KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – A Middletown man died Wednesday as the result of a head-on vehicle crash that authorities said occurred after his car crossed into the path of a pickup.

Andrew Kramen, 30, died of his injuries following the wreck, which occurred at approximately 2:33 p.m. Wednesday in the Clear Lake Riviera, according to the California Highway Patrol's Clear Lake Area office.

The CHP said Kramen was driving his 1996 Volvo 850 northbound on Highway 281/Soda Bay Road south of Point Lakeview Drive while Alvin D. Reed Jr., 45, of Clearlake was driving a 2006 Ford F-350 Performance Mechanical pickup truck southbound.

For reasons that investigators are still working to determine, Kramen allowed his vehicle to veer across the northbound lane and enter the southbound lane, into Reed's path, with the car and the truck colliding head-on, the CHP said.

The two vehicles came to rest in the southbound lane, blocking traffic, the CHP said.

Riding with Andrew Kramen was his 7-year-old son, Lucas Kramen, according to the CHP.

The CHP said Lucas Kramen was seated in the vehicle's right front seat and was wearing a lap and safety belt.

The child sustained major injuries – including lacerations and a possible broken wrist – and was transported by REACH air ambulance to UC Davis Medical Center, the CHP said.

Andrew Kramen, who the CHP said appeared to have not been wearing his seat belt at the time of the collision, died of his injuries not long after the wreck occurred.

Reed, who was wearing his seat belt, was transported to St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake with major injuries, including facial lacerations and a possible broken nose, according to the CHP’s report.

“It's been a rough day,” said Phil Harris, owner of Performance Mechanical, a company based in Clearlake that offers sales and service of heating and cooling systems.

Harris said Reed, one of his technicians, was heading to a job site in Buckingham to pick up some paperwork when the crash occurred.

“He had almost no time to react,” said Harris, explaining that by the time Reed realized that Kramen's Volvo was colliding with the pickup, the air bags had deployed.

A bleeding Reed jumped out of his work truck, extinguished the fire in the Volvo's vehicle compartment and then helped get the child out of the car, Harris said.

Harris said Reed was home by Wednesday evening. He was OK, but Harris added, “He's beat up.”

CHP Officer Kory Reynolds said no drugs or alcohol were involved in the crash.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, led by Officer John Geer, the CHP said.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with information about the relationship between the Kramens and statement from Officer Reynolds that no alcohol or drugs were involved.

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. – It's a kitty cat takeover at Clearlake Animal Control this week.

The shelter has a growing offering of cats and kittens, plus several dogs.

This week's featured dogs include mixes of Chihuahua and American Staffordshire Terrier. The available cats come in a variety of ages, sizes and coat types.

To meet the animals, contact Marcia Taylor, the animal control outreach technician, at 707-994-8201, Extension 103, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, or contact Animal Control Officer Jenna Tuller at Extension 115 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. those same days or leave a message on Fridays or weekends.

Also follow Clearlake Animal Control on Facebook for the latest updates.

Below are this week's available pets.

Litters of kittens

These litters of kittens feature all different colors, with both males and females to choose from. Shelter staff said they are very tame and lovable, plus playful and entertaining.

They are feline leukemia negative.

'Flannel'

“Flannel” is a young male domestic short hair mix with a gray coat.

Shelter staff anticipate that he would make an excellent mouser.

'Kikie'

“Kikie” is a female domestic short hair mix with a gray coat.

Shelter staff said Kikie was rescued from a very bad situation.

Despite that, she loves everyone, and would make a great addition to any family, staff said.

She also is house trained.

'Little Man'

“Little Man” is a male domestic short hair mix with a tabby coat.

“Little Man has a truly sad story. He deserves to know what it's like to have a real home with food and water available at all times,” according to shelter staff.

He is house trained and ready for a new family.

'Monkey'

“Monkey” is a domestic short hair mix kitten with a gray tabby and white coat.

“Monkey truly lives up to his name while 'hanging' out in his crate. He is starving for attention but doesn't cry about it,” shelter staff said.

He's also reported to be very fun and entertaining. He wants to play with all the big dogs at the shelter and gets covered in dog drool.

He's good with anyone and all other animals, staff said.

'Nala'

“Nala” is a young American Staffordshire Terrier mix with a short white coat and brown markings.

Shelter staff describe Nala as a sweet little girl who needs someone to love her.

She already is spayed and microchipped, and ready to join her new family.

'Nina'

“Nina” is a little female Chihuahua mix with a short black and white coat.

She is spayed, microchipped, house trained and up-to-date on her shots.

Shelter staff said she is shy and not child-friendly.

'Nutmeg'

“Nutmeg” is a 5-month-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix with a brown brindle coat and white markings.

She is reported to get along with other dogs and with cats.

“She is a sweet baby looking for her forever home,” said shelter staff.

'Toca'

“Toca” is a neutered male senior looking for his forever lap.

