mercurynews--2020-12-11--Family determined to keep fire-ravaged Santa Cruz Christmas tree farm going

For more than 70 years , families have flocked to the Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm , high atop 2,600-foot Ben Lomond mountain , hunting for the perfect holiday tree and lasting memories .
All that changed this year , when a raging wildfire swept down the mountains near Santa Cruz , narrowly missing the 46-acre farm at first , before turning and consuming about 40,000 of the Christmas trees growing there .
For Ed and Louise Moran , the fire may have taken part of their family legacy , but it did not destroy it .
The couple remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation ’ s oldest Christmas tree farms going .
The Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm opened in 1948 when Howard A. Nielsen planted what he called a “ tree plantation.
” In the early 1970s , ownership passed to Fred Jensen , who had been out for a Sunday drive when he found himself at the tree farm — and unexpectedly in conversations with Nielsen to buy the property .
Jensen sold the tree farm to his daughter and son-in-law in 2015 .
“ We hadn ’ t been thinking about taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ but it was important to everyone to keep it in the family.
” CLICK HERE if you ’ re having a problem viewing the photos or video on a mobile device .
Since moving to the farm from Sacramento , the Morans had settled onto the property and built a home for their daughter and son-in-law , who helps manage the farm .
Everything was lining up to be a good year and they were looking forward to Thanksgiving , when they would open for the season .
But on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set off a series of fires that would eventually be known as the CZU Lightning Complex .
The wildfires burned for 38 days , destroying 1,490 buildings and scorching 86,509 acres in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties .
The Morans received a call around midnight on Aug. 18 telling them to evacuate .
Ed Moran recalls seeing an ominous orange glow as the fire bore down on them .
They headed for safety with Louise ’ s father , their daughter and grandson , while their son-in-law , Ben Gillum , stayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learned the fire had missed them , sweeping by on the outer edge of the farm .
The next day , the fire shifted course and burned through the heart of the property .
Gillum , who had been putting out fires on the property and in the compound where the families lived , was forced to evacuate .
When they were able to return a few days later , the Jensen home and about 85 percent of the trees had burned .
They were lucky , Moran says , that the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been hard to live with the destruction , he says .
The trees were not insured , and while they plan to replant , the farm could take years to recover .
Depending on the variety , it can take 4 to 15 years for the trees to mature .
They also lost miles of drip irrigation that will need to be replaced and reinstalled .
One of the biggest challenges , Moran says , is getting seedlings to replant .
They missed the window for getting seedlings for this year , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wait until 2021 .
The tragedy has provided some bright spots , however .
The Morans calculated the inventory they had left , augmented it with 250 cut trees purchased from an Oregon farm and decided they could open the farm for just three days in late November .
They awoke on Thanksgiving morning to find 15 to 20 cars already lined up outside the gates .
“ A lot of families have been coming here for years , ” Moran says .
“ Some of them for 60 years or more .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ them and it brings such joy to us.
” The fire and the COVID-19 restrictions also have given them space to rethink their parking and picnic areas , something they had been wanting to do for a while anyway .
With those improvements , Moran says , they expect to provide an even better experience for the tree seekers .
The community has come out in full support of the farm .
Friends set up a Go Fund Me account , and customers have added messages of encouragement on Crest Ranch ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long traditions .
“ Our family has been coming to Crest Ranch , ” one family posted , “ to choose our Christmas trees since 1974 , starting the year after we married .
Adding children in 1980 , 1981 and 1983 .
And continuing the tradition adding our children ’ s spouses in 2007 and 2008 , and now a third generation , adding our grandchildren .
We ’ ll be coming up tomorrow , with all three of our kids ( and ) their families .
Thanks for providing a family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ We came today for the 43rd year in a row , ” the Scofield family wrote .
“ My family ( has ) visited your tree ranch , and enjoyed year after year of joy thanks to you and your family .
We have made four generations of memories that have been priceless .
My thanks to you and your family for always providing such a lovely , warm and inviting atmosphere for myself and my children… Thanks again for sharing your home , your trees and your family with our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Crest Ranch every year since 1980 , ” another family wrote .
“ It is so much a part of our holiday tradition that it is considered the first Christmas present we give to each other every year… We live close by in Boulder Creek , but consider ‘ going to get the tree ’ one of the best trips of the entire year .
Thank you .
It wouldn ’ t be Christmas without you.
” The Morans say they have been touched by the outpouring of love and support .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ their losses and move on , they are determined to keep going .
“ We have a strong feeling about the property , ” Moran says , “ that it needs to continue to be a tree farm .
”

