On the roundabout
HIT: No crashes have occurred in the new roundabout on Highway 20 at the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff.
MISS: Though the traffic circle is already addressing some of Caltrans” safety concerns, many Lake County motorists fail to follow posted speed limits, yield signs and other directions.
Treat or trick?
HIT: Safe Halloween activities will be provided to county youth in many venues.
MISS: Hoberg”s Resort, which has not opened, nor is it permitted to open, has not removed potentially toxic debris, nor paid numerous employees or payroll and property taxes — continues to deceptively advertise events on its website that cannot take place, including an “annual Halloween bash.” Don”t fall for the trick this Halloween.
When disaster strikes
HIT: Lake County officials, agencies and fire personnel responded promptly and communicated efficiently from the onset of the fire near Twin Lakes, saving structures, vehicles, vineyards and probably lives.
MISS: A highly publicized free-to-attend disaster expo took place the previous weekend and saw sparse attendance. Citizens of Lake County have a responsibility to prepare themselves for emergencies that are common to the region.
Tough way to start the day
MISS: A Lake County Sheriff”s Office lieutenant was injured Wednesday morning after another driver rear-ended his county-owned Ford Taurus.
The right call
HIT: Michael James Wright, convicted of causing the triple-fatal car crash near Twin Lakes in January, withdrew his request to be temporarily released from jail to attend his daughter”s wedding.
Double-murder trial begins
HIT: Jury selection began this week in the trial of Robby Alan Beasley, who is accused of shooting two Maine residents in early 2010.
Driver in fatal crash sentenced
HIT: Danny Kirk Fields II was sentenced to 12 years and four months in state prison for causing the April crash that killed his ex-girlfriend, Jennifer Clark, and for unrelated drug charges.
MISS: Authorities said Fields ran from scene, leaving Clark in the passenger seat. Family said she was severely injured but had a heartbeat for 35 to 40 minutes after the crash.
HIT: Judge Stephen O. Hedstrom encouraged Fields to turn his life around after completing his prison term.
Murder case delayed again
MISS: Daniel Ray Loyd, accused of killing a woman during a robbery attempt in Lucerne last year, got a new defense lawyer Tuesday after his previous public defender filed a motion to withdraw.
MISS: Loyd”s preliminary hearing was postponed indefinitely.
Westside Park moves forward
HIT: Backstops, dugouts, road surfacing and erosion control were among the projects completed this construction season at Lakeport”s Westside Community Park.
HIT: Officials hope the new baseball and softball fields will open next year.
Sheriff”s substations
HIT: The Lake County Supervisors approved moving forward with negotiations for a leased property in Clearlake Oaks to serve as a Lake County Sheriff”s Office substation.
MISS: Heated exchanges took place between the supervisors and Sheriff Frank Rivero during the discussion.
HIT: Rivero said progress is going well on the Middletown substation, with one building renovated and the second building needing a foundation.
MISS: The substation still lacks telecommunications service, which might not be in place until December.
Team DUI plans schedule
HIT: Community representatives met to schedule a plan of action for educational awareness group Team DUI.
HIT: The group aims to educate teens on the consequences and dangers of driving under the influence through prevention and the use of speakers whose lives were affected by alcohol.
MISS: In 2010, 22 percent of teenage drivers involved in fatal crashes were determined to be under the influence of alcohol.
Planning provides clarity for Clearlake
HIT: A weeklong series of planning events for the Lakeshore Drive corridor ended on a high note when a standing-room only crowd of more than 100 people attended a presentation of preliminary plans for the corridor. Final plans are expected to be ready in winter.
MISS: A higher turnout could occur in the future because of the amount of businesses along the corridor.
HIT: City officials stated the events were positive and people were enthusiastic.
Literacy wins
HIT: Everyone is a winner who raised money for literacy by joining the Vineyard Run for Literacy. The 23rd annual event on Sunday raised more than $7,250 for literacy programs and tutor training.
MISS: According to CaLiteracy.org, 14 percent of U.S. residents would have extreme difficulty with reading and written comprehension; it cites tests administered by the National Assessment of Adult Literacy.
