Tuesday, 03 December 2024

News

POTTER VALLEY, Calif. – Mendocino County Sheriff's officials are investigating a case involving the attempted murder of a Potter Valley man who was robbed of more than two dozen marijuana plants.


The incident occurred late last Friday, according to Lt. Rusty Noe.


Just after 11 p.m. Oct. 23 Mendocino County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a local area hospital to contact a victim of a gunshot wound.


Upon arrival deputies contacted 45-year-old Kevin Paul Allen, who reported he was inside the garage area of his residence located on DeShields Ranch Road in Potter Valley at 10 p.m. with four or five Hispanic males suddenly entered the building, according to Noe.


Allen noticed one of the men had a rifle. When Allen confronted the men about their presence in his garage the man with the rifle immediately shot him one time in the right arm, Noe said.


After being shot Allen was restrained with rope, duct tape and a pair of handcuffs. Noe said the suspects took possession of Allen’s pickup truck keys and he was physically beaten.


Sometime afterward Allen was placed inside of a shed near the residence while still wearing the restraints. Noe said Allen was able to free himself and fled his property while the males were possibly still at his residence.


Allen summoned the help of a neighbor who drove Allen to the hospital where he obtained medical treatment for his injured arm, Noe said.


Allen believed the males were at his residence to rob him of the 25 marijuana plants he was growing at the location, according to Noe.


The Hispanic males were described as being average height, having dark hair, dark eyes and a dark skin tone.


Noe said the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office Detective Unit is conducting further investigations into the incident.


Anyone having information is urged to contacted the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office tip line at 707-467-9159. Noe said information can be left anonymously.


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NAPA COUNTY – Thirty cats died in a Napa County fire on Sunday.


The blaze was one of two in unincorporated Napa County that kept county and Cal Fire firefighters busy on Sunday, according to Cal Fire Battalion Chief and Napa County Fire Marshal Pete Muñoa.


The fire that claimed the lives of the cats was reported at 4:20 p.m. in the 5600 block of Silverado Trail in Napa, Muñoa said.


An accessory building, described to be a cattery to the rear of a residence, was fully involved by the time firefighters arrived at scene, he said. The 30 animals that died were located in the building.


Muñoa said investigators from the Napa County Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the cause of the fire.


Earlier in the day, Napa County and Cal Fire firefighters responded to a residence on fire in the 2300 block of Stagecoach Canyon Road in Pope Valley, he reported.


When firefighters arrived on the scene of that fire, reported at 3:30 p.m., Muñoa said they found the home filled with smoke from a chimney fire that spread, causing damage to the attic and roof.


Muñoa said the 1,800-square-foot residence suffered approximately $15,000 in damage.


No humans were injured in either incident, Muñoa said.


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An artist's concept of LCROSS approaching the moon in Oct. 2009. Courtesy of NASA.

 


Nearly a year after announcing the discovery of water molecules on the moon, scientists have revealed new data uncovered by NASA's Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite, or LCROSS, and Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, or LRO – and it's more than just water.


The missions found evidence that lunar soil within shadowy craters is rich in useful materials.


Moreover, the moon appears to be chemically active and has a full-fledged water cycle. Scientists also confirmed that 'moon water' was in the form of mostly pure ice crystals in some places.


These results are featured in six papers published in the Oct. 22 issue of Science.


The twin impacts of LCROSS and a companion rocket stage in the moon's Cabeus crater on Oct. 9, 2009, lifted a plume of material that might not have seen direct sunlight for billions of years.


As the plume traveled nearly 10 miles above the crater’s rim, instruments aboard LCROSS and LRO made observations of the crater and debris and vapor clouds. After the impacts, grains of mostly pure water ice were lofted into the sunlight in the vacuum of space.


“Seeing mostly pure water ice grains in the plume means water ice was somehow delivered to the moon in the past, or chemical processes have been causing ice to accumulate in large quantities,” said Anthony Colaprete, LCROSS project scientist and principal investigator at NASA's Ames Research Center.


In addition to water, the plume contained “volatiles.” These are compounds that freeze in the cold lunar craters and vaporize easily when warmed by the sun.


The suite of LCROSS and LRO instruments determined as much as 20 percent of the material kicked up by the LCROSS impact was volatiles, including methane, ammonia, hydrogen gas, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.

