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LAKEPORT, Calif. — After a decade and a half of delays and financial challenges, the construction of a new courthouse in Lakeport is about to begin.
The Lake County Superior Court reported that the working drawings phase of the new Lakeport courthouse project is now complete.
With that key phase finished, the drawings for the project will soon be submitted for final permits, court officials said.
That will clear the way for construction, which court officials said is anticipated to begin this summer — pending environmental regulatory approval.
The new $83.8 million facility will be built at 675 Lakeport Blvd.
The Judicial Council of California purchased the site in 2010 for $1.1 million following what the agency said was “a lengthy site selection process,” which included input from justice partners, local government and the public.
The new building will include four courtrooms, a jury assembly room, self-help center,
attorney/client meeting rooms, and on-site parking with solar generation. Court officials said it will be a safe, secure and fully accessible building, with 45,300 square feet of space.
The main court facility in Lakeport is now located on the fourth floor of the courthouse at 255 N. Forbes St. There, the courts have 15,332 square feet; they also lease a separate space for records storage.
The crowded conditions at the Lakeport Courthouse placed the need for a new courthouse in the Trial Court Capital Outlay Plan's “Immediate Need Project Priority Group” in 2009.
Since then, the project hit headwinds due to the financial impacts of the Great Recession, which stalled many such projects.
However, in 2019 it was placed back at the top of the courthouse project list, and has continued to rank at the top of the statewide list of projects most in need of replacement based on significant overcrowding, security concerns and accessibility challenges.
Also on that list, at No. 6, is a new courthouse for the city of Clearlake.
The Superior Court reported that the project originally was approved in the 2021-22 fiscal year budget.
If construction is underway this summer, the Judicial Council said the project is anticipated to be completed in early 2026.
The Judicial Council reported that Lakeport’s new courthouse project is the first in the construction program to utilize the design build method, which calls for one entity, the design build team, to work on a project from concept to completion.
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MIDDLETOWN, Calif. — Chanele Hellwege has been named the grand marshal for the 2024 Middletown Days parade.
Known for her unwavering dedication to family and community, event organizers said Hellwege epitomizes the spirit of Middletown, making her a fitting choice for this honor.
“Chanele Hellwege represents the heart and soul of Middletown,” the Middletown Days Committee said in its announcement about her selection. “Her dedication to her family, her business, and her community is truly inspiring. We are thrilled to honor her as our grand marshal.”
She is a young mother of six children and the life partner of Dan Knudsen. The couple share their dream home on a stunning 56-acre ranch in Anderson Springs, lovingly built by Dan.
Their bustling household is filled with joy, hard work, and the satisfaction of creating a nurturing environment for their children.
Over the past five years, Chanele Hellwege has transformed a small shipping venture into a thriving business, Middletown Mail & More.
Catering to the diverse needs of Middletown and Lake County residents, her business has become an essential local hub.
Hellwege’s entrepreneurial journey began under the mentorship of Margaret Greenley, whose guidance helped her turn a simple idea into a successful enterprise. Hellwege saw a need and filled it.
She is deeply embedded in the community fabric, actively participating in the Middletown Area Merchants Association. This group is instrumental in organizing cherished local events such as Christmas in Middletown, Movie in the Park and Career Day at the high school.
Hellwege's commitment to these activities underscores her belief in community involvement. “If everyone does one thing for our community, it will continue to be a better place,” she said, emphasizing her philosophy of collective effort.
Her dedication extends to local education initiatives as well. She and Dan played pivotal roles in starting the school garden at Minnie Cannon Elementary and were instrumental in building the school’s playground. These contributions reflect their deep-seated belief in improving community resources and fostering a nurturing environment for future generations.
Raised in a family with a strong work ethic, Hellwege's roots in Lake County run deep.
She is one of five siblings, all of whom were brought up in the well drilling business — a family tradition that her brother, Khrom Hellwege of JAK, continues today.
Chanele Hellwege, a graduate of Kelseyville High School, has always valued the importance of hard work and community spirit, principles instilled in her from a young age.
As grand marshal, Hellwege will lead the Middletown Days parade, an event that brings together residents and visitors to celebrate local heritage and community spirit.
Organizers said her selection as grand marshal is a testament to her impactful contributions and the admiration she has garnered from her fellow residents.
Hellwege’s guiding philosophy, "You get more out of life by saying 'Yes'," continues to inspire those around her.
Her story is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved with dedication, hard work and a commitment to community.
