mercurynews--2020-11-12--Bay Area man charged with child sex crimes, attempting to hire hitman faces arraignment

A Solano County Superior Court judge again has reshuffled a held-to-answer arraignment date for a Vacaville man charged with the molestation of two young girls and hiring a hitman to kill them while he was jailed .
Judge Tim Kam reset the matter for Ronald Scott Thomas Jr. , 46 , who was scheduled to appear Monday in Department 7 , for 8:30 a.m. Nov. 30 in the Justice Building in Vallejo .
Thomas is represented by criminal defense attorney Sal Giambona .
A Rio Vista High School graduate and a former petroleum truck driver for a Benicia business , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County Jail since June 2018 , when he was arrested at his home in the 100 block of Del Rio Court in connection with the child sexual abuse .
According to the Solano County District Attorney ’ s complaint filed that same month , Thomas was charged with the continued sexual abuse of a child and lewd and lascivious acts with that child , who was under the age of 14 at the time .
The abuse reportedly occurred between June 2009 and June 2013 .
The complaint also included a charge of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the age of 14 , said to have occurred between September 2012 and September 2013 on the second girl .
Court documents reveal that Thomas , at some point while in jail , allegedly attempted to solicit numerous other inmates in a murder-for-hire plot .
A motion to remand the defendant and deny him bail , filed in August 2018 , indicated an inmate told a correctional officer in July that Thomas asked him about having someone outside the jail kill the older victim for $ 5,000 .
The younger victim would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ document indicated , “ as she could not remember as much of what the defendant did to her given her age.
” Thomas reportedly provided maps of the girls ’ schools and church and suggested the older victim be killed along with her dad , making the deaths appear to be a “ drug deal gone wrong.
” Thomas , according to the motion , offered $ 5,000 apiece for the victims ’ deaths and suggested various ways to have the girls and a family member killed .
Payment , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mother ’ s Power of Attorney to access money from a 401 ( k ) pension plan .
• ‘ I ’ m sorry if I did anything to hurt you ’ : East Bay teacher accused of child molestation was brought down by victim ’ s pretext call , police say • Tens of thousands file sex abuse claims against Boy Scouts of America as deadline approaches • Vatican admits Pope John Paul II was warned about abusive archbishop Theodore McCarrick , while clearing Francis • Two East Bay men charged with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say there are at least 21 victims , youngest was 11 years old • California prison staff cleared in case of man who beat two convicted child molesters to death after warning he would soon get violent Follow-up interviews with other inmates on Thomas ’ cell block allegedly revealed seven were solicited for murder .
Thomas later confessed after being confronted with mounting evidence , the officials added .
The investigation was an effort between multiple agencies , including the Solano County District Attorney ’ s Office , the Solano County Sheriff ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Thomas is being held without bail .

A Solano County Superior Court judge again has reshuffled a held-to-answer arraignment date for a Vacaville man charged with the molestation of two young girls and hiring a hitman to kill them while he was jailed.
Judge Tim Kam reset the matter for Ronald Scott Thomas Jr., 46, who was scheduled to appear Monday in Department 7, for 8:30 a.m. Nov. 30 in the Justice Building in Vallejo. Thomas is represented by criminal defense attorney Sal Giambona.
A Rio Vista High School graduate and a former petroleum truck driver for a Benicia business, Thomas has been in custody in Solano County Jail since June 2018, when he was arrested at his home in the 100 block of Del Rio Court in connection with the child sexual abuse.
According to the Solano County District Attorney’s complaint filed that same month, Thomas was charged with the continued sexual abuse of a child and lewd and lascivious acts with that child, who was under the age of 14 at the time. The abuse reportedly occurred between June 2009 and June 2013.
The complaint also included a charge of committing a lewd act upon a child under the age of 14, said to have occurred between September 2012 and September 2013 on the second girl.
Court documents reveal that Thomas, at some point while in jail, allegedly attempted to solicit numerous other inmates in a murder-for-hire plot.
A motion to remand the defendant and deny him bail, filed in August 2018, indicated an inmate told a correctional officer in July that Thomas asked him about having someone outside the jail kill the older victim for $5,000.
The younger victim would apparently be an optional kill, the document indicated, “as she could not remember as much of what the defendant did to her given her age.”
Thomas reportedly provided maps of the girls’ schools and church and suggested the older victim be killed along with her dad, making the deaths appear to be a “drug deal gone wrong.”
Thomas, according to the motion, offered $5,000 apiece for the victims’ deaths and suggested various ways to have the girls and a family member killed.
Payment, according to the document, would follow after gaining his mother’s Power of Attorney to access money from a 401(k) pension plan.
Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | San Francisco airport employee accused of serial child molestation, discussing child ‘sex slave’ adoption and distributing sex abuse videos
San Francisco airport employee accused of serial child molestation, discussing child ‘sex slave’ adoption and distributing sex abuse videos Crime and Public Safety | Sextortion plot led teen to suicide. 2 Nigerians arrive in U.S. to face charges
Sextortion plot led teen to suicide. 2 Nigerians arrive in U.S. to face charges Crime and Public Safety | Marine charged with sexual assault of missing 14-year-old girl found in Camp Pendleton barracks
Marine charged with sexual assault of missing 14-year-old girl found in Camp Pendleton barracks Crime and Public Safety | Big Sur man sentenced to 30 years for child sexual abuse
Big Sur man sentenced to 30 years for child sexual abuse Crime and Public Safety | Facing more than 500 abuse lawsuits, San Francisco Archdiocese says bankruptcy ‘very likely’ Follow-up interviews with other inmates on Thomas’ cell block allegedly revealed seven were solicited for murder.
Thomas later confessed after being confronted with mounting evidence, the officials added.
The investigation was an effort between multiple agencies, including the Solano County District Attorney’s Office, the Solano County Sheriff’s Office and the Fairfield Police Department.
Thomas is being held without bail.


mercurynews--2020-11-13--Cal football: As clock ticks, Bears still waiting to see if Arizona State game is on

BERKELEY — Cal football coach Justin Wilcox probably was in no mood Thursday to blow out candles on his 44th birthday .
More likely he was just hoping the Bears ’ chances of playing a football game this weekend haven ’ t been extinguished .
There was no word from Cal on the status of its scheduled game at Arizona State on Saturday night .
That doesn ’ t bode well , given the team would have been packing to fly Friday to Phoenix , and that seems on hold .
The Bears have been without their defensive linemen for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them tested positive for COVID-19 and others in his position group were quarantined after contact tracing showed they were potentially exposed to the virus .
A spokesperson for the City of Berkeley confirmed in an email Thursday that its Tuesday night statement stands — Cal ’ s players in quarantine must complete 14 days before being allowed to rejoin their team .
Cal , which had its opener at home against Washington canceled last Saturday , may be trying to reschedule ASU for Sunday .
Or perhaps even Monday .
That is mostly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until the matter is resolved .
But with no open dates ahead on their original seven-game schedule that runs through Dec. 19 , the Bears are no doubt willing to go to great lengths to make this game happen .
Complicating discussions between the two schools may be the fact that while Cal continued to practice with available players , ASU canceled its Thursday workouts .
No reason was given , leading to widespread guesswork that included concerns the Sun Devils may also have a COVID-19 problem .
Meanwhile , Cal basketball coach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the football team in his remarks during the Pac-12 ’ s virtual media day Thursday .
The Cal basketball team had its practices shut down for five days , ending Nov. 1 , when one of its players tested positive .
“ It wasn ’ t a lot of fun , ” Fox said .
• Cal football : Five players who could make a difference for Bears in 2020 • Cal football : Five issues facing the Bears before the season begins Fox said he and Wilcox talk regularly on the phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respect for coach Wilcox and their team and what they ’ re going through , ” Fox said .
“ All offseason he kept saying , ` You ’ re going to play a game before I do.
’ “ So we made a lunch wager on it .
I thought I was going to win until the last 10 days.
” It ’ s still quite unlikely Fox ’ s team will play first , given that the college basketball season doesn ’ t begin until Nov. 25 .
The Bears ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , on Nov. 21 at Oregon State .

BERKELEY — Cal football coach Justin Wilcox probably was in no mood Thursday to blow out candles on his 44th birthday.
More likely he was just hoping the Bears’ chances of playing a football game this weekend haven’t been extinguished.
There was no word from Cal on the status of its scheduled game at Arizona State on Saturday night. That doesn’t bode well, given the team would have been packing to fly Friday to Phoenix, and that seems on hold.
The Bears have been without their defensive linemen for more than a week after one of them tested positive for COVID-19 and others in his position group were quarantined after contact tracing showed they were potentially exposed to the virus.
A spokesperson for the City of Berkeley confirmed in an email Thursday that its Tuesday night statement stands — Cal’s players in quarantine must complete 14 days before being allowed to rejoin their team.
Cal, which had its opener at home against Washington canceled last Saturday, may be trying to reschedule ASU for Sunday. Or perhaps even Monday.
That is mostly speculation because Cal is offering no updates until the matter is resolved. But with no open dates ahead on their original seven-game schedule that runs through Dec. 19, the Bears are no doubt willing to go to great lengths to make this game happen.
Complicating discussions between the two schools may be the fact that while Cal continued to practice with available players, ASU canceled its Thursday workouts. No reason was given, leading to widespread guesswork that included concerns the Sun Devils may also have a COVID-19 problem.
Meanwhile, Cal basketball coach Mark Fox showed empathy for Wilcox and the football team in his remarks during the Pac-12’s virtual media day Thursday.
The Cal basketball team had its practices shut down for five days, ending Nov. 1, when one of its players tested positive. “It wasn’t a lot of fun,” Fox said.
Fox said he and Wilcox talk regularly on the phone.
“I’ve got great respect for coach Wilcox and their team and what they’re going through,” Fox said. “All offseason he kept saying, `You’re going to play a game before I do.’
“So we made a lunch wager on it. I thought I was going to win until the last 10 days.”
It’s still quite unlikely Fox’s team will play first, given that the college basketball season doesn’t begin until Nov. 25. The Bears’ football team has another scheduled game before that, on Nov. 21 at Oregon State.