 

 

 

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These experiments at the Ames Vertical Gun Range helped researchers understand the LCROSS impact. Solid impacts send debris to the side (left), whereas hollow impacts result in a high-angle ejecta plume (right). The primary LCROSS impact was an emptied rocket and acted like a hollow projectile. Image courtesy of Brown University/Peter H. Schultz and Brendan Hermalyn, NASA/Ames Vertical Gun Range.
 

 

 


“The diversity and abundance of volatiles in the plume suggest a variety of sources, like comets and asteroids, and an active water cycle within the lunar shadows,” said Colaprete.


The instruments also discovered relatively large amounts of light metals such as sodium, mercury and possibly even silver.


Scientists believe the water and mix of volatiles that LCROSS and LRO detected could be the remnants of a comet impact.


According to scientists, these volatile chemical by-products are also evidence of a cycle through which water ice reacts with lunar soil grains.


LRO's Diviner instrument gathered data on water concentration and temperature measurements, and LRO's Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector mapped the distribution of hydrogen.


This combined data led the science team to conclude the water is not uniformly distributed within the shadowed cold traps, but rather is in pockets, which may also lie outside the shadowed regions.


The proportion of volatiles to water in the lunar soil indicates a process called “cold grain chemistry” is taking place. Scientists also theorize this process could take as long as hundreds of thousands of years and may occur on other frigid, airless bodies such as asteroids; the moons of Jupiter and Saturn (including Europa and Enceladus); Mars' moons; interstellar dust grains floating around other stars and the polar regions of Mercury.


“The observations by the suite of LRO and LCROSS instruments demonstrate the moon has a complex environment that experiences intriguing chemical processes,” said Richard Vondrak, LRO project scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. “This knowledge can open doors to new areas of research and exploration.”


By understanding the processes and environments that determine where water ice will be, how water was delivered to the moon and its active water cycle, future mission planners might be better able to determine which locations will have easily-accessible water.


The existence of mostly pure water ice could mean future human explorers won't have to devise complicated processes to retrieve water out of the soil in order to use it for valuable life support resources.

 

 

 

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A surface temperature map of the lunar south pole made by LRO's Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment. The map contains several intensely cold impact craters that could trap water ice and other icy compounds commonly observed in comets. The approximate maximum temperatures at which these compounds would be frozen in place for more than a billion years are noted at right. Courtesy of NASA.
 

 

 


In addition, an abundant presence of hydrogen gas, ammonia and methane could be exploited to produce fuel.


“NASA has convincingly confirmed the presence of water ice and characterized its patchy distribution in permanently shadowed regions of the moon,” said Michael Wargo, chief lunar scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “This major undertaking is the one of many steps NASA has taken to better understand our solar system, its resources, and its origin, evolution, and future.”


LCROSS launched with LRO aboard an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, Fla., on June 18, 2009, and used the Centaur upper stage rocket to create the debris plume. The research was funded by NASA's Exploration Systems Missions Directorate at the agency's headquarters. LCROSS was managed by Ames and built by Northrop Grumman in Redondo Beach, Calif. LRO was built and is managed by Goddard.


For videos illustrating aspects of the mission, visit www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LCROSS/main/oct_21_media_telecon.html .


Dr. Tony Phillips works for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.


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LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Local law enforcement is continuing the search for two men wanted in connection with a shooting incident reported Monday.


Lake County Sheriff's deputies, California Highway Patrol and Clearlake Police are working the incident, which led to a lockdown of four county schools, according to sheriff's Lt. Brian Martin.


Martin said two male suspects reportedly fired several shots at individuals at a location on Morgan Valley Road near Lower Lake. No one was injured in the shooting.


The motivation for the shooting is still under investigation, Martin said.


Sheriff's officials believed the two suspects were possibly on foot in the area.


The first suspect is described as a black male adult, 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, who goes by “Ty” but whose real name may be “Mike.”


The man is said to have short and wavy hair, is wearing a black beanie hat and is dressed in black clothing, with several tattoos on his arms and open sores on his body.


The second suspect is a black male adult wearing a black beanie, with his hair in braids and wearing a gray sweater.


Officials said that both men are considered armed and dangerous, and anyone with information about them should immediately call 911 and not attempt to apprehend them.


