CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake Animal Control has several more new dogs, including puppies, waiting to meet their new families.

The kennels also have many dogs that need to be reunited with their owners. To find the lost/found pet section, click here.

The following dogs are ready for adoption.

‘Barkley’

“Barkley” is a male American Pit Bull Terrier mix with a short red coat.

He is dog No. 3528.

‘Blue’

“Blue” is a male pit bull terrier mix with a short white and brindle coat.

He has been neutered.

He is dog No. 3539.

‘Cha-Chi’

“Cha-Chi” is a male Chihuahua with a short gold and white coat.

He is dog No. 3661.

‘Duchess’

“Duchess” is a female Chihuahua puppy with a short tan coat.

She is dog No. 3618.

‘Garrett’

“Garrett” is a male German Shepherd mix with a medium tan and black coat.

He has been neutered.

He is dog No. 3580.

‘Nutmeg’

“Nutmeg” is a female German Shepherd mix puppy.

She has a short brown and black coat.

She is dog No. 3628.

‘Phoebe’

“Phoebe” is a female American Pit Bull Terrier mix with a short black and white coat.

She is dog No. 3483.

‘Roxy’

“Roxy” is a female German Shepherd mix with a medium-length tan and black coat.

She has been spayed.

She is dog No. 3545.

‘Tulip’

“Tulip” is a female Chihuahua puppy mix with a short tan coat.

She is dog No. 3663.

‘Woodrow’

“Woodrow” is a male Staffordshire Bull Terrier with a black and white coat.

He is dog No. 3281.

Clearlake Animal Control’s shelter is located at 6820 Old Highway 53, off Airport Road.

Hours of operation are noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The shelter is closed Sundays, Mondays and major holidays; the shelter offers appointments on the days it’s closed to accommodate people.

Call the Clearlake Animal Control shelter at 707-273-9440, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to inquire about adoptions.

Visit Clearlake Animal Control on Facebook or at the city’s Web site.

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.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The Department of Water Resources on Thursday conducted the third manual snow survey of 2020 at Phillips Station.

The manual survey recorded 29 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent, or SWE, of 11.5 inches, which is 47 percent of the March average for this location.

The SWE measures the amount of water contained in the snowpack, which provides a more accurate forecast of spring runoff.

“Right now, 2020 is on track to be a below-average year but we could still see large storms in March and April that will improve the current snowpack,” said Sean de Guzman, chief of DWR’s Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Section. “While periods of dry conditions are expected in California, climate change has made them more unpredictable and extreme which is why we must always use the water we have wisely.”

While February has been very dry, it’s not unprecedented for California to be in this position. In 2018, after a dry start, March storms made up much of the deficit and brought California closer to normal that year.

In addition to the manual surveys, DWR collects readings from 130 electronic snow sensors scattered throughout the state. Measurements indicate that statewide, the snowpack’s water equivalent is 11 inches, or 46 percent of the March average.

“The snowpack that we are measuring today is a critical element to all water resources managers in California, especially the State Water Project, which provides water to more than 27 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland,” said Molly White, chief of DWR’S State Water Project, Water Operations Office. “The data generated from snow surveys is one factor used to determine how much water will be allocated to the State Water Project Contractors.

The state’s largest six reservoirs currently hold between 92 percent (Oroville) and 132 percent (Melones) of their historical averages for this date. Lake Shasta, California’s largest surface reservoir, 107 percent of its historical average and sits at 78 percent of capacity.

DWR conducts five media-oriented snow surveys at Phillips Station each winter in January, February, March, April and, if necessary, May.

On average, the snowpack supplies about 30 percent of California’s water needs as it melts in the spring and early summer.

COBB, Calif. – A 3.5-magnitude earthquake just inside the Sonoma County border shook the Cobb and Kelseyville areas on Thursday afternoon.

The quake was reported at 3:27 p.m. Thursday near Bear Canyon in northern Sonoma County, according to the US Geological Survey.

The quake was centered Thursday afternoon early near Cobb 4.6 miles west-northwest of Cobb, 12.9 miles southwest of Clearlake and 15.8 miles north northeast of Healdsburg at a depth of 1.6 miles, the survey reported.

The survey reported receiving shake reports from Kelseyville and Middletown in Lake County, as well as from Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma, San Francisco and Santa Clara counties.

