mercurynews--2020-01-18--Trump team, House managers trade sharp views on impeachment

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — President Donald Trump ’ s legal team issued a fiery response ahead of opening arguments in his impeachment trial Saturday while House Democrats laid out their case in forceful fashion , saying the president had betrayed public trust with behavior that was the “ worst nightmare ” of the founding fathers .
The dueling statements previewed arguments both sides intend to make once Trump ’ s impeachment trial begins in earnest on Tuesday .
Their challenge will be to make a case that appeals to senators who will render the verdict and for an American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 months .
The House ’ s 111-page brief pulled together the private and public testimony of a dozen witnesses — ambassadors and national security officials at high levels of government — who raised concerns about the president ’ s actions with Ukraine .
Stripped of legalese and structured in plain English , the document underscored the extent to which the impeachment proceedings are a political rather than conventional legal process .
The Trump team similarly offered a taste of the rhetoric expected to be deployed by the president ’ s defenders in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House managers overseeing the prosecution wrote that it is clear that the “ ‘ evidence overwhelmingly establishes ” that Trump is guilty of both charges for which he was impeached last month : abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .
“ The only remaining question is whether the members of the Senate will accept and carry out the responsibility placed on them by the Framers of our Constitution and their constitutional Oaths , ” the brief states .
The Trump team , meanwhile , called the Senate ’ s formal impeachment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ a dangerous attack on the right of the American people to freely choose their president.
” Trump ’ s legal team , led by White House counsel Pat Cipollone and Trump personal lawyer Jay Sekulow , is challenging the impeachment on both procedural and constitutional grounds , claiming Trump has been mistreated by House Democrats and that he did nothing wrong .
“ This is a brazen and unlawful attempt to overturn the results of the 2016 election and interfere with the 2020 election , now just months away , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ categorically and unequivocally ” denies the allegations and encouraged lawmakers to reject “ poisonous partisanship ” and “ vindicate the will of the American people ” by rejecting both articles .
Trump ’ s answer to the summons was the first salvo in what will be several rounds of arguments before the trial formally begins .
Trump will file a more detailed legal brief on Monday , and the House will be able to respond to the Trump filing on Tuesday .
The House ’ s impeachment managers are working through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ midday Sunday to prep the case .
The filings came a day after Trump finalized his legal team , adding Ken Starr , the former independent counsel whose investigation into President Bill Clinton led to his impeachment , and Alan Dershowitz , a Harvard law professor emeritus who intends to make constitutional arguments .
People close to the legal team said Cipollone would deliver the president ’ s opening argument before the Senate and that Sekulow would follow .
Starr and Dershowitz would have “ discrete functions ” on the legal team , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team , who were not authorized to discuss the strategy by name and spoke on condition of anonymity .
At issue in the impeachment cases are allegations that Trump requested his Ukraine counterpart to investigate political rival Joe Biden at the same time his administration withheld hundreds of millions of dollars in aid from the former Soviet republic .
“ President Trump abused the powers of his office to invite foreign interference in an election for his own personal political gain and to the detriment of American national security interests , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his oath to faithfully execute the laws and betrayed his public trust .
It says : “ President Trump ’ s misconduct presents a danger to our democratic processes , our national security , and our commitment to the rule of law .
He must be removed from office .
Trump ’ s attorneys argue that the articles of impeachment are unconstitutional in and of themselves and invalid because they don ’ t allege a crime .
Under the Constitution impeachment is a political , not a criminal process , and the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guilty of whatever lawmakers consider “ high crimes and misdemeanors.
” White House attorneys and Trump ’ s outside legal team have been debating just how political Monday ’ s legal brief laying out the contours of Trump ’ s defense should be .
Some in the administration have echoed warnings from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , that the pleadings must be sensitive to the Senate ’ s more staid traditions and leave some of the sharper rhetoric exhibited during the House proceedings to Twitter and cable news .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska , told reporters Saturday she wants to hear both sides of the case before deciding if they need to hear new witnesses .
Democrats have pushed for calling witnesses .
“ I don ’ t know what more we need until I ’ ve been given the base case , ” Murkowski said .
She also acknowledged the political pressure bearing down on senators .
“ I ’ m going to take my constitutional obligations very , very seriously.
” Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick in Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , contributed to this report .

By ERIC TUCKER, ZEKE MILLER and LISA MASCARO
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s legal team issued a fiery response Saturday ahead of opening arguments in his impeachment trial, while House Democrats laid out their case in forceful fashion, saying the president betrayed public trust with behavior that was the “worst nightmare” of the founding fathers.
The dueling filings previewed arguments both sides intend to make once Trump’s impeachment trial begins in earnest Tuesday in the Senate. Their challenge will be to make a case that appeals to the 100 senators who will render the verdict and for an American public bracing for a presidential election in 10 months.
“President Donald J. Trump used his official powers to pressure a foreign government to interfere in a United States election for his personal political gain,” the House prosecutors wrote, “and then attempted to cover up his scheme by obstructing Congress’s investigation into his misconduct.”
Trump’s legal team, responding to the Senate’s official summons for the trial, said the president “categorically and unequivocally” denies the charges of abuse and obstruction against him.
“This is a brazen and unlawful attempt to overturn the results of the 2016 election and interfere with the 2020 election, now just months away,” the president’s filing states.
Stripped of legalese and structured in plain English, the documents underscored the extent to which the impeachment proceedings are a political rather than conventional legal process.
They are the first of several filings expected in coming days as senators prepare to take their seats for the rare impeachment court.
Senators swore an oath to do “impartial justice”’ as the chamber convenes to consider the two articles of impeachment approved by the House last month as Trump’s presidency and legacy hangs in balance.
One Republican whose votes are closely watched, Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, acknowledged Saturday the political pressure bearing on them.
“I’m going to take my constitutional obligations very, very seriously,” she told reporters from Anchorage on a call.
The House’s 111-page brief outlined the prosecutors’ narrative, starting from Trump’s phone call with Ukraine and relying on the private and public testimony of a dozen witnesses — ambassadors and national security officials at high levels of government — who raised concerns about the president’s actions.
The House managers wrote: “The only remaining question is whether the members of the Senate will accept and carry out the responsibility placed on them by the Framers of our Constitution and their constitutional Oaths.”
The Trump team called the two articles of impeachment “a dangerous attack on the right of the American people to freely choose their president.”
Trump’s team encouraged lawmakers to reject “poisonous partisanship” and “vindicate the will of the American people” by rejecting both articles of impeachment approved by the House.
The Senate is still debating the ground rules of the trial, particularly the question of whether there will be new witnesses as fresh evidence emerges over Trump’s Ukraine actions that led to impeachment.
New information from Lev Parnas, an indicted associate of Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, is being incorporated in the House case. At the same time, Senate Democrats want to call John Bolton, the former national security adviser, among other potential eyewitnesses, after the White House blocked officials from appearing in the House.
With Republicans controlling the Senate 53-47, they can set the trial rules — or any four Republicans could join with Democrats to change course.
Murkowski told reporters she wants to hear both sides of the case before deciding whether to call for new witnesses and testimony.
“I don’t know what more we need until I’ve been given the base case,” Murkowski said.
The House’s impeachment managers are working through the weekend and will be at the Capitol midday Sunday to prep the case.
Trump’s answer to the summons was the first salvo in what will be several rounds of opening arguments. Trump will file a more detailed legal brief on Monday, and the House will be able to respond to the Trump filing on Tuesday.
Trump’s team led by White House counsel Pat Cipollone and Trump personal lawyer Jay Sekulow, is challenging the impeachment on both procedural and constitutional grounds, claiming Trump has been mistreated by House Democrats and that he did nothing wrong.
The filings came a day after Trump finalized his legal team, adding Ken Starr, the former independent counsel whose investigation into President Bill Clinton led to his impeachment, and Alan Dershowitz, a Harvard law professor emeritus who intends to make constitutional arguments.
White House attorneys and Trump’s outside legal team have been debating just how political Monday’s legal brief laying out the contours of Trump’s defense should be.
Some in the administration have echoed warnings from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., that the pleadings must be sensitive to the Senate’s more staid traditions and leave some of the sharper rhetoric exhibited during the House proceedings to Twitter and cable news.
One Democratic aide said Saturday that Trump’s initial filing read more like a Trump campaign fundraising email than a legal document.
People close to the Trump legal team said Cipollone would deliver the president’s opening argument before the Senate and that Sekulow would follow. Starr and Dershowitz would have “discrete functions” on the legal team, according to those close to the legal team, who were not authorized to discuss the strategy by name and spoke on condition of anonymity.
At issue in the impeachment case are allegations that Trump asked Ukraine to announce an investigation of Democratic political rival Joe Biden at the same time the White House withheld hundreds of nearly $400 million in aid from the former Soviet republic as it faces a hostile Russia at its border.
The Government Accountability Office said last week the administration violated federal law by withholding the funds to Ukraine. The money was later released after Congress complained.
The House brief said, “President Trump’s misconduct presents a danger to our democratic processes, our national security, and our commitment to the rule of law. He must be removed from office.
Trump’s attorneys argue that the articles of impeachment are unconstitutional in and of themselves and invalid because they don’t allege a crime.
Under the Constitution impeachment is a political, not a criminal process, and the president can be removed from office if found guilty of whatever lawmakers consider “high crimes and misdemeanors.”
_____
Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick in Washington and Becky Bohrer in Anchorage, Alaska, contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-01-18--Mexico blocks hundreds of migrants from crossing border span

