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When fires broke out in Southern California in October, Cal Fire's Sonoma-Lake-Napa unit sent firefighting personnel equipment, as did Northshore, Lakeport, Lake County and South County Fire Protection Districts, as Lake County News has reported.
Chuck Abshear, division chief of operations for the Sonoma-Lake-Napa unit, said the unit sent 10 of its 11 crews to battle the Southern California fires in October.
Those units have since returned. But with continuing dry conditions in the south, combined with a forecast for strong Santa Ana winds through this coming weekend, state officials began ordering Cal Fire resources back to Southern California, said Abshear.
“There's potential for significant fire weather,” he explained.
Fire crews and equipment originally scheduled to leave last Sunday, however, were delayed until Tuesday, said Abshear.
Cal Fire's local unit was preparing to send a strike team of five engines, with three personnel for each engine, said Abshear, plus three more engines that would combine with Santa Clara's Cal Fire resources to form another strike team.
In addition, the Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit planned to send four hand crews each from two conservation camps – Konocti Conservation Camp and a Solano County camp – plus three bulldozers, Abshear reported.
The Cal Fire helicopter stationed at Boggs Mountain has been in Southern California for the last two weeks, said Abshear.
The local Cal Fire unit will retain nine engines, three inmate crews and one or two bulldozers, said Abshear. With the recent rains Cal Fire feels confident that fire danger in the unit is reduced, he added.
Like other Cal Fire units around the state, the Sonoma-Lake-Napa unit retained seasonal employees in order to respond to Southern California's fire, Abshear explained.
“We still have seasonal employees on,” he said, adding that only about one-third of the unit's 200 seasonal firefighters have been laid off.
Local assistance also was requested through the Office of Emergency Services (OES), said Abshear, with state-owned OES engines called on to report to Southern California.
Northwestern California was to send four strike teams of OES engines, said Abshear.
South Lake County Fire has one OES engine that was called on and supposed to leave earlier this week, said Abshear.
However, Suzie Blankenship, a Cal Fire fire prevention specialist, reported that plans had changed, with South Lake County Fire waiting to hear if it actually would need to respond with a crew.
“It looks like they're on standby and that a decision will be made some time Friday morning as to whether they'll be launched or not,” said Blankenship.
South Lake County Fire officials couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday.
Abshear, who said he has been with Cal Fire's Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit for eight years, said in that time the unit has not kept on seasonal firefighters this long.
“This year is unique in terms of its continuous fire threat and that's warranted us keeping our staff on,” Abshear said.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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Wendy Jensen, 34, of Lucerne somehow got onto Highway 4 near Martinez going the wrong way early Sunday morning, said California Highway Patrol Officer Scott Yox of the Contra Costa CHP office.
“We're not certain exactly where she got onto the freeway the wrong way,” said Yox.
Jensen, driving a 1997 Ford Explorer, was heading eastbound in the highway's westbound lane in an area where the highway is separated by a divider, said Yox. “She didn't cross over the freeway, she got on the wrong way.”
Yox said investigators believe that Jensen saw headlights – it was about 4:45 a.m. – and swerved to the right to avoid hitting the vehicle.
She struck the center median guardrail with her Explorer's passenger side, said Yox, and bounced back into the path of a 2005 Dodge Neon driven by Rickey Stratton, 49, of Hayward, hitting him head-on.
Stratton suffered severe injuries – including breaking both legs, suffering multiple facial fractures, punctured lungs, a lacerated kidney and diaphragm, said Yox. Stratton was taken to John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek, where he was reported to be in critical condition.
Jensen also was taken to the hospital, complaining of neck and back pain, said Yox. He said she may have suffered a spinal injury.
A CHP officer who responded to the accident concluded that Jensen was driving under the influence, said Yox. “As soon as she clears the hospital she will be taken into custody.”
The charges, said Yox, will be felony drunk driving and driving the wrong way causing bodily injury.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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Michael A. Dodele, 67, was found dead Tuesday in his home, located in Space 19 of the Western Hills Mobile Home Park at 3555 Lakeshore Blvd., according to a report from Chief Deputy Russ Perdock of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
Dodele’s name had been withheld Tuesday until his next of kin were contacted and notified of his death, Perdock said.
Perdock reported that deputies found Dodele with what appeared to be multiple stab wounds to his left side and chest.
Arrested in connection with Dodele's death is Ivan Garcia Oliver, 29, a construction worker who lived in Space 31B at the same trailer park, according to Perdock.
Neighbors had pointed deputies in Oliver's direction Tuesday after they reportedly saw him leave Dodele's residence with what appeared to be blood on his hands and clothing, Perdock reported.
When deputies arrived at Oliver's residence, Perdock reported that they found blood on the car, in front of the apartment and at the front door. When they entered the residence to check for additional victims they met Oliver, who allegedly had blood on his hands and clothing.
