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US Forest Service Special Agent Toby Barton came from Missouri last year to join the Upper Lake Ranger District staff. He is tasked with investigating crimes in the forest, extending from Upper Lake all the way to the Six Rivers National Forest in Humboldt County.
Barton is part of a significantly enhanced law enforcement team for the Upper Lake Ranger District. Previously, there was just one law enforcement officer for the district. But last year that number was raised to four.
Currently there is Barton and another officer on the ground, and two others completing their training.
That increase is based on the significant presence in the forest of criminal activity, especially that linked with illegal drugs.
In recent years the Mendocino National Forest has had more seizures of illegal marijuana than any other National Forest in California. Likewise, Lake County as a whole has led all of the state's 58 counties for the amount of marijuana eradicated.
Last week, Lt. Dave Garzoli of the Lake County Sheriff's Office reported that marijuana seizures across the county this year were getting close to last year's record.
In the National Forest, at least, this year already has surpassed 2007.
Barton said so far this year they've seized 500 pounds of processed marijuana and made seven arrests in the National Forest. That 500 pounds is “a substantial amount” of marijuana, said Barton, and more than twice last year's take.
Of those arrested, six were in the Upper Lake Ranger District and one in Covelo, said Barton.
Barton said most of the individuals who have been arrested for drug activity in the forest have been Hispanic males who are in the country illegally.
In looking at who is ultimately responsible for the illegal grows in the Mendocino National Forest, Barton suggests, “I believe most of it is going to be part of the drug trafficking organizations from Mexico.”
That viewpoint is consistent with statements made by local and state law enforcement officials, who identify those drug rings as using marijuana growing on public lands to fund and support other drug trafficking – including methamphetamine – in California and beyond.
Barton noted that California's marijuana growing activity is much larger than other places he's worked.
He said he's been working on saturation patrol in certain parts of the forest as part of the eradication effort, but he wouldn't specify the location in order to protect his investigations.
When it comes to tracking the marijuana trade, this is the busiest time of year, said Barton.
Because of the size of its marijuana issue, the Mendocino National Forest is getting additional help right now, thanks to a special detail of Forest Service law enforcement officers from throughout the state and national.
Barton, who usually starts tracking the illegal growers as early as March, said he expects the growing to stop for the winter by the end of November or whenever the first snow falls.
Forest officials told Lake County News last year that to restore and clean up an acre of wildland subjected to illegal marijuana growing costs around $11,000.
Barton said restoration work in the affected areas hasn't started. “That'll come after everything has been eradicated.”
It also will depend on how much money is available for the cleanup effort, he said.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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District 1 supervisor candidates James Comstock of Middletown and Susanne La Faver of Hidden Valley Lake raised approximately $38,859.08 from July 1 through Sept. 30, according to a report due Monday to the Registrar of Voters Office. That amount is almost twice their combined resources reported from the start of the year through June 30.
While the fundraising for the District 1 race continues to climb, the total amount raised for the two candidates so far this year – $60,882.53 – is still at least $50,000 less that the combined war chests of Gary Lewis and Denise Rushing in the record-breaking 2006 race for the District 3 supervisorial seat.
Comstock raised the most from July through September, bringing in $21,125.98, up from $2,229 for the May 18 through June 30 reporting period and well above the $9,727.19 he raised from March 18 through May 17. His year-to-date total is $34,875.17.
La Faver, who topped Comstock by 11 votes in the June primary, raised $17,733.10 during the latest reporting period. From May 18 through June 30, she brought in $2,047, with $3,704 accumulated in the May 18 through May 17 timeframe. La Faver has raised $26,007.36 this year.
In matters of spending, Comstock paid out $15,965.46 from July through September, and has spent $23,949.22 in his campaign this year. La Faver spent $10,049.67 during the reporting period; her year-to-date expenditures total $17,315.99.
Another financial report is due from the candidates on Oct. 23, the Registrar of Voters Office reported.
The breakdown of donations and expenses for the two candidates follows.
