CLEARLAKE, Calif. – At its meeting on May 10, the Clearlake City Council voted unanimously to rescind the Property Assessed Clean Energy, or PACE, Program, previously authorized by the city.

PACE programs allow an owner to finance energy efficiency and water conservation improvements to their property.

The cost of installation is paid over time by the owner as a property tax assessment lien. These improvements can range from a high efficiency furnace to solar panels. The city authorized two providers to offer the program within the city limits in 2015.

The city recently discovered that program participation has been very low, with only one property owner having completed improvements under PACE.

As the property owner discovered, one of the limitations to PACE is that a property cannot be sold or refinanced with the PACE lien in place.

Further complicating the program implementation, the program administrators do not currently have required agreements with the county auditor-controller to place the liens on the property tax roll. This requires the PACE administrators to invoice property owners independently.

The way PACE is structured, the city does not have oversight authority on the program, and participation can result in high financing costs for owners.

Based on both the local issues and the overall program complications, after careful deliberation, the council elected to rescind the authorized PACE programs.

While only one property owner has completed improvements under the program, there are seven other property owners that have received financing approvals from a PACE provider, and are under construction.

The council authorized those owners to continue with their approved projects, but no additional project applications will be accepted or approved by the PACE providers.

“While we value and encourage property owners to achieve energy efficiency and water conservation measures where possible, the current complications with PACE place Clearlake residents at risk of paying too much for these improvements. We encourage property owners to fully research their financing options when installing these types of upgrades," said City Manager Greg Folsom.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The University of California-Merced team of Herbie LeBlanc of Gilroy and Tshu Xiong of Merced won the YETI FLW College Fishing event at Clear Lake presented by Bass Pro Shops on Saturday with a five-bass limit weighing 19 pounds, 10 ounces.

The victory earned the Bobcats bass club $2,250 and a spot in the 2019 FLW College Fishing National Championship.

“In our pre-fishing we had found that the water was very clear on the north end and a bunch of shad were up shallow, so we decided to start our tournament there,” said LeBlanc, a junior majoring in earth systems science. “When we got to our first spot, we realized that everything had been blown out from the wind. The lake went from 3-foot of visibility down to about 5 inches, so our pattern was toast.

“So, we decided to stay in the north end of the lake and look for areas that were secluded and weren’t affected by the wind,” LeBlanc continued. “We found a lagoon with a bunch of docks, and when we went in I got a bite in the first 30 feet of entering the area. We ended up staying there all day and fishing the whole thing.”

The duo estimated that they caught around 15 keepers and said that they caught their fish on two baits – LeBlanc fished a Texas-rigged Okeechobee Craw-colored Zoom Brush Hog, while Xiong fished a weightless Texas-rigged black and blue Yamamoto Senko.

“We flipped our baits into the tules and grass, and fishing slowly and methodically was very important,” said Xiong, a senior majoring in human biology who was fishing his very first College Fishing tournament. “The bite was a lot better in the morning, from 7 to 11 (a.m.)”

“I think the key was ignoring the bed fish and the southern end of the lake completely,” LeBlanc went on to say. “I could see the bed fish and I could just tell that all of those fish had been fished for and beat up, so we disregarded those fish completely. During practice we found that the bite was much better up north, so we spent our entire tournament there.”

The top 10 teams on Clear Lake that advanced to the 2019 College Fishing National Championship are:

First: University of California-Merced – Herbie LeBlanc, Gilroy, Calif., and Tshu Xiong, Merced, Calif., five bass, 19-10, $2,250.

Second: California State University-Chico – Cole Lauchland, Chico, Calif., and Logan Schwab, Davis, Calif., five bass, 16-12, $1,410.

Third: California State University-Chico – Chad Sweitzer, Chico, Calif., and Matthew Pusateri, Grand Terrace, Calif., five bass, 15-2, $710.

Fourth: California State University-Chico – Carson Leber, Dixon, Calif., and Tyler Bounds, Chico, Calif., five bass, 14-10, $500.

Fifth: California State University-Chico – Michael Klemm and Nick Klein, both of Oroville, Calif., five bass, 14-7, $500.

