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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Local volunteers helped Lake County rejoin the annual Coastal Cleanup Day this past weekend.
The 28th annual event, the largest volunteer event in California, took place on Saturday.
It saw more than 57,000 volunteers across the state pick up 320 tons of trash from beaches and inland waterways.
After a hiatus of several years, Lake County had a presence in the effort once more last weekend.
Carolyn Ruttan, Invasive Species Program coordinator for the Lake County Department of Water Resources, was the county point person for the cleanup, which had locations in Lakeport, Clearlake Oaks and Clearlake.
She said on Tuesday that 26 volunteers has participated in the Saturday cleanup.
Those volunteers collected eight bags of recyclables, 32 bags of trash and 156 tires.
Ruttan said she's hoping to make next year’s event – which will take place on Sept. 21, 2013 – much bigger, with more volunteers and engagement.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The service of a search warrant by the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force last Friday morning has resulted in two arrests and the seizure of approximately 43 grams of methamphetamine.
Arrested were 49-year-old David Gene Rovetti and Selena Sylvia Jack, 38, both of Lakeport, according to Sgt. Steve Brooks.
On Monday, Sept. 10, narcotics detectives secured a search warrant for Rovetti's person, home and vehicle, Brooks said.
Then on Friday, Sept. 14, at approximately 7:30 a.m., detectives served the warrant at Rovetti’s home on Soda Bay Road in Lakeport, Brooks said. When narcotics detectives entered the home, Rovetti and 38-year-old Selena Sylvia Jack were detained without incident.
During a search of the home, detectives located and seized two glass “meth” pipes in Rovetti’s bedroom. Brooks said the pipes were located on a stand next to his bed.
He said detectives also noticed a black metal canister on a pile of clothes. Inside the canister, detectives located and seized approximately 43 grams of crystal ice methamphetamine and a digital gram scale lined with white residue.
Based on current street values, detectives estimated the value of the methamphetamine to be $4,300, Brooks said.
Detectives also located and seized a sap in Rovetti’s bedroom, which weighed approximately 20 ounces. Brooks explained that a sap is described as a bludgeon or blackjack used as a hand weapon.
Rovetti was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for sale, possession of a dangerous weapon and possession of controlled substance paraphernalia. Brook said Jack was arrested for possession of a controlled substance for sale. Both were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.
Rovetti, whose bail was set at $70,000, remained in custody early Wednesday, according to jail records. Jack, whose bail was set at $25,000, later posted the required percentage of bail and was released.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be contacted through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – It was high bidding in High Valley as the Lake County Wine Alliance held its annual charity auction Saturday, Sept. 15, at Brassfield Winery.
More than 300 local people and friends of Lake County from all over the country came to support to some of the county’s most deserving charities and organizations.
While it will be several weeks before the precise figures are known, preliminary indications are that the event will be judged a huge success.
The high bid for the evening was $4,500 for John Clarke’s painting of Brassfield, which served as this year’s poster.
Then, under the skillful guidance of auctioneers Shaun Hornby and Stephanie Green, five more items sold for $4,000 or more each.
Honorary Chairman and Venue Host Jerry Brassfield welcomed the attendees with a reminder that, “If you are here tonight, you have been blessed and you can make a positive impact on this community.”
People seemed to take Brassfield’s words to heart.
A couple who traveled from Florida for the event said they did so because they liked the “low keyed country atmosphere” of Lake County. Like others who attended, visitors to the area sampled food from 25 local purveyors and wines from 25 local wineries.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the county’s five area high schools and 15 other charities and community organizations.
Representatives from the organizations will receive their checks at a special reception Dec. 3 at the Saw Shop Bistro in Kelseyville.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Emergency repairs are under way to replace highway equipment damaged in a wildland fire last month.
In August the Wye Fire destroyed three structures and damaged two others, scorched 7,934 acres and damaged numerous guardrails and highway signs along Highway 20 as it tore through the hills east of Clearlake Oaks.
Caltrans reported that the emergency guardrail reports are taking place from the junction of Highway 20 and Highway 53 east to New Long Valley Road on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction of travel, with Caltrans advising that motorists may experience minor traffic slowdowns. Teichert Construction of Davis is the contractor.
Caltrans spokesman Phil Frisbie said the work is being done on an emergency contract.
He said $1.2 million in state funds set aside for emergency situations had been allocated for the repairs.
Teichert Corp. will continue working until all the repairs are completed or the funds run out, Frisbie said.
Frisbie said all of the work needs to be completed before the winter rains set in.
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