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- Written by: Lake County News reports
LOWER LAKE, Calif. – An Oakland man came away with some minor injuries after his pickup overturned on Highway 29 Friday morning.
Rafael Pena Gomez, 38, was involved in the single-vehicle crash, which occurred at about 6:30 a.m. on Highway 29 north of C Street near Lower Lake, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Kory Reynolds.
Reynolds said Gomez was driving his 2008 Chevrolet Pickup northbound at approximately 65 miles per hour when, according to his statement to the CHP, he fell asleep at the wheel.
Gomez's pickup drifted onto the right shoulder and collided with a guardrail before overturning several times, Reynolds said.
Gomez was wearing his seatbelt and received only minor injuries in the collision, according to Reynolds.
Reynolds said Gomez was treated at St Helena Hospital Clearlake.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
A California interagency effort battling the spread of invasive quagga and zebra mussels urges boaters to remain especially vigilant over the three-day Memorial Day weekend.
Those who launch vessels at any body of water are subject to watercraft inspections, and are encouraged to clean, drain and dry their motorized and non-motorized boats, including personal watercraft, and any equipment that comes into contact with the water before and after recreating at a waterway.
“Quagga and zebra mussels present a serious threat to our aquatic environment,” said Department of Fish and Game (DFG) Director Charlton H. Bonham. “These invasive mussels can be detrimental to the state’s waters, boats and recreational opportunities. Preventing their introduction is the best way to protect our aquatic resources.”
Quagga and zebra mussels, non-native freshwater mussels native to Eurasia, multiply quickly and encrust watercraft and infrastructure, and compete for food with native and sport species.
These mussels can be spread from one body of water to another attached to nearly anything that has been in an infested waterbody, or via standing water from an infested waterbody entrapped in boat engines, bilges, live-wells and buckets.
To ensure watercraft is clean, drained and dry, many local agencies are conducting boat inspections. DFG has posted the list of these inspections on its website ( www.dfg.ca.gov/invasives/quaggamussel ) along with additional information about the invasive mussels and what you can do to help prevent their spread in California.
Boaters should call ahead to check for restrictions prior to visiting their destination.
For information on Lake County's rules, visit http://www.nomussels.com/ .
To prevent spreading invasive mussels and to breeze through an inspection, before arriving at a waterbody boaters should have inspected all exposed surfaces, removed all plants and organisms, drained all water, including that contained in lower outboard units, live-wells and bait buckets, and allowed the watercraft to thoroughly dry.
Watercraft should be kept dry for at least five days in warm weather and up to 30 days in cool weather, between launches in different bodies of fresh water. These measures are essential to safeguard California waterways.
DFG has also developed a short video demonstrating the ease of implementing the clean, drain and dry, prevention method, available at www.facebook.com/CaliforniaDFG .
In addition, a detailed guide to cleaning vessels of invasive mussels is available on the Department of Boating and Waterways Web site at www.dbw.ca.gov/PDF/BoatingQuaggaGuide.pdf .
Travelers are also advised to be prepared for inspections at California Department of Food and Agriculture Border Protection Stations. Inspections, which can also be conducted by DFG and the Department of Parks and Recreation, include not only a check of boats and personal watercraft, but also trailers and all onboard items. Contaminated vessels and equipment are subject to quarantine or impoundment.
Quagga mussels were first detected in the Colorado River system in January 2007 and were later found in San Diego and Riverside counties. They are now known to be in 24 waters in the Golden State, all in Southern California. Zebra mussels were discovered in San Justo Reservoir in San Benito County in January 2008.
Both species can attach to and damage virtually any submerged surface. They can:
- Ruin a boat engine by blocking the cooling system and causing it to overheat;
- Jam a boat’s steering equipment, putting occupants and others at risk;
- Require frequent scrapping and repainting of boat hulls;
- Colonize all underwater substrates such as boat ramps, docks, lines and other underwater surfaces, causing them to require constant cleaning;
- Cost the owners of these items a lot of money.
