This story has been updated with advisory evacuation information and a map of the mandatory evacuation area.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With fires that began in Mendocino County on Friday continuing to grow and approach Lake County communities, on Saturday afternoon local officials expanded the advisory evacuation area to include the entire city of Lakeport and a new mandatory evacuation order for an area near the city.

The Mendocino Complex, composed of the Ranch and River fires, grew to 9,500 acres on Saturday morning.

That breaks down to 3,500 acres and 2 percent containment on the Ranch fire, which began along Highway 20 eight miles northeast of Ukiah, and 6,000 acres and 2 percent containment for the River fire, which began off of Old River Road near Hopland.

Two structures have so far been destroyed and a total of 386 are threatened, Cal Fire said.

Officials also said that seven firefighters have been injured in battling the complex.

Resources assigned on Saturday to the complex included 470 personnel and 40 engines, 20 water tenders, two helicopters, 16 hand crews and 15 dozers.

Due to the River fire portion of the complex, on Saturday the sheriff’s office issued a mandatory evacuation notice for the area west of Highway 29 in and around the city of Lakeport.

The area to be evacuated includes all areas west of Highway 29 between Highland Springs Road and 11th Street/Scotts Valley Road, and west to the Lake/Mendocino County line.

The Lake County Sheriff's Office and the Lakeport Police Department jointly issued an advisory evacuation notice to the entire city of Lakeport and the surrounding areas.

Evacuation is recommended but not required. The Lakeport Police Department and the Lake County Sheriff's Office encourage those who are able to evacuate to consider doing so now.

A shelter has been established at Mountain Vista Middle School in Kelseyville, 5081 Konocti Road, Kelseyville.

Advisory evacuations also remain in effect for Bachelor Valley, Blue Lakes, Witter Springs, north Scotts Valley Road from the 7000 block to Highway 20, and Highway 20 from the 6000 block to the Lake County line.

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. – Two wildland fires in Mendocino County continued to grow overnight, with Lake County officials prepared in the event the fires reach local communities.

The Ranch and River fires, which were first reported about an hour apart on Friday afternoon, were combined into the Mendocino Complex overnight, according to Cal Fire.

Just after midnight early Saturday, Cal Fire issued an update on the complex, which together have burned 8,300 acres, with zero containment, and two structures – one residence and one outbuilding – destroyed. Two firefighters have been injured.

Officials said at that time that there were no roadway closures but urged drivers along Highway 20 and Highway 175 to use caution and watch for emergency vehicles entering and exiting the roadway.

Available mapping shown above illustrates that both fires are close to the Lake County line, with spots on the River fire appearing to have crossed into Lake County.

The Ranch fire, located along Highway 20 near Old Lake County Highway eight miles northeast of Ukiah, was first reported at about noon on Friday.

Cal Fire said the Ranch fire was up to 2,700 acres by midnight.

The fire was reported to be moving toward Lake County, which prompted evacuation warnings Friday evening for the areas of Bachelor Valley, Blue Lakes, Witter Springs, north Scotts Valley Road from the 7000 block to Highway 20, and Highway 20 from the 6000 block to the Lake County line, according to Cal Fire.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office reported that, in the event it issues a mandatory evacuation notice due to the fire, an evacuation shelter will be opened at Mountain Vista Middle School at 5081 Konocti Road, Kelseyville.

Lake Evacuation and Animal Protection, the volunteer group working under the auspices of Lake County Animal Care and Control, also has been on standby since Friday afternoon in the event evacuations are necessary.

Lakeport Fire Chief Doug Hutchison told Lake County News on Friday afternoon that his agency was ramping up in the event that the fires reached Lake County.

The River fire, which was reported at about 1 p.m. Friday along Old River Road six miles north of Hopland, has burned the largest portion of the complex’s acreage, and was at 5,600 acres early Saturday, according to Cal Fire.