CIUDAD HIDALGO , Mexico — Mexican authorities closed a border entry point in southern Mexico on Saturday after thousands of Central American migrants tried to push their way across a bridge spanning the Suchiate River between Mexico and Guatemala .
Normally , migrants who want to request asylum in Mexico are allowed to freely cross the bridge .
But many migrants prefer to pass through Mexico en route to the U.S. , a country that has repeatedly asked Mexico to impede their arrival .
On Saturday , babies cried and tempers flared as hundreds of Mexican National Guardsmen blocked the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities estimated 2,500 migrants were on the bridge over the Suchiate , or attempting to get onto the bridge .
As the crowd swelled , amid shoves , Mexican officials allowed several dozen migrants to enter the country in groups of 20 , while a voice over a loudspeaker warned migrants against trying to slip into Mexico without passing through immigration filters .
Mexico again finds itself in the role of immigration enforcer as Central Americans desperate for a better life try to make their way north , while Mexico ’ s biggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Mexico prevent those migrants from reaching the U.S. border .
Mexico ’ s National Migration Institute said via Twitter on Saturday that it had reinforced multiple points along the country ’ s southern border to assure “ safe , orderly and regular immigration.
” It also said it was using drones to monitor the region .
Hundreds of guardsmen lined the river to prevent migrants from crossing into Mexico clandestinely .
The voice on the loudspeaker warned , over and over , that those aiming to transit through Mexico may not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they make it there .
As temperatures rose Saturday , migrants trickled back across the bridge to Guatemala .
By late afternoon , fewer than a hundred remained on the span .
Mexico ’ s government has said migrants entering the country without registering will not be allowed to pass from its southern border area .
But those seeking asylum or other protections will be allowed to apply and legalize their status in Mexico .
Guatemalan officials have counted roughly 3,000 migrants who registered at border crossings to enter that country in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an additional 1,300 migrants who did not register .
Guatemala ’ s human rights defender ’ s office said there were more than 1,000 migrants gathered at another point on the Mexican border far to the north in the Peten region .
There were reports that Mexican forces were gathered on the other side of the border there .
Vicente Hernández , head of the Mexican armed forces in the border area , told migrants on the Guatemalan side of the Suchiate that “ there are opportunities for everyone ” in Mexico .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he added , saying that Mexican officials would then offer the migrants jobs .
Mexico ’ s offer of legal status and potential employment for migrants carries a stipulation that would confine migrants to southern Mexico , where wages are lower and there are fewer jobs than elsewhere in the country .
El Salvador ’ s consul general in Mexico , Antonio Azúcar , told The Associated Press that Mexican authorities had reported that the migrants crossing into Mexican territory would be housed in Ciudad Hidalgo , the city on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standoff happened .
But a Mexican official , who refused to be quoted by name , said those who request asylum in Mexico would be taken to one of two migratory stations in the state of Chiapas — one in Tapachula and the other in Tuxtla Gutiérrez .
Once in custody , in theory , migrants may request temporary work permits to remain in Mexico .
For months , however , non-profit groups have complained that the migrants are instead often returned to their countries of origin .
And many of the migrants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. — not in Mexico .
“ We are going to walk all the way up , ” said Jazmín González , a 23-year-old Salvadoran clutching a small girl .
González said she feared being deported as she turned herself over Saturday to Mexican authorities , alongside her daughter and three other family members .
Lourdes Geraldina Jiménez of Honduras also decided to trust in the assurances of Mexican officials as she entered Mexico with a son and another family member .
Jiménez said she left Honduras because gang members wanted to kill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t return to Honduras , ” she said , walking next to her son .
• Help wanted : U.S. Census needs more Bay Area workers • 14-year-old boy arrested at California border with drugs strapped to body • All Catholic bishops in Texas criticize ban on refugees • White House looks to expand travel ban to more countries Many of the migrants leaving Central America say they fear for their lives back home , while others say they are looking for better economic prospects .
Associated Press writer Sonia Pérez D. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

By María Verza | Associated Press
CIUDAD HIDALGO, Mexico — Mexican authorities closed a border entry point in southern Mexico on Saturday after thousands of Central American migrants tried to push their way across a bridge spanning the Suchiate River between Mexico and Guatemala.
Normally, migrants who want to request asylum in Mexico are allowed to freely cross the bridge. But many migrants prefer to pass through Mexico en route to the U.S., a country that has repeatedly asked Mexico to impede their arrival.
On Saturday, babies cried and tempers flared as hundreds of Mexican National Guardsmen blocked the path of thousands of migrants. Guatemalan authorities estimated 2,500 migrants were on the bridge over the Suchiate, or attempting to get onto the bridge.
As the crowd swelled, amid shoves, Mexican officials allowed several dozen migrants to enter the country in groups of 20, while a voice over a loudspeaker warned migrants against trying to slip into Mexico without passing through immigration filters.
Mexico again finds itself in the role of immigration enforcer as Central Americans desperate for a better life try to make their way north, while Mexico’s biggest trade partner — the United States —insists that Mexico prevent those migrants from reaching the U.S. border.
Mexico’s National Migration Institute said via Twitter on Saturday that it had reinforced multiple points along the country’s southern border to assure “safe, orderly and regular immigration.” It also said it was using drones to monitor the region.
Hundreds of guardsmen lined the river to prevent migrants from crossing into Mexico clandestinely. The voice on the loudspeaker warned, over and over, that those aiming to transit through Mexico may not be granted asylum in the U.S., even if they make it there.
As temperatures rose Saturday, migrants trickled back across the bridge to Guatemala. By late afternoon, fewer than a hundred remained on the span.
Mexico’s government has said migrants entering the country without registering will not be allowed to pass from its southern border area. But those seeking asylum or other protections will be allowed to apply and legalize their status in Mexico.
Guatemalan officials have counted roughly 3,000 migrants who registered at border crossings to enter that country in recent days, and estimated there were an additional 1,300 migrants who did not register.
Guatemala’s human rights defender’s office said there were more than 1,000 migrants gathered at another point on the Mexican border far to the north in the Peten region. There were reports that Mexican forces were gathered on the other side of the border there.
Vicente Hernández, head of the Mexican armed forces in the border area, told migrants on the Guatemalan side of the Suchiate that “there are opportunities for everyone” in Mexico.
“Here you just have to register,” he added, saying that Mexican officials would then offer the migrants jobs.
Mexico’s offer of legal status and potential employment for migrants carries a stipulation that would confine migrants to southern Mexico, where wages are lower and there are fewer jobs than elsewhere in the country.
El Salvador’s consul general in Mexico, Antonio Azúcar, told The Associated Press that Mexican authorities had reported that the migrants crossing into Mexican territory would be housed in Ciudad Hidalgo, the city on the banks of the Suchiate where the bridge standoff happened.
But a Mexican official, who refused to be quoted by name, said those who request asylum in Mexico would be taken to one of two migratory stations in the state of Chiapas — one in Tapachula and the other in Tuxtla Gutiérrez.
Once in custody, in theory, migrants may request temporary work permits to remain in Mexico. For months, however, non-profit groups have complained that the migrants are instead often returned to their countries of origin.
And many of the migrants aim for a new life in the U.S. — not in Mexico.
“We are going to walk all the way up,” said Jazmín González, a 23-year-old Salvadoran clutching a small girl.
González said she feared being deported as she turned herself over Saturday to Mexican authorities, alongside her daughter and three other family members.
Lourdes Geraldina Jiménez of Honduras also decided to trust in the assurances of Mexican officials as she entered Mexico with a son and another family member.
Jiménez said she left Honduras because gang members wanted to kill her 14-year-old son.
“I can’t return to Honduras,” she said, walking next to her son.
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Associated Press writer Sonia Pérez D. in Guatemala City contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-01-18--Emerging field of ‘forensic genealogy’ links DNA testing and family histories to solve cold cases

