LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care and Control has three horses that are in need of new homes.

The horses were taken in from the Lower Lake area in early November and were later cleared for adoption.

The following horses are being offered to new homes. Call the shelter for more information.

Adult female quarter horse

This quarter horse mare has a short bay coat and black mane, with white markings.

She is in corral No. 2, ID No. 13222.

Quarter horse colt

This quarter horse colt has a short red coat, blond mane and white markings.

He is in corral No. 2b, ID No. 13223.

Quarter horse filly

This quarter horse filly has a bay and black coat, a black mane and white markings.

She is in corral No. 3, ID No. 13211.

Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Visit the shelter online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm.

For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.

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. – A second candidate has joined the race for Lake County Superior Court judge.

On Tuesday, Lisa M. Proffitt-O'Brien, a felony prosecutor with the Lake County District Attorney’s Office, officially joined the race.

She submitted the necessary paperwork and signatures to run as a write-in candidate in the March 3 primary, according to interim Lake County Registrar of Voters Diane Fridley.

Proffitt-O'Brien joins incumbent Judge J. David Markham, who is running to retain his seat, also as a write-in candidate.

Markham, who was appointed by then-Gov. Jerry Brown and took office in February 2018, missed the December filing deadline that was months earlier due to the presidential primary taking place in March, rather than June, as Lake County News has reported.

The deadline to sign up to be a qualified write-in candidate was 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Proffitt-O’Brien said she submitted the needed signatures on Tuesday while on her lunch break that day.

Fridley said that Proffitt-O’Brien submitted more than the necessary number of signatures but elections staff – busy on Tuesday with the last name of voter registration for the primary – didn’t have time to verify them that day.

On Wednesday, Fridley told Lake County News that elections staff had completed the process to verify the signatures, which confirms Proffitt-O’Brien as a qualified write-in candidate.

In addition to the other necessary paperwork, Fridley said Proffitt-O'Brien submitted a bar certificate proving she’s worked as a lawyer for at least 10 years, a requirement to run for judge in California.

No other candidates have filed paperwork to be write-in candidates, Fridley said.

District Attorney Susan Krones told Lake County News that Proffitt-O'Brien has worked for her office since about the spring of last year. Proffitt-O'Brien previously worked as a contract public defender for the county.

The State Bar of California’s records show that Proffitt-O’Brien studied law at the Empire College School of Law in Santa Rosa.

While write-in candidates can join the race far later than other candidates, their names will not appear on the printed ballots, as Lake County News has reported.

Fridley said write-in candidates must educate voters about the need to write in the candidate’s name in the blank box next to the office of Lake County Superior Court judge on the ballot and then check the box next to the name.

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. – Despite a confirmed case of novel coronavirus being reported in neighboring Napa County this week, the risk of the virus making it to Lake County remains low, according to Lake County’s Public Health officer.

On Tuesday, the county of Napa said that a single case of novel coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19, was confirmed in a patient under isolation at Queen of the Valley Medical Center, with a second patient with symptoms under investigation at the hospital, as Lake County News has reported.

Officials said those two patients, who are not Napa County residents, were transferred on Monday to Queen of the Valley from Travis Air Force Base in Solano County.

They had been flown to Travis AFB from Japan, where they were under quarantine on the Diamond Princess cruise ship. Because there are limited isolation beds in Solano County, they were transferred to Napa County, officials said.

Napa County Public Health Officer Karen Relucio, MD, said there is little risk to Napa County residents.

This week, Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace echoed those sentiments when it comes to possible impacts for Lake County.

He said he expected health officials in Napa County are following strict infection control precautions.

“There would be almost no contact with these patients by anyone in Napa County, so risk would be low for the residents of Napa, and continue to be low for residents of Lake,” Pace said.

Last week, Pace had updated the Board of Supervisors about the situation, also telling them that he believed the risk remained low.

He had reported that there is a group of Americans who have traveled to China but who are not symptomatic and therefore considered medium risk, so they have been under self-quarantine. He said there are a large number of such individuals in the Bay Area.

Pace told Lake County News this week that the Lake County Health Department is in regular communication with state health officials, with peers in other jurisdictions and within the county.

“Hopefully, the spread will continue to be very slow, but we will see,” he said.

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.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake Animal Control has seven adoptable canines this week, including a new adult dog and a puppy.

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.

‘Lola’

“Lola” is a female pit bull terrier mix with a short red and white coat.

She has been spayed.

She is dog No. 3337.

‘Nutmeg’

“Nutmeg” is a female German Shepherd mix puppy.

She has a short brown and black coat.

She is dog No. 3628.

