LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Testing of numerous sites on Clear Lake conducted this week by two local tribes has found elevated cyanobacteria levels near Clearlake’s Austin Park.

Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians and Elem Indian Colony took samples to monitor levels of cyanotoxins – which are produced by blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria – at approximately 29 Clear Lake sites on Monday, the county of Lake reported.

Austin Park Beach had a screening Abraxis test strip showing more than 20 parts/billion of microcystin cyanotoxin.

“This is considered ‘elevated,’ and raises concern, and the samples were sent to a regional lab for confirmation and quantification. Caution signs have been posted,” said Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace.

“In the same area, there has been visual evidence of large algal blooms that resemble the kinds that produce cyanotoxins. Additionally, last week, one person reported a skin reaction after boating through a large bloom in the area,” Pace said.

Pace said 28 other sites around the lake were tested and did not show elevated levels on the screening tests performed.

Public Health urges boaters and recreational users to avoid direct contact with or use of waters containing cyanobacteria in Lake County.

The recommendation is based on the potential health risks from cyanobacteria, which is currently blooming at varying levels in the Clearlake Oaks area and the Lower Arm of Clear Lake.

Cyanobacteria can pose health risks, particularly to children and pets. Public Health urges people to choose safe activities when visiting natural bodies of water, particularly where blooms are visible.

It is strongly recommended that people and their pets avoid contact with water and avoid swallowing lake water in an algae bloom area.

If anyone you are with begins to experience problems (skin, gastrointestinal, neurologic) that may be related to contact with blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), contact your medical provider or go to the emergency department. If your animal has symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

In either circumstance, call the Public Health Department, at 707-263-1164, so further investigation can be undertaken.

For current cyanotoxin lab results, please visit the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians cyanotoxin monitoring website.

For more information and resources, visit the county’s cyanobacteria pages here and here.

For general Water Quality questions regarding Clear Lake, call Lake County Water Resources, at 707-263-2344.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Library has expanded some library services for both children and adults online to reach audiences while library buildings are closed due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Barbara Green, Lakeport Library’s popular storytime reader, now reads stories on YouTube videos.

Each week Miss Barbara picks one or two great stories to record and a new video is posted every Friday at 10:15 a.m.

The video stories are available by visiting the library’s Facebook page or by subscribing to the library’s weekly email updates.

Some of the library’s craft clubs and book clubs have started using Zoom meetings and conference calls to gather. The new meeting methods have inspired more creativity. Creative Club has met by conference call and has started a garden craft challenge project. Fabric Club and the Great Reads Book Club have expanded their meetings to Zoom.

On the library’s calendar of events, the online meetings are designated OL to make them easy to see. The description includes information on how to sign in to the meeting. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for the link to attend.

The Lakeport Library Cookbook Club now meets through Zoom and has also created its own Facebook page where people can post recipes, food photos, cooking tips and anything foodie that they want to share. There’s a place for you at the table. The food photos will make your mouth water.

The Aging, Dying and Afterlife Discussion group now uses Zoom for meetings. To get the meeting information, call 707-275-0403 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to join.

Homebound library patrons have found the Zoom meetings a boon and are delighted to be able to join the fun.

Amy Patton, adult programs coordinator says that the library and the clubs hope to continue the digital meetings so housebound patrons can attend meetings even after the COVID-19 crisis is over.

To find how to join a digital club meeting contact Amy Patton via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

With a library card, patrons can access the library’s array of digital services without the need to visit a local branch. If you need a library card, you can create an online card with the application form on the library website.

If you have a question about an existing library account, call 707-263-8817 and leave a message. Library staff will be available by phone during normal operating hours to assist with the digital resources.

The Lake County Library continues to offer services during the COVID-19 stay at home. If you want to keep up with library news, sign up for free weekly email updates on the library’s homepage.

Jan Cook is a library technician for the Lake County Library.

A recent survey of low-income Californians and communities of color reveals widespread concern about the health and economic impacts of COVID-19.

The polling was commissioned by the California Endowment – a private, statewide health foundation – and conducted at the end of April with over 800 respondents. The poll has a margin +/- 3.5 margin of error.

The results show that while many have lost jobs, had their hours cut back or their wages reduced – the dominant worry remains fear of infection.

Those concerns are well-founded. The California Department of Public Health confirmed that COVID-19 is having more severe impacts on people of color.

