Police & Courts

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The midyear budget review, a report on the financial situation of a local nonprofit and a new sheriff's substation location in Middletown will go before the Board of Supervisors when it meets this week.

 

The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15, in the board chambers at the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport. TV8 will broadcast the meeting live.

 

In an untimed item, County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox will give the board the midyear budget report and ask the supervisors to consider a proposed resolution revising revenue estimates, adjusting appropriations and appropriating designations in the fiscal year 2010-11 budget. The proposed resolution also would revise the position allocation for selected budget units.

 

When the board approved the budget last September, it totaled approximately $189,759,308, as Lake County News has reported.

 

Cox told Lake County News that, once all the requested adjustments are made, the budget's bottom line will decrease by approximately $700,000.

 

“This is largely due to adjustments in the Social Services budget because the federal government didn’t renew stimulus funding several months ago for a special subsidized employment program that we previously participated in,” he said. “The elimination of that program resulted in reducing revenues and appropriations so it decreases the bottom line on the total budget but has no impact on the general fund.”

 

The general fund, as approved last year, totaled $52.9 million.

 

Cox noted in his report that the budget remains in balance but requires some adjustments to reflect changes that have taken place since the budget documents approval by the board last September.

 

He reported that, unlike last year, “we are not experiencing significant midyear declines in sales tax and transient occupancy tax. The major area of concern this year, in terms of locally generated revenues, is property tax and the possibility of experiencing a second straight year of decline in the property tax roll values.”

 

His report explained that certain revenue declines can be offset by increases in other revenue estimates “and a much larger fund balance carryover than previously projected,” which he said will also allow an increase by a “significant amount” in the appropriation in the general fund contingencies budget.

 

At 10:15 a.m. the board has asked for an updated from Lake County Community Action Agency on its financial challenges and ability to assume additional contractual and service obligations.

 

At that time the board also will consider approving the second amendment to the agreement between the county of Lake and LCCAA's New Beginnings Highland High School and Carlé High School. The agreement, covering fiscal year 2010-11, provides alcohol and drug counseling in an amount not to exceed $200,000.

 

The board declined to approve the updated contract at its Feb. 1 meeting due to concerns about the agency's financial situation, which includes being behind in federal payroll taxes by an estimated $100,000, according to a letter from Cox to LCCAA Executive Director Georgina Lehne.

 

At 10:45 a.m. Sheriff Frank Rivero has asked to discuss with the board options for developing a new Middletown/South County area substation for his department. Earlier this month the board approved terminating the lease for the current Middletown substation.

 

On Tuesday the board also will hold a closed session to discuss labor negotiations; existing litigation, In re Boeger Land Development and Rogers v. County of Lake, et al.; conduct a performance evaluation on Registrar of Voters Diane Fridley; and consider proposed findings of fact for Public Employee Disciplinary Appeal No. EDA 2010-03, Government Code Section 54957.

 

Other items on the agenda include the following.

 

Timed items

 

9 a.m.: Approval of consent agenda, which includes items that are expected to be routine and noncontroversial, and will be acted upon by the board at one time without discussion; presentation of animals available for adoption at Lake County Animal Care and Control; consideration of items not appearing on the posted agenda, and contract change orders for current construction projects.

 

9:05 a.m.: Citizen's input. Any person may speak for three minutes about any subject of concern, provided that it is within the jurisdiction of the Board of Supervisors and is not already on the agenda. Prior to this time, speakers must fill out a slip giving name, address and subject (available in the clerk of the board’s office, first floor, courthouse).

 

9:15 a.m.: Hearing, nuisance abatement - 6930 Top Drive, Nice, CA (APN 031-174-33 - Alexander Newfield and Charity Newfield).

 

9:30 a.m.: Public hearing: discussion/consideration of proposed ordinance amending Section 721 of the Sewer Use Ordinance (Appendix A), increasing charges for accepting discharge from septic haulers at the Southeast and Northwest Regional Sanitation Wastewater Treatment facilities.

 

9:45 a.m.: Public hearing: Discussion/consideration of proposed urgency measure adopting an interim ordinance extending temporary restrictions upon connections to the Southeast Regional Wastewater System.

 

10 a.m.: Presentation of report from the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program of Mendocino/Lake County regarding local program developments.

 

11 a.m.: Consideration of proposed letter urging the state to not eliminate the Multi-Purpose Senior Services Program from the state budget.

 

Nontimed items

 

Supervisors’ weekly calendar, travel and reports.

