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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....
Lakeport City Council welcomes new police officer, honors students
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council met the city's newest police officer, recognized children who participated in a drug education coloring contest and approved an agreement relating to the operation of the county's cable access television station on Tuesday.
Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen introduced Jason Fisher, his agency's new officer, who was hired at the end of the department's recent extensive testing process.
“We're proud to have him on our department,” said Rasmussen.
Fisher, his wife Jeannine and their two children – a son and daughter – live in Napa, Rasmussen told the council.
Rasmussen said Fisher is a veteran of the US Army, and served in the 127 Military Police Company in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Fisher is now in the US Army Reserve, serving in the 341st Military Police Company out of Mountain View.
Fisher was sworn in a few weeks ago, Rasmussen said, but appeared before the council on Tuesday for a badge pinning ceremony.
In presenting Fisher with his badge, Rasmussen said, “This badge belongs to the public. It’s a symbol of public trust to be carried and worn by you, as long as you hold true to what it stands for.”
Fisher's wife then pinned on his badge, telling him she was proud of him, and noting his heart for service and his integrity.
Mayor Martin Scheel welcomed Fisher, thanking him for his service to the country and now for his service to the city.
Fisher then joined Rasmussen in recognizing students from Lakeport Elementary School who participated in the city's drug education Halloween coloring contest for grades kindergarten through third grade.
Rasmussen said they handed out prizes to the winners on Friday. First place winners received new scooters, while second and third place winners were given gift cards from Lakeport Cinema 5.
He said prizes were funded by drug asset forfeiture funds, as well as donations from Lake County News and Main Street Bicycles.
Winners are:
– Kindergarten: first place, Sofia Cavello; second place, Alex Avalos; third place, Nolan Buffalo.
– First grade: first place, Russell Davis; second place, Hayden Brown; third place, Maddison Sullivan.
– Second grade: first place, Faith Ann Mcintire; second place, Luis Alvarado Corona; third place, Isabel Jiminez.
– Third grade: first place, Kaliann Woodson; second place, Sylvia Holguin; third place, Rosalee Lazo.
Scheel, a member of the committee that judged the winners, congratulated the children. “The judging was really tough.”
In other business, the council received and filed a report from acting City Clerk Kelly Buendia regarding the city's requirements under the Maddy Act.
Buendia said that law requires that on or before Dec. 31 of each year, the legislative body prepare a list of all regular and ongoing boards, commissions and committees that it appoints.
Typically each fall staff brings to the council a list of vacancies that will occur in the upcoming year, Buendia said.
The list Buendia presented to the council showed that in 2016 two terms will end on the Lakeport Planning Commission, two on the Parks and Recreation Commission and six on the Lakeport Economic development Advisory Committee.
Buendia said city staff are set to begin recruiting for the positions through press releases, postings on social media and the city newsletter.
She said they plan to get the city's Traffic and Safety Committee back on track again after it lapsed. The terms for the last four of its six positions expired last year.
Councilwoman Stacey Mattina moved to receive and file the report, which the council approved 5-0.
Also on the agenda was an agreement between Lakeport, the city of Clearlake and the county of Lake for the operation of the local public, educational, governmental cable television – or PEG – channel.
City Manager Margaret Silveira said the agreement calls for the channel to be supervised by a five-member board, three of whose members are appointed by the cities and the county, with the board to appoint the two seats to be held by the general public.
Under the agreement, the county provides $15,000 for the station's operations, with Clearlake committing $8,000 in in-kind support – staff, facilities, insurance and operating expenses – and Lakeport to provide $2,000 on an annual basis.
Scheel, who was appointed to the PEG Board last year, noted, “It's a different PEG now than it was a few years ago,” acknowledging the issues the station has faced.
With the station now collecting funds for a 1-percent franchise fee on Mediacom customers, Scheel said the goal is to install equipment in the city council chambers to enable live broadcasts of meetings.
Mattina moved to approve the agreement, which the council approved 5-0.
The council also held a closed session discussion regarding negotiations for a property at 916 N. Forbes St. before the regular meeting convened. Scheel said there was no action to report out of that closed session.
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Lakeport City Council to meet new police officer, consider PEG TV agreement
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Police Department's newest officer this week will meet the Lakeport City Council, which also will discuss approval of an agreement relating to the county's cable access television station.
The council will meet in closed session at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, to discuss property negotiations for 916 N. Forbes St. before convening in open session at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen will introduce to the council his newest officer, Jason Fisher.
Fisher was hired in the city's latest round of police recruitments.
City officials also will announce the winners of the 2015 Halloween Coloring Contest.
Under council business, the council will receive and file the annual Maddy Act appointment list for calendar year 2016.