mercurynews--2020-11-13--Officials: Nov. 3 election was most secure in US history

By Eric Tucker and Frank Bajak | Associated Press WASHINGTON — A coalition of federal and state officials said Thursday that they have no evidence that votes were compromised or altered in last week ’ s presidential election , rejecting unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud advanced by President Donald Trump and many of his supporters .
The statement from cybersecurity experts , which trumpeted the Nov. 3 election as the most secure in American history , amounted to the most direct repudiation to date of Trump ’ s efforts to undermine the integrity of the contest .
It echoed repeated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the election unfolded smoothly without broad irregularities .
“ While we know there are many unfounded claims and opportunities for misinformation about the process of our elections , we can assure you we have the utmost confidence in the security and integrity of our elections , and you should too , ” the statement said .
“ When you have questions , turn to elections officials as trusted voices as they administer elections.
” The statement was distributed by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency , which spearheaded federal election protection efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter in reassuring Americans that the election was secure and that their votes would be counted .
The officials who signed the statement said they had no evidence that any voting system had deleted or changed votes , or was in any way compromised .
“ The November 3rd election was the most secure in American history .
Right now , across the country , election officials are reviewing and double checking the entire election process prior to finalizing the result , ” the statement said .
The message is in stark contrast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud and widespread problems that he insists could affect vote totals .
He has launched a series of legal challenges , though many of those lawsuits have been turned away by judges .
The issues Trump ’ s campaign and its allies have pointed to are typical in every election : problems with signatures , secrecy envelopes and postmarks on mail-in ballots , as well as the potential for a small number of ballots miscast or lost .
With Biden leading Trump by wide margins in key battleground states , none of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outcome of the election .
Trump ’ s campaign has also launched legal challenges complaining that their poll watchers were unable to scrutinize the voting process .
Many of those challenges have been tossed out by judges , some within hours of their filing ; again , none of the complaints show any evidence that the outcome of the election was affected .
The statement ’ s authors include the presidents of the National Association of State Election Directors and the National Association of Secretaries of State — who run elections at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the government-industry coordinating council that includes all the major voting equipment vendors .

By Eric Tucker and Frank Bajak | Associated Press
WASHINGTON — A coalition of federal and state officials said Thursday that they have no evidence that votes were compromised or altered in last week’s presidential election, rejecting unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud advanced by President Donald Trump and many of his supporters.
The statement from cybersecurity experts, which trumpeted the Nov. 3 election as the most secure in American history, amounted to the most direct repudiation to date of Trump’s efforts to undermine the integrity of the contest. It echoed repeated assertions by election experts and state officials that the election unfolded smoothly without broad irregularities.
“While we know there are many unfounded claims and opportunities for misinformation about the process of our elections, we can assure you we have the utmost confidence in the security and integrity of our elections, and you should too,” the statement said. “When you have questions, turn to elections officials as trusted voices as they administer elections.”
[vemba-video id=”politics/2020/11/13/dhs-election-most-secure-history-trump-biden-burnett-opening-ebof-vpx.cnn”]
Video: ‘Most secure ever:’ Trump officials contradict his election claims
The statement was distributed by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which spearheaded federal election protection efforts. Its leaders have been vocal on Twitter in reassuring Americans that the election was secure and that their votes would be counted.
The officials who signed the statement said they had no evidence that any voting system had deleted or changed votes, or was in any way compromised.
“The November 3rd election was the most secure in American history. Right now, across the country, election officials are reviewing and double checking the entire election process prior to finalizing the result,” the statement said.
The message is in stark contrast to Trump’s unsupported claims of fraud and widespread problems that he insists could affect vote totals. He has launched a series of legal challenges, though many of those lawsuits have been turned away by judges.
The issues Trump’s campaign and its allies have pointed to are typical in every election: problems with signatures, secrecy envelopes and postmarks on mail-in ballots, as well as the potential for a small number of ballots miscast or lost. With Biden leading Trump by wide margins in key battleground states, none of those issues would have any impact on the outcome of the election.
Trump’s campaign has also launched legal challenges complaining that their poll watchers were unable to scrutinize the voting process. Many of those challenges have been tossed out by judges, some within hours of their filing; again, none of the complaints show any evidence that the outcome of the election was affected.
The statement’s authors include the presidents of the National Association of State Election Directors and the National Association of Secretaries of State — who run elections at the state level — and the executive committee of the government-industry coordinating council that includes all the major voting equipment vendors.


mercurynews--2020-11-13--Motorcyclist killed after driving off San Mateo County cliff

SAN MATEO COUNTY – A motorcyclist died after driving off a cliff Thursday afternoon on the San Mateo County coast @ @ @ @ @ crash was reported about 3:20 p.m. on Highway 1 in the McNee Ranch State Park @ @ @ @ @ Whale Cove State Beach , said Officer Mark Andrews of the California Highway Patrol .
@ @ @ @ @ identified only as a 26-year-old man , was pronounced dead at the scene .
The @ @ @ @ @ control Thursday evening as authorities worked to recover the body and motorcycle .
Anyone with @ @ @ @ @ contact the San Francisco area CHP office at 415- 557-1094 .

SAN MATEO COUNTY – A motorcyclist died after driving off a cliff Thursday afternoon on the San Mateo County coast, authorities said.
The crash was reported at about 3:20 p.m. on Highway 1 in the McNee Ranch State Park area, south of Gray Whale Cove State Beach, said Officer Mark Andrews of the California Highway Patrol.
Andrews said the rider, identified only as a 26-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene. As of Friday afternoon, the San Mateo County coroner had not released his name.
The CHP provided one-way traffic control through the area while crews worked to recover the body and vehicle. The highway reopened just before 6 p.m., according to CHP dispatch logs.
Anyone with information about the crash can contact the San Francisco area CHP office at 415- 557-1094.
Check back for updates.


mercurynews--2020-11-13--What’s next for the Trump-Fox relationship?

