NASA's Cassini spacecraft is back in contact with Earth after its successful first-ever dive through the narrow gap between the planet Saturn and its rings on Wednesday.

The spacecraft is in the process of beaming back science and engineering data collected during its passage, via NASA's Deep Space Network Goldstone Complex in California's Mojave Desert.

The DSN acquired Cassini's signal at 11:56 p.m. PDT on April 26 and data began flowing at 12:01 a.m. PDT on April 27.

"In the grandest tradition of exploration, NASA's Cassini spacecraft has once again blazed a trail, showing us new wonders and demonstrating where our curiosity can take us if we dare," said Jim Green, director of the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington.

As it dove through the gap, Cassini came within about 1,900 miles of Saturn's cloud tops (where the air pressure is 1 bar – comparable to the atmospheric pressure of Earth at sea level) and within about 200 miles of the innermost visible edge of the rings.

While mission managers were confident Cassini would pass through the gap successfully, they took extra precautions with this first dive, as the region had never been explored.

"No spacecraft has ever been this close to Saturn before. We could only rely on predictions, based on our experience with Saturn's other rings, of what we thought this gap between the rings and Saturn would be like," said Cassini Project Manager Earl Maize of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. "I am delighted to report that Cassini shot through the gap just as we planned and has come out the other side in excellent shape."

The gap between the rings and the top of Saturn's atmosphere is about 1,500 miles (2,000 kilometers) wide.

The best models for the region suggested that if there were ring particles in the area where Cassini crossed the ring plane, they would be tiny, on the scale of smoke particles.

The spacecraft zipped through this region at speeds of about 77,000 miles per hour relative to the planet, so small particles hitting a sensitive area could potentially have disabled the spacecraft.

As a protective measure, the spacecraft used its large, dish-shaped high-gain antenna (13 feet or 4 meters across) as a shield, orienting it in the direction of oncoming ring particles. This meant that the spacecraft was out of contact with Earth during the ring-plane crossing, which took place at 2 a.m. PDT on April 26. Cassini was programmed to collect science data while close to the planet and turn toward Earth to make contact about 20 hours after the crossing.

Cassini's next dive through the gap is scheduled for May 2.

Launched in 1997, Cassini arrived at Saturn in 2004. Following its last close flyby of the large moon Titan on April 21 PDT, Cassini began what mission planners are calling its "Grand Finale."

During this final chapter, Cassini loops Saturn approximately once per week, making a total of 22 dives between the rings and the planet.

Data from this first dive will help engineers understand if and how they will need to protect the spacecraft on its future ring-plane crossings.

The spacecraft is on a trajectory that will eventually plunge into Saturn's atmosphere – and end Cassini's mission – on Sept. 15.

More information about Cassini's Grand Finale, including images and video, is available at https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/grandfinale and https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/grand-finale/why-cassini-matters/ .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Air Quality Management District reported that the county’s annual burn ban will begin on Monday, May 1.

The burn restriction, which is intended to address concerns over both fire hazard and air quality, applies to all areas in Lake County.

All burn permits expire on Sunday, April 30.

An annual burn ban was first implemented in 1986 in response to weather conditions that often create extreme fire danger and poor air quality.

A managed approach incorporating fire and air agency concerns has been implemented and improved upon for many years, the district reported.

The ban allows a quick fire agency response to all fires observed from May 1 onward, as they are all assumed to be uncontrolled fires unless specifically authorized by an exemption permit.

The district said this successful program is one of the primary reasons Lake County has superior and healthful air quality.

The ban also helps prevent smoke impacts to the general public and large planned outdoor events from unrestricted vegetative waste burns.

The burn ban includes all open waste burning, though exceptions are possible for agricultural operations, essential control burns for fire hazard reduction projects, public safety burns and others.

To obtain an exemption permit for a necessary burn after May 1, first contact the Lake County Air Quality Management District at 707-263-7000 to determine need, then your local fire protection agency so that your burn site can be inspected and evaluated for fire safety.

Only after the fire agency has notified the Lake County Air Quality Management District that the proposed burn is fire safe, can you obtain a written exemption permit.

Anyone responsible for open burning during the ban without a valid written exemption permit may be subject to a citation, fines and the cost of the fire agency response to extinguish the fire. Burn restrictions will remain in effect until Cal Fire declares an end to fire season late this year.