In Mendocino County, mandatory evacuations are in effect for the River fire area, from the 8000 block of River Road, south to Highway 175, and from the Russian River east to to the Lake County line, and area which the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office said includes the Hopland Band of Pomo Indians.

The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office issued an evacuation warning, or advisory, for the area south of Highway 175, east of Old River Road to Highway 101 and east to Old Toll Road and Ranch Road area.

An evacuation center for Mendocino County residents has been established at the Mendocino College Dance Room at 1000 Hensley Creek Road, Ukiah.

The J arena located at 4800 Burke Hill Road, Ukiah, is accepting animals but not horses; instead, horses will be sheltered at the Redwood Riders Arena, located at 8300 East Road in Redwood Valley. Small animals will be accepted at the Mendocino County Animal Shelter, 298 Plant Road in Ukiah.

Concerns about fire and safety also led the county of Lake to temporarily close Mt. Konocti County Park, the regional trails and the Highland Springs Recreation Area until further notice.

The Bureau of Land Management also implemented a temporary closure of the North Cow Mountain Recreation Area, rifle range and South Cow Mountain Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area due for public safety due to the proximity of both the River and Ranch fires.

Lake County Air Pollution Control Officer Doug Gearhart had reported on Friday that the Mendocino County fires – as well as the Carr fire Shasta County to the north – were sending smoke into the local air basin.

As the night wore on, Lake County’s air quality continued to degrade, with a pervasive smell of smoke and reports from residents in a number of areas of falling ash.

Gearhart said air quality could drop into the “unhealthy” range for all residents, although air quality could vary if there are wind shifts in the area.

Both Lake and Mendocino counties are under a heat advisory through Sunday night due to a forecast for temperatures that could top the century mark. Those high temperatures are expected to create more challenges for a firefighting force that’s already stretched in light of resource needs at other incidents around the state.

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. – One mosquito sample collected in Lake County has tested positive for West Nile virus this week, health officials reported Friday.

The mosquitoes, Culex tarsalis, or Western encephalitis mosquito, were collected in Lower Lake on July 26, according to the Lake County Vector Control District.

The district reported that this is the first detection of WNV in Lake County in 2018.

The Lake County Vector Control District traps and tests mosquitoes throughout the county to identify the areas that have the highest risk, and targets those areas for source reduction and treatment using an integrated vector management program.

“The hot weather we’ve had this summer is perfect for both West Nile virus and mosquitoes to multiply quickly,” said Jamesina Scott, Ph.D., district manager and research director of the Lake County Vector Control District. “This is the first West Nile virus we’ve found in Lake County this year, and in most years, we continue to find West Nile virus into September.”

No other West Nile virus activity has been detected in Lake County yet this year. Statewide, 24 California counties have detected WNV this year, mainly in mosquitoes. Twelve human cases of West Nile virus illness have been reported in California residents this year.

While less than 1 percent of individuals – about 1 in 150 people – infected with West Nile virus will develop severe illness from West Nile virus infection, the disease can cause symptoms that can last for several weeks, and neurologic effects can be permanent. In some individuals, the infection can be fatal. People over age 50 and diabetics are at risk for the more severe forms of the disease.

The most recent confirmed case of WNV infection in Lake County was in 2016.

“Since there is no West Nile Virus vaccine for humans, the best protection is to prevent mosquito bites,” says Lake County Deputy Health Officer Dr. Erin Gustafson. “All residents of Lake County should get in the habit of taking precautions against mosquito bites while mosquitoes are active. We are fortunate to have had only a few cases of human illness, but finding the virus in mosquitoes is a reminder that we must take precautions throughout the WNV season.”

“You can reduce your risk of catching the infection by staying indoors during early morning and evening hours, keeping window screens in good repair, wearing protective clothing and use of insect repellents according to package instructions,” according to Dr. Gustafson.

“Other steps you can take to protect your family from West Nile virus are dumping or draining containers of water, using mosquito repellent, and contacting the District to get mosquitofish if you have a pool or spa that isn’t being maintained,” Dr. Scott recommended.