SANTA CRUZ — When they ’ re planning to rob a liquor store , most criminals think to wear gloves and cover their faces .
But few of them commit to shaving their heads to avoid leaving behind even a single strand of hair .
In the future , however , they may want to add that task to their modus operandi .
Packed with DNA , hair is quickly becoming a powerful source to help catch lawbreakers .
Hair has been notoriously tricky to analyze , but a new approach by UC Santa Cruz researchers — pulling DNA from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is expanding the available pool of forensic evidence .
DNA and ancestry records are now being used together to build family trees to identify rotten apples among their branches .
But while the rapidly emerging field of “ forensic genealogy ” is solving long-cold cases , it ’ s also raising thorny ethical questions about privacy .
We all leave traces of ourselves wherever we go .
“ Law enforcement gets excited about hair because often it ’ s all they have in the way of evidence , ” said genealogist Barbara Rae-Venter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Ed ” Green , an associate professor of biomolecular engineering at UC Santa Cruz .
Green , known for his work on the remains of Neanderthals , has developed tools to decipher ancient DNA — often hundreds of thousands of years old .
Before gaining recognition by identifying Joseph James DeAngelo , the alleged Golden State Killer , Rae-Venter was a retiree practicing genealogy in her Monterey Peninsula home .
While reconstructing the family tree of a woman kidnapped as a child and later abandoned in a Scotts Valley mobile home park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Terry Peder Rasmussen , to the four unsolved Bear Brook murders in New Hampshire in the late ’ 70s .
DNA from the victims ’ bones , however , was too damaged to establish the identity of the victims , and Rasmussen had died in California ’ s High Desert State Prison in 2010 .
Rae-Venter was stuck , unsure of how to unravel the case , when she read a news story about Green .
“ I got so excited because he kept talking about hair , ” Rae-Venter said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ over time , she had samples from each victim but no way to analyze them .
Hair had been useful evidence only if its root , pulled from the follicle , was still attached .
Green and his team , however , had recently pulled usable DNA from a strand of hair without its root , long thought to be impossible .
“ Forensic samples can be seen as really easy ancient DNA samples ( to analyze ) because they ’ re so much younger , even in cold cases , ” Green @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UCSC office .
Green and Rae-Venter began analyzing hair from the Bear Brook murders in 2017 and ultimately identified three of the four victims last June .
Using similar methods , Rae-Venter then named DeAngelo , then 72 , who is now awaiting trial for a series of murders committed in California from 1976 to 1986 .
The duo ’ s success has prompted Green to found a company , Astrea Forensics , along with fellow paleogeneticist Kelly Harkins Kincaid , a former UCSC postdoctoral researcher who is now the company ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Santa Cruz , has already solved dozens of cases and continues to work on dozens more .
“ There is a market for this , ” Green said .
“ There ’ s a public service demand and a larger social mission.
” For the last few decades , profiles of criminal suspects have been generated through a process called DNA fingerprinting .
It relies on a person ’ s unique pattern across 20 genetic markers — short sections of DNA that vary between individuals .
Suspects entered into the FBI ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ profiles .
But DNA from cold cases generate hits less than 1 % of the time .
The reason is that the FBI ’ s system needs high-quality , detectable DNA from a single person — a tough and often unreachable standard .
Many cases go cold because the DNA is old or damaged , contaminated by bacterial DNA or mixed with material from multiple individuals .
Astrea ’ s proprietary methods reconstruct entire genomes — the total genetic material in each cell — from DNA fragments .
By sequencing the whole genome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new breed of forensic genealogists can often identify people the FBI can not .
Access to DNA data is growing .
Companies such as 23andMe and Ancestry.com have sequenced the genomes of more than 30 million people in the last decade .
The firms ’ databases are private , but customers can upload their profiles to third-party sites like GEDmatch , a Florida company that allows its users to compare genetic testing results from different DNA companies and use genealogy to reconstruct family trees .
Applied to forensics , it becomes an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , dumped along an Ohio road in 1981 , had remained unidentified for 37 years .
But in only four hours , Colleen Fitzpatrick , co-founder of the DNA Doe Project in Sebastopol , identified her in 2018 as 21-year-old Marcia Lenore King .
The U.S. Department of Justice recently released its first interim policy on forensic genealogy , an initial step toward standardizing the practice .
The policy states that investigators of violent crimes who have exhausted traditional methods such as fingerprinting may now consider genealogy .
In Santa Clara County , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used forensic genealogy to solve several cases , including the 1973 strangling murder of 21-year-old Stanford graduate student Leslie Marie Perlov .
John Arthur Getreu , a 74-year-old former Boy Scouts leader and “ exalted ruler ” of the Fremont Elks Lodge , now stands accused of killing Perlov and dumping her body in the Palo Alto hills .
As the result of DNA tests , Getreu is now also charged in San Mateo County in the 1974 strangling death of 21-year-old Janet Ann Taylor , the daughter of former Stanford football coach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring excitement to cold cases where we thought there was no answer , ” Kellogg said .
Similarly , as the Santa Cruz County Sheriff ’ s Office processes “ more DNA than ever before , ” Forensic Services Supervisor Laura Walker says there is a new interest in forensic genealogy .
The county plans to build a new DNA analysis wing in its crime lab within three years .
But as the field advances , opponents of forensic genealogy are raising ethical issues .
A 2018 study by the DNA testing company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are identifiable through family members even if they never used DNA kits themselves .
Critics of the new tools claim that as more people use the kits and build out DNA databases , police could eventually track anyone .
Rebecca Jeschke , an analyst with the Electronic Frontier Foundation in San Francisco , warns that access to databases could prompt police to “ overcollect ” genetic material .
The digital rights group is now suing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security over its collection of DNA from migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ information , ” Jeschke said , adding that the solution might be a system of checks on law enforcement ’ s access to databases , including “ added oversight from judges or other specialists.
” In response to public concern , GEDmatch changed its default policy last May by excluding all 1.25 million profiles from law enforcement matching .
Users must now “ opt in ” after reading new explanations about how their data will be used .
As a result , investigators can now access just 190,000 profiles .
Rae-Venter said many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cold under these new restrictions.
” Analysis of 2018 FBI data by the Murder Accountability Project determined that 40 % of U.S. homicides go unsolved .
That ’ s more than 250,000 cases since 1980 .
Solving even 1 % of those using forensic genealogy would close thousands of cases .
Each day seems to bring a new ethical challenge in the new field , but many ethical experts believe that a way can be found to balance the new technology ’ s risks and rewards .
• Poll : Americans are more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s behind on its 2030 climate goals .
What ’ s at stake if it doesn ’ t catch up ?
• Who killed the wolf ?
The mysterious death of OR-59 “ We ’ re still finding our way through to where the boundaries are going to be , ” said bioethicist Amy McGuire of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston .
“ But if it ’ s done well , if it ’ s done right , I feel fairly convinced that the actual privacy risks are fairly minimal.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accelerated rapidly in the last few years , thanks in large part to two Central Coast researchers .
Here are some key events : May 2017 : Richard “ Ed ” Green , a UC Santa Cruz associate professor of biomolecular engineering , uses hair without roots to identify 3-year-old “ Miranda Eve ” as Edith Howard Cook , a member of a prominent 19th century Bay Area family whose body was found in a casket beneath a San Francisco home in 2016 .
The news coverage led Monterey Peninsula genealogist Barbara Rae-Venter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the four victims in New Hampshire ’ s Bear Brook murders from the late ’ 70s .
August 2017 : Rae-Venter sends hair samples from the victims of the alleged Bear Brook serial killer , Terry Peder Rasmussen , to Green for analysis using new forensic tools .
Rasmussen died in 2010 while serving a 15-year sentence in California ’ s High Desert State Prison for the murder of his girlfriend , Eunsoon Jun .
April 2018 : Rae-Venter identifies Joseph James DeAngelo , now 74 and awaiting trial , as the Golden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Florida company that allows its users to compare genetic testing results from different DNA companies , restricts access to its database by law enforcement in response to public concerns over privacy .
June 2019 : After working the Bear Brook case together for almost two years , Rae-Venter and Green positively identify three of the four victims as Marlyse Elizabeth Honeychurch , 24 , and daughters Marie Elizabeth Vaughn , 6 , and Sarah Lynn McWaters , 1 .
September 2019 : Building on the duo ’ s successes , Green @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with fellow paleogeneticist Kelly Harkins Kincaid .

