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Police arrest four in connection to Clearlake marijuana grow
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – On Tuesday the Clearlake Police Department took four men into custody, and seized firearms and hundreds of marijuana plants as part of an investigation into an illegal grow.
Lt. Tim Celli said that officers served two separate search warrants Tuesday morning, which resulted in the seizure of 359 marijuana plants, 21 pounds of processed marijuana and two firearms.
Arrested were Clearlake residents Jose Ceja Lupian, 58; Jose Ricardo Olmedo, 45; Justin Louis Raab, 19; and John Jockamo Ambroselli, 24, Celli said.
Celli said officers served a search warrant in the 14000 block of Woodland Avenue where they contacted Lupian.
Lupian was discovered to be in possession of two firearms, which he is prohibited from possessing due to a prior felony marijuana cultivation conviction, Celli said.
At that residence Celli said officers also discovered 135 marijuana plants that were in various stages of growth.
They also found that the garage had been converted into an indoor marijuana growing facility which contained some growing marijuana plants. Celli said it was obvious that the conversion was new and not at full operation.
Lupian was arrested and booked at the Lake County Jail where he was charged with cultivation, armed in the commission of a felony and being a felon in possession of a firearm, Celli said.
Celli said officers served a second search warrant in the 3500 block of Sonoma Way, where they seized 224 marijuana plants in various stages of growth and located 21 pounds of processed marijuana packaged for sale.
At that location officers located and arrested Olmedo, Raab and Ambroselli. Celli said Olmedo was booked into the Lake County Jail for cultivation, Raab was charged with cultivation and possession of methamphetamine, and Ambroselli was charged with cultivation, and possession of marijuana for sale.
Celli said the Clearlake Police Department has no interest in legal medicinal marijuana grows that are in compliance with the city ordinance, which requires people to follow a permitting process.
Information on the permit process can be located at the city of Clearlake Web site at www.clearlake.ca.us or at City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
Lake County Sheriff's deputy in critical condition after Monday ocean rescue
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – A Lake County Sheriff's deputy remains in critical condition at an out-of-county hospital after he and his son were rescued from the ocean in Mendocino County on Monday.
The deputy, whose name has not been released, remained in intensive care on Tuesday afternoon, according to Sheriff Brian Martin.
Martin would not confirm the deputy's name or the hospital where he is being treated out of respect for the family's wishes.
According to radio traffic from the incident, just before 11:30 a.m. Monday a water rescue was dispatched at Mendocino Headlands State Park, where an 11-year-old boy and his 39-year-old father were reported to be in the water.
Radio traffic reported that that the two had fallen into the water, and Martin said it wasn't clear if they had both been swept out by a wave or if the deputy had gone into the water to save his son.
A REACH helicopter and a Coast Guard helicopter initially were requested, but the Coast Guard helicopter later was canceled, according to reports from the scene.
The man and his son were reported to be about 100 feet offshore at one point, based on reports from the scene.
At about 11:50 a.m. the boy was rescued and taken by jet ski to Big River Beach, where REACH 18 landed just before noon and other rescue units responded, reports indicated.
By noon, radio reports indicated both the man and his son were on the beach, where CPR was being performed on the father. Shortly afterward they were transported to the hospital.
Martin said the deputy is surrounded by a lot of friends and family who are praying for his recovery.
As for any possible changes in the man's condition, Martin said, “We should know more later this afternoon.”
Email Elizabeth Larson at
Supervisors to consider sheriff's office hours reduction request, hold fire plan hearing and hear fire-related updates
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors this week will consider a request by the sheriff's office to temporarily reduce hours it is open to the public, hold a hearing on an updated fire plan and get updates from staff on the latest fire-related recovery news.
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 19, 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 9:30 a.m., the board will consider a request from Sheriff Brian Martin to temporarily reduce window hours at the administrative office at 1220 Martin St. in Lakeport due to short staffing.
Main office hours currently are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Martin is asking to be able to change the Monday hours to 1 to 5 p.m. until they have hired enough law enforcement records technicians to staff the desk while meeting his agency's legal requirements to process reports on Monday mornings for delivery to the District Attorney's Office.
Martin said there currently is an active recruitment under way for those technician positions.
In other business, at 9:45 a.m., the board will hold a public hearing to consider approving the capital fire facility and equipment plans submitted by Lake County fire agencies and updating the Lake County Capital Fire Facility and Equipment Plan.
In fire-related business, on the agenda at 9:15 a.m. is the consideration of continuing the proclamation of a local health emergency issued by Lake County Health Office Dr. Karen Tait in September in response to the Valley fire.
At 10:45 a.m. county staff will give a report regarding the Hoberg's Resort debris cleanup. There also will be an untimed update regarding general fire recovery issues.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
7.1: Approve minutes of the Board of Supervisors meeting held March 22, 2016.
