LAKEPORT, Calif. – During a Tuesday discussion on the approval of a new memorandum of understanding with the county’s deputy sheriffs’ association, the Board of Supervisors decided to agendize a no confidence vote on the county’s sheriff.

The board’s consideration of a proposed no confidence vote on Sheriff Frank Rivero is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, July 10, at 11 a.m.

On Tuesday afternoon, as a prelude to the no confidence matter arising, the board held a closed session to discuss an employee disciplinary appeal, and emerged to vote unanimously to reinstate Tom Andrews, who had been with the sheriff’s office for 20 years before Rivero terminated him last fall.

Supervisor Jeff Smith moved to accept a hearing officer’s full recommendation to give Andrews his job back, and make him whole for all lost rights, benefits, salary and retirement. Supervisor Anthony Farrington seconded, and the board voted 5-0.

The board then moved into a discussion of the new contract with the Lake County Deputy Sheriffs Association.

Deputy County Counsel Shanda Harry presented a brief discussion of the contract, which runs from July 1, 2011, to Dec. 31, 2013.

Key points include a 4 percent salary adjustment in exchange for employees paying their full retirement contribution, which is an additional 5 percent; field training officers and bilingual officers receive an additional 2.5 percent; an increase in the amount of pay for on-call duty status to $20 for weekdays and $25 for weekends or holidays; court appearances entitle deputies to a minimum of one hour credit at time and a half; and 40 hours of personal leave in exchange for a cost of living increase.

Board Chair Rob Brown acknowledged that a lot of work – on the part of the county and the association – had gone into the contract.

Association President Gary Frace was in the audience for the discussion, and Board Chair Rob Brown addressed Frace, telling him how much the board appreciated the deputies and their understanding and willingness to work with the county, while knowing the county didn’t have much it could give.

“I think we came to the best possible agreement,” Brown said, noting it was what they could do, not what they wanted to do.

Brown’s concern, he said, was “when we have our sheriff, your boss, on the radio trying to sabotage our efforts, and when we’re here acting in good faith.”

Brown had raised similar issues with Rivero’s statements about employee negotiations when the board approved a new memorandum of understanding with the correctional officers association June 5.

During the Tuesday discussion Brown accused Rivero of trying to harm the relationship – developed over many years – between the county and its deputies.

According to Brown, Rivero claimed in a radio broadcast that he had gone before the board to ask for a 2.5-percent salary increase for deputies, which Brown said never happened.

Rivero also stated on the radio that the county had refused to give a retirement contribution to the correctional officers, knowing full well that the correctional officers union had approved the contribution the day before his on-air statements, according to Brown.

Brown went further, saying many employees of the sheriff’s office had left because of Rivero. “They would have stayed even if the money was the same. They left because of him. And I know that to be a fact.”

The board also is facing a “mountain of lawsuits coming up” because of Rivero’s actions, Brown said.

Brown said he believed it’s likely that there had been more lawsuits and potential litigation during Rivero’s year and a half in office than had arisen from all of the county’s previous sheriffs combined, due in part to his retaliatory actions toward deputies.

They’ve also had to issue letters of apology to deputies due to what appeared to be retaliation on Rivero’s part, he said.

Rivero hasn’t been seen much in the office in recent months, although he did briefly appear at the courthouse Tuesday afternoon for a discussion on an urgency marijuana cultivation ordinance that was postponed because the fire marshal said the chambers had exceeded capacity.

Brown said Rivero costs the taxpayers a total of $153,850.08 a year – salary, retirement and benefits – for not showing up to do his job.

He also referenced Undersheriff Pat Turturici’s recent comments at board meetings in which Turturici stated he was running both the jail and the sheriff’s office.

The issues with Rivero’s performance, combined with Turturici’s comments “tells me that the sheriff is not doing his job,” Brown said.

Brown then passed the gavel to Supervisor Jeff Smith and made a motion to have a no confidence vote on Rivero, arising as a consequence from the negotiations with the deputies’ association. He asked that action be taken before the contract was approved.

