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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....
Middletown Area Town Hall considers board membership bylaw changes
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Area Town Hall's members this month considered whether to make changes to the organization's bylaws relating to board membership.
MATH has previously held some discussions on a proposal to change the organization's bylaws so that board members would be elected from districts. The matter was brought up for a formal discussion at the June 9 meeting.
Linda Diehl-Darms had asked for the matter to be placed on the June meeting agenda. The discussion begins just before the 47:24 mark.
She said Cobb Mountain residents are now forming their own municipal advisory committee – similar to MATH – and she suggested boundary changes for MATH to take that new group into account.
“If they're having their own group, I think it's important that we respect that,” she said.
When MATH was formed in 2006, board members were elected from districts, Diehl-Darms said.
Those early districts had included an area along Butts Canyon Road to the county line and a district that stretched from the county line south to the rancheria, both of which had one member on the board, plus three members from Middletown, one from Cobb and one from Hidden Valley Lake, she explained.
That district membership requirement was changed due to challenges getting a quorum in those early days because not enough people were attending, she said.
Diehl-Darms said she believed that if there were districts again – and they could be different than those previously outlined – people who cannot attend the meetings can take any concerns they have about community issues to their district representative.
“It's just a thought,” she said, adding that it was up to the pleasure of the group if they wanted to consider it.
Diehl-Darms has noted that MATH's borders follow those of the South Lake County Fire Protection District. Supervisor Jim Comstock, to whom MATH acts as an advisory body, suggested the logical way of delineating MATH's boundaries – in light of the new Cobb group forming – would be supervisorial districts.
MATH Vice Chair Claude Brown said he didn't think MATH should change its boundaries to exclude people from Cobb who want to attend.
During the discussion, several people said they felt MATH should hold off on making a decision until the Cobb advisory council gets off the ground. At that point, MATH can decide if it wants to adjust its boundaries.
“We don't want to be in competition,” said Comstock.
Dave Rosenthal suggested the different groups are like the subappellations working in the wine industry. “I don't think we need to work in conflict necessarily. I think it's a boost.”
MATH Chair Fletcher Thornton agreed, explaining he also wanted to wait before taking action.
Referring to MATH's development, Thornton said, “We went through a lot of growing pains and we kept two things in mind all the time.”
Those two things, he said, were maintaining credibility and relevance.
He said the group has to understand its job, which is to provide a platform for community members to express their opinions about community issues.
“That's our job. That's our only job,” he said.
Monica Rosenthal said the Cobb residents began wanting to form their own town hall in the wake of the Valley fire as part of addressing their own specific issues – including the need to update the Cobb Area Plan, last revised in 1989.
“They've been severely impacted by the fire. That's one of the reasons why they're starting their own,” Monica Rosenthal said of the new municipal advisory council.
Thornton said he wasn't willing to exclude the people from Cobb who have been attending MATH meetings for years.
“We've never excluded anybody, ever,” Thornton said, adding if the Cobb group wants to come and work together, MATH can consider bylaw modifications later. “We want to help them.”
Brown said they should be proud of the fact that people from other parts of the county have come to MATH to study how it operates in order to create their own groups.
Comstock said Supervisor Jim Steele came to him about patterning a new town hall for the Clearlake Oaks area after MATH.
Thornton said he wrote the bylaws for MATH by pulling a set of bylaws off the Internet for another Northern California area.
Ultimately, MATH members held off on making any decision on the matter. Diehl-Darms agreed to pull the matter and wait until the Cobb group had made more progress.
She added, “I do believe that we need to amend our bylaws at some point.”
In other business discussed at the June 9 meeting, the group got an update on an appeal hearing on a proposal to build a 9,100-square-foot Dollar General store at 20900 Highway 29.
Texas-based Cross Development, the firm proposing to build the store, went before the Lake County Planning Commission seeking approval of the project in April. The commission denied the request..
