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- Written by: Lake County News reports
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Congressman Mike Thompson has announced his selections for the 2020 and 2021 Woman of the Year awards.
Thompson has selected Crystal Martin as Lake County’s 2020 Woman of the Year, with Carol Huchingson named as the 2021 honoree.
Each year, Thompson honors women from the Fifth Congressional District who make exceptional contributions to our community.
This year, Thompson is honoring both his 2020 and 2021 women of the year, as last year’s celebrations were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Crystal Martin is a dedicated and tireless advocate for justice,” said Thompson. “As the Lake County District Attorney’s Victim-Witness Program administrator, she fights for victims day in and day out. Her work helps them heal and seek justice and she gives voice to the voiceless. We are so proud of her work and know that she’s improved our criminal justice system. I’m deeply honored to recognize her as Lake County’s 2020 Woman of the Year.”
“It is an incredible honor to be selected for this distinction,” Martin told Lake County News. “All the credit goes to my incredible group of friends Jodi Howe, Jodie Maize, Lynda Steely and Jennifer Taylor who made 100+ Women Strong in Lake County a reality and the amazing victim advocates I work with every day. We are fortunate to live in a community that takes care of its own!”
Martin has served at Victim Witness since February 2006 and has been the program administrator since 2017. She is married to Sheriff Brian Martin, and they have three children.
In honoring Huchingson, Thompson said, “Carol Huchingson is a bedrock of Lake County, serving first as director of Social Services for 22 years and now as the county’s administrative officer. Her work has helped people better connect to county services, particularly during disasters. And she’s been honored for her dedication to ensuring better participation in local government, even during the pandemic. It’s an honor to call her a friend and recognize her as Lake County’s 2021 Woman of the Year.”
Huchingson told Lake County News, “It is a great honor to be named among Congressman Thompson’s 2021 Women of the Year. Mike and I have had many opportunities to work together over 20-plus years, and Lake County could not have a stronger advocate, particularly in times of disaster. Being recognized by him carries special meaning, because he knows me and my work so well. It has been a true privilege to be entrusted with work of great consequence to Lake County residents for now almost 29 years. Every day, I try to be fair and bring my best to each interaction, and accomplish something that makes people’s lives a little better. The work is its own reward, but honors such as this, our 2020 CSAC Challenge Award, and my 2017 SBA Phoenix Award have meaningfully affirmed we are moving in a positive direction as a County.”
Huchingson has served as county administrative officer since April 2016. She is the first woman to hold the job.
The Woman of the Year Recognition Ceremony was started in honor of Women’s History Month to recognize the service of women in our community.
In addition to Martin, the 2020 winners for other counties in Thompson’s district are Annette Taylor, Solano County; Beth Bartke, Contra Costa County; Hope Lugo, Napa County; and Karissa Kruse, Sonoma County.
For 2021, besides Huchingson, Thompson also named winners Elizabeth Ann Hoffman, Contra Costa County; Eloise Escano Scott, Solano County; Letitia Hanke, Sonoma County; and Lydia Mondavi, Napa County.
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Drinking too much alcohol increases people’s risk of injuries, violence, drowning, liver disease and some types of cancer.
This April, during Alcohol Awareness Month, Lake County Behavioral Health Services encourages everyone to educate themselves about the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption.
To spread the word and prevent alcohol misuse and abuse, Lake County Behavioral Health Services is joining other organizations across the county to honor Alcohol Awareness Month.
Behavioral Health Services provides alcohol misuse, abuse, prevention, intervention and treatment services by offering individual, family, group counseling and education. This is done in collaboration with and support from local partnering agencies.
"Promoting awareness around alcohol misuse and abuse plays an important role in the prevention of trauma and other hardships individuals sometimes face in their daily lives," said Behavioral Health Service Substance Use Services Programs Manager April Giambra. "We owe it to our loved ones, the members of our community, and to ourselves, to ask those difficult questions and offer support in their responses."
If you or someone you know is experiencing problems related to alcohol use or misuse, you can improve your health by cutting back or quitting.
Here are some strategies Lake County Behavioral Health Services suggests to help you limit or stop drinking:
· Limit your drinking to no more than one drink per day for women or two drinks per day for men.
· Keep track of how much you drink.
· Don’t drink when you are upset.
· Avoid places where people drink a lot.
· Make a list of reasons not to drink.
If you are concerned about someone else’s drinking, offer to help, and contact Lake County Behavioral Health Services for additional resources. The agency can be reached at 707-274-9101 or 707-994-7090.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The following dogs are ready for adoption or foster.
‘Annie’
“Annie” is a senior female Chihuahua with a short tan coat.
She has been sterilized.
She is dog No. 930.
‘Bear’
“Bear” is a male American Pit Bull Terrier mix with a short brown coat.
He is dog No. 3476.
‘Dorito’
“Dorito” is a male American Staffordshire Terrier mix with a short white and gray coat.
He has been neutered.
He is dog No. 4576.
‘Dusty’
“Dusty” is a male American Pit Bull Terrier with a tan and white coat.
He is dog No. 4750.
‘Hector’
“Hector” is a male American Pit Bull Terrier mix with a short brindle coat.
He is dog No. 4697.
‘Inky’
“Inky” is a male German Shepherd mix with a long black coat.
He has been neutered.
He is dog No. 4324.
‘Lumpy’
“Lumpy” is a male American Bulldog with a white and brindle coat.
He has been neutered.
He is dog No. 4715.
‘Nandor’
“Nandor” is a male American Bulldog mix with a short gray and white coat.
He is dog No. 4725.
‘Ranger’
“Ranger” is a 5-year-old male husky mix with a long red and white coat.
He has been neutered.
Ranger is dog No. 4443.
‘Tia’
“Tia” is a female American Bully with a short black with white markings.
She is dog No. 4602.
‘Toby’
“Toby” is a friendly senior male boxer mix.
He has a short tan and white coat.
He is dog No. 4389.
Call the Clearlake Animal Control shelter at 707-273-9440, or email
Visit Clearlake Animal Control on Facebook or on the city’s website.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
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- Written by: Lake County News reports
Northshore Fire Protection District Chief Mike Ciancio said his agency’s investigators and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office are working together to determine the fire’s cause.
Ciancio told Lake County News on Wednesday that he did have an estimate for when the work might be completed.
Neither agency has so far released the names of the three adult victims – two males and a female.
Sheriff’s Lt. Rich Ward said the autopsies are expected to be conducted this week, but positive identification could take several weeks.
Ciancio said firefighters from the Northshore Fire and Lake County Fire, along with sheriff’s deputies responded to the fire at 7:30 a.m. Monday in the 700 block of Bass Lane in Clearlake Oaks.
He said the firefighters arrived within minutes and found a two-story home fully involved with reports of victims trapped inside.
Due to the heavy smoke and fire conditions, as well as partial building collapse, Ciancio said defensive tactics were utilized to extinguish the fire.
Ciancio said the firefight was hampered by a limited water supply and the need to keep the fire from spreading to nearby structures.
The fire was controlled at approximately 9 a.m., Ciancio said.
He said two of the victims were located during the fire overhaul and investigation. A third victim was located on Tuesday.
“We would like to remind everyone to check and maintain their smoke detectors in their home. A smoke detector can provide valuable seconds for gathering loved ones and escaping a fire,” Ciancio said.
Ciancio said Northshore Fire offered its thanks to Lake County Fire, Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Clearlake Oaks Water, California Office of Emergency Services, the city of Lakeport, All In One Towing and Wilderness Finders Search Dogs for their assistance at this incident.