LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Community members interested in law enforcement are encouraged to sign up to participate in the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Citizens’ Academy, which begins next month.
Lt. Corey Paulich, the academy's director, said there are still spaces available for the academy's 18th session, scheduled to commence on May 26.
Paulich said applications must be received no later than May 16.
There is no cost to those attending the academy, however, Paulich said applicants must meet the following minimum qualifications:
– Be a resident or employed in Lake County; – At least 18 years of age; – No felony convictions; – No misdemeanor convictions within three years; – Able to attend all 14 sessions.
More information can be located by going to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Web site, www.lakesheriff.com .
Click on the “Summer 2016 Citizens’ Academy” link. There you will find information about the academy, along with application and instructions. Class size is limited to 25 students and is filling up.
For additional information, contact Lt. Paulich at 707-262-4200.
Question: My husband and I dive for abalone in Humboldt where we live. If we don’t consume them right away, we freeze them whole in the shell as the local wildlife officer advised us years ago.
I also work for a nonprofit hospice in Sutter County and they will soon have a fundraiser at a private house where many of our staff will prepare appetizers for 100 guests. I want to prepare abalone appetizers from three abalone that we already have tagged and frozen from last season.
The event is being professionally catered for the meal and dessert and so they are selling tickets, but no one is paying for or making money from the abalone I want to cook.
The abalone is such a minuscule part of the meal. I just want to make sure I am allowed to bring it to an event like this and I was not able to find anything specific about that in the regulations.
Please advise. Thank you. (Amy M.)
Answer: Sport-taken abalone may not be bought, sold, bartered or traded (Fish and Game Code, section 7121).
If sport-taken abalone are used for a nonprofit fundraising dinner, then the cost of attending the dinner must be advertised as a requested donation to the organization putting on the dinner.
In your situation, if you are just providing a few abalone for an appetizer, and as long as the dinner is not advertised to contain abalone in order to sell more tickets to the fundraising dinner, you are not in violation of the law.
Are blaze orange hunting vests required in the field?
Question: I recently completed my hunter safety education course, got my license and went hunting with a small group on private land.
None of us wore hunter safety orange vests as we were all together at all times and in each other’s line of sights. I see hunting shows where they sometimes don’t wear the orange hunter vests either.
When do you wear the vests? Is it acceptable to not wear them while on private land when you’re with a small group and know where everyone is? Or, do you have to wear blaze orange all the time while hunting? (Joseph L.)
Answer: Though some states require hunters (especially when hunting upland game) to wear blaze orange all the time while in the field for safety reasons, in California it is not required.
It is a good idea to wear this distinctive color whenever possible for your safety as it does help you to stand out. You’ll find that orange is being incorporated more and more into hunting camouflage patterns to provide greater safety.
One thing to note for deer hunting, deer cannot detect the color orange. To deer, orange looks gray.
Can local police issue Fish and Game citations?
Question: Can local police issue a violation for no fishing license? (Phil F.)
Answer: Yes, they are authorized to cite people who are breaking fish and wildlife laws but in many cases they will contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and turn the case over to our wildlife officers.
Shooting clay pigeons in dove fields when doves out of season?
Question: Is it legal to shoot clay pigeons in the same fields that I use for dove hunting when doves are not in season? (Richard X.)
Answer: Fish and Game laws do not generally cover target practice. However, Fish and Game law does prohibit target practice on most state wildlife areas, except in specifically designated areas that are identified as such.
Keep in mind that shooting clay tar gets produces a lot of litter. Please make sure you have the property owner’s permission before you do it and comply with their requirements regarding cleanup.
Glasses when abalone diving
Question: I wear reading glasses. I don’t like to take my glasses on the beach or in the water with me because I don’t want them to get scratched. However, without my glasses, I cannot clearly read the abalone report cards.
Last season I accidentally used the wrong tag (one that was not in sequential order) because I could not read the numbers. What can I do to make this easier? (Zoe D., Trinidad)
Answer: I can empathize with your frustrations. You may want to consider including non-prescription reading glasses and/or a small magnifying glass in your dive bag or innertube. Either can be purchased at many convenience stores for under $15.
