Aftershocks continued today after yesterday’s 7.0 magnitude earthquake–more than 120 were recorded. Most have been very small, but seismologists say you shouldn’t be surprised if you feel a tremor at any time, so you should be prepared. Senator Mike McGuire says the North Coast dodged a bullet with yesterday’s earthquake He says while the quake was massive, the damage was fairly limited compared to what it could have been. There was little damage and while a tsunami warning was up for a little over an hour, there were no reports of big waves on the coast. The USGS reports that around 15,000 people checked in on its website to say they felt the shaking–some as far south as San Francisco. Governor Newsom says the state is standing by to help anyone affected by the quake, with a state of emergency in several counties including Mendocino and Humboldt.
The same day the quake hit, the US Senate passed a bill co-sponsored by Senator Alex Padilla to fund the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program for the next four years. It would provide $175.4 million annually for four federal agencies responsible for long-term earthquake risk reduction. Senator Padilla says Thursday’s quake shows the risk is real and he thinks the government needs to do all it can before the next one inevitably strikes–in California or elsewhere. The bill now goes to the House.
A man from Lower Lake will serve 40 years to life for sexual abuse in a crime prosecutors say was among the worst they have ever seen. Lake County News also reports that Peerless Brooke will also be on the sex offenders list for the rest of his life. He pleaded no contest to charges that he had sex with a seven-year old and streamed it live on Facebook. Brooke told the court that he entered the plea because he would have faced an even longer sentence if he was convicted in a trial and could get a parole hearing as soon as 2027. Prosecutors say the case is not over. They plan to charge another man from the north coast who they allege took part in the live stream and instructed Brooke what to do. Online reports say Brooke was once a standout football player and wrestler at Lower Lake High School
Work at the capitol in Sacramento was interrupted this morning after a threatening email. The building was evacuated as a precaution and members and staff went home to work remotely for the rest of the day, however, many had already left for the weekend when the threat came in. Lawmakers have been back for a special session this week to swear in new members and hold a special session to discuss bills the governor thinks would insulate the state from the second Trump presidency.