‘Precious’

“Precious” is a female Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix with a black coat.

She is dog No. 3268.

‘Savannah’

“Savannah” is a female Rhodesian Ridgeback mix with a short brindle coat.

She has been spayed.

Savannah is dog No. 3625.

‘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.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – A new block, “Changing Seasons,” has been added to the Lake County Quilt Trail.

The 4-foot by 4-foot block has been installed on the People Services building at 4195 Lakeshore Blvd. in Lakeport.

This block was donated to People Services Inc. by Peggy Campbell, Certified Public Accountant, 401 N Main St., Lakeport.

People Services, Inc. has been successfully providing services in Lake County since 1981.

People Services is a private, non-for-profit CA 501(c) 3 corporation organized to meet the individual needs of people with disabilities residing in Lake County.

For more information about People Services visit its website.

The LCQT is an agricultural and tourism project designed to promote community pride.

The quilt block was drawn and painted by Gerri Groody and Annette Higday of the Lake County Quilt Trail team.

The Lake County Quilt Trail has the distinction of being the first quilt trail in California. It was started by Marilyn Holdenried in 2010.

The LCQT is no longer taking applications for new quilt blocks.

For more information about the Lake County Quilt Trail visit its website or Facebook page.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Congressman Mike Thompson honored two of Lake County’s first responders during a weekend ceremony.

Thompson (CA-05) announced the recipients of the Fifth Congressional District’s Public Safety Hero of the Year Award on Saturday.

Each year, Thompson honors at least one local law enforcement officer and one local first responder from each county in his district with the Public Safety Hero Award.

For Lake County, Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy Marc De La Torre and Lake County Fire Protection District Chief Willie Sapeta have been selected.

“It is my honor to recognize Deputy De La Torre and Chief Sapeta as our Public Safety Heroes for Lake County,” said Thompson. “They have dedicated their lives to keeping our community safe and have gone above and beyond in their public service throughout their careers. We are proud to have such heroes in our community and thank them for their service.”

The awards are meant to honor law enforcement officers and first responders who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, Thompson’s office reported.

“Our local public safety officers are some of our most vital community members, putting their lives on the line to keep us safe and often working overtime during emergencies, such as our recent fires,” said Thompson. “I am humbled to once again present my annual Public Safety Hero Award to the local law enforcement officers and first responders who demonstrate exceptional courage and dedication day in and day out. It is an incredible honor to represent so many dedicated and heroic public servants.”

Deputy De La Torre, who joined the Lake County Sheriff’s Office in December 2015, is being recognized for his heroism and quick thinking on the job last fall when he came across a mother with an unresponsive child in her arms.

De La Torre’s professional and swift response helped ensure the child lived and got medical care, changing a family’s life for the better, Thompson said.

Thompson lauded Chief Sapeta for being “the go-to guy” when it comes to emergency response in Lake County, coordinating trainings, drills and safety exercises and ensuring the county has the most up to date protocols to keep our community safe.

Sapeta and his firefighters have faced down devastating wildland fires in Lake County, particularly over the last several years.

He’s known for his constant presence both at work and for his family.

Sapeta told Lake County News that the award was a “totally unexpected” honor, and one that left him humbled and, uncharacteristically, at a loss for words.

“It was an honor. It truly was. It touched me very deeply,” he said.

He acknowledged the other recipients, who he said have done so much, crediting them for doing “far more than I do.”

Sapeta has been chief of the Lake County Fire Protection District for nine years, and this July will mark his 40th year in the fire service.

He said he began as a volunteer in his junior year at Middletown High School, the same year that he took his first emergency medical technician training course.

In 1982, when he graduated from high school, he began his paramedic training, he said.

For several years he said he worked as a “roving employee,” working part-time shifts at fire districts all around the lake.

In 1985 and 1986, he worked for the fire department in Lucerne before going to work for his current district in 1987, he said. He’s been with the district for 33 years.

In addition to the 11 honorees from each of the counties Thompson represents, Thompson also honored celebrity chefs Jose Andres and Tyler Florence with a special Public Safety Hero Award in honor of their work to provide meals and support during the recent fires.

The full list of the Public Safety Heroes of the Year for the Fifth Congressional District is below:

– Chief Dean Colombo, Crockett-Carquinez Fire Department;
– Officer Jennifer Witschi and her K9 partner, Milo, Pinole Police Department;
– Chief Neil Gang, Pinole Police Department;
– Deputy Marc De La Torre, Lake County Sheriff’s Office;
– Chief Willie Sapeta, Lake County Fire Protection District;
– Detective Garrett Smith, Napa Police Department;
– Scott Rose, Napa Emergency Services;
– Officer John Ehman, Vallejo Police Department;
– Captain Patrick Wong, Vallejo Police Department;
– Lieutenant Shawn Murphy, Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office;
– Chief Mark Heine, Sonoma County Fire District;
– Jose Andres, celebrity chef and local second responder;
– Tyler Florence, celebrity chef and local second responder.