At least with these you would not have to risk losing or breaking your prescription glasses and you will be able to comply with the regulations.
Carrie Wilson is a marine environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. While she cannot personally answer everyone’s questions, she will select a few to answer each week in this column. Please contact her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake Police officers on Wednesday made one arrest and seized weapons connected to a 1,000-plant marijuana grow discovered during the response to a loud music call.
Ramon Valencia, 49, of Ukiah was taken into custody during the investigation, according to Lt. Tim Celli.
At about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday Clearlake Police officers responded to the 14000 block of Konocti Street for a report of loud music, Celli said.
When the officers arrived, Celli said they contacted Valencia, who was standing behind his vehicle in the driveway, which was within just a few feet of the roadway.
Valencia showed numerous objective signs of alcohol intoxication to the point the officers determined Valencia was unable to care for his safety or the safety of others. He was subsequently arrested for public intoxication, Celli said.
Celli said a 9-millimeter semi-automatic pistol was in plain view on the front passenger seat of his unsecured vehicle. The vehicle windows were down and the vehicle was unlocked. Additionally, officers observed the gate to the backyard and the side door to the residence was open.
Valencia denied living at the residence or being involved with the residence in any way. Based on the fact Valencia was in possession of a firearm and the doors to the residence were open, along with his statements that he did not live there, officers attempted to make contact with someone else at the residence, Celli said.
He said the officers were unable to make contact with anyone at the home, and were concerned that someone may have been injured inside or another crime was occurring. Based on this belief and an exigency exemption, officers conducted a protective sweep of the open residence to make sure there were no victims of a crime located inside of the residence.
Officers did not locate anyone else in or on the property, however, they discovered the entire residence was converted into an indoor marijuana growing operation. Celli said every room beside the bathroom and the kitchen was being used to grow marijuana.
In addition, officers discovered two large “hoop houses” in the back yard that were both completely full of marijuana, Celli said.
Celli said the patrol officers collected the unsecured 9-millimeter handgun that was in Valencia’s vehicle for safe keeping and transported Valencia to the police station.
The patrol officers left the residence and alerted the investigation unit of what they had discovered. Celli said a Clearlake Police detective later authored a search warrant which was signed by a Lake County Superior Court judge authorizing the search of the residence and property to further investigate this large scale marijuana growing operation.
As a result of the search warrant service, 1,018 high grade marijuana plants in various stages of growth were seized, Celli said.
There were no living quarters inside the residence, however a makeshift room made out of plywood was located outside the residence, near the backyard and the two hoop houses, he said.
Located inside that makeshift room, forms of identification and other evidence belonging to Valencia were located. Celli said officers also located two additional semi-automatic pistols with a high capacity magazine, a glass methamphetamine pipe and other evidence linking Valencia to the property and the car in the driveway.
Valencia later was charged with felony violations for cultivation, being armed while in the commission of a felony and possession of a high capacity firearm magazine, Celli said.
His bail was set at $15,000. He remained in custody late Wednesday, according to booking records.
Anyone who has information regarding this investigation is encouraged to call Det. Elvis Cook at 707-994-8251, Extension 315.
Celli said the marijuana grow was clearly for a commercial purpose and therefore is being investigated as criminal grow site.
He reiterated that the Clearlake Police Department has no interest in legal medicinal marijuana grows that are in compliance with the city ordinance, and the agency recommends that any citizen desiring to grow medicinal marijuana follow the permit process or risk code violations and civil penalties through Code Enforcement.
Earlier this year a city ordinance went into effect that requires individuals to apply for a permit to grow medicinal marijuana in the Clearlake city limits. Information on the permit process can be located at the City of Clearlake Web site at www.clearlake.ca.us or at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake Police officers have arrested a Clearlake man believed to be involved in the cultivation and sales of marijuana.
David Russell Moses, 55, was taken into custody on Thursday after leading officers on a short foot pursuit when Officers attempted to contact him in connection with a search warrant service on property he owns, according to Lt. Tim Celli.