The agency said those impacts are most stark when tracking COVID-19 deaths, with Latinos, African Americans and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders dying at disproportionately higher levels.

Poll respondents indicated that they are already taking advantage of a wide range of public benefits designed to offer support during the pandemic; and yet, about half lack confidence that they would know where to turn if they found themselves in need of further help.

“These findings illuminate that we need to do better to promote and target resources to meet the needs of the most vulnerable Californians, particularly our communities of color,” said Anthony Iton, MD, Senior Vice President, The California Endowment. “Of particular concern is the lack of mental health resources available to families.”

Nearly three-quarters of respondents say COVID-19 is a an “extremely” or “very serious” problem. However, 75 percent say the same about homelessness, 71 percent say the same about the cost of housing and 70 percent about the cost of living.

And while there are regional differences about the degree of concern due to COVID-19, with rural Northern California residents reporting lower levels of concern than residents of Los Angeles, there is a broad sentiment that the worst of the crisis is yet to come, and that it is impacting the health and finances of lower-income Californians and people of color more harshly than others.

Though many of the respondents – with one-third designated as essential workers – have seen their work hours cut or their wages reduced, their dominant fear is getting infected with COVID-19. Latino respondents were more likely than other groups to have had their hours cut, wages reduced, been laid off or have had to go to work despite health concerns.

Respondents offer broad support for the public benefits that have been introduced in response to the pandemic, and 71 percent say they would be likely to apply for benefits like Medi-Cal or unemployment if they lost their main source of income.

Despite this, about half of respondents indicate they lack the necessary information on how to access help. The relatively small share (22%) who are unlikely to apply think they either do not need benefits or that they are unlikely to qualify.

Furthermore, half of parents say it has been difficult to address childcare needs; and while many say they have received academic support from their school, less than half say they have been given information on mental health resources for their children (45%), information on accessing public benefits (44%), and mental health resources for patients (37%).

These survey findings confirm income, ethnic and gender disparities in how the crisis has impacted California’s most vulnerable residents, and that there is a clear need to better connect this segment of the population with available benefits and supports.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – For the first time since World War II, the Lake County Fair has been canceled, another local impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Lake County Fair Board of Directors, also known as the board of the 49th District Agricultural Association, took the unanimous vote to cancel this year’s event at its Monday meeting, according to Fair Chief Executive Officer Sheli Wright.

The fair was set to take place Sept. 3 to 6. It is held annually over the Labor Day weekend.

Drawing an average of 40,000 visitors each year, Wright estimated the fair to be Lake County’s largest event.

Lake County’s fair now joins more than 40 fair events of about 70 across the state that have announced their cancellation or postponement so far this year.

Fair Board President Tom Turner called the cancellation of the fair “a difficult decision.”

“While we were hopeful that we would be able to move forward with the 2020 Lake County Fair, based on the information we have received from the Department of Public Health, California Department of Food and Agriculture and our local Public Health officer, our fair board was compelled to make the decision to cancel the fair,” Turner said.

Wright said some people posting in response to the Lake County Fair’s cancelation decision on Facebook were upset, but she explained that local and state officials said no mass gatherings would be allowed by September.

There had been concerns since the end of April that the fair would not be able to go forward due to restrictions on large events.

At the Board of Supervisors’ April 28 meeting, Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace said that no large gatherings were likely to be allowed through the end of the year, and at that time he recommended the cancellation of the fair.

Steve Lyle, the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s director of Public Affairs, told Lake County News that “fairs are asked to work with local officials when making a determination about whether to hold their fair this year.”

Working on alternatives

Wright, who grew up showing animals at the fair, started as the Lake County Fair’s CEO in mid-March, as the pandemic’s shelter in place was getting underway.

At around the time Wright came on board, county and state officials had been in talks about locating a quarantine and recovery site for COVID-19 patients at the Lake County Fairgrounds, a process which was supported by the governor’s state of emergency declaration, as Lake County News has reported. However, county officials later scrapped that plan.

Following Pace’s April announcement, Wright and the fair board continued to try to find alternatives while waiting for more guidance from the state, as the 49th District Agricultural Association is a state agency.

Wright said she was in consultation with Pace about the fair and began working early on with the Junior Livestock Committee to find an alternative for 4-H and Future Farmers of America members who have raised animals for sale at this year’s event.

Because the Lake County Fair falls later in the year, Wright said it gave the fair board an opportunity to see what the state would do and to follow the plans of other fairs.