As a result of the shooting, Lower Lake Elementary School, Lower Lake High School, Carlé Continuation High School and Lewis Alternative School were put under lockdown after 8:30 a.m. Monday, Martin said.


He said the lockdown was lifted shortly after 11 a.m.


Sheriff's officials had tried to have a helicopter brought in from Sonoma County to aid in the search, but weather earlier in the morning kept the helicopter grounded, Martin said.


E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .

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Devin Baker is stopped just short of the goal by Andrew Klaes on Kelseyville's first possession. Kelseyville scored on the next play on Friday, October 23, 2010, in Kelseyville, Calif. Photo by Ed Oswalt.

 



KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – In a penalty- and injury-plagued game, the Kelseyville Knights roughed up a bruised Lower Lake Trojans football team Friday night, dominating in the second half and posting a convincing 60-18 win in Friday night’s North Central I – North league game.


The victory extends Kelseyville’s winning streak to six games this season, and brings their overall record to 6-1 (2-0 in league play), while the Trojans fall to 4-3 overall this season and 0-2 in league play.


After the game, Trojans head coach Stan Weiper talked about playing with a significantly weakened team.


“We lost (running back Roy) Percoats this week, and he’s a very, very good player,” Weiper said. “Then EJ Jermany got hurt out there tonight, so there goes our entire backfield. After that, you’re just looking at putting in anyone with two legs in the backfield.”


Also injured was Lower Lake quarterback Devante Scott, who suffered a pulled groin in the first half, and wide receiver Aaron James, who was carried off the field by stretcher with a serious ankle injury while play was halted for 30 minutes in the second half.

 

 

 

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Lower Lake's sack of Knights quarterback Chris Augon in the middle of the second quarter led to the game's first punt during play between Kelseyville and Lower Lake on Friday, October 23, 2010, in Kelseyville, Calif. Photo by Ed Oswalt.
 

 

 

 


Of the 60 points his team scored against the Trojans, first year head coach Rob Ishihara said, “That’s the most points we’ve ever scored since I started coaching here.”


The two teams traded touchdowns in their opening possessions for most of the first quarter of Friday night’s game, with quarterback Chris Augon scoring on a couple of one-yard quarterback keeps for Kelseyville, while Lower Lake capped touchdown drives with a 16-yard run by Scott and a three-yard dash by Trojan running back Jack O’Hara.


But with the score tied at 12-12, a bad snap on a fourth-down Lower Lake punt attempt deep in their own territory was recovered by Kelseyville at the Trojans’ seven-yard line, and the Knights scored two plays later on a five-yard sweep by running back Mike Allen.


With 2:34 left in the half, the Trojans turned the ball over on downs, and the Knights made good use of the time remaining with a 49-yard Mike Davis touchdown reception that brought the score to 25-12 after Diego Barajas made the extra point for Kelseyville.


Lower Lake tried to close the gap before the half ended, but Mike Davis intercepted a wayward Devante Scott pass at midfield and ran it back to the Trojans’ six-yard line with just 22 seconds on the clock.


Two plays later the Trojans returned the favor when defensive back Marcus Radovan intercepted an errant Chris Augon pass, and the score stood at 25-12 going into halftime.

 

 

 

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Kelseyville's Mike Allen breaks away from the Trojans' Alfonza Daniels to give the Knights an 18-12 lead on Friday, October 23, 2010. Photo by Ed Oswalt.
 

 

 


“Whenever anything positive happens to us, something negative happens,” Scott lamented midway through the game.


After a couple of Kelseyville penalties helped Lower Lake drive the ball down to the Knights’ two-yard line on their opening possession of the second half, the Trojans fumbled and Davis recovered the ball in the Lower Lake end zone.


A sharp, well-timed cutback on a critical fourth-down quarterback option by Augon allowed him to sprint 30 yards downfield for a touchdown and brought the score to 33-12.


After the game both coaches cited this Trojan turnover and the ensuing Knight score as significant, with Weiper adding, “It was probably the turning point in the game.”


Kelseyville went on to score four more unanswered touchdowns in the second half, including touchdowns by Mike Allen (a 1-yard run), Davis (a 19-yard pass), Garrett Huggins (on defense, recovering a Trojan fumble in their end zone) and Braiden Wayent (a 42-yard rush), an offensive onslaught that pushed the Knights out in front of Lower Lake 60-12.


