mercurynews--2020-08-08--Officials issued at least 10 warnings about Beirut port danger

BEIRUT — At least 10 times over the past six years , authorities from Lebanon ’ s customs , military , security agencies and judiciary raised alarm that a massive stockpile of explosive chemicals was being kept with almost no safeguard at the port in the heart of Beirut , newly surfaced documents show .
Yet in a circle of negligence , nothing was done — and on Tuesday , the 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate blew up , obliterating the city ’ s main commercial hub and spreading death and wreckage for miles around .
President Michel Aoun , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he was first told of the dangerous stockpile nearly three weeks ago and immediately ordered military and security agencies to do “ what was needed.
” But he suggested his responsibility ended there , saying he had no authority over the port and that previous governments had been told of its presence .
“ Do you know how many problems have been accumulating ?
” Aoun replied when a reporter pressed whether he should have followed up on his order .
The documents surfacing in social media since the blast underscore the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s long-ruling political oligarchy , and its failure to provide its people with basic needs , including security .
Investigators probing the blast have focused on personnel at the Port of Beirut , Lebanon ’ s main port , so well known for corruption that its common nickname is Ali Baba ’ s Cave .
So far , at least 16 port employees have been detained and others questioned .
On Friday , investigators questioned and then ordered the detention of the head of the port , Hassan Koraytem , the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Daher ’ s predecessor .
But many Lebanese say the rot permeates the political system and extends to the country ’ s top leadership .
The explosion of the ammonium nitrate , after apparently being set off by a fire , was the biggest in Lebanon ’ s history .
The known death toll reached 154 , including bodies recovered from the rubble Friday , and more than 5,000 people were wounded .
Billions of dollars in damage was caused across the city , where many are too impoverished by Lebanon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aoun ’ s comments were the most senior confirmation that top politicians had been aware of the stockpile .
“ The material had been there for seven years , since 2013 .
It has been there , and they said it is dangerous and I am not responsible .
I don ’ t know where it was placed .
I don ’ t even know the level of danger .
I have no authority to deal directly with the port , ” he told a news conference .
He said that when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 , he immediately ordered military and security officials “ to do what is needed.
” “ There are ranks that should know their duties , and they were all informed .
… When you refer a document and say , ‘ Do what is needed , ’ isn ’ t that an order ?
” he added .
He said the explosion may have been caused by negligence , but the investigation would also look at the possibility that it could have been caused by a bomb or other “ external intervention.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which has close ties to its former colony , for satellite images from the time of the blast to see if they showed any planes or missiles .
President Donald Trump said Friday that he had spoken by telephone with Aoun and French President Emmanuel Macron .
He did not mention the investigation , but noted that medical supplies , food and water were being sent from the U.S. , along with emergency responders , technicians , doctors and nurses .
The ammonium nitrate , a chemical used in fertilizers and explosives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MV Rhosus that had been traveling from the country of Georgia to Mozambique in 2013 .
It made an unscheduled detour to Beirut as the Russian shipowner was struggling with debts and hoped to earn some extra cash in Lebanon .
Unable to pay port fees and reportedly leaking , the ship was impounded .
The first known document about it came on Feb. 21 , 2014 , three months after the ship ’ s arrival .
Col. Joseph Skaff , a senior customs official , wrote to the customs authority ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on board the ship docked at port was “ extremely dangerous and endangers public safety.
” Col. Skaff died in March 2017 in unclear circumstances .
He was found near his house in Beirut after allegedly falling from a big height .
Medical reports at the time gave different explanations , one saying it was an accident , the other saying there was unusual bruising on his face .
On June 27 , 2014 , Jad Maalouf , a judge for urgent matters , wrote to the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangerous material and could sink .
He said the ministry should deal with the ship , remove the ammonium nitrate and “ place it in a suitable place that it ( the ministry ) chooses , and it ( the material ) should be under its protection.
” Soon after that , the shipment was moved into Warehouse 12 at the port , where it remained until it exploded .
It is unclear if it was officially under the ministry ’ s control .
Lebanon ’ s LBC TV station reported that in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning of delays in dealing with the shipment .
Military intelligence sent an expert who tested the material and found that the nitrogen levels were 34.7 % , considered a highly explosive level , LBC said .
The army reported to the customs department that the material should be quickly removed , suggesting it be exported .
Customs referred the report back to the judge of urgent matters , LBC said .
Three military and security officials did not respond to calls and messages from The Associated Press to comment or confirm the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customs department head , told the AP before his detention that between 2014 and 2017 , he and his predecessor sent six letters to the judge warning that the stockpile was dangerous and seeking a ruling on a way to remove or sell it .
Daher said it was his duty to alert authorities of the danger but that was the most he could do .
He said he never got a reply .
Earlier this year , State Security , after investigating the stockpile , issued a five-page report saying the material @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the ammonium nitrate could explode and warned terrorists could steal it , saying one wall of the warehouse had a hole in it and a gate was open .
Throughout this period , Lebanon had four prime ministers , including the current one — Hassan Diab , who came to office earlier this year — as well as multiple government reshuffles .
In 2013 , when the ship docked , Michel Suleiman was president , followed by two years without a president as political factions wrangled , before finally electing Aoun in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been dominated by the same political elites , many of them former warlords and militia commanders from the civil war .
The ruling factions use public institutions to accumulate wealth and distribute patronage to supporters .
A blind eye is often turned to corruption , and little development is put into institutions .
As a result , power outages are frequent , trash is often uncollected and tap water is largely undrinkable .
The leader of the Iran-backed militant Hezbollah group , whose allies dominate the government , said in a speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nepotism ” had a role in the explosion and must be dealt with .
Hassan Nasrallah warned that if no one was held accountable , “ we are basically saying to the people there is no state.
” He also said Hezbollah ’ s domestic opponents were trying to use the blast to stir public opinion against it but would fail .
He denied any role by Hezbollah in the disaster .
Both Nasrallah and Aoun rejected calls for an international investigation .
Since last October , the Lebanese people have held mass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruling elite , including Nasrallah .
The demonstrations achieved only a rearranging of the names in the government , and largely faded amid the coronavirus pandemic and Lebanon ’ s financial collapse .
In a sign of how the public has largely come to expect government inaction , thousands of volunteers have cleaned up streets in the neighborhoods worst hit by the blast .
They swept broken glass and reopened roads , helped restaurants and shops clear debris , and salvaged merchandise .
They separated rubble into piles of broken glass and mangled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroyed homes to look for medicine , valuables and essential documents for the residents who fled in panic .
• Endangered Brazilian monkeys get their own bridge • Officials : China , Russia and Iran trying to influence 2020 vote French and Russian rescue teams with dogs searched the port area on Friday , pulling more bodies from the rubble .
Women cried nearby as they waited for news about missing relatives .
France has sent a team of 22 investigators to help investigate the cause of the blast .
Based on information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s No .
2 forensic police official , Dominique Abbenanti , said Friday the explosion “ appears to be an accident ” but that it ’ s too early to say for sure .
In an interview with the AP , he predicted that the death toll would grow .

