A magnitude 4.4 earthquake centred in El Sereno rattled the Los Angeles area on Monday afternoon, causing brief but widespread tremors across Southern California. While the quake was felt over a wide region, there were no immediate reports of major damage. However, the shaking did result in some disruptions, including a burst water pipe at Pasadena City Hall and minor incidents at local businesses.
The earthquake, which struck at 12:20 p.m., was strong enough to be felt from Los Angeles to San Diego and Ventura. Residents across the region reported a sudden jolt, with many noting that the tremors were strong enough to knock items off shelves and set off car alarms. In Alhambra, the shaking caused shampoo bottles to fall from the shelves at a local Target, and in Highland Park, coffee spilled off tables as windows rattled.
Pasadena City Hall was among the few places that experienced noticeable damage. A water pipe burst, leading to an hour-long leak before it was turned off. Additionally, an issue with the building’s elevators left one employee trapped for about 20 minutes. The elevators will remain closed until repairs can be made. City officials also conducted precautionary inspections at the Rose Bowl, though no significant damage was reported.
The earthquake, though minor, served as a stark reminder of the seismic risks in Southern California. Seismologist Lucy Jones, a research associate at Caltech, noted that the quake occurred on the same fault network responsible for the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake, which was a magnitude 5.9 event. However, she pointed out that it was too early to definitively associate the latest quake with a specific fault, given the complexity of the fault systems in the region.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department and other local agencies quickly responded to the quake, conducting surveys and checking for damage. Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of serious damage or injuries. The South Pasadena Police Department noted that the only calls they received were reports of home alarms being triggered by the quake.
For many Southern California residents, the earthquake served as a wake-up call about the importance of preparedness. The region’s earthquake early warning system, MyShake, once again proved its worth, with many residents receiving alerts on their phones seconds before the shaking began. This system, developed by UC Berkeley in partnership with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, provides warnings to users in California, Oregon, and Washington.
In the aftermath of the quake, officials urged residents to take the event as an opportunity to review their emergency preparedness plans. With the possibility of larger earthquakes always looming in the region, staying prepared is key to minimizing the impact of future seismic events.
As Southern California continues to monitor for aftershocks, the relatively minor impact of Monday’s quake serves as a reminder of both the ever-present threat of earthquakes in the region and the importance of being ready for when a more significant event strikes.
EDMONTON – RCMP say a second suspect has been arrested in the killing of an Alberta county worker.
Mounties say 28-year-old Elijah Strawberry was taken into custody Friday at a house on O’Chiese First Nation.
Colin Hough, a worker with Rocky View County, was shot and killed while on the job on a rural road east of Calgary on Aug. 6.
Another man who worked for Fortis Alberta was shot and wounded, and RCMP said the suspects fled in a Rocky View County work truck.
Police later arrested Arthur Wayne Penner, 35, and charged him with first-degree murder and attempted murder, and a warrant was issued for Strawberry’s arrest.
RCMP also said there was a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Strawberry, describing him as armed and dangerous.
Chief Supt. Roberta McKale, told a news conference in Edmonton that officers had received tips and information over the last few weeks.
“I don’t know of many members that when were stopped, fuelling up our vehicles, we weren’t keeping an eye out, looking for him,” she said.
But officers had been investigating other cases when they found Strawberry.
“Our investigators were in O’Chiese First Nation at a residence on another matter and the major crimes unit was there working another file and ended up locating him hiding in the residence,” McKale said.
While an investigation is still underway, RCMP say they’re confident both suspects in the case are in police custody.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
RICHMOND, B.C. – The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the 26-year-old son of a man found dead on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast has been charged with his murder.
Police say 58-year-old Henry Doyle was found badly injured on a forest service road in Egmont last September and died of his injuries.
The homicide team took over when the BC Coroners Service said the man’s death was suspicious.
It says in a statement that the BC Prosecution Service has approved one count of first-degree murder against the man’s son, Jackson Doyle.
Police say the accused will remain in custody until at least his next court appearance.
The homicide team says investigators remained committed to solving the case with the help of the community of Egmont, the RCMP on the Sunshine Coast and in Richmond, and the Vancouver Police Department.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
VANCOUVER – Mediated talks between the union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver and its employer, Transdev, have broken off without an agreement following 15 hours of talks.
Joe McCann, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724, says they stayed at the bargaining table with help from a mediator until 2 a.m. Friday and made “some progress.”
However, he says the union negotiators didn’t get an offer that they could recommend to the membership.
McCann says that in some ways they are close to an agreement, but in other areas they are “miles apart.”
About 600 employees of the door-to-door transit service for people who can’t navigate the conventional transit system have been on strike since last week, pausing service for all but essential medical trips.
McCann asks HandyDART users to be “patient,” since they are trying to get not only a fair contract for workers but also a better service for customers.
He says it’s unclear when the talks will resume, but he hopes next week at the latest.
The employer, Transdev, didn’t reply to an interview request before publication.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
