How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
News
Every summer, something strange and wonderful happens high above the north pole.
Ice crystals begin to cling to the smoky remains of meteors, forming electric-blue clouds with tendrils that ripple hypnotically against the sunset sky.
Noctilucent clouds – a.k.a. “NLCs” – are a delight for high-latitude sky watchers, and around the Arctic Circle their season of visibility is always eagerly anticipated.
News flash: This year, NLCs are getting an early start. NASA's AIM spacecraft, which is orbiting Earth on a mission to study noctilucent clouds, started seeing them on May 13.
“The 2013 season is remarkable because it started in the northern hemisphere a week earlier than any other season that AIM has observed,” said Cora Randall of the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado. “This is quite possibly earlier than ever before.”
The early start is extra-puzzling because of the solar cycle. Researchers have long known that NLCs tend to peak during solar minimum and bottom-out during solar maximum – a fairly strong anti-correlation.
“If anything, we would have expected a later start this year because the solar cycle is near its maximum,” Randall said. “So much for expectations.”
For sky watchers, this means it's time to pay attention to the sunset sky, where NLCs are most often seen. An early start could herald brighter clouds and wider visibility than ever before.
Noctilucent clouds were first noticed in the mid-19th century after the eruption of super-volcano Krakatoa. Volcanic ash spread through the atmosphere, painting vivid sunsets that mesmerized observers all around the world.
That was when the NLCs appeared. At first people thought they must be some side-effect of the volcano, but long after Krakatoa's ash settled the noctilucent clouds remained.
“They've been with us ever since,” said Randall. “Not only that, they are spreading.”
When AIM was launched in 2007, the underlying cause of NLCs was still unknown. Researchers knew they formed 83 km above Earth's surface where the atmosphere meets the vacuum of space – but that's about all. AIM quickly filled in the gaps.
“It turns out that meteoroids play an important role in the formation of NLCs,” explained Hampton University Professor James Russell, the principal investigator of AIM. “Specks of debris from disintegrating meteors act as nucleating points where water molecules can gather and crystallize.”
NLCs appear during summer because that is when water molecules are wafted up from the lower atmosphere to mix with the “meteor smoke.” That is also the time when the upper atmosphere is ironically coldest.
Back in the 19th century, NLCs were confined to high latitudes. You had to go to Alaska or Scandinavia to see them. In recent years, however, they have been sighted as far south as Utah, Colorado, and Nebraska. Some researchers believe that the spread of NLCs is a sign of climate change.
One of the greenhouse gases that has become more abundant in Earth's atmosphere since the 19th century is methane.
“When methane makes its way into the upper atmosphere, it is oxidized by a complex series of reactions to form water vapor,” said Russell. “This extra water vapor is then available to grow ice crystals for NLCs.”
The early start of the 2013 season appears to be caused by a change in atmospheric “teleconnections.”
“Half-a-world away from where the northern NLCs are forming, strong winds in the southern stratosphere are altering global circulation patterns,” explained Randall. “This year more water vapor is being pushed into the high atmosphere where NLCs love to form, and the air there is getting colder.”
“All of this has come as an interesting surprise for us,” noted Russell. “When we launched AIM, our interest was in the clouds themselves. But now NLCs are teaching us about connections between different layers of the atmosphere that operate over great distances. Our ability to study these connections will surely lead to new understanding about how our atmosphere works.”
Dr. Tony Phillips works for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – The service of a search warrant by the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force and California Department of Fish and Wildlife Wardens on Tuesday morning resulted in nine arrests, the seizure of marijuana in plant and processed form, as well as thousands of dollars in cash.
Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said at 9 a.m. Tuesday the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force assisted the California Department of Fish and Wildlife with the service of a search warrant located in the 2400 block of New Long Valley Road in Clearlake Oaks.
He said the search warrant was written by California Department of Fish and Wildlife personnel.
It was decided before the service of the search warrant that the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force would conduct the marijuana investigation and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife would investigate any environmental violations, according to Brooks.