Lower Lake’s only score of the second half came late in the 4th quarter on a wild play, when Scott took a Kelseyville kickoff all the way down to the Knights’ 15-yard line before fumbling to teammate Alphonzo Daniels, who picked up the ball and carried it into the Kelseyville end zone, making the final score 60-18.


Kelseyville’s Chris Augon completed three of six passes (all to Mike Davis) for 90 yards in Friday night’s game, and his team had a whopping 513 yards total offense, while Lower Lake’s Devante Scott completed just two of 18 passes for 17 yards in the game.

 

 

 

 

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Jack O'Hara (22) was one of few running back options left for Lower Lake by the third quarter in the match between Kelseyville and Lower Lake on Friday, October 23, 2010, in Kelseyville, Calif. Photo by Ed Oswalt.
 

 

 


Defensively for the Knights, Davis had five tackles, two assists, a fumble recovery and an interception, while Devin Baker had four tackles and six assists.


Lower Lake’s Junior Varsity team fared better against Kelseyville, scoring several times late in the second half and walking away with a 41-14 victory.


The Trojans JV squad is now 5-2 overall (2-0 in league play), while the Knights JV team is 3-4 overall and 1-1 in league play.


Next week Kelseyville puts their first-place North Central I – North league standing on the line when they travel to Middletown to face off against a formidable Middletown Mustangs football team, who beat the previously-undefeated Timberwolves at Fort Bragg Friday night by a score of 38-14 and improved their record to 6-1 overall (1-0 in league play), while Lower Lake travels to Willits to face off against the Wolverines, who defeated Upper Lake Friday night and improved their overall record to 5-2 (0-1 in league play).


Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .

 

 

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Dustin Thaxton of the Knights leaps to intercept a pass intended for Camari Onwausoeze late in Kelseyville's 60-18 victory on Friday, October 23, 2010, in Kelseyville, Calif. Photo by Ed Oswalt.
 

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With the summer harvest season over, Lake County's unemployment rate rose slightly in September, while state and national unemployment rates stayed the same as in August.


Lake County's unemployment rate rose from 16.8 percent in August to 17 percent in September, ranking it 53 among California's 58 counties, according to the Employment Development Department's Friday report.


In September 2009, the county's unemployment rate was 14.5 percent, based on state records.


California’s unemployment rate was unchanged at 12.4 percent in September, and nonfarm payroll jobs decreased by 63,600 during the month, according to data the state released based on from two separate surveys. In August, the state’s nonfarm payroll jobs were revised upwards 44,200 for a total gain of 10,700 jobs, with the unemployment rate at 12.4 percent.


The statewide unemployment rate was 12.1 percent in September 2009.


The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the nation's unemployment rate also remained unchanged in September at 9.6 percent, down from the 9.8 percent rate reported the previous September.


The state said there were 595,996 people receiving regular unemployment insurance benefits during the September survey week, compared with 620,844 last month and 744,924 last year.


New claims for unemployment insurance were 75,316 last month, compared with 65,261 in August and 69,160 in September of last year, the Employment Development Department reported.


Marin continued to have the lowest unemployment rate in the state, with 8.4 percent, while Imperial's 30.4-percent rate ranked it last among the state's counties, according to the report.


In September, Lake County's workforce included 26,030 people, with 4,430 of them out of work. The August workforce was slightly larger, at 26,370, with the same number of people – 4,430 – unemployed.


For September, Lake's neighboring counties posted the following rates and state rankings: Glenn, 14.7 percent, No. 37; Yolo, 11.6 percent, No. 22; Mendocino, 10.7 percent, No. 14; Sonoma, 10.2 percent, No. 9; and Napa, 9.3 percent, No. 4.


Specifically within Lake County, Upper Lake had the lowest unemployment in September, with 8.8 percent, while Clearlake Oaks had 25.2 percent unemployment.


The following unemployment rates were reported for other areas of the county, from highest to lowest: Nice, 24.6 percent; city of Clearlake, 24.3 percent; Lucerne, 18 percent; Kelseyville, 17.3 percent; Middletown, 17.2 percent; city of Lakeport, 16.4 percent; Cobb, 15.2 percent; Lower Lake, 14.3 percent; Hidden Valley Lake, 14.1 percent; and north Lakeport, 13.5 percent.