JAMES COMSTOCK
Total raised this reporting period: $21,125.98
Expenditures this reporting period: $15,965.46
Total raised calendar year-to-date: $34,875.17 (including $700 in loans from candidate)
Expenditures for calendar year-to-date: $23,949.22
Payments made:
Lakeshore Lions, parade entry, $10
Lake County Registrar of Voters, candidate statement fees, $224
Chris Jones, consulting, $2,000
Lake County Farm Bureau, dinner meeting, $25
Sternberg Bookkeeping, Internet Web page, $155.10
NTLC Newsletter, newsletter, $250
Save Prop 13, newsletter, $250
Republican Women Voter Guide, newsletter, $250
Democratic Voter Guide, newsletter, $100
Citizens for Good Government, newsletter, $80
Barb Thornton, buttons and balloons, $844.95
Chris Jones, consulting, $1000
Voter Information Guide, newsletter, $265
Lake County Fair, dinner meeting, $60
Umpqua Bank, 4H/FFA Donation, $763.75
AMIA, dinner meeting, $50
AMIA, event donation, $20
Econoline Signs, signs, $600
Tony Siciliani, brochures, $3,773.78
Clover Communications, brochure artwork, $1,000
Chris Jones, consulting, $1,000
Bud's Custom Meats, processing, $238
US Post Office, stamps, $21
Econoline Signs, signs, $561
Econoline Signs, sign stakes, $32.40
Tony Siciliani, mailings, $2,391.48
Contributions received:
Betty and John Muller, retired, $150
Lake Elephants, political action committee, $999
Luchetti Ranch, rancher, $5,000 ($10,000 year-to-date)
Mike Browning, rancher, $1,000 ($1,500 year-to-date)
Jim Jonas, business owner, $200
Don Emerson, retired, $200 ($450 year-to-date)
John Warren, accountant, $1,000
Carl Richman, school administrator, $100
Robert and Becky Parker, business owner, $200
Ernie Sanders, retired, $100
Matt Woodard, business owner, $200
Larry and Martha Menzio, business owner, $200
Bill and Irene Throop, power plant tech, $100 ($300 year-to-date)
Duane and Carol Sanders, business owner, $200
Wayne Jackson, business owner, $1,000
Middletown Indian Rancheria, $1,000
Fletcher and Barbara Thornton, judo instructor, $300 ($550 year-to-date)
Rich Devita, retired, $200
Mark and Robert Borghesani, business owners, $200
Rudy and Faith Smith, grape grower, $1,000
Denise Sutton, optometrist assistant, $100
Erik Rupee, attorney, $200
N. Gary Merkel, business owner, $100
Bonnie Yount, Realtor, $100
Milton and Elen Hath, retired, $200
Jack and Karen Lair, business owner, $200
John and Angie Roderick, retired, $200
Dick Frye, business owner, $100
Sharon and Carl Morgensen, school administrator, $100
Ron Minudri and Terry Schweitzer, business owner, $400 ($500 year-to-date)
Hank and Karen Lescher, business owner, $200
Jim and Connie Indrebo, business owners, $300
Caroline and Ernie Emery, retired, $200 ($300 year-to-date)
SUSANNE LA FAVER
Total raised this reporting period: $17,733.10
Expenditures this reporting period: $10,049.67
Total raised calendar year-to-date: $26,007.36
Expenditures for calendar year-to-date: $17,315.99
Payments made:
Lake County Registrar of Voters, CD of registered voters, $96.93
Lake County Registrar of Voters, reimbursement to county for election expense,$224
US Postal Service, stamps and mailing costs, $304.60
Copy Shack, DS offset on WB, copies, flyers, $392.46
Larson New Media, campaign ad design/run, $170
HP Home and Home Office Store, printer ink, $10.16
Office Depot, office supplies and equipment, $126.33
Perfect T's and Screening, signs, $134.69
Lake County Publishing, newspaper ads, $2,165.14
Voter Guide Slate Mail, $200
Bicoastal Media, LLC, broadcast ads, $2,772
AD-Vantage Marketing, campaign mailings, $2,813.52
Contributions received:
Nonmonetary contributions
Beth Rudiger, jazzercise instructor, $105
Monetary contributions
Susan J. Cameron, retired, $100
Robert L. Fisher, engineer, $100
Christopher Layton, owner of Pine Grove Resort and Spa, $250 ($750 year-to-date)
Beatrice Moulton, retired, $50 ($100 year-to-date)
PG&E Corp., gas and electric company, $250 ($350 year-to-date)
Jane M. Renner, director, Orchard Gardens Senior Home, $100
Robert Riggs, attorney at law, Katzoff and Riggs, $150 ($7,133 year-to-date)
