CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Three structures were reported to have been burned in a Sunday evening fire in a Clearlake neighborhood.
The fire in the 3300 block of Brown Street near Turner Avenue was first reported just before 7 p.m. Sunday.
Lake County Fire Protection District firefighters who arrived on scene just minutes after dispatch found multiple structures threatened, as well as fencing, boats and vehicles, according to reports from the scene.
Minutes later, radio reports indicated that two structures were fully involved and propane tanks were going off.
Cal Fire was asked to send resources, with a full wildland dispatch of five engines requested a short time later due to concerns about the fire spreading into vegetation, according to incident command. Cal Fire’s response included a strike team from the Ranch fire.
Just before 7:20 p.m., incident command reported stopping the fire’s progress into wildland, and canceled the two dozers and two crews that had been requested, but engines were asked to continue in.
Power lines also were reported to be down at the scene, and incident command stated problems with water supply.
Forward progress on the fire was stopped just before 7:45 p.m., when it was reported that several hours of mop up would be needed.
Incident command also requested dispatch notify the water company of several hours of high water flow in an effort to cool the outgassing propane tanks on the scene.
In response to the fire, the Clearlake Police Department issued a mandatory evacuation order for Grey, Brown and Amber streets from Olympic Drive to Bowers Avenue just before 7:25 p.m. That evacuation was called off at 10 p.m.
Incident command confirmed from the scene that three structures in total burned.
Mop up was still under way early Monday morning, and a Clearlake Police unit was asked to come to the scene just after 12:30 a.m. to take a further report on the fire, according to radio reports.
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 Mendocino Complex pushed closer to Lake Pillsbury and nearby homes on Sunday, leading to Lake County officials reiterating the need for residents to evacuate.
The complex by Sunday night had increased by 5,000 acres to 336,395 acres during the course of the day, with containment up to 70 percent, Cal Fire said.
The Ranch fire’s activity accounted for all of the complex’s Sunday growth. Cal Fire said it is now up to 287,479 acres and 62-percent containment, while the River fire remained at 48,920 acres and 93 percent containment.
Cal Fire said that, throughout the course of Sunday, the Ranch fire was very active on its northwest corner, near Lake Pillsbury. Fire crews constructed dozer lines in Potter Valley to tie into the road system in an effort to stop the fire from progressing west.
Very active fire below and to the east of Lake Pillsbury produced the majority of the smoke seen from the fire on Sunday, Cal Fire said.
When the winds shifted and smoke clear, Cal Fire said air attack was able to fly and support the firefighting effort.
During the afternoon and into the evening, radio reports indicated firefighters were protection structures around Lake Pillsbury, with the fire moving close to the summer homes around Rice Fork.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office issued a mandatory evacuation order for the Lake Pillsbury area on Aug. 4. Just before 3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday the sheriff’s office two alerts reminding residents of the area of that evacuation order and encouraging them to leave immediately.
As of Sunday evening, there was no structure loss in Rice Fork, as firefighters continued to try to hold the fire south of Lake Pillsbury and the Eel River, according to reports from the scene.
On the northeast portion of the Ranch fire, in the northeastern portion of Colusa County, fire crews are continuing to tie in dozer lines as well as constructing contingency dozer lines along the ridge tops far ahead of the fire, according to the report and fire mapping.
The Snow Mountain Wilderness is still proving difficult for personnel on the ground to traverse in order to implement a direct attack, officials 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.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors will get an update from staff on the Mendocino Complex at its meeting this week and also discuss several proposed changes to the county’s zoning ordinance.
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
At 9:06 a.m., the board is scheduled to get an update and hold a discussion on the Mendocino Complex fire response and recovery.
In another item timed for 9:15 a.m., the board will consider and discuss various amendments to the Lake County Zoning Ordinance regarding a reduction in the minimum residential construction standards in the single-family residential and manufactured home overlay districts; updates to the collector's permit terms and conditions; restaurants as accessory uses to a tasting room; and temporary dwellings in emergency situations; and request for board direction.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
6.1: Adopt resolution transferring the current balance in the other post-employment benefits fund (645) to the recently authorized Section 115 Post-Employment Benefits Trust and authorizing initial investment portfolio option.