According to acting City Clerk Kelly Buendia's report to the council, the Maddy Act requires that on or before Dec. 31 of each year, each legislative body prepare an appointments list of all regular ongoing boards, commissions and committees which are appointed by the legislative body of the local agency.
In other business, City Manager Margaret Silveira will take to the council an agreement between the city of Clearlake, city of Lakeport and the county of Lake for the operation of the local public, educational, governmental cable television channel, referred to as the PEG Channel.
Under the agreement, the city will provide $2,000 in funds on an annual basis toward operating the station, according to Silveira's report.
On the meeting's consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances; minutes of the regular Lakeport City Council meeting of Oct. 20; the Oct. 27 warrant register; Application No. 2016-01 with staff recommendations for the Clear Lake Performing Arts Association Home Wine and Beer Makers Festival on June 18, 2016; and approval of a waiver of penalties associated with the business license renewal for Grocery Outlet in Lakeport and issuance of a full refund of the penalty amount.
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'Tiny Home Village' concept presented to Clearlake city leaders
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council heard a presentation last week about a proposal for a local development of tiny homes, which proponents say are assisting in serving the needs of homeless populations in nine locations across the United States.
The fairly new concept in transitional housing for the homeless was introduced to the council Oct. 22 by Cornerstone Village's Derek Fiedler, a project coordinator for Lake County Tiny Home Village.
He said the idea is to work in partnership to create a self-sustainable community of small, inexpensive dwellings to provide for those in need of transitioning into permanent housing.
Fiedler said the Tiny Home Village is a solution to a lack of affordable housing in the county.
“It's not just a homeless problem. We have a housing crisis,” he said, adding thousands live unhoused and/or far below the medium level of the healthy standard of living.
The project aims to create a self-managed, self-governed community that provides not only shelter, but also resources for gaining a better standard of living, such as access to employment, educational and health assistance.
“We want to offer a hand up, not a hand out,” Fiedler said.
The Lake County Tiny Home Village will be modeled, Fiedler said, after the highly successful and internationally acclaimed, “Opportunity Village” in Eugene, Oregon, which provides a common area that includes computer lab and library.
“It is our goal to help people grow personally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually by offering them shelter, a supportive community and safe place to be,” Fiedler said.
The dwellings are made with low-cost/low-impact, sustainable construction ranging in size from approximately 60 to 100 square feet; they do not have plumbing or electricity hookups. The homes range in price and models from $400 to $1,000 per unit.
Stand-alone, shared common areas would include food preparation, cooking, storage, laundry, showers and bathrooms, and a place for community activities and gatherings.
“So, for a $1,000, you can give a person a safe place to be,” Fiedler said.
The project is supported financially through private donations and local fundraising. Fiedler said grants and other monetary assistance is welcomed but not depended upon.
He said the intent is to build a full-sized village of 30 units, which would cost about $100,000 and require two to five acres of land. A medium sized-village would require a half-acre to two-acre lot.
The village is to be fenced and will accommodate for a building for manning a security guard 24 hours a day, seven days per week.
Once the Tiny Home Village is built, it will be the responsibility of the residents to sustain it, he said.
It will be run by a council – elected by the villagers – whose operations will be overseen by a board of directors comprised of reputable members of the community, such as pastors, advocates and social workers, Fiedler explained.
He said the majority of monthly utility costs will be paid through collection of rent. Residents also will be required invest “sweat equity” in the village as well as contribute their services to outer community at-large.
Potential villagers will have to fill out an application. Fiedler said those who convey a true desire to transition will be accepted.
Upon acceptance, the villager will have a 30-day probation period and must abide by rules and conditions set forth in a signed occupancy agreement, he said.
Fiedler said some basic rules include no violence to yourself or others; no theft; no alcohol, illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia; no persistent disruptive behavior; and everyone must contribute to the operation and maintenance of the village.
Fiedler said the intent is to provide Christ-centered therapy, counseling and transition programs at the THV.
Universal cooperation in the effort is being sought, Fiedler said. Fiscal sponsor of the project is North Coast Opportunities, which is attending to all donations and finances. Donations are tax-deductible.
Additional partners to date include Pacific Union College, Citizens Caring 4 Clearlake, The Bridge, Lake County Strong, Valley Fire Phoenix Rising and Habitat for Humanity.
Fiedler said Cornerstone Villages is a grassroots organization dedicated to transforming lives and communities through organized tiny home villages.
Working in tandem with Pacific Union College, and other volunteers, the organization is currently finishing three A-frame homes and is on track to completing 30 units by Christmas, according to Fiedler.
Building parties currently take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Saturday at 1950 Parallel Drive in Lakeport.
Fiedler said the organization is currently searching for land and a landowner or municipality willing to donate the property or lease it for $1 per year.