However, with fairs and events like the California State Fair and the Grand Nationals at the Cow Palace being called off for the year, the odds for the Lake County Fair’s annual appearance appeared increasingly diminished.

Wright said she was concerned not just for the impacts on the local economy but for the companies built around fairs, like those that provide amusements and carnival services.

“Fairs are big business,” she said.

Fair officials said they considered ongoing guidance and information from state and county public health and government officials on the status of the coronavirus pandemic and the improbability that mass gatherings, like the Lake County Fair, could safely and responsibly take place.

Ultimately, as governor-appointed representatives, the fair board said in a statement that it has a responsibility to provide a safe experience to the community-at-large, the people who depend on county fairs for their livelihood, fairgoers and Lake County Fair staff.

“The fair is truly a labor of love that our board of directors, staff, vendors, sponsors, exhibitors, community members and volunteers spend many months of planning to make the fair a success,” the board statement said.

Other events at the fairgrounds – such as the Lake County Rodeo, which had been set for early July – also have been canceled.

So far, the Lakeport Speedway hasn’t been able to resume races, although Pace allowed the Northern California Racing Association to do “test and tune” practice sessions – without spectators – at the Lakeport Speedway on May 23 and 24.

Concerned about long-term impacts

Officials like Wright and Richard Persons, a former Lake County Fair CEO who now manages the Santa Maria Fairpark, have raised concerns about the pandemic’s long-term impact on the fair and outdoor event industries, with many experienced fair executives retiring and leaving doubt as to who will lead those sectors as they return and reopen.

Santa Maria announced June 2 that it also is canceling its fair this year, which like Lake County’s hasn’t had an interruption since World War II.

While the Lake County Fair is holding its own financially, Wright told Lake County News that with many fairs across the state now in the red, the impacts of the pandemic and its shutdown could spell “the end of an era.”

A number of fairs across the state are reporting on their websites that they are facing insolvency and bankruptcy, and are asking for the help of their communities in appealing to the California Legislature for emergency funding.

Meanwhile, Wright is continuing to work with the Junior Livestock Committee on an online auction format and said she feels fortunate to have such a dedicated group of livestock people to help plan this year’s out-of-the-ordinary auction event.

She said to watch for updates in coming weeks on how the community can help support youth in their market livestock projects.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The county of Lake will move forward with reopening or expansion of 13 business sectors beginning on Friday, June 12, based on guidance issued by the state last week.

Dr. Gary Pace told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that the sectors would reopen on Friday, the first day of eligibility, based on guidance from the state given on June 5.

The reopening or expanding sectors are:

– Childcare services (updated, expanded).
– Schools (interim guidance).
– Day camps.
– Casinos operated by sovereign tribal nations.
– Music, film and television production.
– Professional sports without live audiences.
– Campgrounds, RV parks and outdoor recreation.
– Hotels and vacation rentals (e.g. VRBO, Airbnb).
– Cardrooms, satellite wagering facilities and racetracks.
– Family entertainment centers.
– Restaurants, bars and wineries.
– Fitness facilities.
– Museums, galleries, zoos and aquariums.

The California Department of Public Health’s guidelines can be found here.

“Opening or expanding 13 sectors at once represents a considerable, non-incremental, step forward, and will increase the probability of spread, including community transmission, of COVID-19 in Lake County,” said Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace.

However, Pace added, “It is the right decision at this time,” noting that Tuesday was the 83rd day Lake County residents have been subject to shelter-in-place and statewide stay at home orders.

“Effects of the actions of the past three months on our communities and businesses have been widespread and severe, and most of those consequences have been economic, as opposed to directly health-related. We have had 30 total cases, and spread has not, to date, occurred at such a rate that it has stressed our local healthcare system,” Pace said.

He said viral activity has remained stable in Lake County’s communities, even as the county has reopened Clear Lake and some industries that support tourism, such as restaurants.

Pace said in recent weeks he’s “continually undertaken substantial review of the status of COVID-19 in our communities,” and has had discussions with stakeholders including the Lake County COVID-19 Recovery Workgroup, a collective that includes two members of the Board of Supervisors and executive leadership from the county and cities of Clearlake and Lakeport.

He said there’s agreement that “now is the time for a big step forward.”

The July 4 holiday typically sees a major influx of visitors to Lake County to use Clear Lake. “Businesses in all sectors continue to adjust to social distancing and other precautions, and offering a reasonable period of time for businesses in the newly-eligible industries to open and adapt prior to that holiday weekend makes sense,” Pace said.

