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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino) introduced the bill, AB 362, that also requires the state and local boards to adopt, when applicable, water quality standards to protect reasonable protections of tribal water uses.
“Under current law State and Regional Water Boards are not required to work with tribal communities even though the state’s First People have managed the land and its resources for centuries,” Ramos said. “Tribes are committed to the health and safety of delicate eco systems and a tradition of responsibility and stewardship. This long history and deep knowledge by our tribes deserves to be respected, and put to good use as we work to wisely manage our natural resources.
“We appreciate and applaud Committee Chair Damon Connolly and the committee members’ leadership today in voting to expedite the equitable protection of tribal uses of water,” said bill sponsor Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians’ Vice Chairperson Malissa Tayaba said. “By moving this critical issue forward, it shows a recognition of the need to finally elevate tribal beneficial uses to the same level as other beneficial uses that were codified decades ago. Designation and implementation of tribal uses statewide is long overdue. It’s time that California finally acts to put tribal uses of water on equal footing with other beneficial uses.”
In managing water quality and access, the State Water Board designates certain uses such as recreation, navigation, and preservation and protection of aquatic resources and wildlife as beneficial uses of water that are defined in the California Code of Regulations.
Also supporting AB 362 are Audubon California, Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe of California, Buena Vista Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians, California Environmental Voters, California Indian Environmental Alliance, California Nations Indian Gaming Association, Clean Water Action, Colfax Todds Valley Consolidated Tribe of the Colfax Rancheria, Defenders of Wildlife, Friends of the River, Hopland Band of Pomo Indians, La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians, Restore the Delta, San Francisco Baykeeper, Santa Rosa Rancheria Tachi Yokut Tribe, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Save California Salmon, Sierra Club, Sierra Consortium Suscol Intertribal Council, The Climate Reality Project, California State Coalition, The Sierra Fund, Water Climate Trust and Wilton Rancheria.
AB 362 will head next to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The council will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 1, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
The agenda can be found here.
The meeting will be broadcast live on the city's YouTube channel or the Lake County PEGTV YouTube Channel.
Community members also can participate via Zoom. The webinar ID is 882 1128 7564, the pass code is 893215. One tap mobile is available at +16694449171,,82771053751#, or join by phone at 669-444-9171 or 646-931-3860.
On Thursday, the council will host presentations of proclamations declaring May 11 to 17 as Police Week, May 4 to 10 as Public Service Recognition Week and May 12 to 16 as Military Appreciation Week.
The council also will receive a presentation on the Annual Public, Education and Government Channel Board report.
On Thursday’s agenda are two public hearings regarding abatements.
The first is to hear and act upon appeals of orders to abate for properties at 15893 33rd Ave., 16721 Cache Creek Lane, 4800 Old Highway 53, 4782 Yarrington Court, 4030 Hayward Ave., 14042 Woodland Drive, 3228 Third St., 3297 Third St., 3152 Ninth St., 3426 12th St., 3307 13th St., 3188 14th St., 3059 Eastlake Drive and 3223 Eastlake Drive.
Staff is asking the council to adopt a resolution denying the appeals.
The second public hearing also will be to consider appeals of an order to abate for a property at 6725 Old Highway 53.
In that case, the council also is being asked to adopt a resolution denying the appeals.
The cases in question for the two hearings were initiated between 2019 and 2024, staff reported.
On the meeting's consent agenda — items that are considered routine in nature and usually adopted on a single vote — are warrants and council minutes.
The council also will hold a closed session for a performance evaluation of City Manager Alan Flora.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Efforts to improve Lake County’s health by reducing smoking and vaping took another step forward recently.
Hope Rising Lake County organized and hosted a commercial tobacco smoking and vaping cessation facilitator training that resulted in 28 newly trained facilitators across Lake and Mendocino counties.
The class, led by Lou Moerner — a nationally recognized expert in commercial tobacco cessation — is a major milestone in the ongoing work to improve community health.
The training was a direct outcome of the Lake County Innovation Summit, held in the fall of 2024, where addressing commercial tobacco use was identified as a top priority for improving the county’s health outcomes.
Participants from a diverse group of organizations came together to complete the training, including Adventist Health Clear Lake, Blue Zones Project Lake County, Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Lake County Public Health, Kno'Qoti Native Wellness Inc., Lake County Office of Education, Mendocino County Public Health, Lakeview Health Center and Konocti Unified School District.
The intensive workshop equipped attendees with the tools to:
• Understand the power of nicotine addiction and its hold on users
• Teach the risks associated with tobacco use and the life-changing benefits of quitting
• Guide participants in preparing personalized quit plans
• Offer strategies to prevent relapse
• Educate on cessation therapy aids, including how medications work and proper usage.
“This initiative marks a significant step toward empowering our local organizations to help individuals break free from commercial tobacco and vaping addiction,” said Christina Braden, project manager for Hope Rising / Adventist Health Clear Lake. “Thanks to Hope Rising’s leadership, led by Executive Director Laurie Allen, and the momentum generated at the Innovation Summit, we are building a stronger foundation for public health in our communities.”
Tobacco use in Lake County: A persistent challenge
Lake County faces some of the highest commercial tobacco use rates in California.
In 2021, nearly 20% of adults in Lake County reported smoking cigarettes, compared to the statewide average of around 10%, according to the California Department of Public Health.
Commercial tobacco-related illnesses remain a leading cause of preventable death, driving up healthcare costs and lowering quality of life.
With these newly trained facilitators now ready to lead cessation classes throughout Lake and Mendocino counties, the region is better equipped than ever to offer hope and real solutions to individuals ready to quit smoking and vaping.
For more information about upcoming cessation classes or to learn how to get involved, contact Christina Braden,
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
The inaugural “It’s for the Dogz … and Catz” fun run and fundraiser will take place on Saturday, May 17.
Send Rover on Over will host the one-mile fun run and 5k fundraiser at 2945 Reeves Lane in Lakeport.
The pre-run festivities begin at 9 a.m., with the walk and run starting at 9:30 a.m.
For a suggested tax-deductible donation of $25, attendees will enjoy entry to the race and access to exciting festivities.
Come early for breakfast treats and hydration (available for purchase), meet rescue founders, and connect with vendors supporting the cause.
Proceeds will benefit several vital local organizations including A Home for Rover Inc., Street Dawgs, Clearlake Animal Association, Lake County Dog Crisis and Mendo Shelter Pets Rescue.
Funds will support spaying/neutering, feeding pets in need, trapping loose dogs, fostering and community outreach efforts.
Attendees can also look forward to raffle prizes generously donated by local businesses.
For more details, contact 805-794-6372 or email