 

Consideration of appointments to the following: Big Valley Groundwater Management Zone Commission, Building Board of Appeals and Clear Lake Advisory Committee.

 

Discussion/consideration of proposed ordinance amending Chapter 4 of the Lake County Code establishing fees for dog and cat licensing, redemptions and other services provided by Lake County Animal Care and Control (Reflecting an increase in cat licensing and special cremation fees). Second reading, advanced from Feb. 8.

 

Discussion/consideration of proposed ordinance adding Subsection 14.8 to Section 4-14 of Chapter 4 of the Lake County Code providing for modifications/removal of existing vicious animal orders (enabling the owner/possessor of a vicious animal to petition for a hearing before the Board of Supervisors in order to request a modification or removal of their existing vicious animal order after three years). Second reading, advanced from Feb. 8.

 

Request to approve lease for an office building at 6302 13th Ave., Lucerne, for the Mental Health Department.

 

Consideration of proposed alterations in the structure of the Treasury Oversight Committee.

 

Consideration of request for out-of-state travel for Invasive Species Program Coordinator Carolyn Ruttan to attend the Aquatic Plant Management Society Inc. Conference in Westminster, Colo., March 28-30, 2011.

 

Consent agenda

 

Approve minutes of the Board of Supervisors meeting held on Feb. 8, 2011.

 

Adopt resolution approving Agreement No. 11-0007 with the state of California, Department of Food and Agriculture and authorizing execution of the contract and signature for insect trapping activities for fiscal year 2011-12.

 

Approve waiver of 900-hour limit for extra-help Client Services Assistant II employee, David Perata, as per staff memorandum, dated Jan. 28, 2011.

 

Approve the cooperative agreement between the county of Lake and the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) regarding the Lucerne Cutoff Roundabout (identifying respective responsibilities and associated costs for the construction of a roundabout at the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff) and authorize the chair to sign.

 

Approve contract between the county of Lake and Redwood Toxicology Laboratory Inc. for alcohol and drug testing services in an amount not to exceed $25,000, and authorize the chair to sign.

 

Authorize the clerk of the board to provide notice to Upper Lake Union Elementary School District that the Board of Supervisors will not authorize issuance of a 2010-11 Tax and Revenue Anticipation Note on behalf of the district, pursuant to Government Code Section 53853.

 

Adopt resolution authorizing the Special Districts administrator to sign a notice of completion for work performed under agreement dated Sept. 30, 2010 (temporary sewage lift station and force main improvements, Bid No. SD 11-03).

 

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The sheriff's office reported Saturday that investigative efforts over the past week have led to two felony arrests, the seizure of more than 30 grams of suspected methamphetamine and the seizure of more than $2,000 in currency that is the suspected profits of drug trafficking.


Capt. James Bauman reported that on Friday, Feb. 4, Sheriff's Narcotics Task Force members stopped a white Nissan pickup truck as it turned in to the Meadow Point Mobile Home Park in Upper Lake.


The driver, identified as 30-year-old Arturo Pacheco Valenzuela of Santa Rosa, was determined to have been driving on a suspended driver’s license and detained, Bauman said. During the detention, detectives noticed a large lump that appeared to be something concealed in his pants.


Valenzuela was searched incident to his arrest for driving on a suspended license. Bauman said the object concealed in Valenzuela's pants was retrieved and it was found to be more than 30 grams of suspected methamphetamine wrapped in plastic, foil and toilet paper.


Bauman said Valenzuela told detectives he had brought the drugs from Santa Rosa and had planned to sell it to “friends” he had in Lake County.


Nearly $500 was also retrieved from Valenzuela’s person and seized for asset forfeiture proceedings as the suspected profit of narcotics sales, Bauman said.


Bauman said Valenzuela was booked at the Lake County Jail on felony charges of possession for sales and transportation of a controlled substance, as well as misdemeanor driving on a suspended license.


Jail records indicated that his bail was set at $15,000, and that he later posted bail and was released


On Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 9, task force members observed 50-year-old Jane Dee Corbett of Nice commit a traffic violation in her red Honda Accord on Soda Bay Road in South Lakeport, Bauman said.


Detectives attempted a traffic stop on the Honda near Big Valley Road but Corbett ignored their emergency lights and continued driving southbound on Soda Bay Road for a distance of about four miles, Bauman said. Corbett continued down Soda Bay Road at a moderate speed, still ignoring attempts to stop her and continually veering onto the shoulder of the road or crossing over double yellow lines.