Cross Development appealed the decision to the Board of Supervisors, and the appeal initially had been set for the board's June 14 meeting, but has been rescheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 10.
Concerns were raised about the fact that Cross Development is offering to make changes to the project but most community members haven't been able to see them. Comstock suggested inviting the developer to MATH before the appeal is heard.
Thornton said he would invite Cross Development to the next MATH meeting to discuss their plan updates.
He said a company representative had told him they were willing to make changes to the plan so long as they were economically feasible, and exterior changes were not a big deal for them.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
Supervisors hear update on Westside Community Park progress
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors this week got an update on the progress of the development of Westside Community Park.
Westside Community Park Committee Chair Dennis Rollins went before the board to make the presentation.
He asked that the board consider making another donation toward the development of the park, noting that the county previously had donated to the park some time ago.
The park is located at 1401 Westside Park Road.
Members of the board would acknowledge during the meeting that the park has become a showpiece for the county, with Rollins reporting that it draws people from around the county and the region.
Rollins said the committee has a lease agreement with the city for the park. “We do development, maintenance and operations of that facility.”
He said the committee had started out as an organization that was strictly developing the park, but it is now running it while it moves forward with the next phases of development.
Rollins gave the board a brief orientation of the park as it has been developed to date.
The park's phase one is now called the Rotary Field, while phase two is the Jane Barnes Field, which includes 4.5 acres of turf that encompasses a regulation baseball field – one of only two in Lakeport – and a softball field, he said.
The city of Lakeport built a paved walking and jogging trail around the two phases at a cost of about $98,000. Rollins said that trail is just over a mile in length.
At the back of the park are horseshoe pits constructed by the Early Lake Lions, and a parking lot has been paved with Highway 29 grindings donated a few years ago by Granite Construction. Rollins said there is still a big pile of those grindings left over for use in other parts of the park.
The committee recently added four sets of bleachers to the baseball fields paid for with income from last year's “Grillin' on the Green,” the annual fundraiser that benefits the park, he said.
The Lakeport Rotary Club has extended 600 feet of water line and planted 30 trees along a bank in the park, Rollins said. Four concrete benches – two donated by Rotary – were installed at the west side of the field.
A memorial grove that so far includes 12 trees has been developed near the Jane Barnes Field sign, Rollins said. On the back of the Barnes Field sign local artist Chris King placed the names of those memorialized in the grove.
Rollins said the committee also has purchased three pieces of outdoor exercise equipment with a donation from Sutter Lakeside Hospital for last year's Grillin' on the Green event. Kiwanis will install the equipment along the walking trail in July.
Rollins said the dog park developed at the park has a lot of use from dogs and their owners from Lakeport and other parts of the county. That part of the facility was developed through a partnership of the committee and the city.
He said all of these accomplishments came through the financial support of the Keeling-Barnes Family Foundation, the Henry Anderson Family Trust, a Pacific Forest and Watershed Lands Stewardship Council grant, help from the county of Lake, and the city of Lakeport's donation of 60 acres for the park, as well the city's financial and staff support.
By far the largest group of contributions has come from the community in the form of individual donations – small, medium and large – as well as heavily discounted materials and services and the donation of hundreds of volunteer hours, Rollins said.
“Our current goals are to finish developing the southern portion of phase two,” he said.
That includes beach sand courts, a bicycle pump track and a skate park, he said.
Originally, there had been a plan to do a BMX bike track, but Rollins said there really wasn't enough room. So working with Jeff Kramer, owner of Main Street Bikes, the committee came up with the plan to do a pump track – a smaller kind of track for bicycle riders – at the extreme southern end of Jane Barnes Field.
Rollins said the committee hopes to complete the parking lot as it's starting the planning for an equestrian center that will be located at the back southwest corner of the undeveloped portion of the park. He said they have the first draft of a site plan donated by Ruzicka Associates.
