How to resolve AdBlock issue? CHP leads california’s charge in nationwide crackdown on organized retail crime
The California Highway Patrol takes a subject into custody during the National Organized Retail Crime Blitz. Photo courtesy of the California Highway Patrol.
The California Highway Patrol joined more than 100 law enforcement agencies and major retailers for a multi-day, National Organized Retail Crime Blitz.
As part of the coordinated effort, from May 26 to 30, the CHP conducted high-visibility enforcement operations throughout the state, focused on identifying and apprehending individuals and groups involved in large-scale retail theft and fencing operations.
The CHP played a key role in this effort by deploying its Organized Retail Crime Task Force, or ORCTF, which collaborated with local and state agencies to investigate and intercept criminal activity in shopping centers, malls, and high-traffic retail areas throughout California.
“Retail theft doesn’t stop at state lines — and neither do we,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “By working together with our law enforcement partners and retailers nationwide, we are sending a clear message: if you come to California to steal, we will be here to stop you.”
Throughout the statewide operation, the CHP made over 90 arrests, recovered nearly $153,000 worth of stolen merchandise, and identified multiple suspects linked to organized crime rings operating in and beyond California.
The CHP said these efforts reinforced the importance of intelligence sharing, real-time coordination, and proactive enforcement in deterring retail theft.
The operation also highlighted the role of technology, surveillance systems, and data-driven investigations in identifying repeat offenders and dismantling theft networks that contribute to broader public safety threats.
With organized retail crime being an escalating concern, California has implemented aggressive enforcement measures to disrupt these criminal enterprises.
Since 2019, California has invested $1.1 billion in public safety, including record funding to combat organized retail crime.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed bipartisan laws to give law enforcement stronger tools to fight theft, hold offenders accountable and adapt to evolving criminal tactics.
Since the inception of the ORCTF in 2019, the CHP has been involved in over 3,800 investigations, resulting in the arrest of more than 4,400 suspects and the recovery of nearly 1.4 million stolen goods, valued at over $58 million.
The CHP said it remains committed to protecting California’s businesses, supporting the safety of retail workers and customers, and continuing to build strong public-private partnerships to confront organized retail crime.
Some of the items recovered during the National Organized Retail Crime Blitz. Photo courtesy of the California Highway Patrol.
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
Middletown Art Center to host Juneteenth celebration
Clovice Lewis and Victor Hall at Hall’s Sounds of Liberation conversation in 2022. Photo courtesy of Middletown Art Center staff.
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. — The Middletown Art Center invites the public to the fifth annual Juneteenth celebration on Thursday, June 19.
The event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the center, located at 21456 Highway 175.
The celebration will feature storytelling and live music around the theme "What Juneteenth Means in 2025.”
Delicious food by Barbeque Biasotti, and beverages will be available for purchase.
The fifth annual Juneteenth celebration is free and open to the public and will be an indoor/outdoor event beginning in the gallery. Doors open at 5:45 p.m.
The evening’s conversation in the gallery will be moderated by Randall Cole, substance abuse counselor, member of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission, and author of "Felonies Before Birth.”
Distinguished guest speakers include Voris Brumfield, former County Supervisor District 1, and former pastor at Middletown Community United Methodist Church; Aqeela Markowski and Lynette LeFleche, co-hosts of KPFZ radio's "Women's Voices"; Community leader Delores Farrell; and Alan Sampson M.D.
Clovice Lewis, a highly respected Unitarian Universalist Minister, social activist and musician who was instrumental in the first Juneteenth Celebration at MAC in 2020, will offer opening remarks.
Victor Hall, a musician, educator and drum circle facilitator will join Lewis to play Jazz classics. They, with the other speakers, will be setting the tone for a meaningful and thought-provoking evening of celebration and remembrance.
After the conversation and musical performance, there will be R&B music with DJ Nick Hay and food and beverages for purchase outdoors.
Across the street Martin Pohl Organic & Biodynamic Wines will feature the first Thirsty Thursday event in the tasting room with live music by Shawn SanNicolas and food from Terped Out Kitchen, a collaboration with Middletown Area Merchants Association.
Juneteenth in Middletown is an excellent opportunity to come together in community and hear stories, and enjoy music, food, beverages and celebrate.
The Middletown Art Center is a vibrant cultural hub dedicated to promoting artistic expression, fostering dialogue, and cross-cultural connections. Learn more about the MAC and ways to support their vital work at middletownartcenter.org.
Call 707-809-8118 or email
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
Clearlake City Council to discuss new fiscal year budget
CLEARLAKE, Calif. — The Clearlake City Council this week will consider approving its new fiscal year budget ahead of the annual deadline.
The council will meet for a budget workshop at 5 p.m. Thursday, June 19, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive, before the regular meeting begins at 6 p.m.
The agenda can be found here.
The meeting will be broadcast live on the city's YouTube channel or the Lake County PEGTV YouTube Channel.
The council will start off with a fiscal year 2025/26 budget workshop.
After the regular meeting begins, the council will meet one of June’s adoptable dogs.
On Thursday the council will hold three public hearings: to adopt the new budget, the appropriations or Gann limit and the fiscal year 2025-26 fee schedule.
The city’s report on the budget, which can be found here on its OpenGov website, anticipates $81,034,188 in revenue and $83,149,510 in expenses for the coming fiscal year.