The leaders of Fox News will never say this out loud , but they believe that their media empire is bigger than President Trump .
And they have billions of reasons to think so : Billions of dollars in revenue along with millions of loyal viewers .
Fox employees are confident that the Biden years will be prosperous for the network , and they ’ re not losing sleep over the prospect of “ Trump TV , ” according to numerous sources at the company .
But some observers think they should be concerned .
It is possible that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and peel away disillusioned viewers if he launches a media company of his own .
It is possible that the right-wing media map , long controlled by Fox , is about to become balkanized .
Video : Why Trump is bashing Fox News on Twitter In the days since Fox and the other major networks called the election for President-elect Joe Biden , Trump has been stoking anger at Fox and promoting the much smaller and often more conspiratorial right-wing networks Newsmax and One America News .
Then again , he has also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favorable commentators , and seeking counsel from Fox ’ s 9 p.m. host , Sean Hannity .
Here ’ s the best way to interpret what ’ s going on : Trump and Fox patriarch Rupert Murdoch have had a corporate marriage of convenience for five years .
Trump is threatening to break up , but Fox has been through plenty of these rough patches before .
The question now is what Trump might do after he leaves office .
A Trump-branded streaming service appears more likely than a “ Trump TV ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible : A radio show hosted by Trump , an expansion of the Trump campaign ’ s current webcasts , or a licensing deal with a company like Newsmax .
What about a “ Donald Trump Tonight ” talk show on Fox ?
Is that out of the question ?
The answer is no , at least not entirely .
There are almost always pieces that could be moved .
For example : Hannity ’ s been at Fox for almost 25 years now .
Maybe he could retire and let Trump take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump is fuming about the network ’ s coverage .
So here is a viewers guide to the months ahead .
The roots of the relationship Trump was a Fox News viewer before he was a Fox News star .
He learned a lot about the Republican party ’ s base by watching the network and calling into the morning show “ Fox & Friends ” while still starring on NBC ’ s “ Celebrity Apprentice.
” He continued to call in to and appear on the network regularly while running for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2015 and 2016 , even as he attacked Fox host Megyn Kelly and lambasted some of the network ’ s commentators .
He has had the same carrot-and-stick approach ever since : Complimenting his Fox supporters — rewarding them with interviews and Twitter plugs and visits to the White House — while complaining about Fox ’ s dissenters .
Murdoch used to be vocally critical of Trump ’ s conduct .
The media mogul famously wrote on Twitter in the summer of 2015 , “ When is Donald Trump going to stop embarrassing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country ?
” But Murdoch made peace with Trump as the Republican primary field narrowed and Trump won the nomination .
He didn ’ t believe Trump would beat Hillary Clinton in the general election , but when Trump did , Murdoch reached what one family friend later called a “ detente.
” The media marriage was visible for all to see on TV .
Fox touted Trump and he touted the network .
The Murdochs profited while Trump benefited from Fox ’ s promotion and propaganda .
Who has the power ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ titled “ Hoax : Donald Trump , Fox News , and the Dangerous Distortion of Truth , ” based on information from confidential sources in and around Fox .
I quoted a former “ Fox & Friends ” producer who said outsiders misunderstood the relationship .
“ People think he ’ s calling up ‘ Fox & Friends ’ and telling us what to say .
Hell no .
It ’ s the opposite , ” the former producer said .
“ We tell him what to say.
” This braggadocious view is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Twitter feed , which shows that he often starts his day by watching the “ Friends ” and repeating what they said on TV .
Trump ’ s Fox News fixation was a major theme of his presidency .
He hired people from Fox , fired people because of Fox , and gave most of his national TV interviews to Fox .
Sometimes it was hard to tell where Trump ended and Fox began .
But even with this close relationship , he was still prone to sending mean tweets whenever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the network .
Fox executives usually just ignored his complaints .
They felt that they , not the President , had the power .
It ’ s important to recognize that Fox has a near-monopoly position in right-wing TV .
The network ’ s audience is extraordinarily loyal , as was demonstrated in late 2016 and early 2017 when three of Fox ’ s biggest stars — Megyn Kelly , Bill O ’ Reilly and Greta van Susteren — all left in a nine-month period , and the ratings basically stayed the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the lesson was that , on Fox at least , everyone is replaceable .
Does that lesson apply to Trump too ?
In some ways he is Fox ’ s biggest star of the past five years .
But now his presidential show is ending .
Trump might think that Fox needs his star power , and on the margins it ’ s true that Trump appearances and interviews are right-wing ratings boosters .
But the network was No .
1 long before he became a politician .
As sociologist Arlie Russell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Strangers in Their Own Land : Anger and Mourning on the American Right , ” about Tea Party supporters in Louisiana , “ Fox News stands next to industry , state government , church , and the regular media as an extra pillar of political culture all its own.
” It takes a lot more than a Trump tweet to convince people to abandon family .
Nevertheless , Trump might be trying to dissolve this media marriage .
In line with his past jabs at Fox ’ s news coverage , he wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ratings have completely collapsed .
Weekend daytime even WORSE.
” Fox ’ s daytime ratings are looking somewhat soft this week , but that ’ s not a surprise , since Biden ’ s victory is interpreted as bad news by the Fox base .
The network is also feeling pressure from the far-right , from channels such as Newsmax , which are criticizing Fox for projecting Biden ’ s win in Arizona and calling Biden the president-elect .
Newsmax ’ s ratings have skyrocketed in recent days , but Fox is still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challengers .
Trump ’ s tweet on Thursday continued : “ Very sad to watch this happen , but they forgot what made them successful , what got them there .
They forgot the Golden Goose .
The biggest difference between the 2016 Election , and 2020 , was @ FoxNews !
” Trump leveled similar charges against Fox throughout the 2020 campaign .
But his assertion that he was Fox ’ s “ Golden Goose ” doesn ’ t add up .
The network has been growing steadily for years , thanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the rest of the national media .
Stars like Hannity encourage and worsen this alienation each day by attacking what he calls “ fake ” news .
Sources inside Fox predicted that Trump would snap back to normal and praise the network ’ s opinion hosts in a day or two .
Earlier this week , he posted numerous videos from both Fox and Newsmax ’ s pro-Trump shows .
Axios reported on Thursday that “ Trump has told friends he wants to start a digital media company to clobber Fox News.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ him convert rallygoers into paying customers and compete with Fox at the same time .
• President out of sight as coronavirus outbreak spikes • States are in retreat as the virus surges yet again in US • Two DHS officials reportedly forced to resign by White House • State Department said to be sitting on messages to president-elect Biden • Biden reportedly names Ron Klain as his chief of staff A Fox insider heaped doubt on that idea , however , by pointing out that Trump is old-fashioned — he is obsessed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apps .
When I was working on my book , the Murdoch family friend told me of the relationship between Trump and Fox , “ There was something in it for both of them .
At the end of the day , business trumps ideology .
Business trumps principle.
” Whatever he decides to do , the coming months will go a long way toward answering a two-sided question : Does Fox need Trump more , or does Trump need Fox more ?

By Brian Stetler | CNN
The leaders of Fox News will never say this out loud, but they believe that their media empire is bigger than President Trump.
And they have billions of reasons to think so: Billions of dollars in revenue along with millions of loyal viewers.
Fox employees are confident that the Biden years will be prosperous for the network, and they’re not losing sleep over the prospect of “Trump TV,” according to numerous sources at the company.
But some observers think they should be concerned. It is possible that the outgoing President could damage the Fox brand and peel away disillusioned viewers if he launches a media company of his own. It is possible that the right-wing media map, long controlled by Fox, is about to become balkanized.
[vemba-video id=”politics/2020/11/12/fox-news-trump-relationship-stelter-nr-vpx.cnn”]
Video: Why Trump is bashing Fox News on Twitter
In the days since Fox and the other major networks called the election for President-elect Joe Biden, Trump has been stoking anger at Fox and promoting the much smaller and often more conspiratorial right-wing networks Newsmax and One America News.
Then again, he has also been watching Fox, tweeting quotes from favorable commentators, and seeking counsel from Fox’s 9 p.m. host, Sean Hannity.
Here’s the best way to interpret what’s going on: Trump and Fox patriarch Rupert Murdoch have had a corporate marriage of convenience for five years. Trump is threatening to break up, but Fox has been through plenty of these rough patches before.
The question now is what Trump might do after he leaves office. A Trump-branded streaming service appears more likely than a “Trump TV” cable channel. But almost anything is possible: A radio show hosted by Trump, an expansion of the Trump campaign’s current webcasts, or a licensing deal with a company like Newsmax.
What about a “Donald Trump Tonight” talk show on Fox? Is that out of the question?
The answer is no, at least not entirely. There are almost always pieces that could be moved. For example: Hannity’s been at Fox for almost 25 years now. Maybe he could retire and let Trump take his place.
But at the moment, Trump is fuming about the network’s coverage. So here is a viewers guide to the months ahead.
The roots of the relationship
Trump was a Fox News viewer before he was a Fox News star. He learned a lot about the Republican party’s base by watching the network and calling into the morning show “Fox & Friends” while still starring on NBC’s “Celebrity Apprentice.” He continued to call in to and appear on the network regularly while running for the Republican party’s nomination in 2015 and 2016, even as he attacked Fox host Megyn Kelly and lambasted some of the network’s commentators.
He has had the same carrot-and-stick approach ever since: Complimenting his Fox supporters — rewarding them with interviews and Twitter plugs and visits to the White House — while complaining about Fox’s dissenters.
Murdoch used to be vocally critical of Trump’s conduct. The media mogul famously wrote on Twitter in the summer of 2015, “When is Donald Trump going to stop embarrassing his friends, let alone the whole country?”
But Murdoch made peace with Trump as the Republican primary field narrowed and Trump won the nomination. He didn’t believe Trump would beat Hillary Clinton in the general election, but when Trump did, Murdoch reached what one family friend later called a “detente.”
The media marriage was visible for all to see on TV. Fox touted Trump and he touted the network. The Murdochs profited while Trump benefited from Fox’s promotion and propaganda.
Who has the power?
Earlier this year I wrote a book titled “Hoax: Donald Trump, Fox News, and the Dangerous Distortion of Truth,” based on information from confidential sources in and around Fox. I quoted a former “Fox & Friends” producer who said outsiders misunderstood the relationship.
“People think he’s calling up ‘Fox & Friends’ and telling us what to say. Hell no. It’s the opposite,” the former producer said. “We tell him what to say.”
This braggadocious view is backed up by a scroll through Trump’s Twitter feed, which shows that he often starts his day by watching the “Friends” and repeating what they said on TV.
Trump’s Fox News fixation was a major theme of his presidency. He hired people from Fox, fired people because of Fox, and gave most of his national TV interviews to Fox. Sometimes it was hard to tell where Trump ended and Fox began. But even with this close relationship, he was still prone to sending mean tweets whenever he didn’t like something on the network. Fox executives usually just ignored his complaints. They felt that they, not the President, had the power.
It’s important to recognize that Fox has a near-monopoly position in right-wing TV. The network’s audience is extraordinarily loyal, as was demonstrated in late 2016 and early 2017 when three of Fox’s biggest stars — Megyn Kelly, Bill O’Reilly and Greta van Susteren — all left in a nine-month period, and the ratings basically stayed the same.
For many in the TV business, the lesson was that, on Fox at least, everyone is replaceable. Does that lesson apply to Trump too?
In some ways he is Fox’s biggest star of the past five years. But now his presidential show is ending.
Trump might think that Fox needs his star power, and on the margins it’s true that Trump appearances and interviews are right-wing ratings boosters. But the network was No. 1 long before he became a politician.
As sociologist Arlie Russell Hochschild wrote in her 2016 book “Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right,” about Tea Party supporters in Louisiana, “Fox News stands next to industry, state government, church, and the regular media as an extra pillar of political culture all its own.”
“To some,” she explained, “Fox is family.”
It takes a lot more than a Trump tweet to convince people to abandon family.
Fox may be vulnerable
Nevertheless, Trump might be trying to dissolve this media marriage.
In line with his past jabs at Fox’s news coverage, he wrote on Thursday that “@FoxNews daytime ratings have completely collapsed. Weekend daytime even WORSE.”
Fox’s daytime ratings are looking somewhat soft this week, but that’s not a surprise, since Biden’s victory is interpreted as bad news by the Fox base.
The network is also feeling pressure from the far-right, from channels such as Newsmax, which are criticizing Fox for projecting Biden’s win in Arizona and calling Biden the president-elect.
Newsmax’s ratings have skyrocketed in recent days, but Fox is still heads and shoulders above all of its challengers.
Trump’s tweet on Thursday continued: “Very sad to watch this happen, but they forgot what made them successful, what got them there. They forgot the Golden Goose. The biggest difference between the 2016 Election, and 2020, was @FoxNews!”
Trump leveled similar charges against Fox throughout the 2020 campaign.
But his assertion that he was Fox’s “Golden Goose” doesn’t add up. The network has been growing steadily for years, thanks to a loyal audience that distrusts most of the rest of the national media. Stars like Hannity encourage and worsen this alienation each day by attacking what he calls “fake” news.
Sources inside Fox predicted that Trump would snap back to normal and praise the network’s opinion hosts in a day or two. Earlier this week, he posted numerous videos from both Fox and Newsmax’s pro-Trump shows.
Axios reported on Thursday that “Trump has told friends he wants to start a digital media company to clobber Fox News.”
A subscription streaming service would let him convert rallygoers into paying customers and compete with Fox at the same time.
A Fox insider heaped doubt on that idea, however, by pointing out that Trump is old-fashioned — he is obsessed with big-screen television, not newfound streaming apps.
When I was working on my book, the Murdoch family friend told me of the relationship between Trump and Fox, “There was something in it for both of them. At the end of the day, business trumps ideology. Business trumps principle.”
Whatever he decides to do, the coming months will go a long way toward answering a two-sided question: Does Fox need Trump more, or does Trump need Fox more?


