How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
News
- Details
- Written by: Lake County News reports
The sample was collected on August 24 southeast of Kelseyville. A previous sample that tested positive was collected near Upper Lake, as Lake County News has reported.
With many outdoor activities planned during the upcoming Lake County Fair and Labor Day holiday, health officials are encouraging people to take precautions including using mosquito repellents, combined with protective clothing (long sleeves and pants), which are especially important in the evening and early morning hours, go a long way to prevent West Nile virus infection, according to Lake County Health Officer Dr. Karen Tait.
“The recent high temperatures allow mosquitoes to reproduce more quickly, and the virus to replicate more quickly, which means that there is more West Nile virus out there,” said Dr. Jamesina Scott, district manager and research director for the Lake County Vector Control District.
Scott said the district has increased its surveillance and control activities in response to the recent positive mosquito samples.
She asked that community members remember the “three Ds of protection” – drain any standing water that may produce mosquitoes, defend yourself and your home by using an effective insect repellent; dressing protectively when outside, and making sure screens on doors and windows are in good condition.
Scott said mosquitoes develop in standing water, and a common mosquito source now that school has started is wading pools and swimming pools that are left filled and unmaintained. Residents should drain or dump out the wading pools and store them indoors or upside-down so that they won’t collect water.
The most recent data posted by California Department of Public Health showed that 34 human cases of West Nile virus have been reported from a total of 10 counties in California.
No human cases have been reported in Lake County this year, according to officials.
West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitoes to a variety of animals and to humans. Mosquito and Vector Control agencies usually detect the virus in mosquitoes, birds and sometimes tree squirrels before human cases appear.
Most people who become infected with West Nile virus do not show symptoms and will recover uneventfully, according to the health department. Up to 20 percent of people will develop fever, headache, and other nonspecific symptoms that may last several weeks.
Approximately one in 150 people will develop severe illness known as neuroinvasive disease. People over age 50 and diabetics appear to be at most risk for the more severe forms of disease. There is no vaccine for humans.
A vaccine is available for horses and is strongly recommended because West Nile virus can also cause serious infections in horses. This year in California, eleven horses have become ill from West Nile virus, and three have died as a result of the infection.
Contact vector control for help controlling mosquitoes around your home, or to report potential mosquito sources, such as neglected swimming pools. Residents can request service, get mosquitofish, or report neglected swimming pools by calling 707-263-4770 or sending an e-mail to
To report a dead bird or squirrel, call 1-877-WNV-BIRD (1-877-968-2473) or visit the Lake County Vector Control District’s website at www.lcvcd.org and click on the green “Report a Dead Bird” link.
For additional information on West Nile virus, visit www.westnile.ca.gov, www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/wnv_factsheet.htm or http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/RepellentUpdates.htm.
Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf .
- Details
- Written by: Lake County News reports
Sheriff Larry Jones had ordered the inquest into the death of Ivan “Bud” Foglesong, who died as the result of burns suffered in the fire of a hunting cabin, located on the Holzapfel Ranch, owned by current Glenn County District Attorney Robert Holzapfel, a relative by marriage.
On Monday morning the coroner's inquest began in Glenn County Superior Court in Willows, according to Jones.
A jury was sworn in and listened to two days of sworn testimony. On Tuesday the jury ruled 9-6 that Foglesong’s death was “at the hands of another person, other than by accident,” according to Jones' report.
Jones said the manner of death will be changed to reflect the jury’s findings and an amended death certificate will be filed.
The case file will now be forwarded to the California Attorney General’s Office for review and further action, Jones said. The Attorney General's Office is reportedly handling the matter because of Holzapfel's connections to the case.
The story of the 59-year-old Foglesong has been featured by Sacramento Valley Mirror Publisher and Editor Tim Crews and by the Citizens Against Homicide newsletter.
The family of the retired Air Force lieutenant colonel has contended that he was murdered despite the initial ruling that it was a suicide and, later, that it was an accident, according to articles on Foglesong's death.
Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf .
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Janet Lynn Barber, 45, was the victim of the fatal fire in her mobile home at Lakeside Resort in Clearlake, according to Capt. James Bauman of the Lake County Sheriff's Office, which conducted coroner duties on the case.
Clearlake Police Chief Allan McClain said police officers and Lake County Fire Protection District firefighters were dispatched to the fire just after 3 a.m. Wednesday.
Barber's home was located in space No. 14 at Lakeside Resort, located at 5775 Old Highway 53, he said.
McClain said by the time firefighters and police units arrived, the mobile home was fully engulfed.
Lake County Fire Battalion Chief Willie Sapeta said firefighters along with four engines, a rescue unit, two medic units and two battalion fought the blaze, which was contained at 3:40 a.m. The firefighters didn't return to quarters until 9:40 a.m.
It was after the fire was out that the fatality was confirmed, Sapeta said.
McClain said the Lake County Fire Arson team responded to investigate the fire, which was determined to be accidental in nature, possibly from Barber smoking in bed.
He said the fire was enhanced by Barber's oxygen machine, which was located near her bed.
A witness told investigators that Barber was attempting to put the fire out herself and was not able to get out of the residence, according to McClain.
Barber's death comes just days after another home fire claimed an elderly Clearlake Oaks man's life.
Early Sunday morning, 83-year-old Eugene Throop died in a fire at his home on Old Long Valley Road, as Lake County News has reported.
Throop, a retired Cal Fire dozer operator, and his wife had initially escaped but he is reported to have gone back to look for his dog, according to officials.
In addition to those tragedies, fire calls have been on the rise. Sapeta said firefighters have been inundated with calls in recent weeks, taking as many as 45 calls in a recent two-day period.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
- Details
- Written by: Lake County News reports
CLEARLAKE OAKS – After not seeing baby grebes for several years, a resident of Pirates Cove got a big surprise this week.
Marni Johnson spotted a family of grebes off her dock while drinking her morning coffee on Tuesday.
Seeing the babies and the dancing adults was a nice sight apart from “all the doom and gloom going on in the world,” Johnson said.
Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf.