Mosquitoes that transmit WNV develop in the water in out-of-service swimming pools and spas, animal watering troughs, ornamental ponds, rain barrels, and other sources of standing water. The district has free mosquito-eating fish to control mosquitoes in these sources.

Residents with questions or who would like help with a mosquito problem, including reporting a neglected pool or spa, should contact the Lake County Vector Control District at 707-263-4770 or visit www.lcvcd.org.

For more information about West Nile virus, visit http://www.westnile.ca.gov/. Information about mosquito repellents can be found on the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/westnile/faq/repellent.html.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake and neighboring counties are under a heat advisory through Sunday night due to a forecast that calls for temperatures expected to top the century mark.

The National Weather Service issued the heat advisory, in effect until 8 p.m. Sunday.

The agency said a heat advisory means that a prolonged period of hot temperatures is expected and will create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible.

Forecasters are predicting daytime highs in the upper 90s and lower 100s around the region.

The specific Lake County forecast calls for daytime temperatures as high as 104 degrees on Saturday and 105 degrees on Sunday, with nighttime temperatures in the 60s.

Much of Mendocino County is under the same heat advisory, according to the National Weather Service.

The high temperatures are a concern for firefighters, who are battling the Mendocino Complex of fires – consisting of the Ranch and River fires – that began Friday.

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.

Some people think that what they need is a “simple will.” Actually what they need is the “right will.”

What the “right will” is depends on a variety of factors, including the size of the estate, the simplicity or the complexity of the gifting scheme, contingency planning if beneficiaries die, whether a probate will be required, whether a living trust is involved, the type of assets to pass under the will, the capacity of the testator (i.e., person signing the will) both to understand and to sign the will, and whether the will is likely to be disputed.

When no probate is required a “simple will” is more likely to be sufficient. Also, if the testator has diminished capacity to understand what their will says then a simple will may also be more appropriate.

A California statutory will, a short formal will, or a handwritten holographic will can all be simple wills.

A California statutory will is a free form available online. The testator has a series of choices and decisions to make. He or she fills in the appropriate blanks in the form, initials each page and signs and dates the will before two disinterested witnesses who also sign. It allows no deviations or elaborations from the form.

A short formal will is one prepared by an attorney. It is signed and dated by the testator and witnessed by two impartial witnesses.

A short formal will can address issues beyond the limited scope of a California statutory will and is the only choice if the testator is physically unable to sign the will.

A testator who wants some contingency planning or who wants any conditions placed on gifts would not use a statutory will.

A holographic will requires that the major substantive terms be handwritten by the testator who must declare his testamentary intention to make a will. No witnesses are required.

Someone without time to see an attorney who is travelling or going into surgery might use a holographic will as a temporary measure.

When is a probate required? Probate estates appraised at or above $150,000 gross value require a court supervised probate. An important exception applies to assets going to the decedent’s surviving spouse. Assets passing to a surviving spouse do not require a probate, no matter the value, and can be transferred using a spousal property petition.

A probate may still be required to transfer other assets of the decedent’s estate going to other beneficiaries. Transferring assets in a small estate with a gross value under $150,000 to non-spousal beneficiaries usually involves either affidavits or a court petition to confirm title to real and personal property.

A formal will is far better equipped for probate administration. Wills are more than just statements of testamentary wishes. They contain important provisions relevant to probate administration that are often missing in simple wills.

Such provisions include whether a family homestead and family allowance should be allowed, the personal representative’s powers and authorities, definitions, and whether a bond is required. Otherwise the probate administration may run into difficulties.

If the will is likely to be contested by an heir or beneficiary then a formal will that includes disinheritance and no contest provisions is needed.

If the decedent uses a living trust to avoid probate then a supporting “pour over will” still accompanies the living trust. It gives any assets remaining outside the living trust to the trustee for unified administration as part of the trust estate.