mercurynews--2020-11-13--Boston Celtics great Tommy Heinsohn dies at age 86

BOSTON ( AP ) — Tommy Heinsohn , who as a Boston Celtics player , coach and broadcaster over more than 60 years was with the team for all 17 of its NBA championships , died Tuesday .
He was 86 .
“ This is a devastating loss , ” the team ’ s owners said in a statement .
“ Tommy was the ultimate Celtic .
For the past 18 years , our ownership group has relied hugely on Tommy ’ s advice and insights and have reveled in his hundreds of stories about Red Auerbach , Bill Russell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dynasty .
He will be remembered forever.
” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver hailed Heinsohn for being “ synonymous with success , ” noting that he was one of the few basketball greats inducted to the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach , before continuing his career in broadcasting .
“ Celtics games will not be the same without Tommy , and he will be dearly missed by those who share his fervor for basketball , ” Silver said .
A Holy Cross product who was a territorial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Heinsohn beat out teammate Russell for the NBA ’ s rookie of the year award that season and tallied 39 points with 23 rebounds in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the St. Louis Hawks .
It was the franchise ’ s first title — and the first of eight in nine years for Heinsohn and Russell .
Heinsohn was the team ’ s leading scorer in four of the championship seasons .
“ We were rookies together and friends for life .
In life there are a limited number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
RIP Heiny , ” Russell wrote on Twitter .
Heinsohn retired in 1965 with totals of 12,194 points and 5,749 rebounds and remained with the team as a broadcaster .
Celtics patriarch Auerbach tabbed him to be the coach in 1969 , succeeding Russell .
Heinsohn was the NBA coach of the year in 1973 , when the team won a then-record 68 games .
The Celtics added championships in 1974 and ’ 76 .
He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 1986 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fourth person elected as both .
Shortly after retiring as a coach in 1979 , he rejoined the team ’ s broadcasts , where his unapologetic homerism has endeared him to Celtics fans ever since .
“ It ’ s hard to imagine the Boston Celtics without Tommy Heinsohn , ” the team said in a statement .
“ There isn ’ t a generation of Celtics fans for whom Tommy ’ s presence hasn ’ t been felt .
He is the only person to be an active participant in each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an extraordinary and singular legacy.
” It extended beyond basketball to business .
The National Basketball Players Association called Heinsohn one of its “ founding fathers , ” saying it would not be here “ without his commitment and passion for players ’ rights and for that , we are forever grateful.
” “ Not only did Tommy have an incredible career in the NBA as a player , coach and broadcaster , but closer to our home , he was instrumental in creating our union , taking the baton from his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as our President from 1958-66 , ” the NBPA added .
“ Tommy was truly a pioneer in player empowerment , championing the notion of free agency at a time when it was highly controversial and unpopular , and fighting to create our NBA Players ’ Pension Plan , under which generations of players have thrived.
” Born Aug. 26 , 1934 , in Jersey City , New Jersey , Thomas William Heinsohn started winning not long after arriving in New England .
He led Holy Cross to the 1954 NIT championship and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Once he moved on to Boston , he went to 10 All-Star Games , six as a player and four more as a coach , a role that seemed to come naturally after his years playing under Auerbach .
“ He proved to be a true players ’ coach , respected and admired by many , but especially the people of Boston and Celtics fans everywhere , ” Hall of Fame President and CEO John Doleva said .
• Santa Clara man who set track records at age 100 dies at 105 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WWII veteran who pushed for Oakley ’ s cityhood , dies at 96 Younger generations of fans came to love him through his commentary , whether calling it straight for CBS while working the NBA Finals in the 1980s , or with his Celtics bias sprinkled in during his years alongside Mike Gorman for local coverage .
“ Roughly 2800 times I sat down with Tommy to broadcast a game .
Every time it was special , ” Gorman wrote on Twitter .
“ HOF player…HOF coach…HOF partner .
Celtics Nation has lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my friend .
It has been the privilege of my professional life to be the Mike in Mike & Tommy .
”

BOSTON (AP) — Tommy Heinsohn, who as a Boston Celtics player, coach and broadcaster over more than 60 years was with the team for all 17 of its NBA championships, died Tuesday. He was 86.
“This is a devastating loss,” the team’s owners said in a statement. “Tommy was the ultimate Celtic. For the past 18 years, our ownership group has relied hugely on Tommy’s advice and insights and have reveled in his hundreds of stories about Red Auerbach, Bill Russell, and how the Celtics became a dynasty. He will be remembered forever.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver hailed Heinsohn for being “synonymous with success,” noting that he was one of the few basketball greats inducted to the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach, before continuing his career in broadcasting.
“Celtics games will not be the same without Tommy, and he will be dearly missed by those who share his fervor for basketball,” Silver said.
A Holy Cross product who was a territorial draft pick by the Celtics in 1956, Heinsohn beat out teammate Russell for the NBA’s rookie of the year award that season and tallied 39 points with 23 rebounds in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the St. Louis Hawks.
(AP Photo, File) In this April 9, 1964, Boston Celtics, from left, Bill Russell, coach Red Auerbach, Tommy Heinsohn, Jim Locustoff, and K.C. Jones celebrate in the locker room after clinching their eighth straight Eastern Division playoff title at the Boston Garden in Boston. Tommy Heinsohn, who as a Boston Celtics player, coach and broadcaster was with the team for all 17 of its NBA championships, has died. He was 86. The team confirmed Heinsohn's death on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020. (AP Photo, File)
FILE - In this April 10, 1958, file photo, Tommy Heinsohn, (15) of the Boston Celtics drives against Bob Pettit, left, of the St. Louis Hawks in their National Basketball Association playoff game at Boston Garden in Boston. At right is Jack McMahon (21) of the Hawks. Tommy Heinsohn, who as a Boston Celtics player, coach and broadcaster was with the team for all 17 of its NBA championships, has died. He was 86.
FILE - Boston Celtics' Tommy Heinsohn, center, is swarmed by fans after the Celtics defeated the St. Louis Hawks to win the NBA championship in Boston, in this April 13, 1957, file photo. Tommy Heinsohn, who as a Boston Celtics player, coach and broadcaster was with the team for all 17 of its NBA championships, has died. He was 86. The team confirmed Heinsohn's death on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020. (AP Photo, File)
FILE - In this April 14, 1972, file photo, Boston Celtics coach Tommy Heinsohn shouts instructions during a game against the New York Knickerbockers in the NBA semifinals in Boston. Tommy Heinsohn, who as a Boston Celtics player, coach and broadcaster was with the team for all 17 of its NBA championships, has died. He was 86. The team confirmed Heinsohn's death on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020. (AP Photo/Frank C. Curtin, File)
FILE - This Sept. 30, 2018, file photo shows former Boston Celtics great Tommy Heinsohn prior to a preseason basketball game in Boston. Tommy Heinsohn, who as a Boston Celtics player, coach and broadcaster was with the team for all 17 of its NBA championships, has died. He was 86. The team confirmed Heinsohn's death on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
FILE - In this March 16, 2011, file photo, Boston Celtics broadcaster Tommy Heinsohn smiles as he receives a commemorative jersey prior to an NBA basketball game between the Celtics and the Indiana Pacers in Boston. Tommy Heinsohn, who as a Boston Celtics player, coach and broadcaster was with the team for all 17 of its NBA championships, has died. He was 86. The team confirmed Heinsohn's death on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
FILE - In this March 16, 2011, file photo, Boston Celtics broadcasters Tommy Heinsohn, left, and Mike Gorman speak on camera as fans wearing photos of the broadcasters' faces stand behind the two, prior to an NBA basketball game between the Celtics and the Indiana Pacers in Boston. The two were celebrating 30 years as a broadcast tandem. Tommy Heinsohn, who as a Boston Celtics player, coach and broadcaster was with the team for all 17 of its NBA championships, has died. He was 86. The team confirmed Heinsohn's death on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020.(AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
FILE - In this Sept. 11, 2015, file photo, Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Tommy Heinsohn gestures during the enshrinement ceremony for the Class of 2015 at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. Tommy Heinsohn, who as a Boston Celtics player, coach and broadcaster was with the team for all 17 of its NBA championships, has died. He was 86.
It was the franchise’s first title — and the first of eight in nine years for Heinsohn and Russell. Heinsohn was the team’s leading scorer in four of the championship seasons.
“We were rookies together and friends for life. In life there are a limited number of true friends, today I lost one. RIP Heiny,” Russell wrote on Twitter.
Heinsohn retired in 1965 with totals of 12,194 points and 5,749 rebounds and remained with the team as a broadcaster. Celtics patriarch Auerbach tabbed him to be the coach in 1969, succeeding Russell.
Heinsohn was the NBA coach of the year in 1973, when the team won a then-record 68 games. The Celtics added championships in 1974 and ’76. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 1986 and as a coach in 2015, just the fourth person elected as both.
Shortly after retiring as a coach in 1979, he rejoined the team’s broadcasts, where his unapologetic homerism has endeared him to Celtics fans ever since.
“It’s hard to imagine the Boston Celtics without Tommy Heinsohn,” the team said in a statement. “There isn’t a generation of Celtics fans for whom Tommy’s presence hasn’t been felt. He is the only person to be an active participant in each of the Celtics’ 17 world championships, an extraordinary and singular legacy.”
It extended beyond basketball to business. The National Basketball Players Association called Heinsohn one of its “founding fathers,” saying it would not be here “without his commitment and passion for players’ rights and for that, we are forever grateful.”
“Not only did Tommy have an incredible career in the NBA as a player, coach and broadcaster, but closer to our home, he was instrumental in creating our union, taking the baton from his friend and teammate Bob Cousy and serving as our President from 1958-66,” the NBPA added.
“Tommy was truly a pioneer in player empowerment, championing the notion of free agency at a time when it was highly controversial and unpopular, and fighting to create our NBA Players’ Pension Plan, under which generations of players have thrived.”
Born Aug. 26, 1934, in Jersey City, New Jersey, Thomas William Heinsohn started winning not long after arriving in New England. He led Holy Cross to the 1954 NIT championship and was an All-American the following two seasons.
Once he moved on to Boston, he went to 10 All-Star Games, six as a player and four more as a coach, a role that seemed to come naturally after his years playing under Auerbach.
“He proved to be a true players’ coach, respected and admired by many, but especially the people of Boston and Celtics fans everywhere,” Hall of Fame President and CEO John Doleva said.
Related Articles Sports | Southern California football legend drowns in Oregon river
Southern California football legend drowns in Oregon river Sports | British actor Darren Kent dies at 39; played goatherd on ‘Game of Thrones’
British actor Darren Kent dies at 39; played goatherd on ‘Game of Thrones’ Sports | ‘Black Godfather’ of music dies at 92
‘Black Godfather’ of music dies at 92 Sports | A lonely life ends. A brother writes a ‘brutally honest’ obituary.
A lonely life ends. A brother writes a ‘brutally honest’ obituary. Sports | Jamie Reid dies at 76; anarchist artist designed iconic Sex Pistols covers Younger generations of fans came to love him through his commentary, whether calling it straight for CBS while working the NBA Finals in the 1980s, or with his Celtics bias sprinkled in during his years alongside Mike Gorman for local coverage.
“Roughly 2800 times I sat down with Tommy to broadcast a game. Every time it was special,” Gorman wrote on Twitter. “HOF player…HOF coach…HOF partner. Celtics Nation has lost its finest voice. Rest In Peace my friend. It has been the privilege of my professional life to be the Mike in Mike & Tommy.”


