LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The two air medical providers who serve Lake County announced Thursday that they are joining forces.

REACH Air Medical Services LLC and California Shock Trauma Air Rescue, known more commonly as CALSTAR – two of the preeminent air medical ambulance providers in Northern and Central California for three decades – are entering into an agreement that will place CALSTAR within the same corporate holding company as REACH, the REACH Medical Holdings LLC.

“This is an opportunity for both CALSTAR and REACH to not be working against each other in Northern California but combine forces to serve the communities,” Anna Blair, REACH vice president of Business Relations & Development, told Lake County News in a Thursday interview.

REACH and CALSTAR are frequently called upon to transport patients to out-of-county hospitals either directly from local hospitals or from the scenes of incidents such as vehicle crashes, and have even helped with searches for missing people.

As part of the terms of the agreement, the air medical operation of CALSTAR will become a limited liability company and will operate under the current CALSTAR brand as CALSTAR Air Medical Services LLC, according to a joint announcement from both providers.

The new company will be one of the three firms under REACH Medical Holdings LLC, a holding corporation which is part of Air Medical Group Holdings Inc., one of the largest air medical firms in the United States. Cal-Ore Life Flight, which merged with REACH in 2011, also is a part of the holding company, officials said.

Blair said both CALSTAR and REACH will continue to operate under their separate, well-known names.

In addition, she said CALSTAR will continue to operate with its own unique brand and flight nurse staffing model, which she called the “dual nurse” configuration. REACH also can offer the dual nurse configuration as well as using paramedic-nurse partners on flights.

REACH and CALSTAR officials foresee no base closures, with the goal being to focus on integration, support and maintaining the services that have made both organizations successful. 

That means REACH's Lake County base, REACH 6 at Lampson Airport near Lakeport, will continue. Blair said the base has been in operation since 2004.

Initially, REACH served Lake County from its REACH 1 flagship base in Santa Rosa beginning in 1987, Blair said.

As for other impacts for Lake County, Blair said she anticipated an increase in the availability and efficiency of services because the two providers can now talk to each other.

There also is the matter of the change in coverage for people who hold memberships with the two providers.

“This is the best part,” said Blair, explaining that CALSTAR will now come under the AirMedCare Network structure, which means that the balance remaining after insurance pays for flights will be covered by CALSTAR just as it is by REACH.

“The goal is no out-of-pocket costs for the patient for the air transport portion,” Blair said.

Those benefits will apply across a network that covers 32 states and more than 251 aircraft locations that are part of AirMedCare Network, according to the Thursday announcement.

Blair said that it will take a few months before that update to the membership benefits is finalized. In the meantime, she encourages subscribers to keep their memberships with the providers current and, when the benefits are changed, subscribers will be notified.

“I'm so excited that we've finally been able to get here,” she said.

REACH – which includes Cal-Ore Life Flight – has more than 40 rotor and fixed-wing aircraft at more than 30 bases in California, Oregon, Nevada, Wyoming, Montana and Colorado; has bases affiliated with hospitals in Texas; and also assists customers in ground transport programs. Combined with Cal-Ore, the company has approximately 600 employees.

CALSTAR was founded in 1984 with headquarters in Hayward and today is based in McClellan. It has 225 employees, and 14 rotor and fixed-wing aircraft at nine bases of operation.

“At this time both entities are operating and functioning really well and our goal is to support that right now,” Blair said.

The providers said no other decisions have been made related to services.

While financial terms are not being disclosed at this time, REACH and CALSTAR did report that proceeds of the merger transaction will go to fund a new not-for-profit foundation to benefit the public.

The mission and activities of this new foundation are still to be determined and will be shared at a later date as they become available, officials said.

“Our companies have been competitors for 30 years, built upon similar foundations of high quality services, patient care and loyalty to our communities, to our patients and to our members who rely upon us for safe, reliable air medical transport,” said REACH President Sean Russell.

As part of Thursday's announcement, Lynn Malmstrom, CALSTAR's chief executive officer, said a team that includes staff from each company will be appointed to help guide the integration process.

“We want to ensure that the resources of both programs are reviewed and utilized in a manner that is reflective of the best practices from our 30-year commitments to community and patient care, to industry-leading employee training and to the safe operations of one of the most modern rotor and fixed-wing fleets in air medical care,” Malmstrom said.

Malmstrom and two others on his senior executive team – Tad Henderson, chief operating officer, and Mark Vincenzini, chief financial officer – will assist with the integration, but their respective roles will cease within the next 12 months as part of the agreement.

Both Russell and Malmstrom told employees Thursday that the goal is to maintain current operations and that no other decisions affecting base locations, staffing and fleet have been made.