Having a will is usually necessary. When a California resident dies “Intestate,” i.e., without a will, the estate (other than any assets passing to designated death beneficiaries or held in a living trust) go to the decedent’s heirs under the probate code. The intestate distribution is not always what the decedent would have wanted.

Therefore, having a will or a trust to carry out your wishes only makes sense.

Dennis A. Fordham, attorney, is a State Bar-Certified Specialist in estate planning, probate and trust law. His office is at 870 S. Main St., Lakeport, Calif. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and 707-263-3235. His Web site is www.DennisFordhamLaw.com.

NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, or TESS, has started its search for planets around nearby stars, officially beginning science operations on July 25.

TESS is expected to transmit its first series of science data back to Earth in August, and thereafter periodically every 13.5 days, once per orbit, as the spacecraft makes it closest approach to Earth.

The TESS Science Team will begin searching the data for new planets immediately after the first series arrives.

"I'm thrilled that our new planet hunter mission is ready to start scouring our solar system's neighborhood for new worlds," said Paul Hertz, NASA Astrophysics division director at Headquarters, Washington. "Now that we know there are more planets than stars in our universe, I look forward to the strange, fantastic worlds we're bound to discover."

TESS is NASA's latest satellite to search for planets outside our solar system, known as exoplanets.

The mission will spend the next two years monitoring the nearest and brightest stars for periodic dips in their light.

These events, called transits, suggest that a planet may be passing in front of its star. TESS is expected to find thousands of planets using this method, some of which could potentially support life.

TESS is a NASA Astrophysics Explorer mission led and operated by MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and managed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

Dr. George Ricker of MIT's Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research serves as principal investigator for the mission.

Additional partners include Northrop Grumman, based in Falls Church, Virginia; NASA's Ames Research Center in California's Silicon Valley; the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Massachusetts; MIT's Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, Massachusetts; and the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore.

More than a dozen universities, research institutes and observatories worldwide are participants in the mission.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Two fires that began burning in Mendocino County on Friday have burned thousands of acres, with one of them resulting in advisory evacuations for a portion of Lake County west of Upper Lake.

The Ranch fire and the River fire continued to grow on Friday evening, burning 1,000 acres and 4,000 acres, respectively, according to Cal Fire.

Ground and air resources – both in limited supply due to the need on other major fires around the region – have been working on both fires, although at one point during the afternoon aircraft were diverted to the River fire due to increased need, based on radio reports.

Cal Fire said the firefighting efforts on both incidents have been challenged by high temperatures, rugged terrain and aggressive fire behavior.

The Ranch fire was first reported at about noon on Highway 20 near old Lake County Highway, eight miles northeast of Ukiah, Cal Fire said. It’s burning in a mix of grass, brush and oak woodland.

By 7:30 p.m. Friday, it was reported to have burned 1,000 acres, with zero containment and multiple structures threatened, though so far none destroyed, according to Cal Fire.

Cal Fire said two firefighters have suffered injuries on the incident.

The Mendocino Sheriff Office issued an evacuation advisory warning for the Burris Lane area in Potter Valley, Old Lake County Highway and Blues Lakes.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office also issued an evacuation advisory for Witter Springs, Blue Lakes, Bachelor Valley and north Scotts Valley Road from the 7000 block to Highway 20, as Lake County News has reported.

Highway 20 remains open, authorities said, but drivers are asked to use caution and watch for emergency vehicles entering and exiting the roadway.

Assigned resources include 13 engines, two water tenders, two helicopters, four hand crews, seven dozers and 129 personnel, according to Cal fire.

The River incident was first reported at about 1 p.m. Friday on Old River Road six miles north of Hopland.

By evening it had scorched 4,000 acres with zero containment. Cal Fire said it also is threatening multiple structures and has destroyed two – one residence and one outbuilding.

Officials said the fire is threatening the UC Berkeley Hopland Research and Extension Center.