mercurynews--2020-11-13--Coronavirus: Ivy League cancels men’s, women’s basketball

The Ivy League became the first Division I conference this year to cancel all winter sports , including men ’ s and women ’ s basketball .
The decision Thursday came 13 days before the scheduled start of the college basketball season .
The league had decided this past summer , when it canceled fall sports , not to allow any of its sports to start play before early December .
“ Regrettably , the current trends regarding transmission of the COVID-19 virus and subsequent protocols that must be put in place are impeding our strong desire to return to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the Ivy League presidents said in a joint statement .
“ Student-athletes , their families and coaches are again being asked to make enormous sacrifices for the good of public health — and we do not make this decision lightly .
“ While these decisions come with great disappointment and frustration , our commitment to the safety and lasting health of our student-athletes and wider communities must remain our highest priority.
” Coaches and athletes were informed of the news on video conference calls Thursday evening .
“ It is heartbreaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this situation throughout the entire league , including the presidents .
Ultimately it was about the health and well-being of student athletes , the campus community and general public.
, ” Ivy League executive director Robin Harris said .
The news comes as the coronavirus cases are soaring across the U.S .
Newly confirmed cases per day in the U.S. have rocketed more than 70 % over the past two weeks , reaching an average of about 127,000 — the highest on record .
And the number of people hospitalized with the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 65,000 .
Deaths per day in the U.S. have soared more than 40 % over the past two weeks , from an average of about 790 to more than 1,100 as of Wednesday , the highest level in three months .
That ’ s still well below the peak of about 2,200 deaths per day in late April .
The Ivy League has tried to be in front of the virus .
The league was the first conference to scrap its postseason basketball tournament last March .
That preceded a cascade of cancellations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were halted within days .
The Ivy League announcement affects not just basketball , but wrestling , indoor track and field , hockey , swimming , fencing and other sports .
The league also said that spring sports are postponed through at least the end of February 2021 .
“ We do have the sincere hope for spring sports to be able to occur , ” Harris said .
“ Clearly things have to change in the trends of the virus.
” Harris said the Ivy League has not changed its policies on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite the NCAA granting every winter athlete a free year this season .

By DOUG FEINBERG / AP Basketball Writer
The Ivy League became the first Division I conference this year to cancel all winter sports, including men’s and women’s basketball.
The decision Thursday came 13 days before the scheduled start of the college basketball season. The league had decided this past summer, when it canceled fall sports, not to allow any of its sports to start play before early December.
“Regrettably, the current trends regarding transmission of the COVID-19 virus and subsequent protocols that must be put in place are impeding our strong desire to return to intercollegiate athletics competition in a safe manner,” the Ivy League presidents said in a joint statement. “Student-athletes, their families and coaches are again being asked to make enormous sacrifices for the good of public health — and we do not make this decision lightly.
“While these decisions come with great disappointment and frustration, our commitment to the safety and lasting health of our student-athletes and wider communities must remain our highest priority.”
Coaches and athletes were informed of the news on video conference calls Thursday evening.
“It is heartbreaking, no one wanted to be in this situation throughout the entire league, including the presidents. Ultimately it was about the health and well-being of student athletes, the campus community and general public.,” Ivy League executive director Robin Harris said.
The news comes as the coronavirus cases are soaring across the U.S. Newly confirmed cases per day in the U.S. have rocketed more than 70% over the past two weeks, reaching an average of about 127,000 — the highest on record. And the number of people hospitalized with the virus hit an all-time high of more than 65,000.
Deaths per day in the U.S. have soared more than 40% over the past two weeks, from an average of about 790 to more than 1,100 as of Wednesday, the highest level in three months. That’s still well below the peak of about 2,200 deaths per day in late April.
The Ivy League has tried to be in front of the virus. The league was the first conference to scrap its postseason basketball tournament last March. That preceded a cascade of cancellations. All major college and professional sports were halted within days.
The Ivy League announcement affects not just basketball, but wrestling, indoor track and field, hockey, swimming, fencing and other sports. The league also said that spring sports are postponed through at least the end of February 2021.
“We do have the sincere hope for spring sports to be able to occur,” Harris said. “Clearly things have to change in the trends of the virus.”
Harris said the Ivy League has not changed its policies on allowing graduate students to play sports, despite the NCAA granting every winter athlete a free year this season.


mercurynews--2020-11-13--3 dead, 2 missing in flooding at NC campsite

WINSTON-SALEM , N.C. — Floodwaters from a nearby river overtook recreational vehicles at a North Carolina campsite Thursday , killing three people and leaving two others missing , including a child , an official said .
In addition to the three deaths at the Hiddenite Family Campground in Alexander County , a motorist was killed in the county while traveling on a road which was washed out by rising water , said Doug Gillespie , county director of public services .
“ Just massive amounts of flooding , ” Gillespie said .
“ We ’ ve had approximately 50 roads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been compromised .
Four bridges have been washed away.
” According to Gillespie , the floodwaters either covered or swept away the recreational vehicles at the campground , which is next to the South Yadkin River and is home for many of the people caught in the flood .
“ It was a massive amount of water .
Now , there ’ s a massive amount of debris , ” he said .
Swift water rescue personnel and local fire departments saved 31 people from their vehicles , some of them hanging onto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said three people were taken to the hospital for treatment , and two have been released .
Of the two people still missing , one of them was a child approximately 1 year old , Gillespie said .
Fixing the roads and bridges will take time , he said .
“ This is not going to be a two-day fix , a two-week fix , ” Gillespie said .
“ It will be a months-to-a-year fix.
” The campground is approximately 50 miles north of Charlotte , where a portion of Interstate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and city officials said emergency personnel were performing water rescues .
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte told students not already on campus to stay away because of widespread flooding .
To the east , some school systems dismissed classes ahead of schedule because of the rain .
Duke Energy said approximately 3,100 customers were without electricity across North Carolina as of Thursday afternoon .
National Weather Service meteorologist Nick Tatro said the rain was the result of a band of tropical moisture moving up ahead of Tropical Storm Eta in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moving across the Carolinas .
The cold front passage was going to occur regardless of Eta , but the flow around the tropical storm helped move the moisture northward toward the Carolinas .
Forecasters said North Carolina could expect between 2 and 5 inches of rain , with heavier amounts locally .