6.2: Approve contract between the county of Lake and Debra Sally, DVM for veterinarian services in the amount not to exceed $25,000 annually for the 18/19 fiscal year, and authorize the chair to sign.
6.3: Adopt Resolution Amending Resolution No. 2018-73 establishing position allocations for fiscal year 201-2019, Budget Unit No. 1123, Assessor.
6.4: Adopt the resolution approving the Mental Health Services Act Three-Year Program and Expenditure Plan for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 through Fiscal Year 2019-2020.
6.5: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Cal Engineering & Geology Inc. for engineering services for repair of Socrates Mine Road Landslides, Lake County, in the amount not to exceed $232,297.02; and authorize the chair to sign.
6.6: Approve amendment three to the agreement for final design and right-of-way services for the South Main Street and Soda Bay Road Corridor Improvement Project in Lake County, with Quincy Engineering Inc. for an increase of $139,878.05, and an amount not to exceed $2,483,054.78; and authorize the chair to sign.
6.7: Approve Encroachment Permit #18-27 - Temporary closure of a portion of Clear Lake in front of Library Park on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018 from 8 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for single-boat, high-speed demonstration runs associated with the Hot Car and Boat Show.
TIMED ITEMS
7.2, 9:06 a.m.: Consideration of update and discussion on the Mendocino Complex - River and Ranch fires response and recovery.
7.3, 9:15 a.m.: Discussion and consideration of various amendments to the Lake County Zoning Ordinance regarding a reduction in the minimum residential construction standards in the single-family residential (R1) and manufactured home overlay (MH) districts; updates to the collector's permit terms and conditions; restaurants as accessory uses to a tasting room; and temporary dwellings in emergency situations; and request for board direction.
7.4, 9:30 a.m.: (a) Presentation of code enforcement update; and (b) consideration of request for board direction regarding amendments to Chapter 13 of the Lake County Code.
7.5, 10 a.m.: Public bid opening, consideration of bids to purchase the property known as the Lucerne Hotel, located at 3700 Country Club Drive, Lucerne, CA (APN’S 034-182-030 & 040, AND 034-867-010 through 070) pursuant to Government Code Section 25520 et seq. (Due to the mandated evacuation of the City of Lakeport due to disaster, the public bid opening will be continued to Aug. 21, 2018, at 10 a.m.)
7.6, 10:15 a.m.: Public bid opening, consideration of bids to purchase the Bevins Court properties in Lakeport, CA (APN’s 025-462-100 & 090), pursuant to Government Code Section 25520 et seq. (Continued from Aug. 7, 2018).
UNTIMED ITEMS
8.2: Consideration of change in Board of Supervisors Committee assignment for vice chair to the Disaster Council.
8.3: Discussion and consideration of a draft ordinance amending certain sections of Chapter 13 to establish administrative fines for violations of the Lake County Code relating to the failure to obtain and/or maintain any permit related to cannabis operations.
8.4: Consideration of resolution to oppose Proposition 6 in the November 2018 Election.
CLOSED SESSION
9.1: Conference with legal counsel: Decision whether to initiate litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(4): County of Lake v. United States, Department of Interior .
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.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council is set to hold a short special meeting to deal with fire-related issues.
The council will meet at 5:15 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.
The single agenda item is the council’s review of the need to continue the proclamation declaring a local state of emergency due to conditions of extreme peril as a result of the River fire, which along with the Ranch fire is now part of the Mendocino Complex.
On July 28, the director of emergency services for the city of Lakeport declared a local state of emergency in connection with the conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the city as a result of the River fire, according to the staff report from City Manager Margaret Silveira.
Silveira said the council subsequently ratified the declaration on July 30 in accordance with the Emergency Services Act Section 8630(b) and Lakeport Municipal Code section 2.28.130, under Resolution 2679 (2018).
Lakeport Municipal Code requires the city council to review, at least every 14 days, the need for continuing the emergency declaration until the local emergency is terminated, Silveira said.
