LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – While the public makes plans to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, the California Highway Patrol is preparing to keep the roadways free of impaired drivers so that everyone can safely enjoy the festivities.

Last year on St. Patrick’s Day, the CHP made 148 arrests statewide for driving under the influence.

Tragically, that same day, three people were killed and 66 people were injured statewide as a result of DUI collisions, the CHP said.

“Don’t let a day of celebration turn into a day of tragedy. If you drive impaired, you risk your life and the lives of others on the road,” said CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley. “Plan ahead before the party begins by designating a sober driver or making arrangements for a taxi or ride-hailing service.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, reports 29 people in the United States died in alcohol-related vehicle collisions every day in 2016 – or one person every 50 minutes. In 2016 alone, 60 people were killed in drunk-driving collisions during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period.

The CHP joins with the NHTSA in reminding motorists that “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.”

The CHP recommends these steps to avoid impaired driving:

– Plan ahead. Designate a sober driver or have an alternate transportation plan before you go out to drink.
– If you are hosting a party, serve plenty of food and non-alcoholic beverages. Stop serving alcohol a few hours before the end of the party.
– If you see a friend who is too drunk to drive, take their keys and call them a cab or ride-share, or give them a ride home.
– If you see a suspected impaired driver, call 9-1-1. Your phone call may save someone’s life.

The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of safety, service and security.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The Napa County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday issued an update on the investigation into Friday’s fatal standoff at the Yountville Veterans Home, reporting on the causes of death of the victims and the assailant.

Authorities said Sacramento resident Albert Wong, 36, a former participant in the Pathway Home program located at the Veterans Home campus, was the man responsible for the standoff.

He exchanged gunfire with authorities before taking hostage three women staffers at the facility: Jennifer Golick, 42, of St. Helena, the Pathway Home clinical director; Christine Loeber, 48, of Napa, Pathway Home executive director; and Jennifer K. Gonzales Shushereba, 32, of Napa, a clinical psychologist with the San Francisco Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.

The daylong standoff ended late Friday with the discovery of the bodies of the three women and Wong, authorities said.

At that time, authorities did not confirm that Wong had killed the women, but the autopsies performed this week have led to the conclusion that he in fact fatally shot all three, Blower said.

On Thursday, Blower said the forensic examination and autopsies of the three shooting victims revealed that they all suffered “immediately fatal head wounds caused by a high velocity projectile” consistent with the rifle that Wong had used in this incident.

Shushereba was 26 weeks pregnant at the time of her death with a baby girl. Blower said Shushereba’s unborn baby died due to lack of oxygenated blood caused by her mother’s death.

Blower said Wong’s autopsy revealed that he suffered one self-inflicted fatal wound to his head from a shotgun, with the examination showing that the wound was consistent with the shotgun he had with him at the time of the incident.

“There is no evidence that any of the injuries suffered by the victims were caused by anyone other than Albert Wong,” Blower said.

Last week Gov. Jerry Brown ordered flags in the State Capitol to be flown at half-staff in recognition of the victims and their families.

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. – As part of the larger National School Walkout that took place on Wednesday, dozens of students at districts throughout Lake County left classes to participate in peaceful demonstrations.

The walkout event, meant as a student-led protest of gun violence, arose in the wake of the fatal high school shooting on Feb. 14 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., in which 17 students and faculty members were killed by a 19-year-old gunman.

Lake County News was able to confirm student participation in the event in the Konocti, Lakeport, Middletown and Upper Lake districts. Officials in the Kelseyville Unified School District did not respond by press time.

Lake County News also made requests for comment from students involved in organizing the event at Clear Lake High School but did not receive a response Wednesday night.

In the Konocti Unified School District, only five students walked, all at Lower Lake High School, according to Superintendent Donna Becnel.

In the Lakeport Unified School District, a “WalkUp” event was promoted at Clear Lake High School instead of a walkout. Students were encouraged to wear white and walk up to students who sit alone at lunch, reach out to new friends, thank teachers or approach and talk to those with different viewpoints.

The WalkUp event was held in the school’s quad area, according to Superintendent April Leiferman.

