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Lake County educators, advocates and officials during the Child Abuse Prevention Month proclamation presentation at Lakeport City Hall on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Lakeport, California. Photo by Lingzi Chen/Lake County News.


LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and Lake County is coming together to raise awareness and promote the well-being of children and families in our community.

This year, the Office of Child Abuse Prevention has selected the theme “Powered by Hope, Strengthened by Prevention,” emphasizes the importance of proactive efforts that support families, strengthen communities, and ensure all children have the opportunity for a bright future.

Locally, the Lake County Child Abuse Prevention Council has chosen the theme “Be a Hero,” encouraging individuals to either become their own hero or be a hero for someone else. These themes serve as a reminder that everyone has a role to play in ensuring the safety and well-being of children.

Throughout the month, local organizations, county departments and community members are hosting a variety of events designed to engage, educate and inspire action. These events provide opportunities for people to show their support and help create a safer, healthier environment for all children.

Proclamations

Public proclamations play a crucial role in raising awareness and demonstrating a unified commitment to preventing child abuse. They bring visibility to the issue, encourage community-wide participation, and reinforce the importance of collective action.

When local governments recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month, they help to amplify the message that child protection is a shared responsibility.

On April 1, both the Lake County Board of Supervisors and the City of Lakeport proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, reaffirming their commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community.

The city of Clearlake followed suit with its own proclamation on April 3 and the Board of Education will offer its proclamation on April 15, further emphasizing the collective dedication to this important cause.

Flag raising ceremonies: Honoring and remembering

Lake County is also hosting flag-raising ceremonies to symbolize our commitment to child safety. The Children’s Memorial Flag was raised at two locations on April 1, Lake Family Resource Center’s new Lakeport office and Lake County Probation’s Lower Lake office, serving as a visual pledge to protect and advocate for the well-being of all children.

The final flag-raising and closing ceremony will take place on April 25 at 9 a.m. at the Lake County Sheriff’s Office in Lakeport, providing a moment for the community to come together again to honor the children lost to child abuse and neglect.

Pinwheel gardens: A symbol of hope

Throughout April, pinwheel gardens will be planted across Lake County as a symbol of hope and a reminder of the importance of preventing child abuse.

This year, three lucky winners will be selected from the participants, adding an extra layer of excitement and engagement to this meaningful initiative. So, make sure to plant your pinwheel garden, post a picture on Facebook, and add the hashtag #resilientlakecounty.

Celebrating Creativity: Child Art Contest

Another activity is the children’s art contest, where young artists created artworks displaying what “Be A Hero” means to them.

The winning pieces will be proudly displayed on placemats and handed out at local restaurants, serving as a powerful reminder of the importance of nurturing and protecting our children.

This year’s participating restaurants are Taco Bell in Lakeport, Judy’s Junction, Pogos in Kelseyville, Grandpa’s Café, BBQ by Biscotti, Subway in Clearlake and Cabos.

Children's Festival & Advocacy Walk: April 12 and 26

Families are invited to the Children’s Festival and Memorial Walk at Xabatin Park in Lakeport on April 12 and again on April 26 at Austin Park in Clear Lake from 10 a.m to 3 p.m.

These special events are a chance to honor children who have been affected by abuse while celebrating the joy and resilience of childhood.

The festival will feature free fun activities, resources for families, and opportunities to learn more about prevention efforts.

Join the movement

Child Abuse Prevention Month is more than just a series of events — it’s a call to action. Every child deserves to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment, and it takes a united community to make that a reality.

Whether you participate in the festivals, attend a flag-raising ceremony, join the Children’s Council, or simply spread awareness, your involvement makes a difference.

Lake County is urged to stand together to protect our children and build a brighter future for all.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — What draws people to the library? Everything!

From books and digital resources to job assistance and creative programming, libraries are vital to thriving communities.

National Library Week, celebrated April 6 to 12, highlights the many ways libraries bring people together, spark imagination and support lifelong learning.

At Lake County Library, we invite you to join the celebration! Whether you're a longtime patron or haven't visited in a while, now is the perfect time to explore all we have to offer.

Our libraries provide storytimes for kids, books, eBooks, DVDs, audiobooks, crafting clubs and even seed libraries to help you start a garden.

No matter your interests, we offer resources that educate, inspire and connect.

Libraries serve as hubs for learning and creativity. Whether you're preparing for a career change, launching a business, raising a family, or embracing retirement, the library supports your journey.

