NORTH COAST, Calif. – A semi wreck that occurred on the Hopland Grade has led to planned closures of the highway this coming week in order to recover the truck and its trailer.

Caltrans posted video of the Thursday wreck, which can be seen above.

In a crash report issued on Friday, the California Highway Patrol’s Ukiah Area office said the crash occurred at 1:25 p.m. Thursday on the Mendocino County side of Highway 175 near a construction zone.

Lodi resident Christopher Cortez was driving a 2012 Peterbilt westbound with an attached loaded trailer of plywood. The CHP said he had passed multiple regulatory signs prohibiting any vehicle over 39 feet in length, which he failed to obey.

Due to the overall length of the semi and trailer, Cortez was unable to negotiate the turn in the roadway, causing the vehicle to roll down the embankment, the CHP said.

The Caltrans video shows the trailer beginning to overturn first before the semi twisted over onto its passenger side and slid off the roadway.

The CHP said Cortez, who was the semi’s only occupant, was uninjured, and neither alcohol nor drugs were factors in the wreck, which remains under investigation.

The Caltrans District 1 office reported that recovery of the truck and trailer is set for next week.

Caltrans spokeswoman Cori Reed said full closure of Highway 175 will be necessary during the recovery operation.

She said Highway 175 from 5.6 miles east of Highway 101 to Mathews Road outside of Lakeport will be under a full closure on Monday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., during which time the truck and trailer will be recovered.

Reed said the truck’s load of plywood will be recovered on Tuesday and Wednesday.

On those days, the closures will be shorter, lasting from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., in order to help accommodate commuter traffic, Reed 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.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake Tribe donated $4,000 to the Lake County Office of Education to be awarded to the six Lake County schools with the best attendance during the 2018-2019 countywide Attendance Challenge.

The Attendance Challenge runs two different weeks this year. The first week runs from Oct. 15 through 19. The second week begins on March 19.

The winning schools will be determined based on the attendance rate of both weeks combined.

“The Habematolel consistently supports within our tribe and the community our youth’s educational and extracurricular goals through tribal programs and direct contributions to local school programs and individuals,” said Sherry Treppa, chair of the Habematolel Pomo Executive Council.

Habematolel donated award money for last year’s Attendance Challenge. Clear Lake High School, Terrace Middle School and Coyote Valley Elementary School were the winning schools.

This year there are six categories, which include:

1. Highest Attendance Percentage for a Lake County Elementary School.

2. Highest Attendance Percentage for a Lake County Middle School.

3. Highest Attendance Percentage for a Lake County High School.

4. Highest Attendance Percentage for a Lake County Alternative School.

5. Highest Attendance Percentage for a Lake County Preschool School.

6. Most Improved Attendance Percentage Lake County School.

“With chronic absenteeism being a true concern for Lake County students, LCOE staff brainstormed solutions to help educate the students, parents and community on the importance of attendance. And thus, the Attendance Challenge was born,” said Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg.

The definition of “chronic absenteeism” is missing 10 percent of the school year—or about 18 days – for any reason, excused or unexcused. This equals missing two days of school a month.

Rob Young, Emergency Services/Special Projects Coordinator at LCOE, who is responsible for organizing the Attendance Challenge, explained that the winning school in each category will receive $500 to be used to celebrate and support good attendance.

The remainder of the donation money will purchase “Attendance Challenge Winner” banners for each winning school to display.

Treppa said, “Our youth are our future workforce, and our tribal and community leaders. It is vital that current leaders and parents ensure our youth are well educated, socially adjusted and prepared to take on those responsibilities. The first step to achieving this is to assure their attendance at school.”

“The Lake County Office of Education is grateful for the partnership with the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake Tribe,” Falkenberg added. “We thank them for their continuing support of our county’s attendance activities for all local students.”

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Cal Fire firefighters are preparing for the potential extreme fire weather across many parts of California.

The National Weather Service is predicting gusty winds and low humidity this weekend in much of Northern California, including Lake County.

The National Weather Service has issued a fire weather watch beginning at 12 a.m. Sunday until noon on Monday.

The weather forecast shows winds of more than 25 miles per hour on both Saturday and Sunday in parts of Lake County.

On Monday, parts of southern California could experience much of the same conditions, officials said.

“As we remember the tragic fires that occurred this time last year, they should serve as a reminder for everyone to be prepared for the unexpected. We have increased our staffing, but need the public to remain vigilant,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, Cal Fire director. “It is important to follow evacuation orders and leave early as fires move very fast under these conditions."

