CLEARLAKE, Calif. — The city of Clearlake will host an open house later this month on the plans to turn the former Pearce Field airport into a commercial hub.
The open house will take place from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 13050 Olympic Drive.
Community members also will be able to comment remotely by emailing input to Senior Planner Mark Roberts at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. prior to the commencement of the open house. Be sure to identify the subject you wish to comment on in the subject line.
Join the city to re-envision the old airport site as clearlake’s community hub, commercial and medical center.
The open house will include a chance to view early programming concepts for the site.
Community members are invited to share their valuable insights and feedback on the proposed Development and to engage in discussions about the project's potential impact on the site and community.
City staff and representatives from the design team will be available to answer your questions and provide insights into the project's environmental review process.
Learn about the steps involved and gain a deeper understanding of how your input can shape the future of this development.
Light refreshments will be provided.
For more information, contact Mark Roberts at 707-994-8201.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Authorities have identified the Clearlake woman killed after being struck by a car while walking along Highway 20 on Sunday night.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office identified the woman as 58-year-old Marla Simone Shaffer.
At 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Shaffer was walking south, across Highway 20, toward the Pomo Pumps gas station near Robinson Rancheria in Nice.
The California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office reported that she is believed to have walked into the westbound lane of the highway and into the path of a vehicle, where she was hit and mortally injured.
CHP Sgt. Joel Skeen told Lake County News that it appeared that Shaffer was walking from Robinson Casino and was going over to Pomo Pumps, as she has done in the past
“I can’t say if she misjudged traffic on the roadway or if she perhaps thought the vehicle that struck her was stopping or even turning,” Skeen said.
He added, “It was dark and very stormy, which was not ideal for anyone’s safety on the roadway.”
The CHP said that, so far, they do not know if drugs or alcohol were contributing factors in the fatal crash.
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.
On Monday, Lake County’s representative in the California Senate, Mike McGuire, D-North Coast, was sworn in as president pro tempore.
The ceremony included his family, members of the California State Senate and Assembly, Gov. Gavin Newsom and elected officials, past legislative leaders, and members of the North Coast communities he represents.
McGuire began by thanking the first responders who are helping Californians up and down the state facing the worst storm of the year.
“The storm is top of mind for all of us. Hundreds of thousands of Californians woke up without power this morning knocked out due to hurricane force winds, Southern California waterways are over their banks, dangerous mudslide conditions have taken hold and 100 year rainfall records are being broken,” McGuire said.
“While this is a day to celebrate California, we hold those communities who are impacted by the ferocious storm close in our hearts this afternoon,” he said. “And If I know one thing to be true — we are never better than we are right now… Helping our neighbors in need. This is the California way.”
McGuire is a third-generation Northern Californian whose family farmed prunes and grapes in the Alexander Valley of Sonoma County for nearly half a century.
He served on his local school board, city council, and board of supervisors before joining the Senate. He lives in Sonoma County with his wife Erika, an elementary school principal, their son Connor, and their lazy pug, Gertrude.
“I was a kid from a broken home in rural California, raised by a divorced/working mom who gave everything she had to put food on the table and a roof over our head,” he said. “I didn’t come from a family with money or a name – but I took my grandma’s lessons that still stick with me today. Work hard, work together, and never take no for an answer.”
He added, “Never in a million years did I dream that a kid like me could be in this position — a position that all of us are in here in the Legislature — and have the ability to help millions across this great state achieve their own California dream.”
Since joining the Senate in 2014, Pro Tem McGuire has been a champion for improving wildfire prevention and response, enhancing the state’s infrastructure, facilitating and expanding climate goals, widening health care access, improving schools, creating more affordable housing, tackling homelessness, addressing the fentanyl crisis, and protecting businesses and communities.
Most recently, he has been a key member of Senate leadership, serving as majority leader since 2022.
“My core belief is this: The highest calling in life is to help others. To fight for those who can’t fight for themselves. And to work together — no matter your party affiliation — because working together is the only way to make progress stick,” he said. “California has always been the light of hope for America — the beacon of progress — and along with the Assembly and governor, we will continue to fight for all of us, always together, always forward.”
Last year, Senator McGuire authored legislation that ensures that aviation fuel used by firefighting aircraft can be transported beyond standard hours during a declared state of emergency; reforms cannabis licensing fees; requires sexual harassment disclosures to stop abuse at California’s public colleges; and expedites offshore wind development to meet California’s long-term electricity demand and climate goals.