SANTA CRUZ — When they’re planning to rob a liquor store, most criminals think to wear gloves and cover their faces. But few of them commit to shaving their heads to avoid leaving behind even a single strand of hair.
In the future, however, they may want to add that task to their modus operandi. Packed with DNA, hair is quickly becoming a powerful source to help catch lawbreakers.
Hair has been notoriously tricky to analyze, but a new approach by UC Santa Cruz researchers — pulling DNA from samples that are damaged or contaminated — is expanding the available pool of forensic evidence. DNA and ancestry records are now being used together to build family trees to identify rotten apples among their branches.
But while the rapidly emerging field of “forensic genealogy” is solving long-cold cases, it’s also raising thorny ethical questions about privacy. We all leave traces of ourselves wherever we go.
“Law enforcement gets excited about hair because often it’s all they have in the way of evidence,” said genealogist Barbara Rae-Venter, who has teamed up with Richard “Ed” Green, an associate professor of biomolecular engineering at UC Santa Cruz. Green, known for his work on the remains of Neanderthals, has developed tools to decipher ancient DNA — often hundreds of thousands of years old.
Before gaining recognition by identifying Joseph James DeAngelo, the alleged Golden State Killer, Rae-Venter was a retiree practicing genealogy in her Monterey Peninsula home.
While reconstructing the family tree of a woman kidnapped as a child and later abandoned in a Scotts Valley mobile home park, Rae-Venter had linked the alleged abductor, Terry Peder Rasmussen, to the four unsolved Bear Brook murders in New Hampshire in the late ’70s. DNA from the victims’ bones, however, was too damaged to establish the identity of the victims, and Rasmussen had died in California’s High Desert State Prison in 2010.
Rae-Venter was stuck, unsure of how to unravel the case, when she read a news story about Green.
“I got so excited because he kept talking about hair,” Rae-Venter said.
Because hair doesn’t degrade much over time, she had samples from each victim but no way to analyze them. Hair had been useful evidence only if its root, pulled from the follicle, was still attached.
Green and his team, however, had recently pulled usable DNA from a strand of hair without its root, long thought to be impossible.
“Forensic samples can be seen as really easy ancient DNA samples (to analyze) because they’re so much younger, even in cold cases,” Green said during a recent interview in his UCSC office.
Green and Rae-Venter began analyzing hair from the Bear Brook murders in 2017 and ultimately identified three of the four victims last June. Using similar methods, Rae-Venter then named DeAngelo, then 72, who is now awaiting trial for a series of murders committed in California from 1976 to 1986.
The duo’s success has prompted Green to found a company, Astrea Forensics, along with fellow paleogeneticist Kelly Harkins Kincaid, a former UCSC postdoctoral researcher who is now the company’s CEO. The company, based in Santa Cruz, has already solved dozens of cases and continues to work on dozens more.
“There is a market for this,” Green said. “There’s a public service demand and a larger social mission.”
For the last few decades, profiles of criminal suspects have been generated through a process called DNA fingerprinting. It relies on a person’s unique pattern across 20 genetic markers — short sections of DNA that vary between individuals. Suspects entered into the FBI’s criminal database are compared against 16 million profiles.
But DNA from cold cases generate hits less than 1% of the time.
The reason is that the FBI’s system needs high-quality, detectable DNA from a single person — a tough and often unreachable standard. Many cases go cold because the DNA is old or damaged, contaminated by bacterial DNA or mixed with material from multiple individuals.
Astrea’s proprietary methods reconstruct entire genomes — the total genetic material in each cell — from DNA fragments. By sequencing the whole genome, rather than just 20 markers, the new breed of forensic genealogists can often identify people the FBI cannot.
Access to DNA data is growing. Companies such as 23andMe and Ancestry.com have sequenced the genomes of more than 30 million people in the last decade.
The firms’ databases are private, but customers can upload their profiles to third-party sites like GEDmatch, a Florida company that allows its users to compare genetic testing results from different DNA companies and use genealogy to reconstruct family trees.
Applied to forensics, it becomes an amazing technique. The so-called Buckskin Girl, dumped along an Ohio road in 1981, had remained unidentified for 37 years. But in only four hours, Colleen Fitzpatrick, co-founder of the DNA Doe Project in Sebastopol, identified her in 2018 as 21-year-old Marcia Lenore King.
The U.S. Department of Justice recently released its first interim policy on forensic genealogy, an initial step toward standardizing the practice. The policy states that investigators of violent crimes who have exhausted traditional methods such as fingerprinting may now consider genealogy.
In Santa Clara County, cold case criminalist Kevin Kellogg has already used forensic genealogy to solve several cases, including the 1973 strangling murder of 21-year-old Stanford graduate student Leslie Marie Perlov.
John Arthur Getreu, a 74-year-old former Boy Scouts leader and “exalted ruler” of the Fremont Elks Lodge, now stands accused of killing Perlov and dumping her body in the Palo Alto hills. As the result of DNA tests, Getreu is now also charged in San Mateo County in the 1974 strangling death of 21-year-old Janet Ann Taylor, the daughter of former Stanford football coach Chuck Taylor.
The new tools “bring excitement to cold cases where we thought there was no answer,” Kellogg said.
Similarly, as the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office processes “more DNA than ever before,” Forensic Services Supervisor Laura Walker says there is a new interest in forensic genealogy. The county plans to build a new DNA analysis wing in its crime lab within three years.
But as the field advances, opponents of forensic genealogy are raising ethical issues. A 2018 study by the DNA testing company MyHeritage found that 60 percent of Americans are identifiable through family members even if they never used DNA kits themselves.
Critics of the new tools claim that as more people use the kits and build out DNA databases, police could eventually track anyone.
Rebecca Jeschke, an analyst with the Electronic Frontier Foundation in San Francisco, warns that access to databases could prompt police to “overcollect” genetic material. The digital rights group is now suing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security over its collection of DNA from migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border.
“DNA holds private and intensely personal information,” Jeschke said, adding that the solution might be a system of checks on law enforcement’s access to databases, including “added oversight from judges or other specialists.”
In response to public concern, GEDmatch changed its default policy last May by excluding all 1.25 million profiles from law enforcement matching. Users must now “opt in” after reading new explanations about how their data will be used. As a result, investigators can now access just 190,000 profiles.
Rae-Venter said many cases that she solved “would remain cold under these new restrictions.”
Analysis of 2018 FBI data by the Murder Accountability Project determined that 40% of U.S. homicides go unsolved. That’s more than 250,000 cases since 1980. Solving even 1% of those using forensic genealogy would close thousands of cases.
Each day seems to bring a new ethical challenge in the new field, but many ethical experts believe that a way can be found to balance the new technology’s risks and rewards.
“We’re still finding our way through to where the boundaries are going to be,” said bioethicist Amy McGuire of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. “But if it’s done well, if it’s done right, I feel fairly convinced that the actual privacy risks are fairly minimal.”
——
Central Coast duo unravels cold cases
The emerging field of forensic genealogy has accelerated rapidly in the last few years, thanks in large part to two Central Coast researchers. Here are some key events:
May 2017: Richard “Ed” Green, a UC Santa Cruz associate professor of biomolecular engineering, uses hair without roots to identify 3-year-old “Miranda Eve” as Edith Howard Cook, a member of a prominent 19th century Bay Area family whose body was found in a casket beneath a San Francisco home in 2016. The news coverage led Monterey Peninsula genealogist Barbara Rae-Venter to contact Green for help in identifying the four victims in New Hampshire’s Bear Brook murders from the late ’70s.
August 2017: Rae-Venter sends hair samples from the victims of the alleged Bear Brook serial killer, Terry Peder Rasmussen, to Green for analysis using new forensic tools. Rasmussen died in 2010 while serving a 15-year sentence in California’s High Desert State Prison for the murder of his girlfriend, Eunsoon Jun.
April 2018: Rae-Venter identifies Joseph James DeAngelo, now 74 and awaiting trial, as the Golden State Killer.
May 2019: GEDmatch, a Florida company that allows its users to compare genetic testing results from different DNA companies, restricts access to its database by law enforcement in response to public concerns over privacy.
June 2019: After working the Bear Brook case together for almost two years, Rae-Venter and Green positively identify three of the four victims as Marlyse Elizabeth Honeychurch, 24, and daughters Marie Elizabeth Vaughn, 6, and Sarah Lynn McWaters, 1.
September 2019: Building on the duo’s successes, Green co-founds Astrea Forensics in Santa Cruz along with fellow paleogeneticist Kelly Harkins Kincaid.


mercurynews--2020-01-18--Sharks make lineup change for game vs. Vancouver Canucks

VANCOUVER — Joachim Blichfeld will rejoin the lineup and the struggling Marcus Sorensen will be a scratch for the first time this season as the Sharks face the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday looking to end their three-game road trip — and go into their bye week — on a positive note .
Blichfeld will start Saturday ’ s game at Rogers Arena on the Sharks ’ top line with Tomas Hertl and Evander Kane .
It ’ s Blichfeld ’ s first NHL game since Dec. 14 , when the Sharks beat the Canucks 4-2 at SAP Center .
Blichfeld @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the start of the road trip , which started with 6-3 loss to the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday and continued with a 4-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday .
The shut out loss in Denver was the second of the season for the Sharks , who have managed just 13 even strength goals in their last nine games .
The Canucks beat the Arizona Coyotes 3-1 on Thursday and entered Saturday in third place in the Pacific Division with 56 points , 10 more than the Sharks ( 21-24-4 ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tonight , we ’ ve got to spread a little bit of the skill out , ” Sharks interim coach Bob Boughner said .
“ If you look at the Canucks , I think they have a pretty balanced attack on their four lines .
We ’ re trying to do the same.
” Blichfeld averaged 11:05 of ice time in his first two games , as he made his NHL on Dec. 12 against the New York Rangers .
Saturday , Blichfeld will also start the game on the Sharks ’ second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook page for more San Jose Sharks news , commentary and conversation .
Sorensen , who has regularly played on the Sharks ’ third line this season alongside Joe Thornton , has just one assist in his last 19 games and does not have a point in his last nine games .
He has just five goals and five assists in 46 games , well behind the pace he had last season when he finished with 17 goals and 13 assists .
“ For me , I need more relentlessness , I need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he spoke with Sorensen on Saturday morning to go over a few of his recent shifts .
“ Being on the inside a little more and not so much perimeter .
He understands that , and he ’ s not the only one .
There ’ s a few other guys in there as well .
“ It ’ s a bit of a message , as the same time , ( Blichfeld ) is an offensive player and we can always use a little of that in our lineup.
” For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sharks goalie Aaron Dell will start Saturday .
In seven career games against the Canucks , Dell is 6-1-0 with two shutouts , a .929 save percentage and a 2.14 goals against average .