For more information about REACH visit www.reachair.com ; visit CALSTAR online at www.calstar.org ; and follow the AirMedCare Network on Facebook.

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. – The Mendocino College Board of Trustees has approved an adjustment to the contract with Superintendent/President Arturo Reyes.

The action extends his current contract through June 30, 2020.

An amendment to the current contract will include a salary increase to bring Reyes' salary in line with the mean California Community College single district average of $228,000.

The new contract also includes an annual 5-percent salary increase beginning with the 2017-18 fiscal year.

“President Reyes has done a great job of providing the leadership Mendocino College needed during challenging fiscal times,” Trustee Dave Geck said. “His focus on supporting staff ensures success for all students, which has been key to making Mendocino College a shining star in the community college system. I look forward to his future guidance as we expand the programs and the territory served by our wonderful college.”

Reyes has been the superintendent/president at Mendocino College since January 2013 and was recently a finalist in the search for a new superintendent/president at Palomar College in Southern California.

Mendocino College officials said much has been accomplished in the last few years and they're looking ahead to an even brighter future.

Recent college accomplishments under Reyes’ leadership include full reaffirmation of accreditation; increased budget reserves to more than 18 percent; increased enrollments; the hiring of 34 staff, faculty and managers over the past year; and the establishment of strong partnerships with all regional high schools.

The college also has provided instruction to the coast community, attained Hispanic Serving Institution status, provided additional professional development funds for faculty and staff, and increased community presence at the college.

In addition, the transfer of territory and acquisition of the Educational Center in Fort Bragg from College of the Redwoods to Mendocino College is in the final stages with official transfer date set for July 1, 2017.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Clearlake Oaks man has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and the use of a firearm in the December 2014 shooting that resulted in the death of his wife, with sentencing in the case set for next month.

A jury handed down the decision late Wednesday afternoon in the trial of Marc Anthony Clark, 60, following about an hour and a half of deliberation, according to Senior Deputy District Attorney Susan Krones.
                   
Responding to the verdict, Mitchell Hauptman of Lakeport told Lake County News in a brief email, “Mr. Clark was gratified by the implicit confirmation that his conduct was accidental.”

Hauptman added that months prior to the trial, Clark had offered to plead to exactly what he was convicted of – “however that was rejected without any counteroffers.”

Clark went on trial beginning earlier this month in the shooting death of his wife, 58-year-old Linda Louise Clark.

Linda Clark was found dead in the couple's home in Spring Valley on the night of Dec. 20, 2014, after her husband called 911 to report the shooting, authorities reported.

He was taken into custody that same night and has remained in custody since, with bail set at $1.5 million.

Krones had sought a conviction for second-degree murder, but the jury found Clark not guilty of that charge, and also handed down not guilty verdicts on charges of domestic violence and assault with a firearm.

Prior to the shooting, Marc Clark had no criminal cases and no contacts with the Lake County Sheriff's Office. Krones confirmed he had a lack of a previous criminal record as well as support from the community and character witnesses who testified on his behalf.

Testimony in the trial began on June 2, and stretched over another six days, Krones said.

Krones had argued that the Clarks had argued twice that night, and that Marc Clark had shot his wife with a .38-caliber revolver while she sat in her recliner.

The pathologist who conducted Linda Clark's autopsy found that the barrel of the revolver had come into contact with her skin, with the bullet entering her neck below her left ear and exiting at her right temple, Krones said.

Krones said Clark also testified in his own defense, maintaining that the shooting was accidental.

On the stand Clark said he and his wife had been drinking that evening when they heard a thud on their back deck. He believed someone was there to rob them, according to his testimony.

Marc Clark had been concerned about the potential for a home invasion robbery. His neighbors were growing marijuana and he feared someone would come to his home by mistake to steal the plants, Krones said.

He testified that he retrieved his .38-caliber revolver, cocked it and then went to look out the back door, but didn't see anything. He then said he went over to his wife, who was sitting in her recliner, Krones said.

Krones believes the two were engaged in another argument, but Marc Clark testified that they weren't. He acknowledged he had been drinking, and said that because he was intoxicated he stumbled and fell forward, accidentally shooting his wife.

Because Marc Clark had extensive training and experience with firearms since he was a child – he is a hunter and he had a large firearm collection – Krones said she argued that he was guilty of murder based on “implied malice.”

She said that's the legal theory that holds that someone is guilty of murder if they kill another person while involved in an “inherently dangerous” activity.

“My argument was that by pointing the gun at her, having it loaded and cocked, it was inherently dangerous to human life, and therefore even if he stumbled at that point, it was still murder,” she said.

