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Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS

Published: 20 January 2025

UKIAH, Calif. — The Bureau of Land Management has selected Neal Craig as the Ukiah field manager who will oversee management of more than 270,000 acres of public lands within Marin, Mendocino, Lake, Sonoma, Napa, Colusa, Glenn, Yolo and Solano counties.

The Ukiah Field Office also manages parts of the California Coastal National Monument in the Point Arena-Stornetta area and the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, managed jointly with the Mendocino National Forest.

The field office also administers geothermal leasing at The Geysers, the world’s largest geothermal steam field and the Cow Mountain Recreation Area, which includes the first Congressionally designated OHV area.

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to work collaboratively with our stakeholders and the public to manage the Ukiah Field Office,” Craig said. “I look forward to developing new and existing projects and programs that serve the surrounding communities, while balancing our multiple-use mission.”

Craig brings a broad background in natural resource management, sustainable agriculture, and organizational development in both the government and private sectors.

Most recently, he served as the assistant field manager in the BLM Bishop Field Office where he supervised the multi-resources staff and provided leadership in several program development areas.

He previously worked for the U.S. Geologic Survey, serving as a technical expert, project manager, and supervisor in water quality and water quantity projects in Colorado, Michigan, Kentucky, and other states.

Throughout his career, he has focused on employee training, mentoring, engagement and advancing organizational change. Craig has also owned and operated a sustainable farm that utilized livestock grazing systems, soil health improvement, and watershed restoration projects.

“We are fortunate to have Neal on our team,” said BLM Central California District Manager Gabe Garcia. “His experience and leadership in natural resource management combined with his knowledge of watershed restoration projects will be valuable additions to our Ukiah Field Office.”

Craig graduated from the University of Memphis with a Bachelor of Science in geography. When not in the office, Craig is an avid runner, small batch coffee roaster, and explorer of diverse social viewpoints.

He succeeds Nick Lavrov, who took a position with another government agency.

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Written by: Elizabeth Larson

Published: 20 January 2025

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council this week will discuss its meeting procedures, consider updates to the city’s public bathroom policies, get an update on crime status and consider new use policies for the Silveira Center.

The council will meet Tuesday, Jan. 21, at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

The agenda can be found here.

If you cannot attend in person, and would like to speak on an agenda item, you can access the Zoom meeting remotely at this link or join by phone by calling toll-free 669-900-9128 or 346-248-7799.

The webinar ID is 973 6820 1787, access code is 477973; the audio pin will be shown after joining the webinar. Those phoning in without using the web link will be in “listen mode” only and will not be able to participate or comment.

Comments can be submitted by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To give the city clerk adequate time to print out comments for consideration at the meeting, please submit written comments before 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21.

Under council business, Police Chief Dale Stoebe will present the annual crime statistics report and introduce an ordinance amending the city code regulating use of public bathrooms, which Stoebe’s written report says is in response to an increase in loitering in and around the city’s public bathrooms over the past 18 months.

In other business, Administrative Services Director/City Clerk Kelly Buendia will present an update on the Silveira Community Center and present an interim plan for operations of the building, gifted to the city in 2019 by Bank of America.

After a number of upgrades, the report explains, “The Silveira Community Center has served in a limited capacity as a valuable resource for local community activities, events, training, and meetings, as well as for emergency response purposes. However, the center's full potential has been hindered by infrastructure limitations, particularly with respect to plumbing and ADA compliance.”

Buendia’s report said that last year the city secured a Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $1,274,020 to address ADA compliance and plumbing upgrades, with a target completion date of January 2026.

“Despite increased interest from the public and progress to the facility, the Community Center faces significant hurdles in supporting full-scale operations,” Buendia wrote, noting that the building’s current usage policies are shaped by these limitations.

As such, staff is recommending that interim use be limited to business hours and events with fewer than 50 attendees; that the city secure ADA-compliant portable restroom facilities; and that a discretionary fee waiver program for City Council members that will support eligible non-profits and community groups while maintaining financial oversight be adopted.

In other business, the council will review its meeting procedures in order to conduct productive meetings, foster shared expectations and collaboration among council members, promote understanding and trust with the community, and enhance public engagement and participation in city decision-making.

Also on Tuesday the council will present a proclamation designating January 2025 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month, will hear from Sutter Health on the success of the 2024 Health & Wellness Expo that was held at Xabatin Community Park and consider the annual comprehensive financial report and a state housing legislation update.

On the consent agenda — items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote — are ordinances; minutes of the City Council’s regular meeting on Jan. 7; approval of the continuation of the proclamation declaring a local state of emergency due to severe weather conditions including heavy rain and extreme wind; approval of application 2025-003, with staff recommendations, for the Clear Lake Open Fishing Tournament; approval of application 2025-004, with staff recommendations, for the closure of Clear Lake Avenue. for the 2025 Splash-In event.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, and on Bluesky, @erlarson.bsky.social. Find Lake County News on the following platforms: Facebook, @LakeCoNews; X, @LakeCoNews; Threads, @lakeconews, and on Bluesky, @lakeconews.bsky.social.

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Written by: Elizabeth Larson

Published: 20 January 2025

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for Lake County on Monday as high northeast winds are expected throughout the day.

The advisory is in effect from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The forecast calls for northeast winds of 20 to 30 miles per hour, with gusts of up to 50 miles per hour expected.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is expected to have a high of 56 degrees during the day with a nighttime low of 37 degrees.

Daytime temperatures are forecast to rise to the high 60s mid-week before dropping back to the low 50s during the weekend.

Nighttime conditions will range from the low 40s midweek to the high 30s at the weekend.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, and on Bluesky, @erlarson.bsky.social. Find Lake County News on the following platforms: Facebook, @LakeCoNews; X, @LakeCoNews; Threads, @lakeconews, and on Bluesky, @lakeconews.bsky.social.