Tough financial times – with local residents and agencies trying to do more with less – plus high unemployment, controversial trials, disputed social issues and myriad other matters crowded into 2009's headlines.
To commemorate 2009, Lake County News is offering its own top 10 stories list for the year – which will be published in two parts on Thursday and Friday.
Top 10 lists tend to be subjective, so there's no guarantee that everyone will agree with the list, or even think it's close to encapsulating all of the main stories. There are sure to be items with which not everyone will agree.
The selections are based on many factors – readership, reaction, feedback and an attempt to look at them in the context of the county and its history.
The list recaps the top stories and, in some cases, offers important new updates.
It's important to note a few honorable mentions that weren't at the top of this year's list but likely will rank in 2010's top stories.
For one, numerous important campaigns for local county offices already are getting started, notably those for sheriff and district attorney.
There also is the growing concern about how to legislate medical marijuana in ways that are humane for users and sensible for local governments. The county of Lake and the city of Clearlake both are working to finalize zoning ordinances for medical marijuana dispensaries, which should be a prominent social issue for 2010.
AltaRock Energy began a geothermal drilling project in The Geysers this spring, using engineered geothermal systems, which sought to fracture deep bedrock to create more geothermal energy opportunities. But concerns about the project and its technology – believed responsible for thousands of earthquakes in Switzerland – led to greater scrutiny, and the project was later suspended and then abandoned, according to the Bureau of Land Management.
Measure C passed in Lakeport in November, restoring the rights of residents to use safe and sane fireworks after the Lakeport City Council banned them this spring. A committee has been formed to work on carrying out the measure, the results of which will be seen this coming July, when fireworks sales take place around the city once more.
Lakeport also is set to get a new courthouse in the next few years. A site selection process currently is under way to find the right location in Lakeport to locate the nearly $72 million project.
The Miss Lake County Scholarship Program faced a critical test this year, after a change in leadership and questions about the organization's scholarship resources came to light. The program didn't have a 2009 pageant, but plans are on for one to take place early in 2010.
Development projects should be notable in the coming year as well. Both Cristallago, proposed to be located near Lakeport, and Valley Oaks, near Middletown, received the Lake County Planning Commission's approval of their environmental impact reports this year, and are continuing forward in the approval process. Another development, Provinsalia, to be located in the city of Clearlake, is among the top 10 stories for 2009 and will be profiled on Friday.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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