By Tom Foreman Jr. | Associated Press
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Floodwaters from a nearby river overtook recreational vehicles at a North Carolina campsite Thursday, killing three people and leaving two others missing, including a child, an official said.
In addition to the three deaths at the Hiddenite Family Campground in Alexander County, a motorist was killed in the county while traveling on a road which was washed out by rising water, said Doug Gillespie, county director of public services.
“Just massive amounts of flooding,” Gillespie said. “We’ve had approximately 50 roads across the county (which) have been compromised. Four bridges have been washed away.”
According to Gillespie, the floodwaters either covered or swept away the recreational vehicles at the campground, which is next to the South Yadkin River and is home for many of the people caught in the flood.
“It was a massive amount of water. Now, there’s a massive amount of debris,” he said.
Swift water rescue personnel and local fire departments saved 31 people from their vehicles, some of them hanging onto their campers, according to Gillespie. He said three people were taken to the hospital for treatment, and two have been released.
Of the two people still missing, one of them was a child approximately 1 year old, Gillespie said.
Fixing the roads and bridges will take time, he said.
“This is not going to be a two-day fix, a two-week fix,” Gillespie said. “It will be a months-to-a-year fix.”
The campground is approximately 50 miles north of Charlotte, where a portion of Interstate 85 was closed because of flooding, and city officials said emergency personnel were performing water rescues. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte told students not already on campus to stay away because of widespread flooding.
To the east, some school systems dismissed classes ahead of schedule because of the rain.
Duke Energy said approximately 3,100 customers were without electricity across North Carolina as of Thursday afternoon.
National Weather Service meteorologist Nick Tatro said the rain was the result of a band of tropical moisture moving up ahead of Tropical Storm Eta in the southeast and interacting with a cold front moving across the Carolinas. The cold front passage was going to occur regardless of Eta, but the flow around the tropical storm helped move the moisture northward toward the Carolinas.
Forecasters said North Carolina could expect between 2 and 5 inches of rain, with heavier amounts locally.


mercurynews--2020-11-13--Another 49ers starter out for the season — this time it’s a toe injury

SANTA CLARA — Safety Jaquiski Tartt ’ s sixth and possibly final 49ers season is over , the byproduct of a turf-toe injury he sustained in last Thursday ’ s loss to the Green Bay Packers .
Tartt is one of the 49ers ’ pending free agents , and he ’ s been the secondary ’ s silent leader since arriving as a 2015 second-round draft pick .
The 49ers placed Tartt on injured reserve on Wednesday .
Coach Kyle Shanahan said on KNBR 680-AM that Tartt would not be returning for their final seven games .
Marcell Harris , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 49ers ’ experienced options to replace Tartt and pair him with free safety Jimmie Ward in Sunday ’ s starting lineup at the New Orleans Saints .
It ’ s the third time in four years an injury prematurely ended Tartt ’ s season .
He missed four games last December with a rib injury before returning for the playoff run to Super Bowl LIV .
He ’ s played in 66 of 89 games since 2015 , missing time because of injuries to his knee , quadriceps , arm , shoulder , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Solomon Thomas are the 49ers ’ only other defensive starters officially ruled out this season , although Dee Ford and Richard Sherman have not played since the season opener .
Sherman returned to practice this week and has a chance of playing Sunday .

SANTA CLARA — Safety Jaquiski Tartt’s sixth and possibly final 49ers season is over, the byproduct of a turf-toe injury he sustained in last Thursday’s loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Tartt is one of the 49ers’ pending free agents, and he’s been the secondary’s silent leader since arriving as a 2015 second-round draft pick.
The 49ers placed Tartt on injured reserve on Wednesday. Coach Kyle Shanahan said on KNBR 680-AM that Tartt would not be returning for their final seven games.
Marcell Harris, Tarvarius Moore and Johnathan Cyprien are the 49ers’ experienced options to replace Tartt and pair him with free safety Jimmie Ward in Sunday’s starting lineup at the New Orleans Saints.
It’s the third time in four years an injury prematurely ended Tartt’s season. He missed four games last December with a rib injury before returning for the playoff run to Super Bowl LIV.
He’s played in 66 of 89 games since 2015, missing time because of injuries to his knee, quadriceps, arm, shoulder, groin and now toe.
Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas are the 49ers’ only other defensive starters officially ruled out this season, although Dee Ford and Richard Sherman have not played since the season opener. Sherman returned to practice this week and has a chance of playing Sunday.


mercurynews--2020-11-13--Rep. Young, oldest member of the House, has COVID-19

Rep. Don Young announced on Thursday that he has tested positive for the coronavirus .
“ I have tested positive for COVID-19 .
I am feeling strong , following proper protocols , working from home in Alaska , and ask for privacy at this time .
May God Bless Alaska , ” the Alaska Republican tweeted .
Young , who is 87 , faces a higher risk from the disease given his age .
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , “ The greatest risk for severe illness from COVID-19 is among those aged 85 or older.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s only congressional representative , holds the title of “ Dean of the House ” as the longest-serving member of the current House .
He first took office in 1973 .
Young is also the oldest member of Congress in either chamber .
The news of his diagnosis came the same day that the staff for Congresswoman-elect Ashley Hinson , an Iowa Republican , announced that she has also tested positive for Covid-19 .
“ She feels great and is quarantining at her home in Marion until advised to do otherwise by her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement read .

By Clare Foran | CNN
Rep. Don Young announced on Thursday that he has tested positive for the coronavirus.
“I have tested positive for COVID-19. I am feeling strong, following proper protocols, working from home in Alaska, and ask for privacy at this time. May God Bless Alaska,” the Alaska Republican tweeted.
Young, who is 87, faces a higher risk from the disease given his age. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “The greatest risk for severe illness from COVID-19 is among those aged 85 or older.”
Young, who is Alaska’s only congressional representative, holds the title of “Dean of the House” as the longest-serving member of the current House. He first took office in 1973.
Young is also the oldest member of Congress in either chamber.
The news of his diagnosis came the same day that the staff for Congresswoman-elect Ashley Hinson, an Iowa Republican, announced that she has also tested positive for Covid-19.
“She feels great and is quarantining at her home in Marion until advised to do otherwise by her physician,” the staff’s statement read.


mercurynews--2020-11-12--49ers need Nick Mullens to summon Superdome success from his college finale

SANTA CLARA – Nick Mullens took a knee in the victory formation , clutched the white-striped football as a keepsake and soon posed with a super-sized trophy on the Superdome turf .
His second-half touchdown passes had secured victory .
Of his 346 passing yards , 230 went to a hot-hand receiver .
Jubilation reigned in the Big Easy .
That 2016 New Orleans Bowl capped Mullens ’ record-setting college career at Southern Miss , and it cast him toward an uncertain NFL future .
Those Mullens memories , from his last start at the Superdome , exude positive karma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crave any hope ahead of Sunday ’ s mismatch against the Saints .
“ I ’ ve been in the Superdome a couple times , even as a fan , ” Mullens said .
“ I like the Superdome .
I like its atmosphere.
” The 49ers ( 4-5 ) are 9-point underdogs , and they ’ ll need Mullens at top form if they ’ re to pull off their greatest upset since an October 2011 comeback at Philadelphia , a win that sparked playoff credibility .
“ It ’ s always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air feels good , perfect weather , on turf , bouncing around , ” Mullens added .
His mistakes this season , in relief of an injured Jimmy Garoppolo , have a common theme : pass-protection failures from his tackles .
In Thursday ’ s 34-17 loss to the Green Bay Packers , Mullens got tagged for an interception and a sack-fumble .
Those were byproducts of blindside pressure , allowed by left tackle Justin Skule , an emergency starter while Trent Williams sat out amid COVID-19 precautions .
Mullens got benched a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loss to the Philadelphia Eagles , because of three turnovers , a result of protection issues from right tackle Mike McGlinchey .
It ’ s imperative McGlinchey and Williams afford Mullens a more secure pocket to keep pace with Saints counterpart Drew Brees .
Last December , Garoppolo passed for 349 yards and four touchdowns to win a 48-46 shootout against the Saints .
“ I don ’ t think there ’ s more pressure to protect Nick than Jimmy , ” McGlinchey said .
“ Nick is a pro and as good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He ’ s constantly prepared .
“ We ’ ve barely missed a beat with Nick in there because he ’ s done a good job and worked hard and competed.
” That ’ s hyperbole .
The 49ers offense has missed a beat .
It ’ s missed Garoppolo .
And George Kittle , Deebo Samuel , Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman , all of whom are out this game , with the possible exception of an 11th-hour showing by Samuel ( hamstring ) .
Mullens is confident in who remains in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ James , who racked up 184 yards last game , and rookie Brandon Aiyuk , who ’ s eager to play after having missed Thursday ’ s game on the COVID-19 list as a high-risk contact of Kendrick Bourne .
“ He ’ s fired up , ” Mullens said of Aiyuk .
“ You never want to miss a game , especially a reason like that .
He had a lot of momentum going for him and getting better those weeks .
You can still see that.
” Asked by the New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season , coach Kyle Shanahan described an “ unbelievable ” effort to make their Seattle loss more respectable Nov. 1 , and he certainly did not pin Thursday ’ s loss to Green Bay on his fourth-year pro , not when the 49ers were “ a little outmatched there.
” This game may be tougher .
Tom Brady endured one of the worst games of his career last Sunday against the Saints .
“ They ’ re an experienced group and they ’ re getting after the quarterback right now , ” Mullens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a high level .
Tight end Ross Dwelley expressed his confidence in Mullens , saying : “ He ’ s got a great arm , knows how to read defenses and coverages , and overall knows the playbook like the back of his hand.
” Mullens also knows how special the Superdome , whether it was his Southern Miss finale or attending games as a fan , which he did his junior year in college when current 49ers teammate played a “ Monday Night Football ” game for the Baltimore Ravens .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a soldout show like last December ’ s thriller , but Mullens is excited for the 6,000 allowed entry , none of whom include his Alabama-based family .
“ Any more energy you can get into the atmosphere , it feels like real football again , so we ’ re pumped for that , ” Mullens said .
• Another 49ers starter out for the season — this time it ’ s a toe injury • 49ers practice report : Will Deebo Samuel be ready for Saints game ?
• NFL picks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in New Orleans ; Carr keys Raiders over Broncos • Fans finally can see 49ers in person but won ’ t rival the scene of last year ’ s game in New Orleans Safety Jaquiski Tartt ’ s season is over because of a turf-toe injury he sustained Thursday , coach Kyle Shanahan said on KNBR 680-AM .
Tartt finishes on Injured Reserve for the third time in four seasons .
He started the first six games this season , missed two with a groin injury then hurt his toe against the Packers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the past 2 1/2 seasons .
Other options are Tarvarius Moore and Johnathan Cyprien .
The 49ers ’ wide receiver situation remains , in Mullens ’ word , “ fluid.
” Deebo Samuel remained out of practice , making it more likely he misses a third straight game because of a hamstring injury .
River Cracraft , who started Thursday ’ s game and was limited Wednesday by a quadriceps injury .
Trent Taylor was a full participant after a back issue kept him out Wednesday .
Bourne remained on the NFL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he continues test negative , he might be cleared in time to practice Friday and fly on the team charter to New Orleans for their game Sunday against the Saints .
Coleman ( knee ) , cornerback K ’ Waun Williams ( ankle ) and linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles ( hamstring ) did not practice .
Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said NFL owners made “ a tremendous gesture ” this week to further encourage diversity hiring .
Owners decided Tuesday to reward teams that groom minority candidates to become head coaches and general managers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in return .
Saleh and 49ers vice president of player personnel Martin Mayhew are top candidates for such promotions , and Saleh was a finalist in January to become the Cleveland Browns ’ coach .
“ The NFL has created the opportunity and now it ’ s up to the individual to take advantage of it , ” said Saleh , adding that he hopes more opportunities emerge for young coaches to break into the NFL in quality-control roles .
Because they played last Thursday night against a Green Bay Packers linebacker who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finish the NFL ’ s seven-day “ intensive ” protocol for COVID-19 prevention Friday .
Players practiced this week wearing plastic shields attached to their facemasks .

