LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – An annual ranking that shows the healthiest and least healthy counties in California has once again place Lake County near the bottom of the list.

The eighth annual County Health Rankings, released Wednesday by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, ranked San Mateo County ranks healthiest in California and Modoc County the least healthy county in the state.

Lake was among the five counties with the poorest health, ranking No. 56, just one spot higher than Modoc. Other counties in that group included Trinity, Siskiyou and Kern. Alpine was not ranked.

Top counties with the best health, in addition to San Mateo, were Marin, Santa Clara, Placer and Sonoma.

"The County Health Rankings show us that where people live plays a key role in how long and how well they live," said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, MD, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation president and chief executive officer. "The rankings allow local leaders to clearly see and prioritize the challenges they face – whether it's rising premature death rates or the growing drug overdose epidemic – so they can bring community leaders and residents together to find solutions."

The report’s local level data makes it clear that good health is influenced by many factors beyond medical care including housing, education, jobs and access to healthy foods.

This year the study also took a closer look at premature deaths –  or deaths that occur among people under age 75.

Exploring California's premature death trends from 1997 to 2014, the study found that 42 counties have seen improvements in premature death rates, while three have seen worsening rates and the rest saw no change.

For premature death, Lake County also ranked poorly, earning the No. 56 spot, only slightly improved from the No. 57 rating it received in 2016.

For physical environment, Lake County ranked far higher, at No. 36, while it earned a No. 47 ranking for quality of life, No. 49 both for health behaviors and clinical care, and No. 50 for social and economic factors.

While Lake County ranked No. 56 for health outcomes, it ranked slightly better – at No. 49 – for health factors.

The key findings for the health rankings also showed that drug overdose deaths are fueling a dramatic increase in premature deaths nationally because of an increase in deaths among 15 to 44 year olds. From 2014 to 2015, 85 percent of the increase in premature deaths can be attributed to a swift increase in deaths among these younger populations.

The rankings did not specifically break down how those deaths may be influencing Lake County’s outcomes.

Earlier this year, the results of the 2016 Community Health Needs Assessment was released for Lake County, which confirmed the county’s challenges.

Every three years the county is required by the federal government to assess the health of its residents using metrics such as average age of mortality, rate of preventable diseases, and availability of health-related resources, according to a report from Sutter Lakeside Hospital and St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake.

That assessment revealed that Lake County has shown improvement in the areas of mental health resources, access to healthcare, homelessness and housing, drug and alcohol abuse services, and preventative health education.

In looking at the data released Wednesday, Lake County Health Officer Karen M. Tait, M.D., said she didn’t see any major changes in this year’s outcomes.

However, she noted that some of the data is from as far back as 2012, so it is not necessarily reflective of recent years, with the expectation that the wildland fires of 2015 and 2016 could impact future air quality rankings.

“While some of the data are not from as far back as 2012, the lag over several years means that the rankings are not reflective our current status,” she said. “Many of the major findings still probably hold true, but I believe that we will need to be patient to see the results of the significant changes in healthcare that have taken place over the past several years.”

Tait said those changes include the introduction of Partnership HealthPlan of California, which now serves more than 40 percent of Lake County’s population and is open to innovative ways to meaningfully improve health outcomes.

“Other initiatives, such as Hope Rising and Safe Rx Lake County have been very active in the past couple of years and local clinic systems are approaching healthcare much more holistically than in the past,” Tait said. “Even though it often takes many years for good results to be evident in population health data, I would hope that nobody is too discouraged by these 2017 health rankings, as they don’t reflect the here and now.”

Tait added, “We can still accept that we have real challenges in areas like smoking, shortages of clinical services and social determinants of health including poverty and single-parent households. We should continue to pay attention to these health risk factors.”

She said that when the county receives its rankings in the future, factors to be considered should include the possible impacts of the significant trauma the community experienced from the fires of 2015 and 2016, and the flood earlier this year.

“I’m hoping we are on a more even keel as we move forward and that our community’s health will eventually reflect better times,” Tait said.