Sixth: New Mexico State University – Ty Faulconer and Daylon Smith, both of Las Cruces, N.M., five bass, 12-14.

Seventh: Sonoma State University – Trenton Wells, Windsor, Calif., and Brock Trudeau, Lancaster, Calif., five bass, 12-6.

Eighth: California State University-Chico – Austin Crane and David Griswold, both of Oroville, Calif., five bass, 12-2.

Ninth: Sonoma State University – Tyler Owens, Santa Rosa, Calif., and B.J. Kendrick, Morgan Hill, Calif., five bass, 11-13.

Tenth: California Polytechnic State University – Hugh Cosculluela, The Woodlands, Texas, and Patrick Ellis, San Diego, Calif., five bass, 11-9.

Complete results for the entire field can be found at www.FLWFishing.com .

The YETI FLW College Fishing event at Clear Lake presented by Bass Pro Shops was hosted by the Konocti Vista Casino Resort & Marina, and was the second of three regular-season qualifying tournaments for Western Conference anglers in 2018.

The next YETI event for FLW College Fishing anglers will be the 2018 FLW College Fishing National Championship.

The event will take place May 30 to June 1 on the Red River in Shreveport, Louisiana, and is hosted by the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission & Red River Waterway Commission.

YETI FLW College Fishing teams compete in three regular-season qualifying tournaments in one of five conferences – Central, Northern, Southern, Southeastern and Western. The top 10 teams from each division’s three regular-season tournaments and the top 20 teams from the annual FLW College Fishing Open will advance to the 2019 FLW College Fishing National Championship. Additional teams will qualify for the National Championship if the field size in regular-season events exceeds 100 boats.

YETI FLW College Fishing is free to enter. All participants must be registered, full-time students at a college, university or community college and members of a college fishing club that is recognized by their school.

For complete details and updated information visit www.FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow YETI FLW College Fishing on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – One person was arrested and hundreds of marijuana plants were seized in Clearlake during a Tuesday search warrant service.

Clearlake Police Det. Leonardo Flores said that officers with the Clearlake Police Department Investigations Unit executed a search warrant regarding the commercial cultivation of marijuana for sale in the 2800 block of Seventh Street on Tuesday.

He said officers were investigating a possible illegal marijuana growing operation in violation of state cannabis laws and city ordinances.

During the execution of the search warrant, a total of 464 growing marijuana plants were located, and indicia, chemicals and materials associated with the illegal cultivation and sales of marijuana were also located and seized, Flores said.

Miguel Saucedo Hurtado, 30, of Clearlake fled from the property upon entry but was apprehended and taken into custody, according to Flores.

Anyone with information on these investigations is encouraged to contact Det. Leonardo Flores at 707-994-8251, Extension 315.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Police Department is asking for the community’s help in locating a male subject who attempted to abduct a woman in downtown Lakeport on Tuesday afternoon.

The agency said that at approximately 4 p.m. Tuesday Lakeport Police officers were dispatched to contact a 26-year-old female who reported the incident.

The woman told officers that a male subject approached her at the end of Fourth Street near Library Park at about 3:15 p.m. and offered her money for sex, police said.

The female reported that she said no and the male then grabbed her by the arm and attempted to pull her into his vehicle. Police said the woman reported that she broke free from the man’s hold and he then fled in the vehicle.

The vehicle is described as a shiny red Lexus sedan with gold badging bearing a unknown state license plate, white with black lettering, first three letters EYU.

The driver is described as a black male adult, in his mid 50s, 6 feet in height and weighing 225 pounds, with short curly salt and pepper-colored hair. He is clean shaven and wearing a black short-sleeved shirt, black jeans, and black and grey shoes.  

The investigation is ongoing and police are asking that anyone who may have seen anything or who may have information on the man or his vehicle contact the Lakeport Police Department at 707-263-5491, send an anonymous message from your cellular telephone by texting the words TIP LAKEPORT followed by your message to 888777 or send a private message on Facebook @LakeportPolice.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A Lucerne man was injured Monday night when he was involved in a motorcycle crash.

Erik Jones, 44, was flown to a regional trauma center following the wreck, which occurred at 8:10 p.m. Monday, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office.