Cal Fire urges everyone to exercise extreme caution when in or near the wildland or open areas to prevent sparking a fire. One less spark, means one less wildfire.

A few helpful reminders and safety tips include:

– Don’t mow or trim dry grass on windy days.
– Never pull your vehicle over in dry grass.
– Target shoot only in approved areas, use lead ammunition only, and never at metal.
– Ensure campfires are allowed, and if so, be sure to extinguish them completely.
– Report any suspicious activities to prevent arson.

For more fire prevention tips and evacuation steps visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org.

This year's International Observe the Moon Night is on Saturday, Oct. 20, when astronomy clubs and science centers invite you to view the moon at their star parties.

The 11-day-old waxing gibbous moon rises in the late afternoon and sets before dawn. There are great features to enjoy whether you're observing with the unaided eye, through binoculars or through a telescope.

Sinus Iridum – the Bay of Rainbows – is the little half circle visible near the lunar terminator, the line between light and dark.

The Jura Mountains ring the western edge and catch the morning sun. Mare Imbrium is the large lunar mare (or sea) just south of Sinus Iridum.

As the moon approaches full, the large craters Copernicus and Tycho take center stage. Copernicus is 93 kilometers across, and its impact crater rays will be much more visible at full moon, although they are impressive on the 20th.

Tycho lies in a field of craters near the south limb. Its massive ray system spans over 1500 kilometers. At 85 kilometers across, it's a little smaller than Copernicus.

On Oct. 20, you can check off all 6 of the Apollo lunar landing locations, too!

You can still catch the great lineup of bright planets in October, with Jupiter, Saturn and Mars meeting up with the moon again this month. Early birds can catch Venus just before dawn.

You can find out more about International Observe the Moon Night at www.moon.nasa.gov/observe.

And you can catch up on all of NASA's current-and future-missions at www.nasa.gov.

Jane Houston Jones works for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Lake County Deputy sheriff who died in the line of duty last year received a special and permanent honor on Thursday when a section of Highway 29 in Lakeport was renamed in his honor.

The Deputy Sheriff Robert Rumfelt Memorial Highway was dedicated during a special ceremony on Thursday morning.

Congressman Mike Thompson, state Sen. Mike McGuire, Sheriff Brian Martin, Tom Fitzgerald of Caltrans District 1, Board of Supervisors Chair Jim Steele and Supervisor Moke Simon, who also is Rumfelt’s cousin, were among the dignitaries on hand for the occasion. Rumfelt’s family also was in attendance to mark the day.

Agencies in attendance included Cal Fire, California Highway Patrol, Caltrans, Clearlake Police Department, Lake County District Attorney’s Office, Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Lakeport Police Department. Council members and city staff from Clearlake and Lakeport, District Attorney-elect Susan Krones and Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg also were there to show their respects.

The event was held at the Lakeport Cinema 5, a short distance from where the sign would later be put into place along the highway, near the intersection of Highway 29 and Soda Bay Road.

Rumfelt died on the night of Aug. 22, 2017, following a physical fight with a domestic violence suspect in Lakeport.

He and another deputy had taken the suspect into custody and then he had gotten into his patrol SUV and left the scene. Witnesses said he drove a short way before slumping over, crashing into a tree not long afterward. Lakeport Fire transported him to Sutter Lakeside Hospital, where he died a short time later, as Lake County News has reported.

The medical examiner would later conclude that Rumfelt suffered sudden cardiac death 30 minutes after a stressful physical encounter.

His death came as a huge blow to the sheriff’s office, which only a year previously had mourned the loss of Deputy Jake Steely, who was mortally injured after he and his son were swept into the ocean at Fort Bragg.

“Deputy Rumfelt was an incredible human being,” said Thompson, noting his service as a Marine, a policy officer, a deputy and family man. “He was a cop’s cop.”

Sen. McGuire, who wrote the legislation that made the highway renaming possible, recognized the many organizations and dignitaries in attendance.

He noted that renaming a highway for a person is one of the greatest honors the state offers.

Sheriff Martin, who acted as master of ceremonies for the event, said there were many agencies and individuals who worked behind the scenes to bring the effort together.

“It’s been 415 difficult days since we lost Rob,” said Martin, who recalled Rumfelt as a friend.

He said the sign also is a reminder of how dangerous the law enforcement profession is.

