mercurynews--2020-06-17--Streaming movie picks: ‘7500’ is that rare brainy thriller

Who doesn ’ t love a good claustrophobic thriller where the protagonist gets trapped in a dicey place and takes desperate actions that could either make things worse or save the day .
Especially when it ’ s a vulnerable protagonist we can care deeply about .
Screenwriter/director Patrick Vollrath casts the ideal actor , the affable Joseph Gordon-Levitt , to fly Amazon Prime ’ s nerve-janglin ’ original “ 7500 , ” available June 19 .
Gordon-Levitt handily plays mild-mannered Tobias , an American co-pilot wrestling with three terrorists who want to take command of a Berlin-to-Paris flight .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes us feel almost like we ’ re experiencing the horror he does .
It ’ s a juicy role that demands a lot physically and emotionally , particularly since it spends nearly all of its running time cooped up in the cockpit .
Gordon-Levitt ’ s heightened anxiety never wavers throughout .
With terrorists threatening to kill passengers and flight attendants , which include Tobias ’ s girlfriend ( Aylin Tezel ) , he ’ s forced to not trigger more deaths .
In a big studio release , an action star @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would kick butt , but Vollrath avoids that sort of yippee ki yay approach and steers into more complex territory as family guy Tobias faces a real , not cartoony , threat .
That adds dimension to this white-knuckler , and Vollrath shapes it into a more human thriller as Tobias gets to know the youngest terrorist ( Omid Memar ) , a scared kid who makes bone-chilling calls to his mom .
The lead performances make everything that happens in the cockpit feel all the more immediate and real .
So does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as the heightened sound design from Daniel Iribarren , who makes you feel as if every noise is a blunt instrument .
The key thing is “ 7500 ” refuses to follow a familiar flight pattern and winds up a well-made thriller with brains .
Details : 3 stars out of 4 ; streaming on Amazon Prime .
“ Miss Juneteenth ” : Director Channing Godfrey Peoples bursts on the feature film scene with this subdued award winner about a mother-daughter relationship and lost dreams .
In a small West Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strictly oversees her uninterested daughter Kai ’ s ( Alexis Chikaeze ) preparations for the upcoming Miss Juneteenth pageant .
It ’ s a title mom once won , and she ’ s determined that her daughter follow suit , but the sexy ex Rodney ( Kendrick Sampson ) complicates that goal .
It ’ s one of the best feature debuts I ’ ve seen this year .
Details : 3½ stars ; available for rental on several platforms .
“ Babyteeth ” : This is one tough sell , an Australian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And even if I told you this beautiful , so-real-it-aches portrait of a family struggling to make sense of it all treats its grim subject with authenticity not sentimentally , you still might reject it .
Too bad .
Shannon Murphy ’ s unique film is inspired and raw with award-worthey performances from Eliza Scanlen in the lead , Toby Wallace as the homeless addict she ’ s attracted to and Essie Davis and Mendelsohn as the struggling parents .
This is an unforgettable film .
Details : 3½ stars ; available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Disclosure : Trans Lives On Screen ” : Sam Feder ’ s documentary is a must-watch and not just during Pride Month .
Laverne Cox , Lilly Wachowski and Mj Rodriguez are a few of the trans actresses and filmmakers discussing the lack of and often offensive screen depictions of transexual characters .
It ’ s eye-opening to say the least and shows the need for better representation on screens , in particular of trans women of color .
Details : 3½ stars ; Netflix .
“ Artemis Fowl ” : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and it ’ s Kenneth Branagh ’ s tone-deaf adaptation of Eoin Colfer ’ s fantasy novel .
Bloated with dubious special effects , it squanders the talents of Colin Farrell , Josh Gad and Judi Dench , who ’ s such a fright in her lime-green getup you ’ ll want to swear off St. Patrick ’ s Day .
Details : 1 star ; Disney+ “ Pulse ” : In Stevie Cruz-Martin ’ s compelling body-swap drama , gay Australian teen Olly ( Daniel Monks ) opts for a female @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s only getting worse .
He ’ s hoping his hot friend Luke ( Scott Lee ) will take a fancy .
Not all goes as planned in this sexually frank debut with a dead-on performance from Monks .
Details : 3 stars ; available on various platforms .
“ Think Like a Dog ” : Woof !
Megan Fox and Josh Duhamel punch the time clock to portray squabbling parents of a brainy science kid whose experiment leaves him able to hear his doggie ’ s thoughts .
It doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sounds like it ’ s coming from a game-show announcer .
Your kids may be desperate for something new to watch .
This ain ’ t it .
Details : 1 star ’ various platforms .
“ You Don ’ t Nomi ” : A colossal bust when released in 1995 amid NC-17 hype , Paul Verhoeven ’ s overly caffeinated Vegas stripper fiasco “ Showgirls ” has morphed over the years into something resembling a cult classic .
Not everyone ’ s laughing at it ; some in Jeffrey McHale ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Divergent opinions on “ Showgirls ” get their due and we ’ re treated to an update on star Elizabeth Berkley .
The Bay Area ’ s Peaches Christ pops in as well .
It ’ s fascinating .
Details : 3 stars ; various platforms .
“ Scream Queen !
My Nightmare on Elm Street ” : In the mid- ‘ 80s , Mark Patton was on the verge of stardom , having landed the lead in the first Freddy Krueger sequel .
But then “ Freddy ’ s Revenge ” came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Reactions to the horror film ’ s obvious gay angle and to Patton ’ s “ performance went on to torpedo the then-closeted star ’ s career .
Directors Roman Chimienti and Tyler Jenson explore Patton ’ s ordeal as a bigger picture testimonial on homophobia in Hollywood and beyond .
Details : 2½ stars ; available on Shudder .
“ This Teacher ” : In this twitchy character-driven drama , a French Muslim woman ( Hafsia Herzi ) goes from kicking it with her needy actress chum in New York to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she learns first-hand about deep-seeded American xenophobia .
Mark Jackson ’ s subversive tale goes unexpected places as “ Teacher ” descends into a snakepit of intolerance .
Details : 3 stars , various platforms .

Who doesn’t love a good claustrophobic thriller where the protagonist gets trapped in a dicey place and takes desperate actions that could either make things worse or save the day. Especially when it’s a vulnerable protagonist we can care deeply about.
Screenwriter/director Patrick Vollrath casts the ideal actor, the affable Joseph Gordon-Levitt, to fly Amazon Prime’s nerve-janglin’ original “7500,” available June 18.
Gordon-Levitt handily plays mild-mannered Tobias, an American co-pilot wrestling with three terrorists who want to take command of a Berlin-to-Paris flight. The “500 Days of Summer” makes us feel almost like we’re experiencing the horror he does. It’s a juicy role that demands a lot physically and emotionally, particularly since it spends nearly all of its running time cooped up in the cockpit. Gordon-Levitt’s heightened anxiety never wavers throughout.
With terrorists threatening to kill passengers and flight attendants, which include Tobias’s girlfriend (Aylin Tezel), he’s forced to not trigger more deaths. In a big studio release, an action star such as Dwayne Johnson or Chris Hemsworth would kick butt, but Vollrath avoids that sort of yippee ki yay approach and steers into more complex territory as family guy Tobias faces a real, not cartoony, threat.
That adds dimension to this white-knuckler, and Vollrath shapes it into a more human thriller as Tobias gets to know the youngest terrorist (Omid Memar), a scared kid who makes bone-chilling calls to his mom.
The lead performances make everything that happens in the cockpit feel all the more immediate and real. So does the dark cinematography from Sebastian Thaler, as well as the heightened sound design from Daniel Iribarren, who makes you feel as if every noise is a blunt instrument. The key thing is “7500” refuses to follow a familiar flight pattern and winds up a well-made thriller with brains. Details: 3 stars out of 4; streaming on Amazon Prime.
Other new streaming releases:
“Miss Juneteenth”: Director Channing Godfrey Peoples bursts on the feature film scene with this subdued award winner about a mother-daughter relationship and lost dreams. In a small West Texas town, Turquoise (Nicole Beharie) strictly oversees her uninterested daughter Kai’s (Alexis Chikaeze) preparations for the upcoming Miss Juneteenth pageant. It’s a title mom once won, and she’s determined that her daughter follow suit, but the sexy ex Rodney (Kendrick Sampson) complicates that goal. It’s one of the best feature debuts I’ve seen this year. Details: 3½ stars; available for rental on several platforms.
“Babyteeth”: This is one tough sell, an Australian drama about a teen dying of cancer. And even if I told you this beautiful, so-real-it-aches portrait of a family struggling to make sense of it all treats its grim subject with authenticity not sentimentally, you still might reject it. Too bad. Shannon Murphy’s unique film is inspired and raw with award-worthey performances from Eliza Scanlen in the lead, Toby Wallace as the homeless addict she’s attracted to and Essie Davis and Mendelsohn as the struggling parents. This is an unforgettable film. Details: 3½ stars; available for streaming on various platforms June 19.
“Disclosure: Trans Lives On Screen”: Sam Feder’s documentary is a must-watch and not just during Pride Month. Laverne Cox, Lilly Wachowski and Mj Rodriguez are a few of the trans actresses and filmmakers discussing the lack of and often offensive screen depictions of transexual characters. It’s eye-opening to say the least and shows the need for better representation on screens, in particular of trans women of color. Details: 3½ stars; Netflix.
“Artemis Fowl”: There’s something rotten on Disney+, and it’s Kenneth Branagh’s tone-deaf adaptation of Eoin Colfer’s fantasy novel. Bloated with dubious special effects, it squanders the talents of Colin Farrell, Josh Gad and Judi Dench, who’s such a fright in her lime-green getup you’ll want to swear off St. Patrick’s Day. Details: 1 star; Disney+
“Pulse”: In Stevie Cruz-Martin’s compelling body-swap drama, gay Australian teen Olly (Daniel Monks) opts for a female body due to a disability that’s only getting worse. He’s hoping his hot friend Luke (Scott Lee) will take a fancy. Not all goes as planned in this sexually frank debut with a dead-on performance from Monks. Details: 3 stars; available on various platforms.
“Think Like a Dog”: Woof! Megan Fox and Josh Duhamel punch the time clock to portray squabbling parents of a brainy science kid whose experiment leaves him able to hear his doggie’s thoughts. It doesn’t help that the canine’s voice sounds like it’s coming from a game-show announcer. Your kids may be desperate for something new to watch. This ain’t it. Details: 1 star’ various platforms.
“You Don’t Nomi”: A colossal bust when released in 1995 amid NC-17 hype, Paul Verhoeven’s overly caffeinated Vegas stripper fiasco “Showgirls” has morphed over the years into something resembling a cult classic. Not everyone’s laughing at it; some in Jeffrey McHale’s addictive documentary consider it a masterpiece. Divergent opinions on “Showgirls” get their due and we’re treated to an update on star Elizabeth Berkley. The Bay Area’s Peaches Christ pops in as well. It’s fascinating. Details: 3 stars; various platforms.
“Scream Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street”: In the mid-‘80s, Mark Patton was on the verge of stardom, having landed the lead in the first Freddy Krueger sequel. But then “Freddy’s Revenge” came out and critics and fans panned it. Reactions to the horror film’s obvious gay angle and to Patton’s “performance went on to torpedo the then-closeted star’s career. Directors Roman Chimienti and Tyler Jenson explore Patton’s ordeal as a bigger picture testimonial on homophobia in Hollywood and beyond. Details: 2½ stars; available on Shudder.
“This Teacher”: In this twitchy character-driven drama, a French Muslim woman (Hafsia Herzi) goes from kicking it with her needy actress chum in New York to staying at a remote cabin, where she learns first-hand about deep-seeded American xenophobia. Mark Jackson’s subversive tale goes unexpected places as “Teacher” descends into a snakepit of intolerance. Details: 3 stars, various platforms.