CLICK HERE if you’re viewing on a mobile device.
SANTA CLARA – Nick Mullens took a knee in the victory formation, clutched the white-striped football as a keepsake and soon posed with a super-sized trophy on the Superdome turf.
His second-half touchdown passes had secured victory. Of his 346 passing yards, 230 went to a hot-hand receiver. Jubilation reigned in the Big Easy.
That 2016 New Orleans Bowl capped Mullens’ record-setting college career at Southern Miss, and it cast him toward an uncertain NFL future. Those Mullens memories, from his last start at the Superdome, exude positive karma for 49ers’ teammates and fans who crave any hope ahead of Sunday’s mismatch against the Saints.
“I’ve been in the Superdome a couple times, even as a fan,” Mullens said. “I like the Superdome. I like its atmosphere.”
The 49ers (4-5) are 9-point underdogs, and they’ll need Mullens at top form if they’re to pull off their greatest upset since an October 2011 comeback at Philadelphia, a win that sparked playoff credibility.
“It’s always nice to play in a dome – air feels good, perfect weather, on turf, bouncing around,” Mullens added.
His mistakes this season, in relief of an injured Jimmy Garoppolo, have a common theme: pass-protection failures from his tackles.
In Thursday’s 34-17 loss to the Green Bay Packers, Mullens got tagged for an interception and a sack-fumble. Those were byproducts of blindside pressure, allowed by left tackle Justin Skule, an emergency starter while Trent Williams sat out amid COVID-19 precautions.
Mullens got benched a month earlier, in a Week 4 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, because of three turnovers, a result of protection issues from right tackle Mike McGlinchey. It’s imperative McGlinchey and Williams afford Mullens a more secure pocket to keep pace with Saints counterpart Drew Brees.
Last December, Garoppolo passed for 349 yards and four touchdowns to win a 48-46 shootout against the Saints.
“I don’t think there’s more pressure to protect Nick than Jimmy,” McGlinchey said. “Nick is a pro and as good of a pro as there is. He’s constantly prepared.
“We’ve barely missed a beat with Nick in there because he’s done a good job and worked hard and competed.”
That’s hyperbole. The 49ers offense has missed a beat. It’s missed Garoppolo. And George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman, all of whom are out this game, with the possible exception of an 11th-hour showing by Samuel (hamstring).
Mullens is confident in who remains in the supporting cast. That includes Richie James, who racked up 184 yards last game, and rookie Brandon Aiyuk, who’s eager to play after having missed Thursday’s game on the COVID-19 list as a high-risk contact of Kendrick Bourne.
“He’s fired up,” Mullens said of Aiyuk. “You never want to miss a game, especially a reason like that. He had a lot of momentum going for him and getting better those weeks. You can still see that.”
Asked by the New Orleans media how Mullens has fared this season, coach Kyle Shanahan described an “unbelievable” effort to make their Seattle loss more respectable Nov. 1, and he certainly did not pin Thursday’s loss to Green Bay on his fourth-year pro, not when the 49ers were “a little outmatched there.”
This game may be tougher. Tom Brady endured one of the worst games of his career last Sunday against the Saints.
“They’re an experienced group and they’re getting after the quarterback right now,” Mullens said. “They’re playing at a high level.
“We’re just as confident.”
Tight end Ross Dwelley expressed his confidence in Mullens, saying: “He’s got a great arm, knows how to read defenses and coverages, and overall knows the playbook like the back of his hand.”
Mullens also knows how special the Superdome, whether it was his Southern Miss finale or attending games as a fan, which he did his junior year in college when current 49ers teammate played a “Monday Night Football” game for the Baltimore Ravens.
There won’t be 74,000 fans in a soldout show like last December’s thriller, but Mullens is excited for the 6,000 allowed entry, none of whom include his Alabama-based family. “Any more energy you can get into the atmosphere, it feels like real football again, so we’re pumped for that,” Mullens said.
TARTT ALL DONE
Safety Jaquiski Tartt’s season is over because of a turf-toe injury he sustained Thursday, coach Kyle Shanahan said on KNBR 680-AM. Tartt finishes on Injured Reserve for the third time in four seasons. He started the first six games this season, missed two with a groin injury then hurt his toe against the Packers.
Marcell Harris often has replaced Tartt over the past 2 1/2 seasons. Other options are Tarvarius Moore and Johnathan Cyprien.
PRACTICE REPORT
The 49ers’ wide receiver situation remains, in Mullens’ word, “fluid.” Deebo Samuel remained out of practice, making it more likely he misses a third straight game because of a hamstring injury. River Cracraft, who started Thursday’s game and was limited Wednesday by a quadriceps injury. Trent Taylor was a full participant after a back issue kept him out Wednesday.
Bourne remained on the NFL’s COVID-19 reserve list. If he continues test negative, he might be cleared in time to practice Friday and fly on the team charter to New Orleans for their game Sunday against the Saints.
Coleman (knee), cornerback K’Waun Williams (ankle) and linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (hamstring) did not practice.
SALEH APPROVES
Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said NFL owners made “a tremendous gesture” this week to further encourage diversity hiring.
Owners decided Tuesday to reward teams that groom minority candidates to become head coaches and general managers, with third-round compensatory draft picks dispersed in return. Saleh and 49ers vice president of player personnel Martin Mayhew are top candidates for such promotions, and Saleh was a finalist in January to become the Cleveland Browns’ coach.
“The NFL has created the opportunity and now it’s up to the individual to take advantage of it,” said Saleh, adding that he hopes more opportunities emerge for young coaches to break into the NFL in quality-control roles.
MASKING UP
Because they played last Thursday night against a Green Bay Packers linebacker who later tested positive, the 49ers will finish the NFL’s seven-day “intensive” protocol for COVID-19 prevention Friday. Players practiced this week wearing plastic shields attached to their facemasks.


mercurynews--2020-11-13--What’s next for North Bay’s backyard Matterhorn coaster builders? Disneyland’s Big Thunder, Splash a

What’s next for North Bay’s backyard Matterhorn coaster builders? Disneyland’s Big Thunder, Splash and Space Mountains