Perdock reported that deputies immediately detained Oliver, who at that time allegedly made several incriminating comments, essentially admitting to attacking Dodele.
Based on Oliver's alleged statements and their observations at the scene, deputies requested sheriff's investigations personnel respond, said Perdock.
Deputies subsequently cordoned off the area and restricted movement within the park to allow the investigators to examine the scene, according to Perdock. Investigators interviewed several people who had witnessed what took place at the park Tuesday morning.
At 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, investigators secured a search warrant for the residences of both Dodele and Oliver, Perdock reported.
Detectives continued processing the scenes for evidence throughout the rest of the day Tuesday, Perdock said. Their on-site investigation finished up just after midnight Wednesday morning.
The investigation turned up what may be a key piece of evidence, said Perdock.
“We have a weapon but we're not sure if that's the weapon,” he said. “We're waiting for autopsy results.”
Dodele's autopsy, according to Perdock, is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 27.
Officials took Oliver to Sutter Lakeside Hospital for treatment of what appeared to be superficial injuries, consisting of a small cut to his right hand, according to Perdock.
Once he was treated and released from the hospital, Oliver was transported to the Lake County Jail for booking. Perdock reported that the sheriff's office initially was unable to confirm Oliver's identify, a problem that was solved once they ran his fingerprints.
Jail records show that Oliver is being held on a murder charge and a felony parole violation, the latter causing him to be held without bail.
Oliver was on parole from San Diego through the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for assault with a deadly weapon, Perdock reported. A parole hold was placed on Oliver because of his alleged involvement in Dodele's death.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff said Wednesday afternoon that he will be prosecuting the case, with Oliver scheduled to appear in court Monday, Nov. 26.
No charges have yet been formally filed, Hinchcliff said, because sheriff's investigators haven't yet forwarded the case to his office. “They're still working on it.”
Perdock reported that the investigation is continuing.
Anyone with information about the case who has not yet spoken with investigators is encouraged to contact Det. Corey Paulich of the Lake County Sheriff's Office at 707-262-4200 during business hours.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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Fesmire, suffering from terminal cancer, was unable to make the event, said Brown. He read the proclamation that honored the 55-year-old Vietnam veteran to a standing-room-only audience.
Fire chiefs and officials from around the county lined the back of the room; others in attendance included Fesmire's friends from the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 951.
Minutes later, Brown walked out into the courthouse lobby to greet a room filled with teary-eyed people. It was then he discovered Fesmire had died just minutes before the proclamation's presentation.
Shortly before noon, flags at fire stations around Lake County were lowered to half-staff in Fesmire's honor, and will remain at half-staff until the close of business Friday, according to Northshore Fire District officials.
Fesmire, a native of Carmichael, served in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1973, according to the county's proclamation.
A veteran of two tours in Vietnam, Fesmire was a helicopter crew chief gunner for the Troop C (Air) 16th Cavalry. In that capacity, he earned two Bronze Stars, received the Purple Heart and numerous other honors including 34 Air Medals for combat flight time and one for valor.
Back in the states, Fesmire was in the California National Guard from 1976 to 1980, serving in the 126th Helicopter Company Air Ambulance. He also volunteered at the Rio Linda Fire Department, according to his friend and boss, Northshore Fire Chief Jim Robbins.
Robbins said Fesmire came to Lake County in 1987 as the supervisor for Redwood Empire Life Support. Two years later he joined the Lucerne Fire Department as a volunteer.
“He was a very, very dedicated volunteer all through the years,” said Robbins.
Fesmire didn't join the fire department as a full-time employee right away, said Robbins. “I had been trying to lure him into coming to work for me for several years.”
Eventually, Robbins got his man. Fesmire came to work as captain/paramedic with Lucerne Fire – later to be consolidated into Northshore Fire District.
On Tuesday Robbins, saddened by his friend's death, could still remember the exact day Fesmire joined the department – Nov. 3, 2002.
“Fezzy” – as he was known to his friends and colleagues – could be a little gruff with the new volunteers, Robbins remembered, likely due to his time in the service.
But Fesmire was ultimately a generous man with a heart of gold, Robbins said, giving countless hours to the department, hours that came at the expense of personal time with his family and other interests, like motorcycle riding. Robbins said Fesmire had an old Harley Davidson motorcycle in his shop that he never quite got around to rebuilding.
Ginny Craven, who for 14 years was a volunteer with Lucerne Fire, said she got to know Fesmire well over the years, running medical and fire calls with him.
Besides seeing him save strangers, Craven said Fesmire's skills as a paramedic saved her mother, who he resuscitated during a medical call in 1991.
Less than a month ago, Fesmire began suffering flu-like symptoms, said Robbins. At the same time, Fesmire's kidneys began to shut down.
Fesmire sought medical treatment for kidney failure, and after running other tests doctors discovered he had a large tumor on the vena cava, the body's second largest vein, said Robbins.