A multiagency effort that includes DFG, the Department of Boating and Waterways, Department of Water Resources and State Parks has been leading an outreach campaign to alert the public to the quagga and zebra mussel threats.
A toll-free hotline at 1-866-440-9530 is available for those seeking information on quagga or zebra mussels.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Memorial Day weekend is often the kickoff for summer vacations and outdoor activities. However, Cal Fire is urging caution this holiday weekend due to the increasing fire danger throughout California.
“Recent fire activity including a 7,000 acre fire just over the border in Nevada, really serves as a reminder, that the conditions are ripe for wildfires,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, director of Cal Fire. “Cal Fire crews have already responded to over twice as many fires this year compared to last year at the same time.”
The lack of rainfall across California has set the stage for an increased potential of major wildfires. Coupled with this weekend’s increase in outdoor activities, firefighters will be on high alert.
Cal Fire is asking Californians and visitors to the state to be extra vigilant while recreating in the outdoors.
Cal Fire asks that everyone remember the following important steps this holiday.
Camping
- Obtain necessary permits needed for campfires.
- Clear away grass, leaves and other debris within a 10-foot perimeter of any campfire.
- Have a responsible person in attendance at all times.
- Ensure all campfires are completely extinguished before leaving.
- When barbequing, never leave the grill unattended.
Wildfires are not the only danger posed by the outdoors; drownings also dramatically increase during the Memorial Day weekend.
In California, drowning is the leading cause of death among children under 14, and every year Cal Fire responds to water rescues across the state, many of which tragically claim the lives of both adults and children.
In the water
- Always wear a life jacket!
- Children should always be supervised by a responsible adult.
- Never swim alone.
- Drinking and swimming is just as dangerous and drinking and driving.
For more ways to be safe during the Memorial Day weekend visit the Cal Fire Web site at www.fire.ca.gov .
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The trial of two Clearlake Oaks men accused of fatally shooting a child and wounding five others last summer hit another delay on Thursday morning as the result of new information in the case.
Following a delay of more than an hour due to a late juror, visiting Yolo County Judge Doris Shockley convened the trial of Paul William Braden, 22, and Orlando Joseph Lopez, 24, at about 10:15 a.m.
The two men are accused of shooting into a group of people in Clearlake on the night of June 18, 2011, killing 4-year-old Skyler Rapp and wounding his mother, stepfather and other family members and friends.
Jurors would hear no testimony Thursday morning.
Shockley immediately announced that she would be dismissing jurors for the day.
“Literally this morning some information has come to light that must be investigated before we can continue the case,” Shockley said.
Just what that information was not disclosed by the court on Thursday.
Shockley ordered the jurors to be prepared to return on Friday, although testimony may not continue until next week, when only one day of proceedings is expected due to the Memorial Day holiday and a court furlough day on Friday, June 1.
The judge told the jurors that the delay was “frustrating but essential.”
Once the jurors were dismissed and had cleared the courtroom, Shockley briefly discussed the case with District Attorney Don Anderson, Lopez’s defense attorney Stephen Carter and Braden’s defense attorney Doug Rhoades.
Referring to another issue that had stopped testimony last week, Carter said there had been a late discovery regarding Anderson’s notes from meeting with a former codefendant in the case, Kevin Stone, who has been expected to resume testimony on Thursday morning.
When Stone briefly was on the stand last week he had stated that he had met with Anderson several times beginning early last November as they worked out a plea agreement to lesser charges.
Carter said they had gone through those notes and determined that none of it needed to be kept out of testimony.
Although it was a discovery violation, Carter said it was a “no harm, no foul” situation. The matter ultimately was resolved with a stipulation.
Rhoades said Braden was “similarly situated” regarding the issue of Anderson’s notes.
“I believe that's all that we can address, at least at this point,” said Shockley.
The attorneys were to spend the rest of Thursday working on the issue that led to the stoppage.
The attorneys in the case are to meet with Shockley in chambers at 3:30 p.m. Thursday to decide if they can proceed with testimony on Friday.
Email Elizabeth Larson at