“As she leads the parade, Chanele stands as a beacon of the values that make Middletown a wonderful place to live and thrive,” the Middletown Days Committee said in its announcement.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — On Tuesday the Board of Supervisors made another key department head appointment, this time selecting the new director of Water Resources.
Pawan Upadhyay, PhD, will take over the position on July 1, the county of Lake reported.
“I am excited to get started, and grateful for the support of the Board of Supervisors,” said Upadhyay. “Clear Lake is Lake County’s defining feature, and it must be thoughtfully managed. Further, few communities present similar opportunities to deepen our collective understanding of how water resources contribute and respond to broader ecological trends. This is a special opportunity, and I look forward to contributing as Water Resources director.”
Dr. Upadhyay most recently served as Water Resources director for the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes in Owyhee, Nevada.
There, he managed a $10 million annual budget and supervised 24 staff, while providing executive-level oversight of water resources, including management of irrigation water data, water supply assessment and projection of future water demand.
Prior to that leadership position, Upadhyay held research, data modeling and geographic information systems-focused roles with the University of Kansas, Mississippi State University and Iowa State University.
The county said multi-disciplinary scholarly works to which he has contributed have become influential, garnering hundreds of citations.
“We trust that Dr. Upadhyay has the ability to bring the data-driven leadership necessary to assess and respond to our water needs and challenges in Lake County,” said Bruno Sabatier, chair of the Lake County Board of Supervisors. “With the depth of his expertise in water related issues, including water quality, we are grateful he has chosen Lake County as his next step in his career joining a team with tremendous strengths and passions for everything water.”
Upadhyay succeeds Scott De Leon, who has concurrently served as Public Works and Water Resources director, and is retiring following nearly 23 total years of county service, including 14 years in director-level roles.
Last month, the board hired Glen March for the Public Works director job, as Lake County News has reported.
Pawan Upadhyay, PhD, will take over the position on July 1, the county of Lake reported.
“I am excited to get started, and grateful for the support of the Board of Supervisors,” said Upadhyay. “Clear Lake is Lake County’s defining feature, and it must be thoughtfully managed. Further, few communities present similar opportunities to deepen our collective understanding of how water resources contribute and respond to broader ecological trends. This is a special opportunity, and I look forward to contributing as Water Resources director.”
Dr. Upadhyay most recently served as Water Resources director for the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes in Owyhee, Nevada.
There, he managed a $10 million annual budget and supervised 24 staff, while providing executive-level oversight of water resources, including management of irrigation water data, water supply assessment and projection of future water demand.
Prior to that leadership position, Upadhyay held research, data modeling and geographic information systems-focused roles with the University of Kansas, Mississippi State University and Iowa State University.
The county said multi-disciplinary scholarly works to which he has contributed have become influential, garnering hundreds of citations.
“We trust that Dr. Upadhyay has the ability to bring the data-driven leadership necessary to assess and respond to our water needs and challenges in Lake County,” said Bruno Sabatier, chair of the Lake County Board of Supervisors. “With the depth of his expertise in water related issues, including water quality, we are grateful he has chosen Lake County as his next step in his career joining a team with tremendous strengths and passions for everything water.”
Upadhyay succeeds Scott De Leon, who has concurrently served as Public Works and Water Resources director, and is retiring following nearly 23 total years of county service, including 14 years in director-level roles.
Last month, the board hired Glen March for the Public Works director job, as Lake County News has reported.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has released the name of the West Sacramento man killed in a Saturday evening ATV wreck that also injured his son.
Sheriff’s spokesperson Lauren Berlinn identified the man who died as a result of the crash as Yan Gilmeev, 41.
At around 7:20 p.m. Saturday Gilmeev was riding an ATV along Bartlett Springs Road near Forest Route 15 with his 13-year-old son when the ATV rolled off the roadway, the CHP said.
The CHP said both Gilmeev and his son were thrown from the ATV, and Gilmeev died of his injuries.
Gilmeev’s son was injured but managed to walk to the road, where he was picked up shortly after 9 p.m.
The teen was later flown out of the county for treatment of his injuries, the CHP said.
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Sheriff’s spokesperson Lauren Berlinn identified the man who died as a result of the crash as Yan Gilmeev, 41.
At around 7:20 p.m. Saturday Gilmeev was riding an ATV along Bartlett Springs Road near Forest Route 15 with his 13-year-old son when the ATV rolled off the roadway, the CHP said.
The CHP said both Gilmeev and his son were thrown from the ATV, and Gilmeev died of his injuries.
Gilmeev’s son was injured but managed to walk to the road, where he was picked up shortly after 9 p.m.
The teen was later flown out of the county for treatment of his injuries, the CHP said.
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