For more than 70 years, families have flocked to the Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm, high atop 2,600-foot Ben Lomond mountain, hunting for the perfect holiday tree and lasting memories.
All that changed this year, when a raging wildfire swept down the mountains near Santa Cruz, narrowly missing the 46-acre farm at first, before turning and consuming about 40,000 of the Christmas trees growing there.
For Ed and Louise Moran, the fire may have taken part of their family legacy, but it did not destroy it. The couple remain determined to replant and keep one of the nation’s oldest Christmas tree farms going.
The Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm opened in 1948 when Howard A. Nielsen planted what he called a “tree plantation.” In the early 1970s, ownership passed to Fred Jensen, who had been out for a Sunday drive when he found himself at the tree farm — and unexpectedly in conversations with Nielsen to buy the property. Jensen sold the tree farm to his daughter and son-in-law in 2015.
“We hadn’t been thinking about taking it over,” Ed Moran says, “but it was important to everyone to keep it in the family.”
SANTA CRUZ, CA - DECEMBER 09: Both burned and green trees are seen from this drone view at the Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. The farm, on Ben Lomond Mountain in Bonny Doon, has been owned by the Moran family for more than 40 years and is recovering after the CZU Lightning Complex fire tore through the area in late August. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CRUZ, CA - DECEMBER 09: Co-owner Louise Moran is photographed at the Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. The farm, on Ben Lomond Mountain in Bonny Doon, has been owned by her family for more than 40 years and is recovering after the CZU Lightning Complex fire tore through the area in late August. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CRUZ, CA - DECEMBER 09: A small patch of green trees is seen among burned trees from this drone view at the Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. The farm, on Ben Lomond Mountain in Bonny Doon, has been owned by the Moran family for more than 40 years and is recovering after the CZU Lightning Complex fire tore through the area in late August. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CRUZ, CA - DECEMBER 09: A burned sign post is seen at the Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. The farm, on Ben Lomond Mountain in Bonny Doon, has been owned by the Moran family for more than 40 years and is recovering after the CZU Lightning Complex fire tore through the area in late August. Firefighters saved the sign during the fire. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CRUZ, CA - DECEMBER 09: Co-owner Louise Moran is photographed with her dog Jasper near a burned tree at the Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. The farm, on Ben Lomond Mountain in Bonny Doon, has been owned by her family for more than 40 years and is recovering after the CZU Lightning Complex fire tore through the area in late August. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CRUZ, CA - DECEMBER 09: Crews remove burned trees at the Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. The farm, on Ben Lomond Mountain in Bonny Doon, has been owned by the Moran family for more than 40 years and is recovering after the CZU Lightning Complex fire tore through the area in late August. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CRUZ, CA - DECEMBER 09: Burned trees, some sprouting green, are seen from this drone view at the Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. The farm, on Ben Lomond Mountain in Bonny Doon, has been owned by the Moran family for more than 40 years and is recovering after the CZU Lightning Complex fire tore through the area in late August. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CRUZ, CA - DECEMBER 09: Co-owner Louise Moran is photographed by burned trees with her dog Rue at the Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. The farm, on Ben Lomond Mountain in Bonny Doon, has been owned by her family for more than 40 years and is recovering after the CZU Lightning Complex fire tore through the area in late August. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CRUZ, CA - DECEMBER 09: A burned tree is seen at the Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. The farm, on Ben Lomond Mountain in Bonny Doon, has been owned by the Moran family for more than 40 years and is recovering after the CZU Lightning Complex fire tore through the area in late August. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CRUZ, CA - DECEMBER 09: Both burned and green trees are seen from this drone view at the Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. The farm, on Ben Lomond Mountain in Bonny Doon, has been owned by the Moran family for more than 40 years and is recovering after the CZU Lightning Complex fire tore through the area in late August. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CRUZ, CA - DECEMBER 09: Co-owner Louise Moran drives a golf cart at the Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. The farm, on Ben Lomond Mountain in Bonny Doon, has been owned by her family for more than 40 years and is recovering after the CZU Lightning Complex fire tore through the area in late August. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CRUZ, CA - DECEMBER 09: Burned trees are seen from this drone view at the Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. The farm, on Ben Lomond Mountain in Bonny Doon, has been owned by the Moran family for more than 40 years and is recovering after the CZU Lightning Complex fire tore through the area in late August. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CRUZ, CA - DECEMBER 09: A burned tree stump is seen at the Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. The farm, on Ben Lomond Mountain in Bonny Doon, has been owned by the Moran family for more than 40 years and is recovering after the CZU Lightning Complex fire tore through the area in late August. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CRUZ, CA - DECEMBER 09: New seedlings are seen near the chicken coop at the Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. The farm, on Ben Lomond Mountain in Bonny Doon, has been owned by the Moran family for more than 40 years and is recovering after the CZU Lightning Complex fire tore through the area in late August. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CRUZ, CA - DECEMBER 09: Both burned and green trees are seen from this drone view at the Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. The farm, on Ben Lomond Mountain in Bonny Doon, has been owned by the Moran family for more than 40 years and is recovering after the CZU Lightning Complex fire tore through the area in late August. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CRUZ, CA - DECEMBER 09: Co-owner Louise Moran is photographed near a burned tree at the Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. The farm, on Ben Lomond Mountain in Bonny Doon, has been owned by her family for more than 40 years and is recovering after the CZU Lightning Complex fire tore through the area in late August. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CRUZ, CA - DECEMBER 09: A drone view of the 46-acre the Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm is seen in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. The farm, on Ben Lomond Mountain in Bonny Doon, has been owned by the Moran family for more than 40 years and is recovering after the CZU Lightning Complex fire tore through the area in late August. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CRUZ, CA - DECEMBER 09: Co-owner Louise Moran is photographed with her dog Jasper at the Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. The farm, on Ben Lomond Mountain in Bonny Doon, has been owned by her family for more than 40 years and is recovering after the CZU Lightning Complex fire tore through the area in late August. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CRUZ, CA - DECEMBER 09: A burned tree is seen at the Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. The farm, on Ben Lomond Mountain in Bonny Doon, has been owned by the Moran family for more than 40 years and is recovering after the CZU Lightning Complex fire tore through the area in late August. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CRUZ, CA - DECEMBER 09: Both burned and green trees are seen from this drone view at the Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. The farm, on Ben Lomond Mountain in Bonny Doon, has been owned by the Moran family for more than 40 years and is recovering after the CZU Lightning Complex fire tore through the area in late August. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CRUZ, CA - DECEMBER 09: Co-owner Louise Moran walks down the path from her father Fred Jensen's destroyed house at the Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. The farm, on Ben Lomond Mountain in Bonny Doon, has been owned by her family for more than 40 years and is recovering after the CZU Lightning Complex fire tore through the area in late August. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CRUZ, CA - DECEMBER 09: Burned trees are seen at the Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. The farm, on Ben Lomond Mountain in Bonny Doon, has been owned by the Moran family for more than 40 years and is recovering after the CZU Lightning Complex fire tore through the area in late August. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CRUZ, CA - DECEMBER 09: Both burned and green trees are seen from this drone view at the Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. The farm, on Ben Lomond Mountain in Bonny Doon, has been owned by the Moran family for more than 40 years and is recovering after the CZU Lightning Complex fire tore through the area in late August. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CRUZ, CA - DECEMBER 09: Co-owner Louise Moran walks past the gate at the Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. The farm, on Ben Lomond Mountain in Bonny Doon, has been owned by her family for more than 40 years and is recovering after the CZU Lightning Complex fire tore through the area in late August. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CRUZ, CA - DECEMBER 09: The town of Boulder Creek is seen from the Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. The farm, on Ben Lomond Mountain in Bonny Doon, has been owned by the Moran family for more than 40 years and is recovering after the CZU Lightning Complex fire tore through the area in late August. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CRUZ, CA - DECEMBER 09: Wood chips from trees are seen from this drone view at the Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. The farm, on Ben Lomond Mountain in Bonny Doon, has been owned by the Moran family for more than 40 years and is recovering after the CZU Lightning Complex fire tore through the area in late August. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CRUZ, CA - DECEMBER 09: A white fir is seen at the Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. The farm, on Ben Lomond Mountain in Bonny Doon, has been owned by the Moran family for more than 40 years and is recovering after the CZU Lightning Complex fire tore through the area in late August. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CRUZ, CA - DECEMBER 09: Burned trees and piles of wood chips are seen from this drone view at the Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. The farm, on Ben Lomond Mountain in Bonny Doon, has been owned by the Moran family for more than 40 years and is recovering after the CZU Lightning Complex fire tore through the area in late August. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CRUZ, CA - DECEMBER 09: Co-owner Louise Moran walks with her dog Rue as a crew clears burned trees and chips them at the Crest Ranch Christmas Tree Farm in Santa Cruz, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. The farm, on Ben Lomond Mountain in Bonny Doon, has been owned by her family for more than 40 years and is recovering after the CZU Lightning Complex fire tore through the area in late August. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
CLICK HERE if you’re having a problem viewing the photos or video on a mobile device.
Since moving to the farm from Sacramento, the Morans had settled onto the property and built a home for their daughter and son-in-law, who helps manage the farm. Everything was lining up to be a good year and they were looking forward to Thanksgiving, when they would open for the season.
But on the morning of Aug. 16, lightning storms set off a series of fires that would eventually be known as the CZU Lightning Complex. The wildfires burned for 38 days, destroying 1,490 buildings and scorching 86,509 acres in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties.
The Morans received a call around midnight on Aug. 18 telling them to evacuate. Ed Moran recalls seeing an ominous orange glow as the fire bore down on them. They headed for safety with Louise’s father, their daughter and grandson, while their son-in-law, Ben Gillum, stayed behind.
That first day, they learned the fire had missed them, sweeping by on the outer edge of the farm. The next day, the fire shifted course and burned through the heart of the property.
Gillum, who had been putting out fires on the property and in the compound where the families lived, was forced to evacuate. When they were able to return a few days later, the Jensen home and about 85 percent of the trees had burned. They were lucky, Moran says, that the other homes were spared.
It’s been hard to live with the destruction, he says. The trees were not insured, and while they plan to replant, the farm could take years to recover. Depending on the variety, it can take 4 to 15 years for the trees to mature. They also lost miles of drip irrigation that will need to be replaced and reinstalled.
One of the biggest challenges, Moran says, is getting seedlings to replant. They missed the window for getting seedlings for this year, so most of the planting will have to wait until 2021.
The tragedy has provided some bright spots, however. The Morans calculated the inventory they had left, augmented it with 250 cut trees purchased from an Oregon farm and decided they could open the farm for just three days in late November.
They awoke on Thanksgiving morning to find 15 to 20 cars already lined up outside the gates.
“A lot of families have been coming here for years,” Moran says. “Some of them for 60 years or more. It’s a wonderful tradition for them and it brings such joy to us.”
The fire and the COVID-19 restrictions also have given them space to rethink their parking and picnic areas, something they had been wanting to do for a while anyway. With those improvements, Moran says, they expect to provide an even better experience for the tree seekers.
The community has come out in full support of the farm. Friends set up a Go Fund Me account, and customers have added messages of encouragement on Crest Ranch’s web page, www.crestranch.com, recounting their long traditions.
“Our family has been coming to Crest Ranch,” one family posted, “to choose our Christmas trees since 1974, starting the year after we married. Adding children in 1980, 1981 and 1983. And continuing the tradition adding our children’s spouses in 2007 and 2008, and now a third generation, adding our grandchildren. We’ll be coming up tomorrow, with all three of our kids (and) their families. Thanks for providing a family tradition for us. God Bless!”
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Living with air pollution, especially from wildfires or agriculture, raises risk of dementia, US study finds Things To Do | Cadaver dogs are in Maui to help find the dead. Here’s how it works and why it’s difficult “We came today for the 43rd year in a row,” the Scofield family wrote. “My family (has) visited your tree ranch, and enjoyed year after year of joy thanks to you and your family. We have made four generations of memories that have been priceless. My thanks to you and your family for always providing such a lovely, warm and inviting atmosphere for myself and my children… Thanks again for sharing your home, your trees and your family with our family.”
“We have been coming to Crest Ranch every year since 1980,” another family wrote. “It is so much a part of our holiday tradition that it is considered the first Christmas present we give to each other every year… We live close by in Boulder Creek, but consider ‘going to get the tree’ one of the best trips of the entire year. Thank you. It wouldn’t be Christmas without you.”
The Morans say they have been touched by the outpouring of love and support. While it might be easier to cut their losses and move on, they are determined to keep going.
“We have a strong feeling about the property,” Moran says, “that it needs to continue to be a tree farm.”


mercurynews--2020-12-11--Raiders’ Clelin Ferrell coming off game even Khalil Mack would envy