The council has the option to approve the need for the continuation of the proclamation declaring a local state of emergency due to Mendocino Complex or to proclaim the state of emergency’s termination, according to Silveira.
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. – Police are investigating an early Sunday morning shooting in which initial reports suggest a Clearlake man killed three of his children and wounded the fourth before fatally shooting himself.
At 12:43 a.m. Sunday, the Clearlake Police Department received a report of a male subject shooting a firearm in the 4700 block of Yarrington Court, according to Sgt. Tim Hobbs.
Hobbs said officers arrived in the area a short time later and contacted a 25-year-old female who called the police.
The officers learned the female had just been at a residence on Yarrington Court with her husband, 39-year-old Ricardo Lopez, and their four children, Hobbs said.
For unknown reasons Ricardo Lopez, who was outside the residence, began shooting a firearm and she ran away to get help, according to Hobbs.
Officers went to the residence on Yarrington Court and located Ricardo Lopez deceased laying in the driveway. Hobbs said Lopez had what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was in possession of a firearm.
Officers located the couple’s four children inside a SUV parked in the driveway. Three of the children – ages 9 months, 2 years and 4 years – were deceased from apparent gunshot wounds, Hobbs said.
A fourth child, age 5, was alive and had a gunshot wound to the chest, according to Hobbs.
Hobbs said officers rendered medical aid to the 5-year-old while waiting for medical personnel to arrive.
Once medical personnel arrived, the child was transported to Adventist Health Clear Lake Hospital then flown to an out-of-county hospital. As of Sunday morning, Hobbs said the child was in stable condition.
“Clearlake Police detectives responded to the location and are in the process of investigating the circumstances that led to this tragic incident,” Hobbs said.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Detective Leonardo Flores at 707-994-8251, Extension 315, or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The Mendocino Complex, as mapped by Cal Fire on the morning of Sunday, August 12, 2018. LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Mendocino Complex’s Ranch fire reached a record acreage total on Sunday as it continued to burn actively along its northern perimeter.
Cal Fire said the Mendocino Complex reached 331,399 acres and 70-percent containment on Sunday morning.
The River fire near Lakeport continues to be held at no new growth. It’s at 48,920 acres, with containment up slightly to 93 percent, Cal Fire said. Crews continue to monitor it for hot spots and to do suppression repair.
The Ranch fire on the county’s north side reached 282,479 acres and 62-percent containment on Sunday, according to Cal Fire.
The US Forest Service, which is in unified command on the fire with Cal Fire, said the Ranch fire grew approximately 6,000 acres in the previous 24 hours.
Mendocino National Forest spokeswoman Punky Moore said the Ranch Fire is burning in the Snow Mountain Wilderness and the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.
The complex is listed as the largest wildland fire in California history; all on its own, the Ranch fire could rank as the second largest, having surpassed the December 2017 Thomas fire overnight.
The Mendocino Complex’s updated damage assessment shows it has destroyed 146 residences and 118 other structures, and damaged 13 homes and 24 other buildings. It continues to threaten 1,025 structures.
The Ranch fire continued to be active in its northeast section overnight, Cal Fire said. Fire mapping showed that activity in the northwest occurred near the Lake-Colusa County line west of Lodoga, based on the maps.
Dozer lines have been constructed in the northeast corner below Stonyford and contingency dozer lines have been constructed ahead of the fire around Stonyford with additional proposed lines being scouted, officials said.
Moore said that on Saturday, firefighters were able to hold and improve the dozer line along McLeod Ridge from Lake Pillsbury towards the fire’s edge. Dozer operators continued constructing dozer line along Gilmore Ridge and north through the 2012 Mill Fire scar toward Davis Flat.
Crews improved the fireline in the steep canyons near Clover Valley in the southern portion of the fire, and they continued to improve contingency dozer lines in the Potter Valley area and along Bushy Camp and Noel ridges, Moore said.
Cal Fire said fire crews on Sunday will continue attempting to contain the northwest portion of the fire, protecting the southern areas of Lake Pillsbury and bringing it back into the Mendocino National Forest. There are many constructed dozer lines along the western edge and throughout Potter Valley and below Lake Pillsbury.
