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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The body of Lee Allen Woodruff, 42, was found in Clear Lake on Tuesday afternoon.
Woodruff was reported missing after he was last seen leaving his home on Aztec Road in Kelseyville on Monday evening.
On Tuesday morning, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook about Woodruff’s disappearance.
Authorities asked neighbors to look in their backyards and other structures in the event he was disoriented and seeking shelter.
Later on Tuesday morning, the sheriff’s office said more than 40 of its Search and Rescue members were in the Kelseyville Rivieras and around Konocti Harbor searching for Woodruff, using the Galilee Lutheran Church Community Center as a command post for the search.
Also taking part in the search were K-Corps, Mendocino Sheriff Search and Rescue, Marin County Search and Rescue, Sonoma County Search and Rescue and the Northshore Fire Dive Team.
The sheriff’s office said that on 1 p.m. Tuesday the Northshore Dive Team found Woodruff’s body in the water near the shoreline of Clear Lake.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Coroner Unit notified Woodruff’s next of kin.
The sheriff’s office said a coroner’s investigation into the circumstances of Woodruff’s death is ongoing.
Lake County News asked the sheriff’s office for an update on the investigation but as of Wednesday no additional details were available.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
On Wednesday, the National Weather Service said the flood watch had been issued for southern Mendocino and Lake counties from 10 p.m. through Thursday afternoon due to the incoming heavy rain that arrived overnight.
During the flood watch time period, forecasters said 1.5 to 3.5 inches of rain is likely across the area with up to 4 inches possible on the windward side of the highest ridges.
“With already saturated ground, such rates will increase the risk of localized urban and small stream flooding, especially around Clear Lake itself,” the National Weather Service reported.
On Wednesday, forecasters also issued a wind advisory that will be in effect from noon on Thursday to 2 a.m. Friday for southern Lake County.
Southwest winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour, with gusts of up to 50 miles per hour, are expected, based on the forecast.
The National Weather Services said its models suggest a break in the rain on Friday and Saturday, with another round of rain expected to begin on Sunday and continuing into early next week.
The Lake County forecast calls for rain through Friday morning, with temperatures in the low 50s during the day and low 30s at night.
From Friday night through Saturday night, conditions are expected to clear, with similar temperatures in effect, before chances of rain return on Sunday night.
Monday through Tuesday, partly cloudy and mostly sunny conditions are forecast, with a slight chance of rain again on Wednesday.
Clear Lake’s level hovered just under 8 feet Rumsey — the special measure for the lake — on Wednesday night.
Over the weekend, the lake had topped 8 feet Rumsey for 24 hours, which required boaters within a quarter-mile of shore to slow to idle speed.
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
If so, Congressman Mike Thompson wants to hear from you.
Late last month, President Donald Trump’s administration issued a broad freeze on federal grants and funds.
The courts have issued a temporary stay to prevent the funding freeze, with another judge ordering the Trump Administration to comply with that stay after states reported his administration was not following the court order.
Meantime, Thompson said he and his team are hearing reports from constituents who continue to be impacted.
If you are experiencing ongoing impacts due to this funding freeze, Thompson asks that you share your experience by filling out this survey.
Constituents also are urged to contact his nearest office directly with any questions or to seek support:
• Napa: 707-226-9898.
• Santa Rosa: 707-542-7182.
• Woodland: 530-753-5301.
• Washington: 202-225-3311.
Thompson also can be reached online.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Joshua Jacob Tovar, 33, was in court on Tuesday morning to enter his not guilty plea in the shooting death of 32-year-old Vicente Zeta Colacion, also of Lakeport.
Colacion was shot and killed at Library Park on the evening of Friday, Jan. 31.
Tovar is charged with homicide, assault with a firearm, in this case, a handgun; felon in possession of a firearm; felon in possession of ammunition; and special allegations that include personal and intentional use of a firearm and inflicting great bodily injury.
He’s facing prosecution for separate drugs and weapons charges, and for violating the terms of his post release community supervision, which is given to inmates released from state prison. Tovar has previous felony convictions for assault and weapons charges.
He appeared to plead all of the cases on Tuesday and will return for preliminary hearing on March 26. He is being represented by the Public Defender’s Office.
A second man, Parker John Coggins, 27, of Lakeport, was arrested by police for assault with a deadly weapon on Colacion. However, District Attorney Susan Krones told Lake County News that her department is still investigating the case and formal charges have not yet been filed on Coggins.
Colacion’s life was commemorated at a candlelight vigil on Saturday night.
He was remembered by friends and family as a man who had great love for others, and who was a dedicated poet and artist.
Vicente Colacion’s aunt, Yvonne Colacion, told Lake County News in an email, “As Vicente's family and extended family work through this senseless violence that took away such a complex beautiful loving person; we simply can't understand how someone goes from writing poetry with a friend in the charming town of Lakeport, to minutes later dying in the arms of that same friend overlooking the lake.”
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