There are industries that remain closed statewide, including e nail salons, massage therapists, estheticians and tattoo parlors. “Provided COVID-19 activity remains stable, we hope to facilitate those businesses safely reopening as soon as possible, as well. While no timeline has been provided by the State, things seem to be accelerating,” Pace said.

“Precautions only become more important as more activities are permitted. Handwashing will help keep businesses open. Social distancing and face coverings will allow us to move about more freely. For preventive measures to be effective, people must practice them, and encourage others to do so,” Pace said.

He said all reopening businesses in Lake County must take precautions, and complete and post social distancing protocol and business certification forms. COVID-19 reopening plans must also be made available to customers or public officials, on request.

Forms and resources for Lake County businesses are available here.

Sector-specific reopening guidance can be found here.

If you review this information and still have questions, reach out to the Lake County Health Services staff at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 707-263-8174.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – When the Valley Fire ripped through portions of Middletown in 2015, it destroyed one of the largest apartment complexes in Lake County.

The Rodriguez-Barajas family, attending a family baptism that day, received the news about the fire. They attempted to return home but when the police would not allow them through, the family was forced to return to their in-laws home to anxiously await the outcome of the fire.

Then the news came. Everything they had was lost. Maria Rodriguez-Barajas was so upset it affected her third pregnancy and she was admitted to the hospital.

After a 2-week stay with the in-laws, the family found temporary refuge at Konocti Harbor until they were able to relocate to a small, two-bedroom apartment and start their lives again.

But their living quarters were tight, with three children forced to share a single bedroom in an apartment woefully too small for their needs.

Facing a fourth pregnancy and eviction threats because of their overcrowded housing situation, Hector and Maria Rodriguez-Barajas turned to Habitat for Humanity Lake County for help.

Then came the Clayton fire and the family’s application was destroyed with the loss of Habitat’s Lower Lake office.

Unaware of that loss, the family waited to hear if they were approved for the Homeownership program, only to learn, at last, that they would need to begin the application process all over again.

They persevered, resubmitting their application documentation, and working hard to meet the necessary program requirements.

Through other fires, construction issues, complications with their fourth pregnancy, difficult weather and the recent pandemic situation, the family stayed true to their vision of owning their own home.

On June 1, their efforts were finally rewarded with the keys to their new Lower Lake home, where the children no longer have to share a bedroom and the family has room to grow and thrive.

“We have never been happier,” said Maria Rodriguez-Barajas, her gratitude evident in her eyes. “And the kids have never been happier. They now go outside to play every day and I do not have to be scared of being kicked out of my home. We won’t have to worry again. We are so grateful.”

If you or someone you know is interested in the possibility of homeownership, please contact the Habitat for Humanity office at 707-994-1100 for more information or to receive a preapplication.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Thursday, June 11, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) will hold a virtual town hall from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. to discuss the economy.

Thompson will be joined by special guest, Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody’s Analytics for a discussion about the economy and what we need to help working families and get back on track in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

This is the eighth in a series of virtual town halls. All constituents of California’s Fifth Congressional District and members of the press are invited to join.

This event will be held over Zoom and interested participants must email Thompson’s office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in order to join, as the platform has a capacity of 500 people. Interested participants will be notified via email with instructions on how to join.

The event will also be streamed on Facebook Live via Thompson’s page, https://www.facebook.com/RepMikeThompson/ .

Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A Lucerne man has been sentenced to state prison for possession of child pornography in a case that authorities said involved children who were identified as living in the Philippines.

On Monday, Richard Allen Berry, 63, received the prison sentence in Lake County Superior Court, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Lt. Corey Paulich said Berry also may be facing federal charges for the production of child pornography involving the children in the Philippines who were exploited in the case.

In November 2018, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit received information that Berry, who is a convicted sex offender, was possibly in possession of child pornography, Paulich said.

Paulich said sheriff’s detectives obtained search warrants for Berry’s residence as well as records related to his internet activity.

During the next several months, detectives reviewed evidence obtained from the search warrants. Paulich said several images of child pornography were located on Berry’s electronic devices.

Evidence also was discovered that showed Berry had been live video chatting with subjects in the Philippines who were commercially sexually exploiting children, Paulich reported.

Paulich said Berry was exchanging money for photographs and videos containing child pornography with the subjects in the Philippines.