The park committee is now leasing the Witt homestead property portion of the park from the city and has a caretaker couple living there. In exchange for rent, they are mowing and emptying the trash. “It's been very helpful,” Rollins said.
Reviewing the organizations that make regular use of the park, Rollins said the park is home to the Konocti Youth Soccer League, which serves about 700 children, and the Westshore Little League, which serves more than 500 children. The children who participate in those organizations' activities primarily come from outside of the city of Lakeport.
In addition, three local teams from the Ukiah Men's Soccer League – totaling about 60 men from Lakeport, Kelseyville and Finley – use the Jane Barnes Field on Sundays, Rollins said.
He said teams now are coming from around the region to use the park.
Part of the original goal was to make it a facility that would draw people from out of the county. “We're beginning to see some of that,” he said.
Rollins explained that he had reached out to both Board Chair Rob Brown and Supervisor Anthony Farrington to ask for financial support for the goal of completing the pump track and skate park.
Rollins had sent a letter to Brown asking about money that he had heard was left over for the development of the Kelseyville Skate Park, but Brown told him those funds already were allocated elsewhere. He said Farrington invited him to come and give the board a presentation.
He estimated that it will cost about $100,000 to complete the skate park and pump track, and assist with sand court development.
Another $350,000 is needed to complete the parking lot. Rollins said the city and park committee, with the assistance of Richard Knoll, the city's retired Community Development Department director, submitted a grant application to cover that project to the California State Parks Department, but the request wasn't funded.
“We're still looking around for that,” Rollins said.
While the park is in the city of Lakeport, “It really is a regional park, serving many members of Lake County,” said Rollins, asking the board to consider setting aside funding as part of its annual budget planning.
The board, however, indicated it couldn't commit to offering any funding.
“Without a doubt, this is the toughest year we've ever experienced as far as money goes,” said Brown, adding that had the skate park in Kelseyville not already been ready to start, it wouldn't have happened.
Noting that his daughter lives near Westside Community Park and his grandchildren use the facility, Brown said, “What you guys have done over there, with the resources that you have, is unbelievable.”
Brown also told Rollins that while he's quick to give credit to others, he's slow to give credit to himself for all the work he's done. “I don't know what they would do without you over there.”
Rollins has been working on the project since the beginning and is seeing it through, Brown said.
“It is really a showpiece for the county,” he said.
Supervisor Jim Comstock asked about the equestrian project.
Rollins said the initial plan has an arena measuring about 400 feet by 150 feet, although he said the size isn't yet finalized. “We're trying to meet everybody's needs, which is a challenge.”
Comstock asked if they were looking at a regulation arena for gymkhana events. Rollins said yes. However, they're also considering a suggestion to make the arena slightly smaller in order to expand the size of the parking lot so horse trailers can be accommodated.
“The need for an arena is huge,” said Comstock.
Other amenities proposed for the equestrian center site include a round pen, horse camp sites and access to nearby Bureau of Land Management lands at Cow Mountain, Rollins said.
Farrington called the park “a community treasure,” pointing out that Rollins has carried the torch forward from Charlie Jolin, the park's founder.
Farrington recalled that it was during his first term on the board, more than a decade ago, that the county gave the park a $20,000 donation, noting there hasn't been a donation since. He said he wanted the county to be able to make a donation again.
Rollins said Jolin, now 94, is still interested in the park's development. Rollins also credited former committee chair Ron Raetz for his efforts to lead the project.
Supervisor Jeff Smith thanked Rollins for what he's done at the park, adding he wishes that kind of involvement in park development would take place in Clearlake, in his district.
Supervisor Jim Steele suggested that there may a duplication of effort in creating the arena, as there already is a facility at Highland Springs offering an arena and camping, and that he could connect Rollins with the people involved with that facility.
Rollins, who noted that three people from the Lake County Horse Council are on the park committee, explained that members of the equestrian community have indicated they want a public area, but he said he was happy to speak to anyone Steele suggested.