He also wrote policy to protect wildfire survivors from having to pay state income taxes on settlement awards from Pacific Gas and Electric, which was included as part of the 2023-24 state budget, and secured millions of dollars in state funding for the communities of the North Coast.
“We will meet the challenges ahead with grace, courage, and determination. We will never stop fighting to make the promise of the Golden State possible for every Californian,” McGuire said.
He thanked Pro Tem Emeritus Toni Atkins for her support and the example she set. “You are one of the most effective and thoughtful leaders of our time — a California trailblazer, a role model for millions, and a dear friend.”
McGuire represents the North Coast of California, which stretches from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Oregon border, including Del Norte, Trinity, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma and Marin counties.
On Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom thanked first responders for their efforts over the past few weeks to help keep Californians safe during record-breaking winter storms.
Starting in late January, Gov. Newsom directed an all-of-government response to storms that have impacted nearly all residents.
The response included over 8,500 boots on the ground to support communities with roadways, flood operations, rescue teams, sheltering, and more.
State swift water rescue teams, composed of both California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and Cal Fire assets, made a combined 47 rescues and assisted six locally-led rescue operations. These state operations complemented the work of local governments conducting their own rescues.
The storm brought more than a foot of rain to certain parts of Southern California, hurricane-force wind gusts in Northern California, broke daily rainfall records, and resulted in the second highest amount of rainfall ever recorded in a 72-hour period in downtown Los Angeles.
Since late January, these combined storms have killed at least 12 people.
“Just in the last few weeks, California has lost 12 lives to successive storms. Our thoughts are with their families and friends, as well as with communities across the state as they begin efforts to clean up damage and recover.
During these storms, we mobilized an all-of-government response, including our swift water rescue teams that have made 47 rescues. We’re grateful to our thousands of first responders who have saved countless lives and kept our state going in the face of record-breaking rainfall and snow.”
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Cobb Community Center with support from Mountain Lions Club volunteers is now open as a warming center due to the ongoing power outage and winter storm damages.
The center — also known as the Little Red Schoolhouse — is located at 15780 Bottle Rock Road.
Volunteers will staff this center from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily until further notice.
The public is welcome to come in, charge devices, warm up and access other services.
Lake County Behavioral Health Mobile Unit will be onsite from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7. The unit will offer emotional support and varied cold weather items. Questions can be directed to Carrie Manning at 707-274-9101.
On Wednesday, Feb. 7, showers will be available between 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., provided by Adventist Health’s mobile shower unit. The hours were extended from the original end time in order to ensure children have an opportunity to access showers after school hours.
As of Tuesday night, hundreds of homes remained out of power in the Cobb area in the wake of the atmospheric river storms that culminated on Sunday.
On Monday, Sheriff Rob Howe declared a local emergency due to impacts from the winter storms, including excessive rainfall, high winds, and snow, resulting in downed trees and power lines, flooding, and other serious damage across the county.
Officials said the work to clear roads and restore power continues.
Lake County residents are urged to refrain from unnecessary travel, to treat all downed lines as live and report emergencies and check in on neighbors or family, especially those without power or who may not have access to the internet and/or phone.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A Clearlake woman died Sunday night after she was struck by a vehicle while walking along Highway 20.
The California Highway Patrol’s Clear Lake Area office did not release the name of the woman pending the notification of next of kin.
The agency said the female pedestrian died at the scene of the crash on Highway 20 near Robinson Rancheria in Nice.
The fatal crash occurred at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, during a day of heavy rains and wind brought about by an atmospheric river storm. At the time of the crash, the CHP said conditions were rainy, dark and cool.
The CHP said Sarah Ann Whitman, 43, of Nice was driving a 2016 Toyota Corolla westbound on Highway 20, just east of Pomo Way, at approximately 40 miles per hour.
At the same time, the CHP said the pedestrian was walking south, across Highway 20, toward the Pomo Pumps gas station.
For reasons that the CHP said are yet to be determined, the pedestrian is believed to have walked into the westbound lane of the highway and into the path of Whitman’s vehicle, where she was hit.
The CHP said the woman hit by the car was taken to Sutter Lakeside Hospital, where she was declared deceased.