mercurynews--2020-06-17--‘We need a non-police response,’ residents tell Walnut Creek council

Two weeks after a peaceful demonstration against police brutality ended with officers driving a group of young people off a Walnut Creek freeway onramp with tear gas , rubber bullets and police dogs , the City Council on Tuesday night got an eight-hour earful from angry residents about the debacle .
It also heard from the city ’ s police brass , who said changes have been made since the June 1 confrontation .
For one thing , police won ’ t bring dogs to protests any more , as happened after the central Contra Costa SWAT Team sicced a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 1 , leaving him wounded from bites and scratches .
“ Quite frankly , we don ” t see a lot of this in Walnut Creek , ” police Captain Jay Hill said of the civil unrest that rocked the city .
“ We don ’ t deal with this on a daily basis .
And when we do see it , we try to learn from it.
” Police Chief Thomas Chaplin announced last week that the department would ban carotid holds — a type of neck restraint in which an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to block blood flow .
That was a response to the death of George Floyd when a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes .
But the dozens of local residents who called into Tuesday ’ s council meeting urged police to do more and pressed the council to divert funding from the police department to health and social services .
Council members had called for police to explain their actions during the demonstration and a downtown looting spree the day before , as well as other demonstrations and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The evening after a small peaceful protest in Walnut Creek on May 30 , about 600 people swarmed through Broadway Plaza and nearby parts of downtown , looting about 40 businesses , including anchor stores like Macy ’ s , Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus .
Hill noted that police were overwhelmed and outnumbered , so the department called on mutual aid partner agencies for help as it learned about plans for looting at Broadway Plaza only about 20 minutes before it happened that May 31 night .
On June 1 , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people to listen to speakers and hold signs in support of Black lives and against police brutality .
But the gathering turned violent as police approached the protesters — mostly young adults and teenagers — after they marched onto Interstate 680 .
With police firing tear gas and sponge bullets , several young people were injured , including a young woman who was hit in the head with a rubber bullet and later hospitalized .
Callers to the Tuesday night council meeting condemned the police response to the June 1 event as too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the march , police should have been on their best behavior , ” Susan Antolin said .
“ But if that was their best , they are in deep trouble.
” Police said they are still investigating the response and would return at a later date to provide a more complete review .
Many questioned whether the city had learned anything or made changes after the June 2 , 2019 police killing of Miles Hall , a young Black resident who was shot by officers while experiencing a mental health crisis .
City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in de-escalation techniques and working with the county ’ s Crisis Intervention Team well before the recent protests .
City leaders had been meeting regularly with the Friends of Scott , Alexis and Taun Hall — a group that supports Miles Hall ’ s family and is pushing for police reform .
Buckshi defended the city ’ s progress , noting “ these issues are extremely complex ” and social services mostly come from the county , with directives and funding from the state .
Taun Hall — Miles Hall ’ s mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city had not made more progress in delivering non-police responses for people experiencing mental health crises .
“ We are asking you guys to be innovative , ” she said .
“ We need it to start in Walnut Creek .
We need a non-police response .
”

Two weeks after a peaceful demonstration against police brutality ended with officers driving a group of young people off a Walnut Creek freeway onramp with tear gas, rubber bullets and police dogs, the City Council on Tuesday night got an eight-hour earful from angry residents about the debacle.
It also heard from the city’s police brass, who said changes have been made since the June 1 confrontation. For one thing, police won’t bring dogs to protests any more, as happened after the central Contra Costa SWAT Team sicced a dog on a young Black protester on June 1, leaving him wounded from bites and scratches.
“Quite frankly, we don”t see a lot of this in Walnut Creek,” police Captain Jay Hill said of the civil unrest that rocked the city. “We don’t deal with this on a daily basis. And when we do see it, we try to learn from it.”
Police Chief Thomas Chaplin announced last week that the department would ban carotid holds — a type of neck restraint in which an officer puts pressure on the carotid arteries to block blood flow. That was a response to the death of George Floyd when a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes.
But the dozens of local residents who called into Tuesday’s council meeting urged police to do more and pressed the council to divert funding from the police department to health and social services.
Council members had called for police to explain their actions during the demonstration and a downtown looting spree the day before, as well as other demonstrations and protests between May 30 and June 5.
The evening after a small peaceful protest in Walnut Creek on May 30, about 600 people swarmed through Broadway Plaza and nearby parts of downtown, looting about 40 businesses, including anchor stores like Macy’s, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus.
Hill noted that police were overwhelmed and outnumbered, so the department called on mutual aid partner agencies for help as it learned about plans for looting at Broadway Plaza only about 20 minutes before it happened that May 31 night.
On June 1, a demonstration in Civic Park drew about 3,000 people to listen to speakers and hold signs in support of Black lives and against police brutality. But the gathering turned violent as police approached the protesters — mostly young adults and teenagers — after they marched onto Interstate 680. With police firing tear gas and sponge bullets, several young people were injured, including a young woman who was hit in the head with a rubber bullet and later hospitalized.
Callers to the Tuesday night council meeting condemned the police response to the June 1 event as too forceful.
“Given the purpose of the march, police should have been on their best behavior,” Susan Antolin said. “But if that was their best, we are in deep trouble.”
Police said they are still investigating the response and would return at a later date to provide a more complete review.
Many questioned whether the city had learned anything or made changes after the June 2, 2019 police killing of Miles Hall, a young Black resident who was shot by officers while experiencing a mental health crisis.
City Manager Dan Buckshi said police started training in de-escalation techniques and working with the county’s Crisis Intervention Team well before the recent protests. City leaders had been meeting regularly with the Friends of Scott, Alexis and Taun Hall — a group that supports Miles Hall’s family and is pushing for police reform.
Buckshi defended the city’s progress, noting “these issues are extremely complex” and social services mostly come from the county, with directives and funding from the state.
Taun Hall — Miles Hall’s mother — said she was disappointed that the city had not made more progress in delivering non-police responses for people experiencing mental health crises.
“We are asking you guys to be innovative,” she said. “We need it to start in Walnut Creek. We need a non-police response.”