Fire crews will attempt to contain the fire from progressing west, keeping it south of Eel River, Cal Fire said.
On the northeast side, Moore said that on Sunday dozer operators will continue constructing dozer line along Gilmore Ridge and north through the 2012 Mill Fire scar toward Davis Flat in order to secure the fire’s northeast corner to keep the fire west of Stonyford and Century Ranch.
Cal Fire said 3,422 personnel – including 41 from New Zealand and Australia, and 200 active duty military firefighters – are part of the firefighting force, along with 281 engines, 87 water tenders, 20 helicopters, 61 hand crews and 76 dozers.
“I am glad to see all of the cooperation from Cal Fire, the United States Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the US Military and all of the other cooperators,” said Incident Commander Jerry McGowan. “We will all continue to work together to stop this fire, it is our main objective. It has already burned enough land.”
With a red flag warning having ended on Saturday night, Moore said there should be a return to a more normal weather pattern Sunday. Temperatures will be a little cooler, the humidity will be a little higher and the winds lighter than Saturday.
She said smoke impacts will continue to be heavy in communities near and east of the Ranch fire, including Clearlake, Stonyford and east to Willows. Moderate impacts are expected west of the fires in Ukiah, Hopland and Willits. The north and central Sacramento Valley will see widespread haze and smoky conditions.
Across California on Sunday, almost 13,200 firefighters are on the front lines of 11 large wildfires across California. To date, these fires have burned over 695,000 acres and damaged or destroyed over 2,000 structures. Over 12,000 residents remain under evacuation orders, Cal Fire 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.
A map of sites tested on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, that were confirmed to have high cyanotoxin levels in Lake County, Calif.: Danger levels denoted in red, Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine in Clearlake Oaks, and Austin Park Beach and Redbud Park boat launch, both in Clearlake; warning levels in orange, Soda Bay Cove in Kelseyville and Cache Creek in Lower Lake; and caution levels in yellow, Elem Indian Colony in Clearlake Oaks and Lakeside County Park in Kelseyville. Map courtesy of Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Public Health is urging boaters and recreational users to avoid direct contact with or use of waters containing blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, in Clear Lake.
The recommendation is based on the potential health risks from the algae, which is currently blooming at varying levels in all three arms of the lake – Upper Arm, Oaks Arm and Lower Arm.
The Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians and Elem Indian Colony conduct extensive monitoring of Clear Lake.
The most recent test results for cyanotoxins from Aug. 7 confirmed “danger” levels of 20 micrograms per liter, or µg/L, at several locations, triggering health warnings.
The sites where the danger levels were found include:
– Sulphur Bank mercury mine, 4,800 µg/L. – Austin Park Beach, 230 µg/L. – Redbud Park boat launch, 24 µg/L.
Warning levels were found at Soda Bay Cove, 13 µg/L, and Cache Creek, 8.7 µg/L, while caution levels were confirmed at Elem Indian Colony, 3.7 µg/L, and Lakeside County Park, 2.9 µg/L, according to the Big Valley Rancheria monitoring Web site.
In recent weeks, the California Department of Water Resources issued an algal bloom warning advisory for Pyramid Lake in Los Angeles County and reported danger levels of cyanotoxin in San Luis Reservoir in Merced County.
Lake County officials said blue-green algae can pose health risks, particularly to children and pets.
Public Health urges people to choose safe activities when visiting the Oaks Arm and parts of the Lower Arm of Clear Lake and wherever blooms are visible. It is strongly recommended that people and their pets avoid contact with water and avoid swallowing lake water in an algae bloom area.
Sulphur Bank mercury mine site is close to a private drinking water supply. The Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians and Elem Indian Colony will be following up with these drinking water suppliers. The Redbud Park boat launch location also is close to a drinking water supply, and sampling of drinking water at the site will occur on Aug. 17.
Cyanotoxin are produced by bacteria called cyanobacteria. They are an essential part of the environment that have existed for millions of year and produce oxygen.