Neither Sarah Whitman nor her passenger, 19-year-old Emily Ann Whitman of Nice, suffered injuries, the CHP report said.
“It is unknown at this time if drugs or alcohol were a contributing factor in the cause of this crash,” the CHP said in its Monday report.
CHP Officer Jared Wade is leading the investigation into the crash.
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.
Jason Walker, Adler University and Deborah Circo, University of Nebraska Omaha
The phenomenon of bullying, harassment and sexual abuse in workplaces throughout North America is widespread and harmful to both individuals and organizations. In fact, bullying at work affects up to 30% of workersover time.
Bullying behaviors range from verbally insulting or socially excluding someone to sabotaging the victim’s work, inflicting psychological terror and engaging in sexual abuse or physical aggression. Manipulation and provocation also play a role in bullying dynamics, and cyberbullying has emerged as a new form of workplace harassment. Research suggests the impacts of workplace bullying affect employee health and safetyand the workplace overall.
In a grocery store line, if someone invades your space, shoves you aside or threatens physical harm, the police may intervene, potentially resulting in an arrest. However, in the workplace, incidents involving bullying, assault, sexual abuse or other forms of violence are typically addressed through internal investigations. Our research suggests that treating workplace bullying as a matter of public health rather than employment law is necessary to protect those being targeted.
Bullying can affect physical health, with symptoms including sleep disturbances, cardiovascular diseases, body aches and pain, loss of appetite and headaches. Targets often describe an inability to concentrate; since they’re spending time worrying about what is going to happen to them next, job performance suffers. The negative impacts can spill over to a target’s personal life and affect their relationships with family and friends.
It’s not unusual for targeted workers to feel uncomfortable coming forward and talking about their experiences. But suffering in silence can lead to an even more toxic climate at work that can undermine your victims’ sense of security, with long-term consequences for their well-being.
Personality traits of bullies and their targets
Workplace bullies often target those who possess qualities highly valued by employers: self-sufficiency, cautiousness and innovativeness. Those targeted typically are motivated, have a kind perspective and prefer to avoid getting involved in office politics or engaging in competitive behavior. They take charge of their work and responsibilities.
Bullying often involves an imbalance of power, where the perpetrator acts to obtain power and control over the target.
Researchers find that bullies tend to have low self-esteem, problems with anger management and even personality disorders. Bullies often target people based on their appearance, behavior, race, religion, educational background, LGBTQ+ identity or because of perceived threats to their own career.
There’s no hard-and-fast profile, but males tend to exhibit more of the traits associated with bullying. Those who possess tendencies toward what psychologists call dark triad traits – Machiavellianism, subclinical psychopathy and subclinical narcissism – often gravitate toward jobs that offer high levels of freedom and hierarchical structures.
Are you being bullied?
Have you noticed a decline in your emotional or physical health? Is your job performance being affected? Feeling constantly stressed, anxious or demoralized are signs that something isn’t right.
Think about whether you feel singled out. Do you sense that you’re being isolated because of how others treat you?
If you do conclude you’re being bullied, your first priority is keeping yourself safe. Defending yourself against workplace bullying takes courage, but there are steps you can take to diffuse, distance and document what is happening to you.
In the moment when bullying is occurring, focus on trying to keep your emotions in check and avoid being reactive. For example, try to gain some psychological distance in an emotionally charged situation – politely walk away, don’t engage, give yourself time to settle your emotions. Taking space by stepping away can disrupt the immediate intensity of the situation. It helps you stay in control rather than allowing a bully to force you to respond impulsively in the moment, which can lead you to say or do something you’ll regret.
Try your best to de-escalate the situation. Some tips for how to stop an interaction from spiraling include:
Using polite, firm language to ask the bully to stop the conversation.
Asking the bully to leave.
Removing yourself from the situation if the bully won’t go.
Informing your supervisor immediately.
If you feel threatened, calmly and politely stop the interaction by removing yourself in a nonthreatening way. As challenging as it can be, the key here is to stay composed and remain respectful.
How to respond to an ongoing situation
It may be helpful to engage in some advanced planning with a friend or colleague. Rehearse a bullying situation and practice how you would respond to help you get comfortable using emotional distancing and de-escalation. Advance practice can help you handle an emotionally charged encounter.
Seek the support and safety of your peers. They can talk things through with you and become your allies if they are asked to describe or even testify about a bullying incident they witnessed.