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

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. – Two Northshore residents have died of the injuries they sustained in a Saturday afternoon solo-vehicle wreck near Clearlake Oaks.

Lt. Corey Paulich of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office identified one of the victims as Richard Joseph Adams, 69, of Nice.

A 59-year-old woman from Clearlake Oaks who was riding in the car with Adams was flown to Solano County, where she died of her injuries. The release of her name was not immediately available.

Justin Hendrix, 33, of Woodland, also was in the car at the time of the wreck. He sustained major injuries and was flown to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital for treatment, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office.

Adams was driving a blue 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer westbound on Highway 20, east of the intersection of Morine Ranch Road in Clearlake Oaks, at an unknown rate of speed at approximately 4:51 p.m. Saturday, the CHP reported.

The CHP said the crash occurred when Adams drove off the roadway, onto the right shoulder of Highway, where the front of his vehicle hit three separate trees.

After the wreck, the Chevrolet came to a rest on the north shoulder of Highway 20, east of the intersection of Morine Ranch Road, on three wheels – with the left rear wheel elevated, according to the report.

Adams was pronounced deceased in the driver seat, the CHP said, while Hendrix and the woman were extricated and transported by REACH helicopters out of the county.

The CHP said Adams was wearing his seatbelt, while the female passenger, who was riding in the right front seat, and Hendrix, seated in the rear of the vehicle, were unrestrained.

Neither drugs nor alcohol are suspected as factors in this wreck, the CHP said.

This article has been updated to show that the second crash victim was in fact flown to Solano County, not Sonoma County, has had been reported to Lake County News.

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. – A Northshore woman was arrested Saturday after leading authorities on a high-speed pursuit in a stolen car.

Miranda Leeann Ellingwood Estrella, 37, of Nice was arrested following the Saturday afternoon incident, according to Lt. Corey Paulich of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Paulich said that at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy was patrolling in the Kelseyville area when he heard a radio broadcast related to a silver Ford Fusion that had just been stolen from the Upper Lake area by a blonde female, who later was identified as Ellingwood Estrella.

As the deputy was approaching Highland Springs Road, he observed the stolen vehicle traveling south on Highway 29 at a speed in excess of 80 miles per hour and passing vehicles on the right shoulder, Paulich said.

A Lakeport Police officer also was in the area and attempted to stop the female driver of the stolen vehicle along with the deputy, Paulich said.

Paulich said Ellingwood Estrella failed to stop and accelerated to approximately 112 miles per hour.

She continued south on Highway 29, passing vehicles over double-yellow lines. Paulich said she turned onto Red Hills Road, continuing towards Highway 175 and crossing over double yellow lines.

He said Ellingwood Estrella turned onto Highway 175 and eventually stopped in a driveway in the 9400 block of Highway 175.

Paulich said the deputy gave commands to Ellingwood Estrella, but she did not comply. She appeared to be confused and disoriented.

She exited the vehicle, but would not raise her hands. Paulich said she had a bag in her hands that was obstructing the deputy from being able to see her hands.

Paulich said the deputy ordered Ellingwood Estrella to drop the bag several times, but she did not comply.

Fearing she could have a weapon and her continued failure to comply with the deputy’s commands, the deputy fired one less-lethal bean bag round that struck Ellingwood Estrella in the leg, Paulich said.

She then got back into the stolen vehicle and started to dig through the center console of the vehicle, according to Paulich.

Paulich said Ellingwood Estrella eventually followed commands exiting the vehicle and was taken into custody.

Authorities transported Ellingwood Estrella to Sutter Lakeside Hospital where she received medical attention, Paulich said.

She was later booked at the Lake County Jail on charges of vehicle theft, evading, and possession of a stolen vehicle, according to Paulich.

Paulich said Ellingwood Estrella is also on felony probation out of Mendocino County for burglary.

Ellingwood Estrella, who was scheduled to be in court for arraignment on Tuesday, remains in custody with bail set at $35,000, according to jail records.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said a Clearlake man was arrested on Sunday night after he led a deputy who was trying to pull him over on a vehicle chase.

Ronald Raymond Antoni, 65, was arrested in the case, according to Lt. Corey Paulich.

At 9:20 p.m. Sunday, a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy was patrolling in the Clearlake area when he heard a radio broadcast related to a possible intoxicated driver in a green Honda Civic, Pauliich said.