By Bassem Mroue | Associated Press
BEIRUT — At least 10 times over the past six years, authorities from Lebanon’s customs, military, security agencies and judiciary raised alarm that a massive stockpile of explosive chemicals was being kept with almost no safeguard at the port in the heart of Beirut, newly surfaced documents show.
Yet in a circle of negligence, nothing was done — and on Tuesday, the 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate blew up, obliterating the city’s main commercial hub and spreading death and wreckage for miles around.
President Michel Aoun, in office since 2016, said Friday that he was first told of the dangerous stockpile nearly three weeks ago and immediately ordered military and security agencies to do “what was needed.” But he suggested his responsibility ended there, saying he had no authority over the port and that previous governments had been told of its presence.
“Do you know how many problems have been accumulating?” Aoun replied when a reporter pressed whether he should have followed up on his order.
The documents surfacing in social media since the blast underscore the corruption, negligence and incompetence of Lebanon’s long-ruling political oligarchy, and its failure to provide its people with basic needs, including security.
Investigators probing the blast have focused on personnel at the Port of Beirut, Lebanon’s main port, so well known for corruption that its common nickname is Ali Baba’s Cave.
So far, at least 16 port employees have been detained and others questioned. On Friday, investigators questioned and then ordered the detention of the head of the port, Hassan Koraytem, the country’s customs chief, Badri Daher, and Daher’s predecessor.
But many Lebanese say the rot permeates the political system and extends to the country’s top leadership.
The explosion of the ammonium nitrate, after apparently being set off by a fire, was the biggest in Lebanon’s history. The known death toll reached 154, including bodies recovered from the rubble Friday, and more than 5,000 people were wounded. Billions of dollars in damage was caused across the city, where many are too impoverished by Lebanon’s financial crisis to rebuild.
Aoun’s comments were the most senior confirmation that top politicians had been aware of the stockpile.
“The material had been there for seven years, since 2013. It has been there, and they said it is dangerous and I am not responsible. I don’t know where it was placed. I don’t even know the level of danger. I have no authority to deal directly with the port,” he told a news conference.
He said that when he was told of the stockpile on July 20, he immediately ordered military and security officials “to do what is needed.”
“There are ranks that should know their duties, and they were all informed. … When you refer a document and say, ‘Do what is needed,’ isn’t that an order?” he added.
He said the explosion may have been caused by negligence, but the investigation would also look at the possibility that it could have been caused by a bomb or other “external intervention.” He said he had asked France, which has close ties to its former colony, for satellite images from the time of the blast to see if they showed any planes or missiles.
President Donald Trump said Friday that he had spoken by telephone with Aoun and French President Emmanuel Macron. He did not mention the investigation, but noted that medical supplies, food and water were being sent from the U.S., along with emergency responders, technicians, doctors and nurses.
The ammonium nitrate, a chemical used in fertilizers and explosives, originated from a cargo ship called MV Rhosus that had been traveling from the country of Georgia to Mozambique in 2013. It made an unscheduled detour to Beirut as the Russian shipowner was struggling with debts and hoped to earn some extra cash in Lebanon. Unable to pay port fees and reportedly leaking, the ship was impounded.
The first known document about it came on Feb. 21, 2014, three months after the ship’s arrival. Col. Joseph Skaff, a senior customs official, wrote to the customs authority’s anti-smuggling department warning that the material still on board the ship docked at port was “extremely dangerous and endangers public safety.”
Col. Skaff died in March 2017 in unclear circumstances. He was found near his house in Beirut after allegedly falling from a big height. Medical reports at the time gave different explanations, one saying it was an accident, the other saying there was unusual bruising on his face.
On June 27, 2014, Jad Maalouf, a judge for urgent matters, wrote to the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation, warning that the ship was carrying dangerous material and could sink. He said the ministry should deal with the ship, remove the ammonium nitrate and “place it in a suitable place that it (the ministry) chooses, and it (the material) should be under its protection.”
Soon after that, the shipment was moved into Warehouse 12 at the port, where it remained until it exploded. It is unclear if it was officially under the ministry’s control.
Lebanon’s LBC TV station reported that in October 2015, the army intervened after learning of delays in dealing with the shipment. Military intelligence sent an expert who tested the material and found that the nitrogen levels were 34.7%, considered a highly explosive level, LBC said.
The army reported to the customs department that the material should be quickly removed, suggesting it be exported. Customs referred the report back to the judge of urgent matters, LBC said.
Three military and security officials did not respond to calls and messages from The Associated Press to comment or confirm the report on LBC.
Daher, the customs department head, told the AP before his detention that between 2014 and 2017, he and his predecessor sent six letters to the judge warning that the stockpile was dangerous and seeking a ruling on a way to remove or sell it.
Daher said it was his duty to alert authorities of the danger but that was the most he could do. He said he never got a reply.
Earlier this year, State Security, after investigating the stockpile, issued a five-page report saying the material must be gotten rid of. It said the ammonium nitrate could explode and warned terrorists could steal it, saying one wall of the warehouse had a hole in it and a gate was open.
Throughout this period, Lebanon had four prime ministers, including the current one — Hassan Diab, who came to office earlier this year — as well as multiple government reshuffles. In 2013, when the ship docked, Michel Suleiman was president, followed by two years without a president as political factions wrangled, before finally electing Aoun in October 2016.
For decades, Lebanon has been dominated by the same political elites, many of them former warlords and militia commanders from the civil war. The ruling factions use public institutions to accumulate wealth and distribute patronage to supporters. A blind eye is often turned to corruption, and little development is put into institutions. As a result, power outages are frequent, trash is often uncollected and tap water is largely undrinkable.
The leader of the Iran-backed militant Hezbollah group, whose allies dominate the government, said in a speech Friday that “negligence, corruption, nepotism” had a role in the explosion and must be dealt with.
Hassan Nasrallah warned that if no one was held accountable, “we are basically saying to the people there is no state.” He also said Hezbollah’s domestic opponents were trying to use the blast to stir public opinion against it but would fail. He denied any role by Hezbollah in the disaster.
Both Nasrallah and Aoun rejected calls for an international investigation.
Since last October, the Lebanese people have held mass protests denouncing the country’s entire ruling elite, including Nasrallah. The demonstrations achieved only a rearranging of the names in the government, and largely faded amid the coronavirus pandemic and Lebanon’s financial collapse.
In a sign of how the public has largely come to expect government inaction, thousands of volunteers have cleaned up streets in the neighborhoods worst hit by the blast. They swept broken glass and reopened roads, helped restaurants and shops clear debris, and salvaged merchandise. They separated rubble into piles of broken glass and mangled metal. Others volunteered to go into destroyed homes to look for medicine, valuables and essential documents for the residents who fled in panic.
French and Russian rescue teams with dogs searched the port area on Friday, pulling more bodies from the rubble. Women cried nearby as they waited for news about missing relatives.
France has sent a team of 22 investigators to help investigate the cause of the blast. Based on information from Lebanon so far, France’s No. 2 forensic police official, Dominique Abbenanti, said Friday the explosion “appears to be an accident” but that it’s too early to say for sure.
In an interview with the AP, he predicted that the death toll would grow.


mercurynews--2020-08-08--California’s worst natural disaster: How coronavirus compares to other killers

Coronavirus ’ rampage through California has now made it the worst natural disaster in the state ’ s history , outpacing decades of wildfires and earthquakes .
As the surge continues , it is on pace to be the third leading cause of death in the state this year , a stunning potential milestone for a disease that was unknown nine months ago .
But the numbers capture only a fraction of the agony the virus has caused , considering the lingering health impacts and survivors ’ pain , not to mention the societal disruption .
On Thursday , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Jose ’ s Patricia Dowd , 57 , became the first known fatality from the virus in the United States on Feb. 6 .
The death toll appears to have eclipsed suicide , hypertension , influenza and diabetes to become the seventh leading cause of death in the state in just six months , judging from 2018 mortality numbers from the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention .
“ This number , 10,000 , doesn ’ t remotely represent the worst ” coronavirus could do , said Dr. Steven Goodman , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It could easily be at a level close to cancer or heart disease in a year if we didn ’ t do anything.
” Ironically , the 10,000-death milestone fell at a moment when California ’ s other coronavirus data has been called into question .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom on Friday called for an investigation into computer system problems that appear to have compromised the state ’ s testing and infection totals for at least the last two weeks .
The call came as California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ silence surrounding the system ’ s persistent technical problems with an overview of what led to the massive data backup , which has left counties in limbo as they relied on old-fashioned spreadsheets to try to track the virus locally .
Ghaly was unable to say for certain when all the problems will be fixed .
“ We ’ re doing a complete look into how that communication could have been better and where it went wrong , ” Ghaly said , adding , “ We will hold people accountable.
” The problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , and they are stunning .
To put coronavirus in context , more than 62,500 people died of heart disease in California in 2018 , the most recent year for which totals are available .
Almost 60,000 died from cancer , followed by 16,600 deaths from Alzheimer ’ s Disease and 16,400 from strokes .
COVID-19 could surpass the last two of those soon — a new estimate released Thursday predicts California could have almost 32,700 fatalities from the virus by Dec. 1 , even with the state ’ s current mitigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington , predicts even with near-universal mask usage , deaths could reach about 21,400 by that date .
Nothing , other than perhaps climate change , has had such a profound impact on the state , Goodman said .
Wildfires , a deadly and increasingly destructive presence in California , pale in comparison .
The 20 deadliest wildfires in the state ’ s modern history claimed a combined 302 lives , according to CalFire .
That includes 85 deaths at the 2018 Camp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths at the 1991 Oakland Hills Fire .
California currently is averaging about the same number of deaths as those 20 wildfires every two days .
The closest single natural disaster , the 1906 San Francisco earthquake , is estimated to have directly and indirectly claimed 3,000 lives at a time when San Francisco had about 400,000 residents .
Besides that notorious disaster , large earthquakes have claimed fewer than 500 lives in the state since the 1800s , including 63 in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake .
Only two disasters still outpace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their records will almost certainly fall by this winter .
In 20 years after California became a state and gold was discovered , as many as 16,000 Native Americans were killed during a widespread campaign of genocide against the region ’ s original inhabitants by new white settlers .
And in 1918 , the influenza epidemic killed about 16,800 people in California — with another 13,000 dying in the two subsequent years .
For those touched by the virus , the death toll is not the whole picture .
Stacey Silva lost her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a victim of the virus at a time when there were fewer than 1,000 known cases in the state .
Young , who lived with Silva in her Gilroy home , was known for greeting people with “ good morning ” at any time of day , a guaranteed way to bring a smile to their faces , Silva said .
Silva said she ’ s struggled with depression and guilt after the disease kept her from her father ’ s side when he passed away .
She is also frustrated by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help limit the spread of the virus .
“ The pain I went through , the pain my family went through , I wouldn ’ t wish that on my worst enemy , ” she said .
It also took a financial toll .
After news stories were published about Young ’ s death , Silva ’ s wife lost her job .
Her wife ’ s boss , Silva said , fired her because she had not informed him she was connected to someone with the virus .
She declined to name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the virus could have life-long complications .
Doctors have reported people with damaged heart and lungs , clotting issues that lead to strokes and pulmonary embolisms among younger patients , Goodman said .
• Alaska Airlines offers ‘ buy one , get one free ’ airfares • Pac-12 football : California schools get coronavirus guidance from the state , clearing a path to training camp “ Even for those who ’ ve survived , we ’ re still trying to get a handle of what percentage of those have either prolonged courses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s hard to get long-term outcomes when the virus has only been around for six months .
”

