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LAKE COUNTY – Just when you're beginning to get used to the springtime temperatures we've enjoyed for over a week, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Sacramento is predicting a dramatic change in the weather beginning on Monday.
Tracking a storm that will move into Lake County Monday night and Tuesday, the NWS is forecasting that rain and cooler temperatures will return for a short time.
In addition to the rain, snow levels are expected to reach the 4,000 foot level by Tuesday.
The NWS advises caution if you will be traveling to the Sierra Nevada mountains on Monday or Tuesday, as winter driving conditions will be in effect.
High temperatures on Monday should be in the mid to upper 50s, with lows in the 40s.
Expect temperatures a few degrees cooler on Tuesday and clearing and warmer by Wednesday.
E-mail Terre Logsdon at
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LUCERNE – A Saturday peace rally organized by two local teenagers drew about 50 people who marched and discussed their concerns about the current war in Iraq.
Conrad Kiczenski and Alie Stout, both 15, organized the rally, which took place began 2 and 4:30 p.m. at Lucerne Harbor Park.
Those who attended the afternoon event were an almost equal number of teens and adults. On the adult side were several members of Lake County Peace Action and District 3 Supervisor Denise Rushing.
Some visitors came from outside the county to participate. Madeline Daughton, a third grade teacher, and author Rudy Knoop, both of Covelo, drove over for the day to take part.
The location for the rally, in a grove of redwoods at the park, was especially poignant. Among the trees is one with a plaque called “The Freedom Tree.”
The plaque reads: “The Freedom Tree: With the vision of universal freedom for all mankind, this tree is dedicated to the POW/MIAs of California and all prisoners of war and missing action, 1973.”
Some of the signs carried at the rally had slogans such as, “Peace is not partisan,” and “Occupation is terror.”
Conrad himself carried a sign that said, “Tell Congress, stop funding war.”
The group marched and stood along the edge of the park bordering Highway 20, where a number of cars passing by honked as a show of support.
During an interview with videographer Hiram Dukes, Conrad said he's concerned that corporate media is helping keep people ignorant of the government's actions.
Several participants took their turn at the bullhorn to share their thoughts about the war and why the rally was important.
Finley resident Phil Murphy told the teens at the event that they should be proud of themselves for being there and taking action. “You're doing the right thing,” he said.
He added that by protesting the government's policies the teenagers were doing what their parents and neighbors have failed to do.
Both Conrad and Alie were pleased with the turnout.
“I was surprised at how many people showed up,” said Alie.
She said they hope to plan more events this summer.
Today at noon Alie and Conrad will lead a meeting of Lake County Youth Action at the Lucerne Senior Center. The newly forming group seeks to unite local teens in positive causes and activities.
For more information about Lake County Youth Action, e-mail Conrad at
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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LAKE COUNTY – Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) Facility Dog, NASA, is known and loved by thousands in Lake County and beyond. This March, he celebrates his seventh birthday.
Serving as a CCI working dog in Lake County for more than five years, NASA has contributed to the comfort, joy and healing of his many friends.
NASA’s primary mission is working with physical and occupational therapy professionals at Lakeport rehabilitation centers in Evergreen and Skilled Nursing facilities. Clients exercise with him; he brings play and laughter into what can sometimes be a painful experience.
Recently a physical therapist introduced to NASA a client who had so far refused therapy. The only word she would say was “no,” then she would close her eyes and pretend to sleep.
When she entered the room and saw NASA waiting, her eyes lit up. Cheerfully she brushed and stroked NASA. She threw NASA’s ball and reached to throw it again and again. Touched by NASA’s magic, the therapist watched with tears in her eyes.
While the client lay on a cot to have her contracting leg muscles stretched, NASA snuggled beside her so she could relax and straighten her legs comfortably. This time they fell asleep together! NASA is as good as a pain pill! Now this client “practices” all week so that she can show NASA her progress when he comes next time.
NASA volunteers at the “Thursday Club,” or the Northshore Adult Day Center directed by Caroline Denny and located at the First Lutheran Church in Lucerne. Participants delight in NASA’s presence. He greets them as they arrive, wags them into the room and program while caretakers quietly exit.
Throughout the day he visits everyone, putting his head on laps, shaking hands, encouraging participants to play ball, pet him and talk.
As a Hospice volunteer, NASA helps facilitate eight-week Hospice Bereavement Groups. He always knows who needs a hug. At Wings, the Hospice bereavement camp for families, children sit under a tree, hug NASA, whisper their stories into his ear, and they grieve and heal together. They trust NASA because he keeps everything confidential.