Bauman said detectives suspected Corbett’s failure to pull over and her erratic driving were both due to her attempts to conceal drugs or contraband before being stopped.


Corbett eventually pulled off of the roadway and stopped her car in a pear orchard on Gaddy Lane in Kelseyville. Bauman said detectives searched her vehicle as part of her arrest for obstructing a peace officer.


They found suspected methamphetamine, paraphernalia and other evidence of drug sales concealed in and around the center console of her car. He said the detectives also located two envelopes in the vehicle containing over $1,600 in currency. The money was seized for asset forfeiture proceedings as the suspected profit of narcotics sales.


Corbett was booked at the Lake County Jail on felony charges of possession for sales and transportation of a controlled substance, and misdemeanor charges of resisting or obstructing a peace officer, possession of narcotics paraphernalia, and destroying or concealing evidence of a crime, Bauman said.


Her bail also was set at $15,000, which she posted before being released, according to jail records.


The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force will continue its efforts to eradicate narcotics from the communities of Lake County and seize suspected profits from narcotics sales for asset forfeiture proceedings whenever possible, Bauman said.


Anyone with information that can assist the Task Force with this endeavor is encouraged to call the anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.


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LAKEPORT, Calif. – Police have narrowed in on two key suspects who they believe are responsible for some of the break-ins that have taken place in Lakeport over the last two months.

 

The burglaries, both residential and commercial, began during the last part of December, according to acting Police Chief Brad Rasmussen.

 

“We have separate suspects tied to at least one burglary each,” Rasmussen said.

 

On Dec. 30 the agency had issued a report regarding burglaries to businesses in the 100 block of Armstrong St. and 1800 block of N. High Street during the previous four days. At that time one home in the 1900 block of S. Main St. was also burglarized.

 

Rasmussen said police last week arrested 31-year-old Alejandro Javier Lopez of Lakeport in connection to the burglary of Second Time Around, one of the businesses in the High Street Shopping Center on N. High Street that was hit in December.

 

“The significant property taken was a laptop computer,” said Rasmussen.

 

On Feb. 3 police were contacted by the business owner who had received information about an individual who was seen with the stolen laptop. Rasmussen said police followed up, located the individual and found the computer matched.

 

The person who had the computer – who hasn't so far been charged in the case – said they purchased it from Lopez. Rasmussen said that night they located Lopez in the Lake County Jail, where he was being held for drugs and weapons charges.

 

Following an interview police had the burglary charge added on to Lopez's booking record, said Rasmussen. “Right now we have a solid case on him.”

 

As for the other burglaries that occurred on Armstrong, N. High and S. Main in late December, “We believe it's a possibility that he was involved with other burglaries,” said Rasmussen.

 

Among the major burglaries police are continuing to investigate is the Jan. 4 break-in at T A C Studios and Salon on S. Main Street, where an estimated $8,400 in equipment – cameras, camera lenses, a laptop computer and other miscellaneous equipment was taken, said Rasmussen.

 

Nearly two weeks later there was another burglary with a significant loss. Rasmussen said S&K Automotive on S. Main was burglarized, and more than $7,600 in tools, parts and cash were taken.

 

In that case police have identified a suspect and submitted a case to the District Attorney's Office for prosecution, said Rasmussen.

 

However, Rasmussen said they're not releasing the suspect's name, as the person is being actively sought.

 

The suspect also has been tied to transferring a Yamaha motorcycle that was stolen last July in a burglary that took place in the sheriff's jurisdiction, Rasmussen said. He said the motorcycle later was recovered.

 

Rasmussen said there are several other burglary cases in the city that still aren't solved.

 

They include a burglary on Jan. 7 at an optometrist's office on S. Main, on Jan. 13 at a residence in the 200 block of Martin Street, where electronics were stolen, and on Jan. 19 at a home where prescription medications were stolen. He said all of those break-ins are pending further leads and information.

 

Anyone with information on any of the burglaries is encouraged to call the Lakeport Police Department at 707-263-5491.

 

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Citing his own concerns about the Lakeport courthouse's security measures, the Lake County sheriff on Tuesday asked the Board of Supervisors to weigh in on options for improving the safety of court users, personnel and judges.

 

Sheriff Francisco Rivero asked the board for input ahead of a Wednesday meeting he's set to have with court Chief Executive Officer Mary Smith and a state Administrative Office of the Courts official.

