Caltrans employee Timothy Mooney of Upper Lake was honored for rescuing a severely injured man trapped in the trunk of a car in January, according to a report from Schwarzenegger's office.

In the early morning on Jan. 13, Mooney, an equipment operator, was sanding the icy areas of the roadway between Hopland and Lakeport on Highway 175 when he noticed a vehicle located approximately 50 to 80 feet down a steep slope.

Mooney got his flashlight and climbed down the hill in the dark to investigate. While at the scene he heard a noise coming from the trunk of the vehicle. He opened the trunk and discovered an injured man with severe head lacerations.

Not knowing if the perpetrators were still in the area, Mooney contacted the California Highway Patrol, and then assisted the man to a sitting position. The temperature was 17 degrees; to protect the man from the cold Mooney gave him his raincoat.

The Hopland Fire Department responded to the scene and airlifted the victim to the hospital, where he was hospitalized for a month for treatment of head trauma and hypothermia. The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident as a kidnapping and an attempted murder case.

Along with Mooney, Schwarzenegger honored four other state employees who hail from the North Coast counties of Mendocino, Napa and Humboldt: Department of Conservation – Dave Longstreth of Ukiah rescued two passengers from a car that was sinking 100 feet offshore in Lake Mendocino on April 28, 2006; Department of Forestry and Fire Protection – David Shew of St. Helena stopped a suicidal man from jumping off a freeway overpass on April 27, 2007; California Highway Patrol – Brent Weese of Crescent City rescued a woman from a fast-moving grass fire on July 3, 2006; Department of Mental Health – Phillip Scott Nixon of Napa prevented an attempted carjacking and robbery on Jan. 22, 2007.

State Sen. Patricia Wiggins offered up her own praise for the five state workers from her district.

"These people are real heroes,” Wiggins said. “Through their bravery and their willingness to get involved, they made a difference to the lives of others, and they offer proud examples of the remarkable kinds of people that work for our state government.”

The Medal of Valor, which started in 1959, is the highest honor that California bestows on its public servants and is awarded to California state employees who have performed an extraordinary act of heroism above and beyond the normal call of duty, at great risk to their own personal safety or life, to save the life of another. Award nominations are made by the employee's department.

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On Nov. 28 and 29, members of the Region II Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement (SAFE) Task Force met in Lake County and conducted a two-day operation, according to Lt. Cecil Brown of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Agencies that assigned personnel to participate in the operation included the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Lake County Probation Department, Lake County District Attorney’s Office, Lakeport Police Department, Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department, Solano County Sheriff’s Department, California State Parole and the Northern California Computer Crimes Task Force, Brown reported.

California State Law requires persons convicted of certain sex crimes to register with the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction where they reside. Brown said the sheriff’s office conducts compliance checks to ensure that sex offenders register when required by law, and to verify information provided during the registration process.

The enforcement operation that occurred on Nov. 28 and Nov. 29 resulted in four arrests for violations of terms and conditions of parole, said Brown.

Five additional investigations were initiated for violations of sex offender registration laws, narcotics violations and a weapons violation, he said.

Several parole and probation searches were conducted, according to Brown. Agents from the Northern California Computer Crimes Task Force were able to perform on-site forensic searches of computer equipment for child pornography or other material which would violate the terms of probation or parole.

A primary goal of the SAFE Task Force is reduce the number of noncompliant registrants in each county, said Brown.

In January, the Megan’s Law database listed 28 registrants in Lake County who were known to be out of compliance, reported Brown.

Megan’s Law now lists 12 noncompliant registrants in Lake County, said Brown. Warrants have been issued for six of the 12 noncompliant registrants; seven of the 12 are believed to be in Mexico or San Salvador.

Brown added that most of the registrants contacted were found to be in compliance.

The Region II SAFE Task Force was created to improve communication between the agencies in this Office of Emergency Services region, to reduce the number of non-compliant sex registrants and to increase public awareness, Brown reported.

Region II SAFE Task Force operations are funded by a grant administered by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department secured the grant funding, and distributes funds to the participating agencies.

Brown said the Lake County Sheriff’s Office is grateful for opportunities created by this grant. Sheriff Lori Smith of the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office qualified for this grant and devoted her resources to managing the grant.

Sheriff Smith chose to use grant funds to benefit 11 counties in addition to Santa Clara County, said Brown. Without this grant, sex registrant compliance checks must be completed by patrol deputies while they are not committed to other criminal investigations.

