Tagged News

• 7.1 earthquake rocks northeast Japan

  July 9, 2011 9:29 PM

  TOKYO (AP) - A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 has hitoff the northeast Japan coast, prompting a tsunami warning. The quake hit at 9:57 local time (0057 GMT) and a warning of a possible tsunami was issued for most of the northeastern coastline. The epicenter of the quake... more »

• Production problems mean smaller selections at local Toyota dealerships

  April 23, 2011 2:05 AM

  Toyota announced today it will not return to normal production levels until November or December. The world's largest automaker has been hurt by production problems since the 9.0 earthquake hit Japan. On top of that, it's still facing more safety recalls. Auto analysts say Toyota will likely lose its... more »

• Local Japanese dealerships expect small impact from earthquake

  March 18, 2011 9:39 PM

  Japanese automakers on the Central Coast expect to see a small supply shortage in the next few weeks, following the disaster in Japan. Both Honda and Toyota have suspended production in Japan until next week. Local dealers say they are concerned about the supply of cars, like the Prius,... more »

• Japan disaster having local economic impact

  March 18, 2011 2:34 PM

  The impacts of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan hit closer to home than you might think. Japanese automakers have already suspended production of cars and trucks in the aftermath of the disaster. Cars like Toyota's hybrid Prius is built exclusively in Japan. Several consumer electronics companies have also... more »

• Local couple looking to get out of Japan

  March 17, 2011 2:26 AM

  Over the weekend, we told you about a Central Coast couple that has lived in Japan for the last five years. Pennie Tovar and David Cochran shared their perspective on the earthquake. We caught up with Pennie today on her way to work to get an update. "It's not... more »

• Could a 9.0 quake rattle the Central Coast?

  March 14, 2011 10:16 PM

  Of course living in California, many of us can't help but wonder could an earthquake like the one in Japan happen here? "There are dozens are earthquakes per day in California," said UCSB Research Seismologist Jamison Steidl. He's part of the Earth Research Institute at UC Santa Barbara.... more »

• Local woman with ties to New Zealand reacts to earthquake

  February 23, 2011 8:32 PM

  The devastating images that are coming in from New Zealand are especially hard to watch for a Shell Beach woman and her family. Pam Roberts lived in Wellington with her family for six years. They often visited and still have friends in Christchurch, the city in which a 6.3... more »

• Local woman who lived in New Zealand reacts to devastating earthquake

  February 23, 2011 6:57 PM

  Police in Christchurch, New Zealand say rescue efforts have turned to recovery efforts. At least 75 people were killed in a magnitude 6.3 earthquake that struck earlier this week. Another 300 people remain missing. The images coming out of New Zealand are especially hard for Shell Beach resident Pam... more »

• Residents reacting to small earthquake

  August 10, 2010 7:59 PM

  A small earthquake shook parts of Santa Barbara County. The USGS says a magnitude 3.7 earthquake hit just before 3 o'clock Tuesday morning. It was centered about five miles northeast of Lompoc. More than 400 people have reported they felt the quake on the USGS website. ... more »

• Local therapist talks about experience in Haiti

  July 12, 2010 1:40 PM

  Two physical therapists from Santa Maria Valley Therapy Group have returned from Haiti. Thomas Meenzhuber and John Hollinshead made the voyage to aide victims in the rehabilitation and recovery process. Six months later, the country hasn't made much progress. Most residents didn't have electricity or water before the quake... more »

• 5.1 earthquake hits Southern California

  May 18, 2010 9:07 PM

  EL CENTRO, Calif. (AP) - An estimated 5.1-magnitude earthquake near the California-Mexico border has shaken a wide area of Southern California including San Diego. The U.S. Geological Survey's automated seismic reporting system said the quake struck at 5:38 p.m. PDT Tuesday and was centered 18 miles west-southwest of El Centro... more »

• Death toll rises in China after earthquake

  April 14, 2010 2:17 AM

  BEIJING (AP) - Chinese state television says the death toll from a strong earthquake in a western province has risen to about 300, with an additional 8,000 hurt. China Central Television said the toll from Wednesday's earthquake had risen as rescue workers struggled to dig trapped people out in Qinghai... more »

• Local physical therapists will help in Haiti

  April 13, 2010 10:13 PM

  Two physical therapists in Santa Maria are headed to Haiti. John Hollinshead and his colleague, Tom Meenzhuber both work for the Santa Maria Physical Therapy Group. They're making the trip to help earthquake victims with rehabilitation and recovery. Many are amputees, but Hollinshead says the injuries run the gammut... more »

• 4.3 earthquake felt in San Luis Obispo County

  April 7, 2010 6:59 PM

  Some northern San Luis Obispo County residents may have felt a shake this afternoon. The USGS reports a 4.3 magnitude earthquake was centered about 17 miles north east of San Miguel at about 3:40 p.m. There are no reports of damages or injuries at this time. more »

• 3.6 earthquake felt in San Luis Obispo County

  March 25, 2010 7:19 PM

  Some northern San Luis Obispo County residents reported feeling a little jolt Thursday afternoon. A 3.6 magnitude earthquake struck at 3:44 p.m. about 5 miles northwest from Parkfield, and 16 miles southwest from Coalinga, according to the USGS . No damages or injuries have been reported. more »

• 3.1 magnitude earthquake hits offshore near Lompoc

  March 23, 2010 11:46 AM

  Some Santa Barbara county residents may have had a little added shake to their morning routine. The U.S. Geological Survey reports a 3.1 magnitude earthquake hit offshore at 6:51a.m. Tuesday. It was located about 16 miles west of Lompoc and about 32 miles southwest of Santa Maria. There... more »