We offer public computers, free WiFi, and tech assistance every Tuesday during Tech Tuesday, along with a variety of online learning resources available on our website.

Our Adult Literacy program can even help adults and families build their literacy skills, or learn English, with one-on-one sessions with a volunteer tutor.

This National Library Week, rediscover all that your library has to offer. Visit one of our four branches in Lakeport, Clearlake, Middletown and Upper Lake, or stop by the bookmobile!

First celebrated in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association and libraries across the country.

For more information about resources and events at Lake County Library, visit https://library.lakecountyca.gov.

Christopher Veach is the Lake County librarian.
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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA — The battle over a Lake County tribe’s casino plan in Vallejo has escalated with the filing of another lawsuit.

On Tuesday, the Lakeport-based Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians filed a federal lawsuit and an emergency motion for a temporary restraining order to block what the tribe called the Department of the Interior’s “sudden and unlawful attempt” to reopen the tribe’s gaming eligibility determination for the casino project.

In January, the Department of Interior, while still under the Biden Administration, granted Scotts Valley’s fee-to-trust application for the $700 million, 400,000-square-foot mega casino complex, along with 24 homes and an administrative building, which is slated to be built near I-80 and Highway 37.

On March 24, two other tribes — the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, which owns Cache Creek Casino in Yolo County, and the Kletsel Dehe Band of Wintun Indians, a nongaming tribe based in Colusa County — filed a lawsuit challenging the Department of the Interior’s casino decision, as Lake County News has reported.

Three days later, the Department of the Interior wrote to the Scotts Valley Pomo to say that it was rescinding the gaming eligibility determination granted to the tribe under the Biden Administration in January in order for it to be reconsidered.

In a Tuesday statement, Scotts Valley said the Department of Interior’s March 27 action “seeks to upend years of federal approvals and threatens a carefully planned economic development project that would provide jobs, revenue, and long-term stability for the Tribe and the City of Vallejo.”

The tribe said it is “calling the action motivated by unfounded opposition from competitors, legally baseless, and in direct violation of the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, federal trust obligations, and basic principles of administrative law.”

The Department Interior’s reconsideration “effectively ignores the determination that the Tribe’s trust land in Vallejo is eligible for gaming — despite DOI's own prior conclusion after years of review,” according to the statement.

Scotts Valley said the determination it received from the Department of Interior on Jan. 10 “came after years of extensive administrative review and litigation.”

As part of those previous reviews and lawsuits, Scotts Valley said it “successfully challenged an earlier negative decision, which a federal court found to be deficient.” As a result, the court ordered the matter remanded to the Department of Interior, leading to the January determination.

“The January 10 decision was based on evidence submitted by all parties as of 2019, and the Department already considered and rejected the points put forward by opposing casino operators,” the tribe said. “DOI is attempting to revisit a final decision that it had no legal basis to reopen.”

“This is a shameful decision,” said Scotts Valley Chairman Shawn Davis. “We will not allow bureaucrats to trample our sovereignty or destroy the opportunities we have fought decades to secure. This land is ours. The law is on our side. And we will see the Department of the Interior in court.”

Davis added, ““This is like trying to replay a football game after the final whistle has blown and the score has been posted. We won. The process is over. We shouldn’t have to replay the game because others don’t like the outcome.”

Scotts Valley’s Tuesday filing seeks immediate judicial intervention to prevent the Department of Interior “from inflicting further harm while the case proceeds. The Tribe is confident that the law, the facts, and common sense are on its side.”

The tribe’s statement said it “remains steadfast in its mission to exercise its sovereign rights, develop its economy, and hold the federal government accountable to its promises.”

The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, and on Bluesky, @erlarson.bsky.social. Find Lake County News on the following platforms: Facebook, @LakeCoNews; X, @LakeCoNews; Threads, @lakeconews, and on Bluesky, @lakeconews.bsky.social.
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“Kahlua.” Photo courtesy of Clearlake Animal Control.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. — Clearlake Animal Control has more new dogs and puppies waiting for homes this week.

The shelter has 55 adoptable dogs listed on its website.

This week’s dogs include “Kahlua,” a 2-month-old German Shepherd mix puppy with a short silver and black coat.

The shelter is located at 6820 Old Highway 53. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

For more information, call the shelter at 707-762-6227, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., visit Clearlake Animal Control on Facebook or on the city’s website.