For more information, email inquiries to
Email reporter Denise Rockenstein at
Supervisors to discuss continuing Valley fire health emergency, hear ranger report
LAKEPORT, Calif. – This week the Board of Supervisors will discuss the continuation of a local health emergency due to the Valley fire, accept a donation and get a report from the Mendocino National Forest's Upper Lake District ranger.
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
The meeting can be watched live on Channel 8 and online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Boards/Board_of_Supervisors/calendar.htm . Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.
At 9:06 a.m., Lake County Health Officer Dr. Karen Tait will take to the board a request to once again continue the local health emergency initiated Sept. 22 in response to the Valley fire. Tait said the proclamation must be extended every two weeks.
At 9:10 a.m., the board will accept a $10,000 donation from Calpine for Search and Rescue operations.
At 9:15 a.m., Mendocino National Forest Ranger Frank Aebly will give the board an update on the Upper Lake District.
The full agenda follows.
CLOSED SESSION
7.1: Adopt resolution designating applicant’s agent for federal funding for the Valley fire and any other disasters for a three-year period.
7.2: Adopt resolution pertaining to tax revenue exchange between the county of Lake and Clearlake Oaks County Water District (CSA #16 Paradise Valley Annexation).
7.3: Approve minutes of the Board of Supervisors meetings held Oct. 27, 2015, Aug. 5, 2014, and July 22, 2014.
7.4: Adopt resolution appointing directors of certain special district boards in lieu of holding a general district election on Nov. 3, 2015.
7.5: Approval for the purchase of Rims Mapping and Rims Mobile computer software, to enhance the sheriff's existing software suite.
7.6: Approval of the FY15 Homeland Security Grant assurances and to approve the county administrative officer to sign.
TIMED ITEMS
8.2, 9:06 a.m.: Consideration of continuing the proclamation of a local health emergency by the Lake County health officer.
8.3, 9:10 a.m.: Acceptance of $10,000 donation from Calpine for Search and Rescue operations.
8.4, 9:15 a.m.: Report/update from Upper Lake District Ranger Frank Aebly.
8.5, 9:20 a.m.: Hearing, nuisance abatement assessment confirmation and proposed recordation of notice of lien in the amount of $1,864.73, for 6326 11th Ave., Lucerne CA (APN 034-152-48 - Buck Cooper and Quinna Cooper).
8.6, 9:30 a.m.: Hearing, Nuisance abatement assessment confirmation and proposed recordation of notice of lien in the amount of $1,997.01, for 7095 Fairview Drive, Kelseyville CA (APN 045-151-01 -The Bank of New York Mellon).
8.7, 9:40 a.m.: Hearing, nuisance abatement assessment confirmation and proposed recordation of notice of lien in the amount of $9,396.65, for 3120 Cherry St., Nice CA (APN 031-201-06 - Margaret Yates).
8.8, 9:50 a.m.: Hearing, nuisance abatement assessment confirmation and proposed recordation of notice of lien in the amount of $2,228.90, for 6815 Kelsey Creek, Kelseyville CA (APN 007-014-39 -John Vaikasas).
8.9, 10 a.m.: Presentation of Lake County Library 2014/15 Annual Report from the Library Advisory Board.
8.10, 11 a.m.: Assessment appeal hearing, sitting as the Lake County Local Board of Equalization, Melinda Young - Application No. 37-2013 - 13537 Santa Clara Ave., Clearlake, CA (APN 037-321-360) Peterson Tractor - Application No. 96-2013 - 2710 Eastlake Drive, Kelseyville, CA (APN 044-212-250) Mark and Debra Watson - Application Nos. 102-2013 & 104-2013 - 3585 Highland Springs Rd., Lakeport, CA (APN 008-020-320), 850 Mathews Rd., Lakeport, CA (APN 008-020-340).
UNTIMED ITEMS
9.3: Consideration of an Ordinance Amending Article I of Chapter 6 of the Lake County Code Relating to Emergency Organization and Functions.
9.4: Consideration of resolution amending the county of Lake's Salary and classification plan to adjust the salary of the classification of emergency services manager.
9.5: Consideration of resolution amending Resolution No. 2015-119 to Amend the FY 2015-16 Adopted Budget to Adjust Appropriations in Budget Units 1014, 2201 and 2303 and to Amend Resolution No.. 2015-120 to Amend the Position Allocation for FY 2015-16 in Budget Units 1014 and 2201.
9.6: Consideration of staff recommendation to rescind Ordinance No. 3034, Urgency Interim Ordinance Authorizing a Temporary Deferral of Certain Provisions of Section 21-27.3, Subdivision (P).
CLOSED SESSION
10.2: Conference with legal counsel: Existing Litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54956.9(d)(1): Lakeside Heights HOA, et al. v. County of Lake.
Email Elizabeth Larson at