Toca is a Chihuahua mix with a tan and white coat.

He is good with other dogs, cats and loves everybody. He's neutered and house trained.

The staff said there isn't a mean bone in his body.

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. – Hundreds of community members came out to the city of Lakeport's annual “National Night Out” event on Tuesday, which was a chance for police and city officials to connect in a fun and informal atmosphere with area residents.

Several blocks of N. Main Street north of 16th Street, in one of the city's most picturesque neighborhoods, were closed to traffic in order to host the block party.

Joining the city of Lakeport staff and Lakeport Police were the Lakeport Fire Department, California Highway Patrol, local ham radio operators and the Boy Scouts, with the Lakeport Kiwanis Club barbecuing hot dogs – the supplies of which ran out twice – and handing out sno-cones, popcorn and water.

McGruff the Crime Dog and Chipper from the CHP mingled with visitors of all ages, while children lined up for face painting as well as balloon sculptures from Fill-Up the Clown, and played games at various booths.

There was a bike rodeo and decorating contest for children, and raffles for children and adults. Two youngsters won brand new bikes and helmets donated by Main Street Bicycles.

Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen said he was very pleased with Tuesday's turnout.

He estimated that about 200 people – possibly more – enjoyed the evening's festivities.

National Night Out has been part of the Lakeport Police's continuing community policing work, which includes connecting and creating relationships with city residents.

Several of Rasmussen's officers and staff, as well as the agency's intern, were on hand to meet with visitors.

As part of the event, Rasmussen held a brief swearing-in for the department's newest police officer, Mark Steele.

The Tuesday event was the third National Night Out that the city of Lakeport has hosted.

The city began holding the events in 2013. The last event was in 2014, as the 2015 event had to be canceled due to last summer's wildland fires.

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.

With water conservation falling to 21.5 percent savings in June – down from 27.5 percent a year ago – the State Water Resources Control Board on Tuesday announced that it is closely monitoring conservation levels, will scrutinize actions by water suppliers where use has risen dramatically and is carefully reviewing the "stress tests" to ensure that water supply reliability claims are complete and accurate.

"Californians have continued to conserve without top down mandates, but the question is whether we can save enough and keep it up for the long haul,” said State Water Board Chair Felicia Marcus. “While last winter’s rains allowed us to ease state mandated conservation, that didn’t mean the drought was over or that local conservation efforts should stop – and we’re looking carefully at the data to see what’s happening where, and why."

Cumulatively, local water suppliers have saved 1.75 million acre feet in the 13 months since mandatory conservation goals began – enough water to supply 8.8 million people for a year. The cumulative average savings June 2015-June 2016 is 24.2 percent.

Although new regulations that took effect in June give local water suppliers more autonomy to set their own conservation goals based on local supply conditions, the State Water Board has maintained since mid-2014 that it expects suppliers to continue emphasizing water conservation to their customers as a top priority as California enters the summer months, when the opportunity for water savings is greatest.

While local water suppliers may have relaxed water use restrictions that were in place last summer – the statewide prohibitions, from operation of fountains without recirculating pumps, to irrigation of turf in street medians, remain in place.

“Conservation should be the California way of life," said Marcus. "Some relaxation of conservation in light of the relief we got last winter and other supply conditions is appropriate and expected; abandonment of conservation is not. Saving water now extends local water supplies into an uncertain future, and saves money in the long term on the need to develop additional supplies. In particular, the summer months are the time it’s easiest to save by reducing outdoor irrigation to the minimum needed to water trees and shrubs while letting our lawns go the color of the surrounding hillsides.”

June conservation data

· Statewide water savings for June 2016 was 21.5 percent (143,130 acre feet or 46.6 billion gallons), a decrease from May 2016’s 28.1 percent savings, and also a decrease from June 2015’s 27.5 percent statewide savings (60.6 billion gallons).

· Cumulative statewide percent reduction for June 2015 – June 2016 (13 months) is 24.2 percent, which equates to 1,752,918 acre-feet (571.2 billion gallons).

· Statewide average R-GPCD for June 2016 was 104.9 gallons; (an 18 percent increase) up from 86.7 R-GPCD in May 2016 and also above 98.1 R-GPCD reported for June 2015. All June data can be found on this page.

Revised emergency regulations

Starting in June, the State Water Board’s recently updated emergency water conservation regulations give urban water agencies the ability to set their own conservation standards based on a “stress test” of supply reliability.

Water suppliers must demonstrate that they have sufficient supplies to withstand three years of continuous drought or take additional measures that include mandatory conservation targets. The regulation is in effect through January 2017.

The deadline to submit the “stress test” results and three-year resiliency plans was June 22. While most urban water suppliers and wholesale water providers have submitted materials, the State Water Board staff is following up with a number of suppliers whose submissions appear inaccurate, incomplete, or unclear.

Once all of the submissions have been received and are complete, the State Water Board will make them publicly available.

