How to resolve AdBlock issue? Tribal Health holds ‘brick breaking’ to launch redevelopment of Vista Point Shopping Center
LAKEPORT, Calif. — A major project to redevelop a property at a key entry point into the city of Lakeport while bringing more health options had its official launch on Wednesday.
The Lake County Tribal Health Consortium held an invitation-only “brick breaking” ceremony for the Vista Point Shopping Center on Wednesday morning, hosting tribal, city, county and community leaders.
True to its name, the event featured heavy equipment knocking down a front wall of a portion of the shopping center building that had once housed the Thrifty store but which for years has had no roof.
After the remainder of the asbestos is removed from the rest of the 98,000 square foot building, the entire structure will be demolished to make way for new development, Tribal Health leadership said.
It’s hoped that the project will be a blessing for generations to come.
“Today is a very special day,” not just for Tribal Health but for Lakeport and all of Lake County, said Ernesto Padilla, Tribal Health’s chief executive officer.
The plan Tribal Health has for the property includes the organization’s first mixed-use campus with retail. It will include new medical and administrative facilities, commercial space including retail and restaurants, and a bridge over Forbes Creek to connect it all to Tribal Health’s 11-acre main campus on Bevins Court.
Noting Lake County’s resilience in surviving floods, fires, a pandemic and political unrest, Padilla said their goal is to “move the dial” on the community’s health care.
Recalling the site’s history
Tribal Health purchased the nine acre site, located at 802 to 896 Lakeport Blvd., in 2024.
The shopping center, which sits at a key gateway into the city, was built in 1981.
Padilla and other speakers remembered the once-vibrant shopping center in its heyday decades ago, when it hosted a TG&Y, Thrifty, Montecito Market, a bank and a bowling alley.
District 4 Supervisor Brad Rasmussen said that for about 25 years the shopping center had been a hub of community activity. He said fellow supervisors EJ Crandell and Jessica Pyska also had their memories of it — Crandell recalling the ice cream at Thrifty and Pyska some flashy 1980s earrings she purchased at a store there.
Over time, however, Rasmussen said the shopping center deteriorated and became a shadow of its former self.
The city of Lakeport held the lease to the ground at the center, and in 2007 the Lakeport City Council decided to sell that lease.
After bids were submitted, the council sold the property’s lease for $1,001,000 to Matt Riveras, son-in-law of then-mayor Willis “Buzz” Bruns. The bid Riveras submitted was just $1,000 higher than the only other bidder, Superior Acquisitions. Riveras formed Donica LLC in October 2007 specifically to hold the property’s ownership.
Riveras told Lake County News in 2023 that he had spent years attempting to market the property.
At one point the Judicial Council of California had considered the site for its new Lakeport courthouse, but didn’t move forward because of the amount of money Riveras wanted for the site. Riveras said he had offered to sell them a three-acre portion of the property for $3 million, with the state only willing to pay $1.2 million for the property.
The new courthouse is now being built a short distance away at 675 Lakeport Blvd.
In late 2023, the city of Lakeport took a formal abatement action against Riveras due to the property’s condition.
Early in 2024, shortly after the city recorded the notice of nuisance filing on Donica LLC, City Manager Kevin Ingram told Lake County News that the city was made aware of the pending escrow with Lake County Tribal Health. After the sale was completed, Ingram said the city worked closely with Tribal Health to resolve the nuisance conditions.
Since then, Padilla and his team have been working on the project’s plan, with the firm Studio W completing plans and renderings.
Padilla said it’s now time to change the landscape.
Steve Rugg, Tribal Health's special projects manager, has overseen other major projects for the organization, including its Southshore Clinic which fully opened in May of 2023 in Clearlake.
Vista Point, Rugg said, is “the biggest project” yet — not just in size but also in scope and the opportunity that comes with it.
He said he told Padilla he would need help, so they are bringing in a new construction management firm. “Going forward is what this is all about.”
Rugg said the new development at Vista Point will resemble the Southshore Clinic. It will offer modern improvements and retail possibilities, including a restaurant or two, as well as the foot bridge connecting to the Bevins Court campus.
He said they will be moving into realms that Tribal Health hasn't been in before and that Vista Point will be turned into an interesting and provocative entry into Lakeport.
Rugg added that the project will put Tribal Health on the map like never before.
Community leaders like Rasmussen and Ingram were effusive in their praise of Tribal Health’s efforts.
Rasmussen lauded Tribal Health for its leadership, partnership and unwavering commitment to healthcare, and said as a result the site is getting a second chance that will improve the entire community through health, wellness and economic stability.
He added that the project shows what's possible when people work together toward a shared purpose.
Ingram called the new Vista Point a very creative and well-designed, thoughtful project, and he’s glad the viewshed will change.
“This is such a fantastic site,” said Ingram, adding that there are a lot of opportunities they’re not even fully aware of yet.
Ingram said he’s excited about the initial phase and what is to come, adding that he's tired of hearing about Lake County's low health scores.
The phases of work to come
Padilla told Lake County News that the work ahead is broken into key phases.