She said she was with another group of students who were protesting in front of the gym, up until the time some of them walked off campus.

“I made it clear to the students that they could protest on campus, but could not leave campus because of safety issues,” she said.

Leiferman explained that students cannot leave campus unsupervised and need parent permission to do so, just like for field trips.

“Some of the students did not return after the protest which caused us to worry and we contacted their parents,” she said. “We spoke to those students that did return and discussed with them the legal responsibility of schools to keep students safe from the time they leave home in the morning to the time they return home after school. These students will serve detention together as a group while planning how to protest and be safe at the same time.”

Pictures of a group of students walking from the Lakeport Unified campus to the Lake County Courthouse in downtown Lakeport were posted on social media by Lake County Supervisor Tina Scott, who walked with them.

Scott, a former Lakeport Unified School Board member, had posted on Tuesday night that she planned to march with them. While she said she understood the need to keep students in school, “I also know the importance of standing up for what you believe in.”

In the Middletown Unified School District, Superintendent Catherine Stone said some students also participated.

She said they let students know that they could walk out of class at 10 a.m. but could not leave campus.

“They were encouraged to gather on the quad, and to return to class right afterward. We treated it as an opportunity for students to learn about civic engagement. Students who did not wish to participate stayed in their classes,” she said.

At 10 a.m. Wednesday about 100 students convened in the campus quad, Stone said.

“They spoke quietly among themselves for awhile, and then a student suggested they all take off their shoes and lay them out to represent the students who have been killed at schools across the country,” she said. “They did this and then formed a ring around the shoes and sang ‘Amazing Grace’.”

She said they then spent the rest of the time in silence in honor of the 17 students and faculty who lost their lives in Parkland.

“Right at 10:17, without any prompting, they returned to class,” she said.

Separately, elementary school students at a charter school in Middletown were reported to have participated in a brief march through town.

At Upper Lake High School, school administrators told Lake County News that 23 students walked out of classes but stayed in the quad on the campus.

There are other upcoming demonstrations planned in coming weeks, including the March 24 “March For Our Lives” protests in Washington, D.C. and the National Day of Action Against Gun Violence in Schools on April 20.

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. – All of the filing periods for the local elected offices on the June 5 primary have now closed and the fields are set.

The filing periods for district attorney, District 2 supervisor and District 3 supervisor races closed at 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Those three races in the June 5 primary had their filing periods extended due to no incumbents filing for reelection, according to Lake County Registrar of Voters Diane Fridley.

As of the Wednesday evening deadline, the only major change in the makeup of the fields since last week was that Clearlake City Councilwoman Joyce Overton had completed the process to become a candidate for District 2 supervisor, Fridley said.

Overton joins Clearlake Mayor Bruno Sabatier, her colleague on the council, in the race to succeed Supervisor Jeff Smith.

In the District 3 supervisorial race, the two candidates are EJ Crandell and Denise Loustalot, Fridley said. Supervisor Jim Steele is not seeking reelection.

Fridley said the district attorney’s race still has two candidates, attorney Steven Brown and Senior Deputy District Attorney Susan Krones.

District Attorney Don Anderson is not seeking reelection to his current office, and instead has joined Deputy County Counsel Shanda Harry and attorney Andre Ross in the race for Lake County Superior Court judge, to succeed Judge Stephen Hedstrom, who is not running for another term. That race, which follows different deadlines than the county offices, was closed as of Friday evening.

Several other county races closed on Friday and the following incumbents are running unopposed: Assessor-Recorder Richard Ford, County Clerk-Auditor Cathy Saderlund, Sheriff-Coroner Brian Martin and Treasurer-Tax Collector Barbara Ringen.

The race for Lake County superintendent of schools will see incumbent Brock Falkenberg challenged by retired Upper Lake Unified School District Superintendent Patrick Iaccino.

Lake County Superior Court Judge Andrew Blum and Judge Michael Lunas are both running unopposed. Judicial race procedure provides that, because they are not being challenged, their names will not appear on the primary ballot and they will be considered reelected in November, Fridley said.

Fridley said two measures will appear on the June 5 ballot.