Krones said numerous character witnesses gave testimony for the defense. “They were both very involved in the community in Spring Valley,” she said of the Clarks.

Among those testifying were the couple's sons from the Bay Area, who said Marc Clark was a good father, and that their parents argued but not any more than an average couple.

Testifying for the prosecution regarding an alleged domestic violence incident about a year and a half before the shooting was Linda Clark's brother, Krones said.

Krones said he had been spending the night at the couple's house when he heard an argument. He came out of a room to see that Marc Clark had Linda Clark on the floor and had his arm pulled back like he was going to hit her.

The brother told Marc Clark to get off of his sister, and all three subsequently left the house that night, Krones said.

During his time on the stand, Marc Clark said his brother-in-law didn't see what he thought he saw, claiming his wife had tried to hit him, he tried to hold her arms, and that because he was drunk, he stumbled and fell, so they were both on the floor, according to Krones.

Krones said there also was testimony about Marc Clark's drinking, which character witnesses acknowledging that he drank socially. He also acknowledged that the drank, and Krones said the couple's home had a lot of alcohol in it – open bottles of wine, and full cases of wine and beer – at the time of the shooting.

She said Marc Clark's blood alcohol level three hours after the shooting was 0.11, which she said meant it would have been much higher at the time of the shooting. She said Linda Clark's blood alcohol level was found to be 0.26.

“It's fair to say that both of them were heavy drinkers,” she said, adding that guns and alcohol are a bad mix.

Closing arguments took place on Wednesday, followed by jury instructions, Krones said.

Krones said the jury got the case shortly before 3 p.m. Wednesday and by 4:30 p.m. had returned with the verdict.

Clark is due to be sentenced by Judge Andrew Blum on July 11, Krones said.

She said Clark is facing between five and 14 years in state prison.

That potential sentence includes two, three or four years for the involuntary manslaughter conviction, plus three, four or 10 years for the use of a firearm, she explained.

Hauptman said that, in the overall sentencing scheme, Clark is eligible for probation if unusual circumstances are present, “however, I am not going to try and second guess what the sentencing outcome will be.”

The Lake County Probation Department will complete a sentencing recommendation report ahead of the sentencing, which Judge Blum can then use as the basis for his decision on the term, Krones said.

“It will be up the judge to decide what the sentence should be,” she added.

Krones said Clark will receive credit for the year and a half he's already served in jail.

However, due to the conviction for the use of a firearm being a strike offense, Krones said Clark will have to serve his sentence in state prison, not the county jail.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional information from the defense regarding the possibility of probation and attempts to resolve the case before trial.

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.

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) on Thursday introduced legislation (H.R. 5504) to require that the Federal Bureau of Investigation be notified when individuals formerly under a terrorism investigation purchase firearms or explosives.

“We need to make sure that those responsible for our country’s security have all the information they need to help keep Americans safe,” said Thompson. “By alerting the FBI when individuals formerly under a terrorism investigation purchase guns or explosives, the FBI can determine if there is new cause for concern, and hopefully, intervene before tragedy strikes.”

“Congress must take immediate action to better protect the American people from gun violence and terrorism, and that starts with preventing radicalized, hate-filled individuals from having access to dangerous weapons,” said Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-FL). “It’s unacceptable that suspected terrorists can walk into a gun shop and buy a gun. We need to put the partisanship aside and pass this common-sense bill. The families and communities suffering in the wake of this horrific violence against the LGBT community deserve nothing less.”

“In the wake of the horrific terrorist attack against the LGBT community in Orlando, Floridians from across our state are demanding change. There is no one answer to solve the problem of gun violence in America – but that doesn’t mean Congress shouldn’t try to make our streets safer, to save lives, to prevent another tragedy like the Pulse shooting,” said Rep. Gwen Graham (D-FL). “This is commonsense legislation that will help prevent suspected terrorists from attacking Americans, without infringing on the rights of law abiding citizens. I applaud Senator Nelson and Representative Thompson for their leadership on this issue, and I’m proud to join them in this effort.”

“Congress’s continuing silence in the face of modern terror threats is completely unacceptable,” said Rep. Elizabeth Esty (D-CT). “Passing H.R. 5504 is a commonsense step forward we should immediately take to help our law enforcement agencies identify and thwart potential terrorists before they can carry out their plans.”

“The presence of an assault weapon enables a gunman to kill many people, in a short amount of time, easily. One cannot kill 49 people, and injure 53 others with a box cutter or a rock,” said Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL).

Currently, not only can individuals on the FBI’s Terrorists Watchlist pass a background check and legally purchase guns, but the FBI is not notified when individuals formerly under investigation for ties to terrorism purchase firearms or explosives.