 

Rivero's memo to the board had offered two options: one, in which all people – including county staff – would be screened when entering, and the second, which proposes moving screening equipment from inside the main entrance of the N. Forbes Street building and up to the fourth floor, where the Lake County Superior Court's Lakeport Division is located.

 

Rivero started off by correcting the second line of his memorandum to the board. The memo had stated that during a recent meeting of county department heads there was a unanimous vote in favor of the second proposed option.

 

He said that was not correct, that there was one vote against the option – that vote coming from District Attorney Don Anderson, who was in the audience for the discussion.

 

As for Rivero's take on the situation, “I'm relatively neutral on whether we secure the entire building or just secure the fourth floor,” he told the board.

 

He added that he wasn't neutral on giving the impression that the building was as secure as it should be.

 

Rivero – who as sheriff is statutorily responsible for providing court security – said he has spent a great deal of time considering the fourth floor's security measures before discussing them with Smith and County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox.

 

“It is my opinion that we are really not providing proper security for the courts or the building,” he said.

 

Having actual security will require “a fair bit of inconvenience,” said Rivero. “Everyone will have to be screened and you're probably going to get some complaints.”

 

He suggested that the alternative was moving it to the fourth floor, which he expects to discuss with Smith and the state representative on Wednesday. In advance of that meeting he wanted to bring the matter to the board and get its input.

 

Supervisor Rob Brown, who said he and Rivero have discussed the matter previously, stated, “I don't think it's any secret about how I originally felt about having the whole program here, and nothing's changed that,” he said, pointing to his opposition to the screening.

 

Brown said he's spoken to security staff, who have acknowledged deficiencies. “It's not effective. It's purely symbolic.”

 

The fourth floor is where the measures are needed, said Brown. However, he said he didn't feel it was time to give direction ahead of Rivero's meeting with court officials.

 

One option, said Brown, is to wait until the new Lakeport courthouse is built and have proper security established effectively there.

 

He said there appear to be space constraints in putting the screening station on the fourth floor, and relating to Rivero's proposal to let only one elevator access the fourth floor, said it gets very crowded now when only one elevator can go there.

 

“I don't know exactly what the answer is,” said Brown, adding it's important to meet with court staff.

 

Rivero wanted to clarify that he wasn't criticizing the screening process, explaining that the building was “porous,” with people holding doors open and allowing others to enter unscreened.

 

“To the extent that the problem can be fixed, we have to give it a try,” said Rivero.

 

His proposal to fix the situation is multifaceted, including limiting the number of people accessing he fourth floor, using video arraignments and moving some hearings to the Clearlake courthouse on Dam Road Extension. “That's a lot easier facility for me to secure than the fourth floor of this building.”

 

In order to secure the entire Lakeport courthouse building, Rivero said he will incur expenses not covered by the funds appropriated to him by the state for court security.

 

“I hope the board understands that I have a constitutional obligation to do the best I can to make sure the judges are safe,” he said.

 

Rivero added that he doesn't feel safe signing the memorandum of understanding with the state for the judges' safety. “There's no security up there to speak of at this time.”

 

Supervisor Anthony Farrington said safety isn't just an issue on the fourth floor, pointing out there is bulletproof glass on the counter windows at the tax collector's office on the second floor.

 

Building security is “not as tight as it should be,” said Farrington, adding that he feels the screeners do a good job.

 

Brown said that, given the two options of locking down the entire building or putting the screening equipment on the fourth floor, “I'm not interested in locking this place down.”

 

He added, “I think we were fine to begin with.”

 

Supervisor Denise Rushing asked about the consequences of Rivero not certifying the building as safe.

 

“The major consequence is having someone get injured or killed on the fourth floor,” Rivero replied. “It's a real possibility.”

 

Rushing said one of the reasons the state is building a new courthouse is that the Lakeport courthouse facility was found to be inadequate.

 

Rivero said he felt his proposals for video conferences and moving hearings would alleviate security concerns. “The judges would have to cooperate.”

 

Cox told the board that when Rivero brought the matter to him, he explained that when the board originally was approached about the security concerns the board “was less than enthusiastic about it,” preferring screening be on the fourth floor.

 

He said the county was advised that it was impossible to locate the screening equipment on the fourth floor due to space.

 

“The sheriff believes there is a way to do it,” and if so the department heads would prefer it, said Cox. “I tend to think that's what the board preferred when you originally approved this.”

 

He said the main concern has not been so much about county employees having to be screened but how the general public is affected.

 

“There is some impact on the general public that is not doing business with the courts, and I am concerned about that,” said Cox. “We want the public to feel welcome in this building. It's their building.”

