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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKEPORT, Calif. –Dozens of friends, family and colleagues came to honor a Lake County Superior Court judge on his retirement during a Thursday afternoon celebration.
Judge David Herrick is retiring after 18 years on the Lake County Superior Court bench.
The Thursday party to honor Herrick was held in his Department 1 courtroom.
Herrick, 64, was elected in 1994 to succeed Judge John Golden. He took the bench in January 1995.
Michael Lunas, elected in November, is succeeding Herrick to the Department 1 bench.
Lunas will be sworn in during a special ceremony on Monday, Jan. 7, at 4 p.m., also in the Department 1 courtroom.
Herrick told Lake County News that he plans to continue working part-time during his retirement, although he’s looking forward to more time to play golf and travel with wife of 32 years, Cheryl.
Lake County News will publish an in-depth interview with Herrick about his time on the bench in the coming week.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – A local member of Congress will host a special public forum on gun violence prevention in Napa on Tuesday, Jan. 8.
Congressman Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) will lead the forum from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the council chambers at Napa City Hall, 955 School St.
Last month, in the wake of the Connecticut school shooting that claimed the lives of 20 children and six teachers and administrators, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi announced that Thompson would lead a task force to investigate new steps Congress can take to reduce gun violence and prevent massacres like the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.
Thompson is a Vietnam veteran, hunter, gun owner and former chair of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus.
The forum will bring together law enforcement officials, mental health experts, school officials, elected officials and community members for a comprehensive discussion on the steps that must be taken to reduce and prevent gun violence.
Thompson represents a portion of Lake and all or parts of Contra Costa, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties in the U.S. House of Representatives.
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- Written by: Charlotte Orr
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Saturday, Jan. 5, marks National Bird Day, a day to reflect on the survival and well-being of the world's birds.
National Bird Day was established by bird activists to bring awareness to issues affecting captive and wild birds, but it is also a wonderful opportunity to be thankful for the native wild birds we see outside our windows.
Whether you are a bird owner, birdwatcher or simply a wildlife enthusiast, what better way to celebrate National Bird Day than signing up for an outing to view our national bird, the American bald eagle?
During January and February, the Bureau of Land Management will host free guided hikes to look for wintering bald eagles in the Cache Creek Natural Area in Lake County.
Hikers will enjoy scenic vistas of the Cache Creek Canyon, where eagles often soar over the creek and perch in streamside trees.
The Berryessa Snow Mountain region is host to California's second-largest population of wintering bald eagles.
Winter is the best time to look for these brilliant birds because they tend to concentrate in small areas.
With open water and fresh food sources such as catfish and carp, the Cache Creek Natural Area provides the perfect habitat for wintering bald eagles as they feed, soar and roost until about mid-April.
Spotting a bald eagle in person is not only an impressive sight, but also an inspiring reminder of how the species has recovered from near extinction.
Although bald eagles have made a remarkable comeback, continued conservation is necessary to keep populations strong.
Wild birds are an integral part of the natural community, but they need healthy habitats to survive. Permanent protection for the Berryessa Snow Mountain region will provide a safeguard for all of the unique birds and wildlife that we are able to come into close contact with and enjoy.
This National Bird Day, consider the wonderful diversity of birds, such as the bald eagle, living right here in our backyard. Take the opportunity to see it yourself, by signing up for the Bureau of Land Management’s free guided bald eagle hikes.
Participants in the guided hikes often spot other wildlife including tule elk, golden eagles, osprey, herons, red-tailed hawks and egrets.
Guided hikes will be held on Saturdays, Jan. 12, 19 and 26, and Feb. 2, 9, 16 and 23.
They will start at the Redbud Trailhead parking area, eight miles east of Clearlake Oaks on Highway 20 at 10 a.m.
The hikes are four-miles long – including a steep 600-foot climb in the first mile – and will last three to four hours.
Participants should wear sturdy hiking boots suitable for wet conditions and dress for cold weather.
In addition, participants should bring water, a lunch and binoculars.
Space is limited. Reserve a spot by contacting the Bureau of Land Management’s Ukiah Field Office at 707-468-4000.
For more information on permanent protection for the Berryessa Snow Mountain region, visit www.berryessasnowmountain.org .
Tuleyome Tales is produced by Tuleyome, a regional conservation organization based in Woodland. Charlotte Orr, a member of the Tuleyome staff, graduated from U.C. Davis with a B.S. in community and regional development, emphasizing in environmental policy and education.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Several more states – including California – are on track to implement the health care law and establish health insurance marketplaces, or exchanges, in their states.
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Vermont and Utah were conditionally approved on Thursday to operate a state-based exchange, and Arkansas is conditionally approved to operate a state partnership exchange.
Health and Human Services also is providing more guidance to states today on marketplaces that will be operated in partnership with the federal government.
“States across the country are working to implement the health care law and build a marketplace that works for their residents,” Secretary Sebelius said Thursday. “In 10 months, consumers in all 50 states will have access to a new marketplace where they will be able to easily purchase affordable, high quality health insurance plans, and today’s guidance will provide the information states need to guide their continued work.”
Thursday’s conditional approvals follow those previously granted to Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington to operate state-based exchanges and to Delaware to operate a state partnership exchange.
To date, 20 states including the District of Columbia have been conditionally approved to partially or fully run their marketplaces – with the remaining states having until Feb. 15 to apply for a state partnership exchange.
Thursday’s new partnership guidance provides valuable information for states considering this option.
Because of the Affordable Care Act, consumers and small businesses will have access to a new marketplace starting in 2014 where they can access quality, affordable private health insurance. These are similar to those choices that will be offered to members of Congress.
Consumers in every state will be able to buy insurance from qualified health plans directly through these marketplaces and may be eligible for tax credits to help pay for their health insurance.
To learn more about exchange conditional approvals, visit: http://www.cciio.cms.gov/resources/factsheets/state-marketplaces.html .
For more information on exchanges, visit http://www.healthcare.gov/exchanges .
To access the guidance released Thursday, visit http://cciio.cms.gov/resources/files/partnership-guidance-01-03-2013.pdf .