Martin said Rumfelt had his own way of doing things. He was direct, sometimes blunt and tough, and had strong leadership capabilities; he also didn’t tolerate laziness, whether it was at the gym, on duty or as a coach at Clear Lake High School.

“He was a very proud man,” said Martin.

Martin said that, although they were friends, he didn’t know all about some of Rumfelt’s achievements, including how in March 2010, while working as a government contractor in Iraq, he saved the life of a gravely injured soldier during an improvised explosive device attack.

More recently, during the 2015 Valley fire, Rumfelt braved the flames to rescue south county residents, Martin said. But Rumfelt never bragged about his achievements.

“The loss of such a good deputy leaves a void in our community,” Martin said.

The sheriff said Rumfelt won’t be forgotten. “Godspeed, Rob. We love you.”

Fitzgerald said one is hard-pressed to find a community where agencies work together as well as they do in Lake County, which he said has become more clear over the past few years.

He also recognized Rumfelt’s loss for the community.

Supervisor Steele noted Rumfelt’s dedication. “Truly, he served his country, he served this county,” he said.

He then read a proclamation recognizing Rumfelt’s life.

Rumfelt’s father, Bob, joined by Simon, thanked everyone who came to honor his son.

“Rob would not appreciate this like we do,” said Bob Rumfelt.

He added, “We miss Rob every day.”

Wearing a Raiders shirt in his cousin’s honor, Simon called Rob Rumfelt “a superhero to me.”

Simon continued, “This is a good honor for a great man.”

At the end of the ceremony, Rumfelt’s family members were called forward to open small reproductions of the highway sign as Sheriff Martin and Supervisor Simon unveiled the large green and white highway sign.

McGuire then invited up Rumfelt’s friends and other community members for photos with the sign, which was later mounted along the roadway.

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 City Council on Thursday evening upheld abatement orders on several properties where marijuana was being grown out of compliance with city rules and approved a fuel purchase program that will save the police department time and money.

Code Enforcement staff presented the abatement order appeals for 14170 Konocti St., 3602 Ciwa St., 3275 14th St., 16076 25th Ave. and 16326 34th Ave.

On all of the properties city staff had found marijuana being grown in violation of city rules, with all of the appellants failing to obtain cultivation permits.

Other violations ranged from cultivating outdoors on land without a dwelling structure to lack of an enclosed fence, growing in an area larger than a 10-foot by 10-foot enclosure and being visible from the right-of-way.

In the case of the 16076 25th Ave. property, the appellants had been fined last year for violations and so, under city rules, will be prohibited from growing for a period in the future.

Mark Stewart and Donna Wynn, of the Ciwa Street and 14th Street properties, respectively, were the only appellants to speak to the council in opposition to the abatement orders.

Stewart said he didn’t know about the requirements and has a medicinal need, and stated that the plants were at most six weeks out from being ready.

Wynn, who said she also uses the plant for medical needs, told the council that the 10-foot by 10-foot size limit is not big enough, that she kept her yard clean and had no idea about the rules.

The council voted unanimously to deny all of the appeals.

The council also heard from staff about the Enterprise vehicle leasing program and approved entering into a fuel purchase agreement through the ExxonMobil Fleet National Card Program.

Assistant City Manager Alan Flora gave the council the update about the vehicle leasing and fleet program.

His written report explained that in June the council authorized the finance director to execute the necessary documents to replace city vehicles through the Enterprise Fleet Management Program, an action which included the initial lease of four vehicles as well as authorizing the city manager to lease additional vehicles as appropriate based on available funding in the council’s adopted budget.

Flora told the council that the city has leased five non-patrol police vehicles, one Code Enforcement truck funded by Community Development Block Grant funds, one Building Department truck and one Measure V-funded Public Works truck.

Recently, he said the city ordered 10 new police patrol vehicles from Ford, which he said aren’t anticipated to be delivered until the spring because of a lengthy lead time.

Beyond the vehicle purchases, he said city staff also wanted to bring back an update on fuel management.

Flora explained that the city buys all of its fuel from Redwood Coast Fuels at a card lock station in Lower Lake. The fuel purchases are governed by a historical agreement reached through the county that the city has “piggy-backed” off of in the years since. That agreement gives the city a discounted fuel price.

City staff, in working with Enterprise Fleet Management, became aware of that company's’ fuel purchase program, which allows the city to track fuel usage and mileage for each vehicle, even those that are not leased, issues fuel cards for each vehicle with a unique PIN for the drivers, offers fuel cards that can be used at nearly any filling station except for those that require a membership, and gives the city a five cent per gallon cash rebate when filling up at Mobil stations, Flora reported.