On May 2, 2019, Berry was arrested pursuant to an arrest warrant that had been issued by the Lake County Superior Court related to this investigation. Paulich said Berry was booked at the Lake County Jail on charges of possession of child pornography with a prior conviction for a registrable sex offense.

Paulich said detectives believed they were able to identify a residence in the Philippines related to one of the children who were being sexually exploited.

Sheriff’s detectives requested assistance from agents with the Homeland Security in coordinating with officials from the Philippines National Police. Paulich said detectives requested attempts be made to contact, identify and check the welfare of the child who was possibly being sexually exploited.

On March 12, 2020, the Major Crimes Unit received information that an operation had been conducted in the Philippines on March 9 and 10 that resulted in the rescue of six victims related to online sexual exploitation, Paulich said.

Two of the victims rescued were a 12-year-old girl and 6-year-old boy who were related to the investigation of Berry in Lake County, according to Paulich’s report.

The investigation found other images of child pornography but detectives don’t know where those children are from, Paulich told Lake County News.

Then, on Monday, Berry was sentenced in Lake County Superior Court, Paulich said.

Paulich said late last year the Lake County Sheriff’s Office entered into a memorandum of understanding with several local, county and city organizations recognizing the need for a collaborative approach to identifying, intervening, and bringing children to safety that are being commercially sexually exploited in Lake County.

“The Lake County Sheriff’s Office will continue to work with local, state, federal and international agencies to stop these horrific crimes,” Paulich said.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The woman who has led Lakeport as its city manager for the past decade said she is planning to retire this summer.

Margaret Silveira said she will step down from the job she’s held since April of 2010 on July 31.

She called working for the city of Lakeport for the past 10 years “the greatest job of my career.”

“She did so many amazing things for this city that we are going to reap the benefits for many, many years,” Lakeport City Councilwoman Stacey Mattina told Lake County News.

“She’s leaving us in very good hands, with a well-trained management team and the assistant city manager,” Mattina said.

“Working with her has been a pleasure and an honor,” said Councilwoman Mireya Turner.

Silveira credited the council for being very supportive of staff and progressive in its support of projects.

She said the city has developed a great team thanks to excellent city staff and community engagement. “I constantly receive compliments about our accomplishments and I am
proud to acknowledge our collaborative work.”

Silveira began work in Lakeport on April 1, 2010, coming from the city of Gustine, where she was city manager for three years. She topped a field of more than 60 candidates for the Lakeport city manager job.

She is the third city manager for Lakeport, which went to the city manager form of government in 2001, and the first woman to hold the job. Altogether, she has nearly 30 years of management experience.

Mattina said that over the past several years Silveira implemented goal-setting and succession planning, which is critical for the city due to the challenge in recruitment.

That led to the creation of the assistant city manager job, held by Kevin Ingram, formerly the city’s Community Development director.

The city has not yet named Ingram city manager, although the naming of the new city manager is expected to be a topic at next week’s council meeting, Silveira said.

Turner said the council previously appointed two of its council members to negotiate a contract with Ingram, a process that is still underway.

A decade of changes, challenges

Silveira has helmed the city during a decade that has seen both significant crises and major opportunities.

She became city manager as the city and the rest of Lake County were struggling to emerge from the Great Recession and set to work to make the city financially stable.

Silveira took action to pay down the city’s unfunded retirement liabilities and improved the sewer and water systems, and in 2016 helped guide the city’s passage of another sales tax measure, Measure Z.

During her tenure, the county would be swept by a series of natural disasters. In the winter of 2017, heavy winter storms and flooding did damage to the city’s Library Park seawall. In the summer of 2018, the entire city of Lakeport would be under an evacuation order due to the River fire, one of the arms of the Mendocino Complex.

More storms hit the city in early 2019, doing still more infrastructure damage. Then, later that year, the city – and the rest of the county – was under a prolonged public safety power shutoff.

During the emergencies, Silveira and her team were gathered together at City Hall in the emergency operations center, working with other agencies and trying to keep the community up to date on those situations.

Despite those challenges, under Silveira’s guidance, the city has made strides financially, amassing annual surpluses that cushioned the city’s reserves.

One key project that’s moving forward is the city’s lakefront park. Earlier this year it received a $5.9 million state grant to build the park at the former Natural High School property on N. Main Street. The council approved the purchase of that property last week.

“I’m just so excited to see that happening,” said Silveira.

She also secured the donation of the former Bank of America building last year. It’s now being turned into a community center.

