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COBB, Calif. – A 3.4-magnitude earthquake gave a strong shake to the Cobb area on Tuesday afternoon.
The quake occurred at 1:37 p.m., according to a preliminary report from the US Geological Survey.
The epicenter of the quake was located one mile west of Cobb, 11 miles southwest of Clearlake and 14 miles north northeast of Healdsburg, at a depth of seven-tenths of a mile, the survey said.
Area residents who felt the quake described it on social media – including Lake County News' Facebook page – as a strong one that lasted a few seconds, with a mild aftershock.
One person described it as having a circular motion, with another noting that she had been concerned it would break her windows.
The last quake measuring 3.0 or above in the county was a 3.2-magnitude quake that occurred in the Geysers area on May 31, according to US Geological Survey records.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The busy spring season has helped Lake County achieve its lowest unemployment rate in nearly 15 years.
The California Employment Development Department's latest report on joblessness across the state reported that Lake County's unemployment dropped to 5.9 percent in May, down from a revised 6.6 percent in April and well below the 7.1 percent reported in May 2015.
The agency said California's May unemployment rate was 5.2 percent, down from 5.3 percent in April and 6.4 percent the previous May.
Nationwide, unemployment in May was at 4.7 percent, compared to April's 5 percent and the May 2015 rate of 5.5 percent, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Lake County's 5.9 percent unemployment rate in May was the lowest the county has seen since August of 2001, when unemployment was at 5.8 percent, based on Employment Development Department historical data.
The late spring and summer months are traditionally strong for Lake County's employment picture, as two of the county's key industries – agriculture and tourism – hit their peak seasons.
The “total farm” employment category grew by 40.4 percent in May compared to April, with nearly 360 jobs added, according to state data. However, compared to May 2015, farm jobs last month were 4.6 percent – or 60 jobs – down.
In the “total nonfarm” category, leisure and hospitality was up 3.7 percent in May – or 40 jobs – and was 2.8 percent or 30 jobs over the same month a year ago, data showed.
Other strong subcategories in May included information, 8.3 percent; federal government, 6.7 percent; state government, 5 percent; goods producing, 3.9 percent; and service providing, 1 percent.
Countywide, jobs totaled 16,560 in May, compared to 16,040 in April and 16,280 in May of last year, the state reported.
Statewide, nonfarm jobs in California totaled 16,407,100 in May, an increase of 15,200 jobs over the month, according to a survey of 58,000 businesses. The state added 440,300 jobs, a 2.8 percent increase, from May 2015 to May 2016.
A federal survey of 5,500 households showed an increase in the number of employed people, estimating that 18,081,000 Californians held jobs in May, an increase of 9,000 from April, and up 337,000 from May of last year.
Lake County's May rate ranked it No. 30 out of California's 58 counties, with San Mateo County once again having the lowest unemployment, 2.6 percent, while Imperial County had the highest, with 19.4 percent.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – On Monday firefighters contained two small fires in different parts of the county before the blazes could turn into big incidents.
The “Goose” fire burned near Clearlake early Monday while the “Bear” fire occurred in the Cobb area Monday afternoon.
Lake County Fire Protection District Chief Willie Sapeta said the Goose fire was dispatched shortly after 1 a.m. in the area between Carter Lane and Parkview Drive, off of San Joaquin Avenue.
It's an area in the hills above Clearlake that has seen fires previous over the last several years, he said.
Lake County Fire and Cal Fire responded, sending a total five engines, a water tender and a medic unit, with Sapeta and a Cal Fire battalion chief responding, he said.
Altogether about six acres burned, with no structures threatened, Sapeta said.
He said firefighters remained on scene until about 5 a.m. Monday, then went back out to the fire area later in the day to retrieve hose and put out some burning snags.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, according to Sapeta.
The Bear fire was first dispatched at about 3:30 p.m. Monday in the 14000 block of Bottle Rock Road near Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Campground, according to radio reports.
Firefighters at the scene reported arriving to find a small vegetation fire with a nearby structure on fire. It was later reported that the building – which a witness described as a cabin – had a fire in the attic.
The fire was reported to be contained at around 5 p.m., with about three hours of mop up expected at that point.
“Everything's looking good up there now,” Cal Fire Division Chief Greg Bertelli told Lake County News shortly after he left the scene early Monday evening.
In addition to the damaged structure, Bertelli said the fire burned just over half an acre. There were no injuries.
Cal Fire and South Lake County Fire sent a full wildland response that included several engines plus air attack, with Bertelli adding that Lake County Fire also sent a water tender in response to a request for the equipment.