The US Geological Survey reported that a 3.7-magnitude quake occurred in Lake County, 3.5 miles west-northwest of Cobb, just after 10:34 a.m. Wednesday.

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. – Containment on the Baseball fire on the Covelo Ranger District of the Mendocino National Forest reached 50 percent on Thursday evening.

The fire, which remains at 68 acres, is about 15 miles southeast of Covelo in Glenn and Mendocino counties.

About 100 personnel are working to complete containment of the fire. Assisting on the incident are engines and crews from the Mendocino, Klamath and Six Rivers national forests and from Oregon.

It has been determined that the Baseball fire started from previous pile burning on the Baseball prescribed fire project.

The fire is burning in grass, brush and timber in steep, rugged terrain. It is spreading at a low to moderate rate in a mosaic pattern, similar to the desired effects from a prescribed fire. There are no immediate threats to property or structures.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed a possible first case of person-to-person transmission of novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, in California in the general public.

The individual is a resident of Solano County and is receiving medical care in Sacramento County.

The individual had no known exposure to the virus through travel or close contact with a known infected individual.

California has a strong health care system and public health infrastructure. The state has prepared for the potential spread of diseases, such as H1N1, in the past and is prepared and actively responding to the potential community spread of COVID-19.

Contact tracing in this case has already begun, officials said.

The health risk from novel coronavirus to the general public remains low at this time. While COVID-19 has a high transmission rate, it has a low mortality rate.

From the international data health officials have, of those who have tested positive for COVID-19, approximately 80 percent do not exhibit symptoms that would require hospitalization. There have been no confirmed deaths related to COVID-19 in the United States to date.

California health officials said they are carefully assessing the situation as it evolves.

“Keeping Californians safe and healthy is our number one priority,” said Dr. Sonia Angell, director of the California Department of Public Health and state Public Health officer. “This has been an evolving situation, which California has been monitoring and responding to since COVID-19 cases first emerged in China last year.”

Angell added, “This is a new virus, and while we are still learning about it, there is a lot we already know. We have been anticipating the potential for such a case in the U.S. and given our close familial, social and business relationships with China, it is not unexpected that the first case in the U.S. would be in California. That’s why California has been working closely with federal and local partners, including health care providers and hospitals, since the outbreak was first reported in China – and we are already responding.”

As in any public health emergency, the Department of Public Health's Emergency Operations Center has been actively coordinating response efforts across the state and preparing for possible community transmission. California continues to prepare and respond in coordination with federal and local partners.

This would be the first known instance of person-to-person transmission in the general public in the United States. Previously known instances of person-to-person transmission in the United States include one instance in Chicago, Illinois, and one in San Benito County, California.

Both cases were after close, prolonged interaction with a family member who returned from Wuhan, China and had tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by novel coronavirus.

As of Wednesday, including this case, California has had seven travel-related cases, one close contact case and now one community transmission.

As with any virus, especially during the flu season, health officials said there are a number of steps you can take to protect your health and those around you:

– Washing hands with soap and water.
– Avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
– Avoiding close contact with people who are sick are all ways to reduce the risk of infection with a number of different viruses.
– Staying away from work, school or other people if you become sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A multiagency special enforcement operation this week targeting violent offenders yielded seven arrests.

On Tuesday, the Clearlake Police Department, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Parole, or CDCR, and Lake County Probation conducted a special enforcement operation across the city.

The operation included 24 specific locations of subjects known to be on active CDCR parole, post release community supervision – also known as PRCS – or probation, the Clearlake Police Department reported.

During the operation, seven subjects were arrested, including three felony and 4 misdemeanor arrests, police said.

At the locations where subjects were not arrested, police said compliance checks were conducted to confirm addresses and that the specific terms and conditions of the parole or probation status were being adhered to.

During the operation, three residences were found to have numerous code enforcement violations which made the structures unsafe to occupy. Those cases were later turned over to Clearlake Code Enforcement, according to the police report on the operation.

“These special enforcement operations supplement the day to day efforts of our personnel to make Clearlake a cleaner, safer city. A special thanks to CDCR Parole and Lake County Probation for their assistance,” the Clearlake Police Department said in a statement.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Office of Education said it’s working with local health officials to monitor conditions with regard to the coronavirus, or COVID-19.

Although the threat of a coronavirus outbreak is low, Rob Young of the Lake County Office of Education is working closely with Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace to help prepare in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak within the Lake County schools.