Phase 1A will include demolition of the main building, while the building that runs perpendicular to Lakeport Boulevard will remain, at least until a later phase of development.
He said keeping the building is due to their need for space. Tribal Health has 350 employees plus contractors at their campuses, with 200 in Lakeport alone. They plan to hire at least 100 more employees — for jobs ranging from clinical to administrative to fiscal — to backfill positions and expand.
That first development phase will include a new administrative building, Padilla said.
Padilla said Tribal Health has a master plan for development that takes into account all aspects of its properties.
That includes the wellness center on Craig Avenue, formerly known as Quail Run Fitness Center. Tribal Health purchased Quail Run in late 2023 and closed it to the public that December.
Phase 1A also involves revamping the northwest corner of the Quail Run property, which includes updating the physical therapy facility. Padilla said that, initially, the center will be open to Native American patients, with the goal of eventually being open to all 10,000 of Tribal Health’s patients, far surpassing the 200 to 300 memberships the health club had.
Phase 1B includes expanding pediatric and women’s health services, hiring more employees, and instituting more robust public and behavioral health efforts, Padilla said.
Padilla said Phase 1A is expected to have a 30-month time frame. So far, there is no time frame for Phase 1B.
Asked why they didn’t attempt to rehabilitate the existing structure, Padilla said they had to start again due to the structure’s condition, including its infrastructure above and below ground, and the fact it was built over a portion of Forbes Creek. Those conditions, he said, called for full demolition.
He said the cinder blocks that make up much of the building to be demolished will be crushed and used for road base.
“It was an opportunity to start fresh,” Padilla said.
Padilla plans to make presentations to the Lakeport City Council and the Board of Supervisors in the months to come regarding the project.
While federal legislation and actions are raising concerns across sectors including health, Padilla said their project so far hasn’t been impacted by tariffs.
Tribal Health’s operations have a measure of protection due to safeguards for Indian Health Service funding and its reimbursement rate, he said.
However, the federal legislation will impact eligibility of non-Native American patients, and Padilla said they’re waiting to see what the state will do in response.
“Just because Medicaid is getting cut doesn't mean people don't need the services,” Padilla said.
Padilla said Tribal Health is committed to protecting two longtime residents of the property in response to overwhelming community demand.
Those residents are Harold and Maude, the osprey pair who make their home in a large nest perched atop the Vista Point Shopping Center sign.
Padilla said Tribal Health received hundreds of comments of concern about the pair on its Facebook page.
Osprey pairs are known to remain together for years and to return to the same nest annually.
On Wednesday, Harold and Maude appeared to be watching the event with interest.
Padilla said they will be able to stay in their high-altitude home on top of the sign.
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Kelseyville Business Association cancels 2025 Día de la Independencia celebration
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. — The Kelseyville Business Association said Wednesday that it has made “the difficult decision” to cancel this year’s Día de la Independencia celebration, originally scheduled for September.
“This choice was not made lightly. Recent concerns regarding heightened immigration enforcement activity in the region have raised serious considerations about the safety and peace of mind of attendees — particularly the Hispanic community members who are the heart of this event,” the association said in its Wednesday statement.
“Día de la Independencia is meant to be a joyful gathering that honors culture, freedom, and unity,” the KBA said in its statement. “But we cannot, in good conscience, ask our community to come together under a climate of fear and uncertainty. No one should ever have to choose between celebrating their heritage and feeling safe.”
The Kelseyville Business Association said it reaffirms its solidarity with the Hispanic community and remains committed to creating inclusive, welcoming spaces where all feel protected and valued.
The organization said it will continue to work closely with local leaders and partners to ensure that future events reflect these values and can be celebrated without fear.
“The KBA thanks the community for its understanding, compassion and ongoing support,” the statement said.
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Shakespeare at the Lake: Why southern voices suit the bard
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Shakespeare at the Lake, we’re honoring tradition by breaking one.
This summer’s “Romeo 'n Juliet” won’t sound like the clipped British accents many expect from Shakespeare.
Instead, you’ll hear a distinctly American Southern dialect. It’s not a gimmick — it’s a return to something closer to the truth.
Linguists and historians agree that the way English sounded in Shakespeare’s time (a style known as “Original Pronunciation”) was far more rhotic than today’s British accent.
That means they pronounced their R’s loud and proud — more like what you’d hear in the hills of Appalachia or parts of the American South.
In fact, some experts suggest that these regions preserve elements of the Bard’s own sound better than modern London does.
When I first heard a line from “Romeo and Juliet” spoken in a soft Southern drawl, it clicked. The rhythm of iambic pentameter. The music in the vowels. It is truly magical. The words take on a new life and an ease of understanding, both for the speaker and listener.
When we first heard this theory, my wife and I tried it out. “To be or not to be,” “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet” and others from the top of our heads worked.
Then we started looking up whole speeches from plays and testing it more. It simply felt right. There was an ease of expression, and moreover, the challenging iambic pentameter became more simple and more informative with each line.
So we decided to give it a try this year, with “Romeo ‘n Juliet.”