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

California’s governor and leaders in the Legislature said they’re planning to move forward on a deal that would devote billions of dollars to fixing the state’s roads, freeways and bridges while also setting aside money for transit and safety, but opponents say it comes as the result of numerous tax and fee increases.

Gov. Jerry Brown, Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon on Wednesday joined labor, business and local leaders to announce the deal, which Brown’s office called “a landmark transportation investment.”

“California has a massive backlog of broken infrastructure that has been neglected far too long,” Brown said. “Fixing the roads will not get cheaper by waiting – or ignoring the problem. This is a smart plan that will improve the quality of life in California.

The plan already is getting pushback from some quarters, including State Board of Equalization Vice Chair George Runner.

"Leave it to elite, cosmopolitan Democrats to try and raise the gas tax on working-class and poor Californians who must travel further distances to work,” Runner said in a Wednesday statement.

Assembly and Senate Republicans also came out against the transportation package, which they say isn’t the right option for a state that’s becoming increasingly unaffordable for everyday residents.

In a joint statement, the groups said, “Californians already pay some of the highest gas taxes in the nation. The transportation proposal announced by the Capitol Democrats is a costly and burdensome plan that forces ordinary Californians to bail out Sacramento for years of neglecting our roads. This proposal would include the largest gas tax increase in state history, which will continue to rise over time, and a massive increase to the diesel tax and vehicle license fee.”

They said the state’s roads and bridges can be fixed by ensuring that the billions of dollars that drivers are already paying in transportation fees and taxes are actually used for transportation purposes, rather than being swept into the state’s General Fund.

The program as it’s proposed will invest $52.4 billion over the next decade, split equally between state and local investments. Proponents say it will cost most drivers less than $10 a month and comes with strict new accountability provisions to ensure funds can only be spent on transportation.

State Sen. Jim Beall (D-San Jose) introduced the bill, SB 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, in December. Signing on as co-authors are a number of state senators, including Bill Dodd and Mike McGuire, the latter who represents Lake County.

The language of the bill explains that it would create the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Program to address deferred maintenance on the state highway system and the local street and road system.

It would raise revenue by increasing the state gas tax for the first time in 23 years by $0.12 per gallon increase, phased in over three years; a 20-cent increase to the diesel excise tax; a $38 increase to the vehicle registration fee; a $100 vehicle registration fee on zero emission vehicles; $300 million from existing cap and trade funds; and returning $500 million in vehicle weight fees phased in over five years.

“We have been working hard to ensure a critical transportation funding package was approved this year,” said McGuire. “We have a transportation funding crisis in California – our roads, highways and bridges are crumbling because our state has failed to invest in our transportation infrastructure – and tens of millions of California commuters, businesses and travelers are literally paying the price for our lack of action.”

McGuire said the transportation funding package will provide cities and counties with significant annual revenue streams to make local infrastructure improvements like rebuilding and paving local roads and streets and bridge repair.

Eighty-seven percent of California’s roads rated in fair or poor condition, and estimated statewide deferred maintenance backlog over the next 10 years of $132 billion, McGuire’s office reported.

McGuire also said that every billion dollars spent on transportation infrastructure, creates 14,000 full-time jobs.

Californians drive more than 350 billion miles a year– more than any other state – yet road and transit investments have not kept pace with this growth, officials reported.

An October report sponsored by the League of California Cities and the California State Association of Counties found that the conditions of California’s local streets and roads are deteriorating.

The state’s 58 counties and 482 cities own and maintain over 143,000 centerline-miles of local streets
and  roads, or 81.2 percent  of  the  state’s  total  publicly  maintained  centerline  miles, a network the report said is conservatively valued at more than $168 billion.

The report said the statewide average pavement condition index, or PCI, deteriorating to 65 – the “at risk” level – in 2016.

Lake County’s overall PCI is among the worst in the state, in the “poor” category with an overall rating of 40, for its 753 center line miles. The report showed that Lake County’s roads actually have improved from a PCI of 31 in 2010.

Leadership in both the Senate and the Assembly expect the measure to be voted on by Thursday, April 6.