At around 8:30 p.m. Thursday Clearlake Police officers served two search warrants in the 3700 block of Pine Avenue, Celli said.
Celli said both locations were involved in the cultivation of marijuana. Evidence connecting a third location consisting of a remote gate opener linking the residence location was located inside one of the marijuana grow sites.
He said the third location was directly across the street from the two grow sites and also was discovered to be Moses' home.
On Friday, Celli said it was unknown if all three locations are linked, however, at least two of them have been connected.
As a result of the search warrant service, Celli said officers discovered one location contained two very large “hoop houses” in the backyard. Approximately 30 marijuana plants were located inside the hoop houses; however it appeared as though numerous marijuana plants had been recently removed from one of them.
No one was located at the residence however the gate opener for Moses’ house was located at this property. In addition, a canine belonging to Moses was also inside the fenced yard of this property, Celli said.
There was a medical recommendation at this location for the marijuana, however, there also was a written agreement located that indicated that the property was rented for the purpose of growing marijuana and once sold, profits would be shared. Celli said this was a clear indication that the grow site was for commercial purpose.
When officers went across the street to Moses’ house to contact him, he was observed by a police officer to be hiding in an adjacent wooded field next to his house. When officers attempted to contact him, he ran, leading officers on a short foot pursuit. Celli said Moses was taken into custody approximately 70 yards away.
Due to the evidence located at the grow site connecting Moses to it, a search warrant was obtained for Moses’ residence as well, Celli said.
After that search warrant was served, officers located a loaded shotgun in a room believed to be Moses’. Celli said Moses is prohibited from possessing any firearms due to his convicted felon status.
Officers also located other weapons such as a flashlight Taser and pepper spray, all of which he is prohibited from possessing, Celli said. Approximately 24 pounds of high grade, processed marijuana and indications that the marijuana was possessed for sale also were located at the residence.
Six growing marijuana plants were located at Moses’ house and were not seized. This was believed to be Moses' personal medicinal marijuana and therefore was not considered criminal, Celli said.
Moses was later booked into the Lake County Jail for possession of marijuana for sale, resisting arrest, felon in possession of firearm, possession of weapons prohibited by a felon and cultivation. His bail was set at $15,000, and jail records indicated he posted the required portion of bail and was released.
Celli said officers served another search warrant at a property two doors down from the first location. As a result of that search warrant service, approximately 3,329 marijuana plants in various stages of growth were seized. Also located at that property was a Glock handgun with an extended 32-round magazine.
Most of this residence had been converted into an indoor grow house. Celli said it appeared that the marijuana plants were started inside the residence and then the marijuana plants were moved outside.
The person responsible for this location has not been confirmed at this time and is still under investigation, Celli said. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Det. Elvis Cook, telephone 707-994-8251, Extension 315.
Celli said the Clearlake Police Department has no interest in legal medicinal marijuana grows that are in compliance with the city ordinance.
However, police highly recommend any citizen desiring to grow medicinal marijuana follow the permit process or risk code violations and civil penalties through Code Enforcement.
There is currently an ordinance in effect that requires individuals to apply for a permit to grow medicinal marijuana in the city of Clearlake. Information on the permit process can be located at the City of Clearlake Web site at www.clearlake.ca.us or at City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
Additionally, marijuana ordinance information has been disbursed to local businesses that deal with medicinal marijuana, such as the dispensaries and business involved in hydroponics. This ordinance will be enforced by the Code Enforcement Department.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Volunteers continue to provide an important, cost-saving service to the Lakeport Police Department, according to a report given this week to the Lakeport City Council.
Lakeport Police Lt. Jason Ferguson presented the annual volunteer hours report to the council at its regular Tuesday night meeting.
Ferguson was accompanied by Greg Scott, a retired Cal Fire employee who has been one of the police department's most dedicated volunteers.
Ferguson said it was important to recognize the volunteers. “They're instrumental in us being able to function everyday.”
The volunteers carry out many tasks for the agency, Ferguson said – from handling parade duty, traffic control generally and around the schools, and transporting evidence to the Department of Justice for processing.
