LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors will hold another in its series of workshops as parts of crafting a commercial cannabis ordinance.

The workshop will take place beginning at 9 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.

The meeting can be watched live on Channel 8 and online at https://countyoflake.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx. Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.

Among the items on the agenda is the board’s anticipated direction to staff to prepare the cannabis cultivation ordinance for a first reading at the next regular board meeting.

Staff also is expected to be directed to prepare draft cannabis distribution and manufacturing ordinances for the consideration of the Lake County Planning Commission in March in order to return to the board in time for its fourth cannabis workshop on April 19.

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.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office has identified the female armed robbery suspect who was shot and killed on Tuesday after she confronted sheriff’s deputies and police officers at the end of a high-speed vehicle pursuit.

Dawn Elika Center, 48, of Redwood Valley was identified as the suspect in the case, according to Capt. Gregory Van Patten.

Center was the suspect in a Tuesday morning armed robbery in which she took a Chevrolet Camaro at Thurston Auto Plaza in Ukiah, Van Patten said.

Van Patten said sheriff’s deputies, assisted by Willits Police officers, pursued Center on Highway 101 at speeds of more than 100 miles per hour before Center crashed the Camaro north of the Highway 101 bypass.

After the crash, Center got out of the car holding a handgun and confronted the deputies and officers, Van Patten said.

Center was shot and died at the scene. Van Patten said no officers or deputies were injured.

Van Patten said Center’s identity was confirmed by the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office Coroner's Division on Wednesday.

He said the three deputy sheriffs involved in the shooting incident have all be placed on paid administrative leave in accordance with sheriff's office standard procedure, pending the ongoing investigation by the Mendocino County District Attorney's Office.

The three deputy sheriffs involved in the shooting incident have been employed at the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office for a total of 30 years, 11 years and four years respectively, Van Patten said.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office is attempting to locate a Covelo woman who was possibly abducted by her boyfriend and is considered at risk.

Khadijah Britton, 23, is believed to have been kidnapped on Friday, according to the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.

Lt. Shannon Barney of the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office has been investigating a domestic violence incident involving an armed subject, Negie Fallis, 27, of Covelo, who may have abducted Britton, his girlfriend, at gunpoint.

Barney said the sheriff's office was contacted on Monday about a possible kidnapping that occurred on Friday around midnight.

Sheriff's deputies spoke to witnesses who advised that Fallis arrived at the location, armed with what appeared to be a small Derringer pistol, and demanded Britton come out of the residence and speak with him, Barney said.

Witnesses indicated Britton exited the residence where a physical altercation occurred between her and Fallis before they both got into a black Mercedes sedan and left the location, according to Barney.

Barney said Britton has not been in contact with family since that time.

Fallis, who was wanted in connection with a previous domestic violence incident in January involving Britton, is also outstanding at this time, Barney said.

The case was assigned to the Mendocino County Sheriff's Detective Unit for continued investigation, Barney said.

Barney said Fallis is known to frequent the Willows area and the Grindstone Rancheria in Glenn County, as well as Lake County and Covelo.

Anyone with information related to the whereabouts of either individual is asked to contact the Mendocino County Sheriff's Dispatch Center at 707-463-4086 or the Sheriff's Tip line at 707-234-2100.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – A Kelseyville man died Tuesday in an ATV crash in the Cow Mountain Recreational Area in Mendocino County.

The California Highway Patrol’s Ukiah Area office identified the crash victim at 44-year-old Fred Skala.

The crash that claimed Skala’s life took place on Mill Creek Road in the Cow Mountain Recreational Area on Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.

Skala had been riding a 2003 Polaris ATV westbound on Mill Creek Road when, at 3:45 p.m., he became separated from family members while riding on the trail, the CHP reported.

The CHP said that, a short time later, Skala’s family members realized he had not been seen and became concerned for his safety.

Skala’s family called 911 and the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue responded, the CHP said.