mercurynews--2020-06-17--What to know about Juneteenth

What to know about Juneteenth

Juneteenth , an annual U.S. holiday on June 19 , has taken on greater significance this year following nationwide protests over police brutality and the deaths of George Floyd , Breonna Taylor , Rayshard Brooks and other African Americans .
Juneteenth , a portmanteau of June and 19th , also is known as Emancipation Day .
It commemorates the day in 1865 , after the Confederate states surrendered to end the Civil War , when a Union general arrived in Texas to inform the last group of enslaved African Americans of their freedom under President Abraham Lincoln ’ s 1863 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officially declared it a holiday .
It is now recognized in 46 other states and the District of Columbia , with only Hawaii , and North and South Dakota , remaining .
Rules regarding holidays and days of observance vary from state to state , according to the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation , which is campaigning for Juneteenth to reach eventual federal holiday status .
Although in part a celebration , the day is also observed solemnly to honor those who suffered during slavery in the United States with the arrival of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
What is significant this year ?
This year Juneteenth coincides with global protests against racial injustice sparked by the May 25 death of Floyd , a black man , in Minneapolis police custody .
It also accompanies the coronavirus outbreak , which has disproportionately affected communities of color .
Last week , U.S. President Donald Trump , who had already been under fire for his response to both crises , drew further criticism for scheduling a Friday re-election rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma .
He has since moved it to Saturday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ site where a white mob massacred African-American residents in 1921 .
Community organizations nationwide will devote the day to discussions on policing and civil rights ahead of the November election .
How are people marking the day ?
People will mark the 155th anniversary across the country with festive meals and gatherings .
While many cities have canceled this year ’ s annual parades because of the pandemic , other groups have opted for virtual conferences or smaller events .
In Washington , groups plan marches , protests and rallies .
Amid the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York ’ s governor on Wednesday signed an executive order to recognize Juneteenth as an official holiday for state employees .
Some U.S. businesses have committed to a change of policies , including recognition of the holiday .
Among the companies that have announced they will recognize Juneteenth as a paid company holiday are the National Football League , the New York Times , and Twitter and Square .

Reuters
Juneteenth, an annual U.S. holiday on June 19, has taken on greater significance this year following nationwide protests over police brutality and the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Rayshard Brooks and other African Americans.
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth, a portmanteau of June and 19th, also is known as Emancipation Day.
It commemorates the day in 1865, after the Confederate states surrendered to end the Civil War, when a Union general arrived in Texas to inform the last group of enslaved African Americans of their freedom under President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. In 1980, Texas officially declared it a holiday.
It is now recognized in 46 other states and the District of Columbia, with only Hawaii, and North and South Dakota, remaining. Rules regarding holidays and days of observance vary from state to state, according to the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, which is campaigning for Juneteenth to reach eventual federal holiday status.
Although in part a celebration, the day is also observed solemnly to honor those who suffered during slavery in the United States with the arrival of the first enslaved Africans over 400 years ago.
What is significant this year?
This year Juneteenth coincides with global protests against racial injustice sparked by the May 25 death of Floyd, a black man, in Minneapolis police custody.
It also accompanies the coronavirus outbreak, which has disproportionately affected communities of color.
Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump, who had already been under fire for his response to both crises, drew further criticism for scheduling a Friday re-election rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He has since moved it to Saturday.
Tulsa is an important and especially sensitive site where a white mob massacred African-American residents in 1921. Community organizations nationwide will devote the day to discussions on policing and civil rights ahead of the November election.
How are people marking the day?
People will mark the 155th anniversary across the country with festive meals and gatherings.
While many cities have canceled this year’s annual parades because of the pandemic, other groups have opted for virtual conferences or smaller events. In Washington, groups plan marches, protests and rallies.
Amid the wave of racial justice protests, New York’s governor on Wednesday signed an executive order to recognize Juneteenth as an official holiday for state employees. Some U.S. businesses have committed to a change of policies, including recognition of the holiday.
Among the companies that have announced they will recognize Juneteenth as a paid company holiday are the National Football League, the New York Times, and Twitter and Square.


mercurynews--2020-06-17--NTSB: Fog may have disoriented pilot of Kobe’s helicopter

LOS ANGELES – The pilot of a helicopter that crashed outside Los Angeles in January , killing basketball great Kobe Bryant , his daughter and all seven others on board , likely became disoriented in the fog , federal investigators said on Wednesday .
Pilot Ara Zobayan told air traffic controllers that his chopper was climbing out of heavy clouds when in fact it was descending immediately before slamming into a hillside near the town of Calabasas , the National Transportation Safety Board wrote in newly released findings .
The board , which has not yet issued a final report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accident , said pilots can become confused about an aircraft ’ s attitude and acceleration when they can not see the sky or landscape around them , causing “ spatial disorientation.
” “ Without outside references or attention to the helicopter ’ s attitude display , the actual pitch and bank angles have the potential to be misperceived , ” the NTSB said .
Zobayan was killed in the wreck .
An NTSB board member told reporters in the days after the crash that clouds and fog causing limited visibility in the foothills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a key focus of the investigation .
In February the board said an examination of the helicopter ’ s engines and rotors found no evidence of “ catastrophic mechanical failure ” that could explain why the airship would have suddenly plunged into the terrain .
• In wake of Kobe Bryant ’ s death , House and Senate introduce helicopter safety bill A series of charts issued with the NTSB report shows the aircraft gaining speed , banking sharply to the left and plummeting just seconds after Zobayan told air traffic controllers he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fly above the cloud layer .
Bryant , an 18-time National Basketball Association all-star , was traveling with his 13-year-old daughter , two other girls and others to a youth basketball tournament at the time of the crash , which prompted an outpouring of shock and grief from sports fans worldwide .

The pilot of a helicopter that crashed into a hillside in thick fog – taking the lives of Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven others – raised concern about the weather forecast to others and was warned that he was departing at his “own risk,” according to documents released Wednesday by the National Transportation Safety Board.
The 1,000-plus pages of documentation released by investigators includes reports and interview transcripts but not the final findings that are expected to definitively determine what caused the aircraft traveling to a youth basketball tournament outside of Los Angeles on Jan. 26 to slam into a hillside.
The documentation is available here.
The release comes a month after a Los Angeles County coroner’s office report found that Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, pilot Ara Zobayan and the other occupants died of blunt-force trauma. That report also found that the pilot did not have alcohol or drugs in his system.
The Sikorsky S-76B helicopter crashed 40 minutes after departing from John Wayne Airport, striking the foothills of the Santa Monica mountains in Calabasas and catching fire.
A preliminary NTSB report released several months ago noted that the engine did not appear to have failed. The agency’s final findings will likely take months more to complete.
Also killed in the crash were Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife, Keri, and their daughter Alyssa; Mamba Academy basketball coach Christina Mauser; as well as mother and daughter Sarah and Payton Chester.
The helicopter left John Wayne at 9:06 a.m. with instructions from the tower that the pilot was departing west at his “own risk.”
The report doesn’t explain what that meant.
About 9:40 a.m., the helicopter pilot told air-traffic controllers he was flying by visual flight rules at 1,500 feet and would remain that low the rest of the way to Camarillo. Controllers told him that they would lose radio and radar contact with him at that altitude.
At 9:45, the pilot told controllers he was going to “start his climb” above the fog layers. He said he was climbing to 4,000 feet.
And then the radio communication went dead.
Asked by NTSB investigators whether with the benefit of hindsight there was anything that could have been done differently, Matthew Conley, the last air-traffic controller to talk to the pilot, said he thought “the circumstances were beyond control of anyone in this building.”
Group text messages – between Zobayan, managers at the helicopter broker, an Island Express executive, and Bryant’s drivers – show Zobayan reviewed the weather forecast for the morning of the flight. He told them it was expected to be better than the previous day, but still less than ideal.
“Just checked not the best day tomorrow but it is not as bad as today,” Zobayan wrote to the group at around 5:24 p.m. on Jan. 25.
Zobayan again texted the group at 7:30 a.m. on Jan. 26.
“Morning,” he said. “Weather looking ok.”
Bryant, his daughter and the others boarded the helicopter at around 9:05 a.m. One minute later, a manager texted “wheels up.”
At 9:33 a.m., Bryant’s driver waiting at Camarillo Airport said it had started to rain.
Patti Taylor, a manager at OC Helicopters, asked the driver at 9:48 a.m. whether the helicopter had landed.
“Not yet,” he sent back.
None of them knew by that point that the Sikorsky helicopter had already crashed in Calabasas.
But within seconds of that last text, Taylor called Whitney Bagge, an Island Express vice president. They both saw that the helicopter’s tracker signal disappeared at 9:45 a.m.
For about a half-hour, they frantically scrambled to figure out what was going on, according to Bagge’s report to NTSB investigators.
“I told (Taylor) the weird thing though is that the tracker had stopped at 9:45 AM which is not normal,” Bagge wrote.
Ten minutes after the crash, Bagge said she “kept refreshing the tracker praying that it was just broken.”
In interviews with NTSB investigators, many of those who knew and worked with Zobayan described him as being unfailingly positive and professional and proud of his job and the VIP charter flights he carried out.
Taylor said Zobayan was adept at putting people at ease, and he had a “warm and friendly” relationship with the Bryant family.
One of Zobayan’s fellow pilots at Island Express did note that he was willing to fly in weather conditions that others were not.
“He was a good pilot. He was a safe pilot for the most part,” David Harvey told investigators. “But he did take chances that I wouldn’t take.”
Several people reached out to the NTSB to describe the foggy conditions the pilot faced the day of the crash.
One witness, whose name was redacted from the report, wrote to the NTSB that the helicopter was flying below or at the cloud line before disappearing into heavy clouds.
“The fog/cloud conditions were not solid from spot to spot in this area,” the email says. “There were heavy low clouds in some parts and there were also areas where the clouds were quite high, but it was overall overcast.”
A Los Angeles Fire Department captain assigned to the agency’s Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting station at Los Angeles International Airport also wrote to the NTSB. The firefighter, who is also a private pilot, said he lives about four miles from the crash site and is familiar with the terrain and weather conditions in the area.
“The topography of the area near the crash site is predisposed to channel fog up from the coast,” he said in his email. “The small valley where the crash occurred is at the north end of Malibu Canyon.
“It is not uncommon at various times of the year for fog that is normally held to the coast by the coastal mountains to funnel up Malibu Canyon and spread out into the small valley and fill it like a bowl.”
Keith Holloway, a spokesman for the NTSB, said the release of the documents are part of agency’s usual reporting process. Final investigative reports are typically released 12 to 24 months following an incident, he said.
Representatives for Island Express did not immediately return requests for comment.
Lawsuits against the helicopter company have been filed by Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, as well as the surviving family members of other passengers killed in the crash. The lawsuits have alleged the Long Beach company, Island Express Helicopters, its parent company and the pilot were negligent in the operations and maintenance of the helicopter.


