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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – An early Saturday morning crash at Indian Valley Reservoir sent two people to the hospital and resulted in an arrest for drunk driving.
The California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office said driver Thomas Michael Rores, 35, of Castro Valley was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol following the crash.
Rores, who was driving a 2008 Toyota 4Runner, was injured along with his passenger, 38-year-old Brian Sperle of Hayward. Two other passengers, Roderick Kreiss, 36, of Concord and Robert Zimmerman, 32, of Colfax, were not injured, the CHP said.
The CHP reported that the solo-vehicle wreck occurred at 12:20 a.m. Saturday in a remote area near Indian Valley Reservoir. CHP dispatch received a call about the incident minutes later.
At 2 a.m. emergency personnel located the Toyota Rores had been driving north of Highway 20 and east of Bartlett Springs Road along the reservoir’s northern shoreline, the CHP said.
Based on the crash investigation so far, the CHP said it appeared that Rores was driving in a northernly direction on a dry portion of the lakebed.
For reasons that are yet to be determined, Rores lost control of the Toyota and it began to overturn, the CHP said.
Rores sustained moderate injuries and was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital in Lakeport, while Sperle was flown by REACH air ambulance to Enloe Medical Center in Chico, according to the CHP.
Reports from the scene Saturday morning indicated that Sperle had broken vertebrae in his neck and had no feeling in his legs.
Lake County Jail records showed that Rores was booked on Saturday morning, with bail set at $50,000 for a charge of driving under the influence causing bodily injury. He later posted the required percentage of bail and was released.
Rores was not wearing his seat belt but all of his passengers were belted, the CHP said.
The CHP said the crash’s cause remains under investigation.
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – A single-vehicle wreck near Lakeport Friday evening injured a young child and resulted in the arrests of the two adults in the vehicle, with the driver suspected of drunk driving.
The California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office reported that the crash occurred at 5:58 p.m. Friday on Soda Bay Road west of Big Valley Road.
Driver Annette Ann McCloud, 24, of Lakeport was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, the CHP said.
McCloud was driving her 2006 Dodge Stratus westbound on Soda Bay Road, west of Big Valley Road at approximately 40 miles per hour when, for reasons that are yet to be determined, she allowed her vehicle to veer towards the right shoulder, according to the CHP report.
The CHP said McCloud overcorrected and veered to the left across the eastbound lane, where the front end of the vehicle hit a cement culvert. The Dodge came to rest on the south side of the roadway.
Two-year-old Jolene Jack of Lakeport was riding in the vehicle’s rear seat but was not restrained, and the CHP report said the impact caused her to be thrown onto the rear seat’s floorboard.
The CHP said the child received moderate injuries as a result of the crash and was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital for treatment.
Neither Annette McCloud nor her passenger Tessa Anjoline McCloud, 42, of Lakeport were injured, the CHP said. Both women were wearing their seat belts.
In addition to Annette McCloud being arrested for DUI, Tessa McCloud was taken into custody for an outstanding warrant and public intoxication, the CHP reported.
Annette McCloud was booked on two felony charges of DUI and two misdemeanors, a probation violation and driving on a suspended license. Her bail was set at $50,000. Jail records showed she remained in custody on Sunday.
Tessa McCloud’s bail was set at $10,000. She later posted the required percentage of bail and was released, jail records indicated.
The CHP said the crash’s cause remains under investigation.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Bird enthusiasts around Lake County and nationwide are gearing up to participate in the world’s largest and oldest bird count.
The National Audubon Society’s 113th Christmas Bird Count will take place between Friday, Dec. 14, and Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013.
In Lake County, Redbud Audubon will hold its part of the count on Saturday, Dec. 15, according to group member Roberta Lyons.
“We encourage local people to get involved,” said Lyons. “You don’t have to be an expert birder.”
The Christmas Bird Count is “the largest, longest-running animal census on the planet,” according to National Audubon Society President and Chief Executive Officer David Yarnold.
The count was the brainchild of ornithologist and early Audubon Society officer Frank Chapman, who started the tradition of counting birds – rather than shooting them – on Christmas Day 1900.
Since then, the count has grown from dozens of volunteers to the tens of thousands who the Audubon Society said are expected to participate this year, adding “a new layer to data that has shaped conservation and Congressional decisions.”
Audubon said the Christmas Bird Count has revealed both the dramatic impact climate change is already having on birds, and a disturbing decline in common birds.
Gary Langham, Audubon’s chief scientist, said that data from the Audubon Christmas Bird Count are at the heart of hundreds peer-reviewed scientific studies and inform decisions by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Department of the Interior, and the EPA.
“Because birds are early indicators of environmental threats to habitats we share, this is a vital survey of North America and, increasingly, the Western Hemisphere,” Langham said in a written statement.
The 2011 nationwide Christmas Bird Count broke records, with Audubon reporting 2,248 counts and 63,223 people tallying more than 60 million birds across all 50 states, all Canadian provinces, plus 99 count circles in Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Islands.
In California, there were 127 counts in 2011, with a total of 5,787 observers in 2,242 counting parties, according to Audubon.
Some of the key issues that emerged from last year’s bird count included the improving situation for the bald eagle and the peregrine falcon, the North American invasion by the Eurasian Collared-Dove, the fact that “Eastern” House Finches has been moving west for 60 years, how far and fast West Nile Virus has spread and the discovery that more hummingbirds are wintering in the United States and Canada.
Audubon said the count also showed some startling facts, among them, that America’s most familiar and beloved birds – such as the sage-grouse – are in serious decline.
The National Audubon Society is implementing several changes in time for the 2012 Christmas Bird Count.
Those charges include dropping fees for volunteers to take part, which it’s hoped will increase participation.