Brooks said detectives located and detained 40-year-old Cassio Dimintri Arezzo-Caturegli of Sebastopol; 51-year-old Shona Marie Potts of Albuquerque, New Mexico; 59-year-old Jose Manuel Hernandez of Clearlake Oaks; 55-year-old Scott Michael Kaiser of Clearlake Oaks; 41-year-old Jaime Valle Lorenzo of Clearlake Oaks; 24-year-old Carlos Manual Hernandez of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; 39-year-old David Billy Mingo of Choctaw, Miss.; Alejandro S. Abdad of Sandy, Utah; and Celia Joya Virgen of Clearlake Oaks.
During a search of the property, detectives located and seized 1,934 marijuana plants in various stages of maturity. Brooks said in the barn detectives located and seized approximately 100 pounds of processed marijuana and 10 pounds of concentrated cannabis.
The detectives said it appeared that the cultivation operation was producing a continual harvest every two weeks of no less that 200 marijuana plants per harvest, according to Brooks. Above the barn in a living area, detectives located $3,792 in cash and a currency counter.
Detectives contacted Scott Kaiser, who said he was the primary renter of the property. Kaiser estimated that he was paying approximately $5,000 a month for PG&E and $1,200 a month for rent, said Brooks.
Kaiser further told detectives that he was able to fund the start up for this current marijuana operation from proceeds he made from last year’s harvest. Brooks said Kaiser also said that he had no job and no income, other that what he had saved from the prior harvest.
Brooks said that during the investigation, detectives determined this operation was a conspiracy to cultivate and process marijuana for the unlawful purpose of sales.
Abad, Arezzo-Caturegli, Jose Hernandez, Kaiser, Lorenzo, Carlos Hernandez and Mingo were arrested for cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale, unauthorized possession of marijuana and conspiracy, Brooks said. Potts was arrested for resisting arrest and trespassing.
All of those arrested were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked. Virgen was arrested for trespassing and released on a citation, Brooks said.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be contacted through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Along with more than 35,000 radio amateurs in the United States and Canada, ham radio operators in Lake County will participate in ARRL Field Day, an annual event that showcases the hobby.
From 11 a.m. Saturday, June 22, until 11 a.m. Sunday, June 23, local hams will gather in the parking lot of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Center at George Hoberg’s Vista Point in Lakeport.
Members of the public are invited to stop by for demonstrations of radio communications and learn about what ham radio does for Lake County.
Local ham radio operator Jim Plank, also a Red Cross volunteer, encourages anyone interested to “Come find out how to communicate without a cell phone or the Internet.”
Knowledgeable local radio operators will be available to talk about and demonstrate various aspects of amateur radio including Morse code, use of local radio repeaters, long-distance communications using high frequency (HF) radios and newer options that combine radio and internet technologies.
ARRL Field Day is organized by the American Radio Relay League, a national organization comprised of more than 150,000 amateur radio operators.
This annual event is an opportunity for amateur radio operators to socialize, participate in contests to make as many over-the-air contacts as they can, and to share their hobby with others.
Amateur radio, often called “ham radio,” has been in existence for a century. On a day-to-day basis, it serves as an enjoyable hobby that combines technical skills with social networking.
Those skills are put to work on a regular basis to support bike races, walk-a-thons and other public events. Following disasters, ham radio communications play a critical role in emergency response.
Before getting on the air, radio operators must pass a written test and be licensed by the Federal Communications Commission.
Although referred to as “amateur,” hams must follow strict rules for use of the air waves and, with experience, they gain high levels of proficiency in the set up and use of radio equipment.
The hobby provides lifelong learning opportunities starting in children as young as 8 years of age and includes people from all walks of life.
There are 373 licensed hams listed as having Lake County addresses.
The Lake County Amateur Radio Society and the Nice Amateur Radio Club meet regularly, conduct frequent local activities, and welcome interested guests and new members.
For more information, visit http://lcarsofca.yolasite.com/ , https://sites.google.com/site/narcradioclubbiz/ and www.arrl.com .
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – If you like it hot, you are going to love the weather beginning Friday and throughout the weekend, as temperatures climb to record (or near record) highs above 100 degrees.