Strive for an attitude of strength and confidence in yourself. Workplace bullies often choose to attack people they peg as easy targets. Present a strong front, trust in yourself and have confidence in your work – these attributes may make you less likely to be targeted.
Document your experiences when you perceive there is a problem. Be objective: Note the time and date, what happened, who was present, what was said and how it made you feel. Keeping a record helps quantify what is happening. Your organization should have policies and procedures to support you if you believe you are being bullied at work.
A caveat, though: Keep in mind, human resources departments are often ill-equipped to manage these issues, and complaints may be mishandled, improperly dismissed or simply ignored. Sometimes, if you’re able, it is better to look for a new job.
In order to effectively tackle the problem of workplace bullying and harassment, it is important for both employees and organizations to acknowledge and actively address these concerns. By establishing policies against bullying and fostering open lines of communication, workplaces can create safer spaces that enhance the well-being and productivity of their employees.
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. — The Middletown Area Town Hall, or MATH, will meet this week to discover community projects and new officers.
MATH will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, in the Middletown Community Meeting Room/Library at 21256 Washington St., Middletown. The meeting is open to the public.
To join the meeting via Zoom click on this link; the meeting ID is 869-1824-5695, pass code is 808449. Call in at 669-900-6833.
Items on the agenda will include projects before the planning department and Planning Commission, formation of a committee for the purpose of reviewing projects, the Caltrans Corridor Plan, the supervisor’s discretionary fund, care for stray animals and a spay/neuter program, the multi-use trail, and a discussion on traffic safety including flashing crosswalks and stop signs.
The MATH Board will present the year’s MATH officers and the group also will discuss MATH bylaws amendments.
MATH’s next meeting will take place on March 14.
MATH — established by resolution of the Lake County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 12, 2006 — is a municipal advisory council serving the residents of Anderson Springs, Cobb, Coyote Valley (including Hidden Valley Lake), Long Valley and Middletown.
For more information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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 Lake County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services said first responders are continuing their efforts to respond to the impacts of the storms that culminated in Sunday’s heavy rain and winds.
On Monday, Sheriff Rob Howe declared a local emergency due to impacts from the winter storms, including excessive rainfall, high winds and snow, resulting in downed trees and power lines, flooding, and other serious damage across Lake County.
OES said fire, Public Works and utility crews are hard at work clearing roads, assessing and prioritizing repairs and restoring or maintaining utilities.
Lake County residents are urged to refrain from unnecessary travel. Treat all downed lines as live and report emergencies. Check in on neighbors or family, especially those without power or who may not have access to the internet and/or phone.
Sheriff’s OES continues to monitor the weather and coordinate with responders across the county. Your help with the steps above will help everyone stay safe and fire, Public Works and utility crews can prioritize restoration or clearing incidents.
Damaged residential and commercial primary structures
Lake County residents and business owners who have sustained damage to their primary structures are encouraged to participate in a damage assessment.
This damage assessment is needed to identify potential pathways for assistance from the state of California and/or federal government.
If your home or business sustained moderate to major damage, please report damages by visiting https://lakesheriff.com/1448/Response or call the Community Development Department at 707-263-2221 during regular business hours.
This is not an application for assistance, and it is possible that no assistance will become available. The information gathered may also be used for various post-incident reports and future emergency planning.
Staying prepared and safe travel
Lake County OES pinned a post with important links to help you stay informed on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/lakecountyoes.
Additional winter weather systems may impact Lake County before winter turns to spring, residents are encouraged to stay prepared.
Steps may include:
• Maintain at least a half tank of gas at all times; • Maintain drinking water, non-perishable food items and medications on hand; • Keep phones and other electronic devices charged; • Keep cash on hand, as electronic payment systems may go down; and, • Ensure drainage systems on your property are free of debris.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Board of Supervisors has hired a new Health Services director.
At Tuesday’s board meeting, Anthony Arton was formally appointed to the job.
In a Tuesday statement, the County Administrative Office said Arton is “a seasoned leader, with more than two decades of experience in development and oversight of public health, emergency management and community engagement programs.”
In the county’s statement, Arton is quoted as saying he is looking forward to working closely with the Health Services team, community partners and Public Health Officer Noemi Dr. Doohan, “to promote the best possible health outcomes in Lake County.”
