%
Steve Garvey: 3,812 votes, 49.87%

United States President and Vice President

Kamala Harris/Tim Walz: 3,899 votes, 49.57%
Donald Trump/JD Vance: 3,772 votes, 47.95%
Robert F. Kennedy Jr./Nicole Shanahan: 100 votes, 1.39%
Jil Stein/Rudolph Ware: 42 votes, 0.53%
Chase Oliver/Mike Ter Maat: 22 votes, 0.28%
Claudia De La Cruz/Karina Garcia: 22 votes, 0.28%

STATE BALLOT MEASURES, LAKE COUNTY PRELIMINARY COUNT ONLY

Proposition 2: Bonds for Public School and College Facilities

Yes: 4,125 votes, 54.60%
No: 3,430 votes, 45.40%

Proposition 3: Constitutional Right to Marriage

Yes: 4,338 votes, 57.45%
No: 3,213 votes, 42.55%

Proposition 4: Bonds for Water, Wildfire and Climate Risks

Yes: 4,317 votes, 56.74%
No: 3,291 votes, 43.26%

Proposition 5: Bonds for Affordable Housing and Infrastructure

No: 4,352 votes, 57.86%
Yes: 3,169 votes, 42.14%

Proposition 6: Eliminates Forcing Inmates to Work

No: 4,476 votes, 60.17%
Yes: 2,963 votes, 39.83%

Proposition 32: Raises Minimum Wage

No: 4,022 votes, 52.87%
Yes: 3,586 votes, 47.13%

Proposition 33: Local Government Residential Rent Control

No: 4,644 votes, 61.32%
Yes: 2,930 votes, 38.68%

Proposition 34: Restricts Spending of Prescription Revenues

Yes: 3,894 votes, 53.01%
No: 3,452 votes, 46.99%

Proposition 35: Provides Permanent Funding for Medi-Cal

Yes: 5,437 votes, 71.60%
No: 2,157 votes, 28.40%

Proposition 36: Increased Sentencing for Certain Drug and Theft Crimes

Yes: 5,375 votes, 70.77%
No: 2,220 votes, 29.23%

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.