How to resolve AdBlock issue? Update: Lakeport Police Department reopens after explosive device removed, detonated
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Police Department reported that it has reopened after being closed for much of Monday while disposing of a piece of old military ordnance that was brought to the agency.
Police Chief Brad Rasmussen said a woman brought what appeared to be a very old military shell to the department on Monday morning, asking for police to dispose of it.
After determining the object was live and potentially dangerous, the Lakeport Police Department's headquarters at 916 N. Forbes St. was evacuated and a military unit was called in to help dispose of it, Rasmussen said.
Rasmussen said the explosives experts from Beale Air Force Base successfully detonated the ordnance on Monday afternoon at a location at the city's sewer treatment ponds.
The Lakeport Police Department's headquarters are now reopened, he said.
A full followup story will be published later on Lake County News.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Lakeport Police station closed due to possible explosive device
This article has been updated
Lakeport, Calif. -- The Lakeport Police Department (LPD) is closed due to a possible explosive device being on location.
Lakeport Police report that the device is contained within the LPD building and that surrounding areas are not in danger.
At approximately 0910hrs Monday morning an individual came to the LPD to turn in an unknown old military ordnance.
It was determined by officers that the ordnance may be live and the office and parking lot were evacuated.
LPD is currently awaiting response by a military explosive disposal team to deal with the situation.
LPD is available to response to emergency calls for service but will not be able to conduct routine office business until further notice.
- Details
- Written by: Lake County News reports
Sheriff's office issues Rocky fire repopulation plan
Lakeport, Calif -- The Lake County Sheriff's office has announced that repopulation efforts have begun in selected areas of the county and provided a safety message with instructions for those wishing to return to their homes in the auhorized areas.
Phase 1: August 6, 2015 9:30 AM
Bear Valley Road north to SR-20, Wilbur Springs Road for residents only with identification.
All residents east of Highway 29 to W Jerusalem Road and Jerusalem Grade Road intersection. Morgan Valley Road to and including Broken S Ranch Drive, East of Bonham Road, Broken S Ranch Drive, Staehle Lane, Spruce Grove Road, Cantwell Ranch Road, Ridge Road, Lake Ridge Road, North Road, Pine Oak Lane, Noble Ranch Road, Circle L Ranch Drive, Black Bass Pass, Jerusalem Grade to west Jerusalem Road, June Bug Drive, Jerusalem Valley Road, Canyon Road, Quarterhorse Lane, Daly Place, Hale Street, Clayton Creek Road, Ellen Springs Road, Honey Do Ranch Road, Rancho Sendero Way, Diamond Ridge Road and Rocky Trail.
Morgan Valley Road will remain closed to east bound traffic at fire perimeter.
Safety Message:
If there are electrical wires on the ground, stay clear and contact PG&E immediately. Trees and poles with deep charring, particularly if still smoking, should be considered hazardous.
Please drive slowly as emergency personnel are in the area. Subject to Change Based on Operational Conditions.
Once a wildfire has burned through an area, many dangers may remain. The following is a list of precautions when returning home, which has been provided by CAL Fire and PG&E.
When driving to your property check for:
Trees, brush and rocks which may be weakened or loosened by fire.
Trees and brush weakened by fire may lose limbs or fall. Rocks loosened by fire may roll and crumble.
If rocks have rolled down a slope expect more to follow.
Debris or damage from fire on roads and driveways.
Debris on the road near your home and in your driveway.
Clearing the debris to the edge of your driveway and removing it later will help keep your home safe from fire.
Utility poles weakened by fire.
At your property, check for fire or fire damage:
Hot embers in rain gutters, on the roof and under overhangs.
Hot embers under decks and in crawl spaces.
Hot embers in wood piles, debris piles and lawn.
Ensure well or pump-house is in working order.
If your electrical service has not been interrupted you may continue to use your power for such things as pumping water, etc.
