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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Firefighters quickly contained a small wildland fire on Thursday afternoon.
The fire, which occurred in the 8500 block of Harrington Flat Road, was dispatched at 1:20 p.m., according to South Lake County Fire Battalion Chief Mike Wink.
Wink, who was at the scene, said South Lake County Fire and Cal Fire quickly responded with five fire engines, one water tender, two hand crews, three airplanes and one helicopter.
He said the fire was contained within 30 minutes and burned a total of a quarter acre.
Wink said the fire, which was located near a driveway, was under investigation, as there was no obvious indicator of how it started.
“Units will check it throughout the weekend because it is going to be hot and dry,” Wink said.
With fuels still very dry, humidity low and no rain yet, “We still have the potential for significant wildland fires in the county,” Wink said, urging area residents to use caution as the dry weather continues.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LOWER LAKE, Calif. – An early morning vehicle wreck in Lower Lake damaged a power pole and resulted in power outages that closed area schools, with repairs continuing Thursday afternoon.
The crash occurred shortly before 3 a.m. on Lake Street at Bryant Road, as Lake County News first reported on Thursday morning.
California Highway Patrol Officer Kory Reynolds said 29-year-old Matthew Brew of Los Angeles was driving a 2002 Land Rover southbound on Lake Street at an unknown speed when he allowed his vehicle to exit the east roadway edge and struck a utility pole.
Initially reported as a hit and run, Reynolds said Brew was contacted at the scene and arrested for driving under the influence.
There were no passengers in the vehicle, and Reynolds said Brew sustained minor injuries to his head, chest and hands.
The crash sheared off the power pole. Reynolds said power outages in the area resulted, forcing the closure of local schools.
Parts of Lake Street also were closed due to the downed lines and pole, with Reynolds stating that it was not known when the road would reopen.
Officer Erica Coddington is investigating the crash, Reynolds said.
Because of the power outage, the Konocti Unified School District reported that several schools had been closed for the day, including the Lewis School for independent study students, Lower Lake Elementary, Lower Lake High School and Carlé Continuation High School.
The repairs to the pole were continuing Thursday morning afternoon, with barricades up near the work area on Lake Street.
Pacific Gas & Electric spokesperson Brittany McKannay said efforts were under way to make repairs as quickly and safely as possible.
“We have a crew out there right now trying to finalize those repairs,” she said.
Originally, about 2,100 customers had been affected. McKannay said they were located in Lower Lake, Clearlake, Middletown and even one in Lakeport. “It just depends on how they’re fed through the system.
She said the crew, working on Lake Street, had been able to restore power to most of the customers.
By noon, McKannay said 130 customers in Lower Lake remained without power. She said those customers won’t have power until all of the repairs are finished later Thursday.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
LOWER LAKE, Calif. – An early morning hit and run crash in Lower Lake damaged a power pole and resulted in a brief power outage.
The crash was reported shortly before 3 a.m. on Lake Street at Bryant Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The CHP said the crash had sheared off the power pole, with lines down. Witnesses reported the pole was still hanging by the wires.
The vehicle involved had reportedly left the scene, the CHP said.
Fire officials responded and the power in the area was reported to have blinked out briefly before being restored.
No suspect information was available early Thursday morning.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
LAKEPORT, Calif. – A fundraiser this weekend aims to help a Lakeport family whose youngest child is recovery from surgery to address diseases of the brain.
On Sunday, Sept. 30, a fundraiser for the Aponte family will take place from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Smoley Oaks, 999 Whalen Way, Lakeport.
Gabriel and Angelene Aponte’s youngest son, Isaiah, has been diagnosed with Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis and Chairi Malformation Type One.
Gabe Aponte thought he had seen it all and was prepared for anything life could throw at him.
As a Marine serving in Iraq, Sgt. Aponte was involved in some of the most ferocious fighting of the war, with many men in his unit being casualties.
Aponte returned to Lakeport safely and is now serving as an officer with the Ukiah Police Department, but even now, years later, sometimes when he gets a whiff of burned diesel, it reminds him of battle.
But none of these experiences prepared him for what he was faced with earlier this year.
His wife told him she found 7-month-old Isaiah, the youngest of their four children, paralyzed. They rushed him to the hospital, where it was determined Isaiah suffered from Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis, an immune mediated disease of the brain.
While treating this condition, and after many tests and trips to specialists, doctors discovered another, more serious condition: Isaiah was diagnosed with Chairi Malformation Type One, a rare condition where the brain grows into the protective sac protecting the brain stem, putting pressure on its connection to the spinal chord. The results are loss of motor skills, paralysis and, in some cases, death.
The doctors could do only so much, but they were able to help Isaiah regain some movement ability to his limbs, but it was limited. Only a life-threatening surgery could offer any hope of recovery and a normal life. The Apontes were facing the worst crisis of their lives.
“When I was fighting in Iraq, I had come to terms with the fact that I might be hurt or even killed,” Aponte recalled. “We all did. We were Marines. We had the skill and confidence to accomplish anything we set out to do. But none of that prepared me for this. I never felt so powerless, so helpless.”
The Apontes agreed that surgery was the best option. The operation would entail opening the back of the skull and working around the brain stem and the brain in an attempt to permanently relieve the pressure off the brain stem in a quest to give Isaiah a full and normal life.
The risks were enormous. The slightest twitch of a hand, a slight bump, a mild hiccup could cause permanent paralysis or worse. But the Apontes had some of the best doctors on the case and they proceeded.
On August 28, several pre-operation trips to the doctors in the Bay Area later, it was time for the operation.
“The worst feeling I ever had was handing him over to the nurse to take him in to get prepared for surgery,” Aponte recalled. “We both put our best faces on to make Isaiah feel all would be ok, but as he disappeared into the surgery wing, we both went to pieces. We are both Christians, but we never prayed like we prayed that day.”
After several hours of anxious waiting, the doctors came to tell the Aponte’ that the surgery was as successful as they could hope for, and barring any post-op complications, Isaiah would be OK. Several weeks later, he is well on his way to what should be a full recovery.
Being employed by the Ukiah Police Department, Aponte had good insurance coverage that took care of most costs related to the surgery. But with multiple trips to doctors and hospitals over many months, the accumulated costs of travel, overnight stays and time off work began to add up, putting a major strain on the household budget.
But family, friends, and church began to mobilize to help out. “We were blessed not only to have Isaiah come through this well, but to be part of such a loving and generous community,” Aponte said. “The outpourings of support and assistance has been overwhelming. We feel like we are the most loved and blessed people on earth.”
A group of friends will be hosting the Sunday benefit which, in addition to the barbecue, will offer swimming, bacci, horseshoes and a variety of other activities.
The suggested donation is $20 for adults, $10 for ages 12-18, and kids under 12, free.
All proceeds will go to the Aponte family.
For more information or to make a donation, contact Phil Smoley at 707-264-4905 or at