State job numbers show drop in September


A survey of 42,000 California businesses, which is used to measure jobs, showed a decrease of 43,700 jobs – or a 0.3-percent drop – from September 2009 to September 2010.


Employment Development Department data showed that nonfarm jobs in California totaled 13,808,500 in September, a decrease of 63,600 over the month, according to a survey of businesses that is larger and less variable statistically. This followed a gain of 10,700 jobs in August.


A federal survey of households, done with a smaller sample than the survey of employers, showed an increase in the number of employed people during the month. It estimated the number of Californians holding jobs in September was 15,975,000, an increase of 7,000 from August, but down 11,000 from the employment total in September of last year.


The number of people unemployed in California was 2,270,000 – up by 10,000 over the month, and up by 69,000 compared with September of last year, the state reported.


The Employment Development Department report showed wage and salary jobs in the state's nonfarm industries totaled 13,808,500 in September, a net loss of 63,600 jobs since the August survey.


Four categories – trade, transportation and utilities; financial activities; professional and business services; and leisure and hospitality – added jobs over the month, gaining 20,700 jobs, the state reported. Leisure and hospitality posted the largest increase over the month, adding 7,400 jobs.


The report showed that seven categories – mining and logging; construction; manufacturing; information; educational and health services; other services; and government – reported job declines this month, down 84,300 jobs. Government posted the largest decline over the month, down by 37,300 jobs.


Four industry divisions – mining and logging; professional and business services; educational and health services; and leisure and hospitality – posted job gains over the year, adding 82,800 jobs. Professional and business services recorded the largest increase over the year on both a numerical and percentage basis, up 58,500 jobs, a 2.9-percent increase, the state said.


Seven categories – construction; manufacturing; trade, transportation and utilities; financial activities; other services; and government – posted job declines over the year, down 126,500 jobs, according to the report.


The state said construction employment showed the largest decline over the year on both a numerical and percentage basis, down by 50,700 jobs, a decline of 8.8 percent.


E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .

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A vehicle went off Highway 20 and landed on a dock near Clearlake Oaks, Calif., on Sunday, October 24, 2010. Photo by Gary McAuley.

 

 

 

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A weekend of heavy rains and wet roadways contributed to downed power lines and trees, boulders in roads and collisions throughout the weekend.


On Sunday there were reports of vehicles going off of Highway 20 and, in two cases, vehicles going into the embankment.


During Sunday afternoon, Northshore Fire Protection District firefighters were dispatched to a report of a vehicle in Bear Creek near Upper Lake with the occupant possibly trapped, according to reports from the scene.


Bear Creek, and its recreation area, is located about 23 miles from Upper Lake on Elk Mountain Road.


One battalion chief, one medic unit and two engines responded from Upper Lake and Nice and found a full sized, 1990s model Chevy four-wheel-drive pickup truck in Bear Creek. They did not find the driver, who had gotten out and left the scene.


Firefighters concluded that the driver had attempted to cross in approximately 4 to 5 feet of water, when he lost control and floated several hundred feet downstream before coming to rest against an outcropping of rocks in the creek, officials reported.


Campers in the area stated they witnessed a group of off-road drivers fording the creek, with several being successful, however the last driver was not, according to reports from the scene. The vehicle had been secured to some adjacent trees with ropes before the driver and his party left.


Northshore Fire Battalion Chief Ken Petz said the creek usually runs about 2 feet deep at the crossing, but this storm brought much more.


He said the creek's level should fall some this week, but another storm is expected in the area next weekend, so time is short for anyone to remove the stranded vehicle.


Northshore firefighters were once again on scene later in the day when a vehicle ended up on a dock near Clearlake Oaks after going off Highway 20.


The driver reportedly was headed eastbound shortly before 5:30 p.m. when he lost control of the vehicle, spinning 180 degrees and going off the roadway backwards, landing on the dock, based on reports from the scene.


The California Highway Patrol reported that the collision resulted in no injuries to the driver.


Gary McAuley contributed to this report.


E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .

 

 

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Northshore Firefighters worked at the scene of a car that landed on a dock near Clearlake Oaks, Calif., on Sunday, October 24, 2010. No injuries were reported in the crash. Photo by Gary McAuley.
 

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Colorful carnival squash from Leonardis Organics of Kelseyville, Calif. Photo by Esther Oertel.



 


The rains are upon us, there’s a chill in the air and it’s time for the warm, hearty foods that nourish the soul.