“He wanted me to be one of the first to know what was going on,” said Robbins, who explained that the prognosis hadn't given Fesmire much time.
Fesmire's attitude, said Robbins, was one of trying to get as much life out of his remaining days as possible.
On Saturday, Nov. 17, Fesmire's friends celebrated him at “Fezzy Fest,” held at the Lucerne Firehouse.
“It was wonderful,” said Robbins. “We had close to 300 people here, and they came from all different walks of life.”
Fesmire's friends included other Vietnam vets, motorcycle enthusiasts and, of course, firefighters, said Robbins.
“It put a big smile on his face, and that kind of helped some of us heal a little bit,” said Robbins.
Craven added that the event gave her an even greater sense of the many dimension's of Fesmire's life and impact on others.
One of Fezzy Fest's big surprises, said Craven, came from his friend Rod Harper, owner of The Hog Pen in Nice.
Harper had gone over to Fesmire's place and pulled out that old Harley he never got around to fixing, and rebuilt it for him. Robbins said Harper also read a poem for his friend that “knocked everybody's socks off.”
Harper couldn't be reached for a comment on his friend for this article.
On Sunday, Fesmire took the bike out for a ride, said Robbins.
Along with his many friends and colleagues, Fesmire leaves behind wife, Karen; daughters, Kendra, Katie and Michelle; and granddaughter, Danielle.
Memorial services haven't yet been announced, said Robbins. “Knowing Dave, he's got everything planned out.”
Robbins said he's giving the family space to grieve before finding out what they have planned. He said announcement about services will follow shortly.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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Sarah Jean Theiss, 25, was arrested Monday afternoon following a traffic stop by California Highway Patrol Officer Erich Paarsch, according to CHP Officer Adam Garcia.
At about 3:55 p.m. Monday Paarsch was on his way to assist the CHP Ukiah office with a fatal collision on Highway 20 just past the county line, said Garcia.
As he was heading to the accident dispatch advised him that a possible drunk driver had hit a fence in Upper Lake and was leaving the scene, traveling westbound on Highway 20, according to Garcia.
Paarsch spotted the vehicle, which reportedly was crossing into oncoming traffic, and he made a traffic stop, Garcia reported.
On stopping the vehicle, Garcia said Paarsch found Theiss, the vehicle's only occupant, had allegedly been drinking. He conducted an investigation and subsequently arrested Theiss for driving under the influence.
After arresting Theiss, Paarsch searched the vehicle and found 9.6 pounds of marijuana packed for sale in her vehicle, according to Garcia. Theiss offered no explanation for the marijuana despite being the solo occupant and registered owner of the vehicle.
She was taken to the Lake County Jail and charged with driving under the influence, possession of marijuana for sale, transportation of marijuana and hit and run with property damage, according to booking records. Bail was set at $22,740.
Theiss, who had posted bail and been released by Tuesday morning, is due to appear in court on the charges on Jan. 14, 2008, according to booking records.
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THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED AND THE SUSPECT'S AGE CORRECTED.
LAKEPORT – Officials have arrested a 29-year-old man for murder in connection with an incident that took place Tuesday morning at a Lakeport trailer part.
Sheriff's deputies arrested Ivan Garcia Oliver, a construction worker and Lakeport resident, at Western Hills Mobile Home Park, located at 3555 Lakeshore Blvd.
Chief Deputy Russ Perdock reported Tuesday afternoon that investigators had been having difficulty confirming Oliver's identity. Oliver was finally booked at 11:31 p.m. Tuesday.
Perdock reported that the Lake County Sheriff's Office responded to the trailer park after the agency's Dispatch Communications Center received a 911 call for medical aid from an anonymous woman on Monday at approximately 10:14 a.m.
The caller reported that a male subject who was bleeding from his hands was located at Space 31B at the park, according to Perdock.
Believing that there had been an altercation at the address, sheriff's deputies responded to secure the scene and any armed or dangerous individuals, Perdock reported, with fire personnel directed to stage near the area.
Upon their arrival at the scene, which Perdock said came minutes after the 911 call, deputies discovered the body of a 65-year-old Caucasian male, who was the victim of an assault.
As the deputies checked the area for other victims as well as possible suspects, Perdock said park residents directed them to Space 31B, where they contacted the 19-year-old Oliver.
Plain clothes deputies arrested Oliver at gunpoint, according to a Lake County News contributor who witnessed the scene. Even after Oliver was arrested he continued to struggle with deputies.
Deputies Tom Andrews and Cynthia Radoumis detained and secured Oliver, who also had injuries to his hands, consistent with having been in a physical altercation, according to Perdock.
Sheriff's investigators remained at the scene Tuesday afternoon, conducting the investigation and collecting evidence, Perdock said.
Perdock added that another report will be released Wednesday morning once the victim's family has been identified and more information is available.
Harold LaBonte contributed to this report.
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