Flora said the city’s biggest fuel user is the police department. The current arrangement also requires that police personnel drive to Lower Lake – sometimes several times a day – to gas up their vehicles.

With a round trip to Lower Lake for fuel totaling 10 miles, at 110 fill ups per month, the department’s personnel are driving 14,000 miles a year just to get gas, Flora said.

In fiscal year 2017-18, Flora’s written report said the city spent approximately $93,292 on fuel.

He told the council that the time spent driving out of town for gas can be better spent on community policing within the city.

At the same time, if police personnel can buy gas within the city limits, that will benefit the city’s discretionary sales tax as well as its sales tax measures, P and V, he said.

Flora said that the fuel agreement with Redwood Coast Fuels will stay in effect and still be utilized by the city’s Public Works Department.

He said that the compilation of the cash rebate, recovery of time lost filling up and saving money spent on fuel just to drive back and forth to Lower Lake is expected to result in a cost savings to the city, plus offer the benefit of better tracking of the city’s vehicle fleet.

Council members agreed. Vice Mayor Phil Harris said he also liked the concept of having officers in town as much as possible, buying there gas there.

“I don’t see any downside to this program at all,” said Councilman Russ Cremer.

Harris added that he wanted officers to use all of the city’s fueling stations, not just Mobil stations, and to be visible.

“This is looking so much better than just getting our fleet upgraded,” said Mayor Bruno Sabatier.

Harris moved to authorize Flora to executive the documents required for the fleet management and ExxonMobil Fleet National Card Program, which was approved unanimously.

In other business the council unanimously approved a resolution revising the City Master Fee Schedule.

Police Chief Andrew White reported to the council that several problems were discovered with the fee schedule.

He said those problems included several sections that were not included which prevented officers from writing parking related citations. It also didn’t allow for issuing fix-it tickets and did not include a late payment penalty and cost recovery for evaluating and establishing payment plans and placing DMV holds.

The council also approved the first reading of Ordinance No. 214-2018 adding section 3-4.16 to the Clearlake Municipal Code to provide information bidding procedures under the Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act, and Sabatier presented proclamations declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

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 three candidates in this year’s Clearlake City Council race will participate in a forum on Thursday, Oct. 18.

The forum will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

Russell Cremer, Russell Perdock and Dirk Slooten are in the running for two seats on the council, one currently held by Cremer and the second held by Mayor Bruno Sabatier, who will leave the council later this year after having been elected the new District 2 member of the Board of Supervisors.

Cremer is on the ballot for the first time for the council, although he is an incumbent, having been appointed earlier this year to fill the unexpired term of Perdock, who left the council in February to seek the city’s police chief position.

Perdock, who did not receive the police chief appointment, is seeking to return to the council. He served more than three years on the council previously.

Slooten is a longtime city planning commissioner and businessman, and a Rotarian who has been instrumental in raising funds for fire recovery. This is his first run for the council.

The forum will be recorded and posted online.

Community members may submit questions at the event or by emailing moderator Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The forum is sponsored by the Lake County Economic Development Corp. and Lake County News.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) and Rep. John Garamendi (CA-03) announced that the Mendocino Complex Disaster Declaration has been amended to offer Small Business Administration loans to private nonprofit organizations in Lake County.

This assistance is available to organizations that offer essential government service.

“Throughout the recovery process, our community depends on the service of our second responders, those organizations that provide relief, centralize support services, and distribute aid once the fires have been extinguished. Today I am proud to announce that the federal government will provide loans to those organizations that provide that support that may have been damaged in the fire,” said Thompson. “I will continue fighting to bring every federal dollar and resource to our community throughout this recovery period. Together, we will rebuild and come back even stronger.”

“The availability of SBA loans for non-profit organizations that are facilitating recovery efforts is great news for Lake County,” said Garamendi. “We need the active participation of the whole community to help Lake County recover from these devastating wildfires, and this is another step in the right direction. I’m doing everything in my power to ensure Lake County gets every piece of federal support it is entitled to.”

Organizations interested in applying can visit https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ or call 800-659-2955 to find out if they qualify and submit their application.

Applications must be received by May 6, 2019.

You can also click here to download Thompson’s Fire Recovery Guide.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – A search warrant service last week in Kelseyville led to five arrests and the seizure of several hundred marijuana plants, along with the discovery of methamphetamine and heroin.