I call this time of year my cooking season – it’s when I get most creative in the kitchen – and one of my favorite cool weather foods is the one which takes its name from the latter part of the season: winter squash.


Though winter squashes are planted in the summer, they’re harvested in their mature state, when the skin has hardened into a thick, protective rind. They’re available from August through March; however, they’re at their best in October and November when they’re in season.


They come in a plethora of colors, sizes and shapes, far more than what the typical local supermarket stocks. Unlike their summer relatives, such as zucchini and crookneck squash, they must be cooked before consuming.


We’re most familiar with pumpkins (which are members of the winter squash family) and acorn, butternut or spaghetti squash, but there are some lesser-known varieties.


Sweet dumpling squashes look like what their name suggests – round little dumplings – and their flesh is sweeter and drier than other squashes. The peel is soft enough to be eaten once cooked. Being fairly small, a half squash is equivalent to one portion. They’re typically pale yellow with orange stripes.


Kabocha squash (also known as Japanese squash or Japanese pumpkin) is a round, orange-fleshed squash with a deep green rind that has lighter green striations. Like sweet dumpling squashes, its flesh is sweeter and drier than other squashes. It tastes somewhat like sweet potatoes.


Hubbard squash has a bumpy, dark green rind that reminds me a bit of an avocado, though it has light green stripes. Its flesh is tasty, but its large size and extra thick rind makes it a bit difficult to handle.


The pumpkin-like golden nugget squash (also known as the oriental pumpkin) has a pleasant flavor, but has less flesh than most winter squashes. Like the Hubbard squash, its rind is thick and a bit difficult to cut.

 

 

 

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Jim Leonardis' delicata squash. Photo by Esther Oertel.
 

 

 


Delicata squash, with its creamy flesh, is known to be one of the best tasting winter squashes. It’s long and oval shaped, with a light yellow rind that sports dark green horizontal bands. It’s sometimes called the sweet potato squash because of its taste. Choose squashes that are heavy for their size.


Squat, green buttercup squashes are known for their good taste, but may be a bit dry. Like delicata squash, they should be heavy for their size.


Long, large, smooth and yellow, banana squash are often sold in the market precut because of their size. The flesh is a rich golden color, which is beautiful as well as tasty.


Lastly (for purposes of this column) is the aptly named turban squash. With its dramatic two-tiered shape and bright colors, it makes a fantastic centerpiece. Unfortunately, its taste is not as interesting as its presentation, so it’s best used for decoration. When hollowed out, it makes for a nice soup tureen.


The variation in color, shape, size and skin type (grooved, smooth or bumpy) of winter squashes is almost unimaginable. To me, nothing says autumn more than a pile of these bright beauties, whether in a farmers’ field or the local market.


Squash is a member of the same family as melons and cucumbers and has been consumed by man for more than 10,000 years.


Today’s squashes are descendants of the wild squash that originated in an area between Mexico and Guatemala. This ancestor of modern squashes was initially cultivated for its seeds, as there was very little flesh and it was bitter.


Winter squashes are a veritable treasure trove of nutrients, with excellent stores of vitamin A, vitamin C, a variety of B vitamins, potassium, dietary fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids. As well, they contain an abundance of beta-carotene, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.


Because of its thick skin, winter squash typically has a fairly long shelf life and, depending on the variety, can be stored for as long as six months. If picked fresh from the garden or the farmers’ field, the flavor continues to develop for about a month.


Today’s recipe offering is a duet of soups made with one of my favorite go-to winter squashes, butternut. The golden brown, pear-shaped butternut squash has deep orange flesh that adds a rich, buttery, earthy flavor to dishes made with it.


Both soups are made with pears, and I would suggest hurrying to find locally grown pears before they’re gone. Otherwise, supermarket pears will do just fine.


Farmers’ markets are winding down with this Wednesday and Saturday being the last for markets in Lakeport and Kelseyville, respectively, but winter squashes can be purchased directly from local farmers.


Sky Hoyt Specialty Growers of Kelseyville has grown a generous amount of butternut squash this year, and Leonardis Organics, also of Kelseyville, has the last of various interesting types of squash on hand. Hoyt can be reached at 707-279-0859 and call 707-483-4004 for Leonardis.