Under certain conditions, they multiply excessively and form visible clumps that can appear as cut grass in the water or blue-green, white or brown foam, scum or mats that can float on the water’s surface and accumulate along the shoreline and boat ramp area.
On occasion, they produce toxins that can cause harmful effects in people and animals if exposed through ingestion, inhalation of aerosolized water or direct contact. As environmental factors change, most harmful algae blooms resolve over time.
However, when cyanotoxin are known to be present, re-testing the water after it has cleared and allowing at least two weeks to pass after no toxins are found is recommended
Get medical treatment immediately if you think that you, your pet, or livestock might have been poisoned by blue-green algae toxins. Be sure to alert the medical professional to the possible contact with blue-green algae. Also, make sure to contact the local county public health department at 707-263-1090.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced the Federal Aviation Administration will award $770.8 million in airport infrastructure grants, the third allotment of the total $3.18 billion in Airport Improvement Program, or AIP, funding.
The grants include a $648,450 award to Lampson Field Airport for runway repairs.
“These Airport Improvement Grants are investments in our country’s critical infrastructure,” said Secretary Chao. “This grant is a down payment to ensure Lampson Field remains an economic engine as demand grows.”
AIP grants fund infrastructure projects that include runways, taxiways, aprons, and terminal projects. These projects are important to the safety and efficiency of the nation’s system of airports.
Airports receive a certain amount of AIP entitlement funding each year based on activity levels and project needs. If their capital project needs exceed their available entitlement funds, the FAA can supplement their entitlements with discretionary funding.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Registrar of Voters Office has issued an update on the deadlines to file to run for a number of local special district, fire district and school board seats in November.
Registrar of Voters Diane Fridley said the nomination period to file for candidacy for certain elective offices for the upcoming Nov. 6 Statewide General Election has been extended for all qualified persons other than the incumbent officeholders until 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15.
The nomination period has been extended due to the nonfiling of incumbent officeholders of the following districts.
The impacted seats are as follows.
– Mendocino-lake Community College District, Trustee Area No 5 (Lake and Mendocino Counties): One vacancy, four-year term.
– Lake County Board of Education: Trustee Area No. 3, four-year term.
– Kelseyville Unified School District: Two vacancies, four-year terms.
– Konocti Unified School District: Three vacancies, four-year terms.
– Lakeport Unified School District: Two vacancies, four-year terms; one vacancy, two-year unexpired term.
– Middletown Unified School District: Three vacancies, four-year terms.
– Upper Lake Unified School District: Five vacancies.
– Lake Pillsbury Fire Protection District: Five vacancies.
Interested persons desiring information regarding filing for any of the elective offices that have been extended advised to contact the Lake County Registrar of Voters office, located in Room 209 on the second floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport, telephone 707-263-2372, during regular business hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. prior to the extended filing deadline of Aug. 15.
The fireworks show you watched in July most likely lasted 20 minutes. But in August, you can watch some celestial fireworks that will last hours and hours.
This is the Perseid meteor shower. with a clear sky, observers will be able to see up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak.
The Perseid meteors are produced by debris from a comet known as 109P/Swift-Tuttle. With a nucleus of about 16 miles (26 kilometers), it’s the largest object known to repeatedly swing by Earth and will appear again in 2126.
In the meantime, Earth will pass through the dust left by previous passes of the comet from July through August, with the peak taking place on the night of Aug. 12 into the morning of Aug. 13.
A meteor is the streak of light visible in the sky as dust particles burn up high in the atmosphere.
Mark your calendars now because this night is when you’ll see the highest rate of meteors as they radiate from the constellation Perseus.
Astronomer Bill Cooke of NASA’s Meteoroid Environment Office, offerED this insight: "This year the Moon will be near new moon. It will be a crescent, which means it will set before the Perseid show gets underway after midnight. The Moon is very favorable for the Perseids this year, and that'll make the Perseids probably the best shower of 2018."