Coronavirus’ rampage through California has now made it the worst natural disaster in the state’s history, outpacing decades of wildfires and earthquakes. As the surge continues, it is on pace to be the third leading cause of death in the state this year, a stunning potential milestone for a disease that was unknown nine months ago.
But the numbers capture only a fraction of the agony the virus has caused, considering the lingering health impacts and survivors’ pain, not to mention the societal disruption.
On Thursday, the state passed 10,000 deaths from COVID-19 since San Jose’s Patricia Dowd, 57, became the first known fatality from the virus in the United States on Feb. 6. The death toll appears to have eclipsed suicide, hypertension, influenza and diabetes to become the seventh leading cause of death in the state in just six months, judging from 2018 mortality numbers from the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
“This number, 10,000, doesn’t remotely represent the worst” coronavirus could do, said Dr. Steven Goodman, an epidemiology professor at Stanford University. “It could easily be at a level close to cancer or heart disease in a year if we didn’t do anything.”
Ironically, the 10,000-death milestone fell at a moment when California’s other coronavirus data has been called into question. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday called for an investigation into computer system problems that appear to have compromised the state’s testing and infection totals for at least the last two weeks.
The call came as California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly broke the state’s silence surrounding the system’s persistent technical problems with an overview of what led to the massive data backup, which has left counties in limbo as they relied on old-fashioned spreadsheets to try to track the virus locally. Ghaly was unable to say for certain when all the problems will be fixed.
“We’re doing a complete look into how that communication could have been better and where it went wrong,” Ghaly said, adding, “We will hold people accountable.”
The problems did not compromise the death numbers, however, and they are stunning.
To put coronavirus in context, more than 62,500 people died of heart disease in California in 2018, the most recent year for which totals are available. Almost 60,000 died from cancer, followed by 16,600 deaths from Alzheimer’s Disease and 16,400 from strokes.
COVID-19 could surpass the last two of those soon — a new estimate released Thursday predicts California could have almost 32,700 fatalities from the virus by Dec. 1, even with the state’s current mitigation plan. The analysis, from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, predicts even with near-universal mask usage, deaths could reach about 21,400 by that date.
Nothing, other than perhaps climate change, has had such a profound impact on the state, Goodman said.
Wildfires, a deadly and increasingly destructive presence in California, pale in comparison. The 20 deadliest wildfires in the state’s modern history claimed a combined 302 lives, according to CalFire. That includes 85 deaths at the 2018 Camp Fire in Butte County, and 25 deaths at the 1991 Oakland Hills Fire. California currently is averaging about the same number of deaths as those 20 wildfires every two days.
The closest single natural disaster, the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, is estimated to have directly and indirectly claimed 3,000 lives at a time when San Francisco had about 400,000 residents. Besides that notorious disaster, large earthquakes have claimed fewer than 500 lives in the state since the 1800s, including 63 in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.
Only two disasters still outpace COVID-19’s death totals, but their records will almost certainly fall by this winter. In 20 years after California became a state and gold was discovered, as many as 16,000 Native Americans were killed during a widespread campaign of genocide against the region’s original inhabitants by new white settlers. And in 1918, the influenza epidemic killed about 16,800 people in California — with another 13,000 dying in the two subsequent years.
For those touched by the virus, the death toll is not the whole picture. Stacey Silva lost her father, Gary Young, in mid-March, a victim of the virus at a time when there were fewer than 1,000 known cases in the state. Young, who lived with Silva in her Gilroy home, was known for greeting people with “good morning” at any time of day, a guaranteed way to bring a smile to their faces, Silva said.
Silva said she’s struggled with depression and guilt after the disease kept her from her father’s side when he passed away. She is also frustrated by people opposed to mask requirements that could help limit the spread of the virus.
“The pain I went through, the pain my family went through, I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy,” she said.
It also took a financial toll. After news stories were published about Young’s death, Silva’s wife lost her job. Her wife’s boss, Silva said, fired her because she had not informed him she was connected to someone with the virus. She declined to name the company.
Even those who heal from the virus could have life-long complications. Doctors have reported people with damaged heart and lungs, clotting issues that lead to strokes and pulmonary embolisms among younger patients, Goodman said.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms Health | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge “Even for those who’ve survived, we’re still trying to get a handle of what percentage of those have either prolonged courses or permanent damage,” he said. “It’s hard to get long-term outcomes when the virus has only been around for six months.”
Staff writer Fiona Kelliher contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-08-08--San Mateo: Motorcyclist killed in head-on crash

SAN MATEO – A motorcyclist was killed in a head-on crash in San Mateo early Friday , authorities said .
@ @ @ @ @ El Camino Real and 12th Avenue at 6:30 a.m. , said San Mateo police spokesman @ @ @ @ @ minutes later and found the motorcyclist with no pulse .
Haobsh said an initial investigation @ @ @ @ @ traveling southbound on El Camino and drove head-on into a sport utility vehicle traveling northbound @ @ @ @ @ are unknown and still being investigated , ” Haobsh said .
“ Our hearts go @ @ @ @ @ this tragedy.
” The San Mateo County Coroner ’ s Office will release the motorcyclist @ @ @ @ @ has been confirmed and their next of kin is notified .

SAN MATEO – A motorcyclist killed in a head-on crash in San Mateo early Friday has been identified, authorities said.
The collision was reported at El Camino Real and 12th Avenue at 6:30 a.m., said San Mateo police spokesman Michael Haobsh. Officers arrived minutes later and found the motorcyclist with no pulse. He was pronounced dead at the crash site.
The San Mateo County Coroner’s Office identified him Saturday as Ian Anthony Mitchell, 29, of Redwood City.
Haobsh said an initial investigation revealed that Mitchell was traveling south on El Camino and drove head-on into a sport utility vehicle traveling north.
“All other details are unknown and still being investigated,” Haobsh said. “Our hearts go out to all involved with this tragedy.”


mercurynews--2020-08-08--Coronavirus: California releases guidance for reopening universities

Gov .
Gavin Newsom released guidance for reopening colleges and universities on Friday afternoon , just weeks before the start of the academic year .
Notably , the guidance prohibits indoor lectures and dining for schools in counties that have spent three consecutive days on the monitoring list .
It also sets restrictions on allowing visitors to access campus and recommends telework for faculty and staff whenever possible .
However , the guidance does not mandate COVID-19 testing for students and staff , telling universities only to “ consider routine systematic testing of staff or students for current COVID-19 infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IHE student and staff if exposed.
” Students and staff are required to wear masks in all indoor public spaces .
When teaching indoors , instructors who maintain a six-foot distance are allowed to wear a face shield with a drape .
The guidance notes that all implementation depends on local conditions and coordination with local health officers .
In the Bay Area , where all counties have been placed on the monitoring list , most colleges have already reversed course in recent weeks , jettisoning hybrid reopening plans in favor of starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued to surge .
Stanford University has thus far held firm on plans to bring its freshman and sophomore students to campus , although the vast majority of courses will be held online .
Also addressed in the 34-page manual are guidelines for college athletics , clearing the way for schools to begin planning to open football training camps .
For schools who do bring students back , the state ’ s announcement lays out a cautious plan for resuming some aspects of college life .
Only specialized courses like labs and studio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place in person in counties on the monitoring list , and universities are recommended to hold smaller courses in larger rooms , outside or with synchronous distance learning options .
In residence halls , where communal living is usually a given , the guidance encourages universities to reduce the density of on-campus housing by prioritizing single rooms , setting up individual study spaces and closing down non-essential shared spaces like game rooms and lounges .
In counties on the monitoring list , dining halls should follow restaurant guidance for outdoor dining and take-out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ ensure ” that organizations like off-campus clubs and Greek organizations also follow the guidelines : “ Develop systems to enforce and hold affiliated organizations accountable for adhering to this guidance , ” the announcement reads .
Last month , UC Berkeley reversed a prior decision to reopen when it announced that it would start the school year virtually , after reporting 72 COVID-19 cases linked to a week of fraternity parties in early July .
When a student , faculty or staff member tests positive , universities are required to immediately isolate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local health officials .
Universities are also required to intensify cleaning and sanitation procedures and develop a COVID-19 prevention plan to be communicated with workers and students .
Newsom ’ s office did not respond to a question on how , or if , the state plans to enforce its guidance for universities .