• Chile earthquake may have shortened Earth's day

  March 2, 2010 11:45 AM

  NEW YORK (AP) - Earth's days may have gotten a little bit shorter since the earthquake in Chile. But don't feel bad if you haven't noticed. A NASA scientist says the difference would be only about one-millionth of a second. Richard Gross and his colleagues at the Jet Propulsion... more »

• Rescuers drilling through walls to reach survivors

  March 1, 2010 12:45 PM

  CONCEPCION, Chile (AP) - Rescuers in a heavily-damaged Chilean city are hearing signs of life from an apartment building that was toppled by Saturday's earthquake. Firefighters in Concepcion have already pulled 25 survivors from the building, and the bodies of eight people who died. They're still hearing knocking from people... more »

• Chile president says 708 killed in quake

  February 28, 2010 4:31 PM

  SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) - President Michelle Bachelet says that Chile's earthquake killed at least 708 people - sharply increasing the known death toll. The president tells a news conference that the country faces "a catastrophe of such unthinkable magnitude that it will require a giant effort" for Chile to recover.... more »

• Chile quake similar to 2004 Indian Ocean temblor

  February 27, 2010 2:36 PM

  LOS ANGELES (AP) - Scientists say the major earthquake that struck off the coast of Chile was a "megathrust" - similar to the 2004 Indian Ocean temblor that spawned a catastrophic tsunami. Megathrust earthquakes occur in subduction zones where plates of the Earth's crust grind and dive. Saturday's jolt occurred... more »

• Small quake hits US-Mexico border near Calexico

  February 26, 2010 12:08 PM

  CALEXICO, Calif. (AP) - A magnitude-3.9 earthquake has rattled the California-Mexico border, but there are no immediate reports of damage or injuries. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake occurred shortly after 7 a.m. Friday and was centered 16 miles southeast of Calexico, a California city of 40,000 people across... more »

• Red Cross says 3 die in Haitian school collapse

  February 15, 2010 3:53 PM

  PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) - A Red Cross official says a school has collapsed in northern Haiti, killing three children. Red Cross spokesman Pericles Jean-Baptiste says the children were in the school when a wall collapsed at about noon Monday in the city of Cap-Haitien, about 80 miles (130 kilometers) north... more »

• Earthquake hits Central Coast

  February 6, 2010 10:48 PM

  The USGS is reporting a 3.7 magnitude earthquake has struck just south of Parkfield and about 20 miles east of Paso Robles. There are no reports of damage. People as far south as San Luis Obispo have reported feeling the quake. more »

• Local businesses team up to raise money for Haiti victims

  January 15, 2010 6:12 PM

  Local businesses in San Luis Obispo County are teaming up to help raise money for Haitian earthquake victims. Mission Community Bank and Barnett Cox & Associates are working together with the United Way of San Luis Obispo to gather funds for distribution through the United Way Worldwide DisasteLocr Fund. ... more »

• Haitian earthquake relief fraud alert

  January 15, 2010 3:42 PM

  The FBI wants to remind Internet users who get messages asking for donations to keep a critical eye before responding to those requests. Officials say past disasters and tragedies have resulted in fraud. They say before making a donation of any kind, check the following: -Do not... more »

• Preparing for an earthquake

  January 15, 2010 2:09 PM

  The devastating earthquake that took place in Haiti has many on the Central Coast thinking about the possibility of a big quake here. The Red Cross says it's important to be prepared and they have a number of recommendations. There are easy steps to take to make sure you're ready... more »

• Los Osos teenager arrives on Central Coast after surviving Haiti earthquake

  January 15, 2010 6:03 AM

  A Los Osos teenager going to school and working as an intern for the U.S. Embassy in Haiti is back on the Central Coast. Morgan Groth arrived at the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport safely late Thursday night, with his mother waiting to give him a hug that... more »

• Central Coast helps victims in Haiti

  January 13, 2010 12:53 PM

  Central Coast residents are heading to Haiti to assist in earthquake relief efforts. Oak Park Christian Church in Grover Beach was already planning a trip to the country before the earthquake struck. They now plan to focus their efforts on aiding earthquake victims. Red Cross volunteers throughout Santa Barbara county... more »

• Many casualties expected after Haiti earthquake

  January 13, 2010 12:31 AM

  PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) - The Haitian capital has largely been destroyed in the most powerful earthquake to hit the country in more than 200 years. Journalists from The Associated Press describe severe and widespread casualties after a tour of streets where blood and bodies can be seen. The damage... more »

• Strong earthquake hits Haiti

  January 12, 2010 7:03 PM

  PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) - A strong earthquake has hit the impoverished country of Haiti, where a hospital has collapsed and people are screaming for help. The U.S. Geological Survey says the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 7.3. It occurred Tuesday afternoon and was centered about 14 miles (22 kilometers)... more »

• Earthquake rocks Banning area in Riverside County

  January 11, 2010 9:57 PM

  BANNING, Calif. (AP) - A light earthquake has shaken an area of Riverside County. The U.S. Geological Survey says the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 4.3. It happened at 6:36 p.m. three miles north-northeast of the city of Banning. The 4.3 temblor was preceded by several smaller quakes... more »

• 6.5 quake shakes buildings on California coast

  January 10, 2010 12:16 AM

  FERNDALE, Calif (AP) - A 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Northern California this afternoon, shaking buildings south of the Oregon border and knocking out power in several coastal communities. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake hit at about 4:27 p.m. PST about 22 miles from Ferndale.... more »

• Earthquake shakes offshore near Channel Islands

  November 16, 2009 8:20 AM

  A small earthquake shakes up the Channel Islands Sunday. The 4.3 magnitude offshore earthquake happened at about 2:45p.m. 14 miles east of San Nicholas Island. People have reported feeling moderate shakes northern Ventura County and southern Santa Barbara County on the US Geological Survey website. ... more »