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KELSEYVILLE, Calif. — Authorities have arrested a Kelseyville man who they said was responsible for the armed robbery last week of the Soda Bay Market.
Bryan Albert Bouchard, 57, was taken into custody on May 29, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
At 4 p.m. Friday, May 24, the sheriff’s office responded to a silent panic alarm triggered by the store clerk at Soda Bay Market.
The clerk told deputies that a robbery had just occurred. More than $2,000 in cash and merchandise was stolen.
Deputies reviewed the surveillance footage, which showed the subject wearing a white motorcycle helmet and using what appeared to be a handgun to commit the robbery.
Before deputies could arrive, the subject fled on a motorcycle towards Buckingham.
Using the automated license plate reader cameras in the area, a deputy reviewed all motorcycles that had traveled in the area of the robbery during the days prior.
The deputy found a matching motorcycle with a rider wearing what appeared to be the same helmet and having a similar build to the robbery suspect.
A records check using the motorcycle's license plate found a registered owner and Bouchard’s address. The deputy drove past the registered owner’s house and located the motorcycle.
On Wednesday, May 29, deputies and detectives served a search warrant at the residence in the 5000 block of Vista Drive in Kelseyville. They recovered $461 in cash, tobacco, rolling papers, and other evidence related to the robbery.
Bouchard was arrested and transported to the Hill Road Correctional Facility, where he was booked on multiple charges related to second-degree robbery.
Those charges included felonies of a masked criminal in possession of firearm in public, grand theft, second-degree burglary and robbery, and misdemeanor exhibiting a concealed firearm in public.
His bail was set at $25,000, and jail records indicate he later posted the required portion and was released.
Bouchard was arraigned on Friday and is due to return to court for entry of plea on Tuesday, according to Lake County Superior Court records.
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS
The revocable living trust has become increasingly important for California residents who receive Medi-Cal benefits.
Medi-Cal has a variety of different programs, including the Modified Adjusted Gross Income, OR MAGI, Medi-Cal for persons between 18 and 65 years old, various different Community Based Medi-Cal programs (for the aged, blind, disabled, medically needy, and working disabled), and long term care Medi-Cal (residential skilled nursing facilities).
Medi-Cal involves three basic areas: Eligibility, share of cost (once eligible) and estate recovery (after death).
Let us discuss how the revocable living trust assists in each of these areas.
Prior to Jan. 1, 2024, to be eligible for Medi-Cal (excluding MAGI Medi-Cal, based on income only) required that the combined value of all of the applicable available non-exempt assets (e.g., bank accounts, second homes, second vehicles, etc.), whether or not owned in the person’s living trust, be under a limit.
For decades, $2,000 was the countable asset limit for an individual, $3,000 for a married couple. That asset limit temporarily increased to $130,000 on July 1, 2023.
MAGI Medi-Cal set the way to abolish the Medi-Cal asset test with an income limit only test (presently, $1732/month).
Accordingly, assets whether or not held in one’s living trust, no longer directly prevent an otherwise eligible person from participating in community based Medi-Cal or skilled nursing home Medi-Cal. This sets California apart.
Nonetheless, anyone receiving Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, remains subject to the stringent $2,000 available countable asset limit.
Persons on SSI benefits automatically qualify for Medi-Cal even if they are not aged (65 or older). A living trust, therefore, does not assist SSI recipients as it does Medi-Cal recipients. SSI recipients, therefore, benefit from irrevocable special needs trusts.
Medi-Cal’s income rules still determine eligibility and share of cost to its various programs. A person who receives Medi-Cal with a share of cost, therefore, must pay something towards their own health care costs. Beneficiaries at a skilled nursing facility always pay a share of cost.
Share of cost counts income that is actually available to meet certain essential needs. If a Medi-Cal beneficiary’s available countable income exceeds their maintenance needs level (presently, $1,732/month) then an otherwise eligible Medi-Cal beneficiary has a share of cost.
A trust, whether revocable or irrevocable, minimizes a person’s available countable income and share of cost. Income received by a trust (with income producing assets) does not count as income to the trust beneficiary for determining Medi-Cal share of cost.
However, direct distributions by the trust to the beneficiary — of either trust income or principal (i.e., anything not income) — count as available income.
But, if the trust were instead to pay a portion of a person’s support and maintenance needs, called, “in kind support and maintenance,” or ISM, but not 100% of any ISM cost (e.g., rent), then such ISM payments do not count for Medi-Cal share of cost.
Also, if the trust were directly to pay for other expenses and purchases other than certain necessities of life (e.g., buying a vehicle) then such other trust purchases do not count as income for share of cost.
Thus having a trust, whether revocable or irrevocable, allows a Medi-Cal beneficiary to reduce their Share of Cost or to have income below the income limit for eligibility related to certain Medi-Cal programs.
Next, a deceased Medi-Cal beneficiary’s estate can still sometimes be subject to Medi-Cal estate recovery, for Medi-Cal services provided, if the beneficiary’s estate is probated and the decedent was not survived by a spouse.
Currently California law requires a probate when the total gross value of a decedent’s probate estate exceeds $184,500. If the Medi-Cal beneficiary’s estate avoids probate, due to being small or using non probate assets (e.g., trusts and/or death beneficiary assets) then there is no Medi-Cal Estate Recovery.
Trusts both avoid probate and Medi-Cal estate recovery at the same time. With no more Medi-Cal eligibility asset test, many more California residents are now eligible to receive either community based Medi Cal or long term care Medi Cal. Thus, the living trust is even more important than before.
The foregoing discussion is not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for guidance.