Gov. Gavin Newsom released guidance for reopening colleges and universities on Friday afternoon, just weeks before the start of the academic year.
Notably, the guidance prohibits indoor lectures and dining for schools in counties that have spent three consecutive days on the monitoring list. It also sets restrictions on allowing visitors to access campus and recommends telework for faculty and staff whenever possible.
However, the guidance does not mandate COVID-19 testing for students and staff, telling universities only to “consider routine systematic testing of staff or students for current COVID-19 infection, and procure resources to test exposed IHE student and staff if exposed.”
Students and staff are required to wear masks in all indoor public spaces. When teaching indoors, instructors who maintain a six-foot distance are allowed to wear a face shield with a drape.
The guidance notes that all implementation depends on local conditions and coordination with local health officers. In the Bay Area, where all counties have been placed on the monitoring list, most colleges have already reversed course in recent weeks, jettisoning hybrid reopening plans in favor of starting the school year virtually as cases have continued to surge. Stanford University has thus far held firm on plans to bring its freshman and sophomore students to campus, although the vast majority of courses will be held online.
Also addressed in the 34-page manual are guidelines for college athletics, clearing the way for schools to begin planning to open football training camps.
For schools who do bring students back, the state’s announcement lays out a cautious plan for resuming some aspects of college life. Only specialized courses like labs and studio arts classes will be allowed to take place in person in counties on the monitoring list, and universities are recommended to hold smaller courses in larger rooms, outside or with synchronous distance learning options.
In residence halls, where communal living is usually a given, the guidance encourages universities to reduce the density of on-campus housing by prioritizing single rooms, setting up individual study spaces and closing down non-essential shared spaces like game rooms and lounges. In counties on the monitoring list, dining halls should follow restaurant guidance for outdoor dining and take-out.
The announcement specifies that schools should “ensure” that organizations like off-campus clubs and Greek organizations also follow the guidelines: “Develop systems to enforce and hold affiliated organizations accountable for adhering to this guidance,” the announcement reads. Last month, UC Berkeley reversed a prior decision to reopen when it announced that it would start the school year virtually, after reporting 72 COVID-19 cases linked to a week of fraternity parties in early July.
When a student, faculty or staff member tests positive, universities are required to immediately isolate that person and notify close contacts and local health officials. Universities are also required to intensify cleaning and sanitation procedures and develop a COVID-19 prevention plan to be communicated with workers and students.
Newsom’s office did not respond to a question on how, or if, the state plans to enforce its guidance for universities.


mercurynews--2020-08-08--Alaska Airlines offers ‘buy one, get one free’ airfares

BOGO deals are common at sandwich shops and pizza joints .
But airlines ?
Rare until this COVID-19 era .
@ @ @ @ @ announced a buy one airfare , get one for free promotion , available for two @ @ @ @ @ applies to more than 100 destinations , including from the West Coast to Florida and @ @ @ @ @ ticket , this is a “ Buy the Row ” promotion that ensures the two @ @ @ @ @ middle seat between you free of an additional passenger .
Tickets must be purchased by @ @ @ @ @ 9 , for travel between now and Oct. 31 , 2020 .
To get the @ @ @ @ @ purchasing .
Taxes and fees need to be paid on the free seat .
• @ @ @ @ @ 3.2 million in fees for airlines reeling from the pandemic • How safe is a @ @ @ @ @ the family ?
• San Jose airport gets new service to three U.S. cities The @ @ @ @ @ and other restrictions apply .
For details , go to alaskaair.com/GETTHEROW .

BOGO deals are common at sandwich shops and pizza joints.
But airlines? Rare until this COVID-19 era.
On Friday evening Alaska Airlines announced a buy one airfare, get one for free promotion, available for two days only.
The deal applies to more than 100 destinations, including from the West Coast to Florida and Mexico.
Besides an extra ticket, this is a “Buy the Row” promotion that ensures the two of you will have the middle seat between you free of an additional passenger.
Tickets must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, for travel between now and Oct. 31, 2020. To get the row, select seats when purchasing. Taxes and fees need to be paid on the free seat.


mercurynews--2020-08-08--North Carolina will relax 10-person limit for GOP convention

RALEIGH , N.C. — North Carolina will ease gathering restrictions for the Republican National Convention in Charlotte this month after a push by the national party for the state to be more accommodating .
But the Aug. 21-24 event culminating in President Donald Trump ’ s nomination will be nothing like conventions of previous years in which prominent politicians and party leaders addressed thousands of enthusiastic supporters .
The RNC has estimated it would have no more than 500 delegates per day at the Charlotte Convention Center and the Westin hotel .
In a letter written to the RNC on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director and chief medical officer , Elizabeth Cuervo Tilson , said the Department of Health and Human Services understands more than 10 people may need to assemble indoors to conduct party business .
“ In the spirit of accommodating the unique interests and needs of the convention , we have expressed a willingness to flexibly enforce certain otherwise-applicable public health measures imposed by the Governor in response to the COVID-19 emergency , ” Tilson wrote .
“ For example , we recognize that convention business may require more than 10 people to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
Roy Cooper extended an existing executive order that limits mass indoor gatherings at event venues to 10 people .
No more than 25 people are allowed to gather outdoors at such venues under Phase 2 of North Carolina ’ s reopening plan .
Though the state said it would ease the restriction , it was adamant that mask-wearing and 6 feet of physical distancing must remain enforced .
The RNC submitted a 42-page safety plan on Monday .
In it , the national party said “ neither contract security nor security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Security Event ) will enforce solely requirements for masks or social distancing.
” The safety proposal from the party also requires attendees to complete a pre-travel health questionnaire , take a self-administered coronavirus test from their home and agree not to travel to Charlotte if they test positive .
Tilson asked the RNC to provide a list of scheduled events at both the hotel and convention center , the number of attendees attending them , the square footage of the venues and rooms and other information .
She told the RNC about 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 93-square-meter ) of space .
The back-and-forth between the state and RNC comes amid a months-long battle between Trump and North Carolina ’ s Democratic governor .
In May , Cooper denied Trump ’ s request for a full-capacity convention , prompting Trump to move the site of his nomination acceptance speech from Charlotte to Jacksonville , Florida .
But with escalating COVID-19 cases throughout Florida , the president ’ s appearance was called off .
Trump has since said he would speak at the convention in Charlotte , though he did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convention in person .
On Wednesday , Trump told Fox News he would “ probably ” give his acceptance speech “ live from the White House , ” raising concerns he could run afoul of a 1939 law barring some executive branch workers from participating in certain forms of political activity .
While Trump and Pence are exempt from the Hatch Act , others involved in event planning could be at risk of violating the law .
Cooper has often been reluctant to criticize Trump by name , but in a Thursday interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insisted he wasn ’ t afraid to express his disagreements with the president , especially about the RNC Convention .
“ We had a conversation about the RNC and I had to stand up to him to tell him that we were not gon na let them have a full arena for the RNC , ” Cooper said .
“ So I ’ ve stood up to him when he takes steps that I think hurt the people of North Carolina , and I ’ m not afraid to do that .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with him when it ’ s for the good of our state .
”