The first soup includes bacon, a nice accompaniment for winter squash, and the second one is a vegetarian version flavored with crispy sage. Enjoy!


Butternut squash soup with Lake County pears and bacon


6 strips bacon, chopped

1 medium onion, peeled and chopped

4 cups chicken broth

4 cups peeled butternut squash cubes (about 1 small to medium squash)

3 large Lake County pears, such as Comice or Bartlett, peeled, cored and cubed

¾ cup chopped celery (3 – 4 ribs)

1 teaspoon Herbs de Provence

1 cup half and half

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Fresh thyme – use whole sprigs or coarsely chopped leaves for garnish


Sauté bacon in large stockpot until crisp, then remove to drain on paper towel.


Remove all but 1 tablespoon bacon grease from pot; add onion and sauté over medium heat until browned.


Add broth, squash, pears and celery to pot. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for about 30 minutes, until quite tender.


Let cool slightly, then puree mixture until smooth with an immersion blender or in a food processor or blender.


Return back to pot and add herbs and bacon. Simmer for 10 minutes more.


Stir in half and half and season to taste with salt and pepper, if desired.


Ladle into bowls and garnish with thyme sprigs or leaves.

 


Butternut squash and pear soup with crispy sage


2-3 tablespoons salted butter

A healthy handful of whole, fresh sage leaves (enough to garnish each bowl, plus ten or so leaves for soup)

1-2 tablespoons olive oil (if needed)

1 medium onion, peeled and chopped

4 cups vegetable broth

4 cups peeled butternut squash cubes (about 1 small to medium squash)

3 large Lake County pears, such as Comice or Bartlett, peeled, cored and cubed

¾ cup chopped celery (about 2 ribs)

1 cup half and half

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste


Melt butter in large stock pot, allowing it to brown.


Add sage leaves and sauté until crisp. Remove leaves from pot with tongs and set aside.


Add onion (and olive oil, if needed) and sauté over medium heat until browned.


Add broth, squash, pears and celery to pot. Bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for about 30 minutes, until quite tender.


Let cool slightly, then add about ten sage leaves and puree mixture until smooth with an immersion blender or in a food processor or blender.


Return back to pot and simmer for 10 minutes more. Off heat, stir in half and half and season to taste with salt and pepper.


Ladle into bowls and garnish each with a crispy sage leaf.


Esther Oertel, the "Veggie Girl," is a personal chef and culinary coach and is passionate about local produce. Oertel owns The SageCoach Personal Chef Service and teaches culinary classes at Chic Le Chef in Hidden Valley Lake, Calif., and The Kitchen Gallery in Lakeport, Calif. She welcomes your questions and comments; e-mail her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..


Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf .

 

 

 

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Young sweet dumpling squash before developing yellow color. The squash is one of those grown by Jim Leonardis of Kelseyville, Calif. Photo by Esther Oertel.
 

LUCERNE, Calif. – The driver of a Jeep Wrangler suffered major injuries when the vehicle went into a ditch on Friday.


The crash occurred just before 2:30 p.m. on westbound Highway 20 near Lucerne, according to the California Highway Patrol.


A witness advised that the vehicle began to speed up and served prior to the collision, based on the CHP report.


Officials reported that the subject had to be extricated from a single-vehicle crash and flown by REACH, with the original destination being UC Davis Medical Center.


CHP Officer Joe Wind said the driver was believed to have suffered possible head trauma.


However, the inclement weather required the helicopter be turned back at Lake Berryessa, with it rerouted to Sutter Lakeside Hospital, according to radio reports.


Earlier in the afternoon, just after 1 p.m., another solo-vehicle crash occurred at Highway 20 and Highway 53, with a vehicle rolling over into a nearby field, according to the CHP.


Wind said it's believed that the driver took the corner too fast.


The CHP reported that the driver suffered minor injuries, including cuts to their arms, and sought their own medical aid.


With area roadways being wet due to rain, Wind urged that drivers be cautious.


E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The annual Dickens’ Christmas Market – an event that transforms downtown Lakeport into an old English village for a day full of festivities – will return to Lakeport once again this year.


The eighth annual event will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27.

 

Traveling to downtown Lakeport during Dickens’ Market is like traveling back through the centuries.


Costume-clad characters from the 1800s stroll along Main Street and welcome guests to browse the shops and enjoy the food and vendor booths.