Paulich said that as the deputy was traveling on Highway 53 near Olympic Drive, he observed the green Honda make a U-turn in the intersection of Olympic Drive and Highway 53.

The deputy passed the vehicle and pulled off the roadway. The driver of the green Honda, later identified as Antoni, pulled off the roadway in front of the deputy, Paulich said.

The deputy approached the vehicle on the passenger side and attempted to contact Antoni. As the deputy attempted to open the passenger door, Paulich said Antoni drove off south on Highway 53.

The deputy began to follow the Honda but did not activate his lights or siren as he was still attempting to determine if the driver was impaired. Paulich said Antoni continued to Polk Avenue, where he made an illegal U-turn and ended up going off the roadway.

Paulich said the deputy activated his lights and siren and attempted to stop the vehicle. Antoni did not stop and continued driving north on Highway 53.

Antoni passed several vehicles over double-yellow lines, reaching speeds of 80 miles per hour. Paulich said Antoni made another U-turn in the area of Ogulin Canyon Road and traveled south on Highway 53, continuing to cross the double-yellow lines into oncoming traffic.

Paulich said Antoni turned onto 18th Avenue, entering the Adventist Health Emergency Room parking lot. With the assistance of officers from the Clearlake Police Department and California Highway Patrol, Antoni was taken into custody.

Antoni told the deputy he did not stop because he was frightened and attempting to go to the hospital. Paulich said Antoni admitted to consuming a few alcoholic beverages and recently smoking methamphetamine.

Paulich said Antoni was booked into custody at the Lake County Jail on charges of evading, reckless driving, resisting and DUI. He remains in custody with bail set at $35,000.

The Clearlake Police Department also arrested Antoni for DUI on Friday, Paulich said.

The pursuit with Antoni was the second in two days that had involved a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy. On Saturday afternoon, Miranda Leeann Ellingwood Estrella, 37, of Nice, was arrested following a chase in the Kelseyville area, as Lake County News has reported.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Officials said Tuesday that a single case of novel coronavirus has been confirmed in Napa County, with the patient under isolation at Queen of the Valley Medical Center.

A second patient with symptoms is under investigation at the hospital, according to the report.

Neither of the patients is a resident of Napa County, officials said.

Officials could not clarify whether the newly confirmed case in Napa County is in addition to, or counted among, eight cases – including two from separate repatriation flights – confirmed statewide as of Feb. 12, according to the California Department of Public Health, or CDPH.

CDPH told Lake County News that approximately 150 persons in California have been tested for the virus.

The case reported in Napa County is so far the closest confirmed case to Lake County, where Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace – in his most recent report to the Board of Supervisors last week – said that the virus so far hasn’t been detected.

Napa County reported that the two patients arrived at the Queen of the Valley on Monday from Travis Air Force Base in Solano County. The patients were flown to Travis AFB from Japan, where they were under quarantine on the Diamond Princess cruise ship.

Among the cruise ship passengers flown to Travis AFB, seven were identified as needing testing or hospitalization. Officials said five of the seven patients were sent to local hospitals in Solano County.

Due to a limited number of isolation beds in Solano County, two patients were transferred to Queen of the Valley in Napa, officials said.

“There is minimal risk for Napa County residents from the arrival of these two patients at the Queen of the Valley,” said Napa County Public Health Officer Karen Relucio, MD. “They are in isolation, and are receiving medical care and undergoing testing.”

Amy Herold, M.D., chief medical officer at Queen of the Valley, said the hospital is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Napa County Public Health to care for the two patients.

“Out of caution, the patients are being monitored in special isolation rooms that have negative pressure to minimize the risk of exposure,” Herold said. “We are following established infection control protocols and working closely with our partners at CDC and Napa County Public Health to ensure the safety and well-being of our caregivers, patients and visitors.”

Herold added, “Our hospital is equipped to handle the virus. Our caregivers are well prepared; they have received training, have practiced for these scenarios and are wearing protective equipment to minimize their risk of exposure. No hospital operations are impacted.”

The confirmed case of novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, tested positive for the virus in Japan but has not experienced any symptoms associated with the virus so far, according to the Napa County report.

Officials said the patient under investigation for COVID-19 tested negative for the virus while in Japan but is experiencing symptoms. The patient is being tested at Queen of the Valley.

Both patients are under federal quarantine. The city and state of origin for both patients is not known at this time, officials said.

Symptoms of novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

Typically, human coronaviruses cause mild-to-moderate respiratory illness. Symptoms are very similar to the flu, including runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat, fever, and/or shortness of breath.