The speed of a firework rocket is about 150 miles per hour (241 km/h). By comparison, the speed of a particle that makes a Perseid meteor is about 132,000 miles per hour (212,000 km/h). That means that even a small amount of dust from the comet will burn brightly and colorfully as it disintegrates in Earth’s atmosphere.
Being icy bodies, Perseid meteors are moving far too fast to survive the heat of ablation; very few survive to an altitude of 45 miles.
According to Bill Cooke, the key to seeing a meteor shower is "to take in as much sky as possible. Plan ahead by locating a viewing area that’s away from the bright lights of a city or town. Ideally, you want as few lights around you as possible.
Next, take a sleeping bag, air mattress, or comfortable chair for viewing as you’ll need to wait about 30 minutes after you arrive for your eyes to adjust to the dark.
Avoid looking at your cell phone, as the bright display can prevent your eyes from adapting. If you need a light, use one with relatively low intensity and a red filter.
Be prepared to be amazed as you view an average of a meteor a minute for hours and hours. The show starts around 10 p.m. local time, with rates gradually increasing as the night gives way to dawn.
The Perseid meteor shower, peaking on Aug. 12 and 13. For the backyard astronomer in all of us, this is truly nature’s best firework show.
For more information on this and other meteor showers, soar over to http://science.nasa.gov.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Officials said the Mendocino Complex continued to challenge firefighters on Saturday, with acreage edging up once more.
The complex burned another 3,000 acres – all of it on the Ranch fire – for a day’s-end total of 328,226 acres. Containment remained at 67 percent, according to Cal Fire.
Cal Fire said the River fire continued on Saturday to be held at 48,920 acres and 92-percent containment, with suppression repair and patrolling under way, while the Ranch fire grew to 279,306 acres and 58-percent containment.
All on its own, the Ranch fire is one of the largest fires in California history.
In its Saturday evening report, Cal Fire said the northwest corner of the Ranch fire remained very active throughout the day. The northeast corner of the fire remained active as well, and both northern corners are proving to be very challenging.
Cal Fire said hot weather and wind are adding to the challenge for firefighters, continuing to drive the fire north in both directions. The heavy smoke from active fire and terrain limit the ability to find access points for direct attack on the fire front.
For fire officials, the Ranch fire’s northern fire front will continue to be a priority for fire suppression resources.
Air attack also will continue to fly as visibility and weather permits, Cal Fire said. The thickness of the smoke has caused some aircraft to be curtailed over the past two weeks.
Helicopters continued to work along the Northshore on Saturday, hauling buckets on long lines between the lake and the fire area.
Assigned resources were rolled back slightly on Saturday as demands for firefighters and engines continued around California because of other wildland fire incidents.
The destroyed structure count remains at 258 (139 residences, 119 other structures), and the structures damaged tally also is unchanged at 37 (13 residences, 24 other buildings).
Cal Fire said 3,422 firefighters, 281 engines, 87 water tenders, 20 helicopters, 61 hand crews and 76 dozers are working the incident.
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.
Food and supplies being distributed at the Lucerne LAC. LUCERNE, Calif. -- After a busy day Friday the Local Assistance Center in Lucerne continued operations Saturday with plans to remain in Lucerne until Friday, August 17.
The center is located at the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center, at the corner of 10th and Country Club Drive.
Theresa Showen, program manager with Lake County social services described her work "as soon as an area opens up to repopulate we help people to get food and get the resources they need to get back into their homes."
Additionally, information for long term recovery is provided to clients. The LAC will be open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily with flexible hours as need diminishes.
"If it looks like it may be something ongoing we may extend that time," Showen said.
Saturday the center was not a shoulder to shoulder crush as it was Friday. "We served over 290 families yesterday in five hours (Friday)," Showen said.
At the LAC people are greeted at the door, damage assessments are taken and people are walked to all agencies they need to talk to and provided meals and food to take home.
Across Tenth street in the First Lutheran Church parking lot, church members continue to dispense dog food and canned cat food until the supplies run out. Passersby are loudly told "welcome home", offered pet food and a kind ear to hear people's stories.
Church members Stan and Josette Kanter with Darquise DelCol sharing a mutual comfort moment with a puppy.
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