mercurynews--2020-06-17--San Leandro council heeds demands, votes 4-3 to defund police department

The San Leandro City Council has voted 4-3 to pull $ 1.7 million from the city ’ s police budget after hearing from dozens of people demanding changes in how law enforcement interacts with the public .
In doing so , San Leandro became one of the few cities in the nation to take the dramatic step in response to a growing chorus to defund police departments in the wake of the killing of George Floyd , who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes .
Los Angeles will redirect $ 250 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programs , and San Francisco is prioritizing the redirection of funds toward that city ’ s Black community .
San Jose and Oakland , meanwhile , have resisted demands to cut their police departments ’ budgets .
Many of the people who called into the virtual San Leandro City Council meeting , which lasted seven hours into Tuesday morning , called for defunding the police department as well as the firing of two local police officers involved in the fatal shooting of a Black man having a mental crisis inside a local Walmart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of what our community was saying and what ’ s happening in the country , ” Mayor Pauline Russo Cutter said in an interview Wednesday about the decision to cut money from the police .
The $ 1.7 million now will go into what some council members described as a “ bucket , ” though just how the money eventually is to be allocated will be decided later with community input .
Council members Corina Lopez , Victor Aguilar Jr. and Ed Hernandez voted against the reallocation , supporting instead a proposal to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a scheduled budget review on June 30 .
Police Chief Jeff Tudor said Wednesday he is reviewing how the council ’ s decision will impact his department .
One possibility is pulling police officers off school campuses — a move many police protesters have called for nationwide .
At the council meeting , San Leandro High School student Rachael Arcadio implored just that , saying she no longer wants school resource officers on the 2200 Bancroft Ave. campus because of police shootings .
“ They are not there to build relationships , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to build a culture of fear.
” Tudor said he also may scrap police-hosted community outreach events and a program that dedicates two officers to helping the homeless .
“ I support whatever we can do to better serve the community and to meet their needs , ” Tudor said .
“ We will not rest until justice is made , ” Selina McManus , a 1995 graduate of San Leandro High , told the council .
“ Make things right .
The city and your residents do not feel safe.
” Another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers “ are not trained to answer half the calls they are receiving now , ” alluding to interactions with people having mental health episodes .
Among those who weighed in was Eric Taylor , brother of slain Walmart victim , Steven Taylor .
“ I ’ m hurt , ” he said , “ I ’ m beyond hurt.
” On April 18 , police shot and killed Steven Taylor , 33 , inside the Walmart store at 15555 Hesperian Blvd .
about 3:15 p.m. after getting a call that he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to customers .
Part of the encounter was caught on video by at least one shopper .
The footage shows Taylor waving a bat as an officer approaches him , and the two men briefly stand inches apart , not far from the shopping cart storage bay near the store entrance .
“ Get back !
” “ Get back !
” the officer says several times as a woman in the background can be heard shouting , “ Put it down !
Put it down !
” Video also shows some shoppers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At least one officer fires his taser weapon at Taylor , who staggers back and then advances .
When Taylor is about five feet from one officer , the video shows that officer firing his gun once , striking him in the chest .
Taylor staggers back , drops the bat and falls to the floor .
One shopper shouts : “ Don ’ t shoot him no more !
” Another yells : “ Call an ambulance !
” The names of the two officers involved have not been disclosed .
Jenna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resident , told the council the officer should not have opened fire .
“ Steven Taylor was not a direct threat when he was shot , ” King said .
“ There were not enough measures done to de-escalate the situation.
” On June 1 , the council unanimously decided in a closed-door session to ask the state attorney general to investigate Taylor ’ s shooting .
At that meeting , Councilwoman Lopez made the motion to direct City Manager Jeff Kay to send a letter to state Attorney General Xavier Becerra requesting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of securing public trust .
The Alameda County District Attorney ’ s Office also is doing an investigation , according to San Leandro police Lt. Ted Henderson .
At Monday ’ s council meeting , Cutter said an equity and race task force and a budget task force would be created to help the council gather public input .
“ For change to begin , grow and develop , we need to make plans together , ” Cutter said .

The San Leandro City Council has voted 4-3 to pull $1.7 million from the city’s police budget after hearing from dozens of people demanding changes in how law enforcement interacts with the public.
In doing so, San Leandro became one of the few cities in the nation to take the dramatic step in response to a growing chorus to defund police departments in the wake of the killing of George Floyd, who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes.
Los Angeles will redirect $250 million from police toward health care and jobs programs, and San Francisco is prioritizing the redirection of funds toward that city’s Black community. San Jose and Oakland, meanwhile, have resisted demands to cut their police departments’ budgets.
Many of the people who called into the virtual San Leandro City Council meeting, which lasted seven hours into Tuesday morning, called for defunding the police department as well as the firing of two local police officers involved in the fatal shooting of a Black man having a mental crisis inside a local Walmart store.
“It was a result of what our community was saying and what’s happening in the country,” Mayor Pauline Russo Cutter said in an interview Wednesday about the decision to cut money from the police.
The $1.7 million now will go into what some council members described as a “bucket,” though just how the money eventually is to be allocated will be decided later with community input.
Council members Corina Lopez, Victor Aguilar Jr. and Ed Hernandez voted against the reallocation, supporting instead a proposal to continue the discussion within the context of a scheduled budget review on June 30.
Police Chief Jeff Tudor said Wednesday he is reviewing how the council’s decision will impact his department.
One possibility is pulling police officers off school campuses — a move many police protesters have called for nationwide. At the council meeting, San Leandro High School student Rachael Arcadio implored just that, saying she no longer wants school resource officers on the 2200 Bancroft Ave. campus because of police shootings.
“They are not there to build relationships,” Arcadio said. “They are there to build a culture of fear.”
Tudor said he also may scrap police-hosted community outreach events and a program that dedicates two officers to helping the homeless.
“I support whatever we can do to better serve the community and to meet their needs,” Tudor said.
“We will not rest until justice is made,” Selina McManus, a 1995 graduate of San Leandro High, told the council. “Make things right. The city and your residents do not feel safe.”
Another speaker, Mary Tieh, said police officers “are not trained to answer half the calls they are receiving now,” alluding to interactions with people having mental health episodes.
Among those who weighed in was Eric Taylor, brother of slain Walmart victim, Steven Taylor. “I’m hurt,” he said, “I’m beyond hurt.”
On April 18, police shot and killed Steven Taylor, 33, inside the Walmart store at 15555 Hesperian Blvd. about 3:15 p.m. after getting a call that he was brandishing a baseball bat and appeared threatening to customers.
Part of the encounter was caught on video by at least one shopper. The footage shows Taylor waving a bat as an officer approaches him, and the two men briefly stand inches apart, not far from the shopping cart storage bay near the store entrance.
“Get back!” “Get back!” the officer says several times as a woman in the background can be heard shouting, “Put it down! Put it down!”
Video also shows some shoppers moving quickly away from the confrontation.
At least one officer fires his taser weapon at Taylor, who staggers back and then advances. When Taylor is about five feet from one officer, the video shows that officer firing his gun once, striking him in the chest.
Taylor staggers back, drops the bat and falls to the floor. One shopper shouts: “Don’t shoot him no more!” Another yells: “Call an ambulance!”
The names of the two officers involved have not been disclosed.
Jenna King, a teacher and San Leandro resident, told the council the officer should not have opened fire.
“Steven Taylor was not a direct threat when he was shot,” King said. “There were not enough measures done to de-escalate the situation.”
On June 1, the council unanimously decided in a closed-door session to ask the state attorney general to investigate Taylor’s shooting.
At that meeting, Councilwoman Lopez made the motion to direct City Manager Jeff Kay to send a letter to state Attorney General Xavier Becerra requesting an independent investigation, with the aim of securing public trust.
The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office also is doing an investigation, according to San Leandro police Lt. Ted Henderson.
At Monday’s council meeting, Cutter said an equity and race task force and a budget task force would be created to help the council gather public input.
“For change to begin, grow and develop, we need to make plans together,” Cutter said.
————–
An earlier version of this article included a photo that some readers found deeply upsetting. The image portrayed the incident that resulted in a police shooting of Steven Taylor, which was one factor in the city council’s decision to defund the police department. We failed to include that context and apologize for using the photo.


