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- Written by: Lake County News reports
LOWER LAKE, Calif. – A vehicle stop conducted by the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force last week resulted in the seizure of $43,120 pending asset forfeiture.
On Thursday, Sept. 27, at about 11:20 a.m., narcotics detectives conducted a vehicle stop on Jerusalem Grade Road in Lower Lake, according to Sgt. Steve Brooks.
The vehicle had an obstructed license plate and the registration had been expired since May, Brooks said.
When narcotics detectives contacted the driver, 37-year-old Caleb Murphy of Lower Lake, they could smell the strong odor of marijuana emitting from inside the vehicle. Brooks said Murphy denied having anything illegal in the vehicle.
Brooks said detectives also contacted 27-year-old Bridget Marie King of Lower Lake and 35-year-old Jamaal Ariel Knight of Santa Cruz, who were passengers in the vehicle.
The narcotics detective, who is also a K-9 handler, informed Murphy that he was going to deploy his narcotics detection K-9 to conduct a search of the vehicle, Brooks said.
Brooks said Murphy told the detective, “Go ahead and search the vehicle all you want, you are wasting your time, there is nothing in there.”
The detectives had all three subjects exit the vehicle. Brooks said a search of the vehicle revealed a large Food Saver bag containing US currency inside the glove box.
The narcotics detection K-9 conducted a search of the vehicle and immediately alerted to the glove box containing the money, Brooks said. When detectives opened the Food Saver bag, a strong odor of marijuana immediately started emitting from it.
Narcotic detectives questioned Murphy, King and Knight as to who the money belonged to, Brooks said.
All three told detectives that the money was not theirs and denied knowing who it belonged to or where it came from, Brooks said. When detectives attempted to provide a property receipt to Murphy for the money they seized, he refused to accept the receipt and said the money was not his.
The money was sorted into $1,000 bundles in $100 bills and each bundle was wrapped with a one hundred dollar bill. Brooks said no additional narcotics or paraphernalia were located in the vehicle.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be contacted through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.
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- Written by: John Jensen
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – This year’s Konocti Challenge is expected to be the largest ever, with hundreds of bicyclists set to circle Clear Lake in a day of fun, incredible views and fundraising for worthy causes.
More than 700 riders are anticipated for the Saturday ride, according to ride Director Jennifer Strong.
Strong reminded motorists to use caution as the hundreds of cyclists traverse county roads.
The ride, which will coincide with Oktoberfest – which takes place in downtown Lakeport on Saturday – is put on by the Lakeport Rotary Club, which uses proceeds to benefit its projects in the community.
In its 22nd year, the Konocti Challenge’s popularity has grown to the degree that organizers have begun to consider imposing a limit of 1,000 riders, said Melissa Fulton, this year’s Lakeport Rotary Club president and the Lake County Chamber of Commerce chief executive officer.
Fulton said the volume of riders on roads could grow beyond enjoyable levels without a cap. Feedback from riders indicates one of the reasons they like the ride is because it “isn’t like a cattle call” like some large rides, she said.
With a cap, the intimate, well done, well received Challenge will be preserved because organizers don’t want to lose the small town feel of the ride as it passes through all but one zip code in the county.
“We want riders to go away saying this is the best ride they’ve been on, that’s our goal,” said Fulton.
The Challenge set a record for attendance last year with 550 riders. This year more than 677 riders had registered before noon on Thursday, and more are expected, Strong said.
More than 55 percent of this year’s riders have never done the ride before and 80 percent of the riders are from out of county, according to Strong.
“It’s a great event for all ages,” Strong said.
Of the 677 riders registered so far, the youngest is 10 years old, while the most senior rider is 85. Strong said the average rider age is 51 years old.
Genders are near equally represented in this year’s field of riders, 44 percent of which are female and 56 percent men, Strong reported.
She said riders from as far as East Renfrewshire, England, and at least eight US states are taking part this year.
The Challenge features four different courses designed for riders of every skill level. Each ride begins and ends at the Lakeport Yacht Club beginning at 7 a.m.
The courses include a 20-mile “Family Fun Ride that passes through Lakeport, Finley and Kelseyville.
A 40-mile ride follows that 20-mile course and then visits Scotts Valley and North Lakeport.
Both the 65-mile ride and the more grueling 100-mile course encompass the lake. The century ride reaches as far south as Middletown before returning to Lakeport via Cobb.
Maps of the course routes can be found at http://www.konoctichallenge.com/courses--start-times.html .
Strong credits the seven rest stops around the lake for some of the ride’s growing popularity. The “memorable and crazy as possible” rest stops are set up by nonprofits competing for a grand prize of $2,000 from a $5,000 pool.
Anderson Marsh won the competition last year with their gypsy oasis-themed rest stop, Strong said. The Anderson Marsh theme this year is a pirate’s cove.
The rest stops, said Strong, are “really popular and the riders have no idea what’s waiting at the next stop. Nonprofits go all out to compete for the prize.”
“We get big kudos on the rest stops,” Fulton added.
Strong and Fulton agreed that the ride’s economic boon to the county is impressive, bringing an influx of riders and their companions who attend other events during the ride.
In downtown Lakeport, Oktoberfest is timed to coincide with the Konocti Challenge and provides alternate entertainment.
Hotels around the county are booked with cyclists and their guests.
The Skylark Motel in Lakeport, close to the ride start and finish, has been booked for nearly a year, said Skylark manager Audrey Gonzales.