 

Cox encouraged Rivero to look into it further.

 

Board Chair Jim Comstock suggested that if everyone needs to be screened, they're inhibiting people from conducting business at the courthouse.

 

Supervisor Jeff Smith wanted to give Rivero a chance to meet with the judges and see if screening can be moved to the fourth floor.

 

In weighing in on the matter, Anderson told the board that it was his understanding that the state wouldn't allow the screening equipment on the fourth floor, and cited potential problems with fire codes and the lack of Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant bathrooms on the fourth floor.

 

He said that would mean people in wheelchairs would have to go back down to the first floor to use restrooms there, necessitating multiple trips through the screening station.

 

His biggest problem was no exception to screening, which he said would require victims, witnesses and investigators to stand in line along with the criminal element they're going up against in court.

 

Anderson also was concerned that his investigators don't have direct access to the fourth floor. He said at any one time his department has seven to eight armed officers, which he suggested would be the largest and quickest law enforcement response available if something happens in the courthouse.

 

But he didn't like that his officers would have to access the fourth floor by elevator. “I'm not going to put my officers in jeopardy.”

 

He said he also didn't want his armed officers to be screened. “We're willing to work with you but I don't like the no exceptions proposal for the screening process,” he said, because he believed it would jeopardize victims, witnesses and district attorney staff.

 

Brown said he had seen a child witness having to to through the screening process once, as that originally was going on but since has been modified.

 

Rivero said in response to Anderson's statement about ADA compliance, “Limiting screening to the fourth floor does not limit that at all,” and that it wouldn't violate ADA guidelines.

 

He continued that he doesn't know that the state won't allow the screening equipment to be moved upstairs. “They're the ones putting the obligation on me to protect the judges,” Rivero said, adding he would sleep better if the onus for the judges' security were taken off of him.

 

Rivero said it's “preposterous” to screen armed investigators, but said all other county employees would be subject to it. Everytime there is an exception to the rule there is a breakdown, he said, adding that families and friends of victims have been known to kill people in courtrooms.

 

Brown said the county looked at those kinds of incidents and found that most had happened in buildings with security measures.

 

In response to Anderson's statement about his staff being first responders to courthouse emergencies, Rivero said his bailiffs are the first responders in such cases.

 

As Anderson explained how he wanted his staff to be able to access the courthouse from another entrance as they usually do, Rivero replied, “You're asking me to lessen the security that I’m saying isn’t enough.”

 

Comstock suggested Rivero and Anderson needed to discuss the matter one on one.

 

Brown told Rivero, “I think we would be open to any option” once he's met with court staff.

 

Rushing said the board did vote for the security measures initially with the understanding that there would not be long lines of county employees.

 

“If we need to go there we need to reconsider that decision,” she said.

 

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Over the past two weeks the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force have served several search warrants, made several felony and misdemeanor arrests, and seized methamphetamine, marijuana and currency as part of a continuing effort to battle drug sales and distribution in Lake County.

 

Capt. James Bauman said that the efforts resulted in the arrests of a total of five individuals between Jan. 20 and Feb. 1.

 

Bauman said that on the morning of Jan. 20, task force members secured a search warrant for the person, home and vehicle of 47-year-old Michele Ann Survine of Lucerne. Survine was located later that day in her vehicle parked at the Lucerne Harbor Park.

 

While Survine was detained, both her vehicle and her home located several blocks away were searched simultaneously, Bauman said. Currency, the suspected profit of drug trafficking, was seized for asset forfeiture proceedings from Survine’s vehicle as a result of that search.

 

When detectives entered Survine's home, they located a radio scanner in one of the bedrooms. Bauman said the scanner was actively monitoring the sheriff’s primary radio frequency.

 

Two bags of suspected methamphetamine and two baggies of marijuana were located in separate dresser drawers. Bauman said a digital scale and other evidence of sales were also found in the home.

 

Survine was subsequently arrested and booked at the Lake County Jail on felony charges of possessing a controlled substance for sale and possessing marijuana for sale, Bauman said.

 

On Jan. 25, task force members served a search warrant at the home of 59-year-old Deborah Ann Andres in Nice. Andres' was home at the time of the warrant service and several other subjects were detained as well, Bauman said.

 

While Andres was detained, detectives located a large sum of currency, a lock box containing various amounts of suspected methamphetamine and evidence of selling methamphetamine in one bedroom, Bauman said.