While such a vote itself was not on the agenda, Brown pointed out that the board had held similar no confidence votes on state elected officials before in conjunction with agendized issues.

Supervisor Anthony Farrington asked County Counsel Anita Grant if they could take the action. Grant said only the memorandum of understanding was on the agenda.

Brown said he had spoke with counsel and thought they could have the vote.

“I’m confident that it’s within our rights to do that,” Brown said of the proposed action.

Brown made a new motion to approve the contract and to ask for a vote of no confidence, which was seconded by Supervisor Jim Comstock.

Despite recognizing the connection between the negotiations and the proposal, the rest of the board and Grant felt it would be better to bring the no confidence vote discussion back as its own agenda item.

“I understand wholeheartedly where Supervisor Brown is coming form. I appreciate his shining light on a number of these topics and very important issues” that the county had experienced over the last year, said Supervisor Anthony Farrington.

However, Farrington asked that it be separately agendized.

“Let’s do it,” said Brown.

Brown told his colleagues that the board previously had held a no confidence vote on the county’s state representatives over the Highland Springs Dam.

“That was another circumstance where there was a connection,” said Grant, adding that if the board felt there was a similar connection in this case that they could act. Brown maintained the connection was there.

“I would prefer it be its own item,” said Supervisor Denise Rushing.

Having it agendized will allow the sheriff to attend if he desires, said Farrington.

Brown amended his motion to approve the memorandum of understanding only, which was approved 5-0.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A Clearlake man who was attacked earlier this month has died of his injuries.

Edward Alden, 44, died on Monday night, according to Det. Tim Alvarado of the Clearlake Police Department.

Alvarado told Lake County News on Tuesday that the investigation into who is responsible for Alden’s death is moving forward.

“We have a suspect and we are pursuing further leads,” Alvarado said, adding that police were not releasing many details of the investigation at this time.

Police and firefighters were dispatched to 4780 West 40th Ave. just before 12:30 a.m. Sunday, June 17, where they found the severely injured Alden, according to the original police report.

Reports from the scene indicated Alden was unconscious from having been kicked in the head during a fight earlier that night, as Lake County News has reported.

Alden was transported by REACH air ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, where he died, Alvarado said.

Anyone with information regarding this case to contact Det. Alvarado at 707-994-8251.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport Police officers were working through the night in their effort to locate a Lakeport man who allegedly tried to shoot another person during a Friday evening fight.

Raymond Richard Casillas, 22, of Lakeport, remained at large early Saturday morning, according to Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen.

Rasmussen said Casillas is wanted for attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, being a felon in possession of a firearm and violating parole.

Casillas allegedly was involved in a fight that Rasmussen said occurred in the area of Central Park Avenue and Shady Oak Street.

Rasmussen said Lakeport Police units, assisted by units from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and California Highway Patrol, were dispatched at approximately 7:30 p.m. to the Central Park and Shady Oak area on the report of a physical fight involving 10 subjects.

As officers and deputies were en route, dispatch advised that several callers were reporting hearing gunfire, Rasmussen said.

When Lakeport Police, CHP and sheriff’s deputies arrived on scene they immediately detained numerous subjects – including Casillas – and began an investigation, Rasmussen said.

Casillas was handcuffed and placed in a patrol car, Rasmussen said.

Investigators determined that Casillas had attempted to shoot another subject several times during the fight. Rasmussen said the alleged victim was able to push the firearm away and escaped unharmed.

Rasmussen said officers located the firearm Casillas is alleged to have used during the fight, a loaded modified rifle, and other associated evidence, at a residence in the 800 block of Central Park Avenue.

A knife also was found in the driveway, Rasmussen said.

A witness told Lake County News that canned tomatoes were being thrown throughout the fight.

Rasmussen confirmed that police collected canned food and beer cans allegedly used during the fight.

“We have collected numerous items of evidence,” he said.

At around 8:45 p.m., while the investigation was still ongoing and officers were interviewing people at the scene, Casillas escaped with the assistance of a female subject identified Dana Rochelle Hueners, 21, of Lakeport, Rasmussen said.