mercurynews--2020-06-17--Letter: COVID-19 shows animals merit more care, concern

Novelist Milan Kundera wrote that , “ Humanity ’ s true moral test , its fundamental test , consists of its attitude towards those who are at its mercy : animals.
” ( “ The Unbearable Lightness of Being , ” 1984 ) As we slog through this pandemic , we should all be constantly reminded that COVID-19 was human-caused , a direct result of our gross mistreatment and abuse of other animals , both wild and domestic .
That fact deserves noting in all media coverage of this nightmare .
• Letter : Campus police a big help in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should back need for peace in marches • Letter : How Islamophobic is it to ban Muslim face coverings now ?
• Letter : I lost my father when I was 9 years old • Letter : Santa Clara County facing civil penalties over use of taxes ?
If nothing else , COVID-19 should teach us all a much-needed lesson in humility , plus a dose of concern and compassion for others , humans and non-humans alike .
Serious changes are in order .
Are we up to the task ?
Submit your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Read more Letters to the Editor

Novelist Milan Kundera wrote that, “Humanity’s true moral test, its fundamental test, consists of its attitude towards those who are at its mercy: animals.” (“The Unbearable Lightness of Being,” 1984)
As we slog through this pandemic, we should all be constantly reminded that COVID-19 was human-caused, a direct result of our gross mistreatment and abuse of other animals, both wild and domestic. That fact deserves noting in all media coverage of this nightmare.
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Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path Letters to the Editor | Letters: Local solar | Titan resources | Activism helps If nothing else, COVID-19 should teach us all a much-needed lesson in humility, plus a dose of concern and compassion for others, humans and non-humans alike. Serious changes are in order. Are we up to the task?
Eric Mills
Oakland
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mercurynews--2020-06-17--Bat attack near East Bay store puts man in hospital

EL CERRITO — A homeless man is suspected of using a baseball bat to hit another person and steal AirPods in an encounter near an Orchard Supply Hardware store , police said .
The attack happened Sunday night around 9:35 p.m. , about three hours after police said officers encountered the same suspect with a baseball bat .
Police identified the man with the bat as Gary Graves , 55 .
They said he is a transient local to the El Cerrito area and that he was arrested on suspicion of robbery and assault with a deadly weapon .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the OSH store in the 1700 block of Eastshore Boulevard around 6:30 p.m. on reports of a fight .
Graves was at the scene holding a bat when they arrived , and he dropped it and ran away when officers approached him , police said .
Officers didn ’ t find any indication of a crime and left the scene .
Police said they took the bat with them .
A bit more than three hours later , a hospital called police after an assault victim showed up for treatment .
The officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported he ’ d been hit several times with a baseball bat in front of the OSH and that his AirPods had been taken , police said .
An ambulance took the person to a trauma unit for treatment of his injuries .
Police did not have an update on his condition .
Officers identified Graves as the suspect based on the victim ’ s description and the location of the assault .
Officers arrested him near the OSH .
Graves was taken to the Martinez Detention Facility where he was still being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bail .

EL CERRITO — A homeless man is suspected of using a baseball bat to hit another person and steal AirPods in an encounter near an Orchard Supply Hardware store, police said.
The attack happened Sunday night around 9:35 p.m., about three hours after police said officers encountered the same suspect with a baseball bat.
Police identified the man with the bat as Gary Graves, 55. They said he is a transient local to the El Cerrito area and that he was arrested on suspicion of robbery and assault with a deadly weapon.
According to police, officers were called to the OSH store in the 1700 block of Eastshore Boulevard around 6:30 p.m. on reports of a fight. Graves was at the scene holding a bat when they arrived, and he dropped it and ran away when officers approached him, police said.
Officers didn’t find any indication of a crime and left the scene. Police said they took the bat with them.
A bit more than three hours later, a hospital called police after an assault victim showed up for treatment. The officer spoke to the male victim, who reported he’d been hit several times with a baseball bat in front of the OSH and that his AirPods had been taken, police said.
An ambulance took the person to a trauma unit for treatment of his injuries. Police did not have an update on his condition.
Officers identified Graves as the suspect based on the victim’s description and the location of the assault. Officers arrested him near the OSH.
Graves was taken to the Martinez Detention Facility where he was still being held Wednesday in lieu of $80,000 bail.


mercurynews--2020-06-18--California cop fatally shot man who disregarded orders to drop his knife, body camera video shows

Footage from several Fullerton Police Department officers ’ body cameras released Wednesday provides new information on a May 3 police shooting that left a man dead after he disregarded officers ’ orders to drop his knife .
Fullerton police said in the “ critical incident ” briefing that an officer stopped on the 2200 block of Commonwealth Avenue after he saw two men struggling near a truck at around 9:30 p.m. One of the men was carrying a stick and another was carrying a knife , police said .
The officer yelled at the men to drop what they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stick dropped it .
The man with the knife , identified as Jesus Estrada Leon , 26 , of Fullerton , was sitting in the truck and did not drop the knife .
Body camera footage showed the officer yelling at Leon to get out of the truck and put the knife down .
He did this while pointing his gun at Leon .
The man who had dropped the stick got down onto his knees after other officers arrived .
Footage showed Leon got out of the truck and waved the knife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the truck , the man who previously had the stick stood up and ran away from Leon and toward other officers .
Leon walked toward the middle of the road and toward the man and officers .
When he did that , body camera footage showed one officer shoot Leon with a bean bag gun , followed by at least one other officer shooting Leon .
Authorities said in a statement that Leon was shot with a bean bag gun twice .
It wasn ’ t immediately clear how many times he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ camera footage showed one officer reloading after shooting Leon .
Police said CPR was given to Leon after he was shot , and he was also given a tourniquet .
Leon died of his injuries after he was transported to a local hospital .
In all , the body camera footage from five officers was shown in the critical incident briefing • L.A. deputies shoot and kill brother of black man found hanged in California park • Atlanta officer who shot Rayshard Brooks will be charged • Vallejo Police Department banned from training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Facebook post An investigation revealed that Leon and the man he was in an altercation with were relatives , and Leon was attempting to carjack his relative while armed with a knife , police said .
Fullerton police also said Leon had previously been convicted of a narcotics violation , theft , robbery and assault with a deadly weapon .
He was on parole and probation .
He also had an active arrest warrant in Nevada .
The footage of the incident can be found here .
“ All officers involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and are working their regularly assigned duties , ” police spokesman Sgt .
Eric Bridges said .
The Orange County District Attorney ’ s Office is investigating the incident to determine if the officers acted lawfully .

Footage from several Fullerton Police Department officers’ body cameras released Wednesday provides new information on a May 3 police shooting that left a man dead after he disregarded officers’ orders to drop his knife.
Fullerton police said in the “critical incident” briefing that an officer stopped on the 2200 block of Commonwealth Avenue after he saw two men struggling near a truck at around 9:30 p.m.
One of the men was carrying a stick and another was carrying a knife, police said. The officer yelled at the men to drop what they were carrying, and the man with the stick dropped it. The man with the knife, identified as Jesus Estrada Leon, 26, of Fullerton, was sitting in the truck and did not drop the knife.
Body camera footage showed the officer yelling at Leon to get out of the truck and put the knife down. He did this while pointing his gun at Leon. The man who had dropped the stick got down onto his knees after other officers arrived.
Footage showed Leon got out of the truck and waved the knife around. When Leon got out of the truck, the man who previously had the stick stood up and ran away from Leon and toward other officers.
Leon walked toward the middle of the road and toward the man and officers. When he did that, body camera footage showed one officer shoot Leon with a bean bag gun, followed by at least one other officer shooting Leon.
Authorities said in a statement that Leon was shot with a bean bag gun twice. It wasn’t immediately clear how many times he was shot with live rounds, but body camera footage showed one officer reloading after shooting Leon.
Police said CPR was given to Leon after he was shot, and he was also given a tourniquet.
Leon died of his injuries after he was transported to a local hospital.
In all, the body camera footage from five officers was shown in the critical incident briefing
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The footage of the incident can be found here.
“All officers involved with this incident have returned to work and are working their regularly assigned duties,” police spokesman Sgt. Eric Bridges said.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office is investigating the incident to determine if the officers acted lawfully.


mercurynews--2020-06-18--California man arrested on suspicion of molesting 3 children during 17-year period

A Beaumont man was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of molesting three children over the course of 17 years , and @ @ @ @ @ it believes there may be additional victims .
Jesse Aceves , 33 , was arrested @ @ @ @ @ Beaumont on Wednesday , police said .
“ Aceves was arrested for numerous charges of @ @ @ @ @ been occurring for the past 17 years , ” authorities said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ Guerrero said one of the victims was a girl who alleged she had been molested @ @ @ @ @ 17-years-old .
“ When she learned of another victim being abused by the same suspect @ @ @ @ @ to patrol officers and detectives became involved , at which time detectives learned about the @ @ @ @ @ said .
The incidents happened in Fontana , Beaumont and Texas , Guerrero said .
@ @ @ @ @ , and police said detectives developed information that led them to believe there are additional @ @ @ @ @ was asked to call police at 909-356-3394 .