Event-goers are encouraged to arrive dressed for the occasion in period costumes and enter the costume contest for a chance at cash prizes.

 

Restaurants in downtown Lakeport offer delicious food for sale for the occasion, and a variety of tasty treats also are available at the “King’s Food Court” on Third and Main streets.


Vendor booths along Main Street include arts and crafts, toys, and plentiful gift ideas for the holidays. Some Main Street merchants host their own booths featuring seasonal products and specialty holiday merchandise.

 

A full schedule of musical entertainers perform throughout the day and Christmas carolers and strolling minstrels entertain the crowds. In addition, Eleven Roses Ranch offers free “sleigh rides” through town on a seasonally adorned mule-drawn carriage.

 

Sutter Lakeside Hospital will sponsor Santa’s Workshop, featuring Santa Claus in Museum Park and activities and snacks for children. Santa’s Workshop hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

The Christmas Lighted Parade begins at 6 p.m. Anyone may register for the parade; applications are available at the Lake County Chamber of Commerce.


The Annual Hospice Tree Lighting will take place at Museum Park following the parade. The famous deodar cedar is decorated by the Lakeport Main Street Association.

 

For more information, contact the Lake County Chamber of Commerce at 707-263-5092 or visit www.lakecochamber.com.

 

Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .

HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE – Several hundred south county residents were out of power Saturday due to broken power equipment.


The outage in Hidden Valley Lake and Middletown was first reported just after 11:30 a.m., according to Pacific Gas & Electric spokesman J.D. Guidi.


The cause was a broken cross arm on a power pole, Guidi said.


Approximately 252 customers were impacted, according to Guidi.


He said 55 customers had their power restored just after 3 p.m., and by 3:30 p.m. the power went back on for another 60 homes.


The lights came on for the remaining 137 customers at 3:48 p.m., Guidi said.


E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .

What legal recourse do the surviving heirs of a missing person have to administer that person’s estate?


In California, when a person has been missing for a continuous period of five years or more, the surviving spouse, registered domestic partner, certain family members, and creditors can file a petition in the missing person’s last known county of residence to obtain a determination that the missing person is “presumed dead.”


What then is involved with successfully file such a “missing person” petition?


Section 12404 of the California Probate Code requires the petitioner to state the following: The last known residence the last known address of the missing person; the time and circumstances when the missing person was last seen or heard from; that the missing person has not been seen or heard from for a continuous period of five years by the persons likely to have seen or heard from the missing person and that the missing person’s whereabouts are unknown to those persons and the petition; and a description of the search or the inquiry concerning the whereabouts of the missing person.


Whether the court grants the petition depends most heavily on whether or not the court is satisfied that it has sufficient evidence from your search or inquiry to determine that the person is presumed dead.


Evidence that the missing person is presumed dead can include affidavits and depositions of persons likely to have seen or heard from or know the whereabouts of the missing person, based on section 12406(a) of the Probate Code.


If necessary, the court may require the search or inquiry to be made in any further manner that it considers advisable.


That could include publishing a request for information as to the missing person’s whereabouts in any newspaper or periodical, notifying appropriate law enforcement and public agencies of the disappearance, and hiring an investigator.


Such costs are paid from the missing person’s estate, if funds are available, and otherwise may have to be paid by the petitioner, according to section 12406(b) of the Probate Code.


If the court determines that the person is presumed dead, section 12407 of the Probate Code requires the court must both appoint a personal representative of the deceased missing person’s estate and determine the date of the missing person’s death.


At this point forward, the administration of the deceased missing person’s probate estate is administered in the same manner as any other deceased person’s estate.


Assets held in the presumed deceased person’s trust would be separately administered by the successor trustee.


Lastly, if after the distribution of the estate, the presumed deceased person reappears alive then he or she has five years from the time of such distributions to recover property from the persons who received such property.


The missing person’s right of recovery is limited by what is fair under the circumstances and also by the legal fees, costs and expenses incurred associated with the administration of the presumed deceased person’s estate prior to his or her reappearance.


Dennis A. Fordham, attorney (LL.M. tax studies), is a State Bar Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Law. His office is at 55 First St., Lakeport, California. Dennis can be reached by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at 707-263-3235.


Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .

Upcoming Calendar

3Dec
12.03.2024 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Lakeport City Counci
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‘A Christmas Carol’ radio performance
14Dec
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