VANCOUVER — Joachim Blichfeld will rejoin the lineup and the struggling Marcus Sorensen will be a scratch for the first time this season as the Sharks face the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday looking to end their three-game road trip — and go into their bye week — on a positive note.
Blichfeld will start Saturday’s game at Rogers Arena on the Sharks’ top line with Tomas Hertl and Evander Kane. It’s Blichfeld’s first NHL game since Dec. 14, when the Sharks beat the Canucks 4-2 at SAP Center.
Blichfeld was recalled from the Barracuda prior to the start of the road trip, which started with 6-3 loss to the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday and continued with a 4-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday. The shut out loss in Denver was the second of the season for the Sharks, who have managed just 13 even strength goals in their last nine games.
The Canucks beat the Arizona Coyotes 3-1 on Thursday and entered Saturday in third place in the Pacific Division with 56 points, 10 more than the Sharks (21-24-4).
“Just going with a different look tonight, we’ve got to spread a little bit of the skill out,” Sharks interim coach Bob Boughner said. “If you look at the Canucks, I think they have a pretty balanced attack on their four lines. We’re trying to do the same.”
Blichfeld averaged 11:05 of ice time in his first two games, as he made his NHL on Dec. 12 against the New York Rangers. Saturday, Blichfeld will also start the game on the Sharks’ second power play unit.
Like our Sharks Facebook page for more San Jose Sharks news, commentary and conversation.
Sorensen, who has regularly played on the Sharks’ third line this season alongside Joe Thornton, has just one assist in his last 19 games and does not have a point in his last nine games. He has just five goals and five assists in 46 games, well behind the pace he had last season when he finished with 17 goals and 13 assists.
“For me, I need more relentlessness, I need urgency,” said Boughner, adding that he spoke with Sorensen on Saturday morning to go over a few of his recent shifts. “Being on the inside a little more and not so much perimeter. He understands that, and he’s not the only one. There’s a few other guys in there as well.
“It’s a bit of a message, as the same time, (Blichfeld) is an offensive player and we can always use a little of that in our lineup.”
For complete Sharks coverage
follow us on Flipboard.
Sharks goalie Aaron Dell will start Saturday. In seven career games against the Canucks, Dell is 6-1-0 with two shutouts, a .929 save percentage and a 2.14 goals against average.


mercurynews--2020-01-18--Ted Lieu tells Devin Nunes to ‘shove it’ after Republican colleague threatens lawsuit

A feud between two California lawmakers spilled into the public recently , with one alleging conspiracy and the other threatening legal action .
Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu in December accused Republican Rep. Devin Nunes of conspiring with Lev Parnas , an associate of President Donald Trump ’ s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani and a key figure in the Ukraine scandal at the center of Trump ’ s impeachment , to undermine the U.S. government .
A lawyer for Nunes , the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee , then threatened legal action if Lieu doesn ’ t apologize .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ page of a December 31 letter from Nunes ’ attorney , Steven Biss , threatening to sue to protect his client ’ s reputation .
Lieu included his curt response : “ I welcome any lawsuit from your client and look forward to taking discovery of Congressman Nunes , ” Lieu wrote in a reply letter dated January 16 .
“ Or , you can take your letter and shove it.
” CNN has reached out to Lieu , Biss and Nunes ’ office for comment .
In his tweeted response , Lieu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MSNBC in which he said he recalled speaking and meeting with Nunes , but also said the pair doesn ’ t “ have too much of a relationship.
” Phone records released last month by Democrats as part of the impeachment inquiry showed that Nunes had exchanged multiple phone calls , at key moments , with Parnas .
Parnas , a Soviet-born businessman , was indicted in October by New York federal prosecutors on campaign finance charges .
He has pleaded not guilty to the charges .
Nunes confirmed to Fox News on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , after previously saying such a conversation would have been “ very unlikely.
” Democrats say Trump abused his office by directing a pressure campaign for Ukraine to announce an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden in exchange for $ 400 million in US security aid and a White House meeting .
Trump , Democrats say , then stonewalled congressional investigators to coverup the misconduct .
• McManus : High politics and low on tap in impeachment drama Multiple US officials testified before Congress that Giuliani was a conduit for messages between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Parnas told CNN ’ s Anderson Cooper on Wednesday that his goal was to convince the Ukrainians to announce an investigation into the Bidens in exchange for access to the Trump administration .

By Veronica Stracqualursi | CNN
A feud between two California lawmakers spilled into the public recently, with one alleging conspiracy and the other threatening legal action.
Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu in December accused Republican Rep. Devin Nunes of conspiring with Lev Parnas, an associate of President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani and a key figure in the Ukraine scandal at the center of Trump’s impeachment, to undermine the U.S. government. A lawyer for Nunes, the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, then threatened legal action if Lieu doesn’t apologize.
On Friday, Lieu tweeted the first page of a December 31 letter from Nunes’ attorney, Steven Biss, threatening to sue to protect his client’s reputation.
Lieu included his curt response: “I welcome any lawsuit from your client and look forward to taking discovery of Congressman Nunes,” Lieu wrote in a reply letter dated January 16. “Or, you can take your letter and shove it.”
CNN has reached out to Lieu, Biss and Nunes’ office for comment.
[vemba-video id=”van/ns-acc/2020/01/18/PO-16SA_CNNA-ST1-1000000005976be5″]
In his tweeted response, Lieu pointed to Parnas’ Wednesday interview with MSNBC in which he said he recalled speaking and meeting with Nunes, but also said the pair doesn’t “have too much of a relationship.” Phone records released last month by Democrats as part of the impeachment inquiry showed that Nunes had exchanged multiple phone calls, at key moments, with Parnas.
Attached is the first page of a five page letter in which the lawyer for @DevinNunes threatens that Rep Nunes will sue me. Attached is my response. pic.twitter.com/bWAqdRhq97 — Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) January 17, 2020
Parnas, a Soviet-born businessman, was indicted in October by New York federal prosecutors on campaign finance charges. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Nunes confirmed to Fox News on Wednesday that he had spoken with Parnas, after previously saying such a conversation would have been “very unlikely.”
Democrats say Trump abused his office by directing a pressure campaign for Ukraine to announce an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden in exchange for $400 million in US security aid and a White House meeting. Trump, Democrats say, then stonewalled congressional investigators to coverup the misconduct.
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Pence finds himself the reluctant centerpiece of case against Trump Politics | Should Trump be jailed? 2024 election may decide that Multiple US officials testified before Congress that Giuliani was a conduit for messages between the President and officials in Kiev, and Parnas told CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Wednesday that his goal was to convince the Ukrainians to announce an investigation into the Bidens in exchange for access to the Trump administration.
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mercurynews--2020-01-18--Warriors’ Draymond Green (sprained finger) out vs. Magic

Warriors forward Draymond Green has been ruled out of Saturday night ’ s game against the Magic with a sprained @ @ @ @ @ will be the 12th game Green has missed , having been sidelined for a sprained @ @ @ @ @ ) , sore right heel ( four ) and a sprained left index finger ( @ @ @ @ @ Green will not attend the game due to personal reasons .
Klay Thompson ( left @ @ @ @ @ has been on the bench for several home games this season , will also not @ @ @ @ @ is in Pullman , Wash. , for his No .
1 jersey retirement ceremony during @ @ @ @ @ against Oregon State .
In 32 games , Green is averaging 8.4 points on 38.1 @ @ @ @ @ from 3-point range ) , 5.6 assists and 6.3 rebounds .
After tweaking his ankle @ @ @ @ @ loss to the Nuggets , forward Glenn Robinson III is questionable for Saturday ’ s @ @ @ @ @

Warriors forward Draymond Green has been ruled out of Saturday night’s game against the Magic with a sprained left index finger.
It will be the 12th game Green has missed, having been sidelined for a sprained right ankle (one game), sore right heel (four) and a sprained left index finger (five) this season.
Green will not attend the game due to personal reasons. Klay Thompson (left knee surgery), who has been on the bench for several home games this season, will also not be in attendance as he is in Pullman, Wash., for his No. 1 jersey retirement ceremony during Washington State’s game against Oregon State.
In 32 games, Green is averaging 8.4 points on 38.1% shooting (26.8% from 3-point range), 5.6 assists and 6.3 rebounds.
After tweaking his ankle in Thursday’s overtime loss to the Nuggets, forward Glenn Robinson III is questionable for Saturday’s game against the Magic.