The frost and rain of the recent Memorial Day weekend seem far behind as the late summer-like temperatures of this week spike even higher Friday and Saturday, according to Western Weather Group Lake County.
With the expected light northernly winds Friday, temperatures in most locations are expected to top out well above 100 degrees, and reach even higher in the warmest locations on Saturday.
Forecasters are calling for daytime temperatures in the warmest locations to reach 110 degrees, with other locations around the county 100 to 108 degrees.
Valley areas with the highest daytime temperatures are predicted to cool off the most overnight, with lows in the 50s, while higher terrains will only cool in to the 60s or near 70.
Sunday will cool off a few degrees, but many areas will still reach the century mark or the high-90s.
A cooling trend will begin on Monday, as temperatures decrease back into the low 90s and upper 80s with a nearly 20-degree dip in daytime high temperatures. Overnight temperatures will again near 50 degrees.
Current forecast models are mixed at this point for how long the cooling trend will last next week, but at this point, temperatures should start inching back up beginning on Wednesday.
The National Weather Service in Sacramento has issued a special weather statement for this weekend, and wants to encourage everyone to complete all outdoor activities in the morning if at all possible.
Those who are sensitive to the heat – including the elderly and small children – should limit their exposure to the hot weather.
As a reminder, it is illegal to leave pets unattended in vehicles, even with the windows rolled down. If you find your pet missing that you had left in your vehicle, a caring person may have called or taken it to Lake County Animal Care and Control.
The National Weather Service also reminds people to keep livestock, pets, and plants cool and hydrated, as all are susceptible to death at these extreme temperatures.
Email Terre Logsdon at
Even though some areas of the state are experiencing June gloom, emergency preparedness and health officials are preparing for periods of elevated and extreme heat this summer and fall.
They're reviewing internal procedures, updating cooling center data bases and identifying state fairgrounds and facilities that serve as cooling centers¸ as well as implementing other “seasonal readiness” activities outlined in California’s Contingency Plan for Excessive Heat Emergencies.
And for good reason. On average, 56 Californians die each year due to heat-related emergencies while about 500 are hospitalized and 3,800 seek treatment at a hospital emergency room for heat-related symptoms.
At least 136 Californians tragically lost their lives due to illnesses prompted by the 13-day heat wave that surged through the state in July 2006.
As they prepare, state officials says now is the time for all Californians, particularly businesses, to take actions that could reduce, if not prevent, family members, friends, employees and co-workers from suffering heat exhaustion, heat stroke and other life-threatening illnesses.
“June has barely arrived, but we’ve already experienced highs ranging from the low to mid-90s in downtown Los Angeles and Paso Robles to the low 100s in the Antelope Valley and 109 and 111 at Palm Springs and Thermal airports,” said California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) Acting Southern Regional Administrator Doug Huls.
“Many areas of the N will orthern California haven’t been immune from similar temperatures,” noted Jim Brown, who oversees operations in Cal EMA’s Coastal and Inland regions. “So far this year, the thermometer has already surpassed 100 in Redding, reached 99 in Marysville, Modesto and Stockton, 97 in Concord, Santa Rosa and downtown Sacramento and 92 in San Jose”.
They noted that Cal EMA and its partner agencies are doing all they can to be prepared to respond to heat related emergencies this summer and fall, but every Californian needs to do his or her share in reducing heat-related injuries and deaths.
“Prolonged exposure to excessive temperatures can be extremely dangerous, if not deadly, particularly for infants, small children seniors and those with health problems,” said Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health. “Last year was the hottest year on record in the United States. Heat waves in California are projected to occur earlier in the season, be more intense and last longer.”
Workers who are working outdoors are at special risk of heat illness. “All employers have a responsibility to provide safe working conditions,” said Ellen Widess, chief of Cal/OSHA.
