Welcome baby New Year
HIT: The first Lake County baby of 2013 was born at St. Helena Hospital, Clear Lake on New Year”s Day at 10:41 p.m.
Egret: Up and out
HIT: The flagship of the Lakeport Yacht Club, the Egret, was raised Tuesday after sitting at the bottom of Clear Lake since late November.
Derby donations
HIT: The Pear Festival Committee donated $350 to Cub Scout pack 145. The scouts will use the money for a new pinewood derby track.
Up through the ranks
HIT: CAL FIRE named Eric Hoffman new Unit Chief for the Sonoma-Lake-Napa unit.
Road Riders provide support
HIT: The Clear Lake Road Riders Motorcycle Club presented checks from funds raised in 2012 to the Lucerne Alpine and Live Oak senior centers and the Lake Family Resource Center.
HIT: The motorcycle club raised about $5,000 for scholarships and donations to community organizations.
MISS: An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
MISS: In an average year, nearly 2.7 million seniors nationwide are at-risk for hunger, according to the Meals-On-Wheels Association of America.
Water flows
HIT: Water was released from Clear Lake through the Cache Creek Dam last week to prevent flooding of lakeside homes when the lake level reaches certain stages.
HIT: Recent rains caused the lake level to jump by more than a foot to 5.67 feet on the Rumsey Gauge as of Dec. 27.
HIT: The water was released in accordance with a decree between the county and the Yolo County Flood and Water Conservation District that governs water releases during winter.
HIT: Water will stop being released once the lake level is below 5.50 feet.
Murder suspect pleads guilty
HIT: Eddie Lee Gillespie pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and admitted a gun-related special allegation Monday in death of his estranged wife, Tracey Gillespie, in Clearlake Oaks May 25, 2010.
MISS: Gillespie, 53, waited until almost two weeks before his trial to admit culpability.
HIT: The plea deal called for Gillespie to receive a prison sentence of 18 years to life.
Retiring judge honored
HIT: A retirement celebration for longtime Lake County Superior Court Judge David W. Herrick took place in his courtroom, Department 1, Thursday afternoon.
Pursuits within hours, blocks
MISS: Two men, reportedly convicted felons and documented gang members, ran from Clearlake police after traffic stops occurring about six blocks from each other and less than six hours apart.
MISS: One driver got away while the second driver was captured and arrested. Despite some similarities, authorities do not believe the incidents were related.
Puppy adoption
HIT: Lake County Animal Services will bring puppies available for adoption to Pet Food Express in Petaluma on Saturday.
MISS: Irresponsible dog owners allowing their pets to breed make adoption events like this vitally necessary.
Student strings
HIT: Clear Lake Performing Arts, in conjunction with a grant from the Lake County Wine Alliance, will offer free, after-school violin lessons to elementary through high school students.