The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office issued an evacuation warning for Old River Road, from the 6800 block north toward Talmage Road, later following up with mandatory evacuations south of University Road to Highway 175 and east to the Lake County line.

Cal Fire said assigned resources include 12 engines, six water tenders, two helicopters, two hand crews, eight dozers and 121 personnel.

On Friday the Bureau of Land Management said it is temporarily closing the North Cow Mountain Recreation Area, Rifle Range and South Cow Mountain Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area for public safety due to the proximity of both the River and Ranch fires.

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.

This story has been updated regarding the Ranch fire’s size.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The approach of a fire in Mendocino County has resulted in an evacuation advisory for portions of Lake County close to the incident.

The Ranch fire began at around noon along Highway 20 near Potter Valley, northwest of Blue Lakes and eight miles northeast of Ukiah, as Lake County News has reported.

The growth of the fire resulted in a Friday evening advisory evacuation notice from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Cal Fire said just before 7:30 p.m. that the Ranch fire had grown to 1,000 acres, with zero containment and multiple structures threatened.

So far, another Mendocino County fire, the River fire near Hopland, has not resulted in any Lake County evacuation advisory, although some residents of Mendocino County near the fire have been ordered to leave. That fire is reported to be about 1,200 acres, based on radio traffic.

Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin said the evacuation advisory for the Ranch fire covers Witter Springs, Blue Lakes, Bachelor Valley and north Scotts Valley Road from the 7000 block to Highway 20.

Martin said his agency was working to identify shelter locations for evacuations.

The sheriff’s advisory evacuation notice, which came out just before 7 p.m. Friday, encouraged those who are able to evacuate to consider doing so now.

“We are inviting everyone to take preparations in the likely event a mandatory evacuation order is issued,” the notice said.

“Preparations should include gathering all medications, important documents, making plans for pets, and notifying family members where you may be going. During a mandatory evacuation, it will be extremely hectic and traffic conditions will be very congested. By evacuating early, you do your part in keeping yourself, your neighbors, and our first responders safe,” the sheriff’s office reported.

Authorities said that, in the event of a mandatory evacuation, emergency shelters will be designated and identified.

Lake County Animal Care and Control’s Lake Evacuation and Animal Protection volunteer group is on standby to assist if needed in evacuation animals of all sizes.

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. – Lake County officials are taking safety precautions due to the intense heat and dry conditions while monitoring the progress of two Mendocino County fires that began on Friday and within hours scorched hundreds of acres between them.

The Ranch fire began at around noon along Highway 20 near Potter Valley, northwest of Blue Lakes and eight miles northeast of Ukiah, with the River fires burning along Old River Road near Hopland, as Lake County News has reported.

Both were reported to be growing rapidly throughout the afternoon and into the evening.

The California Highway Patrol reported Friday evening that, so far, there are no closures of major highways in the fire areas.

The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office said on its Facebook page late Friday afternoon that the Ranch fire was not at that time threatening any structures, and that Highway 20 remained open but that people should be vigilant, as conditions can change quickly.

On Friday afternoon, Lakeport Fire Chief Doug Hutchison put eyes on the fire from Vista Point in Lakeport.

“I’m concerned,” he told Lake County News a short time later.

He said the River fire at that point appeared to be moving to the southeast, but he noted that locally the winds typically become more westerly in the evening, which could push that fire to the top of Cow Mountain.

At the same time, he was concerned about the growth of the Ranch fire.

“We’re just going to ramp us as best we can here and hope for the best, but it’s going to be a long night,” he said.

On Friday the county of Lake also took a precautionary action it has taken during previous fire seasons and temporarily closed Mt. Konocti County Park, the county’s regional trails and the Highland Springs Recreation Area.

Those areas will remain closed until further notice, the county said.

County officials said Kelseyville Fire Protection District had requested the immediate closure of the two county parks due to the existing high fire danger and because of the already heavy demand on fire resources.