The Lake County Air Quality Management District asks that the community help reduce the danger and losses caused by uncontrolled fires, and protect the county’s clean air resources by observing the ban.

The district said public cooperation is greatly appreciated and results in a safer and more healthful environment for everyone.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Authorities have filed criminal charges against a former resident of a Lakeport apartment complex for the fire in August that killed another resident and injured several others.

Tracey Renee Morales, 62, is facing felony charges of involuntary manslaughter and recklessly causing a fire, according to Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen.

Rasmussen said the charges stem from the investigation’s conclusion that Morales was smoking while using an oxygen tank, which led to the fire on the evening of Sunday, Aug. 21, at the Lakeview Senior Housing complex, located at 525 Bevins St.

Deborah Dianne Dowdy, 53, died in the fire and four other residents also were injured, including a woman who had to be flown out-of-county for burns and three treated locally for smoke inhalation, as Lake County News has reported.

When fire and police arrived at the scene of the fire on Aug. 21, they began evacuating the residents out of the two-story, 36-unit complex.

Witnesses told police that they had seen Dowdy outside, but firefighters would later find her body in an elevator during a sweep of the building. Rasmussen said they still don’t know why she had gone back inside the complex.

The rest of the residents of the complex, managed by Rural Communities Housing Development Corp. of Ukiah, were displaced for months while the extensive damage from the fire was repaired, with city officials working to help find them temporary housing. Rasmussen said they were finally able to return home last last year.

Rasmussen said Lakeport Police and Lakeport Fire investigators, assisted by investigators from Northshore Fire, Lake County Fire and Cal Fire, conducted a cause and origin and criminal investigation of the circumstances of the fire and Dowdy’s death. 

He said they concluded that the fire started due to Morales’ negligence.

In March, the Lakeport Police Department presented the final investigation reports to the Lake County District Attorney’s Office which confirmed that it filed felony charges of involuntary manslaughter and recklessly causing a fire against Morales.

On Thursday, a Lake County Superior Court judge issued an arrest warrant for Morales on the charges, Rasmussen said.

On the same day, at the request of the Lakeport Police Department, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office located Morales in that county and issued her a notice to appear in Lake County Superior Court to answer to the charges, according to Rasmussen.

Rasmussen said Morales was not booked into jail at that time due to a medical issue.   

Morales is required to appear on the case in Lake County Superior Court on June 20, Rasmussen said.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

The California Department of Public Health announced the first confirmed illness in California due to West Nile virus.

The illness occurred in Kings County, officials said.

“West Nile virus activity in the state is increasing, so I urge Californians to take every possible precaution to protect against mosquito bites,” said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith.

This year to date, West Nile virus activity has been detected in three dead birds, one each from San Mateo, Orange, and San Diego counties.

Heavy rains this winter in California have contributed to an increase in mosquito breeding sites. It is not known what impact the wet weather may have on the actual virus transmission risk in humans.

So far this season, West Nile activity is within expected levels, the state reported.

West Nile virus is influenced by many factors, including climate, the number and types of birds and mosquitoes in an area and the level of West Nile immunity in birds.

West Nile virus is transmitted to humans and animals by the bite of an infected mosquito. The risk of serious illness to most people is low. However, some individuals – less than 1 percent – can develop serious neurologic illnesses such as encephalitis or meningitis.

People 50 years of age and older, and individuals with diabetes or hypertension, have a higher chance of getting sick and are more likely to develop complications.

CDPH recommends that individuals protect against mosquito bites and WNV by practicing the “Three Ds”:

1. DEET – Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaradin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 according to label instructions. Repellents keep the mosquitoes from biting you. Insect repellents should not be used on children under two months of age.

2. DAWN AND DUSK – Mosquitoes usually bite in the early morning and evening so it is important to wear proper clothing and repellent if outside during these times. Make sure that your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes. Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes.

3. DRAIN – Mosquitoes lay their eggs on standing water. Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property, by emptying flower pots, old car tires, buckets and other containers. If you know of a swimming pool that is not being properly maintained, please contact your local mosquito and vector control agency.

California’s West Nile virus Web site includes the latest information on WNV activity in the state. Californians are encouraged to report dead birds on the website or by calling toll-free 1-877-WNV-BIRD (968-2473).

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Upper Lake High School’s robotics team put in a golden performance in San Jose this past weekend, bringing home the school’s second state championship in mobile robotics technology in five years.