By Bryan Anderson | Associated Press
RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina will ease gathering restrictions for the Republican National Convention in Charlotte this month after a push by the national party for the state to be more accommodating.
But the Aug. 21-24 event culminating in President Donald Trump’s nomination will be nothing like conventions of previous years in which prominent politicians and party leaders addressed thousands of enthusiastic supporters.
The RNC has estimated it would have no more than 500 delegates per day at the Charlotte Convention Center and the Westin hotel.
In a letter written to the RNC on Thursday, the state’s health director and chief medical officer, Elizabeth Cuervo Tilson, said the Department of Health and Human Services understands more than 10 people may need to assemble indoors to conduct party business.
“In the spirit of accommodating the unique interests and needs of the convention, we have expressed a willingness to flexibly enforce certain otherwise-applicable public health measures imposed by the Governor in response to the COVID-19 emergency,” Tilson wrote. “For example, we recognize that convention business may require more than 10 people to be gathered indoors.”
On Wednesday, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper extended an existing executive order that limits mass indoor gatherings at event venues to 10 people. No more than 25 people are allowed to gather outdoors at such venues under Phase 2 of North Carolina’s reopening plan.
Though the state said it would ease the restriction, it was adamant that mask-wearing and 6 feet of physical distancing must remain enforced.
The RNC submitted a 42-page safety plan on Monday. In it, the national party said “neither contract security nor security participating in the NSSE (National Special Security Event) will enforce solely requirements for masks or social distancing.”
The safety proposal from the party also requires attendees to complete a pre-travel health questionnaire, take a self-administered coronavirus test from their home and agree not to travel to Charlotte if they test positive.
Tilson asked the RNC to provide a list of scheduled events at both the hotel and convention center, the number of attendees attending them, the square footage of the venues and rooms and other information. She told the RNC about 12 people could be gathered together per 1,000-square-foot (93-square-meter) of space.
The back-and-forth between the state and RNC comes amid a months-long battle between Trump and North Carolina’s Democratic governor.
In May, Cooper denied Trump’s request for a full-capacity convention, prompting Trump to move the site of his nomination acceptance speech from Charlotte to Jacksonville, Florida. But with escalating COVID-19 cases throughout Florida, the president’s appearance was called off.
Trump has since said he would speak at the convention in Charlotte, though he did not explicitly say he would attend the convention in person. On Wednesday, Trump told Fox News he would “probably” give his acceptance speech “live from the White House,” raising concerns he could run afoul of a 1939 law barring some executive branch workers from participating in certain forms of political activity. While Trump and Pence are exempt from the Hatch Act, others involved in event planning could be at risk of violating the law.
Cooper has often been reluctant to criticize Trump by name, but in a Thursday interview with The Associated Press, the governor insisted he wasn’t afraid to express his disagreements with the president, especially about the RNC Convention.
“We had a conversation about the RNC and I had to stand up to him to tell him that we were not gonna let them have a full arena for the RNC,” Cooper said. “So I’ve stood up to him when he takes steps that I think hurt the people of North Carolina, and I’m not afraid to do that. I’m also not afraid to work with him when it’s for the good of our state.”


mercurynews--2020-08-07--Pac-12 football: California schools get coronavirus guidance from the state, clearing a path to trai

Pac-12 football: California schools get coronavirus guidance from the state, clearing a path to training camp

The Pac-12 cleared a significant hurdle Friday on the road to an on-time , full-throttle start to its amended college football season .
After waiting weeks for clarity , the four California schools finally received coronavirus health and safety guidance from the state — measures that are required in order for practice to start later this month and for games to begin in late September .
And the specifics , which allow for home games — albeit without fans — are manageable .
Local sign-off is required in each case : from Santa Clara County ( Stanford ) , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles County ( USC and UCLA ) .
But the expectation is that local guidance will track with , if not follow exactly , the state ’ s requirements .
“ All decisions about following this guidance should be made in collaboration with local public health officials and other authorities .
“ Implementation of this guidance should be tailored for each setting , including adequate consideration of programs operating at each institution and the needs of student-athletes and workers .
“ Administrators should engage relevant stakeholders— including student-athletes , their families , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community—to formulate and implement plans.
” In addition , the schools are awaiting specifics from the NCAA and the Pac-12 ’ s medical advisory committee on return-to-play protocols that would standardize safety practices for all 12 teams .
That is expected next week , with training camp starting as early as Aug. 17 and the season set to begin Sept. 26 .
In some instances , the Pac-12 protocols could be more stringent than those of the state .
The higher education guidance released Friday afternoon by the state is 34 pages long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Specific Interim Guidance for Collegiate Athletics.
” — “ To help mitigate those risks , colleges who wish to resume competition should provide strong protections for their student athletes , including allowing them the choice to opt-out of the season without the risk of a scholarship being revoked , reduced or cancelled , or any other kind of retaliatory activity.
” — Face coverings “ should be worn by players and others while on the side lines.
” — Each team must adopt “ an institution specific ‘ return to play ’ safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ regular periodic COVID-19 testing of athletes and support staff … For example , teams could consider testing at least 25 % of their team and staff population every week .
PCR testing is the preferred method at this time.
” — “ Consistent with requirements imposed by the ( NCAA ) , athletes are not required to waive their legal rights regarding COVID-19 as a condition of athletics participation.
” — “ The institution of higher education adheres to the general guidance for institutions of higher education related to isolation and quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and close contacts of those individuals.
” Competition ( i.e.
, games ) will be permitted if : — Testing can be performed , and results received “ within a 72 hour period in advance of competition.
” — “ Athletics departments have considered how best to secure reasonable assurance that the same risks have been adequately considered and addressed by other teams .
This includes consideration of how to share testing results and related safety assurances to opposing teams before the start of an event in a manner consistent with applicable health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Schools must have in place a mechanism for notifying other schools should an athlete from one team test positive within 48 hours after competition with another team.
” — “ Athletics departments , in consultation with institutional leadership , must evaluate the availability of , and accessibility to , local contact tracing resources .
Where the availability of local contact tracing resources is inadequate , schools must train on-site personnel or procure contact tracing resources .
Staff who complete formal training in contact tracing can be an invaluable resource with respect to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s the link to the full guidance from the state with regard to higher education .
The section on athletics begins on page 24 .
Support the Hotline : Several Hotline articles will remain free each month ( as will the newsletter ) , but for access to all content , you ’ ll need to subscribe .
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*** Send suggestions , comments and tips ( confidentiality guaranteed ) to pac12hotline @ bayareanewsgroup.com or call 408-920-5716 *** Pac-12 Hotline is not endorsed or sponsored by the Pac-12 Conference , and the views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Conference .

The Pac-12 cleared a significant hurdle Friday on the road to an on-time, full-throttle start to its amended college football season.
After waiting weeks for clarity, the four California schools finally received coronavirus health and safety guidance from the state — measures that are required in order for practice to start later this month and for games to begin in late September.
And the specifics, which allow for home games — albeit without fans — are manageable.
Local sign-off is required in each case: from Santa Clara County (Stanford), the City of Berkeley (Cal) and Los Angeles County (USC and UCLA).
But the expectation is that local guidance will track with, if not follow exactly, the state’s requirements.
Per the state guidelines:
“All decisions about following this guidance should be made in collaboration with local public health officials and other authorities.
“Implementation of this guidance should be tailored for each setting, including adequate consideration of programs operating at each institution and the needs of student-athletes and workers.
“Administrators should engage relevant stakeholders— including student-athletes, their families, staff and labor partners in the school community—to formulate and implement plans.”
In addition, the schools are awaiting specifics from the NCAA and the Pac-12’s medical advisory committee on return-to-play protocols that would standardize safety practices for all 12 teams.
That is expected next week, with training camp starting as early as Aug. 17 and the season set to begin Sept. 26.
In some instances, the Pac-12 protocols could be more stringent than those of the state.
The higher education guidance released Friday afternoon by the state is 34 pages long and includes a special section entitled “Specific Interim Guidance for Collegiate Athletics.”
Key provisions:
— “To help mitigate those risks, colleges who wish to resume competition should provide strong protections for their student athletes, including allowing them the choice to opt-out of the season without the risk of a scholarship being revoked, reduced or cancelled, or any other kind of retaliatory activity.”
(Pac-12 players involved in the #WeAreUnited movement are seeking scholarship protection. It had been guaranteed by the conference and is now backed up by the state of California for players at the four schools.)
— Face coverings “should be worn by players and others while on the side lines.”
— Each team must adopt “an institution specific ‘return to play’ safety plan.”
— The schools must provide “regular periodic COVID-19 testing of athletes and support staff … For example, teams could consider testing at least 25% of their team and staff population every week. PCR testing is the preferred method at this time.”
(The 25 percent figure is viewed as manageable, both in terms of cost and logistics.)
— “Consistent with requirements imposed by the (NCAA), athletes are not required to waive their legal rights regarding COVID-19 as a condition of athletics participation.”
(This is another important issue for the #WeAreUnited movement and tracks with Pac-12 policy.)
— “The institution of higher education adheres to the general guidance for institutions of higher education related to isolation and quarantine of individuals who test positive for COVID-19 and close contacts of those individuals.”
Competition (i.e., games) will be permitted if:
— Testing can be performed, and results received “within a 72 hour period in advance of competition.”
— “Athletics departments have considered how best to secure reasonable assurance that the same risks have been adequately considered and addressed by other teams. This includes consideration of how to share testing results and related safety assurances to opposing teams before the start of an event in a manner consistent with applicable health information and education privacy laws.”
(One reason the Pac-12 moved to a conference-only schedule is the ability to standardize procedures for both the host and visitor.)
— “Schools must have in place a mechanism for notifying other schools should an athlete from one team test positive within 48 hours after competition with another team.”
— “Athletics departments, in consultation with institutional leadership, must evaluate the availability of, and accessibility to, local contact tracing resources. Where the availability of local contact tracing resources is inadequate, schools must train on-site personnel or procure contact tracing resources. Staff who complete formal training in contact tracing can be an invaluable resource with respect to institutional risk-management efforts and resources.”
Here’s the link to the full guidance from the state with regard to higher education. The section on athletics begins on page 24.
Support the Hotline: Several Hotline articles will remain free each month (as will the newsletter), but for access to all content, you’ll need to subscribe. I’ve secured a rate of $1 per week for a full year or — introductory offer alert! — just 99 cents for the first month, with the option to cancel anytime. Click here. And thanks for your loyalty.
*** Send suggestions, comments and tips (confidentiality guaranteed) to pac12hotline@bayareanewsgroup.com or call 408-920-5716
*** Follow me on Twitter: @WilnerHotline
*** Pac-12 Hotline is not endorsed or sponsored by the Pac-12 Conference, and the views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Conference.


