LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A former Clearlake Police chief said he plans to run for sheriff in the next election.

Bob Chalk, 58, who retired as Clearlake's chief in December 2006, made the announcement Tuesday.

“I think something needs to be done,” Chalk told Lake County News.

The next election for sheriff is in 2014. Sheriff Frank Rivero, currently 19 months into his first term, has stated publicly that he does not plan to seek reelection but instead will support Undersheriff Pat Turturici.

Supervisor Jeff Smith, whose district includes Clearlake, said Chalk served the city well as police chief.

“I think he'll do a great job,” Smith said.

Chalk is a 32-year law enforcement veteran, who began his career with the Lake County Sheriff's Office in 1975.

He remained with the agency until 1981, when he accepted a police officer position with the newly formed Clearlake Police Department.

Over the next 12 years he worked his way up through the agency, becoming chief in 1993.

Chalk retired in 2006, and remains the city's longest serving police chief with nearly 14 years in the job.

He said he reduced crime in the city during his tenure, while at the same time balancing his department's budget, and increasing service levels and response times.

“I will bring proven leadership and a spirit of cooperation amongst all law enforcement agencies within Lake County and beyond,” Chalk said.

As sheriff/coroner, Chalk said he will focus on improved morale and increased delivery of services in a fiscally responsible manner.

Chalk said relationships between the sheriff's office and the county's many tribal councils and police agencies must be improved, adding that all of the county's law enforcement agencies must work together cooperatively in order to achieve the maximum safety both for citizens and law enforcement personnel.

He said recognition and support must be given to the sheriff's office's most valued asset, its hardworking men and women.

“These employees work day and night to provide public safety to all persons and communities within Lake County,” Chalk said.

Chalk advocates setting clear organizational values to guide employees as well as a proactive approach to law enforcement, which he said will reduce criminal conduct.

“As sheriff, I will direct enforcement activities that make it clear – Lake County will not tolerate criminal activity,” he said.

Chalk's announcement follows by just a few weeks a cursory discussion by the Board of Supervisors on a proposed no confidence vote on Rivero.

That vote originally was to have been held Tuesday morning, but Board Chair Rob Brown decided to delay it because of Rivero's ongoing legal claims against the county.

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LAKEPORT, Calif. – Police are continuing their investigation into an early morning fight last week that left a Northshore man with serious head injuries.

Lakeport Police responded to the report of a bar fight downtown early on the morning of Thursday, July 5, finding a 28-year-old man from Nice down in the street at the intersection of N. Main and Second streets, as Lake County News has reported.

Chief Brad Rasmussen said Saturday that the victim – whose name has not yet been released by police – remained in critical condition at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital.

Rasmussen said officers so far have not been able to speak to the victim, and hope to do so once the hospital notifies them that his condition has improved.

Since the fight took place, police have received a number of leads that are aiding their investigation, Rasmussen said.

“We expect to be able to solve this case,” Rasmussen said.

In connection with the assault, police also are investigating a break-in at a residence on Sixth Street that they believe was in retaliation for the fight.

Anyone with information regarding one or both of the incidents is asked to contact the Lakeport Police Department at 707-263-5491.

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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Police Department has received some much-needed – and, according to the agency, much-appreciated – grant funding from local Indian tribes.

The department received more than $17,000 from the Robinson Rancheria Pomo Indians and Big Valley Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians to offset casino impacts as part of a recent allocation from the Indian Gaming Special Distribution Fund.

The process not only netted the police department monies, but also further strengthened continuing partnerships, according to a Thursday report from Sgt. Dale Stoebe.

Statistical information showed that during the last calendar year the Lakeport Police Department, through mutual aid agreement with the Lake County Sheriffs Office, had responded to and assisted with a number of law enforcement calls for service at both locations.

That, coupled with services provided to casino employees and their children who reside in Lakeport, justified the tribes’ decisions to grant the funds, $10,000 and $7,242.75, respectively, Stoebe reported.

“The tribes have been giving back to the community in many ways for many years, including grant funds,” said Stoebe. “These monies have always been utilized by law enforcement fully to enhance the safety of that community.”

Stoebe added, “In these strained and uncertain financial times, those monies are just needed and appreciated that much more. The most important outcome of the whole process was the further strengthening of our already existing partnerships. Together we will see them into a safer future.”

The received grant monies will be utilized by the Lakeport Police Department on police vehicle maintenance costs and to offset police officers’ mutual aid service times, Stoebe said.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Police are still seeking a suspect who allegedly stabbed another man during a fight on Wednesday night.

Det. Tim Alvarado of the Clearlake Police Department reported Thursday that police are looking for Todd Davi, 31, of Clearlake.

Davi is alleged to have stabbed 32-year-old Joshua Plube, also of Clearlake, according to Alvarado.

On Wednesday at approximately 10:20 p.m. officers responded to Silk’s Bar and Grill for a report of a possible stab victim, Alvarado said.

Upon arriving on scene, officers located a white male adult later identified as Plube, who was suffering from multiple stab wounds and was lifeflighted from the scene to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, where he was treated and later released, according to Alvarado.

Based on witness statements the suspect, Davi came to Silk’s Bar and Grill looking for an altercation with Plube concerning a personal matter that occurred several days prior, Alvarado said.

The two men proceeded to the rear of the bar when Davi pulled out a knife and allegedly stabbed Plube several times. Sgt. Martin Snyder told Lake County News in a Thursday morning interview that Plube sustained two stab wounds to the body and one to the face.

Davi fled the scene prior to the arrival of officers, Alvarado said.

Alvarado said officers searched for Davi at several locations, but were unable to locate him.

If anyone has any information on the possible whereabouts of Davi or may have witnessed the incident, contact Det. Alvarado at the Clearlake Police Department, 707-994-8251.