California’s Heat Illness Prevention regulation requires all employers with outdoor workers to:
- Train all employees and supervisors about heat illness prevention;
- Provide enough fresh water so that each employee can drink at least 1 quart per hour, and encourage them to do so;
- Provide a shaded area for workers to cool down. Employees should not wait until they feel sick to cool down;
- Give workers a period of time to get used to the heat, especially during a heat wave or for new workers;
- Prepare an emergency heat plan and train workers on steps to take if someone gets sick;
- Follow special high heat procedures when temperatures reach 95 degrees.
Simple steps most Californians can take now and during periods of extreme heat to reduce illness and death include:
- Reviewing and updating family emergency plans and contact information;
- Storing or replenishing supplies of emergency food, water and medications;
- Learning first aid and CPR;
- Determining whether family members who are elderly or have access and functional needs require help with powering devices, food, water, medications and transportation;
- Pre-identifying paratransit, dial-a-ride or other modes of transportation and assistance for those needing help;
- Installing window air conditioners and making sure ducts are properly insulated;
- Weather stripping doors; and
- Identifying places that can provide relief from the heat such as malls, theaters and locally operated cooling centers.
Additional information on preparing for heat-related emergencies is available at http://www.calema.ca.gov/PlanningandPreparedness/Pages/Heat.aspx , http://www.bepreparedcalifornia.ca.gov/beinformed/naturaldisasters/extremeheat/Pages/ExtremeHeat.aspx and http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/HeatIllnessInfo.html .
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – An early morning vehicle pursuit on Thursday resulted in the arrest of a Kelseyville man.
Jesus Primitivo Lopez, 36, was arrested for evading a peace officer with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property, violation of his post release community supervision terms and driving on a suspended license, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
At 12:15 a.m. Thursday a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy was traveling southbound on Highway 29 when he noticed a beige colored Nissan Maxima sedan directly in front of him, which was also southbound, according to Brooks.
As the vehicles approached the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 175, the Nissan entered the left turn lane and stopped for the red light. The deputy noticed that the brake lamps of the vehicle did not illuminate when it came to a stop, which is a violation of the California Vehicle Code, said Brooks.
When the light turned green, the vehicle started to make a left turn through the intersection. Brooks said the deputy activated his forward facing red light to conduct an enforcement stop.
The vehicle stopped at the posted stop sign at the intersection of Highway 175 and Soda Bay Road and turned right onto Soda Bay Road. Brooks said the deputy activated all of the emergency overhead lights and the siren of his vehicle.
The vehicle entered the parking lot of Jack in the Box, slowed down and then quickly accelerated through the parking lot at speeds in excess of 15 miles per hour, Brooks said. The deputy reported there were several people standing in the parking lot as the vehicle traveled through at an unsafe speed.
Brooks said the vehicle entered Soda Bay Road traveling southbound. The vehicle accelerated to speeds in excess of 75 miles per hour in a marked 35-mile-per-hour zone. The vehicle also traveled over the marked double yellow lines several times as the driver attempted to evade the deputy.
During the pursuit two deputies had positioned themselves in the area of Soda Bay Road and Osprey Court in Lakeport. Brooks said the deputies deployed a spike strip in an attempt to safely disable the tires of the vehicle. The suspect vehicle drove over the spike strip disabling all four tires.
The vehicle continued at approximately 65 miles per hour in a marked 45-mile-per-hour zone in a residential area that also is the primary entrance to Konocti Vista Casino, Brooks said.
He said the vehicle's driver attempted to turn left onto Mission Rancheria Road but lost control due to the high rate of speed and disabled tires.
The vehicle hit a fence and a tree located in the front yard of a residence. The deputy was able to take the driver, Jesus Lopez, into custody without further incident, according to Brooks.
Brooks said the deputy reported that Lopez drove with complete disregard for the safety of other potential motorists, pedestrians and residents in and around the roadway where the incident took place. Due to Lopez’s disregard for safety, the pursuit resulted with his vehicle colliding with a property fence line, approximately 15 feet away from a residence.
The collision did not result in any injuries, Brooks said.
Because Lopez is a state prison parolee who is alleged to have violated his post release community supervision terms – he was released by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, with Lake County Probation assigned to supervise him – he is being held without bail, according to jail records.