For more information about the park, including the development plan and how to donate, visit http://www.westsidecommunitypark.org/ and follow the park on Facebook.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
City of Lakeport releases interactive annual report
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The city of Lakeport has issued its latest annual report.
The report, which covers the year 2015, is titled “Discover Your Hometown.”
This year's report is unique because it features eight short video clips, five of which are interviews with well known Lakeport residents and business owners.
Interviewees include: Jeff Kramer, owner of Main Street Bikes; James Meek, owner of the Soap Shack; Tim O’Meara, co-owner of O’Meara Brothers Brewing Co.; Bill Kenner, Lakeport resident; and Al Menchaca, owner of Old World Tavern.
The videos also include a three-part look at the city of Lakeport’s highlights from the previous year and plans for 2016 as discussed by Lakeport City Councilman Martin Scheel, who served as mayor in 2015.
The report utilizes a brief, interactive and clear format intended to connect with citizens and bring them up to date with the city of Lakeport’s achievements, goals and finances.
“We want to make sure that your tax dollars are at work properly,” said Scheel.
City officials said the report demonstrates the value the city places on transparency and community engagement and the ongoing improvements that continue to “make the city of Lakeport a nice place to be.”
Nearly all of the images used in the 20-page report are photographs from local photographers that highlight the beauty of Lakeport.
The report is best viewed electronically and can be accessed at http://bit.ly/LKPTreport16 .
This electronic version is published to a free website that allows you to read the report and view the videos like an electronic book. It can also be downloaded as a PDF and viewed on multiple platforms.
The report and links to the individual videos, can also be accessed on the city’s Web site at www.cityoflakeport.com under the “Hot Topics” section of the homepage.
Printed copies will be available at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
New east Lake County municipal advisory council formed, members sought
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Members are being sought for appointment to the governing board of EaRTH, the East Region Town Hall, a newly formed municipal advisory council.
EaRTH, the coverage area of which is located in supervisorial District 3, was created by a resolution unanimously approved by the Lake County Board of Supervisors following a short discussion May 24.
District 3 Supervisor Jim Steele brought the item before the board.
EaRTH will represent residents living and working in the Clearlake Oaks area, including the communities of Kono Tayee, Paradise Cove, Glenhaven, Clearlake Oaks, Spring Valley, Long Valley, and Double Eagle. All areas within that footprint, such as Windflower Point and High Valley are also included.
“The formation of this advisory board should increase participation of the residents in this area in decisions affecting our community,” said Steele.
EaRTH will be set up similarly to the successful Middletown Area Town Hall, which meets monthly to discuss community based issues, and provides citizen input to the District 1 supervisor.
“There is a need for this advisory council so that we can discuss community issues such as fire safety, waterways health, marijuana grows, emergency egress and trash disposal,” said Steele. “Through those discussions residents can participate in the resolution to local problems in the region, and act as an advisor to the District 3 member of the Board of Supervisors.”
The governing board of EaRTH will consist of five members, including two at-large members and a representative of each of the following associations – the Spring Valley Property Owners Association, the Clearlake Oaks Keys Property Owners Association and the Clearlake Oaks Glenhaven Business Association. Each of these groups already represent large memberships.
“This will give voice to the residents of unincorporated areas of the eastern region of Lake County, allowing them to become more engaged and give them the opportunity to participate in problem solving to make their community a better place to live,” Steele said.
Members of the governing board must be registered to vote in Lake County, and live within the geographic area represented by EaRTH.
Interested community members can access applications online at www.co.lake.ca.us on the Board of Supervisors' page.
Hard copies of the applications are also available at the Lake County Courthouse, Clerk of the Board Office, Room 109, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
Applications must be received by the county of Lake no later than 5 p.m. Friday, July 29.
Applications can be dropped off or mailed to Clerk of the Board, 255 N. Forbes Street, Lakeport, or emailed to
For more information contact the Clerk of the Board at 707-263-2368.