 

In another bedroom, detectives found several plastic storage bins containing processed marijuana, scales, drying racks, packaging, and other evidence of the sales of marijuana. Bauman said detectives also found the home had been equipped with a video surveillance system.

 

Andres was arrested for felony possession and possession for sales of both methamphetamine and marijuana. Bauman said methamphetamine and more than 20 pounds of processed marijuana were seized from the home, and $5,255 in currency also was seized for asset forfeiture proceedings.

 

One of the other people found in the home, 46-year-old Judy Lynn Colon of Nice, also was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance.

 

On Jan. 28 the Narcotics Task Force served a search warrant on 54-year-old Ronald Clyde Westfall of Lakeport. Bauman said the warrant had been secured the previous week after some methamphetamine was found on the floor of the Konocti Vista Casino and Westfall had been identified through video surveillance as the person who dropped it.

 

Detectives located Westfall driving through the city of Lakeport in his Ford van and had a Lakeport Police patrol unit conduct a traffic stop on the van, Bauman said.

 

Westfall was determined to be under the influence of a controlled substance and arrested. Bauman said he was transported to his home where detectives searched the premises pursuant to the warrant.

 

Detectives located several pounds of marijuana and some paraphernalia indicating methamphetamine use. Bauman said the marijuana was not seized as he possessed a valid medicinal marijuana card.

 

Westfall was transported to the Lake County Jail where he was booked for the misdemeanor “under the influence” charge, according to Bauman.

 

This past Tuesday, Feb. 1, task force detectives spotted a motorcycle with expired registration tags occupied by two men pulling into the North Shore Sentry Market in Nice, Bauman reported.

 

Bauman said that when detectives contacted the two men, the passenger, 40-year-old Charles Alan Bivin of Ukiah, tried to conceal two containers in his sweatshirt and he appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance. Further examination of Bivin confirmed he was under the influence and he was arrested.

 

Incident to his arrest, the containers in his sweatshirt were searched and found to contain narcotics paraphernalia and three separate amounts of suspected methamphetamine totaling 20.8 grams, Bauman said. A zipped case Bivin also had in his possession was found to contain more narcotics paraphernalia, a scale, and two separate amounts of marijuana.

 

Bivin was booked at the Lake County Jail on felony charges of possession of a controlled substance for sale, transportation of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana for sale, and misdemeanor charges of being under the influence of a controlled substance and possession of narcotics paraphernalia, Bauman said.

 

The sheriff's office said that the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force will continue its efforts to eradicate drugs from the communities of Lake County and seize suspected profits from narcotics sales for asset forfeiture proceedings whenever possible.

 

Anyone with information that can assist the task force with this endeavor is encouraged to call the anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.

 

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LAKEPORT, Calif. – Police are investigating another report of a Lakeport child being followed home from school by a stranger, although officials don't believe the two cases are connected.

 

The most recent incident was reported on Tuesday, according to acting Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen.

 

Rasmussen gave the Lakeport City Council an update on the situation at its meeting Tuesday night.

 

He said that a juvenile male and his mother contacted the Lakeport Police Department at around 4 p.m. Tuesday to make the report.

 

The boy was reportedly followed home about an hour and a half earlier in the area of Anastasia Drive and Hartley Street, Rasmussen said.

 

Police spent the afternoon investigating the report. Rasmussen said they immediately notified the Lakeport Unified School District and School Resource Officer Stephanie Green.

 

“We will do whatever we can to hopefully track down this individual,” Rasmussen told the council.

 

In a report released early Wednesday, Sgt. Jason Ferguson – who led the investigation – said the male juvenile was in the 800 block of Anastasia Drive when he saw a male subject who he believed was following him.

 

The boy described the subject as a middle-aged white male adult with very short brown hair, approximately 6 feet, 1 inches tall, and weighing 160 pounds. Ferguson said the man was last seen wearing a light blue, long-sleeved shirt and white shorts.

 

The previous report of a child being followed was made on Jan. 6 and involved a girl, as Lake County News has reported.

 

That child, followed home in the vicinity of Green Street – which an online map estimated is about a half a mile from the Anastasia Drive area – reported being trailed by a white male adult of average height and weight, with short brown hair, in his 30s, wearing dark clothing and sandals, police said.

 

Although the two incidents appear to be unrelated, both subjects are being sought for questioning and identification, Ferguson said.

 

Anyone with information leading to the possible identity of the subjects seen Tuesday and Jan. 6 is asked to contact the Lakeport Police Department, 707-263-5491.

 

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .

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