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CLEARLAKE, Calif. — The eight candidates in the fall race for the Clearlake City Council took part in a Monday night forum at City Hall.
Running for the three available seats on Clearlake’s council this fall are incumbents David Claffey, Joyce Overton and Russell Perdock, and challengers Tara Downey, Brett Freeman, Jessica Hooten, James Rivera and Mary Wilson.
The candidates in the largest field of city council hopefuls in decades answered questions submitted by community members over the course of just over two hours.
Elizabeth Larson, editor and publisher of Lake County News, organized and moderated the forum.
Two versions of the video are available on this page, one by Lake County News staff and one by PEG TV 8.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — With vote-by-mail ballots for the Nov. 5 presidential election about to go out to voters across the county, the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office has issued an update on ballots, voter registration and in-person voting.
The elections office said all registered voters will be mailed a vote-by-mail ballot. Mailing of vote-by-mail ballots will begin on Oct. 7. Supplemental mailings will follow for newly registered or re-registered voters.
To ensure there are no delays in receiving your ballot in the mail, verify that the Registrar of Voters Office has your most up-to-date voter information. Visit https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/ or call 707-263-2372 to verify both your residential and mailing address.
Is everything correct? If not, you can update your registration by re-registering to vote at registertovote.ca.gov or by calling 707-263-2372 and requesting a voter registration form be mailed to you.
Return your vote-by-mail ballot
The elections office encourages people to vote safely at home, and return your vote-by-mail ballot in one of the following ways:
• Mail your ballot on or before Election Day – no postage required.
• At any official ballot drop box location. Visit https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/ or call 707-263-2372 for locations.
• Drop it off at the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office or at any polling place location within the state of California.
Track your vote-by-mail ballot
Receive your personalized text message, emails or voicemails letting you know when your ballot is mailed, received, and counted by the Registrar of Voters by subscribing to https://wheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov.
In-person voting
There will be 20 polling place locations on Election Day. Polling place locations will be staffed for voters to drop off voted ballots or to be issued a replacement ballot from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
To vote in-person at your assigned polling place site on Election Day, please call the Registrar of Voters office for instructions. You will be required to vote a provisional ballot if you are unable to surrender your vote-by-mail ballot.
Ballot processing to begin Oct. 7
The Registrar of Voters Office also reported that it will commence processing vote-by-mail ballots for the Nov. 5 General Election on Monday, Oct. 7. The processing of the vote-by-mail voter ballots will continue through Election Day as well as during the official canvass.
The scanning and adjudicating of the official ballots will commence on Monday, Oct. 28 in the Registrar of Voters Office, 325 N. Forbes St. in Lakeport, however, results will not be announced until after the close of the polls at 8 p.m. on Election Day.
The official canvass will commence on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 10 a.m. and will continue daily, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays excepted, for not less than six hours each day until completed.
Observers are invited to view the processing and counting of the ballots, but shall not interfere with the election process.
Observers may contact the Registrar of Voters Office at 707-263-2372, toll-free at 888-235-6730 or by email atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. during the Official Canvass period for the proposed schedule.
Staff may be required to work on some Saturdays, Sundays and county holidays as needed in order to complete the Official Canvass by the state deadline.
The elections office said all registered voters will be mailed a vote-by-mail ballot. Mailing of vote-by-mail ballots will begin on Oct. 7. Supplemental mailings will follow for newly registered or re-registered voters.
To ensure there are no delays in receiving your ballot in the mail, verify that the Registrar of Voters Office has your most up-to-date voter information. Visit https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/ or call 707-263-2372 to verify both your residential and mailing address.
Is everything correct? If not, you can update your registration by re-registering to vote at registertovote.ca.gov or by calling 707-263-2372 and requesting a voter registration form be mailed to you.
Return your vote-by-mail ballot
The elections office encourages people to vote safely at home, and return your vote-by-mail ballot in one of the following ways:
• Mail your ballot on or before Election Day – no postage required.
• At any official ballot drop box location. Visit https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/ or call 707-263-2372 for locations.