The CHP said Jones was riding a 1994 Honda motorcycle eastbound on Highway 20, west of Irvine Avenue in Upper Lake, at approximately 55 miles per hour.

Jones lost control of the motorcycle, which slid to the right shoulder and came to rest against a metal guardrail, the CHP said.

Medical personnel responded to the scene and transported Jones by REACH air ambulance to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital where he was treated for moderate injuries, according to the CHP.

On Tuesday Officer Kory Reynolds said the CHP did not have an update on Jones’ condition.

The CHP said Jones was using his safety equipment, and driving under the influence is not suspected as a contributing factor in the wreck.

CHP Officer Piers Pritt is investigating the crash.

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. – Narcotics detectives last week made four arrests in connection to the service of a search warrant that uncovered evidence of heroin and methamphetamine sales.

Lt. Corey Paulich said that on May 9 Lake County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit detectives served a search warrant at a residence belonging to Eric Jeffery Klein, 42, and Alexis Rose Coulter, 26, in the 15000 block of 32nd Avenue in Clearlake.

Paulich said detectives located and seized evidence associated with the sales of heroin and methamphetamine.

Approximately 40 grams of black tar heroin was located in a small shed with packaging materials and digital gram scales, Paulich said. Detectives also located a hidden safe, which upon inspection contained over four ounces of crystal methamphetamine, US currency and an additional 20 grams of tar heroin.

Klein and Coulter were also in possession of a stolen .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol that was loaded, Paulich said.

Klein was arrested for violations of possession of heroin and methamphetamine for sale, possession of a stolen firearm, felon in possession of a loaded firearm, and possession of a controlled substance while armed, according to Paulich’s report.

Paulich said Coulter also was charged with possession of heroin and methamphetamine for sale, possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a controlled substance while armed. Klein possessed more than $2,300 of currency which was seized per asset forfeiture laws.

Detectives determined Klein and Coulter were living in the residence with a small child under 4 years old, Paulich said.

Two additional people, Adam James Gates, 37, and Shanel Alisha Blevins, 29, were living behind the residence in a trailer with a small child. Based on the evidence located, Paulich said detectives additionally notified Child Protective Services and charged all four subjects with crimes associated with child endangerment.

Klein remains in custody at the Lake County Jail with his bail set at $500,000. Coulter, Gates and Blevins also remain in custody with their bail set at $75,000, Paulich said.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The service of search warrants in Clearlake this week led to the seizure of hundreds of marijuana plants, processed marijuana and other materials.

On Monday officers from the Clearlake Police Department Investigations Unit executed search warrants regarding the commercial cultivation of marijuana for sale at two residences located in the 3800 and 3900 blocks of Laddell Avenue, the agency reported.

Police said the residences had been identified as illegal marijuana growing operations in violation of state cannabis laws and local city of Clearlake ordinances.

During the execution of the search warrants, a total of 418 growing marijuana plants were located along with processed marijuana. Indicia, chemicals and materials associated with the illegal cultivation and sales of marijuana were also located and seized, police said.

Investigators also seized 2.7 grams of cocaine which was packaged for sale at one of the residences, according to police.

Asset forfeiture proceedings were started from the investigation at one of the residences, authorities said.

This investigation is ongoing with identified suspects. Anyone with information on these investigations are encouraged to contact Detective Leonardo Flores at 707-994-8251, Extension 315.

The Clearlake Police Department reminds citizens that Proposition 64 allows up to six plants to legally be grown inside a residence. Under the City of Clearlake ordinance No. 197-2017 no more than six plants total are allowed to be grown on a property, whether indoors or outdoors, and a permit is required to cultivate marijuana outdoors for personal use.

For information on the permit process you can visit the City of Clearlake Web site at www.clearlake.ca.us or contact City Hall at 707-994-8201.

Due to past trends and violent crimes associated with the illegal commercial growing of marijuana, the Clearlake Police Department reported that it is continuing to take a proactive approach on enforcement of all state laws and local ordinances associated with the cultivation and sales of marijuana and marijuana associated products.

Authorities said the illegal growing of marijuana in the city of Clearlake will not be tolerated. Suspects who choose to involve themselves in the illegal activity subject themselves to arrest, prosecution and civil liability for environmental crimes.

