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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Initial reports from the scene indicate that the suspect, whose name has not yet been released, was reported to be driving erratically near Middletown at about 3:45 a.m., nearly having a head-on crash with another vehicle.
California Highway Patrol reports stated that within minutes a sheriff’s deputy was trying to catch up with the suspect vehicle on the Coyote Grade.
Just before 4 a.m., the suspect vehicle reportedly crashed into a power pole in the area of Spruce Grove Road North at Old Spruce Grove Road near Lower Lake, knocking lines across the roadway, according to radio reports.
Firefighters responded to the scene, as did Pacific Gas & Electric, the CHP reported.
The driver fled the scene, and was spotted about a half an hour later in the 12000 block of Spruce Grove Road wandering around a residence, according to CHP reports. Witnesses reported seeing a blood trail from the suspect.
A helicopter also was called to assist with the search, with witnesses reporting that it was flying in circles over Lower Lake.
Just before 8 a.m. a subject who was bleeding from the head was reportedly seen walking in the 14000 block of Spruce Grove Road.
At around 8:30 a.m. reports from the scene indicated the driver had been taken into custody, and medics were en route to the scene.
CHP Officer Kory Reynolds told Lake County News that the CHP was investigating the crash, which was believed to have been caused by driving under the influence.
PG&E spokesperson Brandi Ehlers said a power outage resulted from the crash, with the outage first reported just after 4 a.m.
Initially there were 168 PG&E customers affected, with all but 10 restored by about mid-morning. Ehlers said all customers were expected to have their power back on by noon.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With one of the county’s judges indicating he will not seek reelection this year, a field of candidates is forming to seek his seat on this year’s ballot.
Judge David Herrick, who presides over Lake County Superior Court Department 1 in Lakeport, began indicating last year that he wouldn’t run for reelection.
“I haven’t made it a secret that I don’t intend to seek another six-year term, and I haven’t changed my mind on that,” Herrick told Lake County News on Wednesday.
All of the Lake County Superior Court judges are up for reelection this year, according to election officials.
Herrick said he realized potential candidates have been holding back on announcing plans to run in order to give him a chance to make a final decision.
He said he’s talked to some attorneys about it, and he understands their reticence to act until they knew his intention.
Herrick said he considered the matter carefully, and said he’s still determined not to run again.
By not going through the election process, Herrick called it the “functional equivalent” of a retirement, which will take place at year’s end.
By the time his retirement becomes effective at the end of 2012, Herrick will have served 18 years on the bench, giving him the longest tenure of the judges currently serving.
He said a more formal announcement of his retirement will come later, as the time for his departure from the bench gets closer to taking effect.
With Herrick’s seat coming open, some candidates are getting started on the campaign trail.
On Wednesday, attorneys Michael Friel and Michael Lunas said they’re throwing their hats into the ring.
Lake County News also contacted attorney Judy Conard, who indicated she is “very interested” in the position but did not specifically confirm she was running. Conard called Herrick a good, well-respected judge.
Friel, Lunas outline histories in law
Friel, 48, of Kelseyville, holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley; a master’s degree in English from the University of Virginia; and a juris doctor from Lewis and Clark, Northwestern School of Law in Portland, Ore.
A native of Eureka, Friel has been practicing law in Lake County for more than 18 years, moving here after he completed law school.
Since then he said he’s represented clients in a wide range of civil and criminal matters, and has served the court as a judge pro tem, special master and mediator.
He is an adjunct faculty member at Yuba College’s Clear Lake Campus, where he has taught English and political science courses since 1994.
In addition, Friel is a member of the board of directors of the Lake County Land Trust and served as that organization’s president for seven years.
He also has played, coached and sponsored teams through the Lake County Adult Softball Association and been active in coaching and supporting many youth sport programs in the county.
He and his wife, Kim, a dispatcher for the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, have a daughter.
Lunas said Wednesday that he had been waiting to make a formal announcement of his intention to run once he was certain that Herrick was not going to seek reelection.
With that assured, Lunas said he will be a candidate.
Lunas, 53, of Lakeport is now starting his 30th year of legal practice. He said he’s lived in Lake County for 45 years.
He received both his bachelor’s degree in law and his law degree from Western State University in Fullerton, graduating with honors at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Lunas was able to gain early access to law school, starting study in his second year of college. That gave him an early start on his law career.
His legal experience covers all areas. Most recently he said he has worked more in civil litigation.
According to his resume, he’s been a contract public defender, had an appellate decision published, and been an arbitrator, judge pro tem and appointed mediator.
Lunas said he’s been interested in becoming a judge for some time.
This won’t be his first time running for a judicial post. In 2000 he ran for the Lake County Superior Court Department 3 judge’s seat.
The Lake County Registrar of Voters Office said candidates must file a declaration of intention to run between Jan. 30 and Feb. 8.
That is followed by the period to file declaration of candidacy and nomination papers, which runs from Feb. 13 through March 9. Filing periods usually are extended about a week when an incumbent does not file.
The department confirmed that both Lunas and Friel had taken out papers to file signatures in lieu of the required filing fees to run for Department 1.
Judges Richard Martin and Andrew Blum – sitting on the bench in Departments 2 and 3 respectively – also have taken out that in-lieu paperwork, according to the elections office.
The filing fees for Lake County Superior Court judges total $1,787.89 per candidate, the department reported. Each signature defrays about 55 cents, meaning that a judicial candidate would have to gather approximately 3,252 signatures to cover the full filing fee.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Wanda Quitiquit of Nice was appointed to fill a position vacated by Ron Raetz, who last November was elected to the Upper Lake Elementary School Board.
Following her appointment, Quitiquit was sworn in and seated for the rest of the meeting.
“It's going to be a challenge, but I’m excited,” Quitiquit told Lake County News on Wednesday evening following the meeting.
Quitiquit had run for the Upper Lake High School Board last fall, when there were two seats on the ballot. However, she finished just out of the running, behind Keith Austin and Richard Swaney, as Lake County News has reported.
Quitiquit, who has experience serving on other local boards, said she hopes to bring her skills and diversity to the board.
“It's opening a new door,” she said.
She said she’s the first American Indian to sit on the board, and hopes to be a liaison to local tribes.
“I just hope I can bring some change,” she said.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Demel Deon Bullock, 25, of Clearlake Oaks was arrested at the scene of the crash, according to a report from California Highway Patrol Officer Greg Buchholz.
The crash occurred just after 6 p.m. on Highway 29 south of Highway 281, Buchholz reported.
Bullock was driving a 2006 GMC van northbound on Highway 29 south of Highway 281 at approximately 55 miles per hour when he crossed the double-yellow lines into the southbound lane, Buchholz said.
Benjamin Bonham, 22, of Lower Lake was driving southbound in a 1988 Jeep SUV and saw Bullock travel into his lane, Buchholz reported.
Bonham made an abrupt turn to avoid the collision, but Buchholz said the two vehicles hit head-on, causing Bullock’s van to overturn onto the highway’s shoulder.
Buchholz said alcohol was believed to be a factor in the collision, and Bullock was arrested for suspicion of DUI. He was then transported to St. Helena Hospital Clearlake where he was treated for minor injuries.
Lake County Jail records showed that Bullock was booked into jail early Wednesday morning, with bail set at $5,000. He later posted bail and was released.
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