mercurynews--2020-08-07--Warming takes down Canada’s last intact ice shelf

Much of Canada ’ s remaining intact ice shelf has broken apart into hulking iceberg islands thanks to a hot summer and global warming , scientists said .
Canada ’ s 4,000-year-old Milne Ice Shelf on the northwestern edge of Ellesmere Island had been the country ’ s last intact ice shelf until the end of July when ice analyst Adrienne White of the Canadian Ice Service noticed that satellite photos showed that about 43 % of it had broken off .
She said it happened around July 30 or 31 .
Two giant icebergs formed along with lots of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started drifting away , White said .
The biggest is nearly the size of Manhattan — 21 square miles and 7 miles long .
They are 230 to 260 feet thick .
“ This is a huge , huge block of ice , ” White said .
“ If one of these is moving toward an oil rig , there ’ s nothing you can really do aside from move your oil rig.
” The 72-square mile undulating white ice shelf of ridges and troughs dotted with blue meltwater had been larger than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down to 41 square miles .
Temperatures from May to early August in the region have been 9 degrees warmer than the 1980 to 2010 average , University of Ottawa glaciology professor Luke Copland said .
This is on top of an Arctic that already had been warming much faster than the rest of globe , with this region warming even faster .
“ Without a doubt , it ’ s climate change , ” Copland said , noting the ice shelf is melting from both hotter air above and warmer water below @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he added .
“ It ’ s an amazingly pretty location.
” Ice shelves are hundreds to thousands of years old , thicker than long-term sea ice , but not as big and old as glaciers , Copland said .
Canada used to have a large continuous ice shelf across the northern coast of Ellesmere Island in the Canadian territory of Nunavut , but it has been breaking apart over the last decades because of man-made global warming , White said .
By 2005 it was down to six remaining ice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last complete ice shelf , ” she said .
“ There aren ’ t very many ice shelves around the Arctic anymore , ” Copland said .
“ It seems we ’ ve lost pretty much all of them from northern Greenland and the Russian Arctic .
There may be a few in a few protected fjords .
”

By Seth Borenstein | Associated Press
Much of Canada’s remaining intact ice shelf has broken apart into hulking iceberg islands thanks to a hot summer and global warming, scientists said.
Canada’s 4,000-year-old Milne Ice Shelf on the northwestern edge of Ellesmere Island had been the country’s last intact ice shelf until the end of July when ice analyst Adrienne White of the Canadian Ice Service noticed that satellite photos showed that about 43% of it had broken off. She said it happened around July 30 or 31.
Two giant icebergs formed along with lots of smaller ones, and they have already started drifting away, White said. The biggest is nearly the size of Manhattan — 21 square miles and 7 miles long. They are 230 to 260 feet thick.
“This is a huge, huge block of ice,” White said. “If one of these is moving toward an oil rig, there’s nothing you can really do aside from move your oil rig.”
The 72-square mile undulating white ice shelf of ridges and troughs dotted with blue meltwater had been larger than the District of Columbia but now is down to 41 square miles.
Temperatures from May to early August in the region have been 9 degrees warmer than the 1980 to 2010 average, University of Ottawa glaciology professor Luke Copland said. This is on top of an Arctic that already had been warming much faster than the rest of globe, with this region warming even faster.
“Without a doubt, it’s climate change,” Copland said, noting the ice shelf is melting from both hotter air above and warmer water below.
“The Milne was very special,” he added. “It’s an amazingly pretty location.”
Ice shelves are hundreds to thousands of years old, thicker than long-term sea ice, but not as big and old as glaciers, Copland said.
Canada used to have a large continuous ice shelf across the northern coast of Ellesmere Island in the Canadian territory of Nunavut, but it has been breaking apart over the last decades because of man-made global warming, White said. By 2005 it was down to six remaining ice shelves but “the Milne was really the last complete ice shelf,” she said.
“There aren’t very many ice shelves around the Arctic anymore,” Copland said. “It seems we’ve lost pretty much all of them from northern Greenland and the Russian Arctic. There may be a few in a few protected fjords.”


mercurynews--2020-08-07--Hundreds of affordable apartments planned for where Blacks were once segregated

ALAMEDA — Up to 654 apartments for low-income residents are planned near the Oakland Estuary where there was once segregated housing for Black workers who came to Alameda to work for the U.S. Navy during World War II .
Habitat for Humanity and the city ’ s Housing Authority are proposing the apartments , which would be built as two projects on 14 acres at Mosley and Singleton avenues and Bette Street .
Most of the site will be taken up with the Housing Authority ’ s project , which calls for 586 apartments in buildings on four blocks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ connecting Mosley and Singleton that would be named “ Mabuhay , ” a Filipino expression commonly used in greetings .
The name was selected from the city ’ s official list of suggested street names .
The housing would be built over about 10 years in three phases , according to Andrew Thomas , the city ’ s planning , building and transportation director .
Each phase will require approval for final architectural designs and landscape details .
No groundbreaking date has been announced .
On Aug. 17 , the Planning Board will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tentative map for the Housing Authority ’ s project , plus the proposed street name .
The authority took ownership of the property from the Navy in May 2019 after expressing interest in the site a decade earlier , said Danielle Thoe .
Tho is the senior project manager of the Community Housing Partnership , which is made up of the authority , Building Futures and the Alameda Point Collaborative , organizations that work to get homeless people into permanent housing .
“ Today , we recognize that housing needs are more significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thoe told the Planning Board on May 11 , when it was briefed on the two projects , but took no formal action .
Habitat for Humanity , a nonprofit that helps build and repair homes , including with volunteers , plans to build 68 apartments in four buildings on two acres at Mosley Avenue and Bette Street .
A pathway would link Habitat ’ s development with the Housing Authority ’ s .
Both sites are next to the 8-acre Estuary Park and within two blocks of a 4-acre public park being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and within a few minutes walk of the Main Street Ferry Terminal .
Katie Bascom , a senior project manager with Habitat , told the May meeting that she hoped the apartments would be “ a welcome addition to the greater Alameda Landing area.
” To be eligible to live in the apartments , people must earn 80 % or less of the area median income , which in Alameda County for a single person is $ 73,100 and $ 104,400 for a household of four , according to the U.S. Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are those on very low-income , or who earn less than 50 % of the median , which is $ 45,700 for a single person and $ 65,250 for a household of four .
Called the North Housing site by city officials , the Housing Authority originally managed segregated civilian housing there to support the war effort during World War II .
After the war , the city returned the property to the federal government , which developed the current buildings on it in 1969 for Navy housing .
The U.S. Coast Guard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Navy declared the property as surplus in 2007 .
Local amateur historian Rasheed Shabazz told this news organization in February 2018 that in 1940 , there were 249 Black people living in Alameda .
That number jumped to 6,914 by 1944 , according to the U.S. Census .
The overall city population increased from 36,256 to 89,906 as civilian workers and sailors flocked to the now-closed Alameda Naval Air Station during World War II .
The war workers and their families needed places to live , and they were predominantly housed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Alameda , Shabazz said .
While Habitat and the Housing Authority want to build on 14 acres , the former Navy property totals 28 acres .
Carmel Partners , a private real estate development company with offices throughout the country , is renovating former military buildings on about 10 acres of the site into 146 market-rate townhomes and has named it “ Admirals Cove .
”