• Drop it off at the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office or at any polling place location within the state of California.
Track your vote-by-mail ballot
Receive your personalized text message, emails or voicemails letting you know when your ballot is mailed, received, and counted by the Registrar of Voters by subscribing to https://wheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov.
In-person voting
There will be 20 polling place locations on Election Day. Polling place locations will be staffed for voters to drop off voted ballots or to be issued a replacement ballot from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
To vote in-person at your assigned polling place site on Election Day, please call the Registrar of Voters office for instructions. You will be required to vote a provisional ballot if you are unable to surrender your vote-by-mail ballot.
Ballot processing to begin Oct. 7
The Registrar of Voters Office also reported that it will commence processing vote-by-mail ballots for the Nov. 5 General Election on Monday, Oct. 7. The processing of the vote-by-mail voter ballots will continue through Election Day as well as during the official canvass.
The scanning and adjudicating of the official ballots will commence on Monday, Oct. 28 in the Registrar of Voters Office, 325 N. Forbes St. in Lakeport, however, results will not be announced until after the close of the polls at 8 p.m. on Election Day.
The official canvass will commence on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 10 a.m. and will continue daily, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays excepted, for not less than six hours each day until completed.
Observers are invited to view the processing and counting of the ballots, but shall not interfere with the election process.
Observers may contact the Registrar of Voters Office at 707-263-2372, toll-free at 888-235-6730 or by email at
Staff may be required to work on some Saturdays, Sundays and county holidays as needed in order to complete the Official Canvass by the state deadline.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
CLEARLAKE, Calif. — The Clearlake City Council is set to consider offering its support of a resolution to form a new hospital district to serve Lake County.
The council will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, 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 843 3663 1409, the pass code is 879061. One tap mobile is available at +16694449171,,84336631409#, or join by phone at 669-444-9171 or 253-205-0468.
Under business, council members will consider a resolution granting consent to the county of Lake to establish the Lake County Hospital Improvement District.
City Manager Alan Flora’s report to the council explained that the council heard a presentation from Adventist Health Clear Lake Hospital on Sept. 9 about establishing a hospital district within Lake County.
“The District would establish a fee, paid by the two hospitals with the county, Adventist Health Clear Lake and Sutter Lakeside. The fee would be paid to the state and increase the federal reimbursement rate for the two hospitals,” Flora wrote. “The District is similar to the Lake County Tourism Improvement District that created an assessment on lodging operators for marketing of Lake County as a tourism destination. The responsibility to establish this type of district falls on the Lake County Board of Supervisors, who adopted a resolution requesting the City of Clearlake’s consent on September 10th. After the two cities consent to the establishment, the Board will take final action to establish the District.”
Staff also will give the council an update on the Boyles fire.
Thursday’s meeting also will include the presentation of October’s adoptable dogs, and proclamations declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
On the meeting's consent agenda — items that are considered routine in nature and usually adopted on a single vote — are warrants; minutes; approval of Resolution No. 2024-40 approving the road closure on Oct. 19 for the Robert Viramontes Memorial Soap Box Derby; approval of Resolution No. 2024-41 approving the road closure on Oct. 31 for the Trunk or Treat event; authorization of an amendment of contract in the amount of $109,852.50 with Square Signs LLC for the Digital Marquee Signs Project; continuation of the director of emergency services/city manager proclamation declaring a local emergency for winter storms; and adoption of Resolution 2024-43 Renewing Ordinance 261-2022 and approval of the Clearlake Police Department Military Equipment Report.
The council also will hold a closed session to discuss a lawsuit against Highlands Mutual Water Co.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
The council will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, 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 843 3663 1409, the pass code is 879061. One tap mobile is available at +16694449171,,84336631409#, or join by phone at 669-444-9171 or 253-205-0468.
Under business, council members will consider a resolution granting consent to the county of Lake to establish the Lake County Hospital Improvement District.