For the first time anywhere other than on a list of Raiders ’ top draft picks , Khalil Mack was looking up at Clelin Ferrell .
Ferrell , the No .
4 overall pick in 2019 by the Raiders , will be inextricably linked to Mack since he was a defensive end selected to help replace the man the Raiders took at No .
5 in 2014 but traded away after a contract dispute before Jon Gruden ever coached his first game .
It ’ s probably not fair to Ferrell in that he ’ s a different player than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who is also showing he can do some good work inside at tackle .
Mack was strictly an edge player , whether it be as a 4-3 end with the Raiders or a 3-4 outside linebacker for the Chicago Bears .
And while Mack has 68 career sacks and 22 forced fumbles now in his seventh season , he never as a Raider had two strip sacks which resulted in fumbles recovered by his team as Ferrell did Sunday against the New York Jets .
It had been 15 years since Tommy Kelly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game against the Kansas City Chiefs .
“ Kind of breaking through there , having two strip sacks like that in one ballgame can only build his confidence up , ” Raiders defensive coordinator Paul Guenther said Thursday in a video conference .
“ He ’ s doing a good job both inside and outside for us and hopefully he can continue on that trend because we ’ re going to need him.
” Ferrell ’ s next target is Philip Rivers , playing with a heel injury and not particularly mobile at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ player sacked by Ferrell in Week 16 last season before he got the pair against Sam Darnold against the Jets .
Following the win over the Jets , Ferrell pushed back on the idea that he ’ d had a breakthrough of any kind .
“ I wouldn ’ t call it a breakout game .
I feel like I ’ ve had a number of good games throughout my career , ” Ferrell said .
“ I would say though that just throughout this season , it ’ s been kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I feel like I ’ ve gotten close on a lot of different pressures .
It was good not just getting sacks , but strip sacks which turned into turnovers for the team .
I ’ m just trying to carry it over to this last stretch that we ’ ve got coming up with the next three home games.
” Ferrell ’ s first sack came at right end , when he raced around the Jets ’ prized rookie Mekhi Becton in the first half to get to Darnold , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carlson converted the turnover into points with a 48-yard field goal .
Later , before halftime , Ferrell was working inside at tackle with Vic Beasley to his right on the outside .
This time , Ferrell beat a guard and forced a fumble with Maxx Crosby recovering to stop a Jets ’ possession at the Raiders ’ 35-yard line .
The plays came after Ferrell had missed two games on the COVID-19 list after testing positives and having symptoms .
As a rookie , Ferrell was slated to play mostly at end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He ’ s now developed inside to the point where playing both could be his job moving forward .
Ferrell ’ s 52 snaps were second only to Crosby ’ s 56 for defensive linemen against the Jets .
Plus , as Guenther explained to Ferrell , there ’ s an inherent advantage to pass rushing against guards as opposed to tackles .
“ I tell him in this league they pay the tackles big money , maybe not necessarily the guards , ” Guenther said .
“ So if we can get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situations , he ’ s really learned how the different steps of a tackle would take rather than a guard who will put his hands on you a little bit faster .
I think he ’ s got a better feel for that inside because there ’ s a different element in the rush.
” Ferrell has come as advertised in terms of attitude , effort and leadership .
The former Ted Hendricks Award winner out of Clemson isn ’ t short on confidence , either .
• Looks like Raiders will have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abram for Colts • Colts ’ DeForest Buckner represents everything Raiders need on defensive front • Raiders ’ disappearing run game must return vs. Colts , with or without Jacobs and Brown “ When we put it all together , I don ’ t think there ’ s a team in this league that isn ’ t afraid of us , ” Ferrell said .
“ People have seen we ’ ve beaten the so-called world champions .
We ’ ve beaten the Saints .
We ’ ve played well against the top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long ways to go , but for this last stretch we ’ ve got to focus on putting it together as a team and realizing we ’ ve got the ability to go deep into the playoffs.
” The Raiders have been at least a fair defense against the run this season , but had their second poor game of the season against the Jets , giving up 206 yards .
It was the second-highest total of the season , having given up 260 in a Week 3 loss to New England @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blocks very well , we mis-fitted a few runs , which is really unusual for us , ” Guenther said .
“ We ’ ve been pretty good throughout the course of the year of understanding where our fits are.
” When the Raiders ran the ball for 572 yards Weeks 8 through 10 , opposing teams took notice .
The last three games , the Raiders have 201 yards rushing .
Running back Jalen Richard doesn ’ t think that ’ s a coincidence .
The Raiders ( without leading rusher Josh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carries against the Jets .
“ If y ’ all look at the film , the Jets had nine people in the box , ” Richard said .
“ I don ’ t know if it was because of the weather , but they basically said , ‘ You ’ re not going to run the ball on us .
We want to see you throw the ball.
’ People are starting to stack the box against us , knowing we ’ re a run-first team.
” — Guenther said the reason for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the Jets was based on getting the top eight players on the field on the defensive line .
— The Raiders waived Marcel Ateman from the practice squad and added defensive tackle Lee Autry .
A seventh-round draft pick in 2018 , Ateman caught 20 passes for 218 yards in 18 games in 2018-19 and has spent time on the practice squad all three seasons .
Autry is the brother of Colts defensive end and former Raider Denico Autry and a college teammate of Johnathan Abram at Mississippi State .
An undrafted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent time on the Chicago and Los Angeles Chargers practice squads .

For the first time anywhere other than on a list of Raiders’ top draft picks, Khalil Mack was looking up at Clelin Ferrell.
Ferrell, the No. 4 overall pick in 2019 by the Raiders, will be inextricably linked to Mack since he was a defensive end selected to help replace the man the Raiders took at No. 5 in 2014 but traded away after a contract dispute before Jon Gruden ever coached his first game.
It’s probably not fair to Ferrell in that he’s a different player than Mack, a defensive end by trade who is also showing he can do some good work inside at tackle. Mack was strictly an edge player, whether it be as a 4-3 end with the Raiders or a 3-4 outside linebacker for the Chicago Bears.
And while Mack has 68 career sacks and 22 forced fumbles now in his seventh season, he never as a Raider had two strip sacks which resulted in fumbles recovered by his team as Ferrell did Sunday against the New York Jets. It had been 15 years since Tommy Kelly last had two strip sacks in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
“Kind of breaking through there, having two strip sacks like that in one ballgame can only build his confidence up,” Raiders defensive coordinator Paul Guenther said Thursday in a video conference. “He’s doing a good job both inside and outside for us and hopefully he can continue on that trend because we’re going to need him.”
Ferrell’s next target is Philip Rivers, playing with a heel injury and not particularly mobile at age 39. Rivers was the last player sacked by Ferrell in Week 16 last season before he got the pair against Sam Darnold against the Jets.
Following the win over the Jets, Ferrell pushed back on the idea that he’d had a breakthrough of any kind.
“I wouldn’t call it a breakout game. I feel like I’ve had a number of good games throughout my career,” Ferrell said. “I would say though that just throughout this season, it’s been kind of chipping at the wood every single week. I feel like I’ve gotten close on a lot of different pressures. It was good not just getting sacks, but strip sacks which turned into turnovers for the team. I’m just trying to carry it over to this last stretch that we’ve got coming up with the next three home games.”
Ferrell’s first sack came at right end, when he raced around the Jets’ prized rookie Mekhi Becton in the first half to get to Darnold, who fumbled. Johnathan Hankins recovered and Daniel Carlson converted the turnover into points with a 48-yard field goal. Later, before halftime, Ferrell was working inside at tackle with Vic Beasley to his right on the outside. This time, Ferrell beat a guard and forced a fumble with Maxx Crosby recovering to stop a Jets’ possession at the Raiders’ 35-yard line.
Good to have you back, @Cle_Missile 💥 How No. 96 returned stronger than ever » https://t.co/bp9pH40uFa pic.twitter.com/mQAxUKaDD8 — Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) December 8, 2020
The plays came after Ferrell had missed two games on the COVID-19 list after testing positives and having symptoms.
As a rookie, Ferrell was slated to play mostly at end but moved inside because of injuries. He’s now developed inside to the point where playing both could be his job moving forward. Ferrell’s 52 snaps were second only to Crosby’s 56 for defensive linemen against the Jets. Plus, as Guenther explained to Ferrell, there’s an inherent advantage to pass rushing against guards as opposed to tackles.
“I tell him in this league they pay the tackles big money, maybe not necessarily the guards,” Guenther said. “So if we can get some speed guys inside on those passing situations, he’s really learned how the different steps of a tackle would take rather than a guard who will put his hands on you a little bit faster. I think he’s got a better feel for that inside because there’s a different element in the rush.”
Ferrell has come as advertised in terms of attitude, effort and leadership. The former Ted Hendricks Award winner out of Clemson isn’t short on confidence, either.
“When we put it all together, I don’t think there’s a team in this league that isn’t afraid of us,” Ferrell said. “People have seen we’ve beaten the so-called world champions. We’ve beaten the Saints. We’ve played well against the top tier teams. We’ve got a long ways to go, but for this last stretch we’ve got to focus on putting it together as a team and realizing we’ve got the ability to go deep into the playoffs.”
Plugging the holes
The Raiders have been at least a fair defense against the run this season, but had their second poor game of the season against the Jets, giving up 206 yards. It was the second-highest total of the season, having given up 260 in a Week 3 loss to New England.
“We didn’t play blocks very well, we mis-fitted a few runs, which is really unusual for us,” Guenther said. “We’ve been pretty good throughout the course of the year of understanding where our fits are.”
The sputtering run game
When the Raiders ran the ball for 572 yards Weeks 8 through 10, opposing teams took notice. The last three games, the Raiders have 201 yards rushing. Running back Jalen Richard doesn’t think that’s a coincidence. The Raiders (without leading rusher Josh Jacobs) had 89 yards in 26 carries against the Jets.
“If y’all look at the film, the Jets had nine people in the box,” Richard said. “I don’t know if it was because of the weather, but they basically said, ‘You’re not going to run the ball on us. We want to see you throw the ball.’ People are starting to stack the box against us, knowing we’re a run-first team.”
ETCETERA
— Guenther said the reason for activating Beasley at expense of Carl Nassib against the Jets was based on getting the top eight players on the field on the defensive line.
— The Raiders waived Marcel Ateman from the practice squad and added defensive tackle Lee Autry.
A seventh-round draft pick in 2018, Ateman caught 20 passes for 218 yards in 18 games in 2018-19 and has spent time on the practice squad all three seasons. Autry is the brother of Colts defensive end and former Raider Denico Autry and a college teammate of Johnathan Abram at Mississippi State. An undrafted free agent in 2020, Autry has spent time on the Chicago and Los Angeles Chargers practice squads.


mercurynews--2020-12-11--Sunnyvale: Man killed in hit-and-run collision

SUNNYVALE – An investigation is underway into a fatal hit-and-run collision in Sunnyvale , police said .
Officers were called @ @ @ @ @ Camino Real and Bernardo Avenue about 11:45 p.m. Wednesday for a report of a person @ @ @ @ @ the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety said in a news release .
A man was @ @ @ @ @ life-threatening injuries .
He was taken to a hospital , where he died .
The @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Office will release his identity once it has been confirmed and his next @ @ @ @ @ The man ’ s injuries “ were consistent with being struck by a motor vehicle @ @ @ @ @ Anyone with information related to the case can contact Investigator Jason Pistor at 408-730-7109 .