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On Thursday morning, traffic issues started with the report of traffic signal problems at Highway 29 and Soda Bay Road. Caltrans was called to fix the problem.

A vehicle versus pedestrian crash was reported in front of the Nice Market at 2:40 p.m., with a male subject injured. No further information was available Thursday.

Other collisions reported Thursday:

4:37 p.m. – Two-vehicle collision resulting in major injuries on Highway 20 in front of Sentry Market.

5:48 p.m. – A solo vehicle spin out on Highway 20 just east of Red Hill Lane. No injuries.

6:14 p.m. – A collision with one victim trapped and expected to be transported to the hospital. The crash occurred on Highway 29 at mile marker 15.

6:27 p.m. – A crash with no injuries on Highway 20 in front of the Lake Marina Motel. The vehicle reportedly went between 40 and 50 feet off the roadway.

7:33 p.m. – Traffic collision with no injuries on Tenaya at Soda Bay Road.

No further information on the crashes was available Thursday evening.

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The grant was awarded to the California Telehealth Network, a coalition led by the University of California, in partnership with government agencies and healthcare providers, including the California State Rural Healthcare Association, according to a statement from the office of state Sen. Patricia Wiggins' office. The group will work together to bring modern health care services to rural, underserved areas of California.

Telehealth and telemedicine services provide patients in rural areas with access to critically needed medical specialists in urban areas through video conferencing, Wiggins' office reported. With this new technology, urban doctors can monitor patients, make diagnoses and assist in treating patients in rural areas from long distances.

As members of the California Legislative Rural Caucus, Wiggins (D-Santa Rosa) and Assemblymember Patty Berg (D-Eureka) actively supported the California Telehealth Network’s grant application by working with Congress and contacting the FCC to ensure California received its share of the federal funding.

The two legislators say they were very pleased by the news of the award.

“This federal grant will help us to expand broadband networks for telemedicine, which will enable us to connect medical experts to clinics in some of the most remote regions of California,” Berg said.

Wiggins agreed, saying that “it is critical that our state sets the standard with this new technology, which will enable us to save time, save money and, most importantly, save lives.”

Rural Caucus Chair Jean Fuller (R-Bakersfield) commended Wiggins and Berg for their hard work on behalf of rural Californians, noting, “I have been very impressed how the members of the Rural Caucus pulled together to fight for this funding. The senator and assemblymember have been tireless advocates for this important grant. I am grateful to have them as members of our team.”

The $22 million grant award comes on top of the $200 million allocated in Proposition 1D to build telemedicine capacity around the state, Wiggins' office reported. The award will build upon existing networks and connect approximately 300 health care providers that are currently unconnected to telemedicine services.

The California Legislative Rural Caucus is a bipartisan group created to protect and promote rural California and its interests. It is comprised of 45 members from the California State Assembly and Senate that represent rural areas throughout California.

David Miller, Wiggins' spokesman, reported that over the next three years the grant would be distributed to a number of North Coast health care providers, including several in and around Lake County.

In year two, Sutter Lakeside Hospital in Lakeport would receive funds, as would Potter Valley Community Health Center and Round Valley Indian Health Center.

The following year, the Lake County Tribal Health Consortium in Lakeport, and Mendocino Community Health Clinic in both Lakeport and Ukiah, would receive funds.

Miller did not have information at this time on the amount of grant money each local health care provider would receive.

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The US Geological Survey reported that 4.0 quake occurred at 12:50 p.m. It was centered one mile northeast of The Geysers and four miles west southwest from Cobb.

There were 24 reports made to the US Geological Survey from individuals who felt the quake from Kelseyville all the way to San Francisco. Ten people in Middletown reported feeling the quake.

At approximately 12:57 p.m., a 3.0 quake occurred three miles north of The Geysers and four miles west of Cobb, according to the US Geological Survey.

There were nine reports from people who felt that quake, five of them in Middletown, one in Lower Lake and other reports coming from Healdsburg, Petaluma and even San Francisco, according to the US Geological Survey.

The last time an earthquake over 3.0 in magnitude was felt in Lake County was Sept. 17, when a 3.5 quake was recorded by the US Geological Survey nine miles northeast of Hidden Valley Lake, as Lake County News previously reported.