City Manager Alan Flora’s report to the council explained that the council heard a presentation from Adventist Health Clear Lake Hospital on Sept. 9 about establishing a hospital district within Lake County.
“The District would establish a fee, paid by the two hospitals with the county, Adventist Health Clear Lake and Sutter Lakeside. The fee would be paid to the state and increase the federal reimbursement rate for the two hospitals,” Flora wrote. “The District is similar to the Lake County Tourism Improvement District that created an assessment on lodging operators for marketing of Lake County as a tourism destination. The responsibility to establish this type of district falls on the Lake County Board of Supervisors, who adopted a resolution requesting the City of Clearlake’s consent on September 10th. After the two cities consent to the establishment, the Board will take final action to establish the District.”
Staff also will give the council an update on the Boyles fire.
Thursday’s meeting also will include the presentation of October’s adoptable dogs, and proclamations declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
On the meeting's consent agenda — items that are considered routine in nature and usually adopted on a single vote — are warrants; minutes; approval of Resolution No. 2024-40 approving the road closure on Oct. 19 for the Robert Viramontes Memorial Soap Box Derby; approval of Resolution No. 2024-41 approving the road closure on Oct. 31 for the Trunk or Treat event; authorization of an amendment of contract in the amount of $109,852.50 with Square Signs LLC for the Digital Marquee Signs Project; continuation of the director of emergency services/city manager proclamation declaring a local emergency for winter storms; and adoption of Resolution 2024-43 Renewing Ordinance 261-2022 and approval of the Clearlake Police Department Military Equipment Report.
The council also will hold a closed session to discuss a lawsuit against Highlands Mutual Water Co.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — While fall has arrived, high temperatures are still in the forecast, prompting a heat advisory through mid-week.
The National Weather Service issued the advisory, which is in effect from 11 a.m. Tuesday through 8 p.m. Wednesday.
The forecast calls for temperatures that could range from as high as 97 to 110 degrees.
Along the Northshore, daytime temperatures are expected to peak in the mid-90s on Tuesday and Wednesday, before dropping into the low 90s on Thursday and then rolling back into the 80s from Friday through the weekend. Nighttime temperatures will peak in the high 60s on Tuesday and will drop into the low 60s by the weekend.
In the south county, daytime temperatures are expected to be much higher, around 103 on Tuesday and 104 on Wednesday. The rest of the week and weekend temperatures will be in the high 90s. Nighttime conditions will be in the high 90s.
Conditions have led to a forecast of major HeatRisk for Lake County on Tuesday and Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
The National Weather Service issued the advisory, which is in effect from 11 a.m. Tuesday through 8 p.m. Wednesday.
The forecast calls for temperatures that could range from as high as 97 to 110 degrees.
Along the Northshore, daytime temperatures are expected to peak in the mid-90s on Tuesday and Wednesday, before dropping into the low 90s on Thursday and then rolling back into the 80s from Friday through the weekend. Nighttime temperatures will peak in the high 60s on Tuesday and will drop into the low 60s by the weekend.
In the south county, daytime temperatures are expected to be much higher, around 103 on Tuesday and 104 on Wednesday. The rest of the week and weekend temperatures will be in the high 90s. Nighttime conditions will be in the high 90s.
Conditions have led to a forecast of major HeatRisk for Lake County on Tuesday and Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation on Monday from Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, that will update conflict of interest laws to ensure local governments and other parties can more effectively implement and follow the law to prevent corruption or the appearance of corruption.
“With this law we can build on the state’s local government ethics safeguards by focusing on situations prone to abuse or breach of the public’s trust” Sen. Dodd said. “It is critical everyone is clear on how to follow the law, which is why my bill makes clear what is and isn’t allowed. We need to ban conduct that risks creating a reasonable appearance of impropriety while safeguarding fair and reasonable participation in the political process. I thank the governor and colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their support.”
Under current law, known as the Levine Act, an elected official such as a city council member must disclose contributions of more than $250 from anyone who has pending business like a contract, permit or housing development before the body, and must recuse themselves from participation in the decision.