Dennis A. Fordham, attorney, is a State Bar-Certified Specialist in estate planning, probate and trust law. His office is at 870 S. Main St., Lakeport, Calif. He can be reached at
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- Written by: DENNIS FORDHAM
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Newly released satellite imagery shows an algal bloom clouded the waters of Clear Lake in mid-May.
Bright green swirls were visible across most of the lake’s area when the Operational Land Imager-2, or OLI-2, on the Landsat 9 satellite acquired the image above on May 15.
The bloom may contain blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, as well as other types of phytoplankton; only a direct sample can determine the exact composition of a bloom.
Cyanobacteria are single-celled organisms that rely on photosynthesis to turn sunlight into food, and some produce microcystin, a potent toxin that can irritate the skin and cause liver and kidney damage.
Clear Lake is a naturally nutrient-rich, eutrophic lake that supports the growth of algae and aquatic plants. It has long contained large algal populations, possibly since the end of the last ice age about 10,000 years ago, according to sediment cores.
In recent years, however, people have increased nutrient inputs to the lake, and the number of harmful blooms has increased.
Out of the more than 130 algal species that have been identified in Clear Lake, three species of blue-green algae can cause adverse human health effects under certain conditions.
Blooms of these harmful algae tend to occur in spring and late summer, according to Lake County officials.
Nutrients such as phosphorus enter the lake through its tributaries and drive the growth of excess algae.
Runoff from nearby farms, vineyards, faulty septic systems, gravel mines, and an abandoned open-pit mercury mine contributes to water quality issues in the lake.
Some bloom-inducing nutrients reside in lakebed sediments, only to be stirred up by wave action and the foraging and spawning behavior of nonnative carp.
A water quality analysis tool showed that levels of chlorophyll-a, the sunlight-harvesting pigment in plants and phytoplankton (including algae), and an index estimating cyanobacteria concentration increased throughout early May.
These estimates, derived from an ocean color instrument on Sentinel-3 with additional processing by the NOAA National Ocean Service, reached some of their highest values of the month by May 15, the date of the image above.
As of May 25, measurements of microcystin concentrations for this bloom were not yet available from local water quality monitors.
Even if toxins were not present, the abundance of algae could still harm aquatic life; bacteria consume oxygen as they break down dead phytoplankton, which can cause hypoxia and dead zones.
Lindsey Doermann writes for NASA’s Earth Observatory.
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- Written by: Lindsey Doermann
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Lake County residents are encouraged to take home a new friend this weekend as part of a special event meant to help move more pets out of shelters locally and across the state.
The California Animal Welfare Association, the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals have announced the first-ever California Adopt-a-Pet Day, taking place on Saturday, June 1.
The statewide adoption day will feature more than 150 California animal welfare sites offering free adoptions to find homes for 2,024 shelter pets.
Among the participating shelters is Lake County Animal Care and Control.
“Mark your calendars for June 1st, 2024, as we embark on a groundbreaking journey – the inaugural California Adopt A Pet Day! Let's come together to give our shelter animals the love and care they deserve. With the support of ASPCA and CalAnimals, all adoptions on this day will be complimentary,” Animal Care and Control said on its Facebook page.
Lake County Animal Care and Control has 35 dogs and one cat listed for adoption on its website.
“Let's make a difference and find happy homes for our shelter animals. Together, we can make a positive impact!” Animal Care and Control said.
The ASPCA will provide funds to cover the cost of free adoptions at participating shelters.
“California shelters are facing enormous pressures due to overcrowding conditions, as the number of animals entering shelters is outpacing those leaving,” said Jill Tucker, CEO of CalAnimals. “By increasing adoption demand and encouraging pet-ready families to visit their local shelter first, we can make a change. This unprecedented and collaborative statewide effort can help reduce the number of animals in our shelters while also providing loving, caring families for our most vulnerable pets. There has never been a better time or better selection of incredible animals ready for new homes, and we know the people of California will rise to this Challenge.”
The large influx of animals being brought into shelters in recent years is due to a severe nationwide shortage of veterinary professionals as well as a confluence of other factors, such as inflation and pet-friendly housing restrictions.
Many communities in California do not have access to affordable veterinary care, including spay and neuter services.
“Shelters are such integral parts of our communities—we are where families find their next cat or dog or get treatment for their beloved pets—and now we are asking for the community’s help,” said Dr. Jennifer Scarlett, CEO of the SF SPCA. “By working together, we can find homes for thousands of animals throughout the state. Californians are famous for their compassion, empathy, and care. California Adopt-a-Pet Day is a perfect time to put those emotions into action.”
“Shelters in California and around the country are facing an overcrowding crisis that requires the support and collaboration of national and local organizations working together with communities to help our most vulnerable animals,” said Matt Bershadker, president and CEO for ASPCA. “The lifesaving impact of our collective efforts will be felt by the animals, the participating organizations, and communities across the state."
California Adopt-a-Pet Day is being managed by CalAnimals, an organization that focuses on the success of California animal welfare and sheltering organizations in meeting the needs of animals and people in their communities.
The initiative is being generously supported by the SF SPCA, a nonprofit that works in San Francisco, the Central Valley, and across California to ensure that every companion animal has access to quality medical care, compassionate shelter, and a loving home, and the ASPCA, the longest-standing animal welfare organization in North America that works on the frontlines to save, transform, and protect the lives of millions of dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals in the fight against animal cruelty and homelessness.
To find a participating animal shelter in California Adopt-a-Pet Day, please visit https://caadoptapetday.org.
For more information about the local adoption effort, contact Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.
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- Written by: LAKE COUNTY NEWS REPORTS