A quake of 4.0 magnitude hasn't occurred in the county since a 4.4 magnitude quake hit The Geysers area on April 24, based on US Geological Survey records.

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In addition, the Energy Independence and Security Act (H.R. 6) is poised to reduce energy and gas prices, create new jobs and strengthen national security. It also provides historic tax incentives for businesses and homes that become more energy efficient or switch to clean, renewable energy sources.

“The steps we took today to promote energy independence and the protection of our natural resources will improve the lives of generations of Americans,” said Congressman Mike Thompson, who voted in favor of the bill. “Our dependence on foreign oil has serious consequences for our economy and national security. And our dependence on greenhouse-gas-emitting energy sources is putting the health of the entire planet at risk. This Congress has made an historic commitment to redefining American energy consumption, and this legislation is a large step toward achieving that goal.”

One of the bill’s most groundbreaking provisions would increase fuel economy standards (also known as CAFE standards) to 35 miles per gallon by 2020 for new cars and trucks, which will save Americans money at the pump.

In addition, it will reduce oil consumption by 1.1 million gallons per day in 2020 (one-half of what we currently import from the Persian Gulf) and reduce greenhouse gases equal to taking 28 million of today’s average cars and trucks off the road. This is the first increase in CAFE standards by Congress since 1975.

The legislation would also make a robust investment in American biofuel production. This includes a focus on diversifying the crops used in biofuels so that states from coast to coast will benefit from the provision.

It would require utility companies to generate 15 percent of their energy from renewable sources, such as wind, solar, ocean tides and geothermal.

It would also strengthen and extend renewable energy tax credits, which Congressman Thompson championed as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee. These include a long-term extension of tax credits for businesses and homes that use solar power, as well as other improvements to make the tax credit a better value for homeowners.

In addition, there is a four-year extension of the production tax credit for other forms of renewable energy, including many forms which are produced in the 1st Congressional District such as biomass and geothermal.

Other incentives include:

• A tax incentive for the installation of energy management devices known as smart meters, which give consumers near real-time access to their energy usage information;

• An extension of a tax credit for homes that make energy-efficient improvements or purchase energy-efficient devices;

• A new tax credit for plug-in electric vehicles; and

• Allowing employers to include the cost of employees commuting by bike in any transportation benefits they may provide.

“With the way energy costs are skyrocketing, we need to do everything we can to make energy-efficient homes, businesses and vehicles more available and affordable,” said Thompson. “Investments in renewable energy not only improve our environment – they will create more American jobs and help us to better control our country’s future.”

The measure also repeals about $21 billion in tax subsidies for Big Oil, which is similar to provisions included in H.R. 6 when it was passed by the House in January.

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Fire dangers increase throughout the home during the holiday season. Many homes are decorated with seasonal garlands, electric lights, candles, banners or displays.

Probably the most popular addition to the home during the holiday season, and a significant fire hazard, is the Christmas tree. Dried-out fir and pine Christmas trees ignite easily and can accelerate fire growth by spreading rapidly to nearby combustible materials in the home.

This happens because as the winter holiday season progresses, live or cut Christmas trees and greens will eventually die. As plants die, they dry out and become more combustible.

Statistically speaking, each year in the United States, more than 200 residential structure fires occur where Christmas trees are the material first ignited. I have been a firefighter for a long time and it seems like every year, we respond to a fire involving a Christmas tree.

Sometimes these fires are devastating and destroy the entire home. Other times the fire is relatively minor and only involve the tree and the contents of the room, including new gifts and presents. Shortening the time the tree is in the home and keeping the tree watered can prevent some of these fires.

Here are some other Christmas tree safety suggestions.

• When purchasing a live or cut tree, check for fresh, green needles. Do not purchase a tree that is dry or dropping needles. The use of fire-retardant artificial Christmas trees will also reduce the chance of tree fires in residences.

• Choose a sturdy tree stand designed not to tip over. Try to keep live trees as moist as possible by giving them plenty of water daily.

• Make sure the tree is at least 3 feet away from any heat source, such as fireplaces and radiators. Try to position the tree near an electrical outlet so that cords are not running long distances. Do not place the tree where it may block exits.

• When decorating Christmas trees, always use safe tree lights. (Some lights are designed only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.) Follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to use tree lights. Any string of lights with worn, frayed or broken cords or loose bulb connections should not be used.