Turner cited the Bank of America building donation as one of Silveira’s standout accomplishments in her decade of service. In other communities that Bank of America has left, it’s made a practice of selling the buildings, not giving them away. Thanks to Silveira’s efforts, the Lakeport bank building was the only one in California that Bank of America donated.

“It’s hard to get stuff out of those big banks,” said Turner.

Silveira said the park and the community center will be “true gifts to the community.”

Turner said Silveira’s networking efforts have paid off for the city. “Because she’s good at relationships, she has put Lakeport on the radar for state and federal funding that we never would have gotten otherwise.”

In recent weeks, work has wrapped up on the new Library Park seawall and promenade. “I forgot how beautiful the lakefront was without that fence,” Silveira said of the chainlink fence that had lined the park since the 2017 storms.

One project that’s still in motion is the attempt to annex the South Main Street area south of the current city limits. It’s reported to be the most lucrative commercial corridor currently in county jurisdiction, and has been a source of ongoing disagreement between the city and county.

“That was my goal, not to retire until the annexation,” said Silveira, who added that she believes it’s the right thing to do, as it will include providing water and sewer to the area.

The annexation application has been submitted to the Lake Local Area Formation Commission and Silveira said she believes her successor will complete the project.

“Things are actually really good because of all the partnerships we’ve been able to accomplish through the years,” said Silveira, noting the city’s work with arts and regional economic groups.

She said the city’s sales taxes, Measure I and Z, are helping keep the city in good shape, as is its reserves. “We’re trying to keep our operations in the black.”

The city’s reserves have grown from about 10 percent to over 65 percent of the general fund. “Those are the things that will help us through the future here,” said Silveira. “You always want that rainy day reserve.”

Those reserves will be key as the city faces the impacts of its latest challenge, the COVID-19 pandemic and shelter in place order. While Silveira said the city expects to bounce back from the pandemic, “It may be a couple of years.”

The city also is working on bringing in a larger commercial development and its consultant, The Retail Coach, has been working to find new tenants for the former Kmart store on S. Main Street, which closed last year.

“There’s some traction happening,” she said, adding she believes they will have a new tenant in the Kmart property within two years, if not sooner.

A project she’s worked to promote but which is out of the city’s hands is the new courthouse project, which has been a stop-and-start prospect over the past decade. Last year, Lakeport’s courthouse was listed as the No. 1 courthouse priority in the state. There had been an expectation of funding for the project in the governor’s spring budget, but the COVID-19 pandemic has derailed those plans. However, Silveira is optimistic the project will eventually happen.

Succession planning

Silveira said she originally had planned to retire in a little over a year. However, when she began to look at the forecast revenue shortages for the city, she decided retiring earlier would be a benefit to the city as it will save money.

“When we initially talked about it, we said, ‘No, no, no, you’re a great value to this city and you’re going to help keep us on track,’” Mattina said of the council’s discussions with Silveira about early retirement.

However, Mattina said they reluctantly accepted it. “It definitely brought some tears to the eyes,” she said, adding, “It would have been nice to have her a little bit longer.”

Turner said Silveira has two strengths in particular that have benefitted the city: Leadership, with people wanting to work hard for her because they know she’s working harder still, and team building.

She said Silveira is really good at assembling strong teams, equipping them to do their jobs and then letting them do their jobs.

“Because of that team-building skill, she can step down and we’re still left in a pretty good position – even though none of us wants to see her go,” said Turner.

Silveira said all of the city’s department heads are good leaders with great people working with them and mentoring each other. “It’s going to go very smoothly,” she said of the transition.

She compared her job to that of an orchestra conductor, explaining, “Conductors add no sound to the musicians, they just lead so that the music is in unison and beautiful.”

“I have no doubt that the team that she has built up over the years is more than capable of carrying on,” said Turner. “We would keep her forever if we could but we’re very thankful for everything she’s done.”

For Silveira, retiring earlier than originally planned has some big benefits, including the chance to move closer to family.

She has a 13-year-old granddaughter and a three-and-a-half-month-old grandson who she wants to have more time with, so she said retiring is working out fine for her and the city.

Silveira said she listed her house for sale on Friday and sold it over the weekend, which will allow her to move closer to family.

She said she’ll miss everything about Lakeport. “This has been a wonderful place to live. The people are amazing.”

She added, “I can’t say enough about this community,” explaining how supportive the community is and how residents work to make it better.

