"Great California ShakeOut" to take place today

RIVERSIDE - Government offices, businesses, schools and individual families in Riverside County will take part today in what's being touted as the largest earthquake drill in the state's history.

The annual ''Great California ShakeOut'' is scheduled for 10:20 a.m., during which participants will ''drop, cover and hold on'' for several minutes to simulate a response to a massive quake.

According to organizers, 8.2 million people statewide have registered to join the exercise, surpassing last year's record total 7.9 million participants.

''This is now officially the largest earthquake preparedne...