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SACRAMENTO Jobless rate falls to 4.4 percent in January

California’s unemployment rate fell to 4.4 percent in January — the lowest figure since 1976.

That’s even lower than the previous record low of 4.5 percent that was set in December.

However, it’s a fraction higher than the national unemployment rate for January, which was 4.1 percent.

Figures released Wednesday by the state Employment Development Department show that California employers added 35,500 nonfarm payroll jobs in January. About 17 million Californians held such jobs.

The largest increase was in the construction sector, followed by trade, transportation and utilities.

California has gained nearly 3 million jobs in an economic expansion that began in 2010. PASO ROBLES Small quake shakes remote area of Paso Robles

A magnitude-3.7 earthquake has shaken a remote area of Central California.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the quake occurred at 10:05 a.m. Wednesday and was centered 38 miles eastsoutheast of Paso Robles at a depth of 6 miles.

The epicenter was along the Temblor Range, a region with little population. VICTORVILLE Boy pulled people over while impersonating deputy

Authorities say a 14-year-old Southern California boy arrested for pretending to be a sheriff’s deputy launched phony investigations and pulled people over while driving around in an SUV equipped with flashing blue and red lights.

San Bernardino County sheriff’s officials say the unidentified teen was taken into custody Tuesday after deputies found counterfeit money, fake guns and ballistic vests in his home.

The Sun newspaper says the investigation was launched Monday when a Victorville homeowner reported someone driving an unmarked SUV and wearing a sheriff’s uniform came to the house and said he was investigating a domestic disturbance.

Officials say the same day the teen pulled a woman over and gave her a warning before letting her go.

Deputies later stopped the SUV and found the uniformed teen inside.