News

One of the largest human-made permanent magnets in space resides on the International Space Station (ISS), and it’s helping scientists better understand the origins of our universe.

The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS-02) is an observatory that is collecting data from measurements of cosmic rays, nuclei from hydrogen up to iron, as well as electrons and positrons that pervade all of our universe.

The original AMS was launched on the Space Shuttle in 1998 to test the concept of using a powerful magnet to conduct in-depth studies of sub atomic particles coming from millions of light years from the Milky Way.

AMS-02 was installed on the space station in 2011, with a projected lifespan of three years. Eight years later, it’s still working, having already measured and categorized almost 140 billion cosmic rays.

Studying these particles can help researchers understand their origin in ways not possible on Earth, whose atmosphere affects them.

Data has been captured from sources of positrons at high energies that could be evidence of dark matter, an invisible form of matter that makes up most of the mass content of the universe.

More data is needed before scientists can better explain these results. This space-based observatory is essential to helping scientists answer many fundamental physics questions.

But, with AMS-02 now five years beyond the lifetime it was designed for, will it last long enough to give scientists the information they seek?

Dr. Kirt Costello, the ISS Program Chief Scientist at Johnson Space Center said, “That’s why astronauts are conducting a series of spacewalks, known as Extravehicular Activities (EVAs), in the Fall of 2019.”

AMS-02 uses four cooling systems that circulate liquid CO2. Three of those systems have failed. As Dr. Costello noted: “The EVA team here at Johnson has partnered with the AMS team to design equipment and tools that will allow us to safely replace those cooling pumps. If everything goes according to plan, we think we can extend the life of AMS-02 to deliver full-time science operations for the lifetime of the station.”

Additional time for data gathering and refinement will allow scientists to continue learning more about the origins of the universe.

For more on scientific studies being done on and from the space station, go to www.nasa.gov/iss-science.

For more information about the smallest and biggest ideas about our universe, visit http://science.nasa.gov.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating two local men who investigators believe murdered a Lucerne man on Saturday.

Sheriff’s Lt. Corey Paulich said authorities have identified Daniel Wayne Ford, 49, of Lakeport and Michael Sean Shaffer, 35, of Upper Lake as the suspects in the death of Nicky Smith, 70, of Lucerne.

Shortly before 7:30 a.m. Saturday, radio reports indicated the discovery of a man down on the side of the road in the 4550 block of Scotts Valley Road in Lakeport, as Lake County News has reported.

Minutes later, deputies were dispatched to the scene, where it was confirmed that the man had died.

Initial radio reports had indicated a large amount of blood was found at the scene, and Paulich said Smith’s injuries led deputies to believe his death was suspicious.

California Highway Patrol officers and detectives from the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit responded and took over the investigation, Paulich said.

The investigation led to a portion of Scotts Valley Road being closed for several hours, based on reports from the scene.

During the investigation, Paulich said detectives located a separate related crime scene in the area of Eickhoff Road and Scotts Valley Road.

Paulich said detectives would later identify Smith as the victim. His cause of death is pending an autopsy later this coming week.

Detectives interviewed several witnesses in the area and also discovered Smith’s truck, a 2012 dark green Toyota Tundra, license number NASTOSR, is missing and believed stolen, Paulich said.

Now, Paulich said authorities are trying to locate Ford and Shaffer for Smith’s killing.

He said both men are believed to be armed and dangerous.

If Ford or Shaffer are seen, Paulich said not to attempt to contact them but to notify law enforcement immediately.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Sheriff’s Central Dispatch at 707-263-2690.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Authorities have shut down a portion of Scotts Valley Road and are investigating the discovery of a body on the roadside.

Radio reports at around 7:20 a.m. Saturday stated that the body of a male was found on the side of the road in the 4550 block of Scotts Valley Road near Lakeport.

At that point, the man appeared to be deceased, which was confirmed a short time later, according to scene reports.

Shortly after 9 a.m., radio reports indicated the roadway would be closed three to four hours.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office sent out a Nixle alert followed by a LakeCoAlerts phone call shortly after 9:20 a.m. announcing that it was conducting a joint investigation with the California Highway Patrol into the incident.

The sheriff’s office confirmed that Scott's Valley Road will be closed for several hours in the area.

Lake County Roads crews units were reportedly dispatched to close the roadway.