A Beaumont man was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of molesting three children over the course of 17 years, and the Fontana Police Department said it believes there may be additional victims.
Jesse Aceves, 33, was arrested while leaving his residence in Beaumont on Wednesday, police said.
“Aceves was arrested for numerous charges of child molestation, which had been occurring for the past 17 years,” authorities said in a statement.
Fontana Police Department spokesman Richard Guerrero said one of the victims was a girl who alleged she had been molested by Aceves between 4- and 17-years-old.
“When she learned of another victim being abused by the same suspect the two victims reported it to patrol officers and detectives became involved, at which time detectives learned about the third victim,” Guerrero said.
The incidents happened in Fontana, Beaumont and Texas, Guerrero said.
All the victims knew Aceves, and police said detectives developed information that led them to believe there are additional victims.
Anyone with information was asked to call police at 909-356-3394.


mercurynews--2020-06-18--Stepmother arrested in child-abuse death of 7-year-old Central California girl

STOCKTON — A Stockton woman has been arrested in the child-abuse death of her 7-year-old stepdaughter , who was found dead last month in the garage of their Central Valley home , police said .
Takiesha Williams , 38 , was arrested Tuesday and booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on six counts of felony child abuse and one count of torture , the Stockton Police Department said in a statement .
Williams ’ arrest comes three weeks after the child ’ s father , Billy Dee Williams , was arrested May 23 when officers were sent to check @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pronounced her dead at the scene .
He remains in custody , police said Wednesday .
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Five other children at the home were taken into protective custody , police said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given the exact cause of the girl ’ s death but police say investigators believe she was severely abused .

STOCKTON — A Stockton woman has been arrested in the child-abuse death of her 7-year-old stepdaughter, who was found dead last month in the garage of their Central Valley home, police said.
Takiesha Williams, 38, was arrested Tuesday and booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on six counts of felony child abuse and one count of torture, the Stockton Police Department said in a statement.
Williams’ arrest comes three weeks after the child’s father, Billy Dee Williams, was arrested May 23 when officers were sent to check on the child’s welfare and pronounced her dead at the scene. He remains in custody, police said Wednesday.
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Officials have not given the exact cause of the girl’s death but police say investigators believe she was severely abused.


mercurynews--2020-06-18--Kobe Bryant’s helicopter pilot considered weather concerns before departing

The pilot of a helicopter that crashed into a hillside in thick fog – taking the lives of Kobe Bryant , his daughter and seven others – raised concern about the weather forecast to others and was warned that he was departing at his “ own risk , ” according to documents released Wednesday by the National Transportation Safety Board .
The 1,000-plus pages of documentation released by investigators includes reports and interview transcripts but not the final findings that are expected to definitively determine what caused the aircraft traveling to a youth basketball tournament outside of Los Angeles on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The documentation is available here .
The release comes a month after a Los Angeles County coroner ’ s office report found that Bryant , his 13-year-old daughter , Gianna , pilot Ara Zobayan and the other occupants died of blunt-force trauma .
That report also found that the pilot did not have alcohol or drugs in his system .
The Sikorsky S-76B helicopter crashed 40 minutes after departing from John Wayne Airport , striking the foothills of the Santa Monica mountains in Calabasas and catching fire .
A preliminary NTSB report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ engine did not appear to have failed .
The agency ’ s final findings will likely take months more to complete .
Also killed in the crash were Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli , his wife , Keri , and their daughter Alyssa ; Mamba Academy basketball coach Christina Mauser ; as well as mother and daughter Sarah and Payton Chester .
The helicopter left John Wayne at 9:06 a.m. with instructions from the tower that the pilot was departing west at his “ own risk.
” The report doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9:40 a.m. , the helicopter pilot told air-traffic controllers he was flying by visual flight rules at 1,500 feet and would remain that low the rest of the way to Camarillo .
Controllers told him that they would lose radio and radar contact with him at that altitude .
At 9:45 , the pilot told controllers he was going to “ start his climb ” above the fog layers .
He said he was climbing to 4,000 feet .
And then the radio communication went dead .
Asked by NTSB investigators whether with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that could have been done differently , Matthew Conley , the last air-traffic controller to talk to the pilot , said he thought “ the circumstances were beyond control of anyone in this building.
” Group text messages – between Zobayan , managers at the helicopter broker , an Island Express executive , and Bryant ’ s drivers – show Zobayan reviewed the weather forecast for the morning of the flight .
He told them it was expected to be better than the previous day , but still less than ideal .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it is not as bad as today , ” Zobayan wrote to the group at around 5:24 p.m. on Jan. 25 .
Zobayan again texted the group at 7:30 a.m. on Jan. 26 .
“ Morning , ” he said .
“ Weather looking ok. ” Bryant , his daughter and the others boarded the helicopter at around 9:05 a.m. One minute later , a manager texted “ wheels up.
” At 9:33 a.m. , Bryant ’ s driver waiting at Camarillo Airport said it had started to rain .
Patti Taylor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked the driver at 9:48 a.m. whether the helicopter had landed .
None of them knew by that point that the Sikorsky helicopter had already crashed in Calabasas .
But within seconds of that last text , Taylor called Whitney Bagge , an Island Express vice president .
They both saw that the helicopter ’ s tracker signal disappeared at 9:45 a.m. For about a half-hour , they frantically scrambled to figure out what was going on , according to Bagge ’ s report to NTSB investigators .
“ I told ( Taylor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tracker had stopped at 9:45 AM which is not normal , ” Bagge wrote .
Ten minutes after the crash , Bagge said she “ kept refreshing the tracker praying that it was just broken.
” In interviews with NTSB investigators , many of those who knew and worked with Zobayan described him as being unfailingly positive and professional and proud of his job and the VIP charter flights he carried out .
Taylor said Zobayan was adept at putting people at ease , and he had a “ warm and friendly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One of Zobayan ’ s fellow pilots at Island Express did note that he was willing to fly in weather conditions that others were not .
“ He was a good pilot .
He was a safe pilot for the most part , ” David Harvey told investigators .
“ But he did take chances that I wouldn ’ t take.
” Several people reached out to the NTSB to describe the foggy conditions the pilot faced the day of the crash .
One witness , whose name was redacted from the report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helicopter was flying below or at the cloud line before disappearing into heavy clouds .
“ The fog/cloud conditions were not solid from spot to spot in this area , ” the email says .
“ There were heavy low clouds in some parts and there were also areas where the clouds were quite high , but it was overall overcast.
” A Los Angeles Fire Department captain assigned to the agency ’ s Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting station at Los Angeles International Airport also wrote to the NTSB .
The firefighter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he lives about four miles from the crash site and is familiar with the terrain and weather conditions in the area .
“ The topography of the area near the crash site is predisposed to channel fog up from the coast , ” he said in his email .
“ The small valley where the crash occurred is at the north end of Malibu Canyon .
“ It is not uncommon at various times of the year for fog that is normally held to the coast by the coastal mountains to funnel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the small valley and fill it like a bowl.
” • NTSB : Fog may have disoriented pilot of Kobe ’ s helicopter • In wake of Kobe Bryant ’ s death , House and Senate introduce helicopter safety bill Keith Holloway , a spokesman for the NTSB , said the release of the documents are part of agency ’ s usual reporting process .
Final investigative reports are typically released 12 to 24 months following an incident , he said .
Representatives for Island Express did not immediately return requests for comment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been filed by Bryant ’ s widow , Vanessa , as well as the surviving family members of other passengers killed in the crash .
The lawsuits have alleged the Long Beach company , Island Express Helicopters , its parent company and the pilot were negligent in the operations and maintenance of the helicopter .