Did it work? Well we want you to let us know. Come sit by the water. Listen and decide for yourself. We think you will enjoy it.
Shakespeare at the Lake is a co-production of Lake County Theatre Co. and Mendocino College.
All shows start at 7 p.m., and are free to the public.
On Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27, at Library Park in Lakeport, and Friday, Aug. 1, and Saturday, Aug. 2, at Austin Park in Clearlake you can enjoy live local theatre.
Bring your folding chair and come on down y’all!
John Tomlinson is director of Shakespeare at the Lake.
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Acting Gov. Kounalakis proclaims Disability Pride Month
Acting Gov. Eleni Kounalakis on Wednesday issued a proclamation declaring July 2025 as Disability Pride Month.
The text of the proclamation is below.
PROCLAMATION
California joins communities around the nation in recognizing July as Disability Pride Month, an opportunity to celebrate the many ways that people living with disabilities — whether visible or invisible, mobility or cognitive, vision or hearing, learning or sensory, developmental or acquired — add to the diversity and strength of our state.
Observed in July, Disability Pride Month marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a major civil rights milestone signed into law on July 26, 1990. Sponsored by California Congressman Tony Coelho, the ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, removing barriers to employment, transportation, public services, and other critical areas.
California is home to more than 7 million adults with disabilities and provides one in eight kids with disability services in schools. For decades, our state has played a pivotal role in promoting the inclusion and integration of people with disabilities in all aspects of life. In partnership with the Legislature, the Newsom Administration is working to expand educational opportunities, employment options, health, and homecare access, civil rights, and community living for people of all ages with disabilities. The state also continues to prioritize accessibility of all state services and is deepening our commitment to employment opportunities for people with disabilities within state service.
As we celebrate Disability Pride Month, let us reflect on the essential contributions of people with disabilities to our communities, our state, and our nation, and reaffirm our commitment to their rights and independence.
NOW THEREFORE I, ELENI KOUNALAKIS, Acting Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim July 2025 as “Disability Pride Month.”
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 8th day of July 2025.
ELENI KOUNALAKIS
Acting Governor of California
ATTEST:
SHIRLEY N. WEBER, Ph.D.
Secretary of State
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Disney’s Boat Rentals breaks ground on building at new Lakeshore Boulevard location
LAKEPORT, Calif. — A longtime family owned business is celebrating breaking ground on a building project that will significantly expand its operations and opportunities.
Community members, and business leaders and city leaders gathered with the Disney family for a groundbreaking at the site where the new Disney’s Boat Rentals will be located at 2200 Lakeshore Blvd. in Lakeport on Wednesday, July 2.
“We’re really, really excited. It’s been a long time coming,” said Brandon Disney, son of the founders and a Lakeport City Council member.
He said his family has been pouring their hearts and souls into the project.
Roy and Charlotte Disney, along with Roy’s brother, Kory Disney, founded the company in 1983.
Brandon Disney noted that, in a very real sense, the business was his parents’ first child. He was born 10 years after the business was founded.
Disney’s Boat Rentals is a true family affair. In addition to Roy, Charlotte, Kory and Brandon, there is Roy and Charlotte’s other children, Connor and Brenda.
The project is a big upgrade for the longtime business. It was in different locations in its early years — including Konocti Harbor and Willopoint — before arriving at its current location at 401 S. Main St. 31 years ago.
The new location, next door to the Lakeport Unified School District main campus, will be a significant upgrade in size for the business, which currently is housed in a 600-square foot building on one acre.
The site will feature a two-story building that’s just under 3,000 square feet. It sits on six acres, across from the lake, that the Disneys purchased in 2021.
They’ve been in the project planning stage ever since the purchase, Brandon Disney said.
Brandon Disney said the new building will include office space, storage, and a new retail store for snacks and drinks.
The building will go up on the only spot that isn’t in the flood plain and also will be elevated, Disney said.
Disney said they are preserving the oak trees on the property, with a goal of having it look like the state park.
The process to get to groundbreaking included a year of intense planning, leading up to approvals from the Lakeport Planning Commission in January and the Lake County Planning Commission, necessary due to the required lake variances, this spring, he said.
There will be two new docks across the street from the building on the lake. One will be 125 feet long and the second will be 100 feet long. The county needed to grant variances due to the length of the docks and the fact that there is a second dock, which isn’t for public use but for fueling and cleaning.
There will be a crosswalk with rapid flashing beacons and advance warning to help with traffic as the Disneys, their employees and customers make their way back and forth to the lake.
Excavation and site prep started the week before the ribbon cutting. The footings are set to be dug this week, with concrete to be poured next week or later.
Brandon Disney said they received the building permit the day before the ground breaking, “Which was icing on the cake because we planned this.”
At the new Lakeshore Boulevard location, Disney said they can expand and improve efficiency, which excites him.
He said they’re also excited to be out of downtown, because now downtown is a destination for their customers to visit.
Connor Disney said they want to be in the new building in the spring of 2026.
“Our goal is to operate our rental season here next year,” Brandon Disney said.
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