The Mendocino County Sheriff’s personnel found Skala’s body at the crash scene just before 11 p.m. Tuesday, according to the CHP report.

The CHP said it is conducting an investigation into the fatal wreck.

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. – On Tuesday Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-5) announced his recipients for the Fifth Congressional District Public Safety Hero Award.

This award is given to exceptional law enforcement officers and first responders in our community who perform above and beyond the call of duty.

After careful consideration, Rep. Thompson selected Lake County Undersheriff Chris Macedo and Deputy Fire Chief Mike Ciancio with the Northshore Fire Protection District for their extraordinary work within Lake County.

“This past year has been a busy, challenging time for law enforcement and first responders in our community. From the continued threat of gun violence to the devastating fires of October, these men and women have tirelessly dedicated themselves to keeping us safe,” said Rep. Mike Thompson. “That’s why I am honored to present my annual “Public Safety Hero of the Year” awards to the courageous public servants across our district. To each and every one of you, I offer my heartfelt thanks. I’m incredibly proud to represent such brave, dedicated men and women.”

Chris Macedo had worked with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for 25 years, until appointed to undersheriff in 2015. It was Undersheriff Macedo’s efforts in implementing the CodeRED high-speed emergency system that provided the community with a more effective security system. The system was crucial in notifying residents in affected areas that they were in danger when the October fires emerged.

“I am honored to recognize Undersheriff Chris Macedo as a Public Safety Hero for Lake County,” said Rep. Mike Thompson. “Undersheriff Macedo was instrumental in implementing the CodeRED high-speed emergency alert system in our community which helped to save numerous lives. Thank you for your service.”

During the devastating October fires, when Deputy Fire Chief Mike Ciancio with the Northshore Fire Protection District arrived at the Elem Indian Colony, the fire there had reached 75 acres and resources were stretched thin.

With fires spreading across multiple counties, help was difficult to find. Throughout the night, resources eventually became available. Ciancio and his team were able to keep the fire relatively confined, saving countless residents and structures.

“I am honored to recognize Deputy Chief Mike Ciancio as Public Safety Hero Award for Lake County,” said Rep. Mike Thompson. “Deputy Chief Ciancio fought fires with sustained winds of up to 40 miles per hour with limited resources ultimately saving lives, residents and structures. We are all deeply grateful for his leadership and resilience.”

The full list of the Public Safety Heroes of the Year for the Fifth Congressional District is below:

– Officer Craig Long and Officer Aldo Serrano, Vallejo Police Department;
– Captain Eric Strom, Vallejo Fire Department;
– Robert J. Fenton, Jr., Regional Administrator for Federal Emergency Management Agency Region IX;
– Mark Ghilarducci, Director of Cal Office Emergency Services;
– Shana Jones, CAL FIRE Unit Chief for Napa-Sonoma-Lake-Mendocino;
– Officer Chad R. Tardiff, California Highway Patrol;
– Detective Zachary R. Blume, Pinole Police Department;
– Undersheriff Chris Macedo, Lake County Sheriff's Office;
– Mike Ciancio, Northshore Fire Protection District;
– Jodi Traversaro, Cal Office Emergency Services regional administrator;
– Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office;
– Santa Rosa Fire Department;
– Santa Rosa Police Department;
– Cotati Police Department;
– Kenwood Fire Protection District;
– Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue;
– Rincon Valley Fire District;
– Mayacamas Volunteer Fire Station;
– Schell Vista Fire Department;
– Bennett Valley Fire Department;
– Rohnert Park’s Department of Public Safety;
– Crockett-Carquinez Fire Department;
– City of Calistoga Fire Department;
– City of St. Helena Fire Department;
– Napa County Fire Chief Barry Biermann;
– Napa County Fire Department;
– City of Napa Fire Department;
– American Canyon Fire Protection District;
– City of Calistoga Police Department;
– City of St. Helena Police Department;
– City of Napa Police Department;
– City of American Canyon Police Department;
– Napa County Sheriff John Robertson;
– Napa County Sheriff’s Office.

Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.

LUCERNE, Calif. – A vehicle went off of Highway 20 and into Clear Lake on Tuesday evening.

The crash near Paradise Valley Boulevard occurred at 5 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.

The CHP said the vehicle was 40 feet down the embankment, coming to rest on its roof on the lakeshore.

The female driver got out of the vehicle and was reported to have had minor injuries, the CHP said.

A witness at the scene said the driver was yelling at law enforcement officers who responded to the crash.

Jerome Strach contributed to this report.

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. – In an effort to increase the effectiveness of Animal Control's efforts in the city of Clearlake, the city participated in the annual Valentine's dinner/dance fundraiser held by Animal Coalition.

Animal Coalition is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 that operates in and around Clearlake and offers vouchers to residents to spay/neuter their animals.

Two of Clearlake's goals are to become a safer city and to be a visibly cleaner city.

"By working with Animal Coalition, we can ensure that more animals will be spayed or neutered in order to decrease our future pet population, thereby decreasing the animal control issues we are dealing with," said City Manager Greg Folsom.

In June of 2017, Animal Coalition started "A New Beginning," a program aimed specifically at providing assistance to animal issues in Clearlake.

The council was approached with a request to match their fundraising efforts in order to collaborate in the efforts to decrease future animal populations.

At the Animal Coalition dinner on Saturday, interim Police Chief Tim Celli, Vice Mayor Phil Harris and Mayor Bruno Sabatier presented Animal Coalition with a matching funds check for $10,000 to bolster the New Beginning program.

"The city can't fix all of our animal control issues by itself, and this collaboration between Clearlake and Animal Coalition is exactly the type of relationship that can help us to be more successful," said Sabatier.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council of the city of Lakeport are opening membership to the Parks and Recreation Commission to include one member residing outside the city limits but within the Lakeport zip code.

There are currently three seats open. If you have an interest in serving your community, applying for a position on a city commission or committee is a great place to start.

Applications will be accepted until March 5 at 5 p.m.

This is an opportunity to give input on ongoing projects such as the continued expansion of Westside Community Park, the rehabilitation of the Westshore swimming pool, the maintenance and operation of Library Park and the Lakefront Park area.

In addition to these ongoing projects, the Parks and Recreation Commission acts in an advisory capacity to the Lakeport City Council in matters pertaining to city parks and recreation.

They also cooperate with the Lakeport Planning Commission and civic organizations to advance the sound planning of new recreation areas and facilities.

The commission consists of five voting members, at least four who are residents of the city and up to one member who lives outside of the city limits but within the Lakeport zip code area, to be appointed by the city council on the basis of interest and qualification.

The Parks and Recreation Commission meets monthly and the term for membership on this committee is two years.

The appointments will be effective retroactive to Jan. 1.

Membership on the Parks and Recreation Commission is voluntary.

If you are interested in serving on the commission, applications are available on the city’s Web site at www.cityoflakeport.com under the Hot Topic, “Now Recruiting: Parks and Recreation Commission."

For additional information, please contact Deputy City Clerk Hilary Britton at 707-263‑5615, Extension 102, or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

NORTH COAST, Calif. – At the end of a Tuesday vehicle pursuit Mendocino County Sheriff’s deputies shot and killed a woman who was a suspect in an armed robbery in Ukiah.

The identity of the woman, who was fatally shot in Willits where the pursuit had ended after confronting deputies while armed with a handgun, was not released by authorities on Tuesday.

Capt. Gregory Van Patten said the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office was notified at 9:25 a.m. Tuesday of an armed robbery of a Chevrolet Camaro at Thurston Auto Plaza, located at 2800 North State Street in Ukiah.

Van Patten said the suspect was described as a white female adult and the Camaro was last seen traveling at a high rate of speed northbound on Highway 101 toward Calpella.

