CLEARLAKE
Bringing Clearlake’s spirit back
Russell Cremer, a lifelong Lake County resident who grew up in Lower Lake, has deep roots in the community. He married his wife, Joan, in 1971, and together they spent decades working in Sacramento and other Northern California locations. Yet, as Cremer describes, “Clearlake had always been calling me to return. Once we retired, it took less than two weeks for us to pack our bags and move back.”
He returned in 2003 and quickly became involved in civic life, including serving on the Lake County Fire Protection District Board before being appointed to the Planning Commission in 2016 and later to the Clearlake City Council in 2018. Now re-elected and serving as mayor, Cremer remains dedicated to the community’s growth and prosperity.
“When I grew up here, Clearlake – back then called Clearlake Highlands – was bustling with people, filled with dining and lodging options, and there was even a cruise down Lakeshore Drive that people enjoyed watching,” Mayor Cremer recalls. “I remembercruising in my first car, a ’57 Chevy, and seeing a lively, connected community while I drove by. My goal as mayor in 2025 is to help bring that spirit back.”
Today, Cremer believes the airport redevelopment project will be a key catalyst for Clearlake’s future. The project will introduce expanded medical facilities, dining, shopping, and other amenities while attracting investment, creating jobs, and strengthening the local economy.
Cremer is also committed to meeting community needs, including improving public roadways, expanding access to essential services, and creating more family-friendly amenities. Since Measure V funding became available in 2018, nearly half of Clearlake’s public roads have been improved using local tax dollars. Cremer recognizes how these infrastructure improvements have enhanced accessibility and quality of life throughout the city, with even more road work scheduled for 2025.
Another top priority is the planned youth sports complex in Burns Valley. This world-class facility will host tournaments, drawing families who will shop, dine, and lodge in Clearlake while supporting local businesses. Additionally, Clearlake’s youth will have access to top-quality fields for baseball and soccer, replacing the current fields built more than 60 years ago. Mayor Cremer and city leadership are dedicated to making both the youth sports complex and the airport redevelopment a reality, ensuring they become cornerstones of Clearlake’s continued progress.
The mayor points to recent Code Enforcement and Police Department activities and improvements as making a visible difference in Clearlake. Without staff securing $2.5 million in grants for Code Enforcement and another $66 million more in grants, much of the recent progress in Clearlake would not have taken place. That includes dozens of miles of roads, upgrades to Austin Park, City Hall, and public art such as murals.
Cremer invites all residents to join in working toward this vision. Stay connected by following the city on social media, attending city council meetings or community events to stay informed and help shape Clearlake’s future.
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LAKEPORT
Meetings for adults experiencing death of loved ones
Hospice Services of Lake County is beginning another series of meetings to help adults who have experienced the death of a loved one, either recently or in the past groups start on January 23 and runs 8 weeks on Thursdays thru March 13 from 2 pm to 4 pm.
Recognizing there is not just a single way through grief, Hospice Services’ bereavement program will present “The Journey Through Grief,” a free, educational series. Groups will be held at Hospice Services of Lake County located at 1862 Parallel Drive in Lakeport.
Group sessions are structured with combined instruction and discussion in a safe environment, facilitated by trained Bereavement counselors. “In our world today, we are being challenged by losses of all kinds. In addition to these, many of us are trying to also navigate grief due to the death of a loved one states Bereavement Services Manager Kathleen Bradley. In our groups, we companion and support each other as we attempt to find our footing and a new normal,” “During the weekly group sessions, education will be provided about grief, mourning, and what is ‘normal’ as well as tools to use in healing states Bradley.”
Weekly topics are presented in a meaningful sequence, so attendance at all sessions is essential. Examples of topics covered in groups include setting intentions to heal, dispelling misconceptions about grief, exploring personal feelings of loss, seeking resolution, and self-care.
Hospice Services of Lake County provides high quality medical, emotional and spiritual care to help patients, and their families navigate their end-of-life journeys. For more information, call Hospice Services of Lake County, (707) 263-6222. Visit the organization’s website at www.lakecountyhospice.org.
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