Separately, Lake County Animal Care and Control’s Lake Evacuation and Animal Protection volunteer group was reported to be on standby to assist if needed.

Sheriff Brian Martin said Friday evening that some of his personnel were responding to Mendocino County to embed with that county’s incident command center.

Martin said both fires will impact Lake County.

That impact already was apparent on Friday, with the smoke columns of both fires visible almost immediately. Thick smoke quickly moved into Lake County’s air basin and ash was reported to be falling in some areas.

Air Pollution Control Officer Doug Gearhart of Lake County Air Quality Management District issued an advisory for conditions ranging from “moderate” to “unhealthy for everyone.”

He said the district is actively monitoring the smoke impacts, with current particulate levels in Lake County ranging from “unhealthy for sensitive individuals” to “unhealthy” in the Lakeport and west county areas and “moderate” air quality in the eastern portions of the county.

Gearhart said the smoke and haze coming into Lake County was primarily attributable to the Ranch and River fires, with the Carr fire near Redding also contributing. The Carr fire on Friday had killed two people, burned more than 44,000 acres and dozens of homes, with evacuations under way as nearly 5,000 homes remain threatened.

He said the smoke is expected to remain in Lake County through the weekend, though we may see periods of variable air quality as the winds shift through the next few days.

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.

THIS STORY IS BEING UPDATED.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Firefighters are working two fast-growing wildland fire incidents that began Friday Mendocino County.

The Ranch and the River fires have between them burned hundreds of acres, according to reports from the scene.

The Ranch fire was first reported in an area off Highway 20 near Potter Valley, near a well-known buffalo ranch.

Cal Fire said shortly before 3:15 p.m. that the fire had burned 175 acres with zero containment.

It’s reported to be burning in grass, with aircraft dropping water and retardant to slow its progress.

Cal Fire said 12 engines, three water tenders, two helicopters, four hand crews, five dozers and 192 personnel are assigned.

The River fire also began on Friday in the area of Old River Road near Hopland, officials reported.

Just before 3:30 p.m. aircraft were diverted from the Ranch incident to the River incident.

At about the same time, the River fire was reported to be about 400 acres.

Due to big fires raging around the state – including the Carr fire near Redding – a large amount of air resources have not been available to respond.

New information will be published as soon as it becomes available.

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. – Clearlake’s new police chief took his oath of office and received a warm welcome from the community at the Clearlake City Council meeting on Thursday evening.

Chief Andrew White, 33, was sworn in and received his new badge as community members and numerous out-of-area law enforcement officials – from agencies in Benicia, Fairfield and Suisun City, among others – looked on.

The council held its meeting not at its usual location, Clearlake City Hall, but at the Clearlake Senior and Community Center in order to accommodate the large crowd and host a reception afterward.

“Today’s a very exciting day,” said Mayor Bruno Sabatier in opening the 18-minute meeting.

Rather than sitting in front of the room, council members were in the audience. Councilwoman Joyce Overton, who also is the senior center’s director, was absent for the event.

“This is an exciting moment for our city as we move forward,” Sabatier told the crowd.

City Manager Greg Folsom, who attended despite a back injury, noted, “This is an important day both for Andrew and the city of Clearlake.”

Folsom said he is excited to have White on the team. “I think we’re building a really strong team here in Clearlake and we’re getting a lot of things done,” he said, noting White comes with glowing recommendations and a technology background.

Philip White, Andrew White’s father, was on hand for the event, and took the opportunity to praise his son.

“There’s not enough you can say about your kids,” he said.

Philip White, who spent 30 years in public service himself – in the fire service, not police work – said his son decided at an early age that he wanted to be in law enforcement.

He said his old sheriff’s reserve uniform was used by his son for a Halloween costume, but then it remained in his son’s closet, tipping him off to the fact that something was going on. Later, he said his son became a crossing guard, an explorer and a cadet.

“Andrew, I’m really proud of you,” Philip White said, noting his son is a team player and forwarding thinking. He also thanked the city.