Sen. Dodd’s bill, Senate Bill 1243, goes further by banning agents to a party or a participant from making a contribution in any amount to an officer during a proceeding and for 12 months following the date of the final decision.
While state-level lobbyists have been prohibited from donating to legislators, there has not been a similar requirement at the local level.
Sen. Dodd’s bill would effectively ban local lobbyists from contributing while they are working on projects and for the year afterwards, providing a nation-leading model.
The bill also makes numerous updates and clarifications to existing law to improve workability and efficacy. These include updating the reporting and recusal threshold to $500, better defining who counts as a participant or agent, and providing a mechanism for local elected officials to return contributions that would trigger recusal.
The bill is supported by civil prosecutors in San Francisco, San Diego, Oakland and Santa Clara County, local governments, the California Clean Money Campaign and the League of Women Voters.
It was approved by a unanimous vote of the Assembly and Senate before it was signed into law.
“To ensure public trust in local government, our ethics laws must address potential conflicts of interests in a way that is transparent and workable,” said San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu. “These common sense reforms to the Levine Act will strengthen our ability to ensure compliance with the law and uphold the highest ethical standards. I applaud Senator Dodd, California Clean Money Campaign, and Common Cause for their leadership, and my counterparts in Oakland, San Diego, and Santa Clara for their collaboration, which allowed SB 1243 to become law.”
“With this law we can build on the state’s local government ethics safeguards by focusing on situations prone to abuse or breach of the public’s trust” Sen. Dodd said. “It is critical everyone is clear on how to follow the law, which is why my bill makes clear what is and isn’t allowed. We need to ban conduct that risks creating a reasonable appearance of impropriety while safeguarding fair and reasonable participation in the political process. I thank the governor and colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their support.”
Under current law, known as the Levine Act, an elected official such as a city council member must disclose contributions of more than $250 from anyone who has pending business like a contract, permit or housing development before the body, and must recuse themselves from participation in the decision.
Sen. Dodd’s bill, Senate Bill 1243, goes further by banning agents to a party or a participant from making a contribution in any amount to an officer during a proceeding and for 12 months following the date of the final decision.
While state-level lobbyists have been prohibited from donating to legislators, there has not been a similar requirement at the local level.
Sen. Dodd’s bill would effectively ban local lobbyists from contributing while they are working on projects and for the year afterwards, providing a nation-leading model.
The bill also makes numerous updates and clarifications to existing law to improve workability and efficacy. These include updating the reporting and recusal threshold to $500, better defining who counts as a participant or agent, and providing a mechanism for local elected officials to return contributions that would trigger recusal.
The bill is supported by civil prosecutors in San Francisco, San Diego, Oakland and Santa Clara County, local governments, the California Clean Money Campaign and the League of Women Voters.
It was approved by a unanimous vote of the Assembly and Senate before it was signed into law.
“To ensure public trust in local government, our ethics laws must address potential conflicts of interests in a way that is transparent and workable,” said San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu. “These common sense reforms to the Levine Act will strengthen our ability to ensure compliance with the law and uphold the highest ethical standards. I applaud Senator Dodd, California Clean Money Campaign, and Common Cause for their leadership, and my counterparts in Oakland, San Diego, and Santa Clara for their collaboration, which allowed SB 1243 to become law.”
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
This year, the California Highway Patrol is proudly marking a historic milestone: 50 years since women first joined CHP’s ranks — paving the way for women in the department.
“Law enforcement is not a 'male' or 'female' profession. It is a profession of service and sacrifice. The members of this inaugural class served their communities with dedication, laying the groundwork for future generations. We owe them a great debt of gratitude,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee
Gov. Gavin Newsom also is honoring the trailblazing women who were part of the initial group to report to the CHP Academy in 1974, and who led the way for many others to follow and help shape and transform the ranks of the CHP.