A short time later a Mendocino County Sheriff’s deputy saw the Camaro traveling at a high rate of speed northbound on Highway 101 near the Cal Fire Howard Forest station, which Van Patten said is a few miles south of the city of Willits.

The deputy sheriff attempted a traffic stop of the Camaro and a pursuit ensued at speeds over 100 miles per hour onto the Highway 101 bypass, Van Patten said.

Additional Mendocino County Sheriff’s deputies joined the pursuit with assistance from officers from the Willits Police Department, according to Van Patten.

Van Patten said that a short time later the Camaro crashed along the roadside of Highway 101 at Mile Post Marker 49.10 north of the bypass.

He said a white female adult exited the Camaro while holding a handgun and subsequently confronted the pursuing deputy sheriffs and officers.

A shooting resulted and the white female adult died at the scene. No deputy sheriffs or officers were injured as a result of the shooting, Van Patten said.

Highway 101 was closed to both directions of traffic for several hours to preserve scene evidence, Van Patten said.

He said investigators from the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office were summoned to the scene and will be the lead investigative agency.

District Attorney’s Office spokesman Mike Geniella confirmed that the agency will oversee the investigation into the shooting, but added that there would be no further comment by the District Attorney’s Office on any details until that investigation is complete.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Local business owner and East Region Town Hall Chairwoman Denise Loustalot has pulled papers from the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office and officially announced her candidacy to represent the people of District 3 on the Lake County Board of Supervisors.

“Our Northshore communities need more jobs and better economic opportunities. As the successful owner of two local businesses that employ 28 people, I have the experience to create jobs and attract new businesses to District 3,” said Loustalot.

“Creating a more prosperous local economy also means protecting Clear Lake, our most precious economic and environmental resource,” she said. “As county supervisor, I will focus on environmentally appropriate business development that preserves our quality of life.”

“Unfortunately, the needs of District 3 residents have too often gone unmet at the county level,” continued Loustalot. “We deserve a supervisor who listens better, talks less, and works in a more effective manner with other county leaders to improve roads and services in our local communities.

She added, “As a regional town hall chair and former Clearlake mayor, I will use my leadership skills to ensure that the people of District 3 receive our fair share of county resources.”

Local community and business leaders joined in expressing their support for Loustalot’s candidacy for county supervisor.

“Denise is a public servant not a politician. She is truly committed to the best interests of our communities and I’m proud to endorse her candidacy for Supervisor,” stated Northshore resident Kathy Garner.

“Denise Loustalot understands how to grow a business and create jobs,” said Bill Stone, immediate past president of the Clearlake Oaks Business Association. “We need that kind of hands-on leadership working for District 3 on the County Board of Supervisors.”

Other community leaders endorsing Denise include Lake County Planning Commissioner Bob Malley, Upper Lake business owner Roger Hue de Laroque and former Lake County Supervisor Ed Robey.

A resident of Lake County for more than 37 years, Loustalot graduated from Lower Lake High School in 1988.

She is a third-generation family small business owner. Denise and her husband Pete own two successful local businesses. She currently serves as president of the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to her business involvement, Loustalot has devoted many years of service to the community.

She chairs the East Region Town Hall community organization and formerly served on the boards of the Land Area Formation Council and the Lake County Area Planning Council, as well as the Public Education and Government TV Board.

Loustalot is a former councilwoman and two-term mayor from the city of Clearlake . She is a member of Rotary and Soroptimists.

The Loustalots have a “blended” family of five children.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) has made more significant progress in her efforts to improve the health of Clear Lake.

Curry, whose district includes Lake County, announced on Monday that successful work with Secretary John Laird of the California Natural Resources Agency, or CNRA, and the Department of Water Resources, or DWR, to secure $15 million to help complete the first phase of the Middle Creek Restoration project located at the north end of Clear Lake in Lake County.

The grant will be funded by bond proceeds from Propositions 84 and 1E.