Tim Mattos, chief of Suisun City Police, said that when he took over his job three years ago, the first call he made was to Andrew White, to ask him to come and be his commander, that department’s second in command.

“Grab on and get ready for this ride,” Mattos told the city, adding that White is one of the hardest working individuals he’s ever met. “He is dedicated to this job.”

Mattos said that the Suisun City Police Department is proud of White even though they're losing him, explaining that it’s part of his growth.

“The city of Suisun and the police department thank you for everything you have done for us,” Mattos said to White, adding, “I am so honored to call you my peer.”

City Clerk Melissa Swanson called Chief White forward to administer his oath. In it, he pledged to support and defend the US Constitution and that of the state of California, against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

Afterward, he shook Swanson’s hand and signed the oath document before his wife, Charlotte, came up to pin on his new badge.

White thanked the many people who helped him arrive as the city’s new police chief, including family, his past three chiefs of police – all of them in the room – along with former coworkers and friends, local officials who were on hand to welcome him, including Sheriff Brian Martin and Lake County Fire Chief Willie Sapeta, and the council and city staff.

“Being appointed the chief of police for the city of Clearlake is an absolute honor and privilege,” he said, adding that he recognized it’s a significant responsibility.

He told the council and staff, “You have my commitment to lead with honesty and integrity, ensuring we are responsive to our community, and work with other city departments and community partners to fulfill our strategic plan.”

White asked for the community’s patience as he becomes immersed in how the department works and learns how it interacts with city residents. He committed to ensuring his staff offers the highest quality policing services in a fair and impartial manner in order to continue making Clearlake a safer community.

To the police staff, White committed to provide clear direction, to be fair, to hold them accountable and also to be accountable to them, to challenge them to continually improve and develop, and to provide strong support.

“It is with great respect and pride that I now wear the badge and patch of the Clearlake Police Department,” White said.

White recognized Lt. Tim Celli, who over the last two and a half years had served both as acting and interim chief, and who has made White’s transition into the chief’s job smooth.

In closing the meeting, Sabatier said, “Chief White, welcome to the team.”

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 work of the greatest playwright will once again light up Library Park this weekend when the third annual Shakespeare at the Lake presents “As You Like It.”

The play will be presented at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 28, and Sunday, July 29.

This year's play is brought to the community by Mendocino College and the Lake County Theatre Co., in cooperation with the Lake County Friends of Mendocino College and the city of Lakeport.

Putting on a production of this size is, without a doubt, a group effort. Aside from the 20 actors, all of whom are enrolled in a performance class at the college, there are dozens of behind the scenes players who help make the dream of an outdoor Shakespearean experience a reality.

Producers, directors, set designers, scene painters, costumers, lighting and sound operators, stage managers, publicity coordinators, and security guards (to watch over the set and tech equipment overnight in the park) all play an important role in the production.

The cast and crew have worked tirelessly for the past few months and they are excited to present the play to a live audience.

The first two years of the project were crowd-pleasing sensations. Audiences in the hundreds flocked to the idyllic setting in Library Park to enjoy “A Midsummer Night's Dream” in 2016 and “Much Ado About Nothing” in 2017.

Thanks to its success during the first two years, Shakespeare at the Lake, under the direction of Mendocino College theater instructor John Tomlinson, earned the award for “Best New Idea” at the 2017 Stars of Lake County.

Unlike the more traditional presentations of the past two years, this year's play will break away from the Renaissance era and embrace a much later rebirth: the 1960s.

Peace-loving, forest-dwelling hippies will tell the story of corrupt royalty, banishment, mistaken identity and, of course, plenty of love to go around. You may even hear some of your favorite groovy 60s tunes throughout the production.

Concessions, including hot dogs and bratwurst, fresh salads, cookies, and local beer and wines, will be for sale before and during the performance. Don't forget to bring a chair.

For more details about the production visit www.lctc.us.