Anyone with information related to the investigation is asked to contact Sheriff's Dispatch at 707-263-2690.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Lake County Behavioral Health Services, teamed with Middletown High School, has been selected to participate in the country’s expanded teen Mental Health First Aid pilot program, beginning spring semester 2020.

The teen Mental Health First Aid pilot program is an in-person training designed for high school students to learn about mental illnesses and addictions to help them identify and respond to friends who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem.

This training empowers high school students to assist their friends when a mental health problem or crisis, such as suicidal thoughts, is apparent.

The course specifically teaches the important step of involving a responsible and trusted adult.

To meet this need, Lake County Behavioral Health Services has trained several staff members at Middletown High School in youth Mental Health First Aid, which is for adults working with young people.

The National Council for Behavioral Health and “Born This Way Foundation” are piloting the course in more than 75 high schools across the country.

Middletown High School is one of 40 sites participating in the second cohort of the pilot program during the 2019-2020 school year.

After the pilot program is complete, the training course will be available to the public.

Lake County Behavioral Health Services staffers said they are excited to support a path toward greater awareness about mental health and increased capacity to respond to students with mental health problems.

Learn more about Mental Health First Aid at www.MentalHealthFirstAid.org.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – On Friday, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA) filed paperwork to seek reelection, and outlined the vision for his campaign.

“Today I made it official: I filed my papers to seek re-election as the Representative for California’s Third Congressional District. We’ve accomplished a lot together, and there’s still so much more we can do. As part of the majority in the House of Representatives, I’m fighting for a brighter future for our region,” Garamendi said.

“I’m working to improve education for students young and old, create good middle-class jobs by rebuilding our nation’s crumbling infrastructure with American materials and workers, fight climate change, improve flood control, and ensure everyone has good, affordable health care,” Garamendi continued.

“This year, I’ve secured $181 million for Travis and Beale Air Force Bases, worked with USDA to provide relief for local farmers impacted by retaliatory tariffs, authored and passed unprecedented legislation to address the privatized military housing crisis and help the U.S. military prepare for the effects of climate change, protected Social Security and Medicare benefits, and passed legislation to help veterans that were harmed by toxins they were exposed to during their service,” Garamendi continued.

“It’s a privilege to serve you, and I would be honored to have your continued support,” Garamendi said.

Garamendi was first elected to Congress in 2009.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – A corporation has been ordered to pay penalties in a civil case that alleged it had overcharged for its self-storage services during the October 2017 Northern California wildland fires.

Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley announced Friday that PS Orangeco Inc., the owner and operator of Public Storage self-storage rental facilities, agreed to a stipulated judgment, approved and ordered by the Napa County Superior Court, requiring the corporation to pay $140,000 in civil penalties and costs for violating price gouging restrictions that applied following the October 2017 Northern California wildfires.

The judgment also includes an injunction prohibiting future violations, Haley said.

Haley said the civil enforcement action was brought jointly by the district attorneys of Napa, Sonoma and Solano counties.

PS Orangeco cooperated in the investigation and resolution of this matter, according to Haley’s report.

The complaint alleged that PS Orangeco violated Penal Code section 396 in connection with the sale or offer for sale of storage services during the period covered by a declaration of emergency following the 2017 wildfires.

When an emergency is declared, this law prohibits raising the price of many consumer goods and services – including food and drink, emergency supplies, rental housing, building materials, gasoline, transportation, and storage services – by more than 10 percent of the price charged immediately prior to the emergency declaration.

PS Orangeco issued full refunds of the amounts charged in excess of 10 percent of the price it charged immediately prior to the wildfires, plus an additional $10 courtesy credit, to all customers affected in the three counties, Haley said.

Any customer who believes they were overcharged and did not receive their refund and courtesy credit should contact Public Storage or the District Attorney’s Office.

Deputy District Attorney Patrick Collins handled the case for Napa County.

“This case is part of the ongoing efforts of our office to investigate and prosecute instances of price gouging following the devastating wildfires. Residents are encouraged to report cases of suspected price gouging to our office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling 707-253-4059,” Collins said.

Businesses should be aware that the restrictions under Penal Code section 396 currently remain in effect through Dec. 31, 2019, by executive order of the governor.

That deadline may be extended by further order of the governor or by local government agencies.

Any questions may be directed to Assistant District Attorney Paul Gero at 707-253-4059.