Rasmussen said Hueners was located in the area a short time later by CHP and arrested for being an accessory to a felony and assisting in an escape from custody.

She was taken to Sutter Lakeside Hospital to be checked out for injuries she received in the fight before being taken to the Lake County Jail for booking, according to Rasmussen.

Casillas is an American Indian adult, 5 feet 11 inches tall, 169 pounds, with long black hair worn in a pony tail and brown eyes.

Rasmussen said Casillas was dressed in gray shorts, a light-colored shirt and a black hooded sweatshirt. He also had a bleeding lip from the fight and was handcuffed behind his back when last seen by police.

“We have some belief that he could have been picked up and transported to the Redwood Valley or Ukiah area,” Rasmussen said, adding that Hueners may have made phone calls to arrange a ride for Casillas out of county.

The public is asked not to contact Casillas if located, but to immediately call 911 and report the information to the police.

Rasmussen said police are continuing to work the case throughout the night.

Anyone with information about the fight – including pictures or video – can contact the Lakeport Police Department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

THIS STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED WITH ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Police Department is asking for the community's help in finding a male suspect involved in a fight Friday evening in which shots were allegedly fired.

Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen said his officers are looking for Raymond Casillas, 22.

He is wanted for attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, a felon in possession of a firearm and violating parole, Rasmussen said.

Rasmussen said Casillas allegedly was involved in a fight that occurred at about 7:30 p.m. in the area of Central Park Avenue and Shady Oak Street.

Lakeport Police officers – assisted by the California Highway Patrol – arrived on the scene and detained several suspects after witnesses reported shots were fired, Rasmussen said.

Police also located a firearm, according to Rasmussen.

Casillas was detained but despite being handcuffed he escaped on foot, Rasmussen said.

That's because a female subject – who later was arrested – helped him get out of a patrol car when officers were not nearby, according to Rasmussen.

“She was located by CHP units who were assisting us close to the area of the crime,” said Rasmussen.

Rasmussen described Casillas as an American Indian male adult, 5 feet, 11 inches tall, 169 pounds, with long black hair that he was wearing in a pony tail.

He also was wearing gray shorts, a light-colored shirt and a black hoodie, Rasmussen said.

Casillas had a bleeding lip and was handcuffed with his hands behind his back, according to Rasmussen.

Immediately after the fight police believed Casillas was somewhere between 11th Street to the north or Sixth Street to the south, and between Highway 29 to the west and Forbes Street to the east.

Rasmussen said eight police units were in the area conducting a search.

“We don't have a confirmed perimeter around him,” said Rasmussen.

As the night progressed, police received a report of Casillas near the library, but Rasmussen said they were unable to locate him.

“At this point he could still be in Lakeport but we believe he may have been transported out of the area,” said Rasmussen.

He said Casillas may have been picked up and taken to Redwood Valley or Ukiah, and suggested that the woman who helped Casillas get out of the car may have made phone calls to get him a ride.

If he's seen, do not approach him but call 911 immediately.

John Jensen contributed to this report.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol Unit will be participating in Operation Dry Water this coming weekend, with Marine Patrol deputies out in force specifically looking for signs of boaters operating boats while impaired.

Operation Dry Water was launched in 2009 by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) in partnership with the United States Coast Guard and has been a highly successful effort to draw public attention to the hazards of boating under the influence (BUI) of alcohol and drugs, the sheriff's office reported.

Held in June just prior to the July 4 holiday, Operation Dry Water is a national weekend of BUI detection and enforcement aimed at reducing the number of alcohol and drug-related accidents and fatalities and fostering a stronger and more visible deterrent to alcohol and drug use on the water.  

Operation Dry Water is coordinated by NASBLA, in partnership with the states, the U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies.

In 2011, all 50 states and 6 U.S. Territories participated in Operation Dry Water. Over that three-day weekend there were 43,777 vessels and 97,648 boaters contacted by law enforcement, 325 BUI arrests made, and 4,370 citations and 8,763 warnings issued for safety violations.
    
