News

THE US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY HAS UPGRADED A 3.6-MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE TO 3.7. THE STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED TO REFLECT THAT.

THE GEYSERS – Two sizable earthquakes hit The Geysers area Monday evening.

The first, measuring 3.8 in magnitude, occurred at 5:29 p.m., while the second, occurring at 10:03 p.m., was 3.7 in magnitude, according to the US Geological Survey.

The 3.8-magnitude quake occurred at a depth of 1.5 miles, and was centered two miles north of The Geysers, five mile west of Cobb and seven miles west northwest of Anderson Springs, the US Geological Survey reported.

Residents of Clearlake and Kelseyville reported feeling it locally, while the US Geological Survey also received shake reports from Sonoma County and more than 130 miles away in Citrus Heights.

The earthquake measuring 3.7 on the Richter Scale was 1.9 miles deep, centered three miles north northeast of The Geysers, four miles west of Cobb and seven miles west of Anderson Springs. Shake reports came from as close as Kelseyville and as far away from San Francisco.

The first quake of the evening had a Mercalli Modified Intensity Scale rating of IV, which means some damage occurred and it was felt by many people, according to the strong ground motion sensors in Anderson Springs and Cobb.

The second quake had a Mercalli rating one step higher, at V, which means more people felt it and there was more potential for property damage.

On June 30 the county had a 3.8 quake, followed the next day by a 3.0, as Lake County News has reported. Both were in The Geysers area.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

From left, worm racing stars Desirae Bradley-Cordova, Colleen Garner, Nikki Tucker and her mom holding sister Alyssa Tucker. Courtesy photo.

CLEARLAKE – The competition proved brutal from the beginning when, during the first heat, the judge for the 0-5 category called out, "Oh! We have some worms crawling over worms!"

Trainers and their parents cheered the worms on as the squiggling creatures inched their way toward the finish line in each race. Spectators crowded around the racing circle, eager to see which worms would move on to the finals.

To start every heat, trainers placed their worms in the center of the racing board. When the race began, the worms were to crawl to the outside of the racing circle a full 12 inches away.

Approximately 200 racers participated in this year’s event on Saturday, July 4, at Austin Park in Clearlake.

Despite the stiff competition, the worm Dizzy 4 Desi – trained by 13-year-old Desirae Bradley-Cordova from Oroville – took first place, earning her $100, a first-place trophy and bragging rights until next year.

Although no one could be sure, the worms radiated a hint of nervousness as each countdown began. However, Colleen Garner, the local worm champion from Clearlake, won the second-place spot with her worm, Madame Worm. Garner earned $75 with a second place trophy.

Nikki Tucker from Rocklin took the third place trophy along with $50 to go toward her next year's entry.

Her sister, Alyssa Tucker, won the fourth place trophy and $25. She was asleep from all the excitement of the day by the time the final prizes were handed out. That is OK – a long day of racing is tiring for one who is just 2 years old. Earlier in the day, watching her with her squirming worm in hand was adorable.

There may not be another event like this in the world, which is why we had participants from as far away as England this year. This event is extraordinary; where else but Clearlake can you race a worm?

This event is sponsored by the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, but it could not happen without the help from the volunteers.

Thanks also got to Affordable Signs & T’s; Arbor House Bed & Breakfast; BiCoastal Media; C&G Enterprises (music DJ); Clearlake Code Enforcement Officer Lee Lambert, Bill Edmunds (worm master) and his son Jim Edmunds; Foods Etc.; Tom Hewlett DDS and wife Carol; Konoctees; Lakeshore Bait & Tackle; Mendo Mill; Penny Slaver; Shannon Ridge Vineyards & Winery; Wild About Books; and chamber volunteers Al Devilbliss, Natasha Russell, Nicole Lenhart, Tammy McClain, Jim, Zack and Jake Peters.

The annual worm race drew fierce competition on Saturday, July 4, 2009, in Clearlake. Courtesy photo.