They are Measure G, the county of Lake’s proposed 1.5-percent general sales tax estimated to raise $4.5 million per year for 10 years for fire recovery and other budgetary needs, and Measure F, an annual tax of $50 per lot proposed within the Butler-Keys Community Services District in Clearlake Oaks for a period of four years to fund street maintenance.

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 county’s work to create cannabis regulations aligning with state law – which has been going on for years but has intensified in recent months – took another step forward on Tuesday, with the Board of Supervisors giving its initial approval to an updated commercial cannabis ordinance.

However, with that step also came another slight delay; the ordinance had been approved the previous week and expected to have its second and final reading on Tuesday.

The board instead decided to accept additional changes proposed by Community Development Department staff which County Counsel Anita Grant cautioned changed the document enough that Tuesday’s consideration needed to be considered the first, not the second, reading.

A copy of the staff’s strike-through and underlined version of the ordinance with changes the board had ordered the previous week, along with additional proposed changes, is published below.

Some of the changes were minor, involving numbering and formatting, while others were more substantive.

Community Development Director Bob Massarelli said one necessary update resulted from the board directing the removal of a requirement for a zoning permit, which would have required modifications of use permits for apartments and mobile home parks, so staff developed language to address that.

Some language was clarifying, such as relating to height of structures, not plants, outlined in the development standards, and ensuring that it’s understood that applications for permits require the property owner’s written consent; outlining differences between necessary state permits and licenses that are required; making clear the qualifications for minor and major use permits; and adding references for early activation of commercial cannabis permits – which existed already in the ordinance – to other parts of the document.

During public comment, the board heard input regarding setting up the sheriff to do the necessary background checks, and fielded a request from Michael Green of the Lake County Growers Association who, while agreeing with the proposed changes, said still more work needed to be done as far as addressing several technical errors his group said the document contains.

And while other growers lauded the board for taking its time to create the rules, they didn’t want further delays, even of just a week.

“Nothing’s ever perfect,” said Frank Perez of Rancho de La Fuente.

Supervisor Jeff Smith wanted to be cautious. “As always, I would rather do it the safe way and the correct way, and that is to do the first reading today and the second reading next week with all the changes that were made.”

Supervisor Moke Simon showed some of the same impatience exhibited by community members. “We gotta get it done,” he said. “It keeps getting pushed down the road.”

Grant told them that no matter what they decided to do, there would likely be future changes as things evolve.

“There will be cleanup, I can promise you that, with a 60-page ordinance or 50-page ordinance of this type,” she said, adding there will be such cleanup in every jurisdiction where such ordinances are being drafted.

The board considered removing Community Development’s latest changes in order to move the ordinance forward. However, Smith pointed out that leaving in a minor use permit for early activation – which staff had suggested be removed – could actually add another step in the process for growers, slowing them down in the long term more than a week’s delay for the ordinance.

Agreeing with Smith that the ordinance needed to be fixed and given final approval at the board’s next meeting, Supervisor Tina Scott moved to approve a first reading of the updated document.

The board voted 4-1 to approve the motion. The lone dissenting vote was Supervisor Rob Brown.

The ordinance is expected to be placed on the March 20 meeting’s consent agenda, as additional changes aren’t anticipated to be made to the document.

In other news, the board continued proclamations of local emergencies due to the Rocky, Jerusalem, Valley, Clayton and Sulphur fires and the atmospheric river storm of last year, heard a report on the 2015 Dislocated Worker Grant for Valley fire disaster and discussed that grant for 2017, considered an appointment to the Building Board of Appeals and finished out the meeting with Grant leading a training and brushup for the board on Brown Act compliance.

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.

CDD Ver. DRAFT Cannabis Cultivation Ord 03092018 by LakeCoNews on Scribd

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Cal Fire Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit Chief Shana Jones has been honored as Woman of the Year by Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Napa).

In celebration of Women’s History Month, the state Senate honors women who have made significant contributions to their respective districts and communities.

"I truly love working for Cal Fire, and I am blessed that I am able to serve my communities working alongside so many dedicated first responders and public servants every single day," said Shana Jones, the 2018 Woman of the Year. “There are so many inspiring women, I am truly humbled to have been chosen for this award, and I want to thank Sen. Dodd for the recognition.”