U.S. Coast Guard 2011 data reveal that alcohol was a primary contributing factor in 16 percent of fatalities from recreational boating accidents, the sheriff's office reported.

Operating a boat with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher is against federal law and California State laws.

Alcohol can impair a boater’s judgment, balance, vision, and reaction time. It can increase fatigue and susceptibility to the effects of cold-water immersion.

Sun, wind, noise, vibration, and motion – “stressors” common to the boating environment – intensify the effects of alcohol, drugs, and some medications.

Alcohol consumption can result in an inner ear disturbance that can make it impossible for a person suddenly immersed in water to distinguish up from down.

Impairment can be even more dangerous for boaters than for motor vehicle drivers, since most boaters have less experience and confidence operating a boat than they do driving a car. Boaters average only about 110 hours of boating per year.

A three-year field evaluation by the Southern California Research Institute, completed in 2010, validated a battery of tests for marine use that are now the basis for efforts to implement a National Marine Field Sobriety Test standard.  

Combined with chemical tests using blood, breath, and urine samples, these validated ashore and afloat tests give marine law enforcement officers an impressive arsenal in their ongoing efforts to enforce BUI laws.

Persons found to be boating under the influence can expect to incur severe penalties. If a boat operator is BUI, the voyage may be terminated, the boat may be impounded and the operator may be arrested.  Penalties vary by state, but can include fines, jail, loss of boating privileges, even loss of driving privileges.

Alcohol is also dangerous for passengers. Intoxication can lead to slips, falls overboard and other dangerous accidents.

It is illegal in every state and territory to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. BUI laws pertain to all boats, from canoes and rowboats to the largest ships.

While boating, it's important to observe other basic safety precautions, including wearing a life jacket.

In 2011, 70 percent of those who died in a boating accident drowned; 84 percent of those who drowned were not wearing a life jacket.

Boat operator instruction is a significant factor in avoiding and surviving accidents. Only 11 percent of fatalities in 2011 occurred on boats where the operator was known to have received boating safety instruction.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Police Department is holding a “Tip-A-Cop” fundraiser this Friday, June 22, to support its K9 program.

The benefit event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Main Street Bar and Grill, 14084 Lakeshore Drive.

During the event, officers and volunteers from the Clearlake Police Department will be taking food orders, serving food, busing tables and answering questions about the police departments K-9 Program.

There also will be K-9 Supporter shirts available for purchase at the event.

All tips and proceeds from the event will go directly to the K-9 program as the program is funded 100-percent by donations.

No city funds are used to fund the Police K-9 Program, which includes any training courses, maintaining or feeding the police dogs, purchasing any K-9 equipment or the police K-9 itself.

The Clearlake Police Departments K-9 Program started in 2010 when Officer Michael Carpenter was appointed to K-9 handler and received his new K-9 Partner “Dex.”

To date, Officer Carpenter and Dex completed the five week K-9 Handler Course, and are currently in the five week Narcotics Detection Course.

In 2012, Officer Michael Ray was selected to the position of K-9 Handler after an intensive testing process.

A candidate police dog has been selected and Officer Ray and that dog will be attending the K-9 Handler Course at the end of this month.

Upon completing the handler course, Officer Ray and the candidate Police K-9 dog will go straight to the streets. Officer Ray and his police dog will attend the 2013 Narcotics Detection Course.

On average, a five week K-9 Training course for an officer and his K-9 partner costs approximately $8,000, the department reported. This covers the cost of the training class, lodging, meals and transportation expenses.

With the addition of the second police dog, this allows there to be two police dogs on duty in the city of Clearlake seven days a week. Both police dogs will be able to apprehend violent offenders, search and locate violent fleeing offenders and conduct article searches.

With Officer Carpenter and Dex completing the Narcotics Detection Course, this will mean the city will have a drug detecting dog on duty.

Officer Carpenter and Dex will be called on upon to assist in searches when narcotics are believed to be concealed in vehicles, residences, or on probation and parole searches.

The Clearlake Police Department and the officers of the K-9 Program offered their thanks to Sam Polo from Main Street Bar & Grill for his and his staff's continued support to the department.