Anyone who observes illegal activity in their neighborhood is urged to contact the Clearlake Police Department or Code Enforcement.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – It is an annual tradition in Clearlake for the Park Study Club to donate a large American Flag to fly in Austin Park over the summer months.

On Tuesday, May 15, come join members of the Park Study Club, the city of Clearlake, and the Lake County Fire Protection District in celebrating the annual flag raising ceremony at Austin Park.

In honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day, the flag will then be lowered to half-staff for the day.

The ceremony will begin at 10 am.

“Thanks to the generous donation of the flag from the Park Study Club, the annual flag raising ceremony is the symbolic beginning of summer and the tourism season in Clearlake. Come join us as we celebrate our flag, honor the peace officers who have lost their lives or become disabled in the line of duty, and look forward to a great summer season,” said City Manager Greg Folsom.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The final opportunity for those impacted by the October 2017 fires to share their experiences on the Northern California Fire and Health Impacts Survey is coming soon.

The survey, led by UC Davis public health researchers, closes at midnight on May 31.

Until then, it can be completed online in English here: https://ucdavis.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aaS1gHzT5AKhdsh.

It is also available in Spanish here: https://ucdavis.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_escEpHgWHa3l4iN.

The researchers are inviting one person per household in fire- or smoke-affected areas throughout Northern California to fill out the survey, regardless of how much, or how little, household members were affected by flames, smoke or ash from the fires.

The questions generally take about 20 to 30 minutes to complete, and responses are confidential.

The goal is to better understand the health effects of the fires through the experiences of those living in affected communities.

“We’re also interested in learning about the needs of those going through the rebuilding process," said lead researcher Irva Hertz-Picciotto, professor of public health sciences and director of the Environmental Health Sciences Center at UC Davis.

The results could help close gaps in disaster relief services, inform clinicians about continuing health impacts, improve preparedness for future fire catastrophes and reduce the effects of fires on health.

“Including as many experiences with these firestorms as possible is critical to communicating the full range of outcomes, needs, and repercussions for diverse communities and potentially bringing all who were affected closer to full recovery,” Hertz-Picciotto said.

Research on the October 2017 Northern California fires is essential, because they were unique in scope, intensity, and the extent to which they affected residential and commercial areas, Hertz-Picciotto added.

“We are very grateful to those who have already taken the time to complete the survey and told us about their experiences, as they are providing personal perspectives and insights into the short- and medium-term consequences of these fires,” she said. “We look forward to hearing from others, including those who don’t usually participate in research studies or whose voices often are not heard.”

Answers to common questions about the survey are available online here: http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/newsroom/releases/20180221_fire_health_survey.html.

Additional questions can be emailed to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The survey is part of a comprehensive post-fire assessment known as “WHAT-Now-California?” being conducted by the UC Davis Environmental Health Sciences Center.

Established in 2015, the center links UC Davis experts in multiple schools – medicine, veterinary medicine, engineering, biological sciences, letters and science, and agricultural and environmental sciences – for studies on the effects of environmental events, chemicals, pollutants, and disasters on disease and disability.

The ultimate goal is to foster new approaches and policies that protect communities from harmful exposures.

More information is available on the center’s Web site, https://ehscc.ucdavis.edu/ .

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – One of Lake County’s standout high school wrestlers has added another award to her collection after an excellent performance in a national wrestling tournament this weekend.

Jasmin Clarke brought home a second-place finish at the Women’s World Trials, formerly known as Body Bar, in Irving, Texas.

Her coach, Orlando Zarate, said Clarke competed in the 78 kilogram – or 171-pound – weight class, which is new to her, in the juniors and cadets divisions in her effort to make the United State’s junior world team.

Zarate said Clarke received a first round bye in the round of 16 before wrestling Iman Thomas of Texas in the quarter finals. During that match, Clarke won by fall in 1:46 seconds.

In her second match against Wilma Mason of Washington, Clark won by technical fall by the score of 10-0, Zarate said.

On Sunday morning, Clarke moved on to wrestle in the finals against Elisa Robinson of Kansas, according to Zarate.