This week’s adoptable dogs are featured below.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, and on Bluesky, @erlarson.bsky.social. Find Lake County News on the following platforms: Facebook, @LakeCoNews; X, @LakeCoNews; Threads, @lakeconews, and on Bluesky, @lakeconews.bsky.social.
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Amid growing fear and tension among immigrant families and advocates nationwide, California State Superintendent of Schools Tony Thurmond on Wednesday presented a bill, Senate Bill 48, that will limit the presence of ICE agents on school campuses.

SB 48, authored by Senate Majority Leader Lena Gonzalez (D-33), is sponsored by Thurmond to address safety concerns of immigrant families and protect school funding that is projected to decline in some parts of the state as attendance is suppressed as undocumented individuals fear deportation consequences at school.

The bill is in direct protest to President Trump’s threats to lead mass deportation efforts at schools and houses of worship.

“We know that the fearmongering happening across our nation has disruptive impacts on children in our immigrant families, and it could cost California schools millions of dollars,” Thurmond said.

California is one of a handful of states that still uses an average daily attendance system for attributing funding or the loss of funding to schools.

Approximately half of all students in California are members of immigrant families, in which at least one parent is an immigrant.

One in five students in California live in mixed-status families, in which one or more parents are undocumented.

“All California children deserve safe school environments that prioritize student learning, regardless of immigration status,” said Gonzalez. “As chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, I’m proud to be partnering with Superintendent Tony Thurmond to author this important legislation, which will prevent disruptions to student learning, keep children in school, and prevent families from being torn apart.”

Thurmond has called on federal policymakers to create a path to citizenship where undocumented immigrants, who are estimated to generate billions in state revenue through earnings, can take on hard-to-fill jobs and pay into the tax system.

Thurmond and the California Department of Education are leading numerous efforts to push back on Trump policies and executive orders, including leading a plan to block the elimination of the U.S. Department of Education.

SB 48 was heard on Wednesday, April 2, in the California Senate Education Committee.

A recording of the Superintendent’s testimony on April 2 is available on the California State Senate website.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said its arrest of a Lakeport man marks “a significant development” in the ongoing investigation into a series of property crimes across the county.

Jeremy Wayne Griffin, 38, was taken into custody on March 26 after a brief foot pursuit, said sheriff’s spokesperson Lauren Berlinn.

Griffin had multiple outstanding warrants from Lake County and neighboring counties and was a primary suspect in numerous burglaries, Berlinn said.

Berlinn said the “diligent efforts” of the Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit, Community Oriented Policing and Targeted Restoration Unit, and Lake County Narcotics Task Force established probable cause linkingGriffin to thefts in Loch Lomond and Kelseyville.

Earlier in the investigation, Griffin evaded detectives in a high-speed vehicle pursuit, reaching speeds over 100 miles per hour before fleeing on foot, Berlinn reported.

Berlinn said a subsequent search of the abandoned vehicle yielded significant evidence, including multiple cell phones, burglary tools, cash, checks, stolen property from local businesses, as well as drugs and drug paraphernalia.

Detectives dedicated extensive hours to surveillance and investigative work to track Griffin’s whereabouts, according to Berlinn’s report.

Berlinn said that on March 26 detectives received a report that Griffin had forcibly kidnapped his estranged wife in front of their children. Ring doorbell footage confirmed that Griffin had forced her into a vehicle.

Detectives quickly located Griffin at a property on Gold Dust Drive in Kelseyville. Despite attempting to flee, Griffin was apprehended and arrested without further incident, Berlinn reported.

He now faces multiple charges, including burglary, kidnapping, evading a peace officer, possession of a controlled substance for sales, and numerous felony and misdemeanor offenses tied to his outstanding warrants.

Griffin is currently being held at the Hill Road Correctional Facility, with his bail set at $636,000 according to his booking sheet.

Berlinn said multiple cases have been referred to the Lake County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution, and the investigation into additional property crimes remains ongoing.

Lake County Superior Court records indicate Griffin has a lengthy criminal record, including previous convictions for assault, burglary, drugs and evasion.

The sheriff’s office commended the dedication of its deputies and detectives who worked tirelessly to apprehend Griffin and bring justice to the victims of these crimes.

Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Major Crimes Unit Tipline at 707-262-4088.
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California Attorney General Bonta on Thursday issued a statement on the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island’s decision granting a temporary restraining order that immediately restores $11 billion in critical public health funding to state and local public health agencies across the country, including $972 million to California.

