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Charter school to reinstate seventh grade; continues to offer hot lunch program
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Lake County International Charter School (LCICS) in Middletown has several exciting changes for the upcoming school year, including the reinstatement of the seventh grade, the rehiring of a beloved teacher and the continuation of the Free and Reduced Food Program in cooperation with the Middletown Unified School District (MUSD).
“Two years ago we made the decision to reduce from a K-8 to a K-6 to consolidate our classes on one site,” said LCICS Director Gwendolyn Maupin-Ahern stated. “We did this because of the state budget cuts and the need to keep our school fiscally strong, and it worked. But this spring many of our sixth grade students, several of whom started in Kindergarten in LCICS's very first year, expressed interest in remaining for an additional year. It was important to us to find a way to make that happen.”
LCICS has always had multi-age classrooms, much like St. Helena Unified’s excellent Multi-Age Program (MAP), so the solution was fairly simple.
“With the multi-age classrooms we can be flexible with our configurations. This coming year we will have a K/1, 2/3/4 and a 5/6/7,” Maupin-Ahern explained. “We will continue to have our small school environment with a maximum of 24 students per classroom, and in fact there is currently a waiting-list for the 5/6/7 class.”
With the shift, LCICS has also rehired Andrew Vance for the 5/6/7 position. Vance previously taught LCICS’s 7/8 class, and was universally loved and respected by the students, the families and the staff.
He moved to Sonoma County in 2009 to be closer to his family, but is returning to Lake County this summer. Vance brings a strong focus on emotional intelligence and peer mediation to his classroom and to the school as a whole.
“I am so excited to be a part of this vibrant learning community again,” said Vance. “LCICS incorporates a tremendous amount of positivity into their school environment. I kept hearing its beacon call all the way from Santa Rosa and just had to return.”
LCICS also will be continuing to provide a daily Free and Reduced Food Program, supplementing with vegetables from the student-grown garden whenever possible.
Based on family income, students are able to receive a hot lunch for free or a very small fee.
“We started the program this spring, and it was well received by the kids and their families,” Maupin-Ahern said. “We’re so pleased to be able to offer this to our students, and thank MUSD for helping us make it happen.”
For more information about the school or enrollment you can email
LCICS is a free, public charter school open to all K-7th students in Lake County providing students with an inquiry/project based, enriched education in a nurturing environment, and is the only site-based public charter school in Lake County. Often mistaken as private schools, charter schools are free and government-funded public options, held to the same educational standards to which all public schools are accountable, that allow parents to have a greater voice in school governance, operations and educational programs.
Soper-Reese Community Theatre adds ‘Three Cheers’ quilt block to Main Street
LAKEPORT, Calif. – “Three Cheers,” a quilt block pattern painted in blue, purple and white by the Lake County Quilt Trail artistic team, was installed June 22 on the north wall of the Soper-Reese Community Theatre, 275 South Main St., Lakeport.
A volunteer group of installers consisted of Shane Roberts, Mike Ewing, Dennis Rollins, Wally Fuller and Mike Adams.
Intercounty Mechanical provided the boom truck to lift the heavy quilt block and position it “on point.” GPS location is: N 38° 58´36¨ W 122° 53´40.”
Quilt block donors are Mike and Bonnie Ewing, Peggy and Dave Browning and Cindy Strong.
Wilda Shock writes, “A volunteer committee of design and palette-selectors, installers, and cheering audience on installation day were all contributors to a successful endeavor.”
Amy Chase said, “It takes a village … and we have a wonderful supportive ‘village’ community.”
In 1997, leadership within the Lake County Arts Council set out to acquire the Vincent Raney-designed Lakeport Theatre, then owned by Bob and Margaret Reese.
Local benefactors Jim and Florence Soper donated the full purchase price of $300,000 and the wonderful old building officially belonged to the community.
“Three Cheers” is the 31st quilt block to join the LCQT and the third installed on Main Street in Lakeport.
LCQT is very proud that “Three Cheers” shines beautifully on the building that has been transformed into a modern and vibrant performing arts center.
Mike Adams gives a toast, “One cheer for Jim Soper for donating funds to purchase the building and his continued support; one cheer for the federal and local government agencies for granting funds to begin the renovation; one cheer for the community support we’ve received; and cheers from the crowds for all the great performances that have been held at the Soper Reese since we opened the doors.”
For current information about performances at the theatre, go to www.soperreese.com .
Check out the Lake County Quilt Trail on Facebook or visit www.lakecountyquilttrail.com for even more information.
Suspect arrested after admitting to Lucerne armed robbery
LUCERNE, Calif. – The suspect who allegedly robbed the Lucerne Fosters Freeze at gunpoint on Saturday was arrested on Monday after he admitted to law enforcement that he had committed the robbery.
Skyler Yale Holden, 21, of Lucerne was arrested shortly before 7 p.m. Monday, according to Sgt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
On Saturday afternoon Holden allegedly went into the restaurant – located at 6552 Highway 20 in Lucerne – armed with a handgun, and took more than $200, according to the sheriff’s office.
Brooks said sheriff’s deputies, who were following up on leads on the armed robbery, had received information that the person possibly responsible for the armed robbery was Holden.
Patrol deputies contacted Holden at a residence located on Seventh Avenue in Lucerne. Brooks said Holden was positively identified as the person responsible for the armed robbery.
During the interview with deputies, Holden admitted to committing the robbery, according to Brooks.
Deputy Joe Dutra arrested Holden for robbery, being armed in the commission of a felony and possession of drug paraphernalia, jail records showed.
Holden’s bail was set at $500,000, according to his jail booking sheet. He’s set to appear in court for arraignment on Thursday.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
‘Forest Fire’ fully contained at 520 acres
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – A wildland fire that began last Saturday in Yolo County has been contained.
Cal Fire’s Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit reported that the Forest Fire was fully contained as of Tuesday morning.
The fire had begun Saturday morning in the area of Forest Avenue and Highway 16 at Guinda, south of Rumsey Canyon.
Cal Fire has not yet reported the cause, which remains under investigation.
The agency said mop up and patrol is continuing on Tuesday. Approximately 57 personnel, one engine, one fire crew and one helicopter remain on scene.
A total of four minor injuries have resulted from the fire, Cal Fire said.
Cooperating agencies on the fire included Cal Fire, Capay Valley Fire Protection District, Yocha Dehe Fire Department, numerous local fire departments from Yolo County, BLM, US Forest Service, Yolo County Sheriff, California Highway Patrol and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