Jones has a long history of serving the public in forest management and fire protection. She is responsible for overseeing all Cal Fire functions within Sonoma, Lake, Napa, Colusa, Yolo and Solano counties.

Throughout her career, Jones has been assigned to numerous complex fires. Most recently, she served as the agency administrator overseeing three Cal Fire incident management teams that orchestrated the response to the October 2017 wildfires in Sonoma, Napa, Lake and Solano counties.

“Shana has dedicated herself to the safety and wellbeing of her neighbors,” said Sen. Dodd. “She leads by example and is truly an inspiration. Her leadership working to save lives and homes during the October wildfires is only the latest example of her commitment. I commend Shana for all that she has accomplished and thank her for everything that she continues to do for our communities.”

Jones, a fifth generation Bay Area native, began her career with the US Forest Service in both forest management and fire protection. She joined Cal Fire in 2000 in the resource management program as a forester. In 2004, she made the transition to fire protection as an assistant chief.

In 2012, Jones was promoted to the position of Northern Region Staff Chief of Management Services for Cal Fire and in 2016 Chief Jones transferred to her current position of unit chief for Cal Fire’s Sonoma-Lake-Napa unit.

She has been part of the curriculum development team and is a member of the Advanced All-Hazards Incident Management cadre, which hones the skills of current and future incident management team members on dealing with a multitude of complex incidents they may face.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Library welcomes sculptor Diego Harris as the speaker at the next installment of “Know Lake County” on Saturday, March 17, at 2 p.m.

The free program will take place at the Lakeport branch of Lake County Library at 1425 N. High St.

Harris learned welding through Mendocino College, then by “messing around at home” in his workshop, he moved from utilitarian welding to sculpture.

His large metal sculptures have been displayed outdoors around Northern California, including in Lake, Mendocino and Sonoma counties.

Harris incorporates spirals, horns, serpentine shapes into fanciful trees, creatures and abstract forms that seem inspired by Dr. Seuss.

This versatile artist also produces wood burned gourds, jewelry, paintings and photography.

Harris owns Diego’s Gallery in Upper Lake where he, Sherry Harris and Derek “Rojax” Harris display their art.

The Diego’s Gallery Web site at http://www.diegoandsherrycraftart.com/DiegoandSherryCraftArtists.html includes a photo gallery of Harris’ works.

Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Lake County Library.

The monthly Know Lake County lectures feature speakers from a wide array of organizations and disciplines, each representing some aspect of Lake County.

Lake County PEG TV records each Know Lake County program, broadcasts it on cable Channel 8, posts it on YouTube and creates DVDs that become part of the Lake County Library’s circulation collection.

More information about PEG TV can be found at www.lakecountypegtv.org.

For more information call 263-8817.

The Lake County Library is on the Internet at http://library.lakecountyca.gov and Facebook.

Jan Cook is a technician at the Lake County Library.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Wildlife officers have uncovered what is likely the largest raptor poaching case in known California history, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife reported.

Wildlife officers assigned to Lassen County received an anonymous tip from someone who reportedly witnessed a man killing a hawk near the town of Standish, according to CDFW.

Officials said the local wildlife officer conducted surveillance, then visited the private property and discovered nine dead raptors, which was enough evidence to obtain a search warrant.

He returned on March 11 with additional officers and a CDFW K-9. A search of the 80-acre property led to the discovery of an extraordinary number of raptor carcasses, other dead birds and wildlife and spent rifle casings indicating more than 140 potential state and/or federal violations, the agency said.

In addition to the original nine birds, they found 126 dead raptors, all in various states of decay. Most of the birds were red tail hawks, but at least one dead owl was found, as well as an uncommon migratory ferruginous hawk. CDFW said officers also located two dead bobcats, one taxidermied mountain lion and other nongame birds, all suspected to be unlawfully taken.

Property owner Richard Parker, 67, was booked into Lassen County jail on multiple charges including take of birds of prey, take of migratory nongame birds as designated by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, take of other nongame birds, and possession of wildlife unlawfully taken. Additional charges may be added as the investigation proceeds, CDFW said.