Rep. Thompson has sponsored bipartisan legislation (H.R. 1076) to prohibit those on the FBI’s Terrorists Watchlist from purchasing firearms and has introduced H.R. 5504 to ensure that after a terrorism investigation is closed, the FBI is alerted should that individual purchase firearms or explosives.

Specifically, H.R. 5504 requires that any individual who is, or who has been, under a terrorism investigation be entered into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).

NICS is the national database used to determine whether a prospective buyer is eligible to purchase a firearm.

The bill would further require that the NICS system automatically notify the FBI should a background check be conducted for such an individual.

Omar Mateen, the gunman responsible for the mass shooting in Orlando, had been removed from the FBI’s Terrorists Watchlist before he legally purchased the two firearms he used in the attack.

H.R. 5504 is the House companion to identical legislation introduced in the Senate by Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL). H.R. 5504 has four original cosponsors, including Reps. Patrick Murphy (D-FL), Gwen Graham (D-FL), Elizabeth Esty (D-CT) and Alan Grayson (D-FL).

H.R. 5504 been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary for further consideration.

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

Return on investment in county public health departments in California exceeds return on investment in many other areas of medical care, according to a new study by a University of California, Berkeley economist.

In the study, highlighted by the American Journal of Public Health and published online on June 16 ahead of print publication, Timothy Brown, a health economist with UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health, estimated from his analysis of data for the years 2001 through 2009 that each dollar that counties spent on public health programs in California returned $67 to $88 dollars of value in terms of improved health outcomes.

“The very large estimated return on investment for California county departments of public health, relative to the return on investment for selected aspects of medical care, suggests that public health is a wise investment,” Brown concluded. The study is the first to place a value on the overall health outcomes from such programs and to compare them to costs, Brown said.

Unlike medical care, which primarily focuses on treating disease, county public health departments focus on the prevention of disease. Brown also concluded that the return from Medicare’s national investment in four major health conditions was far less than the return from county public health spending. For heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, stroke and breast cancer, Brown’s review of the research literature revealed that returns on Medicare expenses ranged from $1.10 to $4.80 per dollar spent.

Many innovations in medical care also have had a lesser impact than county public health expenditures, according to Brown. In a review of reported outcomes for innovations in medical practice, Brown found that researchers reported returns ranging from $1.12 for bone marrow transplant for women with metastatic breast cancer, to $38 for heart attack survivors taking beta-blockers.

“Information only recently became available that made it possible to calculate the average return on investment for public health programs in California,” Brown said.

The new study is part of a larger project Brown has been leading to develop a health economics framework for determining return on investment in public health.

Public health departments regulate food service establishments, provide disease screening and treatment for communicable disease, offer prenatal care, regulate various aspects of the water supply, provide immunizations, and provide other services that can immediately improve population health, as well as improve population health over the longer term. Health departments also engage in activities that attempt to influence county populations to adopt healthier habits, which primarily affect population health over the longer term.

To understand the potential long-term health impacts of investment in public health, Brown and colleagues published two earlier studies that provided key information used in the return-on-investment calculations in this study. One study found that, on average, a single year of county public health spending continued to improve general health status in the population for over four years, ultimately improving the general health status of over 216,000 people.

A second study found that beyond its effects on general health status, the same single year of public health spending also saved the lives of over 29,000 people who otherwise would have died, with this effect playing out over a ten-year period.

To determine the monetary value of these changes in general health status, Brown used information from another study published as part of this project, in which the “subjective well-being valuation method” was used to determine the monetary value of improved general health status.

This method has previously been applied broadly to value things not normally bought and sold in a market, such as climate, air and noise pollution, risks for natural disaster, and proximity to waste facilities, coastlines, and transportation. It has also been applied to medical conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, migraine headaches, various chronic illnesses, mental health and chronic pain.

Conceptually, the method is not unlike the way a victim in an accident may be compensated for pain and suffering, Brown said.

“A decrease in general health status that reduces happiness is statistically valued by the amount of family income it would take to completely reverse this reduction in happiness, so that happiness is the same as it was before the decrease in general health status occurred,” Brown stated in the study, which concluded that a year spent in good or excellent health instead of poor or fair health could be valued at $41,654

To estimate the value of avoided deaths, Brown used standard valuations of $8.9 to $9.6 million per life saved, taken from estimates used by the federal government.

Brown cautions that this study does not address the question of how to optimize public health expenditures among various programs, but notes that other researchers have begun investigating the costs of foundational public health services at a county-wide level.

From Brown’s perspective, “Investments in research must go hand-in-hand with investment in public health activities to obtain the long-term improvements in population health that we all work toward.”

The study was funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Robert Sanders writes for the UC Berkeley News Center.