While water suppliers may calculate lower conservation targets for purposes of state enforcement, the State Water Board expects that they will continue to promote and achieve water conservation at the local level and enforce prohibitions on wasting water first enacted in July 2014.

The board expectation is that all water suppliers will continue encouraging their customers to conserve, even if they pass their “stress test” and demonstrate that they will have sufficient water after three additional dry years.

Moreover, the board is prepared to come back in early 2017 to reimpose new mandatory water restrictions if needed.

Permanent ban on wasting water

The recently adopted regulation is part of a wider effort to build on short-term, emergency water restrictions to establish permanent conservation measures that improve long-term drought preparedness and eliminate the worst water-wasting practices.

Officials said these actions will help achieve a top priority of the state’s Water Action Plan: to “Make Conservation a California Way of Life.”

In May, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. issued an executive order calling for new permanent water use efficiency targets for each urban water supplier and for strengthening local Water Shortage Contingency Plans.

The local “stress test” data and three-year resiliency plans collected by the State Water Board will serve as a bridge to these actions and inform the development of new water use efficiency targets.

The State Water Board regulation also continues the statewide ban on specific wasteful uses, such as hosing off sidewalks, driveways and other hardscapes; washing cars with hoses not equipped with a shut-off nozzle; and watering lawns in a manner that causes runoff.

Prohibitions also remain against homeowners associations or local governments taking action against homeowners who reduce or stop watering lawns. As directed by the executive order, the State Water Board will be making these prohibitions permanent.

LOWER LAKE, Calif. – A Clearlake man sustained major injuries in a solo-vehicle wreck on Monday and later was arrested for driving under the influence.

Isidoro Diaz-Garcia, 57, was involved in the incident, which occurred Monday afternoon, according to the California Highway Patrol's Clear Lake Area office.

The CHP said Diaz-Garcia was driving his 1993 Ford Explorer southbound on Highway 29 just north of Hofacker Lane at 1:40 p.m. Monday, when he allowed the Explorer to travel off the right side of the roadway, where it hit a road sign.

Diaz-Garcia's Explorer then veered back onto the roadway and crossed into the southbound lane of Highway 29, the CHP said.

The vehicle rolled multiple times before coming to rest in the southbound lane, blocking traffic, according to the report.

Diaz-Garcia, who was wearing his seat belt, suffered major injuries, the CHP said.

The CHP said alcohol appeared to be a factor in the crash and Diaz-Garcia was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor driving under the influence of alcohol.

After his arrest, the CHP said Diaz-Garcia was transported by Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. Radio reports indicated he was taken by a REACH air ambulance.

The highway was temporarily blocked as a result of the crash, and was reopened about an hour after the  wreck occurred, according to reports from the scene.

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.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – A Sonoma County man was arrested over the weekend for failing to register as a sex offender after he moved to Kelseyville and began working there.

John David Heglin, 57, of Santa Rosa was taken into custody on Saturday by Det. Todd Dunia, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Last Wednesday, Dunia received information that a reported sex offender from Sonoma County was working at a grocery store in Kelseyville. The person providing the information identified the subject as Heglin, Brooks said.

Brooks said Dunia was able to confirm that Heglin was a registered sex offender and that he was on Post Release Community Supervision in Sonoma County with specific probation terms.

Dunia also confirmed that Heglin was employed as a cashier at the grocery store and had been working there for approximately one month, Brooks said.

On Friday, Dunia contacted the Sonoma County Probation Department, which was not aware that Heglin was working in Lake County, according to Brooks.

Brooks said the Sonoma County Probation Department advised that Heglin had violated the terms of his probation by failing to report his employment within three business days and for obtaining employment in Kelseyville, which is more than 50 miles from his residence and requires prior approval.

On Saturday, Dunia contacted Heglin during a traffic stop in the Lakeport area, informing Heglin that he was in violation of his probation by not reporting his employment to his probation officer and for not obtaining prior approval to be more than 50 miles from his residence, Brooks said.

Dunia conducted a search of Heglin’s vehicle based on the terms of his probation, and in the process he located and seized a smart phone in Heglin’s possession and an “application for delivery of mail through agent,” Brooks said.

Brooks said Dunia knew from reviewing Heglin’s probation terms that he was not allowed to use a post office box or be in possession of a smartphone. 

Heglin was arrested for failing to register as a sex offender and for violating the terms of his probation, and transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked, Brooks said.       

On Tuesday, Heglin remained in custody on a no-bail hold, according to jail records.

Heglin was sentenced in 2011 to 19 years in prison after being convicted by a Sonoma County jury of 15 counts related to engaging in sexual acts with three teenage girls to whom he furnished drugs including marijuana, methamphetamine and cocaine, according to court records.

In March of 2013 an appeals court overturned two of the drug-related charges, which led to Heglin's shortened prison sentence, Brooks said.