Staff at CDFW's Wildlife Investigations Laboratory in Rancho Cordova are working to positively identify the species of all of the birds.

As the top bird predators in the food chain, raptors serve an important role in the ecosystem by controlling rodent and small mammal populations. However, they are also particularly susceptible to environmental stressors such as drought and habitat loss. For these reasons, biologists refer to them as an indicator species.

Standish is located near Honey Lake and the Honey Lake Wildlife Area, with habitat that supports a rich diversity and quantity of wildlife. The sheer number of birds poached on the 80-acre property will undoubtedly affect the raptor population in the immediate area, CDFW said.

"Poaching crimes of this egregious nature against raptors is unprecedented in California," said David Bess, CDFW deputy director and chief of the Law Enforcement Division. "The local raptor population may take years to recover from these killings."

Each potential violation is a misdemeanor poaching crime at the state level, with maximum penalties of six months in jail and up to a $5,000 fine per each raptor.

An unlawfully taken mountain lion could result in up to a $10,000 penalty. Each potential federal crime could result in additional penalties.

NICE, Calif. – A local tribal leader on Wednesday made the formal announcement of his candidacy for District 3 supervisor.

E.J. Crandell, tribal chair since 2014 of Robinson Rancheria, said he is joining the race.

Crandell said he firmed up his decision to run for the District 3 seat on the Lake County Board of Supervisors on Friday, March 9.

The primary election is June 5.

Incumbent Supervisor Jim Steele is not running for reelection.

Businesswoman Denise Loustalot previously announced her candidacy for the District 3 seat in February, as Lake County News has reported.

“With the news that Supervisor Jim Steele will not seek reelection, I respectfully ask the people of Lake County’s Third District to consider my qualifications and background to serve as their next representative on the county Board of Supervisors,” Crandell said.

Known as “E.J.,” Crandell is a long-time resident of District 3 with ancestral ties to Lake County. He attended Lucerne Elementary and Upper Lake High, where his son is currently enrolled, playing high school football and baseball. He’s volunteered his time coaching both sports.

After graduating high school Crandell served his country in the United States Army as a phase team sergeant. He was deployed to Qayyarah West, Iraq, in Operation Iraqi Freedom with the “Screaming Eagles” of the 101st Aviation Airborne Division. He served eight years and was honorably discharged in 2006.

“My roots run very deep, I am firmly committed to the well being of our District 3 communities and the county,” he said. “I grew up in this district and am intimately familiar with the hopes and dreams of many of the people who make their homes in the largest of all five districts in the county.”

There are five distinct towns – Upper Lake, Nice, Lucerne, Glen Haven and Clearlake Oaks – that line the North Shore as well as the three off-highway communities of Spring Valley, Lake Pillsbury and Blue Lakes.

“It’s a big job, something I’ve come to more fully appreciate while serving as Lake County’s planning commissioner for District 3,” Crandell said.

“I have a sound grasp of the land use issues that are such an important part of our future. There’s so much to consider – from the management of cannabis, to zoning requirements that impact our ancient and beautiful lake, to the neighborhood protections so vital to our children and the elderly – proper land use decisions are imperative to our quality of life,” he said.

“The experience I gained as planning commissioner will give depth to understanding issues in front of the Board of Supervisors,” he added.

As tribal chair of the Robinson Band of Pomo Indians, Crandell brings a unique experience and skill set to the table. He’s had the rare experience of observing and working in both tribal and local governments.

“There are differences and nuances to consider. Most importantly, it is through positive working relationships that the tough work gets done. If I am elected, my relationships with local leaders will serve the community well. Working closely with County leaders on inter-governmental relations, I have supported activities that benefit the broader community. My leadership approach is inclusive, every voice matters and no effort is too small,” he said.

A big fan of nonprofit organizations, Crandell said, “Volunteer organizations are worth their weight in gold, it’s important to support them whenever possible. Recently we hosted two new non-profits, 100 Women Strong and the first annual Senior Summit.”

His leadership skills have been tested in a unique way. “One of my proudest moments as tribal chair was our decision to reenroll members who were cast out under prior council leadership. This was a long journey of meetings and discussions with a fair and just outcome,” he said.