Linda K. Sereni, retired, $198
Craig Waters, technician, Genentech, $100
Jon M. Webb, principal, Albion Surveys Inc., $500
Robert Barton, retired, $50 ($100 year-to-date) *
Lynn J. Bettencourt, retired safety engineer, $100 *
R. Joy Birum, retired, $100 *
Victoria Brandon, retired, $500 *
Joan K. Clay, retired, $150 ($200 year-to-date) *
Marilyn G. Davin, retired freelance writer, $100 ($200 year-to-date) *
R.S. Devoto, owner, DeVoto Vineyards, $2,000 ($2,500 year-to-date) *
Ron Green, attorney at law, $100 *
Charlotte Griswold-Tergis, retired, $500 *
Lilo Hansen, Hardester's Market, Middletown, $25 ($125 year-to-date) *
Hollis A. Harris, Internet sales, self-employed, $500 *
Gloria Hovde, retired, $100 *
Lake County Democratic Central Committee, $100 ($300 year-to-date) *
Lake County Democrats Club, $300 *
Laura Lamar, photographer, $200 *
Mona M. Locke, retired, $25 ($125 year-to-date) *
Joseph P. Luiz, sales manager, Shannon Ridge Winery, $100 *
Paul Marchand, physician, $1,000 *
Robert Marelli, retired, $200 *
Tom McFarling, owner, McFarling Insurance, $100 ($200 year-to-date) *
Merial L. Medrano, Rev.Trust, retired, $99 ($198 year-to-date) *
Constance T. Miller, retired, $100 *
Beatrice A. Moulton, retired, $50 ($100 year-to-date) *
Philip Murphy, farmer, self-employed $200 *
Richard M. Norton, retired, $100 ($200 year-to-date) *
Kathernie A. Regalado, retired, $100 *
Ed Robey, supervisor, Lake County, $250 *
Robert R. Riggs, attorney at law, Katzoff and Riggs, $5,983 ($7,133 year-to-date) *
Denise Rushing, supervisor, Lake County, $200 *
Debra S. Sally, veterinarian, Clearlake Vet Hospital, $50 ($100 year-to-date) *
James R. Serventi, retired, $100 ($175 year-to-date) *
Angela Siegel, teacher, $100 * *
Janice M. Stewart, director, $99 ($198 year-to-date) *
Joan F. Stoneberg, retired, $150 ($200 year-to-date) *
Helen P. Whitney, co-owner, Whitney Plumbing, $100 *
Joan Worster, retired, $50 ($100 year-to-date) *
Yoxagoi Orchards, farmer/owner, $500 *
* = Denotes those that had "Intermediary: Lake County Citizens Coalition" below their entry. The Lake County Citizens Coalition matched those donations dollar for dollar at a Sept. 20 event; at that event, $14,766 was raised, $7,383 from the public and $7,383 from the coalition, plus an unmatched amount of $380. Those funds are included in her reporting period total.
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The National Fire Protection Association's theme for Fire Prevention Week 2008 – which is Oct. 5 through 11 – is “Prevent home fires.”
The importance of this effort is made clear in the numbers – home fires killed an average of seven people every day in 2006, the association reported.
You can protect yourself and your home from the major causes of home fires by taking some basic precautions.
Cal Fire Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit Chief Ernie Loveless is asking everyone to check each room in their home for these common hazards and learn to spot situations that may cause a fire risk.
THROUGHOUT YOUR HOME
Are portable heaters placed at least 3 ft. from anything that can burn?
Are matches and lighters kept in a locked cabinet where children cannot reach them?
Has your wiring been inspected to make sure that it meets code requirements?
Are electrical cords in good condition, not frayed or cracked?
Do you have a smoke alarm in each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of your home?
Are smoke alarms interconnected so that when one sounds that all sound?
Do you test your smoke alarms once a month?
Does your family practice your home fire escape plan twice a year?
Does your home have an automatic sprinkler system, which will contain a fire?
Does your home have carbon monoxide alarms?
KITCHEN
Is your stove top clean and free of clutter?
Do you stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food?
LIVING ROOM
Do you have a sturdy metal fireplace screen?
Do you have your chimney cleaned and inspected at the beginning of each heating season?
Do you encourage smokers to smoke outside the home?