SB 1 would raise the funds for the infrastructure programs from the following sources:

– $7.3 billion by increasing diesel excise tax 20 cents;
– $3.5 billion by increasing diesel sales tax to 5.75 percent;
– $24.4 billion by increasing gasoline excise tax 12 cents;
– $16.3 billion from an annual transportation improvement fee based on a vehicle’s value;
– $200 million from an annual $100 Zero Emission Vehicle fee commencing in 2020;
– $706 million in General Fund loan repayments.

The bill’s proposed infrastructure investments break down as follows.

Fix local streets and transportation infrastructure (50 percent):

– $15 billion in “Fix-It-First” local road repairs, including fixing potholes;
– $7.5 billion to improve local public transportation;
– $2 billion to support local “self-help” communities that are making their own investments in transportation improvements;
– $1 billion to improve infrastructure that promotes walking and bicycling;
– $825 million for the State Transportation Improvement Program local contribution;
– $250 million in local transportation planning grants.

Fix state highways and transportation infrastructure (50 percent):

– $15 billion in “Fix-it-First” highway repairs, including smoother pavement;
– $4 billion in bridge and culvert repairs;
– $3 billion to improve trade corridors;
– $2.5 billion to reduce congestion on major commute corridors;
– $1.4 billion in other transportation investments, including $275 million for highway and intercity-transit improvements.

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 organization that oversees the Lake County Safe House reported that it held a successful fundraiser this past weekend.

On Saturday, March 25, Lake Community Pride Foundation hosted its inaugural Spring Equinox Dinner/Dance fundraiser at the Highlands Community Center in Clearlake.

The close-to-sold-out event brought around 100 people together to support the Lake County Safe House, a teen shelter managed by foundation, according to foundation President Bruno Sabatier

“It was a pleasure to see such great support from our community for such a great cause...helping our most vulnerable population, our youth,” said Sabatier. “It has been over 10 years and approximately 70 young community members that we have been able to help overcome life's hurdles. We get to continue the legacy of the Safe House with the support that we've received tonight.”

Sabatier said the event was catered by the Chatter Box, the Highlands Senior Center catering team. Led by alumni culinary arts students from Woodland Community College, the cooking staff offered a delicious appetizer complete with homemade Caesar dressing and a plentiful entrée choice of eggplant or chicken Parmesan.

To finish the meal, Woodland Community College's Culinary Arts department donated a wonderful chocolate mousse dessert in support of the event, he said.

The event was complimented by a silent auction, a prize drawing table, and a live auction where the final item, chocolate covered strawberries, were being competitively bid on by two separate tables. Sabatier said lots of great items were on display such as wine baskets, art pieces, jewelry, gift cards, and more with 50 items to choose from.

When dinner was over, the party started. The music for the evening was played by The Rotarians who kept playing until the last hour with attendees dancing and enjoying their rhythm, Sabatier said.

Sabatier said all of the proceeds from the event went directly to the maintenance and upkeep of the house as well as the welfare of the Safe House tenants. All board members and counselors for the Safe House are strictly volunteers.

He estimated that it costs $24,000 a year to cover all of the Safe House’s costs – including maintenance, taxes, insurance, food and other expenses.

The foundation has been doing a single annual fundraiser with its fall golf tournament. However, Sabatier said costs have increased – particularly, energy bills and food prices – therefore the organizations has been forced to have two fundraisers to ensure that the program can continue.

Lake Community Pride Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit group. If you are interested in donating to their cause, send your donations to P.O. Box 1042, Lower Lake, CA 95457 or for more information contact Sabatier at 707-695-0834.

It pays to complete your degree: Earning a degree or certificate from a California community college continues to deliver a remarkable return on investment, according to updated analysis on Salary Surfer data.

The online tool allows students and the public to view aggregated median earnings of those who complete a certificate or degree in a specific community college discipline and then enter the workforce.

Students who complete an associate degree more than double their annual pre-degree earnings after two years in the workforce and nearly triple their pre-degree earnings after five years in the workforce.

About 48 percent of students who graduated with an associate degree earned $56,000 or more annually five years after getting their degree. That is the median wage of someone with a bachelor’s degree living in California, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Students who complete a certificate nearly double their pre-degree earnings after five years in the workforce. About 44 percent of students who graduated with a certificate earned $56,000 or more annually five years after graduating.

