LAKE COUNTY
Lake County returns to the top 25 cleanest counties in the nation with a ranking of 23rd by the American Lung Association
The American Lung Association (ALA) released its annual State of the Air 2025 Report. Air quality is graded on an A through F scale by comparing local ozone and small-particulate concentrations with the federal air quality standards. Although many areas, especially within California, were given failing grades, Lake County returned to the top 25.
Lake County received an “A” grade for Ozone, a “B” grade for short term particulate pollution, and is ranked the 23rd Cleanest County in the Nation for annual particulate average concentrations. Lake County dropped off the top 25 cleanest counties ranking due to the impacts of the Valley fire, Rocky fire, Jerusalem fire, Clayton fire, Sulphur Fire, the Tubbs Fire, and other major fires in the region. With fewer wildfire impacts over the past 4 years, Lake County’s ranking has improved. Out of California’s 58 counties, Lake County is 1 of only 13 counties in California that did not have any days of ozone exceeds from 2021 through 2023.
The report presents data showing what the residents of Lake County are actually breathing on a daily basis. This report does not exclude wildfire impacts or other natural events that are excluded when determining our attainment status. The “B” grade for short term particulate pollution is the result of impacts from wildfires. This report shows that despite the wildfires and permitted prescribed fires in the region, the residents of Lake County still enjoy some of the cleanest air in the Nation.
The ALA grades are the latest recognition of a long history of air quality accomplishments in Lake County. Strong local support for clean air measures has enabled the county to comply in full with not only the Federal Clean Air Standards, but also with the more rigorous California Standards for ozone and other air pollutants for the past 35 consecutive years. No other Air District in California can match that record.
The success of the program is a result of the strong community support for maintaining clean, healthful air, cooperation of local Government, Fire Protection Districts, CalFire, agricultural community, industry, District Board of Directors, and the dedication and hard work of AQMD staff. The report can be found by following the link at www.LCAQMD.net
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LAKEPORT
Local restaurant Gaslight Grill will be hosting a visit from America’s Best Restaurants on May 9
America’s Best Restaurants, a national media and marketing company focusing on bringing attention to local, independently-owned restaurants, will bring its ABR Roadshow to the restaurant on May 9th. Popular dishes will be highlighted, along with an extensive on-camera interview with owners Rod & Deanne Padel about the restaurant’s special place in the community. The episode will be aired extensively on social media channels at a later date.
Established in 1988, Gaslight Grill is situated in historic downtown Lakeport, offering a tavern-style ambience and serving an American menu of casual dishes. Originally known as Jack’s Gaslight Grill, the popular eatery closed in 2010 before the Padels revived it in 2017.
Gaslight Grill serves sandwiches and burgers, soups and salads, appetizers, and house specialties such as the hot pastrami sandwich and the turkey melt. They have daily food specials, happy hour, and a wide selection of beer and wine including sixteen beers on tap, including some that rotate seasonally.
America’s Best Restaurants will be filming on location on Friday May 9th from 2 pm to 5 pm PST. The press is invited to attend. The restaurant’s finished episode premiere date will be announced on their Facebook page and will be featured on America’s Best Restaurants’ website at https://americasbestrestaurants.com/rests/california/gaslight-grill.
Restaurants featured on the ABR Roadshow are selected based on their customer reviews, menu items, social media presence, and level of involvement with their community. They are found through customer nominations, internal vetting or by a restaurant applying to be featured at www.americasbestrestaurants.com.
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