Also under his leadership the Robinson Rancheria tribe paid $4,158,265 in debt due to prior mismanagement. Currently, he supervises a workforce of 355 employees, a mix of tribal and non-tribal members. “The need for jobs in our impoverished communities is great and I am proud we can provide opportunities,” he said.

His priorities have been shaped by the teachings of a sacrosanct model that respects the wisdom of the generations that came before and looks with vision several generations ahead.

“As supervisor, my priorities and actions will be guided by the responsibility we bear as citizens to take care of the most vulnerable in our communities while ensuring a sustainable economic framework to meet those responsibilities,” Crandell said.

Crandell believes the unused buildings and ample natural resources along the heavily traveled Northshore highway are the path to more vibrant and healthy communities. “One of my priorities will be to work towards friendlier leasing and building terms to open the door to more businesses and tap the entrepreneurial spirit of our communities,” he said. “Revitalizing Lake County as a destination economy is key to our success.”

Clear Lake will be a focus for Crandell. As a longtime resident of the county and Pomo native, the lake has a unique value to him. “With sadness I have watched neglectful land practices that have harmed our lake and ultimately factored heavily in our economic instability,” he said.

“We can’t afford to dismiss the importance of the lake to our economic recovery. Thanks to the recent efforts of Supervisor Steele and other leaders there is hope. I will monitor carefully the promise of new money that has been made by our legislators and State Agency representatives as well as the implementation of management practices so vital to the lake’s recovery,” he said.

Another key area of focus is Lake County’s fire prone landscape. “Continuing the work of Supervisor Steele, I’ll be working closely with local fire districts to identify resources and implement methods to make our communities more fire resistant. I am also going to make it a priority to follow up on the hard lessons of the terrible fire years we’ve experienced. It is vital to ensure our emergency planning is up to date and that all residents have access to important, potentially life-saving information,” he said.

Crandell earned an AA degree in 2004 from American Intercontinental University. He is a few units shy of achieving a BA degree and plans to squeeze in the time to complete his degree.

To help launch his campaign, Crandell has formed a diverse, talented and dedicated committee of friends and family.

A campaign kick-off event is scheduled for April 8; details will soon follow.

In the meantime the community is invited to meet Crandell at the Elders Native Craft Fair on Saturday, March 17, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Robinson Rancheria Conference Center, 1545 E. Highway 20, in Nice.

“There is much work to be done and I welcome your ideas and support,” Crandell said. “Drop by on Saturday, if you can, I’d love to meet you.”

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Sen. Mike McGuire’s bipartisan legislation to extend the sunset date and adjust the amount of property damage and fire suppression costs associated with an aggravated arson charge passed a key committee in the State Legislature on Tuesday.

McGuire introduced SB 896 in January.

McGuire’s office said there are three possible ways to be convicted of aggravated arson: Any prior arson convictions within the last 10 years; damage or destruction of five or more inhabited structures; or damage and other losses and fire suppression costs in excess of $7 million.

The Legislative Counsel’s Digest explains that, beginning on Jan. 1, 2019, existing law deletes the aggravating factor of property damage and other losses in excess of $7 million from the definition of aggravated arson.

McGuire’s bill would extend until Jan. 1, 2024, the aggravating factor of property damage and would increase the threshold of property damage and other losses to $7.3 million.

On Tuesday, the bill passed the Senate Public Safety committee with a 7-0 vote.

The bipartisan legislation is co-authored by State Senators Bill Dodd, Ted Gaines and Tom Berryhill, and members of the Assembly, Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Marc Levine and Jim Wood.

“An aggravated arson charge is reserved for the worst of the worst – arsonists who exhibit specific intent to inflict damage to their communities or who are a continuing threat to society. We need to ensure this important law remains in place in order to protect our communities and first responders in this new normal we’re all facing,” McGuire said.

The legislation could have special importance for Lake County, which has suffered from several major wildland fires since the summer of 2015.

One of the worst and most destructive, the August 2016 Clayton fire, burned 3,929 acres and 300 structures – 189 of them homes – in the Lower Lake area.