The new Salary Surfer data are also available on the Here to Career mobile app. The app, created by the Foundation for California Community Colleges, in collaboration with the Chancellor’s Office and Young Invincibles, provides access to information about California Community College education opportunities and awareness of careers that can increase earning potential.

Here to Career uses personalized career pathway matching features to expose students to diverse career options available in their area. This information helps students make informed education and career decisions that lead to greater economic opportunities and professional success.

“This proves once again that earning a degree or certificate from a California community college can lead students to a well-paying career,” California Community Colleges Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley said. “While potential earnings should not be the only factor in choosing a future career path, completing a degree or certificate from one of our 113 colleges pays off, for students, families and the state of California.”

Salary Surfer displays median annual incomes for those who complete 179 of the most widely enrolled program areas and do not transfer to a four-year institution.

The data show the median earnings for community college graduates two years prior to earning the award, then two years and five years after earning either a certificate or degree. Salary Surfer also provides information on which of the system’s colleges offer programs in a specific discipline.

Wage information comes from an agreement between the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and the California Employment Development Department. For privacy purposes, all results are aggregated across campuses statewide and over five years. Additionally, all wages displayed have been indexed to current year dollar figures.

The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation composed of 72 districts and 113 colleges serving 2.1 million students per year. For more information about the community colleges, please visit http://californiacommunitycolleges.cccco.edu/ .

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – One of Lake County’s remarkable women has received a special honor from Congressman Mike Thompson.

Thompson announced that he has selected Madelene Lyon of Kelseyville as this year’s Woman of the Year in Lake County.

“I am so honored, believe me. I am just so honored and so delighted,” Lyon told Lake County News on Tuesday.

This is the third annual Woman of the Year Awards, which Thompson created in honor of Women’s History Month.

Each year, one woman from the each of the counties in Thompson’s Fifth Congressional District – Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties – is recognized for her contributions to the community.

In February, Thompson began accepting nominations for the award, which he presented to the honorees at Franciscan Estate Winery in St. Helena on Saturday.

In addition to Lyon, this year’s winners include Sylvia Villa-Serrano, Contra Costa County; Karen Cakebread, Napa County; Dr. Rhonda Renfro, Solano County; Ronit Rubino, Sonoma County; and     Magrit Mondavi (a special posthumous award was presented to her daughter, Annie Roberts).

“I feel in very good company with these other women that have been honored,” Lyon said, calling her fellow honorees “amazing.”

Thompson’s office said Lyon was selected for her work with the Kelseyville Food Pantry, Redbud Audubon Society, Hospice Services of Lake County and other charities.

Lyon served on the executive board for March of Dimes Lake County for 18 years, including as its chair. She currently serves on the Lake County Board of Education and has been the president of the Clear Lake State Park Interpretive Association since 1998.

She’s a past winner of awards including Stars of Lake County, Hospice Services of Lake County Volunteer of the Year and the Lake County Pioneer Award.

“Madelene’s volunteerism and conservation efforts are truly remarkable,” said Thompson. “From her work with the Kelseyville Food Pantry to organizing the Bird Count Dinner and Annual Dinner for the Redbud Audubon Society, Madelene gives selflessly of herself and her time. Her service to our community has greatly enriched us all, and I am honored to present her with this award.”

The daughter of Swiss immigrants, Lyon lives on the ranch in Kelseyville where she was born and raised, and where her family had a dairy farm, and raised pears, prunes and walnuts.

“It doesn’t happen like that very often any more,” she said of remaining at her lifelong home, adding that she feels lucky to still be on the same spot.

She attended the University of California, Davis, for three years and later received her bachelor of science degree from the University of San Francisco.

She and her husband, Walt, began raising winegrapes on their ranch in 1969, and that same crop continues there today.

In 1984 she opened a catering business that was very popular around the county for decades. She retired from catering in 2014.

Together the Lyons raised five children, who in turn gave them nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Walt Lyon died in 2015.

She said she continues to grow winegrapes on her 50-acre farm, and stays busy with the many organizations for which she volunteers, as well as with spending time with her friends and family.

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.