“Two days after filing our 9th lawsuit against the Trump Administration, we have secured a temporary order that restores public health funding and ensures communities nationwide are prepared for public health threats,” said Attorney General Bonta. “As our lawsuit continues, we remain steadfast in our commitment to ensure state and local health agencies have what they need to keep Americans healthy and safe.”

Beginning on March 24, 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, abruptly, with no advance notice or warning, issued termination notices to state and local public health agencies across the country, purporting to end federal funding for grants that provide essential support for a wide range of urgent public health needs, including identifying, tracking, and addressing infectious diseases; ensuring access to immunizations; and modernizing critical public health infrastructure.

The federal funding was appropriated by Congress to ensure the United States is better prepared for future public health threats.

On Tuesday, Attorney General Bonta announced co-leading a coalition of 23 states and the District of Columbia in filing a lawsuit against the Trump Administration’s HHS and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. over the unlawful termination of public health funding.

On Thursday, the court responded by granting the requested temporary restraining order.

The order temporarily restores essential public health funding and vital programs that serve millions of Californians, including children, rural communities, and nursing homes, including:

• Over $800 million that the California Department of Public Health intended to use, in part, to vaccinate 4.5 million children statewide and assist hospitals in directing injured and ill patients to available health facilities during all types of emergencies, where efficient routing saves lives.
• $119 million to the California Department of Health Care Services which supports key programs, including substance use disorder prevention and early intervention services for youth in at least 18 counties.
• $45 million to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to use in part, to strengthen the county’s efforts to prevent the spread of measles, and seasonal and avian influenza.
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Gov. Gavin Newsom unveils the new Master Plan for Career Education on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. Photo courtesy of the Governor’s Office.

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday unveiled the Master Plan for Career Education to strengthen career pathways, prioritize hands-on learning and real-life skills, and advance educational access and affordability.

In a meeting at Modesto Junior College, Gov. Newsom received the Master Plan, which provides a framework to respond to the complex challenges facing California’s labor market and education landscape and prepare all learners for the ever-changing workforce.

The plan, supported by proposed budget investments, will make it easier for Californians to receive college credit for their real-world experience — including veterans.

With strategic input from agencies and community members, two central themes emerged to guide the creation of the Master Plan: enhance coordination and address structural barriers that make it difficult for Californians to navigate education, workforce training, and public benefit systems.

By designing systems so they are inherently accessible to all learners regardless of their varied needs and circumstances, California can simultaneously expand access for a wide variety of learners and free up resources to provide more customized support for specific populations.

The Governor’s January Budget includes several proposals that stem from the Master Plan.

“The Master Plan lays out a clear path to help all Californians — whether just starting out or switching careers — access high-paying, fulfilling jobs, with or without a college degree. By aligning our education system with real workforce needs, we’re powering economic growth and creating stronger communities,” said Newsom.

Career passports and credit for prior learning

To help Californians better showcase their skills, the state will launch Career Passports — a digital tool that combines academic records with verified experience from work, military service, training programs and more.

This skills-based record will help shift hiring away from degree-only requirements and open up more good jobs for workers of all backgrounds.

The plan also invests in expanding Credit for Prior Learning, or CPL, allowing veterans and working Californians to turn real-world experience into college credit.

This statewide push is expected to benefit 250,000 people — including 30,000 veterans — and generate billions in long-term economic gains by speeding up time to degree and cutting costs.

Together, these efforts help Californians get credit for what they already know — and put that knowledge to work.

Stronger state and regional coordination

To make career pathways more effective, the Master Plan calls for a new statewide collaborative to align education, training, and hiring needs. This body will help track labor market trends, reduce duplication, and build smarter workforce strategies.

Locally, the plan supports stronger regional partnerships — expanding paid internships, streamlining funding, and engaging employers to identify in-demand skills. The goal: create seamless, real-world pathways from the classroom to the job site.

You can read the full Master Plan below.

The history of the plan

In the 1960s, California’s Master Plan for Higher Education established a clear structure for its postsecondary systems (Community Colleges, CSU, and UC), based on a labor market requiring minimal formal education. However, as the 21st century has progressed, California's economy has evolved.

To meet the demands of a rapidly changing workforce, including the rise of artificial intelligence, educational institutions must adapt and develop strategies that support continuous upskilling throughout students' careers.

In recognition of this, in August 2023, Gov. Newsom launched a new way forward through the Freedom to Succeed Executive Order.

