CLEARLAKE
COUNCIL SPOTLIGHT: Meet Tara Downey
Tara Downey brings energy, heart, and a long connection to our community in her first term on the Clearlake City Council, which began in December 2024. Tara’s family moved to Clearlake Oaks in 1995, when she was young. After moving away and living in the Bay Area for years, she and her husband Patrick returned to Clearlake Oaks before settling in the City of Clearlake four years ago.
Tara and Patrick chose to raise their two children, an 11-year-old daughter and a 7-year-old son, in the small-town community they love. She values the everyday connections of life in Clearlake, running into friends at the grocery store or cheering alongside familiar faces at local sports events. She’s a fixture at many of those events, whether in the stands or on the field, coaching high school softball. When she’s not working as secretary at Lower Lake High School, she’s coordinating her kids’ busy schedules, which include wrestling, cheer, competitive dirt bike racing, and school theater.
Tara’s decision to serve on the council stems from a desire to bring more and better jobs, along with a mix of new industries, to Clearlake. She values projects like the airport redevelopment project and bringing new businesses to Clearlake that offer good paying positions at a variety of skill levels. She wants the City to provide the kinds of opportunities and quality of life that encourages families to stay in Clearlake.
Animal care and control is another cause close to her heart. Tara often hears from community members about loose, unvaccinated, or unlicensed pets, as well as feral cats and dogs. She’s quick to roll up her sleeves, volunteering at vaccination and microchipping clinics whenever her schedule allows. At home, her family includes two dogs and two cats, all part of the happy household that fuels her commitment to building a stronger Clearlake.
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CLEARLAKE
Tiny beetle, big threat, Clearlake trees at risk
The City recently had a mature oak tree removed in Austin Park, a decision we never make lightly. After close inspection and removal, the tree was found to be actively infested with the Mediterranean Oak Borer (MOB), a fast-spreading beetle that is currently threatening oak trees throughout Lake County.
The arborist retained by the City also identified MOB infestations in several other oaks within Clearlake, with early signs appearing in some of the large oaks across from Austin Park. While the trees are vital to the beauty and shade of our public spaces, we are concerned about other trees that may be infected and spreading the beetles to other trees.
“We never want to take down a mature tree unless it’s absolutely necessary,” said City Manager Alan Flora. “In this case, removing the infected tree helped us discover an even bigger threat. We are committed to doing everything we can to protect the remaining trees.”
The MOB, a type of Ambrosia beetle, attacks Valley Oaks and other species, boring into the tree and introducing a fungus that eventually kills it. Unfortunately, the beetle often goes undetected until significant damage has occurred.
The City is coordinating with CLERC (the County’s Climate & Landscape Resilience Committee) which has reported multiple cases in Lake County using their official system. Currently, there is no confirmed method to stop the spread, but local agencies are continuing to monitor the outbreak.
Plans are in motion to plant a new Valley Oak in the same location as the recently removed tree at Austin Park as a symbol of resilience and renewal. Stay tuned for updates.
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BLUE LAKES
Caltrans heavy highway construction trades academy offers hands-on training for students
Students recently took part in Contractor Day at the Blue Lake Rancheria, supplementing their classroom education with hands-on experience. The training enabled Caltrans industry partners to evaluate trainees’ proficiency in operating heavy equipment and gauge their potential value to their organizations. Participants gained experience operating a range of equipment, including dozers, loaders, excavators, rollers, skid steers and backhoes. During training, students also had opportunities to network with contractors and Caltrans officials.
“Contractor Day is a vital bridge between our students and the local construction industry,” said Sandy Mitchell, Program Manager, Baker Technical Institute. “It gives contractors the chance to see the skills these students are developing firsthand, while also opening doors for our graduates to step directly into careers that help fill critical workforce needs across Humboldt County.”
The Heavy Highway Construction Trades Academy is a seven-week initiative to address the high demand for skilled workers. Twenty students are receiving free tuition for the comprehensive training program. Caltrans has partnered with Baker Technical Institute, the Federal Highway Administration and the Humboldt County Workforce Development Board for the academy.
This specialized academy provides customized training for individuals with diverse experience levels, from those with minimal experience in operating equipment and construction trades to those seeking to improve their skills. By utilizing advanced technology, including heavy equipment simulators and instructor-guided equipment operation, participants will develop the skills essential to achieving success in their careers.
A graduation ceremony is planned for Thursday, Aug. 28, in the Sapphire Palace at Blue Lake Casino. The next Heavy Highway Construction Trades Academy is scheduled to be held in Fresno County from October 27 to December 18.
To learn more about the program, visit https://dot.ca.gov/programs/civil-rights/workforce-development-branch/heavy-highway-construction-trades-academies or call (541) 524-2651.
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