On Feb. 10, Dr. Pace sent a letter to school administrators recommending the following preventative measures to help reduce the chance of an influenza or COVID-19 outbreak within the classroom:

– Encourage students and staff to stay home when they have a fever plus any other symptoms. Those who have a fever at school should go home and stay home until fever-free for at least 24 hours.
– Separate sick students and staff from others until they can be taken home.
– Promote good hand hygiene among students and staff through education, scheduled time for handwashing, and availability of soap and water and/or hand sanitizer.
– Avoid touching your face, particularly your eyes, nose, and mouth.
– Teach and encourage proper cough etiquette – cough or sneeze into a tissue, sleeve or arm (do not use hands).

Custodial and other staff within Lake County schools are taking extra precautions to keep surfaces disinfected and clean.

“At the height of H1N1, staff at some Lake County schools were disinfecting every desk on a nightly basis,” Young said.

If the local school sites notice unusual changes in sickness patterns, they will call the students’ guardians to find out the nature of the illness.

In the event that there is a spike in influenza-related symptoms, the schools will notify Young at the Lake County Office of Education, who will then notify Dr. Pace.

Dr. Pace will work with the Lake County Office of Education and the affected school-site to determine next steps.

If there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 within a Lake County school, the infected student will be required to stay home for 14 days.

Schools have the option to issue makeup work or independent study during that time, so the student will not fall behind.

This is a rapidly evolving situation, so recommendations may change.

“The Lake County Office of Education will work diligently with the Lake County Health officer, and monitor the situation closely. In turn, we will keep our school districts apprised of any recommendation changes for the health and safety of our students,” said Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg.

NORTH COAST, Calif. – Fire crews have increased containment to 40 percent on the Baseball fire on the Covelo Ranger District of the Mendocino National Forest.

The wildfire is estimated at 68 acres and is located approximately 15 miles southeast of Covelo near Atchison campground, forest officials said.

It has been determined that the fire started from previous pile burning on the Baseball prescribed fire project, as Lake County News has reported.

Forest officials said the fire is burning in grass, brush and timber. There are no immediate threats to property or structures.

About 75 personnel are working on the incident and resources include crews, engines, a water tender and a helicopter.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The California Department of Parks and Recreation has awarded the city of Lakeport a multimillion-dollar grant to build a new lakeside park at the former Natural High School site.

The state announced that it has awarded Lakeport $5,947,621 for the Lakefront Park project.

The funds will cover the city’s purchase of the 6.9-acre property located at 800 N. Main St. in Lakeport from the Lakeport Unified School District, as well as the construction of a new skate park, splash pad, basketball court, amphitheater, exercise circuit, five picnic areas with shade, concessions/restroom building, parking lot, public art with landscaping and lighting throughout the park, and the renovation of an existing boat ramp.

“We’re thrilled,” said Lakeport Assistant City Manager Kevin Ingram.

“It was quite a process and it will be quite a bit of work going forward, for sure,” Ingram added.

He noted that it’s a huge award for the city, adding that the grant is about the same amount as the city’s general fund for one year.

Lakeport’s new park is among 62 projects selected to receive $254,942,000 in Proposition 68 funding in the Statewide Park Program’s third round of awards.

The state reported that it received 478 applications requesting $2.3 billion for the available $254.9 million in this round. The average grant request statewide was $4.8 million, and the average grant amount was $4.1 million.

City followed extensive public input process

California voters approved Proposition 68, the Parks and Water Bond Act of 2018, which authorizes $4 billion in general obligation bonds meant for projects that extend from local and state parks to flood protection, water infrastructure, environmental protection and habitat restoration.

Last year, the city of Lakeport and the county of Lake applied for Proposition 68 funds for park projects. Lakeport’s grant award is the only one in Lake County in the newly announced round of awards.

The city of Lakeport held a series of five public meetings over the course of four months last year, which Ingram said was a key component of the grant.

At those meetings, city staff and the consultants gathered information to create the plan that ultimately was submitted to the state by the August deadline. Part of the public input process also included an online survey offered in both English and Spanish.

He said the grant proposal also built on the lakefront revitalization plan that the city created in 2017 and the council approved in September of that year.

One of the chief complaints from community members about the lakefront revitalization plan, said Ingram, was that at first there was no clear way to fund it.

However, by having the lakefront revitalization plan ready, Ingram said the city was able to pursue the funding when it became available. “You gotta have your homework done.”