The culmination of those efforts, the Master Plan for Career Education provides a strategy for responding to the complex, multifaceted challenges confronting California’s labor market and educational landscape.

It acknowledges the shifting demographics of college attendees and the changing nature of work — with automation and artificial intelligence reshaping job categories and skill requirements — and provides flexibility to address new challenges that will emerge in the future. The statewide effort has been led by a public-private partnership with philanthropy.

The initial framework for the Master Plan was first released in December at Shasta Community College.

2025 CA Master Plan for Career Education by LakeCoNews on Scribd

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CLEARLAKE, Calif. — The Clearlake City Council this week will hold the first reading of an ordinance regarding charity bingo games and hold a hearing to close out a city project.

The council will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 3, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.

The agenda can be found here.

The meeting will be broadcast live on the city's YouTube channel or the Lake County PEGTV YouTube Channel.

Community members also can participate via Zoom. The webinar ID is 827 7105 3751, the pass code is 715698. One tap mobile is available at +16694449171,,82771053751#, or join by phone at 669-444-9171 or 646-931-3860.

On Thursday, the council will hold the first reading of an ordinance authorizing bingo games for charitable purposes only, and set the second reading and adoption for the next council meeting.

The council also will hold a public hearing to discuss the closeout package to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for the Community Development Block Grant Storm Drain Master Plan. Council members will consider adopting Resolution 2025-14 to authorize the city manager to submit the closeout package, confirming successful project completion and financial reconciliation.

Also on Thursday, the council also will offer a proclamation declaring April 2025 as Child Abuse Awareness Month, receive a presentation by North Coast Opportunities on the BUILD Program and receive the annual animal control report by North Bay Animal Services.

On the meeting's consent agenda — items that are considered routine in nature and usually adopted on a single vote — are warrants; review of the 2024 Annual Housing Element Progress Report; continuation of the local emergency proclamation for the Boyles Fire; continuation of the local emergency proclamation for the winter storms; and authorization of fee structure changed to special events applications, authorizing the city manager to implement special event fees and
deposits based on an hourly rate.

The council also will hold a closed session to discuss a liability claim filed by Anthony Oldfield.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, and on Bluesky, @erlarson.bsky.social. Find Lake County News on the following platforms: Facebook, @LakeCoNews; X, @LakeCoNews; Threads, @lakeconews, and on Bluesky, @lakeconews.bsky.social.
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The California State Library has been notified by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services, or IMLS, that, effective April 1, the 2024-25 federal grant awarded under the Library Services and Technology Act has been terminated.

In the current fiscal year, the State Library received $15,705,702 in funding to assist local
California libraries provide programs and services, as well as supporting the services provided by the State Library to state government, policymakers, and the public.

Over 21 percent of that funding has yet to be sent to California.

“We are deeply disappointed by this ill-informed decision, which immediately affects critical programs supported by these funds,” said California Deputy State Librarian Rebecca Wendt. “The California State Library remains committed to serving all of the people of California and will explore alternative means to ensure continued access to essential library services.”

The Library Services and Technology Act,or LSTA, has provided critical funding for a wide range of programs that benefit communities across California.

These funds support early learning and literacy programs, such as storytimes and play spaces for low-income families, summer reading initiatives that engage over a million children and teens, and programs that help at-risk youth develop workforce-readiness skills.

Additionally, LSTA funds have enabled State Library staff to assist with the expansion of the Student Success Card program, ensuring that all California students receive a public library card by third grade.

Beyond literacy, LSTA funding strengthens communities by supporting diverse programs that align with California’s cultural, educational, and environmental priorities.

Local libraries have used these funds to create climate education programs, community gardens, tool libraries, and telehealth privacy pods for individuals without home internet access.

Libraries also provide valuable services for veterans, formerly incarcerated individuals, and tribal and rural communities. High-speed broadband initiatives, along with programs like California Revealed and the Cultural Heritage Disaster Preparedness Program, ensure that California’s history and cultural treasures are preserved and accessible to the public.

LSTA funding also expands access to learning resources for Californians of all ages. It supports the state’s only shared eBook collection, free access to major news publications like The New York Times and CalMatters for Learning, and databases that serve state employees, lawmakers and the general public.

The Career Online High School program, supported by State Library staff, enables adults to earn their high school diplomas through local libraries, while the Braille and Talking Book Library ensures that visually impaired Californians have free access to books in accessible formats.

Additionally, these funds help strengthen California’s library workforce through statewide training, leadership development, and tuition reimbursement for those studying to become librarians.