All of that work means officers can stay on the streets, Ferguson said.
In 2015, Lakeport Police's six volunteers provided 1,169 hours of service, for a net savings to the city of $23,380, Ferguson said.
He said during the Valley fire, the department's volunteers provided around-the-clock patrols at the Lake County Fairgrounds, where hundreds of fire personnel and their vehicles were stationed, as well as at Westside Community Park, where additional apparatus and personnel stayed.
“They did a great job maintaining security there,” Ferguson said, adding that the fire departments and Cal Fire all were appreciative of the work Lakeport Police's volunteers did.
“Greg was one of those working around the clock to make sure that all that was protected and safe,” Ferguson said of Scott.
He added, “This volunteer group is a very dedicated group of individuals who provide these services at no cost to the city, but certainly at personal and financial cost to themselves.”
Mayor Marc Spillman came down from the dais to shake Scott's hand and thank him for helping the city during difficult times. The council and staff rose to give Scott a standing ovation.
Councilman Martin Scheel said the security at the fairgrounds arose from a discussion with Cal Fire and local officials about security concerns.
Scheel said Police Chief Brad Rasmussen was present for the discussion, and Rasmussen responded by offering to have his volunteers conduct the patrols.
It turned out that the Lakeport Police Department received some compensation for those services, which is going to equipment and uniforms, said Scheel.
Scheel said he knows some of the volunteers, and they have day jobs yet worked overnight shifts at that time. “That’s asking a lot of any citizen.”
The city is glad to have the volunteers, Scheel said, adding that Cal Fire appreciated having them there.
In addition to the 1,169 volunteer hours reported for 2015, volunteers gave 2,473.5 hours in 2014, 1,360 hours in 2013 and 1,950 hours for 2012, according to previous Lakeport Police Department reports.
Regarding the difference in hours in 2015 versus past years, Rasmussen told Lake County News that is attributed to the fact there are now about four fewer volunteers than in past years.
Even so, he said some of the current volunteers tend to work more hours than the average.
Also, in past years reserve officer hours were counted in the annual total, but Rasmussen said his agency did not have any reserve officers in 2015 as the two volunteer reserves were hired on full-time by January.
“And our remaining reserve is now part-time paid,” Rasmussen said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Police Department is preparing to roll out two new programs focusing on juvenile bicycle safety.
The programs will begin on Monday, April 11, according to Sgt. Rodd Joseph.
In the first program, Joseph said Clearlake Police officers will begin handing out bicycle safety vouchers to children found wearing bicycle helmets while riding bicycles on city streets, with the goal of encouraging safer bicycle riding practices.
In 2015, there were three traffic fatalities in Lake County involving children not wearing bicycle helmets while riding bicycles, Joseph said.
Wearing an approved bicycle helmet during a collision can prevent or minimize injury to the head and brain.
Pursuant to California Vehicle Code section 21212(a), all persons under the age of 18 years of age riding a bicycle or a skateboard upon a street are required to wear an approved bicycle helmet, Joseph said.
Joseph said this Vehicle Code section of law also allows parents and/or guardians to be held financially liable in situations where children are found in violation of the law.
The safety vouchers handed out by officers will entitle the child to receive one free donut at Castle Donuts, located at 14370 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake. Joseph said the child will need to present the safety voucher to claim their free donut.
To further help this mission, the Clearlake Police Department will begin handing out free bicycle helmets to children in need who reside within the city of Clearlake, Joseph said.
Joseph said children and young adults under the age of 18 years of age, preferably accompanied by a parent and/or guardian, can come to the Clearlake Police Department at 14050 Olympic Drive between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday to pick up a free bicycle helmet from School Resource Officer Joseph Myers or property and evidence Technician Nicki Burrell.
He said the child will need to be present to be properly sized.
These helmets were purchased by the Clearlake Police Department using asset forfeiture seizure monies, said Joseph, adding that the helmets will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis and quantities are limited.
The Clearlake Police Department thanked Castle Donuts for its generous donation to this bicycle safety program.
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