SUNNYVALE – An investigation is underway into a fatal hit-and-run collision in Sunnyvale, police said.
Officers were called to the intersection of El Camino Real and Bernardo Avenue about 11:45 p.m. Wednesday for a report of a person down in the roadway, the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety said in a news release.
A man was found in the roadway with life-threatening injuries. He was taken to a hospital, where he died. The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office will release his identity once it has been confirmed and his next of kin is notified.
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Anyone with information related to the case can contact Investigator Jason Pistor at 408-730-7109.
Check back for updates.


mercurynews--2020-12-11--Coronavirus: Light at the end of the tunnel? Yes, but it may be a long ride

Gov .
Gavin Newsom grasped for an encouraging tone last week as he leveled a new round of restrictions on coronavirus-weary Californians in hope of tamping down an alarming surge in cases : Hunker down one last time for a few weeks to bend the curve .
Vaccines are coming .
But in the week since Newsom announced his new stay-home order with tighter restrictions on travel and shopping and a ban on outdoor restaurant dining , infections have spiked to record highs , intensive-care wards filled faster than expected in many areas , and some of the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amid signs that Thanksgiving gatherings fueled new infections , Christmas and New Year holidays now loom with the specter of more cases .
While the new stay-home order comes with a tentative sunset after three weeks , depending on results , epidemiologists say the early January lifting Newsom forecast is unrealistic .
“ It ’ s going to get worse before it gets better , ” said Dr. John Swartzberg , an infectious disease expert and professor emeritus at the University of California-Berkeley .
“ Unless something remarkable is going to happen and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re going to see things continue to get worse through probably the third week of January.
” Andrew Noymer , an epidemiologist and population health scientist at UC-Irvine , said that while the vaccines expected to be distributed in coming days are “ the best thing to happen in a long time , ” they are “ coming a little too late to have a major influence over the dynamics of the current wave ” of infections .
“ I would characterize the recent vaccine developments as the light at the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I ’ d also say it ’ s not clear to me that given all the real-world practicalities of getting vaccines to all Californians when they need it , that a vaccine is going to hit like a ton of bricks over a short time frame ” and stamp out the virus .
Thursday marked another day of grim records in the Golden State .
The past week has been California ’ s deadliest of the pandemic , and as the state logged more than 30,000 new infections for a third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw intensive care units at three hospitals fill to capacity .
County health authorities have cautioned that as they prepare to administer the first rounds of vaccine to prioritized front-line doctors and nurses and the staff and residents at nursing homes , the rollout to regular folks is months away .
The San Francisco Department of Public Health said Thursday “ the general population will not likely have access until the vaccine supply is no longer limited , ” which it said likely would be next summer or early fall .
Santa Clara @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a health committee this week that the county will initially receive “ a very limited number of vaccines.
” She said “ it is going to take quite some time ” before vaccinations and natural infections combine to produce “ herd immunity ” with about 70 % of the population protected from infection .
For Newsom , the ongoing slog of social distancing and shutdowns has posed a mounting challenge .
The governor enjoyed broad support and cooperation for his first-in-the-nation stay-home order in March .
After a spring letup on restrictions led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retooled the state ’ s reopening metrics with a color-coded scheme .
That seemed to work for a while , but then came the fall infection spike .
And with each cycle of reopenings and new restrictions , public compliance has come harder .
It didn ’ t help that the governor was caught disregarding his administration ’ s guidance on large gatherings with friends and family for a dinner last month at an exclusive Napa Valley restaurant .
Announcing the new stay-home order , Newsom appealed to Californians to give quarantine one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March , “ take that same spirit and that same capacity and make sure that we meet this moment.
” As vaccines arrive “ in the next few weeks , you ’ ll be hearing good news on top of other good news.
” “ There is light at the end of the tunnel , ” Newsom said .
“ We are a few months away from truly seeing real progress with a vaccine , real distribution , real accessibility , real availability .
We do not anticipate having to do this once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public “ quarantine fatigue , ” many restaurants have vowed to continue serving customers at outdoor tables in spite of the new restrictions .
And protests prompted the state to drop outdoor playground closures from the order .
“ People are sick of it , ” Noymer said .
The stay-home order , which begins when a region drops below 15 % of its hospitals ’ intensive care capacity and is already implemented in the Bay Area ’ s largest counties and the southern and central part of the state , remains in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Swartzberg and Noymer said it ’ s unlikely any region will improve enough in that time to come out of it .
California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly , however , said it ’ s up to residents how long the restrictions last .
“ If we all truly stay home except for essential work and needs , California should start seeing case rates flattening or even decreasing in three weeks , ” Ghaly said in a statement to this news organization .
“ If we all continue our normal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep spiking upward , and hospitals will continue to be overwhelmed .
We know this isn ’ t a permanent state of affairs — and I fervently hope three weeks are sufficient — but it ’ s too soon to speculate.
” It will be at least March , Swartzberg said , before vaccinations begin to produce a measurable effect .
But he and Noymer said things will look a lot better this summer .
“ I fully expect summer 2021 to be much more like a normal summer than the summer we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This is not going to go on forever and ever , I guarantee that .
”

Gov. Gavin Newsom grasped for an encouraging tone last week as he leveled a new round of restrictions on coronavirus-weary Californians in hope of tamping down an alarming surge in cases: Hunker down one last time for a few weeks to bend the curve. Vaccines are coming.
But in the week since Newsom announced his new stay-home order with tighter restrictions on travel and shopping and a ban on outdoor restaurant dining, infections have spiked to record highs, intensive-care wards filled faster than expected in many areas, and some of the state’s rules have met open defiance. Amid signs that Thanksgiving gatherings fueled new infections, Christmas and New Year holidays now loom with the specter of more cases.
While the new stay-home order comes with a tentative sunset after three weeks, depending on results, epidemiologists say the early January lifting Newsom forecast is unrealistic.
“It’s going to get worse before it gets better,” said Dr. John Swartzberg, an infectious disease expert and professor emeritus at the University of California-Berkeley. “Unless something remarkable is going to happen and people meticulously follow the orders, we’re going to see things continue to get worse through probably the third week of January.”
Andrew Noymer, an epidemiologist and population health scientist at UC-Irvine, said that while the vaccines expected to be distributed in coming days are “the best thing to happen in a long time,” they are “coming a little too late to have a major influence over the dynamics of the current wave” of infections.
“I would characterize the recent vaccine developments as the light at the end of the tunnel,” Noymer said. “I’d also say it’s not clear to me that given all the real-world practicalities of getting vaccines to all Californians when they need it, that a vaccine is going to hit like a ton of bricks over a short time frame” and stamp out the virus.
Thursday marked another day of grim records in the Golden State. The past week has been California’s deadliest of the pandemic, and as the state logged more than 30,000 new infections for a third straight day Wednesday, Santa Clara County saw intensive care units at three hospitals fill to capacity.
County health authorities have cautioned that as they prepare to administer the first rounds of vaccine to prioritized front-line doctors and nurses and the staff and residents at nursing homes, the rollout to regular folks is months away.
The San Francisco Department of Public Health said Thursday “the general population will not likely have access until the vaccine supply is no longer limited,” which it said likely would be next summer or early fall.
Santa Clara County Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody told a health committee this week that the county will initially receive “a very limited number of vaccines.” She said “it is going to take quite some time” before vaccinations and natural infections combine to produce “herd immunity” with about 70% of the population protected from infection.
For Newsom, the ongoing slog of social distancing and shutdowns has posed a mounting challenge. The governor enjoyed broad support and cooperation for his first-in-the-nation stay-home order in March. After a spring letup on restrictions led to a summer case surge, he retooled the state’s reopening metrics with a color-coded scheme. That seemed to work for a while, but then came the fall infection spike.
And with each cycle of reopenings and new restrictions, public compliance has come harder. It didn’t help that the governor was caught disregarding his administration’s guidance on large gatherings with friends and family for a dinner last month at an exclusive Napa Valley restaurant.
Announcing the new stay-home order, Newsom appealed to Californians to give quarantine one more go and as they did in March, “take that same spirit and that same capacity and make sure that we meet this moment.” As vaccines arrive “in the next few weeks, you’ll be hearing good news on top of other good news.”
“There is light at the end of the tunnel,” Newsom said. “We are a few months away from truly seeing real progress with a vaccine, real distribution, real accessibility, real availability. We do not anticipate having to do this once again.”
But with epidemiologists talking about public “quarantine fatigue,” many restaurants have vowed to continue serving customers at outdoor tables in spite of the new restrictions. And protests prompted the state to drop outdoor playground closures from the order.
“People are sick of it,” Noymer said.
The stay-home order, which begins when a region drops below 15% of its hospitals’ intensive care capacity and is already implemented in the Bay Area’s largest counties and the southern and central part of the state, remains in effect for at least three weeks. Swartzberg and Noymer said it’s unlikely any region will improve enough in that time to come out of it.
California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly, however, said it’s up to residents how long the restrictions last.
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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 “If we all truly stay home except for essential work and needs, California should start seeing case rates flattening or even decreasing in three weeks,” Ghaly said in a statement to this news organization. “If we all continue our normal lives and holiday plans, cases will keep spiking upward, and hospitals will continue to be overwhelmed. We know this isn’t a permanent state of affairs — and I fervently hope three weeks are sufficient — but it’s too soon to speculate.”
It will be at least March, Swartzberg said, before vaccinations begin to produce a measurable effect. But he and Noymer said things will look a lot better this summer.
“I fully expect summer 2021 to be much more like a normal summer than the summer we just had,” Noymer said. “This is not going to go on forever and ever, I guarantee that.”