“On this important anniversary, we recognize the trailblazing women who first entered the CHP 50 years ago and the many women who have come after to make important contributions that help keep California safe,” Newsom said. “These officers pushed against sexism and stereotypes to prove that women can not only serve and excel in law enforcement but also play an important role in making our communities stronger and safer. We thank this vanguard group of women for their enduring legacy — defying sexism to demonstrate that gender equality behind the badge is not only the right thing to do, but makes us all better off."
“Today, we celebrate the incredible women who broke barriers and made history by joining the ranks of the California Highway Patrol 50 years ago. Their courage and resilience paved the way for future generations, not just within the CHP but across all sectors of law enforcement. These trailblazers shattered stereotypes and glass ceilings, proving that women are capable and willing to serve and protect our communities. Their legacy reminds us that when women lead, they strengthen the very fabric of our society,” said First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom.
On Sept. 30, 1974, a group of 40 women reported to the CHP Academy as part of the Women Traffic Officer Program, or WTOP, launched as a trial. Of those women, 27 completed Academy training and were sworn in as CHP officers on Jan. 16, 1975.
Since that day, women have served in every aspect of the CHP, from riding motorcycles and flying aircraft to taking on detective roles.
On Nov. 17, 2020, Gov. Newsom appointed Amanda L. Ray as the 16th commissioner of the CHP, the first woman to lead the department of more than 11,000 members.
Prior to the WTOP, women were only permitted in non-officer roles. The dedication of these trailblazing women forever changed the CHP, proving that women are equally capable of performing the duties of a CHP officer.
Over the weekend, several members of the inaugural WTOP class reunited in Sacramento to celebrate their legacy and share stories of service. A common theme emerged: their pride in careers committed to community service and safety.
To mark the momentous occasion, the CHP released a video that includes conversations with members of the WTOP class and firsthand accounts of their experience 50 years ago.
The CHP continues to lead as one of the Nation’s premier law enforcement agencies. If you are considering a rewarding career in law enforcement where you will build lifelong relationships, visit www.CHPMadeForMore.com to apply.
In 1974, these women walked in to accept a challenge that changed their lives and the CHP. You could be the next pioneer. The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of safety, service, and security.
Footage of the 50th-anniversary event can be found here.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
LAKEPORT, Calif. — The Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild will hold its Falling Leaves Quilt Show at Lewis Hall at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport on Saturday, Oct. 5, and Sunday, Oct. 6.
The hours on Saturday are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The quilt show will display over 160 quilts in a wide variety of colors and styles.
Visitors will enjoy the Country Store boutique with various member created, handmade items, a diverse vendor mall, quilting demonstrations, a silent auction and themed gift baskets.
The opportunity quilt will find a home as the raffle drawing will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Fun door prizes will be announced every hour throughout the show with the grand prize of a sewing machine donated from Village Sewing.
This year’s featured artist is Charter member of the Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild and longtime member of Konocti Quilters guild in Lakeport, Kerrie Hershey.
Hershey’s love of quilting started when her mother-in-law gave her an Ohio Rose quilt made by her husband’s grandmother.
“The hand quilting was wonderful,” Hershey said.
In 1979 she took a class at the Ukiah Adult Ed and one at Connie's Customs in Redwood Valley and has been quilting by hand and machine ever since.
Hershey started teaching quilting in her home in 1991. Her dream of someday owning a fabric shop came true in 2001 when she opened Kerrie's Quilting in High Street Village.
Hershey has received many awards in the quilting world. She has encouraged hundreds of young and not so young people in Lake County through her shop and youth organizations such as 4-H and CLHS Senior Projects in their new sewing endeavors.
Discount pre-sale tickets are available at Darn Cute Quilts and Fabrics, 1859 N. High St., Lakeport, and at Village Sewing, 1252 Airport Park Blvd. in Ukiah now through Oct. 3. Pre-sale tickets are $8, $10 at the door. Children under 12 are free with an adult.
More information can be found on the website http://www.LLQG.org/quilt-show.html.
Suzanne Lee is a member of the Ladies of the Lake Quilt Guild and publicity chair for the Falling Leaves Quilt Show.
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- Written by: Suzanne Lee
