NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Assemblyman Bill Dodd reported finishing first among candidates for the official endorsement of the California Democratic Party in California State Senate District 3.

The vote took place Saturday afternoon in Cordelia, with results reported and confirmed on Sunday.

“I’m grateful that so many of our local Democratic grassroots activists placed their confidence in our campaign,” said Dodd. “These folks give passionate voice and leadership to the fundamental commitment Democrats have to equality for all, pursuit of the American Dream, access to high-quality public schools, securing a healthy environment, and delivering clean, reliable water systems, among others.”

Dodd received 55 percent of the vote, surpassing the 50 percent threshold needed for an endorsement vote at the party’s convention being held in San Jose from February 26 to 28. Any candidate receiving 60 percent of that vote will earn the party’s endorsement.

The Third Senate District includes all of Napa and Solano counties, as well as portions of Contra Costa, Sacramento, Sonoma and Yolo counties.

It includes the cities of Petaluma, Cotati, Rohnert Park, Sonoma, Pleasant Hill, Martinez, American Canyon, Calistoga, Napa, St. Helena, Yountville, Benicia, Dixon, Fairfield, Rio Vista, Suisun City, Vacaville, Vallejo, Davis, Winters, Woodland and Isleton.

Dodd is a Democrat from Napa County. After a successful 25-year business career, Dodd served four terms on the Napa County Board of Supervisors, and currently represents the Fourth Assembly District, which includes Lake County.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Lake County International Charter School (LCICS) invites the community to celebrate the new year and new beginnings by attending its spaghetti feast fundraiser on Monday, Feb. 8.

The dinner will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Methodist Church on Armstrong Street in Middletown.

“This annual dinner 'fun'draiser has been a favorite of our school’s families and the community for the past seven years, and this year we have even more to celebrate as our community literally rises from the ashes like our school mascot, the phoenix,” LCICS Director Gwendolyn Maupin-Ahern said. “We welcome everyone in the community to join us for a delicious meal and family-friendly fun!”

The ticket price of $8 for adults, $5 for children and a maximum price of $25 for a family of four or more will include a spaghetti dinner with meat or vegetarian sauce options, salad and garlic bread.

Maupin-Ahern added, “It’s a great value for an evening of fun and dinner for the whole family, and a wonderful chance to come together as a community.”

The event will also feature raffles, a bake sale, and musical entertainment from local musicians and LCICS students.

For more information please call the LCICS office at 707-987-3063, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , go to www.lcics.org or “like” the Lake County International Charter School on Facebook.

CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – The Animal Coalition of Lake County will hold its annual Valentine's dinner and dance on Saturday, Feb. 13.

The event will take place at the Clearlake Oaks Moose Lodge, 15900 E. Highway 20.

It will begin at 5 p.m. with a no-host bard, with a Mexican fiesta dinner beginning at 6 p.m. The dinner is donated by the group's longtime supporter and friend, Vic Langlais, and The Spot Restaurant. 

Local favorites “Twice as Good” will be playing dance music, so bring your dancing shoes.

Other features of the event will include a silent auction with lots of wonderful gifts and baskets made by volunteers. A live auction will take place with Bob Kiel of Bob's Vacuum acting as auctioneer.

The fundraiser's proceeds will go toward the coalition's spay/neuter assistance program.

Tickets are only $20 per person and can be purchased at:

– From Me 2 You, 14104 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake, telephone 707-995-0552;
– The Spot, 14625 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake, telephone 707-994-9335;
– Bob's Vacuum, 4165 Mullen Ave., Clearlake, telephone  707-994-7621;
– Marie's Feed, 14590 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake, telephone 707-900-8671.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Public Services interim Director Kim Clymire announced that the Eastlake Landfill and the Lakeport Public Services office will be closed Monday, Feb. 15, in observance of the President’s Day holiday.

Residential pickup will be on their regular scheduled day.

Both facilities will reopen on Tuesday, Feb. 16.

Normal operating hours at the landfill are 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

The Public Services office is normally open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you have any questions regarding this subject or any of the solid waste issues in Lake County, please call 707-262-1618.

LUCERNE, Calif. – The public is cordially invited to the first of a “Distinguished Speakers Series,” at Marymount California University (MCU) Lakeside campus on Thursday, Feb. 4, starting at 6 p.m.

Dr. Harry Lyons, Woodland Community College biology professor, will present a program titled, “Lessons from Green Water.”

He will weave the stories of two nutrient-rich aquatic ecosystems, the Hudson River and Clear Lake, in addressing the problems and promises of such rich biological communities.

The talk is the first in a series of three presentations that are sponsored by the Friends of Marymount California University (MCU) Lakeside and the Lake County Land Trust.

The program is held at the MCU Lakeside campus at 3700 Country Club Drive in Lucerne.

Come early for a short tour of the facility. Refreshments will be served and a small voluntary donation of $5 will benefit a scholarship fund for MCU Lakeside students.

Dr. Lyons grew up swimming and fishing in the Hudson. His lifelong interest in water led him to pursue his Ph.D. in oceanography from the Scripps Institution of the University of California.

He has lived, sampled from and swum in Clear Lake for more than 35 years. His talk will include relevant songs with Dr. Lyons accompanied by bass player, Rick McCann.

The next in the speaker series is on March 3, featuring Dr. John Parker, then concludes on April 7 with ecologist Catherine Koehler.

For information call 888-991-5253 or 707-262-0707 or visit www.lakecountylandtrust.org .

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake Planning Commission's regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 2, has been canceled.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Feb. 16.