mercurynews--2020-01-18--Mammal or fish, Sharks are dead in the water

As a Sharks fanatic who currently resides in the heart of Avalanche territory , I had so far viewed the team primarily through the lens of television and the broadcasters paid money to keep fans invested in a season lost like a stoner in corn maze .
Certainly , I ’ ve read the commentary and perused the advanced analytics .
Both the national media and the statistics bear out the 90 % + likelihood that San Jose will miss the playoffs in 2020 .
Until the opportunity arose to give The Teal Men of Winter the good ol ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I was determined not to give up hope on this season ’ s Quest For the Cup .
Consider my hope headed to a metaphorical scrap heap near you .
After interim coach Bob ( The Boogeyman ) Boughner announced the starting job in net was up for grabs , Aaron Dell has taken the opportunity and skated with it .
Pete DeBoer ’ s refusal to make the crease a competition , seemingly anointing Martin Jones as his Forever Starter , was definitely a mistake .
Alas , after Dell ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Boughner gave Game of Jones an opportunity to take back his throne .
I imagine Coach Boogeyman immediately regretted it .
On the first shot of the game 45 seconds in , Valeri Nichushkin opened Jones ’ 5-hole and scored .
Here we go again .
Jones seemed to rebound , staying square to the shooter and being suitably aggressive , but it was not to stay that way .
On the final shot of the period , Jones allowed a goal with less than three seconds to Avalanche rookie defenseman Cale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has quite the knack of allowing such deflating goals at inopportune times on the regular as Martin Jones .
Coaches often speak of needing their goalies to make big saves at big times .
Martin Jones is the Bizarro world version of that , making critical lapses at critical times .
His contract — lengthy , pricey , and with a no-movement clause — was long thought to be Wilson ’ s most overt contract albatross .
It ain ’ t lookin ’ great , but no longer .
The time is nigh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Makar , a possible Norris darkhorse in his rookie season .
The kid plays like Erik Karlsson .
Not the $ 92-million man currently darkening the blue line with his propensity for sloppy , game-wrecking turnovers and the passion of an overnight convenience store clerk .
Makar plays like the Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators , a force of nature who controlled the pace of the game and brought fans out of their seats with his speed and seemingly limitless gifts of the hands .
Makar putting the game out of reach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final seconds of the first period was a tough sting to bear .
If there was one defenseman who truly played as if he deserved an average annual salary of $ 11.5 million Thursday night , it was Cale .
It truly is fitting that EK65 has the mustache of a 19th-century train robber .
His now-obscene contract and lackluster performance certainly appear to be robbing Hasso Plattner blind .
The contract directly cost the Sharks their Captain ( Joe Pavelski ) , helped lead to the loss of their Head Coach ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavily to Doug Wilson forfeiting his general manager position before all is said and done .
There was at no point during the following 40:02 of hockey left that the Sharks threatened offensively .
After major reconstructions on both knees , Joe Thornton ’ s strides looked every bit that of a 40-year old struggling to keep up with men half his age .
He looked so slow out there , the thought of shaving his trademark grey beard to cut down on wind resistance seemed a reasonable idea .
Couldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll keep Nazem Kadri from ripping out another tuft .
The Avalanche performed like a high-end timepiece , operating the offense with precision and taking pride in defensive craftsmanship .
The Sharks kind of just did their own thing , playing the final two periods as if they were already on the flight headed for Vancouver .
Were the Sharks defensively skittish after Jones allowed a third goal at 9:58 of the second to Ryan Graves ?
Or have they simply become accustomed to the team deflating like a balloon and have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
In either case , the Sharks packed it in .
• Sharks mailbag : What might the return be for Brenden Dillon , Melker Karlsson ?
• Sharks blown out by Avs as ugly road trip continues • Sharks ’ Mario Ferraro eager to play vs. college teammate for first time Most Avalanche fans stayed in their seats the majority of the game , enjoying the raucous atmosphere of a legitimate Stanley Cup contender .
This , even though the outcome of the game was never in doubt .
The Sharks sleepwalked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goalie Philipp Grubauer sweat to earn the shutout .
Even the few heated moments in the third didn ’ t amount to much , as if San Jose wasn ’ t even up to the task of hoping to believe it could mount a comeback .
The Sharks are on the cusp of acceptance that this season is a lost cause .
For the author of this piece , seeing the Sharks Garbage Tour On Ice in person at Pepsi Center was enough .
I made sure to enjoy Melker Karlsson on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big hit .
It will certainly be the last time I see them in teal in person .

As a Sharks fanatic who currently resides in the heart of Avalanche territory, I had so far viewed the team primarily through the lens of television and the broadcasters paid money to keep fans invested in a season lost like a stoner in corn maze.
Certainly, I’ve read the commentary and perused the advanced analytics. Both the national media and the statistics bear out the 90%+ likelihood that San Jose will miss the playoffs in 2020. Until the opportunity arose to give The Teal Men of Winter the good ol’ fashioned eye test in person Thursday night, I was determined not to give up hope on this season’s Quest For the Cup. Consider my hope headed to a metaphorical scrap heap near you.
After interim coach Bob (The Boogeyman) Boughner announced the starting job in net was up for grabs, Aaron Dell has taken the opportunity and skated with it. Pete DeBoer’s refusal to make the crease a competition, seemingly anointing Martin Jones as his Forever Starter, was definitely a mistake. Alas, after Dell’s first average outing in a while, Boughner gave Game of Jones an opportunity to take back his throne. I imagine Coach Boogeyman immediately regretted it.
On the first shot of the game 45 seconds in, Valeri Nichushkin opened Jones’ 5-hole and scored. Here we go again.
Jones seemed to rebound, staying square to the shooter and being suitably aggressive, but it was not to stay that way. On the final shot of the period, Jones allowed a goal with less than three seconds to Avalanche rookie defenseman Cale Makar.
No goalie in Sharks history has quite the knack of allowing such deflating goals at inopportune times on the regular as Martin Jones. Coaches often speak of needing their goalies to make big saves at big times. Martin Jones is the Bizarro world version of that, making critical lapses at critical times. His contract — lengthy, pricey, and with a no-movement clause — was long thought to be Wilson’s most overt contract albatross. It ain’t lookin’ great, but no longer. The time is nigh.
Back to the Avs’ Cale Makar, a possible Norris darkhorse in his rookie season. The kid plays like Erik Karlsson. Not the $92-million man currently darkening the blue line with his propensity for sloppy, game-wrecking turnovers and the passion of an overnight convenience store clerk. Makar plays like the Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators, a force of nature who controlled the pace of the game and brought fans out of their seats with his speed and seemingly limitless gifts of the hands. Makar putting the game out of reach of a realistic Sharks comeback in the final seconds of the first period was a tough sting to bear.
If there was one defenseman who truly played as if he deserved an average annual salary of $11.5 million Thursday night, it was Cale. It truly is fitting that EK65 has the mustache of a 19th-century train robber. His now-obscene contract and lackluster performance certainly appear to be robbing Hasso Plattner blind. The contract directly cost the Sharks their Captain (Joe Pavelski), helped lead to the loss of their Head Coach (DeBoer), and will likely contribute heavily to Doug Wilson forfeiting his general manager position before all is said and done.
There was at no point during the following 40:02 of hockey left that the Sharks threatened offensively. After major reconstructions on both knees, Joe Thornton’s strides looked every bit that of a 40-year old struggling to keep up with men half his age. He looked so slow out there, the thought of shaving his trademark grey beard to cut down on wind resistance seemed a reasonable idea. Couldn’t hurt. If nothing else, it’ll keep Nazem Kadri from ripping out another tuft.
The Avalanche performed like a high-end timepiece, operating the offense with precision and taking pride in defensive craftsmanship. The Sharks kind of just did their own thing, playing the final two periods as if they were already on the flight headed for Vancouver. Were the Sharks defensively skittish after Jones allowed a third goal at 9:58 of the second to Ryan Graves? Or have they simply become accustomed to the team deflating like a balloon and have chosen to breathe in the escaping helium?
In either case, the Sharks packed it in.
Most Avalanche fans stayed in their seats the majority of the game, enjoying the raucous atmosphere of a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. This, even though the outcome of the game was never in doubt. The Sharks sleepwalked through the third, never making Avs goalie Philipp Grubauer sweat to earn the shutout. Even the few heated moments in the third didn’t amount to much, as if San Jose wasn’t even up to the task of hoping to believe it could mount a comeback.
The Sharks are on the cusp of acceptance that this season is a lost cause. For the author of this piece, seeing the Sharks Garbage Tour On Ice in person at Pepsi Center was enough. I made sure to enjoy Melker Karlsson on the kill and Brenden Dillon laying out a big hit. It will certainly be the last time I see them in teal in person.


mercurynews--2020-01-18--Santa Rosa police arrest man suspected of selling heroin containing fentanyl

SANTA ROSA — Santa Rosa police on Thursday arrested a man suspected of possessing heroin for sale .
Marco Antonio @ @ @ @ @ suspected of selling “ red rock ” heroin that is mixed with the synthetic opioid @ @ @ @ @ He is believed to be part of a drug trafficking organization that distributes the drug @ @ @ @ @ Sonoma County areas , police said .
When Jimenez-Menera was arrested at his residence at @ @ @ @ @ found two pounds of suspected red rock heroin on his person and $ 2,000 in @ @ @ @ @ digital scales and cellphones in his apartment , police said .
• Emerging field of @ @ @ @ @ DNA testing and family histories to solve cold cases • San Jose woman pleads no @ @ @ @ @ killed Fremont teen last year Jimenez-Menera was booked into Sonoma County Jail on a charge @ @ @ @ @ heroin .

Bay City News Service
SANTA ROSA — Santa Rosa police on Thursday arrested a man suspected of possessing heroin for sale.
Marco Antonio Jimenez-Menera, 19, is suspected of selling “red rock” heroin that is mixed with the synthetic opioid fentanyl, police said.
He is believed to be part of a drug trafficking organization that distributes the drug throughout Santa Rosa and surrounding Sonoma County areas, police said.
Police began investigating a possible drug trafficking organization in December.
When Jimenez-Menera was arrested at his residence at 3900 Montgomery Drive, detectives found two pounds of suspected red rock heroin on his person and $2,000 in cash, packaging material, digital scales and cellphones in his apartment, police said.


mercurynews--2020-01-18--Sharks mailbag: What might the return be for Brenden Dillon, Melker Karlsson?