BEDROOM
Do you have arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs)?
Do you burn candles in your bedroom? National Fire Protection Association discourages the use of candles in the bedroom – the largest number of candle fires occur in bedrooms.
BASEMENT
Do you have heating equipment cleaned and inspected by a professional each year?
“Fire Prevention is everyone’s responsibility,” said Loveless.
He encourages everyone to talk with your family members about fire prevention and check areas in their homes for hazards.
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LAKEPORT – Several dozen Lake County residents gathered in downtown Lakeport Saturday morning under cool gray clouds, ready to run or walk for a good cause.
An estimated 150 friends, family and event personnel were on hand to cheer them on during the 13th annual Sponsoring Survivorship walk/run fundraising event anchored at the Bank of America parking lot on Main Street.
The proceeds benefit Lake County women with financial assistance during their battles with cancer.
Participants were offered three challenges: a two-kilometer walk, a five-kilometer walk or run, and a 10-kilometer walk or run route. The majority of those choose the 5k walk. Event coordinators reported there were 200 participants.
More than three dozen businesses provided funding, goods and services, as well as raffle prizes which were awarded at the conclusion of the event Saturday morning.
Event organizers could not specify the precise number, but indicated that they appreciate the many individual volunteers and service groups that contributed their time and expertise to plan and execute the complex event.
E-mail Harold LaBonte at
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Northshore Fire Battalion Chief Pat Brown said the emergency resulted in what was by far the biggest movement of local emergency equipment for a mass casualty incident.
Cal Fire officials reported that the crash was reported to them at approximately 6:26 p.m. Sunday. It took place on Lone Star Road and Abel Road, east of Interstate 5 between Williams and Colusa.
Brown said a bus that came from Colusa Casino had overturned along the stretch of rural road. There were 52 patients, 40 of them critical and five dead at the scene. Late Sunday news reports placed the number of dead at 10.
Nine ambulances from fire districts around the lake could be seen racing along Highway 20 toward the valley between 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Northshore Fire – which has a mutual agreement with Williams – sent three ambulances, said Brown, along with two from Lake County Fire Protection, one from South County Fire, two from Lakeport Fire and one from Kelseyville Fire.
Cal Fire said it sent four engines from Middletown, Clearlake Oaks, Wilbur Springs and Brooks.
Lake County Fire Protection Battalion Chief Willie Sapeta was the strike team leader for the Lake County resources, said Brown. Lake County News was unable to reach Sapeta late Sunday night.
Brown said there were ambulances and fire trucks from all over the valley, including Woodland, West Sacramento and Yolo County. “There was a lot of equipment there,” he said.
Helicopters transported crash victims to hospitals around the North State. Brown said some patients also were taken to Santa Rosa.
At around 8:30 p.m. all of the local ambulances and trucks were released, said Brown, who himself got back home at around 9:30 p.m.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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CAL FIRE responds to more than 300,000 emergencies and calls for service each year. More than 5,000 of these emergencies are fires inside homes and other buildings.
“In the past three years hundreds of people have died in home fires in California,” said Cal Fire Director Chief Ruben Grijalva. “What is so tragic is that many of these fires are easily preventable when residents take simple steps.”
It is because of these startling figures that this year’s theme of Fire Prevention Week 2008 is “Prevent Home Fires!” From Oct. 5 through11, Cal Fire and fire departments across the country will be encouraging their communities to check their homes for fire hazards. With a little extra caution, preventing the leading causes of home fires – cooking, heating, electrical and smoking – is within their power.
Here are some simple steps to help prevent home fires:
Cooking: Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period time, turn off the stove.
Heating: Keep all things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least 3 feet away from heating equipment.
Electrical: Replace cracked and damaged electrical cords; use extension cords for temporary wiring only. Consider having additional circuits or receptacles added by a qualified electrician.
Smoking: If you smoke, smoke outside; wherever you smoke, use deep, sturdy ashtrays.
Each year, the week surrounding the date of Oct. 9 is celebrated as National Fire Prevention Week.
Why Oct. 9? The date commemorates the infamous “Great Chicago Fire” of 1871 that killed 250 people and destroyed over 17,000 homes.
Fire Prevention Week is organized each year by the National Fire Protection Association.
For more fire safety tips visit the CAL FIRE Web site at www.fire.ca.gov.
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