Under business, the council will consider authorizing City Manager Alan Flora to execute a contract for the demolition of structures and abatement of properties located at 15893 33rd Ave., 16721 Cache Creek Lane, 4800 Old Highway 53, 4782 Yarrington Court, 4030 Hayward Ave., 14042 Woodland Drive, 3228 Third St., 3297 Third St., 3152 Ninth St., 3426 12th St., 3307 13th St., 3188 14th St., 3059 Eastlake Drive and 3223 Eastlake Drive.
The council also will consider adopting a memorandum of understanding with the Clearlake Municipal Employees Association for July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
On the meeting's consent agenda — items that are considered routine in nature and usually adopted on a single vote — are warrants and council minutes; award of a contract to Tanko Lighting for the streetlight deficiency analysis in the amount of $35,000 and authorization for the city manager to approve up to 10% for additional unforeseen contract amendments; award of a contract with Poso Brothers Painting for the Senior Center Project in the amount of $42,800 and authorize the city manager to approve up to 10% for additional unforeseen contract amendments; amendment to the professional services agreement with Lucy & Co. for public relations and communications services; continuation of the director of emergency services/city manager proclamation declaring a local emergency for winter storms; continuation of director of emergency services/city manager proclamation declaring a local emergency for the Boyles Fire; consideration of Resolution No. 2025-25, approving a temporary street closure for Shakespeare at the Lake; and consideration of Resolution No. 2025-24, approving a temporary street closure for the annual Independence Day Parade on July 5.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Sign up for Summer Reading Challenge with your library
Children at the Redbud Library in Clearlake, California, show off their reading logs. Courtesy photo.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Get ready to embark on a summer of literary discovery and exciting rewards.
The Lake County Library announces that the Summer Reading Challenge has started once again.
By participating in the library's summer reading program, children, teens, and adults have a chance to win prizes, ranging from stickers and small toys for kids to fun gift baskets.
Participating in the library's Summer Reading Challenge is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to set personal reading goals and explore new genres.
For students, summer reading is a proven way to combat the "summer slide" and ensure they return to school ready for academic success.
Beyond the classroom, reading for pleasure also enriches vocabulary, sharpens critical thinking, and fosters a lifelong love of learning.
The Lake County Library offers engaging, tailored programs designed for all age groups: pre-K, kids, teens, and adults. Even the littlest readers who haven't yet mastered independent reading can join the fun, with parents and caregivers logging the books they share together.
The program started on June 5, but residents can still register for the summer reading challenge on the Library's website or in person at the library. Registration remains open until Aug. 5, ensuring ample time for signing up. To get started, simply visit http://library.lakecountyca.gov and click on the "Summer Reading" link.
Once registered, participants can dive into books and earn points by logging their reading progress either online or by visiting the library. Every type of material borrowed from the library counts towards their goals, including eBooks, print books, audiobooks, magazines, and even graphic novels and comics.
To make summer reading even more enjoyable, the library offers enticing prizes. Adults and teens have a chance to win exciting rewards through a prize drawing at the end of the program. Kids can earn fun toys and stickers.
Participants can also enter to win fun themed gift baskets by completing Library Missions to attend Library events.
For instance, attending the Lakeport Library Cookbook Club enters participants to win a fun crafting basket, while joining the Gamer’s Craft at the Middletown Library might earn a participant a gaming-themed basket.
Details about the various library missions are available on the Summer Reading program site and at your local branch.
The more points participants earn by reading, the higher their chances of winning. The prizes are generously provided by the Friends of the Lake County Library, a community non-profit membership organization.
Upon reaching 1,000 points, participants will also have a book donated to the library in their name by the Friends of the Lake County Library. The book will bear their name, commemorating their reading achievement, and they will have the privilege of being the first person to check it out.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to make your summer more exciting and rewarding with great reads and prizes! Register today at http://library.lakecountyca.gov to discover more about this exciting summer reading challenge.
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
Cal Fire suspends burn permits for North Bay counties
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA — After another wet winter and above average snowpack, warming temperatures and winds are quickly drying out the abundant annual grass crop.
The increasing fire danger posed by the high volume of dead grass and hotter, drier conditions in the region is prompting Cal Fire to suspend all burn permits for outdoor residential burning within the State Responsibility Areas of Colusa, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties.
This suspension takes effect Monday, June 23, at 8 a.m., and suspends all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris such as branches and leaves.
For Lake County, an annual burn ban is implemented each year by the Lake County Air Quality Management District beginning on May 1.
From January through June 15, the Cal Fire Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit has had 124 dispatches to wildfires. That number is up from what we saw over the same timeframe from the previous two years (92 in 2024 and 87 in 2023), but aligns with the previous five-year average.
From 2020-2024, the Cal Fire Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit averaged 147 wildfire dispatches between Jan. 1 and June 15.
While outdoor burning of landscape debris by homeowners is no longer allowed, Cal Fire is asking residents to take that extra time to ensure that they are prepared for wildfires.
Cal Fire asks residents to create defensible space — especially focus on Zone 0, the first 5 feet around your home. Start at your home and work your way out by clearing all dead and or dying vegetation around all structures, out to 100 feet from them where applicable.
The department may issue restricted temporary burning permits if there is an essential reason due to public health and safety.
Agriculture, land management, fire training and other industrial-type burning may proceed if a Cal Fire official inspects the burn site and issues a special permit.
The suspension of burn permits for residential landscape debris does not apply to campfires within organized campgrounds or on private property.
Campfires may be permitted if the campfire is maintained in such a manner as to prevent its spread to the wildland. A campfire permit can be obtained at local fire stations or online at
PreventWildfireCA.org.
For additional information on how to create Defensible Space, on how to be prepared for wildfires, as well as tips to prevent wildfires, visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org.
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