• Check your strands of lights to determine the number of strands that may be connected. Connect no more than three strands of push-in bulbs and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs. Always unplug Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.

• Never use lit candles to decorate a tree, and place them well away from tree branches. Never use electric lights on a metal tree.

• Safely dispose of the tree when it begins dropping needles. Dried-out trees are highly flammable and should not be left in a house or garage, or placed against the house.

All of us in Lake County must be aware of the increased fire hazards present in their homes during this festive time of year. During the holiday season, as fire danger inside a home increases, efforts should be made to make your home fire-safe. Especially tragic are those fires caused by Christmas tree decorations.

So please, be careful, and be safe. We don’t want any tragic fires this holiday season.

For more information visit the United States Fire Administration at http://www.usfa.fema.gov/nfdc/tfrs.htm.

Robert MacIntyre is a firefighter and a member of the South Lake County Fire District Board of Directors. He lives in Hidden Valley Lake.

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A vehicle colliding with a power pole caused the outage, according to Pacific Gas & Electric spokesman JD Guidi.

Guidi said the outage began at 8:32 p.m. Friday after a vehicle hit and destroyed a power pole at 17179 Knollview Drive in Hidden Valley Lake.

It took PG&E crews until 12:46 p.m. Saturday to finish repairing what Guidi called “extensive damage.”

“They had to replace the pole,” said Guidi.

A total of 1,855 customers were affected, Guidi said.

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New Flotilla 8-8 members for 2008 include, from left, Commander Betty Strach, outgoing Commander Rich Thomas and Vice Commander John McEwen; along with CPO Scott Greenlaw from the US Coast Guard's LORAN Station in Middletown and Lt. Scott Parkhurst from the Coast Guard's Group Humboldt Coast Guard Station. Greenlaw and Parkhurst installed the flotilla's new officers, who assume their new duties Jan. 1, 2008. Photo by Elizabeth Larson.

KELSEYVILLE – One of Lake County's most important volunteer organizations has selected new leadership for the year ahead, with plans to continue expanding its critical safety services to the public. {sidebar id=43}

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 8-8 held its annual “change of watch” ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 1, at Zino's Restaurant in Kelseyville.

Gary Jolley, the flotilla's aids to navigation officer and the ceremony's master of ceremonies, explained that the term “change of watch” is used in the flotilla for a transfer of authority, responsibility or leadership. “Change of command,” he said, would be used if the flotilla had a rank structure.

The flotilla may not be well known to all of the people who enjoy Clear Lake and other lakes within the county.

However, the group provides a variety of services to the public, from boating safety classes to support on search and rescue missions; just this past year members spent nearly 300 hours on recovery, according to a county of volunteer hours provided by the flotilla.

The group also is working on a program to help prevent the infestation of the county's lakes by the quagga and zebra mussels.

The US Coast Guard Auxiliary's members – 27,000 strong nationwide – are called “America's volunteer lifesavers.” According to the organization's Web site, nws.cgaux.org, Congress formed the auxiliary in 1939, with its motto being Semper Paratus, “Always Ready.” Today the group – which is under the auspices of Homeland Security – reports that it provides more than two million volunteer hours annually.

That preparedness and dedication is apparent in Flotilla 8-8's membership, which includes 53 members – some with previous military experience, some without – who contributed 9,237.65 volunteer hours by Dec. 2 of this year, according to Anita Farnholtz, the flotilla's information services officer.

Their service isn't limited just to Lake County. During the Saturday ceremony, flotilla member Jeremiah Collins gave a presentation on a trip he made to Florida where he and other US Coast Guard Auxiliary members helped patrol the waters between the US and Cuba.

At Saturday's ceremony, Flotilla Commander Rich Thomas of Middletown handed over the group's leadership to Cobb resident Betty Strach, the commander for the coming year. Named vice commander to succeed Strach, who held that position this past year, was John McEwen of Lakeport.

Thomas said he has appreciated the opportunities the flotilla has given him, from meeting an astronaut to serving around District 11, which includes California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona.

Leaving his term as commander, Thomas said the flotilla is strong thanks to the giving of its members. “The flotilla does not serve us. We serve the flotilla,” he said.

Strach said the flotilla's members possess a great wealth of experience; her officers alone have more than 100 years of knowledge and experience among them, she said.

In the year ahead, Strach said she plans to continue working to strengthen the flotilla in order to offer greater service to the community.