mercurynews--2020-12-11--Brandon Bernard executed after Supreme Court denies delay

( CNN ) — Brandon Bernard was executed by the federal government on Thursday at the Federal Correctional Center in Terre Haute , Indiana , according to the Bureau of Prisons .
Bernard , 40 , was one of five gang members convicted in Texas of killing Stacie and Todd Bagley — who were youth ministers — in 1999 .
The gunman , Christopher Vialva , was executed in September ; the other co-defendants were given lesser sentences .
Bernard was pronounced dead at 9:27 p.m .
He was the youngest person in the United States to receive a death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crime committed when he was an adolescent .
Bernard said he had been waiting for his chance to apologize to the family of the Bagleys and his own family for the pain he caused .
“ I ’ m sorry … I wish I could take it all back , but I can ’ t , ” Bernard said to the family of the Bagleys during his three-minute last statement .
“ That ’ s the only words that I can say that completely capture how I feel now and how I felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Bagley family thanked Trump and the federal government for carrying out the sentence .
“ I pray that Brandon has accepted Christ as his Savior , because if he has , Todd and Stacie will welcome him into Heaven with love and forgiveness , ” Charles Woodard wrote on behalf of the Bagley family .
“ It has been a very difficult to wait 21 years for the sentence that was imposed by the judge and jury on those who cruelly participated in the destruction of our children to be finally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Todd ’ s mother , wrote .
“ This senseless act of unnecessary evil was premeditated and had many opportunities to be stopped at any time during a 9-hour period .
This was torture , as they pleaded for their lives from the trunk of their own car.
” Georgia Bagley spoke to reporters within 30 minutes of the execution and became emotional when she spoke about Bernard ’ s and Vialva ’ s apologies .
“ The apology and remorse … helped very much heal my heart , ” she said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I can very much say : I forgive them.
” Bernard ’ s execution was scheduled this fall by the government .
It was the ninth execution since Attorney General William Barr announced restarting federal executions after a 17-year hiatus — a decision that has been fraught with controversy , especially during the global pandemic , and could be halted under President-elect Joe Biden ’ s administration .
Four more federal death row inmates are scheduled to die before Inauguration Day , January 20 .
Bernard ’ s case has been in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the attention of both politicians and celebrities who wanted the execution to be stopped .
Kim Kardashian West called for Trump to grant a commutation for Bernard ; Rep. Ayana Pressley , Democrat of Massachusetts , brought awareness to legislation she introduced last year to end the death penalty at the federal level ; the Rev .
Jesse L. Jackson called on the President to commute the sentences of and pardon all the inmates scheduled for execution ; and 23 elected and former prosecutors filed an amicus brief on Wednesday in support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegations of prosecutorial misconduct .
After a lower court judge denied Bernard ’ s motion to stay the execution on Wednesday , the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals denied an emergency motion and the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit also denied the appeal on Thursday , according to court documents .
Attorneys Alan Dershowitz and Ken Starr joined Bernard ’ s legal team late on Thursday and had filed a petition with the Supreme Court requesting to delay the execution for two weeks so they could get up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The attorneys ’ most recent and notable client was President Donald Trump during his impeachment hearings earlier this year .
The Supreme Court denied the petition , with justices Breyer , Sotomayor and Kagan issuing public dissents .
The court ’ s decision left Trump as Bernard ’ s last hope .
The president did not act .
Trump was made aware of the case — and of the calls by celebrities and activists to commute Bernard ’ s sentence — over the past several days , according to a person familiar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not swayed to intervene .
The person said Trump was unmoved because of the violent nature of the crime .
Trump has backed Barr in his push to complete federal executions before his term ends next month .
Bernard ’ s attorney Robert Owens had sought to have a hearing about newly discovered evidence that was not presented at Bernard ’ s 2000 trial .
Owens argued in Bernard ’ s appeal that , during a resentencing hearing in 2018 for another co-defendant , it was revealed that the trial prosecutors had withheld @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the crime .
No state has held an execution since July , and several state executions have been postponed for Covid-related reasons , according to the Death Penalty Information Center .
Yet the federal government is slated to have executed a total of 13 federal death row inmates before Inauguration Day .
The four inmates scheduled to die are all housed at the Indiana federal prison .
Alfred Bourgeois is the next inmate scheduled to be executed , on Friday , Dec. 11 .
Bourgeois was sentenced to death for the torture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Lisa Montgomery , who would be the first woman to be executed in a federal case in nearly 70 years , is scheduled for execution on January 12 .
She was convicted of the 2004 murder of a Missouri woman who was eight months pregnant .
The Trump administration has rejected Montgomery ’ s request for a reprieve .
• Corey Johnson is scheduled for execution on January 14 for killing seven people in 1992 .
• Dustin Higgs is scheduled for execution on January 15 for kidnapping and killing three women @ @ @

(CNN) — Brandon Bernard was executed by the federal government on Thursday at the Federal Correctional Center in Terre Haute, Indiana, according to the Bureau of Prisons.
Bernard, 40, was one of five gang members convicted in Texas of killing Stacie and Todd Bagley — who were youth ministers — in 1999. The gunman, Christopher Vialva, was executed in September; the other co-defendants were given lesser sentences.
Bernard was pronounced dead at 9:27 p.m. He was the youngest person in the United States to receive a death sentence in nearly 70 years for a crime committed when he was an adolescent.
Bernard said he had been waiting for his chance to apologize to the family of the Bagleys and his own family for the pain he caused.
“I’m sorry … I wish I could take it all back, but I can’t,” Bernard said to the family of the Bagleys during his three-minute last statement. “That’s the only words that I can say that completely capture how I feel now and how I felt that day.”
In their own statements, the Bagley family thanked Trump and the federal government for carrying out the sentence.
“I pray that Brandon has accepted Christ as his Savior, because if he has, Todd and Stacie will welcome him into Heaven with love and forgiveness,” Charles Woodard wrote on behalf of the Bagley family.
“It has been a very difficult to wait 21 years for the sentence that was imposed by the judge and jury on those who cruelly participated in the destruction of our children to be finally completed,” Georgia A. Bagley, Todd’s mother, wrote. “This senseless act of unnecessary evil was premeditated and had many opportunities to be stopped at any time during a 9-hour period. This was torture, as they pleaded for their lives from the trunk of their own car.”
Georgia Bagley spoke to reporters within 30 minutes of the execution and became emotional when she spoke about Bernard’s and Vialva’s apologies.
“The apology and remorse … helped very much heal my heart,” she said, beginning to cry and recompose herself. “I can very much say: I forgive them.”
Bernard’s execution was scheduled this fall by the government. It was the ninth execution since Attorney General William Barr announced restarting federal executions after a 17-year hiatus — a decision that has been fraught with controversy, especially during the global pandemic, and could be halted under President-elect Joe Biden’s administration.
Four more federal death row inmates are scheduled to die before Inauguration Day, January 20.
Bernard’s case has been in the spotlight for months, grabbing headlines and the attention of both politicians and celebrities who wanted the execution to be stopped.
Kim Kardashian West called for Trump to grant a commutation for Bernard; Rep. Ayana Pressley, Democrat of Massachusetts, brought awareness to legislation she introduced last year to end the death penalty at the federal level; the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson called on the President to commute the sentences of and pardon all the inmates scheduled for execution; and 23 elected and former prosecutors filed an amicus brief on Wednesday in support of Bernard’s appeal due to allegations of prosecutorial misconduct.
After a lower court judge denied Bernard’s motion to stay the execution on Wednesday, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals denied an emergency motion and the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit also denied the appeal on Thursday, according to court documents.
Attorneys Alan Dershowitz and Ken Starr joined Bernard’s legal team late on Thursday and had filed a petition with the Supreme Court requesting to delay the execution for two weeks so they could get up to speed on Bernard’s case. The attorneys’ most recent and notable client was President Donald Trump during his impeachment hearings earlier this year.
The Supreme Court denied the petition, with justices Breyer, Sotomayor and Kagan issuing public dissents.
The court’s decision left Trump as Bernard’s last hope. The president did not act.
Trump was made aware of the case — and of the calls by celebrities and activists to commute Bernard’s sentence — over the past several days, according to a person familiar with the matter, but he was not swayed to intervene. The person said Trump was unmoved because of the violent nature of the crime. Trump has backed Barr in his push to complete federal executions before his term ends next month.
Bernard’s attorney Robert Owens had sought to have a hearing about newly discovered evidence that was not presented at Bernard’s 2000 trial. Owens argued in Bernard’s appeal that, during a resentencing hearing in 2018 for another co-defendant, it was revealed that the trial prosecutors had withheld evidence that diminished Bernard’s role in the crime.
No state has held an execution since July, and several state executions have been postponed for Covid-related reasons, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Yet the federal government is slated to have executed a total of 13 federal death row inmates before Inauguration Day.
The four inmates scheduled to die are all housed at the Indiana federal prison. Alfred Bourgeois is the next inmate scheduled to be executed, on Friday, Dec. 11. Bourgeois was sentenced to death for the torture and murder of his 2-year-old daughter.
The others:
Lisa Montgomery, who would be the first woman to be executed in a federal case in nearly 70 years, is scheduled for execution on January 12. She was convicted of the 2004 murder of a Missouri woman who was eight months pregnant. The Trump administration has rejected Montgomery’s request for a reprieve.
Corey Johnson is scheduled for execution on January 14 for killing seven people in 1992.
Dustin Higgs is scheduled for execution on January 15 for kidnapping and killing three women in 1996.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2020 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.


mercurynews--2020-12-11--Hanson: Will Biden give in to the ‘Hydroxy Effect’?