NASA is the official MASCOT (Mature Adults Served by Canine Outreach Therapy) at Lucerne Senior Center. There he visits with many seniors who have given up pets of their own. He brings smiles and laughter. Although he is a large golden retriever/yellow lab mix, his gentle eyes and demeanor invite attention and love.
At 7 years old he is a mature, strong, healthy boy. He loves to play ball, run far and fast, and leap in the air. Recently NASA’s courage and steadiness were tested by a mounted police officer in Sacramento.
With permission, he brought his horse close to NASA. When it leaned down and kissed NASA on the nose, NASA smiled.
“That’s a good dog,” said the officer.
CCI, a nonprofit organization based in Santa Rosa, trains and provides service, hearing, skilled companion and facility dogs.
For more information, call 707-577-1700, TDD 577-1756, or visit their website at www.caninecompanions.org.
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LAKEPORT – Five gang members were arrested Friday night after a man was stabbed in front of a restaurant near Library Park.
Lakeport Police Lt. Brad Rasmussen reported Saturday morning that the incident was reported at 7:57 p.m. Friday, when the Lake County Sheriff's dispatch center received a 911 call from a cell phone.
The incident reportedly happened in front of TNT on the Lake restaurant, at 1 First St., according to Rasmussen's report.
Three Lakeport Police units, assisted by two California Highway Patrol units and three Lake County Sheriff’s units, responded to the scene and located a 20-year-old male victim who had been stabbed numerous times, Rasmussen said.
Lakeport Fire Department medical units responded to the scene and transported the victim to Sutter Lakeside Hospital, said Rasmussen. However, the seriousness of the man's injuries resulted in his transport to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital by REACH.
Rasmussen said LPD officers identified and located five documented members of the Sureno street gang who were arrested within a few hours of the stabbing.
Arrested were 18-year-old Ricardo Tapia Muniz of Lakeport, for attempted murder with a felony criminal street gang enhancement; and Elias Hernandez, 19, of Lakeport, on conspiracy and attempted murder charges, also with the gang enhancement.
Muniz and Hernandez are being held in the Lake County Jail, with bail set at $155,000 for Muniz and $150,000 for Hernandez, according to a jail official.
In addition, police arrested three male juveniles: a 14-year-old male from Lakeport, on conspiracy and attempted murder charges with the gang enhancement; a 16-year-old male from Lakeport, facing charges of attempted murder and a street gang enhancement; and a 17-year-old Lakeport resident, who is charged with conspiracy, attempted murder and the enhancement for street gangs. No bail has been set for any of the juveniles, who remain in Juvenile Hall.
Rasmussen said Saturday morning that LPD investigates and documents known street gang members and associated activity within the city limits.
Three officers, led by Det. Norm Taylor, are responsible for that effort, said Rasmussen. All are trained in dealing with gangs, and they're assigned to gang investigations such as this one.
“This is why we were able to quickly locate and arrest the five gang members,” Rasmussen said. “Documented Sureno street gang members have been responsible for other crimes in Lakeport in the past.”
Rasmussen said the investigation into the stabbing will continue through the weekend.
Know Gangs, an organization that provides training about gangs for law enforcement, reports that the Surenos street gang developed in the 1960s out of the Mexican Mafia, which itself emerged during the 1950s in the California prison system.
In the late 1960s Nuestra Familia formed, Know Gangs reports. Most of Nuestra Familia's members were from Northern California, so they became known as the Nortenos, or Northerners. Out of the Mexican Mafia came young men from Southern California then took on the Surenos, or Southerners, moniker, Know Gangs reported.
Surenos are separate today from the Mexican Mafia, according to Know Gangs. They use the number 13 and its variations – XIII, X3, 13 – as well as the letter M (the alphabet's 13th letter) and “Sur” in graffiti and tattoos. Their chosen color is blue, and their
The gangs' presence is noted in local graffiti, especially in the Kelseyville area.
Know Gangs reports that the Surenos is the nation's largest street gang, with members found in every state in the nation.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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LAKEPORT – Despite weather delays during February and plenty of unexpected repair work, work on the Westshore Pool is moving forward, with the pool expected to be ready for action this summer.
At its Feb. 6 meeting, the council awarded a $313,370 bid for renovating the pool to Pleasanton-based Pool Time, which was the only company to submit a bid on the project.
The renovations, according to city staff, are funded primarily by Measure I proceeds, along with a $168,000 state grant.
City Engineer Scott Harter reported Pool Time began work on the pool Feb. 12.