Suppression costs on the Clayton fire were estimated at more than $18.5 million, according to Cal Fire.

Cal Fire arrested Clearlake resident Damin Anthony Pashilk, 42, and charged him with setting the Clayton fire, as well as 16 others blazes or attempted starts around Clearlake, Clearlake Oaks, Lower Lake and Middletown between July 2015 and August 2016.

The Lake County District Attorney’s Office has charged Pashilk with nearly two dozen felonies, including 19 felony counts of arson with special allegations of causing multiple structures to burn and committing a crime in a disaster area, and misdemeanor charges related to methamphetamine possession. Among the charges filed against Pashilk is aggravated arson.

Lt. Norm Taylor of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Tiffany Matthews with the California District Attorneys Association provided supporting testimony at Tuesday’s hearing on the bill.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff, who is prosecuting Pashilk’s case, said he was called by the California District Attorneys Association about three weeks ago and asked if he would write a letter in support of the legislation, which he did.

In his letter, Hinchcliff said the law would affect cases like Pashilk’s.

Pashilk’s case has had numerous delays, in part due to what Hinchcliff has explained is its extremely complex nature.

Another delay was that Pashilk’s appointed defense attorney, J. David Markham, was sworn in last month as Lake County’s newest Superior Court judge. Hinchcliff said the case has now been assigned to defense attorney Mitchell Hauptman of Lakeport.

Hinchcliff said Pashilk’s case has been set for preliminary hearing on June 6.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Police Department on Tuesday executed a search warrant at the home of a convicted felon and sex offender, finding a cache of weapons that included AR-15 semiautomatic rifles and a machine gun.

Sgt. Rodd Joseph said the search warrant was served at the home of 53-year-old Robert David Cooper early Tuesday.

Joseph reported that on Monday the Clearlake Police Department was contacted by officers with the Fresno Police Department, who reported that they had arrested Cooper for numerous firearm violations.

Cooper is a convicted felon and a registered sex offender and may not lawfully possess firearms or ammunition, Joseph said.

The Fresno Police Department officers had obtained information that Cooper had additional firearms and ammunition concealed in hidden compartments in his Clearlake home, according to Joseph.

With that information from Fresno Police, Joseph said Clearlake Police Det. Ryan Peterson was able to obtain a search warrant which was endorsed for night service.

On Tuesday just before 1:15 a.m. Clearlake Police officers, along with a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy, served the search warrant on Cooper’s residence located in the 16100 block of 36th Avenue in Clearlake, Joseph said.

Joseph said that during service of the search warrant a number of illegal weapons, ammunition and narcotics were located. Most of the weapons and ammunition located were found in hidden compartments within the home, corroborating the information obtained from the Fresno Police officers.

Some of the weapons located and seized include three handguns, an automatic “Uzi-style” machine gun, two AR-15 semiautomatic rifles, a large number of high capacity magazines for both the rifles and handguns, a Taser, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and a small amount of methamphetamine, according to Joseph’s report.

Since Cooper is in custody in Fresno County, numerous felony charges will be filed with the Lake County District Attorney’s Office, Joseph said.

Joseph said the Clearlake Police Department is committed to removing illegal firearms and weapons from those who may not possess them.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said that a man convicted of an attempted armed robbery in Lakeport is due to be paroled this week.

Lt. Corey Paulich said the sheriff’s office recently received notice from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation that Lonny Teter Jr., 73, originally from Lakeport, is being paroled back to Lake County on Wednesday.

In 2013 Teter was arrested when he attempted to rob a Lakeport business. Teter, who was armed with a knife and handgun, was subdued by the victim and a good Samaritan, Paulich said.

At that time, Teter stated he came to the store to rob it and use his gun to scare people into giving him their money. He also said he planned to shoot any law enforcement that tried to stop him, according to Paulich’s report.

Teter eventually pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and assault with a firearm, as Lake County News has reported.

He was sentenced to six years in prison. Because the robbery was a violent felony, Paulich siad Teter had to serve 85 percent of the sentence.

It is unknown at this point where in Lake County Teter will be paroled, Paulich said.