Audubon said it also is going to publish its annual “American Birds” report digitally in 2013 in order to save more trees for birds.
In addition, Christmas Bird Count information will be available online in Spanish for the first time and in 2013 Audubon will begin to extend conservation-focused observation efforts throughout the seasons.
Count finds new and rare visitors
Darlene Hecomovich of Cobb has been coordinating Redbud Audubon’s Clear Lake Christmas Bird Count for the past decade.
She said about 50 volunteers usually take part in Lake County’s bird count, which began in January 1975.
Hecomovich has been persistent in getting volunteers to keep coming back for the annual count, which takes place during the busy holiday season.
“I’ve really tried to get a group that we can depend upon,” she said. “We’ve got some really good birders.”
Amongst the core group are some St. Helena residents who Hecomovich said have consistently made the trip over to Lake County to participate.
On the day of the local count, some of the volunteers start at around 4 a.m. or 5 a.m., but most will meet at 8 a.m. and continue the count until the early afternoon, Hecomovich said.
Bird count groups will be at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park and Clear Lake State Park, with Hecomovich reporting there are also some other smaller groups that count elsewhere.
After the count, Lyons said volunteers are treated to a pizza party in Kelseyville.
As for what volunteers can expect, last year the local count found 149 species of bird, according to the count results.
The ruddy duck was seen in the greatest numbers, with more than 14,800 counted. Rounding out the top 10 in Lake County were the eared grebe, European Starling, California gull, American Robin, American Coot, northern shoveler, Western Grebe Brewer’s Blackbird and the mallard.
In addition, “We always get some rare birds,” Hecomovich said.
Last year, the lesser blacked-backed gull, a European species, was found in four count locations across California, with Clear Lake being one of them, according to Audubon.
Hecomovich said the gull is a visitor to North America, but it usually is found on the East Coast. “So for us to get it here was unusual.”
Redbud Audubon volunteers also found the black-throated gray warbler in Lake County last year, said Hecomovich.
While the bird is known in Lake County, it’s usually found in the spring and summer, not winter, she said.
Those changes in the birds’ migration patterns and populations are among the key factors the count monitors, Hecomovich added.
This year, she’s anticipating that count participants may see a large number of red-breasted nuthatches.
There is always a small number of them to be found in Lake County, but Hecomovich said Northern California has seen an influx of the bird, which usually is found in forests at higher elevations. Hecomovich suggested that food sources to the north may not be as good.
Anyone who wants to volunteer to take part in the Clear Lake Christmas Bird Count should call Hecomovich at 707-928-5591 or email her at
She said there is no deadline to sign up by but the earlier the better as it helps her in her planning.
On Thursday, Dec. 13, Redbud Audubon will hold a meeting on bird identification for bird count volunteers. Hecomovich said Brad Barnwell will lead the meeting.
Hecomovich said the meeting takes place at Kelseyville Presbyterian Church, 5340 Third St. They will serve refreshments at 7 p.m., with the meeting beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Visit Redbud Audubon online at http://www.redbudaudubon.org/ .
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – There is a kennel full of great dogs available at the county’s animal shelter this week.
The dogs come in a range of ages, sizes, breeds and temperaments.
Thanks to Lake County Animal Care and Control’s new veterinary clinic, many of the animals offered for adoption already are spayed or neutered and ready to go home with their new families.
Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.
If you're looking for a new companion, visit the shelter. There are many great pets hoping you'll choose them.
The following dogs at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption (additional dogs on the animal control Web site not listed are still “on hold”).
‘Corrie’
“Corrie” is a 4-year-old Rottweiler-Doberman Pinscher mix.
He weighs 98 pounds, is neutered and has a short brown and black coat.
Find him in kennel No. 8, ID No. 33210.
Male Chihuahua mix
This male Chihuahua mix is 3 years old.
He has a short red coat, weighs 18.6 pounds and has been neutered.
Find him in kennel No. 9, ID No. 34724.
‘Moose’
“Moose” is a 3-year-old Labrador Retriever mix.
He has a short black coat, weighs 66 pounds and has been neutered.
He’s in kennel No. 16, ID No. 34643.
Female shepherd mix
This female shepherd mix is 1 year old.
She has brown eyes and floppy years, and a short black and brown coat. Shelter staff did not report if she had been spayed.
Find her in kennel No. 20, ID No. 34623.
Female cattle dog mix
This female cattle dog mix is 1 year old.
She has a short brown coat, floppy ears and brown eyes, and weighs 39 pounds. She has been spayed.
Shelter staff said she is a jumper (she can top a 6-foot fence) and loves tennis balls.
She’s in kennel No. 24, ID No. 34758.
Female Labrador Retriever mix
This female Labrador Retriever mix 8 months old.
She has a short black coat and is not yet spayed.
She’s in kennel No. 29, ID No. 34829.
'Poncho'
“Poncho” is a 2-year-old male Chihuahua-terrier mix.
He weighs 10.6 pounds, has a medium-length red coat and has not been neutered.
He’s in kennel No. 30, ID No. 34860.
Male pit bull terrier mix
This male pit bull terrier mix is 7 months old.
Shelter staff reported that he is great with other dogs and loves to play.
He has a short white and gray coat, is medium-sized and has not yet been altered.
He’s in kennel No. 31, ID No. 34815.
‘Mary Jane’
“Mary Jane” is a 6-year-old pit bull terrier mix.
She has a short brown and white coat, is medium-sized and has been spayed.
Find her in kennel No. 34, ID No. 34818.
Please note: Dogs listed at the shelter's Web page that are said to be “on hold” are not yet cleared for adoption.
To fill out an adoption application online visit http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dog___Cat_Adoption_Application.htm .
Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm .
For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.
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