As the race heats up, the worms' support teams cluster closely on Saturday, July 4, 2009, in Clearlake. Courtesy photo.

Matthew Arreguin, 26, was on a camping trip with his family when the tragedy occurred, according to the report.

The sheriff's report explained that Arreguin and his friends were towing a large raft out into the water.

For unknown reasons, Arreguin turned around and started to swim back towards shore. Near the shore, in approximately four feet of water, Arreguin yelled for help and went under the water, the report said.

Arreguin was pulled from the water by a bystander after being under water for approximately one minute, according to the report.

Just after 4 p.m. Friday, emergency services were dispatched to Lake Mendocino for a possible drowning victim with cardiopulmonary resuscitation in progress in the area of the Kyen Campground, officials said.

Mendocino County Sheriff's deputies, patrolling the lake in their patrol boat, responded to the location, where they found Army Corps of Engineers personnel and bystanders performing CPR until emergency medical services from Redwood Valley Fire and Ukiah Ambulance arrived on scene.

Emergency medical services continued with life-saving techniques but Arreguin died on scene.

Sheriff's officials did not directly state alcohol was involved, but offered the reminder that people should be careful and safe when drinking alcohol in and around the water.

Arreguin is the second drowning victim this month at the lake.

A Redwood Valley man, 19-year-old Pablo Macias, drowned in the lake on June 16, but his body wasn't found until a week later, as Lake County News has reported.

ST. HELENA – A Sunday fire destroyed two structures in Calistoga, according to a Monday report.

Cal Fire Battalion Chief and Fire Marshal Pete Muñoa reported that the fire was reported just after 11 a.m. Sunday at 1202 Tucker Road in unincorporated Napa County.

He said firefighters from Cal Fire, Napa County Fire, Calistoga City Fire and St Helena City Fire Departments responded to the incident.

The first arriving firefighters reported heavy smoke and fire coming from the buildings, said Muñoa.

Muñoa said a total of two structures were destroyed. The total estimated damage – including the buildings and their contents – is $125,000.

The sole resident, a man in his 50s, is being assisted by the Napa Chapter of the Red Cross. Muñoa said no injuries were reported.

Investigators from the Napa County Fire Marshal’s Office believe the cause of the fire to be accidental, Muñoa said.

Lakeport's fireworks display on Saturday, July 4, 2009. Photo by Ron Keas.

LAKE COUNTY – Lake County residents and visitors were out in force this hot, clear weekend, enjoying Independence Day festivities around the lake.

Clearlake Oaks kicked off the celebration on Friday evening with its fireworks display.

On Saturday, the cities of Clearlake and Lakeport celebrated July 4 with all-day festivals that culminated in nighttime fireworks displays.

The International Worm Races, an annual favorite, were back again this year. Always an opportunity for good fun, the race had the worms at their mark with coaches standing by.

Possibly the most hilarious event of the weekend was the second annual cardboard and duct tape boat race off of Library Park in Lakeport.

Since last year, competitors have been perfecting their efforts. The boats held up even better, with only one child managing to sink a boat this time around.

Find a video of the 12 and under age division race shot by correspondent Terre Logsdon at the YouTube Lake County News Channel, www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsdOYO_TuFM .

Residents and visitors line the lakeshore in Lakeport's Library Park during the Saturday, July 4, 2009, celebration. Photo by Ron Keas.

Boats off of Lakeport's Library Park on Saturday, July 4, 2009, before the annual fireworks display. Photo by Ron Keas.

Lakeport's annual fireworks display on Saturday, July 4, 2009, was once again spectacular, and could be seen across the lake. Photo by Harold LaBonte.

Carnival games offered tests of skill during Clearlake's annual Independence Day celebration. Photo by Glen R. Erspamer Jr.

Clearlake's annual Independence Day carnival featured rides, vendors and a full day of fun. Photo by Glen R. Erspamer Jr.

The