As a result of the search warrant service Kelseyville residents Jaime Manzo, 52; Enrique Cortesmolina, 19; Angel Milanez Perez, 29; Jeffrey Ariel Ponce, 24; and Dora Melia Wills, 45, were arrested, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Lt. Corey Paulich.

On Friday, Oct. 5, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Narcotic Unit served a search warrant in the 1300 block of Bell Hill Road in Kelseyville, Paulich said.

At that time, they contacted and detained all five subjects at the residence, according to Paulich.

Paulich said that during a search of the residence and property, detectives located and seized more than 16 ounces of Methamphetamine, 3 grams of heroin, 96 pounds of processed marijuana, 501 growing marijuana pants and two firearms.

Detectives found that the marijuana was being grown within 40 feet of Adobe Creek, a felony violation of the Health and Safety Code and significant risk to the environment, Paulich reported.

Paulich said the detectives also determined based upon the investigation, that the location was being used and maintained for the purpose of illicit narcotics trafficking.

Manzo, Cortesmolina, Perez, Ponce and Wills subsequently were arrested for their involvement in the possession of methamphetamine for sales, cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sales and maintaining a residence for the purposes of narcotics sales and booked at the Lake County Jail, according to Paulich.

All suspects were released after posting bail with the exception of Manzo, who remains in custody with bail set at $500,000.

Manzo’s bail was increased as he was found to be armed at the time of the warrant service.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Now in its second year of bond-funded projects, the Kelseyville Unified School District is constructing state-of-the-art facilities for students that expand educational opportunities, and increase safety and accessibility.

Voters in the Kelseyville Unified School District passed the $24 million Measure U school bond in June of 2016.

“We're on budget. We're on task,” district Superintendent Dave McQueen told the Measure U Citizens Bond Oversight Committee at its meeting last month.

Of the original total amount, about $8 million is left over, said McQueen.

This is the first bond measure he’s dealt with, and McQueen said it’s been amazing how fast the district has been able to move on its master plan, which includes major projects from replacing portable classrooms to a new shop building, multiuse building, and track and field facilities.

McQueen, along with district director of maintenance and operations Kyle Reams, consultant and project manager Mike Adams and chief architect Alexis Persinger, president of Persinger Architects, met with the Measure U Citizens Bond Oversight Committee at the last of its quarterly meetings of the year on Wednesday, Sept. 26, at the district office.

Adams gave the group an update on the bond projects.

He said they’ve been working on six projects, two of which are 100-percent complete.

The completed projects include the Riviera Elementary parking lot, which he said was a tremendous improvement on the flow to traffic, making it compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, improving parking overall, removing a gravel area in the middle of the bus dropoff area and installing a new sign at the site.

“It just really dresses up the facility very nice,” said Adams, noting that it’s much safer and creates a situation in which parents dropping off or picking up students don’t conflict with buses and other traffic.

Another project involved moving a portable building down from Cobb to the district grounds, where it’s being used for the Kelseyville Learning Academy, the district’s home school program, Adams said.

Adams said there are four other projects in various stages of progress.

They include three projects at the high school: a group of new modular classrooms that is virtually complete, an ADA-compliant walkway at the front of the school along Main Street and a huge new shop building where the framing has been going up.

“That project’s going quite well,” Adams said. He said the date for the shop’s completion on the contractor’s schedule is Jan. 18, although winter rain could delay it.

At Kelseyville Elementary School, a new multiuse room is being built; at that time, Adams said the concrete was about to be poured. He said it will give children a place to go during lunch on rainy days and also will have a stage for performances.

District officials said the building will have full-size high school basketball court, bleachers, a scoreboard, water fountains and a concession area. It will be Mountain Vista Middle School’s primary place for basketball games. Adams said that new multiuse building should be open and available next fall.

McQueen said that the district has managed to be ahead of schedule on all of its projects.

The effort has been guided by a master plan document that is the result of advance planning the district began in 2014, well ahead of Measure U’s passage.

McQueen said in 2014 Kelseyville Unified’s leadership went through the entire district to determine what needed to be done. He said they concluded that all of the projects would total $40 million, an amount they couldn’t qualify for; instead, they got approval for the $24 million bond.

He said the district board voted on the projects that are the highest priority and they’ve followed that list. Those projects are listed below.