7.2: Adopt proclamation designating the month of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
7.3: Adopt proclamation designating the week of April 10 to 16, 2016, as National Public Safety Telecommunications Week.
7.4: Authorize the county administrative officer to send a letter to the California Department of Parks and Recreation in order to cancel an Off-Highway Vehicle Education Grant.
7.5: Adopt resolution to appropriate unanticipated revenue in Budget Unit 2115 - Domestic Violence Programs.
7.6: Approve budget transfer for Budget Unit 1905 – Information Technology from Acct. 719.01-11 Salaries and Wages to Acct. 719.62-72 Fixed Asset- Equipment/Autos in the amount of $1,700 for the purchase of 2008 Ford Escape SUV from Central Garage and authorize the chair to sign.
7.7: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Califa for the provision, installation and maintenance of Advanced Network (Data) Services, for the period from July 1, 2016, until June 30, 2017, for an amount not to exceed $70,000 annually; and authorize the chair to sign.
7.8: Approve out-of-state travel to Tacoma, Wash., April 24-28, 2016 for Public Works Director Scott De Leon to attend the National Association of County Engineering (NACE) Annual Meeting/Management and Technical Conference.
7.9: Approve contract between the county of Lake and Lake Family Resource Center for “Be Fresh” Project, in the amount of $144,093 and authorize the chair to sign.
TIMED ITEMS
8.2, 9:10 a.m.: Presentation of (a) proclamation designating the month of April 2016 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month; (b) Proclamation designating the week of April 10 to 16, 2016, as National Public Safety Telecommunications Week.
8.3, 9:15 a.m.: Consideration of continuing the proclamation of a local health emergency by the Lake County health officer.
8.4, 9:30 a.m.: Continued from Feb. 19, consideration of sheriff's department request to reduce open office hours.
8.5, 9:45 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of resolution approving resolutions and capital fire facility and equipment plans submitted by Lake County fire agencies and updating the Lake County Capital Fire Facility and Equipment Plan.
8.6, 10:15 a.m.: Hearing, appeal of violation order for nuisance animal (“Purdy”) located at 9840 Rocky Creek Road, Lower Lake, CA (Michelle Thomas).
8.7, 10:30 a.m.: Continued from April 5, discussion/consideration of adoption of resolution approving the Lake County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for Submittal to the U.S. Department of Commerce- Economic Development Administration.
8.8, 10:45 a.m.: Staff report regarding Hoberg's Resort debris cleanup.
UNTIMED ITEMS
9.2: Update from staff, assisting agencies and/or community groups, consequent to 2015 wildland fires.
9.3: Consideration of continuing the proclamation of emergency declaration for wildfire conditions.
9.4: Sitting as the Lake County Air Quality Management District Board of Directors, consideration to reappoint James Harvey, public member, to the Lake County Air Quality Management District Hearing Board for a three-year term.
9.5: (a) Consideration of staff recommendation to allow up to two permanent employees to work three 12-hour shifts per week plus one four-hour shift for the Crisis Team; and (b) direct Human Resources to initiate meet and confer with the employee union in regards to this hour change.
9.6: Consideration of resolution authorizing the Registrar of Voters to sign the software license agreement and statement of work terms with Democracy Live Inc.
CLOSED SESSION
10.2: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(d)(1): Bond v. Lake County, et al.
10.3: Conference with legal counsel: Existing litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9(d)(1) – Sevilla v. County of Lake, et al.
10.4: Carried over from April 5, March 22 and March 15, employee disciplinary appeal (EDA-16-01), pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54957.
10.5: Public employee evaluations: Interim Behavioral Health director.
10.6: Public employee appointment pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54957(b)(1): Appointment of Behavioral Health director.
10.7: Public employee appointment pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54957(b)(1): Interviews and appointment of Public Services director.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Citizens’ Academy set to start May 26; spaces still available
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Community members interested in law enforcement are encouraged to sign up to participate in the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Citizens’ Academy, which begins next month.
Lt. Corey Paulich, the academy's director, said there are still spaces available for the academy's 18th session, scheduled to commence on May 26.
Paulich said applications must be received no later than May 16.
There is no cost to those attending the academy, however, Paulich said applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications:
– Be a resident or employed in Lake County;
– At least 18 years of age;
– No felony convictions;
– No misdemeanor convictions within three years;
– Able to attend all 14 sessions.
More information can be located by going to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Web site, www.lakesheriff.com .
Click on the “Summer 2016 Citizens’ Academy” link. There you will find information about the academy, along with application and instructions. Class size is limited to 25 students and is filling up.
For additional information, contact Lt. Paulich at 707-262-4200.