There is as yet no known , easily accessible cure for COVID-19 .
Over the past year , lots of old and new drugs and supplements — Ivermectin , azithromycin , Remdesivir , hydroxychloroquine , vitamin D , vitamin C , zinc , aspirin , Pepcid and others — have shown at least some anecdotal value in ameliorating the effects of early-stage COVID-19 .
Clinical physicians treating patients in hospitals often disagree with the research scientists conducting trials on the efficacy of all these treatments .
Yet only hydroxychloroquine has prompted furious partisan debate over its possible usefulness .
Why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usage months ago .
Almost immediately , the media , the university and government medical community , and the progressive political opposition declared hydroxychloroquine useless and dangerous .
A recent media study from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that positive news stories about the research and development of COVID-19 vaccines barely outnumbered negative stories about Trump and hydroxychloroquine .
Trump ’ s presidential endorsement was apparent proof of rank quackery .
Yet a few recent second-look studies , especially abroad , suggest that hydroxychloroquine , a dirt-cheap , time-tested anti-malarial drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treating some cases of COVID-19 .
This Hydroxy Effect — hysterical disavowal of anything Trump has endorsed — is dangerous to the country at large .
Trump was reviled for his early condemnation of China ’ s role in the COVID-19 pandemic .
He railed against the “ China virus ” — a traditional eponymous branding of a virus by its place of origin , and in this case one used by other media before Trump ’ s adoption of the sobriquet .
Trump alleged that Chinese officials knew for months about SARS-CoV-2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before letting on about the dangers the disease posed to the world at large .
No matter .
Anything Trump said had to be resisted .
The Trump travel ban , the Trump accusations of China ’ s corruption of the World Health Organization , and other Trump criticisms of China were all ridiculed as proof of his racism or intellectual puerility .
Now , after the 2020 election and the apparent victory of Joe Biden , we learn from the media that in fact the virus had spread much earlier than China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bans is now a part of scientific consensus .
And the leadership of the WHO remains under criticism .
Before 2016 , the consensus on China was that it was destined to take over the world .
This was the establishment ’ s de facto defense of profiting-making by outsourcing to China .
The conventional wisdom ignored Chinese violations of commercial trade norms and theft of technology and intellectual property .
It largely dismissed the complaints of human rights activists who were appalled by China ’ s reeducation camps , its suppression of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extermination of Islamic and Tibetan culture .
Now , pushback against Chinese imperialism , authoritarianism and global bullying is a bipartisan consensus — as long as Trump is not cited as the voice-in-the-wilderness stimulus for such a reset .
Logic dictates that Biden would not scrap the framework of an effective containment policy of expansionist China .
Pacific nations such as Australia , Japan , South Korea and Taiwan appreciated Trump ’ s efforts to corral China .
America ’ s empty “ Asian Pivot ” of the past has become real in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggests that Biden would appreciate inheriting a more stable Middle East , with Arab states and Israel increasingly united against the theocracy in Iran .
The emerging alliances seem tailor-made to allow Biden to take credit for still more Arab nations recognizing Israel — with both parties investing in the West Bank to offer Palestinians economic parity with surrounding states .
Logic dictates that Biden would recapture the lost Democratic working class by mouthing Trump economic agendas without mentioning Trump ’ s creation of them .
Fair ( rather than just free ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tax incentives , and unprecedented gas and oil production all created near-record middle-class wage growth — a formerly Democratic staple issue .
So Biden has two choices .
One , he can appropriate many of the Trump successes .
He can rebrand them as his own and quibble over particulars .
Do that , and Biden would likely see a huge post-COVID-19 economic recovery , a stable Middle East , a world united against China ’ s commercial abuses and human rights travesties , beefed-up U.S. defenses and a refreshed NATO .
Or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Effect .
Anything Trump was for , Biden and the left will be automatically against .
That would mean a decision to allow unchecked immigration .
Freeze construction of , or even tear down , the border wall .
Lift tariffs on China .
Let NATO members pay as little as they like .
Ban or cut back on fracking .
Rejoin the Iran nuclear deal .
Rejoin the Paris climate agreement .
Polarize Israel and its new Arab allies .
Fast-track the Green New Deal .
Raise taxes sky-high .
Let the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do as it pleases .
Adopting the Hydroxy Effect and junking anything with a Trump fingerprint on it will please the hard-left Biden base .
Rejecting it will benefit the country .
Of the two choices , I ’ d bet on Biden giving in to the Hydroxy Effect .

There is as yet no known, easily accessible cure for COVID-19.
Over the past year, lots of old and new drugs and supplements — Ivermectin, azithromycin, Remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, vitamin D, vitamin C, zinc, aspirin, Pepcid and others — have shown at least some anecdotal value in ameliorating the effects of early-stage COVID-19. Clinical physicians treating patients in hospitals often disagree with the research scientists conducting trials on the efficacy of all these treatments.
Yet only hydroxychloroquine has prompted furious partisan debate over its possible usefulness. Why?
Probably because Donald Trump endorsed its usage months ago. Almost immediately, the media, the university and government medical community, and the progressive political opposition declared hydroxychloroquine useless and dangerous. A recent media study from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that positive news stories about the research and development of COVID-19 vaccines barely outnumbered negative stories about Trump and hydroxychloroquine.
Trump’s presidential endorsement was apparent proof of rank quackery. Yet a few recent second-look studies, especially abroad, suggest that hydroxychloroquine, a dirt-cheap, time-tested anti-malarial drug, can in fact offer help in treating some cases of COVID-19.
This Hydroxy Effect — hysterical disavowal of anything Trump has endorsed — is dangerous to the country at large.
Trump was reviled for his early condemnation of China’s role in the COVID-19 pandemic. He railed against the “China virus” — a traditional eponymous branding of a virus by its place of origin, and in this case one used by other media before Trump’s adoption of the sobriquet.
Trump alleged that Chinese officials knew for months about SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, before letting on about the dangers the disease posed to the world at large.
No matter. Anything Trump said had to be resisted. The Trump travel ban, the Trump accusations of China’s corruption of the World Health Organization, and other Trump criticisms of China were all ridiculed as proof of his racism or intellectual puerility.
Now, after the 2020 election and the apparent victory of Joe Biden, we learn from the media that in fact the virus had spread much earlier than China had admitted. The utility of travel bans is now a part of scientific consensus. And the leadership of the WHO remains under criticism.
Before 2016, the consensus on China was that it was destined to take over the world. This was the establishment’s de facto defense of profiting-making by outsourcing to China.
The conventional wisdom ignored Chinese violations of commercial trade norms and theft of technology and intellectual property. It largely dismissed the complaints of human rights activists who were appalled by China’s reeducation camps, its suppression of political and religious freedom, and its extermination of Islamic and Tibetan culture.
Now, pushback against Chinese imperialism, authoritarianism and global bullying is a bipartisan consensus — as long as Trump is not cited as the voice-in-the-wilderness stimulus for such a reset.
This Pavlovian Hydroxy Effect poses a challenge to Biden.
Logic dictates that Biden would not scrap the framework of an effective containment policy of expansionist China. Pacific nations such as Australia, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan appreciated Trump’s efforts to corral China. America’s empty “Asian Pivot” of the past has become real in leading resistance to Chinese bullying.
Logic suggests that Biden would appreciate inheriting a more stable Middle East, with Arab states and Israel increasingly united against the theocracy in Iran. The emerging alliances seem tailor-made to allow Biden to take credit for still more Arab nations recognizing Israel — with both parties investing in the West Bank to offer Palestinians economic parity with surrounding states.
Logic dictates that Biden would recapture the lost Democratic working class by mouthing Trump economic agendas without mentioning Trump’s creation of them. Fair (rather than just free) trade, border security, deregulation, tax incentives, and unprecedented gas and oil production all created near-record middle-class wage growth — a formerly Democratic staple issue.
So Biden has two choices.
One, he can appropriate many of the Trump successes. He can rebrand them as his own and quibble over particulars.
Do that, and Biden would likely see a huge post-COVID-19 economic recovery, a stable Middle East, a world united against China’s commercial abuses and human rights travesties, beefed-up U.S. defenses and a refreshed NATO.
Or two, Biden can suffer the Hydroxy Effect. Anything Trump was for, Biden and the left will be automatically against. That would mean a decision to allow unchecked immigration. Freeze construction of, or even tear down, the border wall. Lift tariffs on China. Let NATO members pay as little as they like. Ban or cut back on fracking. Rejoin the Iran nuclear deal. Rejoin the Paris climate agreement. Polarize Israel and its new Arab allies. Fast-track the Green New Deal. Raise taxes sky-high. Let the Rust Belt rust. Allow Big Tech to do as it pleases.
Adopting the Hydroxy Effect and junking anything with a Trump fingerprint on it will please the hard-left Biden base. Rejecting it will benefit the country.
Of the two choices, I’d bet on Biden giving in to the Hydroxy Effect.
Victor Davis Hanson is a syndicated columnist.