ALAMEDA — Up to 654 apartments for low-income residents are planned near the Oakland Estuary where there was once segregated housing for Black workers who came to Alameda to work for the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Habitat for Humanity and the city’s Housing Authority are proposing the apartments, which would be built as two projects on 14 acres at Mosley and Singleton avenues and Bette Street.
Most of the site will be taken up with the Housing Authority’s project, which calls for 586 apartments in buildings on four blocks, along with paths and a new street connecting Mosley and Singleton that would be named “Mabuhay,” a Filipino expression commonly used in greetings.
The name was selected from the city’s official list of suggested street names.
The housing would be built over about 10 years in three phases, according to Andrew Thomas, the city’s planning, building and transportation director. Each phase will require approval for final architectural designs and landscape details.
No groundbreaking date has been announced.
On Aug. 17, the Planning Board will consider approving a development plan and a tentative map for the Housing Authority’s project, plus the proposed street name.
The authority took ownership of the property from the Navy in May 2019 after expressing interest in the site a decade earlier, said Danielle Thoe. Tho is the senior project manager of the Community Housing Partnership, which is made up of the authority, Building Futures and the Alameda Point Collaborative, organizations that work to get homeless people into permanent housing.
“Today, we recognize that housing needs are more significant than were envisioned in 2009,” Thoe told the Planning Board on May 11, when it was briefed on the two projects, but took no formal action.
Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit that helps build and repair homes, including with volunteers, plans to build 68 apartments in four buildings on two acres at Mosley Avenue and Bette Street.
A pathway would link Habitat’s development with the Housing Authority’s.
Both sites are next to the 8-acre Estuary Park and within two blocks of a 4-acre public park being built at the Alameda Landing Waterfront, and within a few minutes walk of the Main Street Ferry Terminal.
Katie Bascom, a senior project manager with Habitat, told the May meeting that she hoped the apartments would be “a welcome addition to the greater Alameda Landing area.”
To be eligible to live in the apartments, people must earn 80% or less of the area median income, which in Alameda County for a single person is $73,100 and $104,400 for a household of four, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Also eligible are those on very low-income, or who earn less than 50% of the median, which is $45,700 for a single person and $65,250 for a household of four.
Called the North Housing site by city officials, the Housing Authority originally managed segregated civilian housing there to support the war effort during World War II.
After the war, the city returned the property to the federal government, which developed the current buildings on it in 1969 for Navy housing. The U.S. Coast Guard also used the site until 2005. The Navy declared the property as surplus in 2007.
Rasheed Shabazz, a Masters candidate in City and Regional Planning at UC Berkeley, told this news organization in February 2018 that in 1940, there were 249 Black people living in Alameda. That number jumped to 6,914 by 1944, according to the U.S. Census. The overall city population increased from 36,256 to 89,906 as civilian workers and sailors flocked to the now-closed Alameda Naval Air Station during World War II.
The war workers and their families needed places to live, and they were predominantly housed in segregated projects concentrated on the west end of Alameda, Shabazz said.
While Habitat and the Housing Authority want to build on 14 acres, the former Navy property totals 28 acres.
Carmel Partners, a private real estate development company with offices throughout the country, is renovating former military buildings on about 10 acres of the site into 146 market-rate townhomes and has named it “Admirals Cove.”


mercurynews--2020-08-07--More ‘tiny homes’ for homeless coming to East Bay

In Alameda County , two clusters of tiny homes to shelter homeless people could be up and running by the end of the year .
One , on the grounds of a Livermore church , would include 31 tiny homes .
The other , at the county ’ s Fairmont campus in unincorporated San Leandro , would have 34 homes .
Alameda County supervisors this week authorized $ 1 million for the Livermore homes and $ 6.4 million for the Fairmont ones .
“ In each of the cities within District 1 , we have made strong progress ( toward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the city of Livermore can embark upon the first steps of developing a ‘ tiny homes ’ community , ” wrote Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty in a report .
The Livermore homes will be at the CrossWinds Church on Freisman Road .
Back in December , CrossWinds , in partnership with local nonprofit HomeAid Northern California , helped build six tiny homes that were eventually moved to the First Presbyterian Church of Hayward .
At the time , the Hayward pastor , Jake Medcalf , had hopes that the same model @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other properties through the East Bay .
He and others are part of a larger push for Bay Area religious institutions to build homes for the unhoused .
It is hoped the tiny homes will help homeless people transition to permanent housing .
According to a county presentation on the Livermore project , it takes three years on average from “ homelessness to meaningful employment ” — and having a permanent living situation could help ensure success by providing residents with stability .
The Livermore tiny homes single units will range in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ square feet each , and the duplex structures ( which have two units each ) are a total of 224 square feet .
Each home comes with a bathroom , shower and kitchenette .
The proposed village in Livermore also has an outdoor kitchen , indoor community space , community garden and walking trails and will offer job training .
The Livermore tiny homes will be different than the converted garden sheds Oakland introduced in 2017 as an alternative to get residents off the streets .
Some have low-voltage electricity , but no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be weekly group meetings , home inspections , group activities and assigned roles for residents to build community and purpose at the Livermore site , according to the county .
The $ 1 million will only cover a portion of the Livermore tiny homes ’ expected $ 3.4 million cost .
Haggerty wanted the $ 1 million to be approved now , before the board ’ s August recess , so the church can get a start on acquiring materials and begin building the homes , said Shawn Wilson , Haggerty ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is looking at ways to come up with the rest of the needed funding , and a proposal could be presented at a supervisors ’ meeting in September .
The hope is that the 31 tiny homes will be up and running by the end of the year .
Some of the homes are duplexes , and of the 21 single units , 12 will be more permanent units and nine will be considered more short-term and emergency shelter .
The city of Livermore donated some of the needed permits and reduced some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will transfer the $ 1 million to the city , which will serve as a middleman to help CrossWinds get the project going , according to Haggerty ’ s office .
CrossWinds will own and insure the tiny homes and will hire a nonprofit to manage the village .
Firm Foundation Community Housing , for example , will help with resident intake , background checks and resident leases .
It ’ s not clear how the model at Livermore ’ s village community will yet work .
At First Presbyterian in Hayward , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes for 18 months , with their monthly rent gradually increasing from $ 200 to $ 800 .
They get $ 6,000 back to pay for first and last month ’ s rent for a new place when they move out .
The county will build the 34 homes for homeless people on its Fairmont campus in unincorporated San Leandro .
The county originally had planned to build a group homeless shelter there , but because of the pandemic and isolation recommendations , was changed to a tiny homes project .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic made the previous plan for a congregate shelter inadvisable , ” according to a county staff report .
The Centers for Disease Control states people are safest in housing with individual bathrooms and cooking areas .
Firm Foundation Housing , a nonprofit tiny home developer assisting with the Livermore project , will also help the San Leandro project to design and construct the tiny homes .
Because homeless people face a high risk of contracting COVID-19 and are more vulnerable to complications , the project will be fast-tracked , and is expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are around 8,000 homeless people in Alameda County on a given night , according to 2019 county numbers .
There are more than 280 homeless people in the Livermore , Dublin and Pleasanton area , and in one night , 321 unsheltered and 28 sheltered people experiencing homelessness were counted in unincorporated areas of the county .

