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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Hugo L. Macias Jr., 20, and the 16-year-old male from Laytonville, whose name was not released because of his age, were traveling southbound on Highway 101 in a 1994 Geo Tracker when the crash occurred at around 6:14 p.m. Tuesday, according to a report from the California Highway Patrol.
The crash occurred in the Ukiah area north of mile post marker 36.01, the CHP reported. Conditions at the time of the collision were reported to be cloudy, cold and dry.
The CHP report said that Macias, who was driving about 55 to 60 miles per hour, suddenly veered off the roadway and continued over the side of the road, plummeting 350 feet down a steep ravine.
Both Macias and his passenger were wearing their seat belts, but the violent nature of the crash – in which the vehicle overturned several times – resulted in the teenage passenger being ejected and sustaining fatal injuries, according to the CHP report.
Macias was flown via REACH Air Ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital with major injuries.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
KELSEYVILLE – The Lake County Wine Alliance on Tuesday spread some holiday cheer and handed out some large checks to several local groups who work to make Lake County a better place.
The proceeds from the alliance's ninth annual Lake County Wine Auction – held in September at Buckingham Golf and Country Club – were distributed at a festive pre-Christmas gathering at Marie Beery's Saw Shop Gallery Bistro Tuesday afternoon.
In all, 16 community nonprofits shared $91,500.
“We had an incredible year,” said Wine Alliance Treasurer Rob Roumiguiere.
Since it began in 2000, the Lake County Wine Auction has contributed approximately $713,002 to community organizations, alliance board members reported. The group's charter directs it to foster the arts, benefit health services and support the community while, at the same time, promoting Lake County as a wine-growing region.
Joining Roumiguiere in making the check presentations were fellow Wine Alliance Board of Directors members including President Margaret Walker-Stimmel, Vice President Marie Beery, Secretary Pamela Shine-Duncan; and directors Judy Luchsinger, Wilda Shock and Janet Thompson. Jim Fetzer, another director, didn't attend.
This year, the Wine Alliance took its signature event in a different direction, adding new facets to it – such as a cooking presentation with noted chef John Ash, Roumiguiere said.
“This event really has become the premier event for Lake County,” he said, adding that about 400 people attended this year.
Recipients were categorized into three major groups – arts, health and community – each of which divided up $30,000. An additional $1,500 went to the Buckingham Junior Golf Program to fund Lake County Junior Golf Council activities.
In the arts, $5,000 went to Kids 4 Broadway, which provides tuition scholarships for children ages 6 through 14 to participate in theater productions, plus $5,000 each to the fine arts programs at Clear Lake High School, Kelseyville High School, Lower Lake High School, Middletown High School and Upper Lake High School.
Health-related groups included Lake County Special Olympics, $2,500, for sports equipment, uniforms, training supplies and transportation costs; Wiloth Equine Therapy and Riding Center, $2,500, for equine-assisted therapy programs for special needs youth; Adult Day Care/Respite of Clearlake, $12,500, providing a caring, accepting environment for dementia-impaired adults; and Hospice Services of Lake County, $12,500, offering high-quality, end-of-life services to county residents.
Susie Wiloth said her therapy and riding center, located between Lower Lake and Middletown, will use the $2,500 it received to sponsor children who are students of the school. She said the school will provide matching funds to provide more therapeutic riding opportunities for the students.
In the community category, the United Veterans Council Military Funeral Honors Team received $2,500, as did Church Women United. Operation Tango Mike was awarded $5,000, while the Lake Family Resource Center and the Lake County Literacy Coalition each received $10,000.
The $2,500 that went to the Military Funeral Honors Team will go toward uniforms and team operations, said team member and United Veterans Council President Frank Parker. The funds also will help cover a recent engine overhaul for the group's bus, which carries team members to veterans' funerals and military-related events.
“We operate strictly on donations,” said Parker.
Ginny Craven, founder of Operation Tango Mike – which sends care packages to local troops overseas – said the $5,000 her group received will help ensure several more months of supplies to members of the military.
To send between 80 and 100 packages a month averages about $1,000 in shipping costs each time the packages go out, Craven said, adding that shipping costs will go up after the start of the new year.
Church Women United will use their funds to provide shoes and socks for school-age children in need and the Lake Family Resource Center will operate separate summer camps for young men and women ages 12 through 17. The Literacy Coalition plans to train more tutors to serve adults needing help reading and writing English.
Despite the tough economy, Roumiguiere said this year's distribution was the same as last year's. “It's pretty incredible,” he said.
The auction's administrative costs are covered by ticket sales and sponsors, which allows them to put more of the proceeds back into the local groups that they select as beneficiaries this year.
Roumiguiere hopes to see the event grow even larger next year.
“The bigger we can make this event the more we can give away,” he said.
The Wine Alliance is now taking applications from nonprofits that wish to be considered as recipients of the 2009 Wine Auction proceeds. The deadline for applications is March 1, 2009.
For more information, contact Judy Luchsinger,
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- Written by: Editor
LAKE COUNTY – If you chose to drink and drive this holiday season, those flashing red lights in your rear-view mirror won’t belong to a red-nosed reindeer, but to a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer’s vehicle.
In an effort to keep California’s roads safe, every available CHP officer will be out on the road during the upcoming Christmas Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) which begins Wednesday, Dec. 24, at 6 p.m. and continues through midnight, Sunday, Dec. 28.
“Consider this a warning,” said Clear Lake Area CHP Lieutenant Mark Loveless. “We will be out there taking a zero tolerance approach and will arrest you if you are drinking and driving.”
CHP officers arrested 1,661 motorists statewide for driving under the influence (DUI) during last year’s Christmas MEP.
During that same time period, 43 people died in the 4,613 collisions that occurred in California. Among those killed, 18 lost their lives in alcohol-related crashes.
“Remember to designate a non-drinking driver before the celebrating begins, watch your speed and always wear your seatbelt,” Loveless added.
Along with the increased enforcement effort, the CHP is asking motorists to help keep the state’s roadways safe by calling 911 to report a suspected drunk driver. Callers should be prepared to provide dispatchers a description of the vehicle, its location and direction of travel.
“The holiday season is a time for family, friends, and celebrations; unfortunately it is also a time when we see too many alcohol-related highway fatalities,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “Even if we save just one life by getting the message out, that is one life that has been spared.”
The CHP will conduct a similar maximum enforcement effort over the New Year’s holiday weekend which begins Wednesday, Dec. 31, at 6 p.m. and continues through midnight, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The collision occurred on westbound Highway 20 about 15 miles west of Highway 16, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The vehicles involved were said to be a silver Honda Civic and a pickup truck. One of the vehicles was off the roadway, according to the CHP.
The CHP and the Lake County Sheriff's Office reported to the scene, where the roadway was reported to be partially blocked.
At least one person was transported to St. Helena Hospital-Clearlake, but CHP did not release information about the names of the crash victims.
The roadway was reported to be open shortly before 8:30 p.m.
Information also was not available Tuesday on a crash that occurred Monday evening on Highway 53 near Clearlake.
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