Sean Emery, Tony Saavedra, Josh Cain, Scott Schwebke


mercurynews--2020-06-18--California police defend officer shooting criticized by Black Lives Matter, release body camera vide

California police defend officer shooting criticized by Black Lives Matter, release body camera video

Rialto police on Wednesday released body camera footage of a police shooting where an officer shot and wounded Lawrence Bender , 29 , during an arrest near Route 66 in San Bernardino on June 29 , 2019 amid activists ’ claims that Bender , a Black man , did not pose a threat to police when fired on .
In recent weeks , Black Lives Matter activists have rallied around Bender , leading protests against police brutality in his name , demanding that charges against him to be dropped and for the arrest and prosecution of the Rialto police officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unarmed , striking him in the arm and shoulder .
“ We are Demanding that Lawrence Bender be freed immediately , and false charges dropped , ” Black Lives Matter Inland Empire wrote in an online petition , which has garnered more than 11,000 signatures .
“ Lawrence Bender is being held prisoner for his own attempted murder !
” the group wrote in a May 31 Facebook post , which also displayed the police body camera footage .
Rialto police made the decision to release its own version of the footage , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials viewed as “ misinformation ” circulating on social media and among protesters .
Rialto police Capt .
Anthony Vega said that comments on social media are not looking at the full picture .
The officer who shot Bender , Michael Babineaux , was merely reacting to Bender ’ s alleged attempts at trying to steal Babineaux ’ s gun , Vega said .
“ If you look at the narratives in social media and the info being put out , there isn ’ t anything that pertains to the suspect making attempts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or trying to disarm him , ” Vega said .
“ And we feel this is a very important piece to this particular incident.
” The June 2019 shooting took place about 8:11 p.m. in the 400 block of North Macy Street , just off Route 66 at the border of San Bernardino and Rialto .
Rialto police had just pulled over a truck and arrested the driver on suspicion of unrelated narcotics charges , Vega said .
Babineaux ’ s partner drove the suspect away from the area while a tow truck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspect ’ s vehicle away .
The video shows Bender walking toward the scene and sitting on a curb beside a large vacant field .
Police did not say why Bender wandered into the area .
After several moments , Bender gets up from the curb and walks over to open the driver ’ s seat of the tow truck , which had been left running .
Babineaux saw Bender and hopped out of his police vehicle with his gun drawn .
The officer believed Bender was attempting to steal the tow truck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who narrated the video .
Babineaux approached Bender , commanded him to get away from the truck , and to sit down .
At gunpoint , Bender walked away from the truck with his arms and hands raised .
He dropped onto his belly , where he remained while Babineaux called for backup .
The body camera angle does not show Bender ’ s body , but Babineaux could be heard yelling commands at Bender and at one point , threatening him : “ Stay on the ground .
Stop moving .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ face.
” After less than a minute , Bender jumped to his feet with his arms raised , saying , “ I don ’ t have a gun.
” A slow motion edit appears to show Bender swiping at Babineaux ’ s gun , which is held extended , pointed at Bender .
Babineaux told Bender to get on the ground and he returned to laying on his front .
But seconds later , Bender got up again and seemingly swiped a second time at Babineaux ’ s gun .
After the attempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who screamed and fell to the pavement .
The two truck driver was standing nearby .
Police said paramedics took Bender to a local hospital where he remained for the next two weeks , recovering from gunshot wounds to his arm and shoulder .
Kling , who had been hired out of retirement in 2017 to clean up a department roiled in dysfunction and alleged cronyism , nepotism , and sexual harassment , said the Rialto Police Department will conduct its own investigation into whether Babineaux followed department policy during the shooting .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the San Bernardino Police Department to deliver their report to Rialto police about the shooting , which took place just within San Bernardino city limits .
A San Bernardino police spokesman did not immediately respond to phone calls seeking comment on the case .
During a rally on Friday in front of the San Bernardino County courthouse , more than 100 protesters called for Bender ’ s release and to defund and dismantle the Rialto Police Department , according to a KVCR radio broadcast of the demonstration .
Also in attendance were Bender @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Atlanta officer who shot Rayshard Brooks will be charged • Vallejo Police Department banned from training on Touro ’ s campus following union ’ s Facebook post • Vallejo police union files suit to stop city from naming officer who shot Sean Monterrosa Bender is currently jailed at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga where he awaits a court hearing on Thursday .
He faces charges of evading and obstructing a peace officer .
Black Lives Matter Inland Empire is organizing a rally outside the courthouse in support of Bender .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are , in my opinion , a small minority , or a small group of the population , ” said Capt .
Vega , declining to refer directly to Black Lives Matter organizers .
“ I think in the community of Rialto and the community of San Bernardino County understand that law enforcement is under scrutiny and we have a difficult job and we have to make split second decisions.
” Vega said that out of more than 100,000 calls for service in 2019 , the shooting of Bender was the sole officer-involved @ @ @ @ @

Rialto police on Wednesday released body camera footage of a police shooting where an officer shot and wounded Lawrence Bender, 29, during an arrest near Route 66 in San Bernardino on June 29, 2019 amid activists’ claims that Bender, a Black man, did not pose a threat to police when fired on.
In recent weeks, Black Lives Matter activists have rallied around Bender, leading protests against police brutality in his name, demanding that charges against him to be dropped and for the arrest and prosecution of the Rialto police officer who fired at Bender, who was unarmed, striking him in the arm and shoulder.
“We are Demanding that Lawrence Bender be freed immediately, and false charges dropped,” Black Lives Matter Inland Empire wrote in an online petition, which has garnered more than 11,000 signatures.
“Lawrence Bender is being held prisoner for his own attempted murder!” the group wrote in a May 31 Facebook post, which also displayed the police body camera footage.
Rialto police made the decision to release its own version of the footage, in part, to address what department officials viewed as “misinformation” circulating on social media and among protesters.
Rialto police Capt. Anthony Vega said that comments on social media are not looking at the full picture. The officer who shot Bender, Michael Babineaux, was merely reacting to Bender’s alleged attempts at trying to steal Babineaux’s gun, Vega said.
“If you look at the narratives in social media and the info being put out, there isn’t anything that pertains to the suspect making attempts to take the officer’s gun or trying to disarm him,” Vega said. “And we feel this is a very important piece to this particular incident.”
The June 2019 shooting took place about 8:11 p.m. in the 400 block of North Macy Street, just off Route 66 at the border of San Bernardino and Rialto.
Rialto police had just pulled over a truck and arrested the driver on suspicion of unrelated narcotics charges, Vega said. Babineaux’s partner drove the suspect away from the area while a tow truck driver arrived on scene to haul the suspect’s vehicle away.
The video shows Bender walking toward the scene and sitting on a curb beside a large vacant field. Police did not say why Bender wandered into the area.
After several moments, Bender gets up from the curb and walks over to open the driver’s seat of the tow truck, which had been left running.
Babineaux saw Bender and hopped out of his police vehicle with his gun drawn. The officer believed Bender was attempting to steal the tow truck, said Rialto Police Chief Mark Kling, who narrated the video.
Babineaux approached Bender, commanded him to get away from the truck, and to sit down. At gunpoint, Bender walked away from the truck with his arms and hands raised. He dropped onto his belly, where he remained while Babineaux called for backup.
The body camera angle does not show Bender’s body, but Babineaux could be heard yelling commands at Bender and at one point, threatening him: “Stay on the ground. Stop moving. I’ll shoot you in your face.”
After less than a minute, Bender jumped to his feet with his arms raised, saying, “I don’t have a gun.” A slow motion edit appears to show Bender swiping at Babineaux’s gun, which is held extended, pointed at Bender.
Babineaux told Bender to get on the ground and he returned to laying on his front. But seconds later, Bender got up again and seemingly swiped a second time at Babineaux’s gun.
After the attempt, Babineaux shot twice at Bender, who screamed and fell to the pavement. The two truck driver was standing nearby.
Police said paramedics took Bender to a local hospital where he remained for the next two weeks, recovering from gunshot wounds to his arm and shoulder.
Kling, who had been hired out of retirement in 2017 to clean up a department roiled in dysfunction and alleged cronyism, nepotism, and sexual harassment, said the Rialto Police Department will conduct its own investigation into whether Babineaux followed department policy during the shooting.
Vega said investigators were still waiting on the San Bernardino Police Department to deliver their report to Rialto police about the shooting, which took place just within San Bernardino city limits.
A San Bernardino police spokesman did not immediately respond to phone calls seeking comment on the case.
Babineaux has remained a field duty officer, Vega said.
During a rally on Friday in front of the San Bernardino County courthouse, more than 100 protesters called for Bender’s release and to defund and dismantle the Rialto Police Department, according to a KVCR radio broadcast of the demonstration. Also in attendance were Bender’s family and attorney.
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“Those comments that are being made are, in my opinion, a small minority, or a small group of the population,” said Capt. Vega, declining to refer directly to Black Lives Matter organizers. “I think in the community of Rialto and the community of San Bernardino County understand that law enforcement is under scrutiny and we have a difficult job and we have to make split second decisions.”
Vega said that out of more than 100,000 calls for service in 2019, the shooting of Bender was the sole officer-involved shooting in the department.


mercurynews--2020-06-18--Marin CHP: DUI suspect with loaded gun crashed twice

A suspected drunken driver with a stolen handgun was arrested in Mill Valley after crashing twice while evading police , the California Highway Patrol said .
The gun , which had an illegal 30-round magazine , was stowed in a concealed compartment inside the car , CHP Officer Andrew Barclay said .
The incident happened shortly before at 1 a.m. Wednesday .
A CHP officer spotted a 1999 Honda Civic traveling in excess of 80 mph on southbound Highway 101 south of Paradise Drive , Barclay said .
The officer followed the suspect and saw him crash after taking the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Barclay said .
The officer activated the police lights and approached the vehicle .
The driver then sped down a dirt hill and back on the highway .
Police chased the driver until he exited at Seminary Drive and crashed again , getting the vehicle stuck on a curb , Barclay said .
The driver tried to run away and was arrested .
Kaleb Solomon Isaiah Berry , 20 , of San Rafael was booked into Marin County Jail on allegations possessing a stolen weapon , carrying a concealed handgun loaded with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His bail was set at $ 35,000 .