In Alameda County, two clusters of tiny homes to shelter homeless people could be up and running by the end of the year.
One, on the grounds of a Livermore church, would include 31 tiny homes. The other, at the county’s Fairmont campus in unincorporated San Leandro, would have 34 homes.
Alameda County supervisors this week authorized $1 million for the Livermore homes and $6.4 million for the Fairmont ones.
“In each of the cities within District 1, we have made strong progress (toward ending homelessness) and with this funding, the city of Livermore can embark upon the first steps of developing a ‘tiny homes’ community,” wrote Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty in a report.
The Livermore homes will be at the CrossWinds Church on Freisman Road. Back in December, CrossWinds, in partnership with local nonprofit HomeAid Northern California, helped build six tiny homes that were eventually moved to the First Presbyterian Church of Hayward.
At the time, the Hayward pastor, Jake Medcalf, had hopes that the same model would be used at church parking lots and other properties through the East Bay. He and others are part of a larger push for Bay Area religious institutions to build homes for the unhoused.
It is hoped the tiny homes will help homeless people transition to permanent housing.
According to a county presentation on the Livermore project, it takes three years on average from “homelessness to meaningful employment” — and having a permanent living situation could help ensure success by providing residents with stability.
The Livermore tiny homes single units will range in size from 128 square feet to 160 square feet each, and the duplex structures (which have two units each) are a total of 224 square feet.
Each home comes with a bathroom, shower and kitchenette. The proposed village in Livermore also has an outdoor kitchen, indoor community space, community garden and walking trails and will offer job training.
The Livermore tiny homes will be different than the converted garden sheds Oakland introduced in 2017 as an alternative to get residents off the streets. Some have low-voltage electricity, but no running water or kitchen appliances.
There will be weekly group meetings, home inspections, group activities and assigned roles for residents to build community and purpose at the Livermore site, according to the county.
The $1 million will only cover a portion of the Livermore tiny homes’ expected $3.4 million cost. Haggerty wanted the $1 million to be approved now, before the board’s August recess, so the church can get a start on acquiring materials and begin building the homes, said Shawn Wilson, Haggerty’s chief of staff.
The county is looking at ways to come up with the rest of the needed funding, and a proposal could be presented at a supervisors’ meeting in September.
The hope is that the 31 tiny homes will be up and running by the end of the year. Some of the homes are duplexes, and of the 21 single units, 12 will be more permanent units and nine will be considered more short-term and emergency shelter.
The city of Livermore donated some of the needed permits and reduced some fees for the homes. The county will transfer the $1 million to the city, which will serve as a middleman to help CrossWinds get the project going, according to Haggerty’s office.
CrossWinds will own and insure the tiny homes and will hire a nonprofit to manage the village. Firm Foundation Community Housing, for example, will help with resident intake, background checks and resident leases.
It’s not clear how the model at Livermore’s village community will yet work. At First Presbyterian in Hayward, residents are allowed to live in the homes for 18 months, with their monthly rent gradually increasing from $200 to $800. They get $6,000 back to pay for first and last month’s rent for a new place when they move out.
The county will build the 34 homes for homeless people on its Fairmont campus in unincorporated San Leandro. The county originally had planned to build a group homeless shelter there, but because of the pandemic and isolation recommendations, was changed to a tiny homes project.
“The sudden and unexpected occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic made the previous plan for a congregate shelter inadvisable,” according to a county staff report.
The Centers for Disease Control states people are safest in housing with individual bathrooms and cooking areas.
Firm Foundation Housing, a nonprofit tiny home developer assisting with the Livermore project, will also help the San Leandro project to design and construct the tiny homes. Because homeless people face a high risk of contracting COVID-19 and are more vulnerable to complications, the project will be fast-tracked, and is expected to be completed by December.
There are around 8,000 homeless people in Alameda County on a given night, according to 2019 county numbers. There are more than 280 homeless people in the Livermore, Dublin and Pleasanton area, and in one night, 321 unsheltered and 28 sheltered people experiencing homelessness were counted in unincorporated areas of the county.
Staff writer Marisa Kendall contributed to this story.


mercurynews--2020-08-08--Two Santa Clara County courthouses to stay closed indefinitely

The Santa Clara County Superior Court system is adjusting its courtroom hours even as courthouses in Palo Alto and Morgan Hill remain closed until further notice to cut costs , authorities said .
The courthouses were shuttered in March in response to the stay-in-place orders issued by agencies to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and have not opened as soon as some had hoped .
Now they will stay closed indefinitely , a new twist to the original plan .
The new plan goes into effect Aug. 17 .
The latest changes are a direct result of $ 16 million in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Gov .
Gavin Newsom , according to a court document .
The document also states the uncertainty of the state ’ s general fund could lead to additional budget reductions as summer turns into fall .
Cases scheduled to be in the Palo Alto courthouse on Grant Avenue and the South County Courthouse on Diana Avenue in Morgan Hill will be moved to San Jose at the Hall of Justice on West Hedding Street .
The new court and telephone hours will run from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday .
The self-help center hours will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday , Tuesday and Thursday , and 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday .
The self-help office will be closed on Wednesday and each day from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m .

The Santa Clara County Superior Court system is adjusting its courtroom hours even as courthouses in Palo Alto and Morgan Hill remain closed until further notice to cut costs, authorities said.
The courthouses were shuttered in March in response to the stay-in-place orders issued by agencies to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and have not opened as soon as some had hoped.
Now they will stay closed indefinitely, a new twist to the original plan. The new plan goes into effect Aug. 17.
The latest changes are a direct result of $16 million in budget cuts signed into the state budget by Gov. Gavin Newsom, according to a court document.
The document also states the uncertainty of the state’s general fund could lead to additional budget reductions as summer turns into fall.
Cases scheduled to be in the Palo Alto courthouse on Grant Avenue and the South County Courthouse on Diana Avenue in Morgan Hill will be moved to San Jose at the Hall of Justice on West Hedding Street.
The new court and telephone hours will run from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Friday.
The self-help center hours will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, and 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday. The self-help office will be closed on Wednesday and each day from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.


mercurynews--2020-08-08--Georgia police investigated for firing at car carrying kids

WAYCROSS , Ga. ( AP ) — State authorities said they ’ re investigating after a Georgia police officer opened fire Saturday morning at a vehicle with two teenagers inside during an attempted traffic stop .
Nobody was injured by the gunshots in Waycross near the Georgia-Florida state line , the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said .
But the agency said in a news release that a 15-year-old boy was treated for minor injuries after an altercation with an officer .
Five children — ages 16 , 15 , 14 , 12 and 9 — were in the vehicle alone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violation by the driver , the GBI said .
The vehicle stopped and the three younger children got out and ran and the officer began to follow them .
A second officer approached the vehicle from the front when it began driving toward him , the GBI said .
That officer fired multiple shots at the vehicle , with the 16- and 15-year-old boys still inside .
“ They shot at a car full of unarmed minors .
A car full of unarmed children , ” Dominique Goodman Sr. , who identified himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told WJXT-TV .
• Lawyer for ex-Minneapolis cop says he only did crowd control during George Floyd ’ s arrest Goodman said the children were coming home from Walmart when an officer began following them in his patrol car .
He said the younger children got out and tried to run home to alert him and he stepped outside after hearing them screaming .
“ We open the door , we see my 9-year-old , my 12-year-old and a 14-year-old running from the police behind them with gunshots coming behind them , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the street and we see our 15-year-old and our 16-year-old on the ground.
” GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles said she did not know the races of the children or the officer who opened fire .
Atlanta attorney Gerald Griggs , as vice president of the city ’ s NAACP chapter , said the organization is calling for police to immediately release body camera and dash-camera footage of the attempted traffic stop .
“ I ’ m very concerned that shots were fired while children were involved , ” Griggs told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level of force was used .
”

WAYCROSS, Ga. (AP) — State authorities said they’re investigating after a Georgia police officer opened fire Saturday morning at a vehicle with two teenagers inside during an attempted traffic stop.
Nobody was injured by the gunshots in Waycross near the Georgia-Florida state line, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said. But the agency said in a news release that a 15-year-old boy was treated for minor injuries after an altercation with an officer.
Five children — ages 16, 15, 14, 12 and 9 — were in the vehicle alone when a Waycross officer witnessed a moving violation by the driver, the GBI said. The vehicle stopped and the three younger children got out and ran and the officer began to follow them.
A second officer approached the vehicle from the front when it began driving toward him, the GBI said. That officer fired multiple shots at the vehicle, with the 16- and 15-year-old boys still inside.
“They shot at a car full of unarmed minors. A car full of unarmed children,” Dominique Goodman Sr., who identified himself as the children’s father, told WJXT-TV.
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“We open the door, we see my 9-year-old, my 12-year-old and a 14-year-old running from the police behind them with gunshots coming behind them,” Goodman said. “We go down the street and we see our 15-year-old and our 16-year-old on the ground.”
GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles said she did not know the races of the children or the officer who opened fire.
Atlanta attorney Gerald Griggs, as vice president of the city’s NAACP chapter, said the organization is calling for police to immediately release body camera and dash-camera footage of the attempted traffic stop.
“I’m very concerned that shots were fired while children were involved,” Griggs told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “We’re concerned that level of force was used.”