In an effort to bring in more funds to complement the bond, McQueen said the district is applying for Proposition 51 funds and a career technical educational facility grant. If they receive the $3.5 million grant for which they’re qualified, they could put them back in the bond fund.

The career technical grant application should be done at the end of October, with notification by November, McQueen said.

Adams said the district has received a tremendous amount of support from the community for it’s ag-related programs, which always have had a large enrollment. He said they have community members writing support letters for the grant application. “That’s been pretty rewarding.”

McQueen said they’re moving into the next phase in which they will work on Mountain Vista Middle School.

Persinger showed a short video with modeling of how that campus will be improved, with eight buildings to be relocated and renovated once school is over. A bathroom project is slated for the Christmas holiday, along with gym bathrooms and the gym floor.

The work will open up the flow of the campus and its layout, Persinger said.

Reams said a civil engineer already has been out to the site, where plans include installing large drains behind classrooms in order to divert rainwater away from the campus quad.

Adams said tariffs have had an impact on the district’s projects.

When they were bidding out the shop and multiuse buildings, the threat of tariffs arose. Both of those projects called for steel roofing and siding, but tariff concerns caused the bidders to increase their prices on steel tremendously, Adams said.

Rather than pay those higher prices, Adams said the district proactively made changes to its projects. The plans now call for using cement-based Hardy board siding and a more traditional composition roof instead of steel. He said there is no downside to making the siding change, and the district could later change the shop roof to steel, as was done on the gym.

The district also is working with Jendi Coursey on outreach methods to district voters to keep them informed about the bonds, with plans including working with traditional media, social media, mailers, posters, letters and signage.

The bond oversight committee will next meet early in the new year; Adams suggested they look at gathering at the start of February after the shop building is completed.

MEASURE U PROJECTS LIST

Project totals are most recent estimates updated from April 2018.

Summer 2017 projects: $521,366

Gym HVAC, $226,051

Shade structures, #295,315

Summer 2018 projects: $14,235,319

New Kelseyville High School shop: $3,510,513

New gymnasium/multiuse building, to be shared by Kelseyville High, Mountain Vista Middle School and Kelseyville Elementary: $5,823,125

Replacing portables more than 20 years old: $4,363,505

Portable relocation to district office: $236,205

Site improvements: $301,971

Summer 2019 projects: $4,117,781

Renovate portables: $4,117,781

Summer 2020 projects: $4,104,100

Site building improvements: $205,934

Site building improvements: $603,941

Track and field improvements: $3,294,225

Total estimate for all bond projects: $22,978,566

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. – This week the Clearlake Police Department welcomed its newest police officer.

On Tuesday, Clearlake Police Chief Andrew White swore in new police Officer Shane Audiss.

Officer Audiss was raised in Sonoma County, where he played football and track while in high school.

He decided that he wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement and enrolled in the Santa Rosa Public Safety Center’s Basic Police Academy, graduating in 2015.

Officer Audiss looks forward to learning about the city of Clearlake and working with the community.

“We continue to add quality officers to our police department and we are pleased to have Officer Audiss join our Clearlake team,” said City Manager Greg Folsom.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council’s next meeting will include presentations of proclamations for the month of October as well as several public hearings, most of them for abatement order appeals.

The council will meet in closed session beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, to discuss a potential case of litigation and property negotiations at 14130 Tuli Lane before the open session of the meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

At Thursday’s meeting the council will present proclamations designating October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The council has planned several public hearings for its Thursday night meeting.

They include hearings regarding the adoption of a resolution revising the City Master Fee Schedule pertaining to penalties for parking violations and late payment penalties, and separate abatement order appeal hearings for property at 14170 Konocti St., 3602 Ciwa St., 3275 14th St., 16076 25th Ave. and 16326 34th Ave.

Under business, council members will consider the first reading of Ordinance No. 214-2018 adding section 3-4.16 to the Clearlake Municipal Code to provide information bidding procedures under the Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act.

The council also will get an update on the Enterprise vehicle leasing program and discussion and possible approval of entering into a fuel purchase program through Enterprise Fleet Management.

On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are warrant registers; consideration of continuation of a local emergency issued on Oct. 9, 2017, and ratified by council action Oct. 12, 2017; results of the 2018 League of California Cities annual conference resolutions; consideration of a resolution approving participation in the state and federal surplus property program; award of bid for demolition of buildings located at 2971 Sixth St., 3292 Ninth St., 3114 Eighth St., 2944 Fifth St., 3182 Park St. and 3373 11th St.

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.