Older adults and people with underlying health conditions may be at increased risk for severe disease.

Anyone who has recently traveled from China, or has come in close contact with someone who traveled from China, and develops a fever and lower respiratory symptoms, such as a cough or shortness of breath within 14 days after leaving the area, should first call their health care provider and share travel history and symptoms before visiting the clinic or emergency room. Healthcare providers should call Napa County Public Health immediately.

Tips to protect yourself and others

No additional precautions are recommended at this time beyond the simple daily precautions that everyone should always take, such as:

– Washing hands with liquid soap and water, and rubbing for at least 20 seconds;

– Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing; and

– Staying home if you are sick.

Since flu activity will continue to remain high during this flu season, and symptoms of coronavirus are similar to the flu, health officials also recommend getting a flu shot to protect yourself and others from the flu.

For the latest updates, go to the CDC 2019 Novel Coronavirus website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Sutter Lakeside Hospital has welcomed its newest chief administrative officer.

Scott Knight, previously the assistant administrator of Sutter Tracy Community Hospital, has taken on the role, according to Sutter Health.

Knight’s appointment became effective on Feb. 3.

“Scott is committed to serving the community, as he demonstrated by serving on the boards of both the Tracy and Ripon Chambers of Commerce,” said Julie Petrini, president and CEO of hospitals, Sutter Health Bay Area. “I know Scott is eager to bring this passion for community to his new role at Sutter Lakeside.”

Knight succeeds Dan Peterson, Sutter Lakeside’s CAO since February 2017.

Peterson has been selected to serve as chief executive officer of Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital.

Knight earned his bachelor’s degree in business management from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree in Health Care Administration from the University of Washington, Sutter Health reported.

He has a broad health care background in finance, revenue cycle, planning, business development, marketing and community relations, operations and administration, according to the hospital’s report.

While at Sutter Tracy, Knight provided leadership for nonnursing operations and business development. During his tenure, Sutter Tracy received patient safety awards from various organizations, and in 2020 was awarded a CMS 5-star rating – the highest ranking possible – for overall performance on quality measures including readmission rates, safety of care and patient experience.

Over the past two decades, Knight has held a number of posts in health care organizations around the West Coast.

He’s previously worked for Tenet Healthcare in Manteca, Kaiser Permanente in the Central Valley area, Renown Health of Reno, PaceHealth of Vancouver, Washington, Highline Medical Center, University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle and Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Reno, according to his LinkedIn page.

Peterson introduced Knight to the Lakeport City Council earlier this month.

At the same time, Peterson reported that Sutter Lakeside has been awarded a four-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for the fourth year in a row.

Sutter Lakeside was among six hospitals to get the four-star rating.

“That’s the highest rating of any critical access hospital in the state,” Peterson said, adding he’s very proud of that rating and the community can be proud of it, too.

“I have been really proud to work at Sutter Lakeside,” said Peterson, adding he’s appreciated working with the city.

During his tenure, Peterson has served on the Lakeport Economic Development Advisory Committee and taken part in the Lake County Chapter of California Women for Agriculture’s 2017 AgVenture class.

Peterson told the council he was excited to introduce Knight, who has worked for Sutter Health for a number of years.

He said Sutter Lakeside will be in good hands with Knight.

Knight said he’s excited to be in Lakeport, and his family – including his wife and four children – are looking forward to being involved in the community.

“I’m grateful to be part of Sutter Health and be part of the hospital here,” as they take the hospital into the future, Knight said.

He added, “My wife says we’re getting a boat,” noting he’s never had one before.

City Manager Margaret Silveira welcomed Knight and said they will look forward to working with him.

She also thanked Peterson, who she said they will miss, for his work for the city.

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.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Area Town Hall had a changing of the guard on Thursday, with the addition of two new board members and the selection of this year’s board leadership.

MATH had been scheduled to hold an election at its January meeting but held off as the result of concerns over nominations, vetting of candidates, election protocol and public noticing.

As a result, the election was rescheduled for the Feb. 13 meeting,

The results of the secret ballot were announced at the end of the meeting by Chair Sally Peterson.

Elected to the two open seats were Lisa Kaplan and Rosemary Cordova, with 80 and 70 ballots, respectively, cast in their favor, Peterson said.

David Thurber received 33 ballots and Claude Brown 26 ballots. Peterson said they will be alternates.

The new board then elected its officers for this year.

Tom Darms was elected chair, with Peterson to serve as vice chair. Secretary Paul Baker said he was willing to continue in the role for another year.

MATH’s next meeting is at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 12, at the Middletown Senior and Community Center.

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