Public Health Advocates Inc., a Davis-based nonprofit that helped write the Proposition 68 bond funding language, approached the city to help it with pursuing the grant. Ingram credited the firm with its work for making the grant award a possibility.

The city and the Lakeport Unified School District have discussed the city’s purchase of the property several times over the years, and even if it hadn’t won the grant, Ingram said, “The council’s been committed to continuing with the school district on the acquisitions, regardless.”

At the same time as the grant was being prepared and submitted last year, the Lakeport Unified School District began the process required under state education code to sell the property.

That included convening a 7-11 Committee, also known as a District Advisory Committee, according to the California Department of Education.

The state said a 7-11 Committee – so named due to the state legislative requirements to have at least seven members but no more than 11 – gathers facts when the district considers closing a school or, in this case, selling a property.

Lakeport Unified School District Superintendent Jill Falconer said the district’s 7-11 Committee submitted a report and recommendations last year and the school board declared the property surplus at its Sept. 11 meeting.

Falconer said the school board also directed the administration to begin the Education Code priority offer process for surplus school district real property.

She said the district and city are currently in discussions regarding the site and they have a meeting planned on Wednesday during which they will continue the discussions.

Ingram separately confirmed that Falconer and City Manager Margaret Silveira are set to discuss the property on Wednesday.

“Further board action may be necessary to complete any sale of the surplus property,” Falconer said.

A quick turnaround

As for the next steps for the city, in addition to completing the property acquisition from the school district, Ingram said the city already has started on the required environmental study, which it needs to have completed by the summer.

He said he expects it will take some time for the state Department of Parks and Recreation to get its contract in place to disburse the money, and then there will need to be council action to accept the funds and agree to the contract terms.

Then the city will need to get engineering plans and put the project out to bid in order to have it constructed in time, Ingram said.

The park will need to be open to the public in 2022, which Ingram said is a “really tight deadline” and a very quick turnaround for a government project.

Ingram called the Natural High property a “really, really awesome location.” It’s been important to the community for a long time and is “a big piece to a lot of our other efforts,” including a lakeside promenade.

It’s also located just down the street from the former Bank of America building, which was donated to the city of Lakeport last year. The city is turning the former bank into a community center.

Ingram said receiving the grant is a great win in itself, but is positive for both residents and visitors alike.

He envisioned what the park will offer the community in the years to come. Just one example – future productions of Shakespeare in the Park in the new amphitheater slated to be built there.

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.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Fair Board of Directors announced that it has selected Sheli Wright as the new chief executive officer of the fair, also known as the 49th District Agricultural Association.

She succeeds Courtny Conkle, who left in September to take over as Wyoming State Fair manager, as Lake County News has reported.

Wright will officially begin her duties as the Lake County Fair CEO on March 16.

The fair board said Wright, who is excited about leading the fair into the 2020s, believes the fair is the heart of the rural community.

Wright is a long-term community member who grew up showing animals, participating in events and cheering in the grandstands of the Lake County Fair.

She previously worked as manager for the State Council on Developmental Disabilities’ North Coast Region Office, serving individuals in Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte counties.

“I am confident Ms. Wright will be an excellent addition to the Lake County Fair,” said Fair Board President Tom Turner. “She is sharp, community-minded, and organized with a desire to preserve the fairgrounds and the District Agriculture Association not only for the state of California but, more importantly, for the community of Lake County.”

The fair board lauded Mendocino Fair CEO Jim Brown for doing a great job of serving as the interim CEO since Conkle’s departure in the fall.

The fair board thanked Brown for stepping in to support the fair while juggling his own duties in Mendocino County.

In addition to being enthusiastic about Wright’s education and profession experience, the committee and Fair Board of Directors found her to be a business-minded individual with an ability to plan, organize, market, promote transparency and create goal-oriented objectives in order to successfully lead the fair into a sustainable business model for the enjoyment of the public for years to come.

The fairgrounds hosts year-round events and activities including NCRA auto racing, Paradise Skate, the Lake County Rodeo and the upcoming third annual Lake County Ag & Natural Resource Day occurring on March 28.

The Lake County Fair, which is traditionally held on Labor Day Weekend, will begin on Sept. 3. The 2020 theme is “Racing to Lake County Fair.”

For more information about how you can support the Lake County Fairgrounds and get involved in the fair, please contact the fair at 707-263-6181.