mercurynews--2020-12-11--Driver charged with murder in California crash that killed couple and injured their 3 kids

A Newport Beach woman was charged Thursday , Dec. 10 , with driving drunk two days earlier and killing a husband and a wife and injuring their three children .
Grace Coleman , 22 , is facing five felony counts related to the Tuesday , Dec. 8 , crash in Newport Beach , including two counts of second-degree murder , two DUI-related counts and hit-and-run , court records show .
“ Three young girls are orphans because of the selfish decision of a stranger , ” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a statement .
“ Everyone knows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drugs and driving is , and that it is a crime , ” he said .
“ Yet over and over again people choose to get behind the wheel after drinking or using drugs , and they are killing innocent people and destroying lives.
” Thursday afternoon , Coleman made a remote-video appearance in court from a hospital , but her court-appointed attorney did not enter a plea on her behalf .
A judge ordered her held without bail .
According to police , Coleman was driving a Range Rover that collided with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday near Pelican Hill Road South and Newport Coast Drive .
Prosecutors , in a criminal complaint filed Thursday , allege that Coleman ran a red light before hitting the Versa .
The driver , Henry Saldana-Mejia , 27 , and his wife , Gabriela Andrade , 28 , were killed .
The Santa Ana couple ’ s 1- , 4- and 5-year-old children – secured in car seats – were injured .
Police have alleged that Coleman tried to flee on foot but was quickly located by officers .
The complaint alleges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 0.20 , more than twice the legal limit for driving .
Coleman was also charged with two misdemeanor DUI-related counts for an earlier arrest in Laguna Beach on Aug. 29 .
According to the criminal complaint , that earlier incident involved no injuries .
It alleges she was driving with a blood-alcohol content of 0.15 percent .
Prosecutors are able to charge motorists with second-degree murder , rather than a lesser-charge of vehicular manslaughter , if they believe they can prove the driver acted with “ malice aforethought ” by driving under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human life .
For repeat drunk drivers , prosecutors often point to formal warnings , known as Watson advisements , given after a DUI that if the driver drinks and drives again and kills someone , he or she can be charged with murder .
In recent trials , local prosecutors have also used alternate arguments – such as citing comments defendants made on social media – to prove they knew about the dangers of drinking and driving .
It isn ’ t clear from court records whether Coleman ever received a Watson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crash .
If convicted , Coleman faces up to 42 years and eight months to life in prison , according to the DA ’ s Office .
In his statement , Spitzer said that the ongoing pandemic has led to an increase in alcohol and drug use .
“ We as citizens all have a responsibility and duty to stop people who have been drinking or using drugs from driving , ” Spitzer said .
“ Putting a stop to this carnage is a community responsibility .
”

A Newport Beach woman was charged Thursday, Dec. 10, with driving drunk two days earlier and killing a husband and a wife and injuring their three children.
Grace Coleman, 22, is facing five felony counts related to the Tuesday, Dec. 8, crash in Newport Beach, including two counts of second-degree murder, two DUI-related counts and hit-and-run, court records show.
“Three young girls are orphans because of the selfish decision of a stranger,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a statement.
“Everyone knows how dangerous drinking and driving or using drugs and driving is, and that it is a crime,” he said. “Yet over and over again people choose to get behind the wheel after drinking or using drugs, and they are killing innocent people and destroying lives.”
Thursday afternoon, Coleman made a remote-video appearance in court from a hospital, but her court-appointed attorney did not enter a plea on her behalf. A judge ordered her held without bail.
According to police, Coleman was driving a Range Rover that collided with a Nissan Versa just after 7:45 p.m. Tuesday near Pelican Hill Road South and Newport Coast Drive.
Prosecutors, in a criminal complaint filed Thursday, allege that Coleman ran a red light before hitting the Versa.
The driver, Henry Saldana-Mejia, 27, and his wife, Gabriela Andrade, 28, were killed. The Santa Ana couple’s 1-, 4- and 5-year-old children – secured in car seats – were injured.
Police have alleged that Coleman tried to flee on foot but was quickly located by officers. The complaint alleges that Coleman had a blood-alcohol content of 0.20, more than twice the legal limit for driving.
Coleman was also charged with two misdemeanor DUI-related counts for an earlier arrest in Laguna Beach on Aug. 29. According to the criminal complaint, that earlier incident involved no injuries. It alleges she was driving with a blood-alcohol content of 0.15 percent.
Prosecutors are able to charge motorists with second-degree murder, rather than a lesser-charge of vehicular manslaughter, if they believe they can prove the driver acted with “malice aforethought” by driving under the influence while knowing it is dangerous to human life.
For repeat drunk drivers, prosecutors often point to formal warnings, known as Watson advisements, given after a DUI that if the driver drinks and drives again and kills someone, he or she can be charged with murder.
In recent trials, local prosecutors have also used alternate arguments – such as citing comments defendants made on social media – to prove they knew about the dangers of drinking and driving.
It isn’t clear from court records whether Coleman ever received a Watson advisement prior to Tuesday’s fatal crash.
If convicted, Coleman faces up to 42 years and eight months to life in prison, according to the DA’s Office.
In his statement, Spitzer said that the ongoing pandemic has led to an increase in alcohol and drug use.
“We as citizens all have a responsibility and duty to stop people who have been drinking or using drugs from driving,” Spitzer said. “Putting a stop to this carnage is a community responsibility.”


mercurynews--2020-12-11--Jury finds Bay Area man guilty of evading an officer, reckless driving after traffic stop leads to 3

Jury finds Bay Area man guilty of evading an officer, reckless driving after traffic stop leads to 33-mile chase

A Solano County Superior Court jury has found a man guilty of evading a police officer after the defendant refused to yield during a traffic stop in Vacaville , leading to a 33-mile chase that ended in American Canyon in Napa County .
According to a Solano County District Attorney ’ s Office press release issued late Thursday , the jurors reached their verdict against Americo Mendoza on Dec. 3 in Department 11 in the Justice Center in Fairfield .
Court records indicate that on Aug. 29 , Vacaville police officers Chris Hill and Daniel Baxley were dispatched to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicle involved was described as a black Toyota RAV-4 , and , arriving on scene , the officers found the vehicle and attempted to initiate a traffic stop .
However , Mendoza apparently refused to yield and led the officers on a 33-mile pursuit that ended in American Canyon , in southern Napa County .
During the pursuit , Mendoza reportedly drove recklessly , not stopping for numerous stop signs and speeding at more than 100 mph , his actions leading to a felony charge .
Napa police officers assisted with traffic enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into custody .
A small child also was found unharmed in the rear seat of the RAV-4 .
Hill and Baxley investigated the case , and Deputy District Attorney Sun Seo led the prosecution .
Mendoza remains in Solano County Jail and is scheduled to be sentenced at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 4 in Department 11 , Judge William J. Pendergast ’ s courtroom .

A Solano County Superior Court jury has found a man guilty of evading a police officer after the defendant refused to yield during a traffic stop in Vacaville, leading to a 33-mile chase that ended in American Canyon in Napa County.
According to a Solano County District Attorney’s Office press release issued late Thursday, the jurors reached their verdict against Americo Mendoza on Dec. 3 in Department 11 in the Justice Center in Fairfield.
Court records indicate that on Aug. 29, Vacaville police officers Chris Hill and Daniel Baxley were dispatched to a reckless driving incident in Vacaville. The vehicle involved was described as a black Toyota RAV-4, and, arriving on scene, the officers found the vehicle and attempted to initiate a traffic stop.
However, Mendoza apparently refused to yield and led the officers on a 33-mile pursuit that ended in American Canyon, in southern Napa County.
During the pursuit, Mendoza reportedly drove recklessly, not stopping for numerous stop signs and speeding at more than 100 mph, his actions leading to a felony charge.
Napa police officers assisted with traffic enforcement and ultimately Mendoza was apprehended and taken into custody. A small child also was found unharmed in the rear seat of the RAV-4.
Hill and Baxley investigated the case, and Deputy District Attorney Sun Seo led the prosecution.
Mendoza remains in Solano County Jail and is scheduled to be sentenced at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 4 in Department 11, Judge William J. Pendergast’s courtroom.


mercurynews--2020-12-11--Review: ‘Wild Mountain Thyme’ almost lives up to potential