Clarke and Robinson got into a body lock position and Robinson “was able to hit a big throw to put Jasmin on her back,” Zarate said.

“Leading up to the finals Jasmin wrestled really tough and it was her first time competing at this weight,” Zarate said.

Zarate said this is Clarke’s second time being a national runner up and this makes her a four-time All-American.

It’s the latest in a series of sporting accomplishments for Clarke.

In July, she won the national title at 200 pounds at the U.S. Marine Corps Junior and Cadet Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota. She was then moved up to the 225-pound weight class, where she was runner up.

During the school year she competed at 189 pounds and placed fourth in the state meet. In April she competed at 180 pounds at the freestyle state event where Zarate said she placed second and qualified again for Fargo.

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 Westside Community Park Committee will hold the third annual Two-Mile & 5K Fun Walk and Run on Sunday, May 27.

This event supports future development at the park and the committee’s ongoing operation and maintenance of the Jane Barnes Field.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. with the walk and run commencing at 8:30 a.m.

The start will be from the Jane Barnes Field parking lot at the Westside Community Park, 1401 Westside Park Road in Lakeport.

This year’s course will take participants through the undeveloped portion of the park, across Forbes Creek and through the Puett property to Martin Street.

The finish will be at the Kiwanis Club of Lakeport’s Craft Fair located on the grounds of Natural High, 810 N. Main St. in Lakeport.

Participants are encouraged to ride share with a friend leaving a car at the finish for the return trip to the park. For those needing a return ride, a shuttle will be provided by Guy Strohmeier’s Auto Center in Lakeport.

The registration fee is $20. Each participant will receive a Westside Community Park T-shirt and an entrant’s bid. Pets are welcome on a leash.

Advanced registration is available at the Committee’s Web site, www.westsidecommunitypark.org.

Carol Thorn, financial officer of the Westside Community Park Committee, thanked Lisa Hutton and Michelle Kundsen for allowing the run to pass through their property.

Thorn added, “With this year’s run passing through the back portion of the park and the Puett property participants can enjoy the natural beauty of the area.”

The Westside Community Park Committee is a local nonprofit group of community volunteers developing a regional recreation park for the City of Lakeport. The park is accessed from Parallel Drive just past the Matt Mazzei Auto Dealerships.

The Westside Community Park is home to the Konocti Youth Soccer League, the Lakeport team of the Williams Men’s Soccer League, the Lions Club Horseshoe League and is used by the Westshore Little League for its softball program. Facilities include baseball and softball fields, soccer fields, a dog park, horseshoe pits, bicycle pump track, picnic tables and a walking trail.

Future development will include beach sports courts. The committee also will develop a horse park at a site located on Highway 175 just west of the Lakeport city limits. Ruzicka Associates is currently working on plans for the horse park.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council this week will welcome an art exhibit to the city and discuss an agreement with Lake County Behavioral Health.

At 5:30 p.m., city council members will participate in a reception for the opening of the Resilience Project art exhibit before the meeting begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

On Tuesday the council will present a certificate of appreciation to the Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis Garden Club for its civic beautification project at Westside Community Park along with a proclamation designating May 13 to 19 as Police Week.

Lisa Kaplan from the Middletown Art Center also will give a presentation on the Resilience Art project exhibit.

In council business, Police Chief Brad Rasmussen will present a license agreement between the city of Lakeport and the county of Lake for Behavioral Health staff to work out of the Lakeport Police Department station.

Rasmussen also will take to the council the illegal fireworks police operation plan for the July 4 holiday.

On the consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances; minutes of the council’s regular meeting on May 1; receipt and filing of the Fiscal Year 2016/2017 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the city of Lakeport; approval of the 2017 flood damage insurance settlement agreement and authorization for the city manager to sign the agreement; adoption of a resolution calling for, providing for and giving notice of the General Municipal Election to be held in the city of Lakeport, county of Lake state of
California Nov. 6 for the purpose of electing two city council members, each to hold office for a term of four years, or until their successors are elected and qualified, and requesting consolidation of that election with the State General Election and requesting approval of the Lake County Board of Supervisors for election services to be provided by the Lake County
Registrar of Voters.

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.