VANCOUVER — There ’ s a bit more than five weeks remaining before the NHL trade deadline , and there ’ s little question that fans of the San Jose Sharks are clamoring for change .
Why wouldn ’ t they ?
With a 21-24-4 record and in 13th place in the Western Conference going into Saturday ’ s game with the Vancouver Canucks , the Sharks have next to no chance to make the playoffs this season .
So , the Feb. 24 trade deadline might be the most important date left on the calendar before the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mind , let ’ s take a peek at the Sharks mailbag one more time this month before the team has its bye week next week .
When ( general manager ) Doug Wilson finds a trade partner , he tends to trade players to good situations .
With that said , any chance we see Staten Island native ( Kevin ) Labanc traded to any of the New York clubs ?
Possibly for ( Rangers goalie Alexandar ) Georgiev ?
( @ JoshEnany21 ) I think your assessment that Wilson wants to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accurate one .
But his first priority is to make trades with the best interests of the San Jose Sharks in mind , regardless of local ties .
I don ’ t think Wilson is looking to deal Labanc necessarily .
But Labanc fits the description of what ’ s been reported about what the Rangers are looking for in a return for Georgiev , a 23-year-old just coming into his prime .
The Rangers want a young forward who can step right in and contribute — not picks or younger prospects .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Georgiev — be enough from the Rangers perspective ?
I ’ m not so sure .
Georgiev might be a No .
1 goalie one day .
There also seems to be a fair amount of interest in Georgiev , no doubt driving up the price tag .
Of the movable pieces — Brenden Dillon , Melker Karlsson , Aaron Dell , Kevin Labanc — what do you think the potential return would be for each ?
( @ hockey_monkey17 ) .
So if we do trade Dillon and Karlsson , what can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of what the Sharks need .
Goalie ?
Top six forward ?
( @ trivialpershoot ) The Sharks , in my opinion , would like to get someone who can come in and contribute fairly soon .
But I think it ’ s more reasonable to expect to get at least two draft picks for Dillon , with one being as high as a second rounder .
In lieu of a draft pick , perhaps a prospect that can challenge for a spot with the Sharks in camp next season .
For Karlsson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pick in return would be realistic .
For complete Sharks coverage follow us on Flipboard .
I think the Sharks could get healthy return for Dell at this point , perhaps something similar to what they might get for Dillon .
Even though Dell does not have much in the way of playoff experience , he has , since Nov. 20 , a .921 save percentage and a 2.48 goals against average — both inside the top 20 in the NHL in that span .
If the Sharks do trade Dell , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goalie in return — simply because it doesn ’ t appear the goalies the Sharks have on the farm are ready to make the jump to the big club .
Focusing on Dillon , here ’ s what some defensemen were traded for in the weeks leading up to the 2019 trade deadline : Jamie Oleksiak ( 2019 4th rounder ) , Jake Muzzin ( 2019 1st rounder , Sean Durzi , Carl Grundstrom ) , Ben Lovejoy ( Connor Carrick , 2019 3rd rounder ) , Adam McQuaid ( 2019 4th , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 2019 6th rounder ) .
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With Muzzin being on the high end of things , and Dillon having more to offer than Jamie Oleksiak , in my opinion , I think getting at least a second rounder ( and another piece ) in return would be satisfactory .
There seems to be an issue beyond goaltending with the Sharks .
However , what can be done at the trade deadline or in the offseason to address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes it difficult for trading .
( @ shrxfan89 ) .
I wonder if they really need to start getting rid off some star players and bring some fresh blood as we need transfusion .
I also would appreciate to see more aggressiveness and accountability approach from coaching staff as well as management .
( Martin Kulik via email ) .
• Mammal or fish , Sharks are dead in the water • Sharks blown out by Avs as ugly road trip continues • Sharks ’ Mario Ferraro eager to play vs. college @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are myriad issues .
My guess is there will not be immediate help coming to the Sharks at the trade deadline .
More along the lines of draft picks and possibly prospects .
The bigger moves , assuming there will be some , will come in the summer .
The Sharks need to get younger and faster , will need to address the goaltending and add some scoring punch .
They have 12 players under contract for next season , taking up nearly $ 63 million of what may be a $ 83 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move out some salary in the summer , they ’ ll once have to rely on young — and cheap — players to make an impact in 2020-21 .
On ( Timo ) Meier , any chance that if he starts next season poorly again that we could see a Jonathan Drouin/Mikhail Sergachev type of trade with him ?
( @ JacyLeBlanc ) .
That type of trade would skate things up , no question .
Meier hasn ’ t been consistent enough this season , but he could still wind up in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average final 30 games of the regular season .
He ’ s on a reasonable contract for three more years after this one .
So unless Sharks management is blown away by a trade offer , it ’ s hard to imagine Meier getting dealt this summer .

VANCOUVER — There’s a bit more than five weeks remaining before the NHL trade deadline, and there’s little question that fans of the San Jose Sharks are clamoring for change.
Why wouldn’t they? With a 21-24-4 record and in 13th place in the Western Conference going into Saturday’s game with the Vancouver Canucks, the Sharks have next to no chance to make the playoffs this season.
So, the Feb. 24 trade deadline might be the most important date left on the calendar before the end of the regular season.
With that in mind, let’s take a peek at the Sharks mailbag one more time this month before the team has its bye week next week.
When (general manager) Doug Wilson finds a trade partner, he tends to trade players to good situations. With that said, any chance we see Staten Island native (Kevin) Labanc traded to any of the New York clubs? Possibly for (Rangers goalie Alexandar) Georgiev? (@JoshEnany21)
I think your assessment that Wilson wants to do right by certain players is an accurate one. But his first priority is to make trades with the best interests of the San Jose Sharks in mind, regardless of local ties.
I don’t think Wilson is looking to deal Labanc necessarily. But Labanc fits the description of what’s been reported about what the Rangers are looking for in a return for Georgiev, a 23-year-old just coming into his prime. The Rangers want a young forward who can step right in and contribute — not picks or younger prospects.
Would a one-for-one deal — Labanc for Georgiev — be enough from the Rangers perspective? I’m not so sure. Georgiev might be a No. 1 goalie one day. There also seems to be a fair amount of interest in Georgiev, no doubt driving up the price tag.
Of the movable pieces — Brenden Dillon, Melker Karlsson, Aaron Dell, Kevin Labanc — what do you think the potential return would be for each? (@hockey_monkey17).
So if we do trade Dillon and Karlsson, what can we expect to get back in terms of what the Sharks need. Goalie? Top six forward? (@trivialpershoot)
The Sharks, in my opinion, would like to get someone who can come in and contribute fairly soon. But I think it’s more reasonable to expect to get at least two draft picks for Dillon, with one being as high as a second rounder. In lieu of a draft pick, perhaps a prospect that can challenge for a spot with the Sharks in camp next season. For Karlsson, I think getting a third round pick in return would be realistic.
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I think the Sharks could get healthy return for Dell at this point, perhaps something similar to what they might get for Dillon. Even though Dell does not have much in the way of playoff experience, he has, since Nov. 20, a .921 save percentage and a 2.48 goals against average — both inside the top 20 in the NHL in that span. If the Sharks do trade Dell, they would more than likely need a experienced goalie in return — simply because it doesn’t appear the goalies the Sharks have on the farm are ready to make the jump to the big club.
Focusing on Dillon, here’s what some defensemen were traded for in the weeks leading up to the 2019 trade deadline: Jamie Oleksiak (2019 4th rounder), Jake Muzzin (2019 1st rounder, Sean Durzi, Carl Grundstrom), Ben Lovejoy (Connor Carrick, 2019 3rd rounder), Adam McQuaid (2019 4th, 7th rounders), Michael Del Zotto (2019 6th rounder).
Like our Sharks Facebook page for more San Jose Sharks news, commentary and conversation.
With Muzzin being on the high end of things, and Dillon having more to offer than Jamie Oleksiak, in my opinion, I think getting at least a second rounder (and another piece) in return would be satisfactory.
There seems to be an issue beyond goaltending with the Sharks. However, what can be done at the trade deadline or in the offseason to address this? Jones has a contract that makes it difficult for trading. (@shrxfan89).
I wonder if they really need to start getting rid off some star players and bring some fresh blood as we need transfusion. I also would appreciate to see more aggressiveness and accountability approach from coaching staff as well as management. (Martin Kulik via email).
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The Sharks need to get younger and faster, will need to address the goaltending and add some scoring punch. They have 12 players under contract for next season, taking up nearly $63 million of what may be a $83 million salary cap. So unless they move out some salary in the summer, they’ll once have to rely on young — and cheap — players to make an impact in 2020-21.
On (Timo) Meier, any chance that if he starts next season poorly again that we could see a Jonathan Drouin/Mikhail Sergachev type of trade with him? (@JacyLeBlanc).
That type of trade would skate things up, no question. Meier hasn’t been consistent enough this season, but he could still wind up in the 24-28 goal range with just an average final 30 games of the regular season. He’s on a reasonable contract for three more years after this one. So unless Sharks management is blown away by a trade offer, it’s hard to imagine Meier getting dealt this summer.


mercurynews--2020-01-18--Wrong-way driver killed in Highway 1 crash identified as 40-year-old man

PACIFICA — A 40-year-old man who was killed after driving the wrong way on Highway 1 and colliding with another vehicle has been identified by San Mateo County Coroner ’ s Office as Rydell Manahan , of San Pablo .
Shortly after 3 a.m. on Jan. 16 , Manahan , who was driving a Dodge Charger , entered the southbound lanes of Highway 1 at Manor Drive , going the wrong direction and collided with a Mercedes SUV , according to the California Highway Patrol .
Manahan was pronounced dead at the scene .
A woman riding in the passenger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the driver of the Mercedes — a man believed to be in his 50s — were both transported to the hospital with unknown injuries .
It is unclear at this time if drugs or alcohol were a factor in the fatal collision .
The fatal collision marks a troubling trend for California Highway Patrol , which tallied more than 25 wrong-way crashes in 2019 .
Just one day following the collision that caused Manahan ’ s death , a woman was killed after driving the wrong way for at least 5 miles on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicle near Campbell .