Ask any actor , Irish accents are notoriously tricky .
Even natives can struggle with regional dialects .
So it is a little alarming that the first voice you hear in ” Wild Mountain Thyme ” is Christopher Walken ’ s , who sounds exactly like you think Christopher Walken attempting an Irish accent would .
It is a bold choice , certainly , and not the most solid footing to start out on .
Still it might be worth giving this odd little duckling of a film a chance .
“ Wild Mountain Thyme ” is the brainchild of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winner behind “ Doubt ” and “ Moonstruck.
” First a Tony-nominated play called “ Outside Mullingar , ” the story is about Rosemary Muldoon ( Emily Blunt ) and Anthony Reilly ( Jamie Dornan ) , the lonely children of neighboring farmers who should be together but aren ’ t .
Rosemary , we ’ re told , has always been in love with Anthony .
They ’ ve been awkwardly circling one another ’ s lives since they were 10 years old and she beat up another girl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other things on his mind than marriage , although what exactly those things are is anyone ’ s guess .
These beautiful farmers aren ’ t keen to reveal much to each other , themselves or the audience .
Maybe the cows know .
Maybe they think there ’ s time to wait .
But that time is starting to run out — both have lost a parent and both her mother Aiofe ( a delightful Dearbhla Molloy , reprising her Broadway role ) and his father Tony ( Walken ) are also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their farms .
While Rosemary is her mother ’ s obvious choice , Tony is less willing to simply give his son the land .
He ’ s concerned about this direction in life and confirmed bachelor status and would sooner gift it to his American nephew Adam ( Jon Hamm ) , who puddle jumps from New York to Ireland as though he ’ s taking a trip to Boston .
There ’ s also a land dispute at the crossroads of the two properties that means that the Reilleys have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlock a gate every time they go anywhere .
For two families who don ’ t seem to know or care how many acres they own , it ’ s unclear why ownership of the crossroads would be so important .
Like too many things in the film , it seems that it ’ s only there for the sake of quirk .
In any event , the threat of Adam and losing the farm inspires Anthony to start to think about planning to propose to Rosemary .
This is stretched out for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
“ There ’ s no doubt you could do better , but you don ’ t seem to be doing much , ” Anthony rehearses with a donkey .
The writing is wry and occasionally quite funny .
It ’ s not unsurprising that it made for a good play .
But on film it moves at a languorous pace .
Like its characters , it ’ s not interested in getting anywhere anytime soon .
And Adam ’ s introduction and arc ( which includes Rosemary making an impulse day trip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different movie entirely .
“ Wild Mountain Thyme ” also presumes that the audience rooting for Rosemary and Anthony from the beginning .
Although there are hints at chemistry , it is an extremely awkward and repressed connection on Anthony ’ s end and I ’ m not certain whether it ’ s the character or Dornan .
But the Western Ireland vistas are lovely , and the score is too .
And there is a good late-film scene with Rosemary and Anthony and some bottled Guinness .
“ Wild Mountain Thyme ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need for a cold December night .
Rating : PG-13 ( for some thematic elements and suggestive comments )

By Lindsey Bahr | Associated Press
Ask any actor, Irish accents are notoriously tricky. Even natives can struggle with regional dialects. So it is a little alarming that the first voice you hear in ” Wild Mountain Thyme ” is Christopher Walken’s, who sounds exactly like you think Christopher Walken attempting an Irish accent would. It is a bold choice, certainly, and not the most solid footing to start out on. Still it might be worth giving this odd little duckling of a film a chance.
“Wild Mountain Thyme” is the brainchild of John Patrick Shanley, the Oscar, Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winner behind “Doubt” and “Moonstruck.” First a Tony-nominated play called “Outside Mullingar,” the story is about Rosemary Muldoon (Emily Blunt) and Anthony Reilly (Jamie Dornan), the lonely children of neighboring farmers who should be together but aren’t.
Rosemary, we’re told, has always been in love with Anthony. They’ve been awkwardly circling one another’s lives since they were 10 years old and she beat up another girl who teased him. But he has other things on his mind than marriage, although what exactly those things are is anyone’s guess. These beautiful farmers aren’t keen to reveal much to each other, themselves or the audience. Maybe the cows know. Maybe they think there’s time to wait. But that time is starting to run out — both have lost a parent and both her mother Aiofe (a delightful Dearbhla Molloy, reprising her Broadway role) and his father Tony (Walken) are also nearing the end and thinking about passing on their farms.
While Rosemary is her mother’s obvious choice, Tony is less willing to simply give his son the land. He’s concerned about this direction in life and confirmed bachelor status and would sooner gift it to his American nephew Adam (Jon Hamm), who puddle jumps from New York to Ireland as though he’s taking a trip to Boston. There’s also a land dispute at the crossroads of the two properties that means that the Reilleys have to get out of their car and unlock a gate every time they go anywhere. For two families who don’t seem to know or care how many acres they own, it’s unclear why ownership of the crossroads would be so important. Like too many things in the film, it seems that it’s only there for the sake of quirk.
In any event, the threat of Adam and losing the farm inspires Anthony to start to think about planning to propose to Rosemary. This is stretched out for over an hour. Ah, romance!
“There’s no doubt you could do better, but you don’t seem to be doing much,” Anthony rehearses with a donkey.
The writing is wry and occasionally quite funny. It’s not unsurprising that it made for a good play. But on film it moves at a languorous pace. Like its characters, it’s not interested in getting anywhere anytime soon. And Adam’s introduction and arc (which includes Rosemary making an impulse day trip to New York) feels like a different movie entirely.
“Wild Mountain Thyme” also presumes that the audience rooting for Rosemary and Anthony from the beginning. Although there are hints at chemistry, it is an extremely awkward and repressed connection on Anthony’s end and I’m not certain whether it’s the character or Dornan.
But the Western Ireland vistas are lovely, and the score is too. And there is a good late-film scene with Rosemary and Anthony and some bottled Guinness. “Wild Mountain Thyme” might be just the understated blend you need for a cold December night.
“Wild Mountain Thyme”
2 1/2/ stars out of 4
Rating: PG-13 (for some thematic elements and suggestive comments)
Running time: 102 minutes


mercurynews--2020-12-11--Vallejo police union attorney apologizes for ‘veiled threat’ email to Black reporter

The lawyer for the Vallejo Police Officers Association confirmed that an email sent to a reporter from the organization was written by its president , Lt. Michael Nichelini .
The letter was sent on Dec. 7 to former San Francisco columnist Otis R. Taylor , Jr. , who is leaving the paper to work at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution .
It reads , “ Looks like 2021 will be a little bit better not having your biased and uniformed ( sic ) articles printed in the newspaper that only inflame the public … you have never looked for the truth in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warn our Georgia colleagues of your impending arrival.
” Taylor told the Chronicle that as a Black man moving to the South , he perceived the message as a “ veiled threat , ” “ You mean to tell me that you are going to tell police that I am coming ?
Like , you ’ re telling a Black man that you ’ re calling the police on him , essentially , ” Taylor said .
KTVU reporter Henry K. Lee confirmed that the message was sent by Nichelini and said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email was not a threat , but was rather sent “ out of frustration.
” In an interview with KTVU , Rains apologized .
“ I understand the perception that something like that can have , as a lawyer , and for that reason , I certainly want to apologize to Mr. Taylor.
” Vallejo Chief of Police Shawny Williams released a statement on Dec. 8 saying that the email “ deeply disturbed ” him .
• New Los Angeles DA to end cash bail for many offenses • Watchdog group urges appeals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for California government workers “ We deeply regret Mr. Taylor ’ s unfortunate experience , ” he said .
“ We take this matter very seriously and want our community to know that we will continually strive to be a positive reflection of growth and change in the City of Vallejo.
” Chief Williams also said that if a violation of city or department policy is found , he would take “ appropriate corrective action.
” The Times-Herald asked the Vallejo Police Department if Lt. Nichelini will be disciplined , but did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nichelini is currently on paid leave for allegedly destroying evidence in the Sean Monterrosa case .
Monterrosa was shot and killed by police on June 2 when they claimed a hammer in his waistband was mistaken for a gun .

The lawyer for the Vallejo Police Officers Association confirmed that an email sent to a reporter from the organization was written by its president, Lt. Michael Nichelini.
The letter was sent on Dec. 7 to former San Francisco columnist Otis R. Taylor, Jr., who is leaving the paper to work at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. It reads, “Looks like 2021 will be a little bit better not having your biased and uniformed (sic) articles printed in the newspaper that only inflame the public … you have never looked for the truth in any of your writings … We will warn our Georgia colleagues of your impending arrival.”
Taylor told the Chronicle that as a Black man moving to the South, he perceived the message as a “veiled threat,”
“You mean to tell me that you are going to tell police that I am coming? Like, you’re telling a Black man that you’re calling the police on him, essentially,” Taylor said.
KTVU reporter Henry K. Lee confirmed that the message was sent by Nichelini and said that VPOA attorney Michael Rains stated that the email was not a threat, but was rather sent “out of frustration.”
In an interview with KTVU, Rains apologized. “I understand the perception that something like that can have, as a lawyer, and for that reason, I certainly want to apologize to Mr. Taylor.”
Vallejo Chief of Police Shawny Williams released a statement on Dec. 8 saying that the email “deeply disturbed” him.
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Chief Williams also said that if a violation of city or department policy is found, he would take “appropriate corrective action.”
The Times-Herald asked the Vallejo Police Department if Lt. Nichelini will be disciplined, but did not receive a response by press time.
Nichelini is currently on paid leave for allegedly destroying evidence in the Sean Monterrosa case. Monterrosa was shot and killed by police on June 2 when they claimed a hammer in his waistband was mistaken for a gun.