The winning team of juniors Jovany Martinez and Jacob Kalawaia won gold for their performance in the competition, said Upper Lake High robotics teacher Gary Madison.

“We’re super proud of them this year,” Madison said.

Upper Lake’s second team of Andrew Brackett and JT Claunch finished fifth in the competition.

Madison said all of the students worked very hard to prepare for the competition.

The competition is organized by SkillsUSA, which serves middle school, high school and college or postsecondary students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations.

There are 18,000 SkillsUSA chapters and 52 state and territorial associations. SkillsUSA’s current membership – including students and alumni – is estimated by the organization to total more than 394,000 people.

Madison said Upper Lake High has its own SkillsUSA chapter, with all 18 of his students competing in the finals for the North Coast Region, also known as SkillsUSA Region 1, which extends from the Oregon border to San Jose.

Three two-person teams from Upper Lake High qualified for the state competition, held from Thursday through Sunday in San Jose. However, Madison said he could only afford to send the top two teams.

Madison said this is Martinez’s second year at state competition and Kalawaia’s first.

Upper Lake was neck-and-neck through much of the robotics competition with Downey High School, said Madison.

However, in the end, Madison said Kalawaia and Martinez came out on top thanks to their excellent work on the overall project – putting a robot through a complex course – and the fact that their engineering notebook was so good.

Upper Lake High’s win over Downey High is all the more impressive when considering that Downey is a Southern California high school with enrollment estimated at more than 4,100 students, compared to Upper Lake, which is reported to have just under 300 students.

Madison, who has been the high school’s computer teacher since 1993 – when there were just two ancient Apple 2E computers with big floppy disks tucked into a room down a hallway – now has a classroom filled with computers and flat panel screens, and another room with equipment for the robotics class and the school’s print shop.

On a given day, his students can be found doing creative work that ranges from designing video games to building models with a 3-D printer.

Under Madison’s leadership, the robotics program is now in its seventh year.

One of the students’ current projects is building an underwater robotic submarine that will feature two cameras. The sub has a PVC pipe structure and is roughly the size of a small dog house.

Madison’s students already are looking at next year’s competition, using YouTube videos posted about some of the challenges they will face.

One of his teams also won the state competition in 2012, with those student traveling to Kansas City to compete in the national competition, he said.

Madison said they didn’t place in that event in 2012, but he’s hopeful that Kalawaia and Martinez will do so this time.

While he had the state competition worked into his budget, the trip to Louisville, Ky., June 19 to 24 for the national competition isn’t, so they’re seeking sponsors and donations, as the trip is expected to exceed $5,000.

Anyone who wishes to donate to the robotic team’s trip to the national competition can contact Upper Lake High School at 707-275-2338 or send checks for the trip to the school at 675 Clover Valley Road, Upper Lake, CA 95485.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

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Title means ownership and control. How title is conveyed varies with the asset type.

With real property title involves the chain of title from the original owner to each subsequent owner.

Title is typically conveyed by either a quitclaim deed or a warranty deed signed by the grantor(s).

Title “vests” (transfers) in the name of the grantee(s) upon delivery to the grantee, or upon recordation with the county. In California, a grantee may take title in various ways.

If the grantee is married title should say that the grantee is married and whether or not the property is the grantee's separate property or community property.

For example consider, "John Doe, a Married Man, as his Sole and Separate Property," and, "John Doe and Jane Doe, husband and wife, as Community Property."

With a married person, title is not necessarily conclusive of whether the property is the sole and separate property of the spouse on title or is community property belonging equally to both spouses.

What rights each spouse has in the assets titled in either spouse’s name may depend on whether the property is being transferred due to the couple’s divorce or due to the death of either spouse.

Thus, for example, if a married person purchases real property in his or her own name alone, but uses community property (such as earnings while married) to make the purchase (and/or uses a loan secured by marital earnings), then even though title is recorded in one spouse's name alone the couple's community property estate may acquire an equity interest in the property.

If title to property is held in joint tenancy then when the first joint tenant dies, the surviving joint tenant(s) acquire title to the entire the property, including what was the deceased joint tenant's equal share, without probate.

If the last surviving joint tenant, however, still holds title to the property in his or her name (outside of any trust) then a probate may become necessary when the surviving joint tenant dies, depending on the gross value of the last joint tenant's probate estate and whether the real property goes to a surviving spouse.