PACIFICA — A 40-year-old man who was killed after driving the wrong way on Highway 1 and colliding with another vehicle has been identified by San Mateo County Coroner’s Office as Rydell Manahan, of San Pablo.
Shortly after 3 a.m. on Jan. 16, Manahan, who was driving a Dodge Charger, entered the southbound lanes of Highway 1 at Manor Drive, going the wrong direction and collided with a Mercedes SUV, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Manahan was pronounced dead at the scene. A woman riding in the passenger seat of Manahan’s Charger and the driver of the Mercedes — a man believed to be in his 50s — were both transported to the hospital with unknown injuries.
It is unclear at this time if drugs or alcohol were a factor in the fatal collision.
The fatal collision marks a troubling trend for California Highway Patrol, which tallied more than 25 wrong-way crashes in 2019.
Just one day following the collision that caused Manahan’s death, a woman was killed after driving the wrong way for at least 5 miles on Interstate 880 and crashing head-on with another vehicle near Campbell.


mercurynews--2020-01-19--Letter: Helping foster youths gain self-sufﬁciency is essential

I am writing in regards to the article “ Why one Bay Area county is exploring basic income for former @ @ @ @ @ , Jan. 13 ) .
I am thrilled to see that there is a plan @ @ @ @ @ are emancipated from the foster care system .
As a social work intern at Abode @ @ @ @ @ , firsthand , how having little to no income can prevent a foster youth from @ @ @ @ @ universal basic income will help former foster youth maintain financial stability .
Foster youths are @ @ @ @ @ at high risk of becoming homeless , especially those who transition out of foster care @ @ @ @ @ can we vote or buy online without accurate information ?
• Letter : Housing crisis @ @ @ @ @ rich people Due to this growing concern , it is essential to have services and @ @ @ @ @ sustain self-sufﬁciency and a stable transition to adulthood while reducing the risk of homelessness .
@ @ @ @ @ editor via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

Helping foster youths gain
self-sufﬁciency is essential
I am writing in regards to the article “Why one Bay Area county is exploring basic income for former foster youth” (Eastbaytimes.com, Jan. 13). I am thrilled to see that there is a plan proposed to support youths who are emancipated from the foster care system.
As a social work intern at Abode Services, I have seen, firsthand, how having little to no income can prevent a foster youth from living sufficiently. Providing a universal basic income will help former foster youth maintain financial stability.
Foster youths are among the most vulnerable populations at high risk of becoming homeless, especially those who transition out of foster care.
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Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path Letters to the Editor | Letters: Local solar | Titan resources | Activism helps Due to this growing concern, it is essential to have services and resources to help foster youths sustain self-sufﬁciency and a stable transition to adulthood while reducing the risk of homelessness.
Jennifer Le
Fremont
Submit your letter to the editor via this form
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mercurynews--2020-01-19--Letter: Silicon Valley power couple is closing their foundation

Sad to hear of the closing of this local foundation We , at Healthier Kids Foundation are sad to see the Morgan Family Foundation plan to close their doors , but we are also happy to see Jim and Becky Morgan take more time for themselves after many years serving our community .
The Morgan Family Foundation and staff have been wonderful partners in efforts to change lives and transform communities .
Their belief that , “ Generosity is contagious and should be encouraged in others ” is something we can all strive to create and they have been unstinting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their advice .
• Letter : How can we vote or buy online without accurate information ?
• Letter : Housing crisis is due to too many rich people • Letter : Any water we save will help millions of families survive Jim and Becky have been supportive in so many ways ; Becky has been a school board member and state Senator , and founder of Teen Success ( what wonderful work they do ) .
Jim ran Applied Materials , Inc. for more than 30 years , just finished a book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been environmentalists for decades .
Thank you for your partnership !
Submit your letter to the editor via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

Sad to hear of the closing of this local foundation
We, at Healthier Kids Foundation are sad to see the Morgan Family Foundation plan to close their doors, but we are also happy to see Jim and Becky Morgan take more time for themselves after many years serving our community.
The Morgan Family Foundation and staff have been wonderful partners in efforts to change lives and transform communities. Their belief that, “Generosity is contagious and should be encouraged in others” is something we can all strive to create and they have been unstinting with their giving, their time and their advice.
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Kathleen King
CEO, Healthier Kids Foundation
San Jose
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Bridge: Jan. 19, 2020

“ I ’ ve had to agree with my wife so much , ” a player at the club told me ruefully , “ that now when I hear the sound of her voice , I just instinctively start to nod.
” In a matchpoint duplicate event , my friend opened one heart as today ’ s South , and his wife , North , raised to two hearts when West overcalled one spade .
“ I bid four hearts , ” my friend said .
“ When I saw dummy , I thought my wife might have tried 1NT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her heart support was mandatory , and I just nodded.
” West took the K-A of spades and led a third spade , and East ruffed dummy ’ s queen .
Declarer overruffed , led a diamond to the king and returned the jack of trumps to finesse .
West produced the king and exited with a trump .
“ I drew trumps , ” South told me , “ and took the ace , queen and king of clubs , hoping for a 3-3 break .
When West discarded , I tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but West had the queen .
My wife said I had booted the contract .
I had no idea what she was talking about , but I nodded like I always do.
” Did South do anything terrible ?
After South draws trumps , he should cash his last trump , pitching a diamond from dummy .
He next takes the three top clubs .
With two tricks to go , dummy has a low diamond and a low club , and declarer has the A-J of diamonds .
When dummy leads a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follows with the ten , South knows his last card is the jack of clubs , so a diamond finesse can ’ t win .
So South puts up the ace — and makes his game when the queen falls from West .

“I’ve had to agree with my wife so much,” a player at the club told me ruefully, “that now when I hear the sound of her voice, I just instinctively start to nod.”
In a matchpoint duplicate event, my friend opened one heart as today’s South, and his wife, North, raised to two hearts when West overcalled one spade.
“I bid four hearts,” my friend said. “When I saw dummy, I thought my wife might have tried 1NT instead, but she insisted that showing her heart support was mandatory, and I just nodded.”
West took the K-A of spades and led a third spade, and East ruffed dummy’s queen. Declarer overruffed, led a diamond to the king and returned the jack of trumps to finesse. West produced the king and exited with a trump.
“I drew trumps,” South told me, “and took the ace, queen and king of clubs, hoping for a 3-3 break. When West discarded, I tried a diamond finesse with the jack, but West had the queen. My wife said I had booted the contract. I had no idea what she was talking about, but I nodded like I always do.”
Did South do anything terrible?
After South draws trumps, he should cash his last trump, pitching a diamond from dummy. He next takes the three top clubs. With two tricks to go, dummy has a low diamond and a low club, and declarer has the A-J of diamonds.
When dummy leads a diamond at the 12th trick and East follows with the ten, South knows his last card is the jack of clubs, so a diamond finesse can’t win. So South puts up the ace — and makes his game when the queen falls from West.
South dealer
Both sides vulnerable
NORTH
S Q 8 3
H J 10 7
D K 8 5
C K 8 6 2
WEST
S A K J 5 4 2
H K 5 2
D Q 6
C 4 3
EAST
S 10 7
H 4 3
D 10 9 4 3 2
C J 10 9 5
SOUTH
S 9 6
H A Q 9 8 6
D A J 7
C A Q 7
South West North East
1 H 1 S 2 H Pass
4 H All Pass
Opening lead — S K
(C)2020 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


Word Game: Jan. 19, 2020

TODAY ’ S WORD — LEAPFROG ( LEAPFROG : LEAP-frog : A game in which one player bends down and is jumped over by another . )
Can you find 75 or more words in LEAPFROG ?
TODAY ’ S WORD — LEAPFROG lager large leaf leap loaf loafer loge lope loper lore earl ergo ager aloe aper page pager pale paler pare parol parole peal pear pearl pergola plea polar pole poler pore fare faro feral flag flap flare flea floe flog flop flora foal forage fore forge froe frog rage rale rape real reap regal role rope ogle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gape gaper gear glare goal golf golfer gore grape Grope To purchase the Word Game book , visit WordGameBooks.com .
Order it now for just $ 5 while supplies last !
1 .
Words must be of four or more letters .
2 .
Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “ s , ” such as “ bats ” or “ dies , ” are not allowed .
3 .
Additional words made by adding a “ d ” or an “ s ” may not be used .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used , “ baked ” or “ bakes ” are not allowed , but “ bake ” and “ baking ” are admissible .
4 .
Proper nouns , slang words , or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed .

TODAY’S WORD — LEAPFROG (LEAPFROG: LEAP-frog: A game in which one player bends down and is jumped over by another.)
Average mark 53 words
Time limit 60 minutes
Can you find 75 or more words in LEAPFROG? TODAY’S WORD — LEAPFROG lager large
leaf leap loaf loafer loge lope loper lore earl ergo ager aloe aper page pager pale paler pare
parol parole peal pear pearl pergola plea polar pole poler pore fare faro feral flag flap flare
flea floe flog flop flora foal forage fore forge froe frog rage rale rape real reap regal role rope
ogle ogler ogre opal opera oral gale galore gape gaper gear glare goal golf golfer gore grape
Grope
To purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!
RULES OF THE GAME:
1. Words must be of four or more letters.
2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.
3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible.
4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
Contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe at kzsaxe@gmail.com.