Libraries also benefit from partnerships with state agencies, including the Departments of Aging, Public Health, and Technology, which allow public libraries to serve as vital hubs for government resources and community engagement.

Moreover, LSTA funds support programs that promote government transparency, such as cataloging and maintaining access to federal and state government documents.

From fostering literacy and lifelong learning to preserving history and expanding digital access, LSTA funding plays an essential role in ensuring that California’s libraries remain innovative and responsive to the evolving needs of the communities they serve.

The California State Library said it will provide further updates as additional information becomes available.
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A key policy committee on Wednesday approved a measure in the Assembly Committee on Governmental Organization to make California Native American Day a paid holiday — celebrated annually on the fourth Friday of September — for state employees.

Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino) introduced the bill, AB 989, which made it out of committee on a 20-0 vote. It will next go to the Committee on Public Employment and Retirement.

Ramos, a member of the Serrano/Cahuilla tribe, is the first California Native American lawmaker elected in the state’s almost 175-year history. He has been working to enact a California Native American Day since 1998. The Assembly committee analysis of AB 989, provides the following background:

Native American Day began in California in 1939, when Gov. Culbert Olson dedicated Oct. 1 as “Indian Day.”

In 1968, Governor Ronald Reagan signed a resolution calling for a holiday called American Indian Day, to be held on the Fourth Friday in September.

In 1998, the California legislature passed, and the Governor signed AB 1953 (Baca) which changed the name of American Indian Day to Native American Day, and authorized public schools to provide instruction on the contributions of Native Americans. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., in 2011 wrote a Governor’s Proclamation highlighting this momentous and important day.

Since 2014, with the passage of AB 1973 (R. Hernández), Chapter 537, Statutes of 2014, California has recognized the fourth Friday in September as "Native American Day" as an official state holiday, albeit a holiday that does not directly provide for paid time off for any state employee.

Ramos said, “I was a San Manuel council member when I started working toward this goal with then-Assemblymember Joe Baca Sr. “This is one more step forward in recognizing and building knowledge about the history, culture and contributions of California’s Native Americans.”

In 2021, he successfully authored AB 855 that created a paid judicial holiday. The legislation did not include other state personnel because they are governed by a different statutory code section. Ramos noted, “California Native American history is California history, and the current unpaid holiday designation is an inadequate acknowledgment of the state’s First People and their millennia-long presence, saga and stewardship of the lands now known as California.”

Supporters include Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe of California, California Consortium for Urban Indian Health, Chalon Indian Nation of California, Elk Valley Rancheria, California as well as Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel, Indigenous Justice, Mongo Band of Mission Indians and Native Development Network.
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The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, or ABC, recognizes the importance of Alcohol Awareness Month every April due to the high number of alcohol-related deaths each year in the U.S.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, excessive alcohol use is a leading preventable cause of death, and these deaths are on the rise.

Between 2016 to 2017, 138,000 deaths were alcohol related — between 2020 to 2021, that increased to 178,000.

Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, says 13,524 people died in alcohol-impaired vehicle collisions in 2022.

"This month serves as an important reminder that customers and licensees need to do their part to limit alcohol-related harm,” said ABC Director Joseph McCullough. “Whether you’re drinking alcohol or serving it, you have to do so responsibly because it can help save lives.”

ABC encourages patrons to always plan for a sober ride home after drinking and to never binge drink. Licensees are encouraged to stringently check IDs to prevent underage drinking and to never serve obviously intoxicated patrons.

Licensees and bystanders are also encouraged to report any signs of excessive or underage drinking to local authorities.

The effects of alcohol misuse are both deadly and expensive. Alcohol is the fourth-leading cause of preventable death in the United States, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and has a role in at least 7.1% of all emergency room visits.

The financial burden of alcohol misuse cost the U.S. an estimated $249 billion per year. NHTSA estimates that drunk driving crashes cost the U.S. $68.9 billion annually.

Upcoming Calendar

26Apr
26Apr
04.26.2025 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Lakeport Spring Community Cleanup Day
26Apr
04.26.2025 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Soper Reese Theatre renovation groundbreaking
26Apr
04.26.2025 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Lake County Symphony annual Trivia Challenge
5May
05.05.2025
Cinco de Mayo
7May
05.07.2025 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
City of Lakeport water plant open house
11May
05.11.2025
Mother's Day
26May
05.26.2025
Memorial Day
14Jun
06.14.2025
Flag Day

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