Probate only applies when more than $150,000 in gross value is left to person(s) other than a surviving spouse (or registered domestic partner). Probate can be avoided by holding title in a trust or by recording a revoable transfer on death ("TOD") deed.

When title is held in a Revocable Living Trust, beneficial ownership remains with the settlor who established the trust. But, at the settlor's death probate is avoided because title transfers to the living successor trustee by means of an affidavit of successor trustee.

In a probate title to real property is conveyed pursuant to a deed signed by the court appointed personal representative.

If the deed is pursuant to a probate sale then the personal representative, if granted full independent powers of administration, may proceed without prior court authorization. Otherwise, a court order authorizing the sale or the distribution to a beneficiary is required.

Sometimes title to real property is transferred by just recording a court order alone. For example, a surviving spouse can petition the court to confirm the spouse's ownership of the deceased spouse's real property. 

Title to financial accounts, like brokerages and bank accounts, is maintained by the financial institution based on documents signed by the account holder(s).

At the account holder’s death there are a number of possible ways that the account assets may be transferred.

Joint accounts pass to the surviving joint tenant(s). “Pay on death” and “transfer on death” accounts usually pass according to designation of death beneficiary forms. Accounts held in a trust go to the trust beneficiaries. Sometimes part or all of a financial account may still pass according to the deceased owner’s will or, if no will, to the surviving heirs.

Anyone with a legal question regarding the titling or transfer of an asset should consult an attorney.

Dennis A. Fordham, Attorney, is a State Bar-Certified Specialist in estate planning, probate and trust law. His office is at 870 S. Main St., Lakeport, Calif. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and 707-263-3235. His Web site is www.DennisFordhamLaw.com .

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Two Clearlake residents were arrested on Saturday after being found in possession of a concealed weapon, with one of the individuals also found to have cocaine that appeared to have been packaged for sales.

Arrested in the case were 43-year-old Danyeala Elisabeth Marquez and William Dannell Shaw, 33, according to Sgt. Travis Lenz of the Clearlake Police Department.

Just after 1:40 a.m. on Saturday Clearlake Police Officers responded to B&B Light House Bar, located in the 5800 block of Old Highway 53, to look for a subject with outstanding arrest warrants who was possibly at the bar, said Sgt. Lenz.

Once on scene, officers approached the north entrance to the bar, which faces the patio and parking lot. Lenz said he responded to the east entrance, which leads toward Old Highway 53, in the event the wanted subject attempted to flee from arriving officers.

From Lenz’s position at the rear door he was able to see into the bar through the windows. Two subjects, later identified as Shaw and Marquez, ran from the north side of the bar to the middle near the bar counter top. Lenz said it appeared they were aware of officer’s arrival and had run into the bar to collude in criminal activity.

Lenz said he watched Shaw lift his shirt, exposing a black pistol which he had concealed in the front waistline of his pants.

Shaw removed the pistol from his waistline and handed it to Marquez. Marquez then concealed the pistol in the waistline of her pants, covering it with her sweatshirt to conceal it, according to Lenz.

After viewing the firearm transfer, Lenz said he made entry into the bar and took hold of Marquez, detaining her in handcuffs.

During this time, Shaw fled out of the north entrance to the patio, where he was met by Officer Leonardo Flores, who detained him in handcuffs, Lenz said.

After removing the firearm from Marquez’ person, it was discovered the magazine contained 10 live 40 caliber cartridges, according to Lenz.

He said both subjects were placed under arrest at that time.

During a search incident to arrest, Shaw was found to be in possession of numerous plastic tie off bags containing cocaine, which were packaged in a manner commonly used in the sale of narcotics, Lenz said.

Shaw is a convicted felon and so is prohibited from possessing the firearm or the ammunition, according to Lenz.

Lenz said Shaw later was booked into the Lake County Jail on charges of carrying a concealed firearm on his person in a public place, possession of an unregistered firearm, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, possession of a controlled substance while in possession of a firearm, conspiracy to commit a crime, and possession of narcotics for sales.

Marquez was later booked into the Lake County Jail on charges of carrying a concealed firearm on her person in a public place, possession of an unregistered firearm, and conspiracy to commit a crime, Lenz said.

Lenz said the wanted person originally sought was not located at the bar and it was determined she left just prior to the officers' arrival.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact Sgt. Lenz at 707-994-8251, Extension 311.