“Lots of cyclists re-up and come every year,” she said.
Gonzales said the cyclists are a great group and she loves having them there.
For more information about the Konocti Challenge, visit the event Web site at www.konoctichallenge.com .
Email John Jensen at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Ukiah Valley Medical Center is contacting patients who received injections of a medication that was recalled after it was connected to a fungal meningitis outbreak in six eastern states.
Nick Bejarano, UVMC’s spokesman, said the hospital is one of several in California that used the injectable steroid medication.
The Centers for Disease Control reported that the steroid has been recalled as a precautionary measure by its manufacturer, the New England Compound Center.
No cases have been reported in California thus far.
As of Thursday, the CDC said there were 35 cases of people who had come down with fungal meningitis that had been linked to epidural steroid injections. One case each has been reported in Indiana and North Carolina, two each in Maryland and Florida, four in Virginia and 25 in Tennessee.
Of those 35 cases, there have been six deaths so far, the CDC said.
Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the protective coverings of the brain and spinal cord. The CDC said fungal meningitis occurs when the meninges are infected by a fungus which has been spread through the bloodstream, introduced directly into the central nervous system or that has extended from an infected site next to the central nervous system.
Basic meningitis symptoms include headache, fever, nausea and stiffness of the neck, while those suffering from fungal meningitis may also experience confusion, dizziness, and discomfort from bright lights. The CDC said affected individuals might have just one or two of those symptoms.
While the CDC’s investigation has linked the fungal meningitis outbreak to the injectable steroids, it reported that there is not enough evidence to determine the outbreak’s original source.
California is among 23 states that received the recalled injectable steroid, according to the CDC.
Bejarano said UVMC sent letters both to patients who received the recalled medication but are not believed to be in danger, as well as patients who recently received the injections.
The letters, which went out on Thursday from patient care executive Heather Van Housen, informed UVMC’s patients that a group of patients at an ambulatory center in Tennessee received an epidural injection similar to the ones that UVMC patients received at the Pavilion Surgical Services in Ukiah.
Van Housen’s letter to patients who were not believed to be in danger explained, “you would most likely have already developed meningitis-type symptoms or experienced a different type of pain than your original symptoms.”
To patients who recently received the injections, Van Housen urged them to be aware of symptoms including stiffening of the neck or a different kind of headache than they have previously experienced, as well as fever, stiffness, sensitivity to light or stroke-like symptoms, including localized weakness, numbness or slurred speech.
Van Housen said anyone who experiences those symptoms within one to four weeks following their treatment should seek medical care.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Downtown Lakeport will host a tribute to German culture on Saturday when the Lake County Chamber of Commerce holds its third annual Oktoberfest.
The event will line Main Street between First and Fourth streets from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The streets will be filled with dachshunds, attendees in German costumes, roving accordion players, microbrews, and a number of vendors and contests, overseen by Festmeister Tony Barthel and his Oktoberfest Ladies.
One of the day’s centerpieces is the Dachshund Derby Race, with the beloved short-legged canines racing for top honors and fame.
There also will be a doggy costume contest open to all breeds, a rubber ducky race for adults and children, a beer stein competition and bounce houses for children.
New activities this year are a beer pong contest and a washer tournament.
In keeping with German tradition, there will be plenty of beer. Visitors to Oktoberfest will be able to purchase a large variety of microbrews on Third Street. Other beverages also will be available.
During the afternoon, “Showcase the Band” will feature a variety of German standards, games and songs, and an evening dance featuring the Jimi Z Band will take place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
At the request of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, a fingerprinting booth will be set up on Main Street between Third and Fourth streets from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Hartley Masonic Lodge No. 199 of Lakeport will provide fingerprinting and ID cards for youngsters free of charge.
“Safety of our young children is a priority for parents and our community,” said Chamber President Jim Magliulo. “For that reason we have arranged this service.”
There also will be drawings for cash prices of $250 and $500, plus the chance to win a magnum of Hawk & Horse Cabernet. The drawings will be held at 9 p.m.
The full activity schedule is included below.
For additional Oktoberfest information, including contest guidelines, contact the Lake County Chamber of Commerce at 707-263-5092 or visit www.oktoberfest-lakeport.com .
Email Elizabeth Larson at
Oktoberfest Schedule of Events – Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012
11 a.m.: First beer featuring inaugural chicken dance with Festmeister Tony Barthel; dogs can register for the costume contest, which is open to all dogs; dachshunds can register for the Dachshund Derby Race.
11:30: Doggie Costume Contest. Cash prizes for winners. All dog breeds are welcome in the costume contest. There is no charge to enter the doggie costume contest and there is a first, second and third cash prize of $30, $20 and $10, respectively.
Noon: Dachshund Derby.
1 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Showcase the Band on stage; microbrew tasting.
1:30 p.m.: Beer pong competition in Museum Park.
2 p.m.: German costume contest for adults and children. Don your dirndl or lay out those lederhosen, but come dressed for some fun. There is no charge to enter the costume contest. The winning adult (13 and older) costume will get a $50 cash prize; the winning youth costume (ages 0-12 years) will get a $50 cash prize.
3 p.m.: Washer toss.
4 p.m.: Winners of the stein contest to be announced. Beer steins will be viewable at Abbey Road.
5 p.m.: Rubber Duckie Regatta.
6 p.m. to 10 p.m.: Street dance in front of the museum featuring the Jimi Z Band.
9 p.m.: Cash opportunity drawing.