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a reported drive-by shooting on Sunday morning and have taken a Clearlake man into custody in connection to the incident.

Don Adam West, 29, was arrested on Sunday afternoon, according to Lt. Rich Ward.

Ward said that on Sunday at approximately 11:16 a.m. the Clearlake Police Department requested the Lake County Sheriff’s Office respond to the 15000 block of Lakeshore Boulevard in Clearlake for two separate incidents that occurred within the unincorporated area of Lower Lake.

Deputies learned that at 10:30 a.m. that day West was alleged to have driven to a residence located in the 17000 block of Morgan Valley Road and assaulted a victim with whom he previously had a dating relationship, Ward said.

West broke through the front door of the residence and damaged property valued in excess of $500 before fleeing the location in a 2003 black Chevrolet pickup truck, Ward reported.

Ward said a resident of the home called Jose Tapia and Jose Tapia Jr. and requested they respond to assist with West.

The Tapias were driving on Main Street near Lake Street in Lower Lake when they saw West driving his truck. Ward said they flagged down West on Lake Street and pulled their 2013 black Chevrolet pickup truck along the driver’s side of West’s truck.

Ward said the Tapias reported that West brandished a black semiautomatic handgun from the open driver’s side window. The Tapias accelerated their truck away from West’s truck and heard what they believed to be two gunshots.

West was reported to have followed the Tapias through Lower Lake and into the city of Clearlake where the Tapias were able to flag down a Clearlake Police officer near the area of 40th Avenue in Clearlake, Ward said.

Approximately 15 minutes later, the Clearlake Police Department conducted an enforcement stop on West’s truck and detained West on Lakeshore Boulevard, Ward said.

Ward said deputies responded to that scene to assist with the investigation. No firearms, ammunition or spent casings were located within West’s truck.

While conducting interviews, deputies on scene learned the Tapias located what was believed to be a bullet hole within the rear passenger side quarter panel of their truck. Ward said the Tapias also provided deputies with a spent bullet casing from where they confronted West in Lower Lake. The casing was collected as evidence.

Ward said the deputies also obtained evidence that was consistent with the allegations and believed the Tapias had been shot at in Lower Lake.

As of Tuesday, no firearm has been located and the investigation is ongoing, Ward said.

Ward said that, based on statements from the parties involved and evidence collected, West was placed under arrest for felony charges of domestic violence, burglary, vandalism, assault with a deadly weapon/firearm, shooting at an occupied vehicle, personally shooting from a vehicle and assault on a person with a semiautomatic firearm.

West, who was set for arraignment this week, remained in custody on Wednesday with his bail set at $300,000. He is due to return to court on March 3, according to his booking records.

If anyone has additional information about this case or surveillance footage of this incident, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office would encourage citizens to contact Deputy Andres Fernandez at 707-262-4200 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Behavioral Health Services has announced the opening of its newest Peer Support Center in Middletown.

Christened the “Family Support Center,” by students at Middletown High School, the facility provides resources, referrals and support for families involved with the county mental health system or that need more information on available community resources.

The center is located at 21389 Stewart St., Suite E.

Some of the groups that we are expecting to start soon include The Parent Café, Art Group, Nurturing Families Groups and Homework Clubs for youth in the community.

The LCBHS Parent Partner will be housed at the Family Support Center. The Parent Partner will provide peer-to-peer understanding, support parents in navigating the services system, and advocate for their needs.

The Parent Partner also brings nonclinical insights on how to seek appropriate services and communicate with service providers.

The center is a safe, comfortable environment in which to learn more about behavioral health services in our community, get connected to appropriate services/programs, and socialize with others in the community.

The grand opening was held on Feb. 14. The event offered the community the chance to tour the center and meet the staff. If you missed the grand opening, please stop by anytime Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and say hello or give the center a call at 707-987-9601.

Community members also can visit other Peer Support Centers listed below.

The Big Oak Peer Support Center
13340 E. Hwy 20, Suite O
Clearlake Oaks, CA 94523
707-998-0310
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Circle of Native Minds Cultural Center
845 Bevins St.
Lakeport, CA 95453
707-263-4880
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Harbor on Main
154 S. Main St.
Lakeport, CA 95453
707-994-5486
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

La Voz de la Esperanza Centro Latino
14585 Suite B Olympic Drive
Clearlake, CA 95422
707-994-4261
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, contact Lake County Behavioral Health Services at 707-274-9101 or 707-994-7090.