Silveira said she’ll be coming back a lot to visit, with a lot of friends offering their extra rooms. “There’s too much I love about the place.”

Mattina said that there is more to come before Silveira leaves. “We’re hoping to honor her in some special ways.”

“She’s done a great job for our city. I’m really thankful,” said Turner.

Silveira also remarked on her gratitude for the chance to work for the city. “We live in an amazing, beautiful place.”

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Mendocino College has selected its new president/superintendent.

Dr. Timothy Karas, currently the president of the College of Alameda, has been chosen as the next leader of Mendocino College, said interim Superintendent/President Eileen Cichocki.

Karas was selected from a field of four candidates, which included Cichocki, Greg Nelson and Richard Storti.

Karas was selected following a series of public forums with the candidates held online in May due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cichocki, who has served as interim superintendent/president since July, will return to her role as assistant superintendent/vice president.

Karas’ parents are immigrants to California from post-war Europe. His mother is a retired teacher’s aid and his father is a grocer.

He grew up in San Jose, prior to it becoming Silicon Valley with fruit orchards and farms close to his family home, and became the first person in his family to attend college.

Karas received an associate degree from West Valley College, following that with a Bachelor of Arts in geography from Humboldt State University and a Masters in Library and Information Science from San Jose State University.

Before working in academia, he worked as a librarian for the City of Palo Alto and Redwood City.

He completed his doctoral studies in the field of Educational Leadership at Fielding Graduate University in 2017.

He was a tenured faculty member at the College of San Mateo, and later served as dean of liberal studies and language arts (2009-2014) and director of library services (2005-2009) at Mission College.

In July 2014, Dr. Karas joined the College of Alameda as vice-president of instruction. He was appointed College of Alameda President in January 2017.

During the past 15 years he has served on eight accreditation site visit teams. He served as Executive Board President of the Council of Chief Librarians: California Community Colleges and was an Executive Board Member (2008-2014).

Dr. Karas believes education is a transformational experience for individuals and communities. He has worked to imbed community college education intuitions into the fabric of the community. Community colleges are economic development powerhouses for counties, cities, neighborhoods, and individuals.

In Alameda, Dr. Karas serves on the board of directors for the Alameda Chamber of Commerce, Alameda Family Services; serves on the mayor’s economic development task force; and participates in the local Rotary Club.

Dr. Karas has served on many civic committees and commissions, including the City of San Jose Library Commission, Bond and Parcel Tax Citizen Oversight Committees, and Santa Clara County Sister County Commission. Karas co-authored a chapter in the book Campus Partnership in Small Academic Libraries: Challenges and Rewards.

COBB, Calif. – A student representing Cobb Mountain Elementary recently received a perfect score in the last of three meets in this year’s WordMasters Challenge – a national vocabulary competition involving nearly 125,000 students annually.

Competing in the difficult Blue Division of the WordMasters Challenge, fifth-grader Lily Morita earned a perfect score of 20 on the recent challenge.

Nationally, only 86 fifth graders achieved this result.

Cobb Mountain Elementary teacher Angela Stevenson coached students in preparation for the WordMasters Challenge.

The WordMasters Challenge is an exercise in critical thinking that first encourages students to become familiar with a set of interesting new words (considerably harder than grade level), and then challenges them to use those words to complete analogies expressing various kinds of logical relationships.

Working to solve the analogies helps students learn to think both analytically and metaphorically. Although most vocabulary enrichment and analogy-solving programs are designed for use by high school students, WordMasters Challenge materials have been specifically created for younger students in grades three through eight.

They are particularly well suited for children who are motivated by the challenge of learning new words and enjoy the logical puzzles posed by analogies.

The WordMasters Challenge program is administered by a company based in New Jersey which is dedicated to inspiring high achievement in American schools.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Firefighters are pushing a fire in Solano County that began over the weekend closer to full containment.

The Quail fire, which began on Saturday afternoon in the 8000 block of Canyon Road near Winters, was at 1,837 acres with 75 percent containment as of Monday evening, according to Cal Fire.

When the fire began on Saturday, several hundred homes were reported to be threatened by the blaze.

As of Monday night, Cal Fire said 100 structures were threatened and three destroyed.

Residential evacuations and road closures have been lifted and crews are continuing to perform tactical patrols, construct containment lines and mop up hot spots, Cal Fire reported.

Resources assigned include 12 engines, five water tenders, eight hand crews, two dozers and 200 personnel.

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