If your services are off, check for burned service equipment and facilities:
Is there damage to the gas meter, gas lines or propane tank? If there is any visible damage, do not attempt to repair or turn on these services. Call your local propane company or utility.
Look at the electric meter. If there is any visible damage, do not attempt to turn the breaker on.
If there are electrical wires on the ground, stay clear and contact your local utility immediately.
When you have secured safety outside your home, check inside for fire or fire damage.
Embers in the attic, which may have entered through vents.
If electricity is off, before turning it on, make sure all appliances are turned off.
Once you are sure all appliances are turned off, there is no fire damage to your building and the meter does not have any visible damage you may turn on the main circuit breaker.
Check if the phone is working.
Check if security system and alarms are working.
Use flashlights to help inspect your home and surrounding area.
After checking your property, continue to use caution and note outdoor conditions:
Trees and poles with deep charring, particularly if still smoking should be considered hazardous.
Smoldering holes on the ground can be full of hot coals.
White ash is evidence of hot material.
If you find any of these conditions:
Fire and other emergencies – Stay away and report condition to a local fire or law enforcement official in the area and call 911.
Damaged utility equipment – Report electrical problems and damaged equipment to your local utility.
Gas Leaks – Report electrical problems and damaged equipment to your local utility.
- Details
- Written by: Lake County News reports
Police arrest Clearlake man wanted in forged checks case
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A Clearlake man police had sought in connection to a case involving stolen and forged checks has been arrested.
John Leroy Clemons, 43, was arrested without incident at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, according to Detective Sgt. Nick Bennett of the Clearlake Police Department.
Clearlake Police detectives identified Clemons as the person who had deposited forged checks – which had gone missing from a Petaluma residence – into a Clearlake bank, as Lake County News has reported.
Police served a search warrant at his residence on Tuesday, seizing a handgun and ammunition – which Clemons, a convicted felon, is not permitted to possess – and two potentially dangerous dogs, Bennett said.
Bennett said Clemons was not present during the search warrant service but called the police department while it was going on and refused to come to the police department to speak with officers.
At the same time as he signed the search warrant, a Lake County Superior Court judge had signed an arrest warrant for Clemons on two charges of felony forgery, Bennett said.
The bail on the arrest warrant originally had been set at $15,000, Bennett said.
However, due to Clemons' extensive criminal history and additional pending criminal cases which will be forwarded to the District Attorney, when he was booked his bail was enhanced to $150,000, according to Bennett.
Clemons' booking sheet showed that he was booked on counts including a misdemeanor charge of possession, purchase or use of a Tazer by a convicted felon, and felony charges of evading a peace officer, evading a peace officer with disregard for public safety, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, possession of a leaded cane or billy club and receiving known stolen property.
- Details
- Written by: Lake County News reports
Police volunteer arrested for alleged contact with minor for sex
LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Lakeport Police Department volunteer has been arrested for allegedly contacting a minor for sex.
Larry Weldon Howerton, 69, of Lakeport was arrested on Tuesday by Det. Dale Stoebe for the felony crime of contact with a minor to commit a sexual offense, according to a report from the Lakeport Police Department.
Howerton was transported to the Lake County Jail where he was booked, the agency said.
His bail was set at $15,000. He remained in custody early Wednesday morning, according to his booking sheet.
Howerton joined the Lakeport Police Department's volunteer force at the start of 2014, according to Chief Brad Rasmussen.
Rasmussen said Howerton had previous experience with law enforcement, having worked in the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office volunteer program.
The Lakeport Police Department authored a search warrant which was served at Howerton's residence for the purpose of seeking evidence of the crime, police said.
Howerton was immediately terminated from his position with the police department, according to the Lakeport Police report.
Rasmussen said the investigation is ongoing, with no further information available at this time.
The police department thanked the Lake County District Attorney’s Office Criminal Investigation and Victim/Witness Divisions for their assistance with the investigation.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