He added, “Dr. Doohan has done outstanding work to establish strategic relationships locally and at the state level in recent months, and I am confident we will build on those successes. Effective health programs must serve all residents, and maintaining a connection with our richly diverse communities is essential to that work. I am truly excited to be here, and for the opportunity to serve Lake County.”
Arton most recently served as public health director for Coos County, Oregon, since October 2020.
Before serving in Oregon, Arton was public health director and emergency planner for Missouri’s Johnson County.
Earlier jobs included working with students in the Dallas/Fort Worth area in Texas, at the University of Central Missouri and at Polk State College. He also was a legislative intern at the Missouri State Capitol, according to his LinkedIn page.
The county said his diverse professional background also includes training in firefighting, management of Hazardous Materials and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, compliance.
Arton has effectively planned and implemented strategic programs and capital improvement projects, and written emergency preparedness plans, while successfully managing funds from a variety of state and federal sources, the county reported.
"With a professional and educational background involving emergency services and healthcare, Director Arton is best prepared to forge strong relationships needed to excel as Health Services Director in Lake County," said Board of Supervisors Chair Bruno Sabatier. “Lake County's health metrics avail us of many opportunities, and Director Arton brings Public Health experience to enable change in our health outcomes. We look forward to supporting his efforts."
Arton holds master and bachelor’s degrees from the University of Central Missouri, and graduated near the top of his class as the prestigious Walter Hicklin Government and Public Service Scholar. Furthering his education on a continual basis is a priority for Arton.
He succeeds Jonathan Portney, who the board terminated in September following a tumultuous tenure marked by no confidence letters, a staff exodus and disagreements with other department heads, including then-Sheriff Brian Martin.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Officials are urging boaters to exercise extra caution when operating motorboats throughout Clear Lake during the months of February and March due to floating and submerged debris hazards resulting from atmospheric river storm events that occurred Jan. 31 through the first week in February.
Floating and submerged debris such as trees, branches, full or partial floating docks, trash and other objects can cause significant damage if hit or come in contact with boats operating at normal to significant speed.
Lake County Water Resources Department advises boaters to maintain a safe speed and keep a clear line of vision ahead of their vessel, especially during times of fog or mist.
The Water Resources Department, in coordination with Lake County Marine Patrol, Department of Public Services and the cities of Lakeport and Clearlake, are combining efforts to remove and dispose of debris and hazards.
However, officials said this will be a long, ongoing process and boaters should remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings and maintain a safe, slower speed when boating in Clear Lake.
For questions regarding this topic, or to report in-lake hazards such as debris, floating docks, or missing or found hazard buoys, please contact the Water Resources Department at 707-263-2344 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Registrar of Voters reported that ballots for the March 5 Presidential Primary Election are on their way to voters.
Registrar Maria Valadez’s office said that for the primary, all registered voters will be mailed a vote-by-mail ballot.
Mailing of vote-by-mail ballots began Monday, Feb. 5. Supplemental mailings will follow for newly registered or re-registered voters.
Make sure your voter registration information is up to date.
To ensure there are no delays in receiving your ballot in the mail, verify that the Registrar of Voters Office has your most up-to-date voter information. Visit https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/ or call 707-263-2372 to verify both your residential and mailing address.
Is everything correct? If not, you can update your registration by re-registering to vote at https://registertovote.ca.gov/ or by calling 707-263-2372 and requesting a voter registration form be mailed to you.
Return your vote-by-mail ballot
The elections office encourages people to vote safely at home, and return your vote-by-mail ballot in one of the following ways:
• Mail your ballot on or before Election Day — no postage required.
• At any official ballot drop box location. Visit the following website at https://caearlyvoting.sos.ca.gov/ or call 707-263-2372 for locations.
• Lake County Registrar of Voters Office or at any polling place location within the state of California.
Track your vote-by-mail ballot
Receive your personalized text message, emails or voice mails letting you know when your ballot is mailed, received, and counted by the Registrar of Voters by subscribing to https://wheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov.
In-person voting
There will be 20 polling place locations on Election Day. Polling place locations will be staffed for voters to drop off voted ballots or to be issued a replacement ballot from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
To vote in-person at your assigned polling place site on Election Day (please call the Registrar of Voters Office for instructions). You will be required to vote a provisional ballot if you are unable to surrender your vote-by-mail ballot.
For additional information phone 707-263-2372 or toll-free at 888-235-6730.