Since work got under way, there have been several discoveries that weren't expected in the original project scope, Harter said.
Those included Pool Time's finding that parts of the pool, such as the main drain, needed to be re-plumbed due to leaks. That resulted in having to remove parts of the pool wall, which will have to be replaced with a special kind of concrete.
As a result, Pool Time Project Manager Bob Dwyer has attended the last few City Council meetings to ask for contract change orders to cover additional costs.
While the council grumbled about the requests, they ultimately approved them, saying they felt the community had made clear its desire for the pool's renovation.
“The pool has never been one of my favorite items, but if we're going to fix it, we're going to fix it right," Mayor Roy Parmentier said at the council's Feb. 20 meeting.
During a special council meeting on March 9, the council asked Dwyer to come and answer questions about the project, which he did as part of asking for a fourth change order.
The council approved that order, bringing the total cost of the pool now to $370,515.
Dwyer, who has been building and remodeling pools in 1973, said delays during remodeling projects aren't uncommon.
He's had about a week's worth of delays due to rainy weather in February and that, along with the other renovation issues, has caused him to be little behind in his timeline. However, Dwyer said he expects to be finished in time for the summer season.
Harter said the local swim team start training in May.
In his meetings with the council, Dwyer said he felt they've been receptive to the issues with the pool.
When the work is done, said Dwyer, “Everybody will be very pleased. It will look so much cleaner than before.”
That's because it will have new coping, tile and plaster, and 75-percent new plumbing, Dwyer said. In fact, everything but the pool floor has been completely replumbed, he added.
There is some electric repair that remains, he said, but for the most part, he believes most of the surprises are past.
“I think we've discovered most of the stuff that is extra, above and beyond the original contract scope,” he said.
Remodeling the pool will make it essentially brand-new, he said, for less than half of what it would cost to build a new pool.
He said he has plans to build a new pool for the City of East Palo Alto that will be 4,300 square feet, about the same size as Westshore. That project, he said, will cost about $1 million.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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In Lake County, there appears to have been a slight increase both in fatal collisions and the resulting fatalities.
CHP said increased enforcement, along with education, resulted in lives saved statewide.
Highway collision fatalities decreased 9.22 percent in 2006, with 3,907 collision fatalities compared to 4,304 in 2005. Statewide, there were 3,542 fatal collision in 2006, down from 3,822 in 2005.
Jaime Coffee of the Sacramento CHP Office reported that fatal collisions in Lake County in 2005 numbered 12, with 13 victims killed. Statistics for 2006, which she said were preliminary and only extended through September, listed 16 fatal collisions and 20 victims killed.
The county's fatality statistics over the last 10 years show a steady overall increase, with some years showing notable drops. (See graph below.)
“While I am saddened to see these deaths, I am pleased to see what appears to be a substantial reduction in the number of casualties,” said CHP Commissioner Mike Brown. “The projected reduction reflects the emphasis the CHP places on safety.”
CHP said its goals include preventing death, injury and property damage. The indicator of a state’s relative success in traffic safety is represented by the number of traffic fatalities per every 100 million miles of vehicle travel, referred to as the Mileage Death Rate (MDR). The MDR is affected by both increased educational and enforcement efforts.
“Early indications are that California’s estimated mileage death rate in 2006 is 1.21, that’s a dramatic improvement from the previous year’s 1.31 if that holds up,” said Brown.
The MDR won’t be official until the third quarter of 2007 when all data elements are finalized.
“These projected reductions in collisions and victims killed are primarily the result of increased enforcement and education in the three main causes of fatal crashes – seat belt usage, DUIs and speeding,” Brown added.
The preliminary figures were also good news at the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS).
OTS awards grants to agencies throughout the state for programs aimed at reducing deaths and injuries on California's roadways.
In the last year OTS awarded $103 million to 290 agencies, more funding to more agencies than ever before, with greater emphasis on combating DUI offenders, increasing seat belt use and promoting public awareness campaigns.
DUI arrests statewide rose 4 percent between 2005 and 2006, going from 89,944 to 93.690. In Lake County, 2005 DUI arrests numbered 360, compared to a preliminary estimate of 411 for 2006 (for 10 years of Lake County DUI statistics, see graph below).
The Lake County District Attorney's Office received an OTS grant last year, according to District Attorney Jon Hopkins. The funds, said Hopkins, were used to create a new DUI Vertical Prosecution Unit and fund a prosecutor whose sole function is to work DUI cases. The unit won its first prosecution in February.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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