Bertelli said the cause is under investigation.
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Clearlake's celebration of Independence Day will once again feature fun and festivities for all ages, from a popular parade to the International Worm Races.
The Redbud Parade is the biggest annual event in Clearlake, and it is a centerpiece of the city's Independence Day weekend activities, which this year happen on Saturday, July 2.
The parade leaves Clearlake’s Redbud Park at 11 a.m., follows Lakeshore Drive north and arrives a mile away at Austin Park.
This year's theme is “Star Wars, Out Of This World.”
Parade participants are invited to decorate and dress in Star Wars style, but this is not required. Of course, there will be prizes and trophies.
At the park the festivities will continue with the Show & Shine car show, food, beverages, music, arts and crafts, and the famed International Worm Races. The CalStar/Reach helicopter is expected to land around 1 p.m.
On Saturday evening there will be the fireworks display, co-sponsored by Pacific Gas and Electric and countless local businesses.
The Show & Shine car show is in its 17th year and is open to all vehicles of special interest. Entries can arrive from 9 a.m., or participate in the parade and then enter the show.
The International Worm Races are sponsored by the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce.
The Redbud Parade is the largest annual fundraiser for the Lakeshore Lions and Lioness Clubs.
Lions support the local community by paying for eyeglasses, high school sports and arts equipment, scholarships, fire and police equipment, senior center expenses, community patrol, Boy Scouts, South Shore Little League, Meals-On-Wheels and many other worthy causes.
The Lions are accepting new members. Learn more at www.lakeshorelions.org .
Parade and car-show applications can be picked up from Clearlake Automotive, Kevin Ness Jewelers and Tatonka Trading, all on Lakeshore Drive; from Bob’s Vacuums at Mullen and Pearl; and from the Chamber of Commerce office in the senior center on Burns Valley at Bowers.
For more information, arts and crafts vendors should telephone Bob Kiel at 707-994-9752; car show questions will be answered by Kevin Ness at 707-994-2307; and Parade Chairman Ray Bridges can be reached at 707-994-3070.
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Lake County Historical Society will hold its June barbecue meeting on Saturday, June 26.
The event will take place from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the Ely Stage Stop and Country Museum at 9921 State Highway 281 (Soda Bay Road) in Kelseyville.
Phil Smoley will speak about the mysterious death of Lake County heiress Harry “Hallie” Floyd.
In 1903, 30-year-old Harry Floyd married Milos Gopcevic, a San Francisco cable car grip who claimed to be of European royal descent.
Three months later she was dead, and her new husband inherited nearly everything.
Officially, she died of an illness. Her family claimed she was murdered. The outcome of the trial changed Lake County's history forever.
Smoley will explore the background of the bizarre chapter of Lake County history and try to get to the bottom of how Harry Floyd died.
Smoley, is a 35-year resident of Lake County, and a former president and current director of the society, in addition to being a founder of the Lake County Historical Roundtable and a local real estate broker.
The Lake County Historical Society will supply hamburgers, hot dogs, buns, plates, utensils, napkins, bottled water and soft drinks. Please bring a dish to share. If your dish needs to be cold keep it on ice.
There is no charge for historical society members; admission for guests is $5 at the door. If guests join the society at the barbecue, the $5 will apply to their memberships.
The Ely Stage Stop is on Highway 281 – also called Soda Bay Road – about one mile north of the traffic signal at the Kit’s Corner intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 281. Watch for the Ely sign beside the road.
For more information contact Bonnie Skee at 707-262-1432 or Jackie Ridgel at 707-279-4062.
The Web site at http://www.lakecountyhistory.org/ has information about the society’s programs and activities.
SACRAMENTO – An app with an unparalleled resource directory for victims of crime is now available on both iOS and Android devices.
The Victims of Crime Resource Center app offers a vast resource directory, which provides information and referrals statewide to victims, their families, victim service providers, and victim advocates.
It is broken down by county and crime type and has also been recognized on a national level.
In 1984, the California Legislature enacted Penal Code §138978 et seq., which provided for the establishment of the Victims’ Legal Resource Center.
The center was entrusted with the task of providing legal counsel to victims, referral to local service providers and dissemination of information and educational materials about victims’ rights to local law
enforcement and victim service providers.
The VCRC app provides information on such matters including victims’ compensation, victims' rights in the Justice System, restitution, civil suits, right to speak at sentencing and parole board hearings, as well as information on specific rights of victims of domestic violence, elder abuse, child abuse, and abuse against disabled.
The app is now available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store free of charge.
It is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch and requires iOS 9.0 or later.