“I want to thank Secretary Laird, Director Nemeth and the staff at CNRA and DWR for their work on this critical project for Lake County,” said Assemblymember Aguiar-Curry. “This is a big victory for Clear Lake and the county. They’ve really used some creativity to come through for us.”

The Middle Creek Flood Damage Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration Project’s goal is to eliminate flood risk to residential structures, numerous outbuildings, and approximately 1,650 acres of agricultural land at the north end of Clear Lake. It will restore damaged habitat and help the watershed that feeds the lake.

Restoration of this large, previously reclaimed area, as a functional wetland is anticipated to have a significant effect on watershed health and the water quality of Clear Lake.

Clear Lake is the largest, natural freshwater lake in California and possibly the oldest lake in North America.

The natural properties of the Lake and the watersheds that feed into it make the lake very nutrient rich. One of the primary sources of these nutrients is located within the Middle Creek Restoration Project.

Completion of the project would have an immediate positive effect on the state of the lake and surrounding areas.

“Last year, in my AB 707, we were able to establish a Blue Ribbon Committee to guide the future of Clear Lake water and watershed quality and regional economic development, $2 million for Clear Lake research and a stewardship plan, and $5 million in the water bond on this year’s ballot to protect the Lake,” said Aguiar-Curry. “This grant for the Middle Creek Restoration Project will continue those efforts, reduce flooding, restore wetlands, and reduce the amount of nutrients flowing into Clear Lake. Gov. Brown, Secretary Laird and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon have been tremendous partners in our efforts to make Lake County’s future brighter, cleaner and more prosperous.”

Aguiar-Curry represents the Fourth Assembly District, which includes all of Lake and Napa counties, parts of Colusa, Solano and Sonoma Counties, and all of Yolo County except West Sacramento.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Authorities have arrested a Lakeport doctor who is accused of sexual battery on a woman who worked at his office.

Dr. Mohamad Moutaz Almawaldi, 56, was arrested last week, according to Lt. Corey Paulich of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Paulich said that on Aug. 9 a report was made to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office regarding an assault that the victim said was committed by Dr. Almawaldi.

The adult female victim reported that Dr. Almawaldi had sexually battered her while she was working at his office in Lakeport. Paulich said she reported that Dr. Almawaldi forcefully kissed her and pulled down her shirt.

Dr. Almawaldi was contacted and did not wish to provide a statement, Paulich said.

Paulich said the sheriff’s office forwarded the case to the Lake County District Attorney’s Office, which in turn filed a complaint with the Lake County Superior Court.

On Nov. 30 a felony arrest warrant was issued for Dr. Almawaldi, Paulich said.

On Feb. 7, the Lakeport Police Department located Almawaldi, according to Chief Brad Rasmussen.

Rasmussen said his agency was aware that Almawaldi had a warrant and they located him at Evergreen Lakeport Healthcare, where they took him into custody.

Paulich said Almawaldi was booked into the Lake County Jail on the same night. He later posted the $20,000 bail and was released.

Emma Dugas, a spokesperson for Sutter Lakeside Hospital, told Lake County News that the hospital is aware of the allegations against Dr. Almawaldi, which were reported to have occurred in his private practice.

“Dr. Almawaldi has had courtesy privileges with Sutter Lakeside Hospital so that he may order diagnostic tests for his private practice patients,” said Dugas.

She said Almawaldi is not an active member of the Sutter Lakeside Hospital medical staff.

Dugas said the hospital couldn’t comment further.

According to the Medical Board of California, Almawaldi is a board-certified nephrologist, or kidney specialist, who graduated from the University of Damascus Faculty of Medicine in his native Syria in 1984.

He has been licensed as both a physician and surgeon since August 1991, with his license due to expire in June 2019, according to the Medical Board.

Online medical board records show that Almawaldi has no record of administrative disciplinary actions, court orders, convictions, malpractice judgments, probationary licenses or letters of reprimand.

Almawaldi is tentatively scheduled to appear in Lake County Superior Court on April 3, according to his booking sheet.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at 707-262-4238.

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.