Flotilla members give a phenomenal amount of service, said Strach. They'll likely have to offer even more service, in the form of classes, if the state legislature decides to pass a bill requiring boat operators to be licensed.

Education is extremely important, said Strach, because of the number of tragedies that happen on the lake that are based on irresponsibility, lack of knowledge – even arrogance.

Strach said she has made the words “How can I help?” her motto for her year ahead as flotilla commander.

“The sky is the limit for us,” she said.

Awards and certificates were given out to flotilla members. Collins received a special US Coast Guard Auxiliary Commendation Medal for service as rear commodore in Region 11 from January 2005 until December 2006. In that time, Collins oversaw an astounding 470,000 volunteer hours districtwide. He thanked fellow auxiliary members for making the award possible.

Strach was named Auxiliarist of the Year, with Jolley named 2007's Most Inspirational member.

Collins and the flotilla made sure to give Thomas a good roasting to show their appreciation for his service to the flotilla over the years.

Incoming staff officers for 2008 are Gary Jolley, aids to navigation and materials; John McEwen, communications; Deana McAllister, communication services; DA Butts, finance; Anita Farnholtz, information services; Catalina Gumatoatoa, marine safety; Betty Strach, member training, operations and public education; Allan Bride, public affairs; Chris Ruttan, publications; Rich Thomas, personnel services; Charles Rester, program visitation; Karen Wilson, secretary of records; and Dane Hayward, vessel examinations.

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THE AGE OF THE INJURED WOMAN HAS BEEN CORRECTED. 

BLUE LAKES – A Redway woman was injured after she lost control of her vehicle and hit another vehicle Sunday.

Sara Champie, 21, was hospitalized after the crash, which took place t about 6:10 p.m., according to California Highway Patrol Officer Adam Garcia.

Champie was driving a 1997 Nissan Altima eastbound on Highway 20 east of Blue Lakes Road, said Garcia.

The weather was rainy, and a preliminary CHP investigation into the rash's cause indicated that Champie was driving at approximately 65 miles per hour, Garcia reported.

Due to her speed and roadway conditions, Garcia said Champie lost control of the vehicle as she entered a right curve in the road.

The car went into the highway's westbound lane and hit a 2007 GMC Yukon driven by 38-year-old Diane Ogden of El Dorado Hills, said
Garcia.

Garcia said Champie sustained major injuries that were not life-threatening. She was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital before later being transferred to UC Davis Medical Center.

Ogden and her passenger, Celina Chouinarg of Elk Grove, were not injured, said Garcia.

CHP Officer Robert Hearn is investigating the incident.

With the rainy season having arrived, Garcia said it's important to remember to take special weather precautions when driving.

He said the CHP is reminding drivers to always give themselves extra time when traveling, increase their following distance and remember to slow down during inclement weather. They also should remember to check their tires and windshield wipers.

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Local firefighters, US Forest Service and Cal Fire responded to the quarter-acre wildland fire reported at about 2:20 p.m. Friday, according to Cal Fire.

According to radio transmissions, a passing motorist spotted the fire and reported it from Highway 20 near Bartlett Springs Road.

Cal Fire sent one battalion chief, three engines, one fire crew, one bulldozer and a helicopter, the agency reported.

Cal Fire did not have information on county resources dispatched to the scene.

The fire was quickly contained by 2:40 p.m., Cal Fire reported.

Scanner traffic indicated that officials spotted two to three vehicles leaving the area of the fire, including a silver Jeep and a male subject on a motorcycle who raced by firefighters as they made their way up the hill to the fire.

Tobie Edmonds, a fire investigator with Northshore Fire Protection District, said he planned to join fire investigators for Cal Fire and the US Forest Service at the fire scene Saturday.

“We are going to go up and investigate the cause and origin,” Edmonds said Friday evening.

In recent months, Bartlett Springs has been hit by a series of fires that the Lake County Arson Task Force continues to investigate, said Edmonds.

Edmonds estimated that there have been eight fires since the summer. Earlier blazes claimed the Bartlett Springs Resort Lodge, the resort's historic gazebo and another building in the area, as Lake County News previously reported.

Regarding Friday's fire, Edmonds said he didn't expect the full Arson Task Force – which includes representative members from all of the county's fire districts and law enforcement agencies – would be called out to look at it.

Harold LaBonte contributed to this report.

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