A suspected drunken driver with a stolen handgun was arrested in Mill Valley after crashing twice while evading police, the California Highway Patrol said.
The gun, which had an illegal 30-round magazine, was stowed in a concealed compartment inside the car, CHP Officer Andrew Barclay said.
The incident happened shortly before at 1 a.m. Wednesday. A CHP officer spotted a 1999 Honda Civic traveling in excess of 80 mph on southbound Highway 101 south of Paradise Drive, Barclay said.
The officer followed the suspect and saw him crash after taking the East Blithedale Avenue offramp in Mill Valley, Barclay said.
The officer activated the police lights and approached the vehicle. The driver then sped down a dirt hill and back on the highway.
Police chased the driver until he exited at Seminary Drive and crashed again, getting the vehicle stuck on a curb, Barclay said. The driver tried to run away and was arrested.
Kaleb Solomon Isaiah Berry, 20, of San Rafael was booked into Marin County Jail on allegations possessing a stolen weapon, carrying a concealed handgun loaded with a high-capacity magazine and intoxicated driving. His bail was set at $35,000.


mercurynews--2020-06-18--L.A. deputies shoot and kill brother of black man found hanged in California park

ROSAMOND — The half-brother of a black man found hanged in a Southern California park was killed by Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s deputies Wednesday after they say he opened fire on them .
The shots were fired shortly after 4:30 p.m. in the Kern County community of Rosamond , just north of the Los Angeles County border in the Antelope Valley , Sheriff ’ s Department officials said .
Detectives with the sheriff ’ s Major Crimes Unit were tracking a man who was wanted for kidnapping , spousal assault and assault with a deadly weapon but when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he opened the door and began shooting , authorities said .
Deputies shot and killed the man .
A woman in the car was wounded in the chest and was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening while a 7-year-old girl in the car wasn ’ t hurt , sheriff ’ s officials said .
The woman in the car wasn ’ t the accuser in the spousal assault case , authorities said .
The man was identified as Terron Jammal Boone by an attorney representing the family of Robert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found hanging from a tree in Palmdale last week .
Officials say the death appeared to be a suicide but family members have disputed that .
Palmdale is about 20 miles ( 32 kilometers ) away from Rosamond .
“ At this time , until we receive all of the information , the family and their legal team doesn ’ t have any further comment on this incident .
The family respectfully asks that their privacy be respected , ” attorney Jamon Hicks said in a statement .
Boone had been charged Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assault with a deadly weapon , false imprisonment , domestic violence and criminal threats .
Fuller ’ s body was discovered last week in a park near Palmdale City Hall .
An autopsy was conducted last Friday and the county medical examiner-coroner ’ s office said he appeared to have died by suicide .
The finding prompted an outcry by his family , who believed he wasn ’ t suicidal , and community members who called for an independent investigation and autopsy .
More than 1,000 people turned out for a protest and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s body was found .
• California cop fatally shot man who disregarded orders to drop his knife , body camera video shows • Atlanta officer who shot Rayshard Brooks will be charged • Vallejo Police Department banned from training on Touro ’ s campus following union ’ s Facebook post The city of Palmdale issued a statement supporting an independent inquiry .
Federal authorities , including the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice , said they will review local investigations into the hanging deaths of Fuller and of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man who was found hanging from a tree on May 31 in Victorville , a desert city in San Bernardino County east of Palmdale .
Local authorities have said there is no evidence of foul play in either death but sheriffs have pledged to continue to investigate .

ROSAMOND — The half-brother of a black man found hanged in a Southern California park was killed by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies Wednesday after they say he opened fire on them.
The shots were fired shortly after 4:30 p.m. in the Kern County community of Rosamond, just north of the Los Angeles County border in the Antelope Valley, Sheriff’s Department officials said.
Detectives with the sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit were tracking a man who was wanted for kidnapping, spousal assault and assault with a deadly weapon but when they tried to stop his car, he opened the door and began shooting, authorities said.
Deputies shot and killed the man. A woman in the car was wounded in the chest and was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening while a 7-year-old girl in the car wasn’t hurt, sheriff’s officials said.
[vemba-video id=”us/2020/06/16/palmdale-california-men-found-hanging-investigation-malveaux-ctn-vpx.cnn”]
The woman in the car wasn’t the accuser in the spousal assault case, authorities said.
The man was identified as Terron Jammal Boone by an attorney representing the family of Robert Fuller, a 24-year-old man who was found hanging from a tree in Palmdale last week. Officials say the death appeared to be a suicide but family members have disputed that.
Palmdale is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) away from Rosamond.
“At this time, until we receive all of the information, the family and their legal team doesn’t have any further comment on this incident. The family respectfully asks that their privacy be respected,” attorney Jamon Hicks said in a statement.
Boone had been charged Tuesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court with assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment, domestic violence and criminal threats.
Fuller’s body was discovered last week in a park near Palmdale City Hall. An autopsy was conducted last Friday and the county medical examiner-coroner’s office said he appeared to have died by suicide.
The finding prompted an outcry by his family, who believed he wasn’t suicidal, and community members who called for an independent investigation and autopsy. More than 1,000 people turned out for a protest and memorial Saturday around the tree where Fuller’s body was found.
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Federal authorities, including the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, said they will review local investigations into the hanging deaths of Fuller and of Malcolm Harsch, a 38-year-old homeless black man who was found hanging from a tree on May 31 in Victorville, a desert city in San Bernardino County east of Palmdale.
Local authorities have said there is no evidence of foul play in either death but sheriffs have pledged to continue to investigate.


mercurynews--2020-06-18--Letter: #DefundThePolice not the same as #ReformThePolice

The difference between # DefundThePolice and # ReformThePolice is intention .
Reforming police would involve changing police culture , outlawing violent acts , more federal oversight , ending qualified immunity , etc.
, to improve the police .
Defunding police would involve reallocating funding to community services that would prevent crime , including social workers and counselors , mental health services , affordable housing programs , youth and senior programs , investing in local businesses , etc.
, to reduce burden on police .
Both of these goals sound good — but one goes much further toward building a peaceful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tried for years .
Another Black person gets murdered , we protest and they say “ we promise we ’ re going to make changes this time , ” but it keeps happening .
• Letter : Since when does theft warrant a death sentence ?
• Letter : America must rectify atrocities done to Native Americans too • Letter : Each voice is powerful enough to create change Clearly , reform isn ’ t enough .
Defunding police will take time , so we still need reforms to ensure no one else @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be enough unless it intends to render the police unnecessary .
Submit your letter to the editor via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

The difference between #DefundThePolice and #ReformThePolice is intention.
Reforming police would involve changing police culture, outlawing violent acts, more federal oversight, ending qualified immunity, etc., to improve the police.
Defunding police would involve reallocating funding to community services that would prevent crime, including social workers and counselors, mental health services, affordable housing programs, youth and senior programs, investing in local businesses, etc., to reduce burden on police.
Both of these goals sound good — but one goes much further toward building a peaceful and prosperous future.
Reforms have been tried for years. Another Black person gets murdered, we protest and they say “we promise we’re going to make changes this time,” but it keeps happening.
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Abby Green
San Leandro
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mercurynews--2020-06-18--Letter:  Seniors at facilities stuck in maddening ambiguity

Most people enjoy a nice irony .
Let me share one that is not so nice .
COVID-19 testing is available , at no cost , for all who want it , just a few hundred yards from the assisted living facility where I live with many other senior souls .
But neither the governor nor our county authorities have mandated testing for our staff , so we live , still after all of these weeks , with the maddening ambiguity of not knowing if one or more of the nice people who serve us are asymptomatic and carrying the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does theft warrant a death sentence ?
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Now it is simply an outrage that reveals no respect whatsoever for the elders who are obliged to live in these facilities .
Submit your letter to the editor via this form Read more Letters to @ @

Most people enjoy a nice irony. Let me share one that is not so nice. COVID-19 testing is available, at no cost, for all who want it, just a few hundred yards from the assisted living facility where I live with many other senior souls.
But neither the governor nor our county authorities have mandated testing for our staff, so we live, still after all of these weeks, with the maddening ambiguity of not knowing if one or more of the nice people who serve us are asymptomatic and carrying the virus.
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Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path Letters to the Editor | Letters: Local solar | Titan resources | Activism helps Earlier, when testing capacity was limited, our lack of testing was understandable. Now it is simply an outrage that reveals no respect whatsoever for the elders who are obliged to live in these facilities.
Dr. David Elliott
Chair of the Resident Council
Westmont Living
Morgan Hill
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