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- Written by: Lake County News reports
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A hazmat call last week at the East Lake Landfill in Clearlake led to the discovery of four methamphetamine labs.
Sgt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office said that on Thursday, March 22, at approximately 12:30 p.m. the Lake County Narcotics Task Force responded to the landfill at the request of the Lake County Fire Protection District HAZMAT Team.
Brooks said the Lake County Fire HAZMAT team had responded to the landfill after the operator of a bulldozer had run over a black plastic garbage bag as he was moving garbage.
The contents of the bag began to off gas, which produced a large visible chemical cloud, Brooks said.
The narcotics detectives located several two liter bottles containing both solid and liquid materials, according to Brooks.
Based on the detectives’ training and experience it was determined that the bottles were used to manufacture methamphetamine, using what is referred to as the “Birch Reduction” method, Brooks said.
He said a search of the trash by both the Lake County HAZMAT Team and narcotics detectives didn't provide any leads as to who was responsible for the labs.
They also did not locate any additional items associated with the manufacturing of methamphetamine, he said.
Anyone with information about this or any other drug-related case in the unincorporated county can contact the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force's anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
LUCERNE, Calif. – An early morning wind-driven structure fire displaced a couple from their home on Hendricks in Lucerne on Tuesday.
Northshore Fire Protection District Deputy Chief Pat Brown said Lake County Central Dispatch received multiple 911 calls about the fire, which was first reported at approximately 5:19 a.m.
In response to the calls the dispatch was increased to include equipment from Northshore Fire's Lucerne, Nice and Clearlake Oaks fire stations, according to Brown.
Five minutes into the call, based on reports from the first arriving engine from Lucerne, Brown said the duty chief called a second alarm, with additional equipment from Upper Lake and Clearlake Oaks Stations dispatched.
Northshore units that responded included four engines, two medic ambulances, two chief officers and two support units, he said.
A very aggressive fire attack by first arriving units included roof ventilation on the multi level roof, and ceilings pulled in the garage area, living room and the cathedral ceiling in the master bedroom, Brown said.
The fire started on the exterior of the home near the recycle plastic container and the investigation continues, Brown said.
Red Cross was called to the scene and provided aid to the couple, including temporary housing, Brown said.
Fire loss to the home is estimated at around $80,000, Brown said.
Salvage covers were placed throughout the house, and Brown said high priority items of the residence were recovered.
A local contractor was contacted to provide board up and plastic covering for the home before the heavy rain fall started, he said.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Police Department is investigating a weekend burglary to a downtown business.
Sgt. Kevin Odom said the Clearlake Club Bar, located at 210 N. Main St., was burglarized some time after 2 a.m. Sunday, March 25.
Odom said forced entry was made to a door at the rear of the business and cash was taken.
The break in was discovered at 10 a.m. Sunday, he said.
An unknown type pry tool appeared to have been used to gain entry, according to Odom.
He said the suspect, or suspects, cut power and phone lines to the business in an apparent attempt to defeat the alarm system.
A surveillance system for the business captured images of a suspicious subject who appeared to be lurking around the front doors of the business around 5:30 a.m. The image is shown above.
Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged to contact Lakeport Police Officer Destry Henderson at 707-263-5491.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory for parts of Lake County following several hours of steady rainfall.
The agency issued the urban and small stream flood advisory shortly before 2 p.m. Tuesday for areas including Upper Lake, Middletown and Lakeport.
Just before the advisory was issued National Weather Service radar, spotter and gauge reports indicated that between one and three inches of rainfall had fallen over parts of the county in the previous six hours.
Clear Lake was reported to be at 4.08 feet Rumsey shortly before 3 p.m. – a full lake is 7.56 feet Rumsey – and U.S. Geological Survey stream gauges showed the flow in local creeks have spiked over the past day.
With the ground saturated and moderate to heavy rainfall expected to continue for several more hours – with snow in the higher elevations possible – the National Weather Service placed the advisory in effect until 7:45 p.m.
Winds also are possible into the evening, according to the agency.
The winter storm that's bringing the rain to Lake County is forecast to leave the region by Wednesday afternoon.
The National Weather Service said another, stronger storm system is predicted to arrive over Northern California on Saturday.
Email Elizabeth Larson at