Aspiring Imagineer Sean LaRochelle and his team of 30 collaborators built a 26-foot-tall backyard version of Disneyland ’ s Matterhorn roller coaster that has become a viral sensation , but the amateur ride makers aren ’ t done yet .
LaRochelle plans to keep expanding on the project in his parents ’ Napa backyard and eventually build the entire Disneyland mountain range of rides — Big Thunder Mountain , Splash Mountain and Space Mountain .
The reaction to the Matterhorn : Alpine Escape backyard coaster has been overwhelming , according to LaRochelle .
The viral story has been picked up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TMZ .
United Kingdom tabloids like The Sun and Daily Mail have covered the story and articles have appeared online in Vietnamese , Portuguese , German , French and Chinese .
“ We were trying to do the best that we could possibly do .
We were shooting for a Disney level , ” LaRochelle said by phone .
“ It was one of the hardest things I ’ ve ever done , but it was also one of the most fun.
” The $ 15,000 construction project took four months to complete @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family ’ s bucolic Napa Valley backyard surrounded by acres of grape vines .
The 26-foot-tall faux rockwork mountain features a 400-foot-long steel track with a six foot drop and a single-rider coaster cart .
Along the way , riders zoom through rock formations and past a waterfall and fountains as an original soundtrack plays amid lighting effects during the 30-second journey .
There ’ s even an animatronic Yeti along the route — just like the real Disneyland ride .
The coronavirus closure of Disneyland and other California theme parks inspired LaRochelle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tribute to the classic Matterhorn Bobsleds .
The idea to build a mini Matterhorn roller coaster in his parents ’ backyard began like many pandemic projects .
LaRochelle was bored and stuck at home .
He ’ d seen other people build replicas of Disneyland attractions inside their homes and post the results online .
“ COVID hit and all of a sudden everything just stopped , ” LaRochelle said .
“ You just have all this brainpower and you ’ re like , ‘ What am I going to do ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this family that did the Pirates of the Caribbean in their living room and I was like , ‘ Yeah , we need to make a Disney ride .
We can do this.
’ ” But how could LaRochelle ’ s friends and family top the # DisneyAtHome efforts he ’ d seen online ?
“ The Matterhorn seemed like an obvious choice to me , ” LaRochelle said .
“ We didn ’ t want to half do it .
If we were going to do it , we were going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Disneyland ’ s Matterhorn Bobsleds ride didn ’ t have a lot of animatronics , the rockwork wouldn ’ t be that hard to recreate and he could figure out how to build the coaster track .
“ You say all these things and it sounds really easy , ” LaRochelle said .
“ But when you start doing it , it takes a long time.
” LaRochelle and his team didn ’ t cut corners .
They built the coaster and all its elements by themselves .
The Yeti animatronic was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Yeti was sketched by a cartoonist , modeled in 3D , built by a robotics engineer , dressed by artist friends from Texas and programmed to roar to life as the coaster cart passed on the track .
“ It ’ s an original Yeti , ” LaRochelle said .
“ Everything from scratch.
” Ever the optimist , LaRochelle thought the backyard Matterhorn coaster would take a couple weeks to build .
It took four months .
“ Basically every day after work , sometimes before work , every hour on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of three .
“ My wife is a saint because she didn ’ t kick me out during this whole process.
” The frame for backyard Matterhorn was built from wood and covered with PVC pipe , lattice , chicken wire and tar paper to give the mountain its shape .
The stucco rockwork was sprayed on and hand sculpted before being slathered in three coats of grey , white and then black paint to give the mini mountaintop some dimension .
Faux snow patches were crafted from a combination of rock salt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand-built coaster cart uses skateboard wheels on the top , side and bottom to keep the ride vehicle attached to the tube steel track .
“ We really wanted to make it as authentic and real as possible , ” LaRochelle said .
LaRochelle has always dreamed of working at Walt Disney Imagineering , the creative arm of the company that designs and builds theme park attractions .
From the time he was a little kid , LaRochelle has been obsessed with Imagineers .
He has fond memories of family vacations at Disneyland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walt Disney World .
He even interned at Disney .
“ But I realized that if I wanted to do theme park design , I needed to get some more real-world experience , ” LaRochelle said .
The 28-year-old college student is now pursuing his master ’ s degree in architecture at Clemson University after working in the construction industry .
“ I ’ m hoping to do more projects like this to build my portfolio and showcase that I can do stuff like this , ” LaRochelle said .
“ Hopefully somebody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other day from Disney Legend Bob Gurr , who helped develop Disneyland ’ s 1959 Matterhorn Bobsleds and design more than 100 other Disney theme park attractions .
“ I was crying , ” LaRochelle said .
“ I couldn ’ t believe it .
I was gushing over him .
He ’ s truly one of my heroes.
” Walt Disney Imagineering president Bob Weis said the do-it-yourself # DisneyAtHome creations made by fans stuck at home during the coronavirus pandemic have been inspiring .
“ We have always been inspired by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fans , ” Weis said in a statement provided by Imagineering .
“ Seeing their creativity and shared love for the experiences Imagineers create has really lifted our spirits.
” LaRochelle and his team of aspiring Imagineers don ’ t plan to stop with Matterhorn : Alpine Escape .
“ I do have plans to do future rides , ” LaRochelle said .
“ I haven ’ t settled on one yet .
We ’ re thinking maybe this summer , but we ’ ll see what happens.
” The Alpine Escape team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Napa Valley .
“ I ’ d like to do all the Disneyland mountains , ” LaRochelle said .
“ We have aspirations of building our own versions of the mountains : Thunder , Splash and Space.
” LaRochelle and his team of collaborators are thinking of tackling Big Thunder Mountain next .
“ Just because it ’ s similar enough to the Matterhorn , ” LaRochelle said .
The Alpine Escape team hopes to use the lessons learned from the backyard Matterhorn experience when they start work on the backyard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of this project was figuring out the rockwork — that took two months straight , ” LaRochelle said .
“ We got through a learning curve by the end of it.
” And why stop at only two Disneyland mountains in your backyard ?
“ I would love to do Splash Mountain , ” LaRochelle said .
“ Figuring out the mechanics of a log flume seems really , really complicated.
” The final peak of LaRochelle ’ s mini Disneyland mountain range would be Space Mountain .
“ I do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ ll do this , but given the Matterhorn ’ s success , I may try to find a piece of property to incorporate all of them , ” LaRochelle said .
“ It would be nice to make them more permanent.
” • Disneyland to remain closed until 2021 , Disney official says • Imagineering and Lucasfilm dreamed up 2 different Star Wars lands for Disneyland and Disney World • Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk closes back down after only one weekend • Theme parks up , e-commerce down .
Stocks scrambled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what would LaRochelle do for an encore after conquering Disneyland ’ s four peaks ?
“ My favorite ride to do would be Pirates of the Caribbean , ” LaRochelle said .
But the Alpine Escape team still has some work to do on the backyard Matterhorn before tackling their next project .
Overhead clearances have to be adjusted , the Yeti animatronic needs some tinkering and the coaster cart will get a fiberglass shell .
The finishing touch ?
LaRochelle plans to install a basketball hoop inside his man-made mountain — just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Aspiring Imagineer Sean LaRochelle and his team of 30 collaborators built a 26-foot-tall backyard version of Disneyland’s Matterhorn roller coaster that has become a viral sensation, but the amateur ride makers aren’t done yet.
LaRochelle plans to keep expanding on the project in his parents’ Napa backyard and eventually build the entire Disneyland mountain range of rides — Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain and Space Mountain.
The reaction to the Matterhorn: Alpine Escape backyard coaster has been overwhelming, according to LaRochelle. The viral story has been picked up by CNN, ABC, Fox and TMZ. United Kingdom tabloids like The Sun and Daily Mail have covered the story and articles have appeared online in Vietnamese, Portuguese, German, French and Chinese.
“We were trying to do the best that we could possibly do. We were shooting for a Disney level,” LaRochelle said by phone. “It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but it was also one of the most fun.”
The $15,000 construction project took four months to complete and occupies a big chunk of the family’s bucolic Napa Valley backyard surrounded by acres of grape vines.
The 26-foot-tall faux rockwork mountain features a 400-foot-long steel track with a six foot drop and a single-rider coaster cart. Along the way, riders zoom through rock formations and past a waterfall and fountains as an original soundtrack plays amid lighting effects during the 30-second journey. There’s even an animatronic Yeti along the route — just like the real Disneyland ride.
The coronavirus closure of Disneyland and other California theme parks inspired LaRochelle and his friends and family to build the tribute to the classic Matterhorn Bobsleds.
The idea to build a mini Matterhorn roller coaster in his parents’ backyard began like many pandemic projects. LaRochelle was bored and stuck at home. He’d seen other people build replicas of Disneyland attractions inside their homes and post the results online.
“COVID hit and all of a sudden everything just stopped,” LaRochelle said. “You just have all this brainpower and you’re like, ‘What am I going to do?’ Then I saw this video of this family that did the Pirates of the Caribbean in their living room and I was like, ‘Yeah, we need to make a Disney ride. We can do this.’”
But how could LaRochelle’s friends and family top the #DisneyAtHome efforts he’d seen online?
“The Matterhorn seemed like an obvious choice to me,” LaRochelle said. “We didn’t want to half do it. If we were going to do it, we were going to go all the way.”
LaRochelle reasoned that Disneyland’s Matterhorn Bobsleds ride didn’t have a lot of animatronics, the rockwork wouldn’t be that hard to recreate and he could figure out how to build the coaster track.
“You say all these things and it sounds really easy,” LaRochelle said. “But when you start doing it, it takes a long time.”
LaRochelle and his team didn’t cut corners. They built the coaster and all its elements by themselves. The Yeti animatronic was designed from the ground up. Jarold the Yeti was sketched by a cartoonist, modeled in 3D, built by a robotics engineer, dressed by artist friends from Texas and programmed to roar to life as the coaster cart passed on the track.
“It’s an original Yeti,” LaRochelle said. “Everything from scratch.”
Ever the optimist, LaRochelle thought the backyard Matterhorn coaster would take a couple weeks to build. It took four months.
“Basically every day after work, sometimes before work, every hour on the weekend,” said the father of three. “My wife is a saint because she didn’t kick me out during this whole process.”
The frame for backyard Matterhorn was built from wood and covered with PVC pipe, lattice, chicken wire and tar paper to give the mountain its shape. The stucco rockwork was sprayed on and hand sculpted before being slathered in three coats of grey, white and then black paint to give the mini mountaintop some dimension. Faux snow patches were crafted from a combination of rock salt, sand and white paint. The hand-built coaster cart uses skateboard wheels on the top, side and bottom to keep the ride vehicle attached to the tube steel track.
“We really wanted to make it as authentic and real as possible,” LaRochelle said.
LaRochelle has always dreamed of working at Walt Disney Imagineering, the creative arm of the company that designs and builds theme park attractions.
From the time he was a little kid, LaRochelle has been obsessed with Imagineers. He has fond memories of family vacations at Disneyland. He and his wife honeymooned at Walt Disney World. He even interned at Disney.
“But I realized that if I wanted to do theme park design, I needed to get some more real-world experience,” LaRochelle said.
The 28-year-old college student is now pursuing his master’s degree in architecture at Clemson University after working in the construction industry.
“I’m hoping to do more projects like this to build my portfolio and showcase that I can do stuff like this,” LaRochelle said. “Hopefully somebody notices.”
LaRochelle got a call the other day from Disney Legend Bob Gurr, who helped develop Disneyland’s 1959 Matterhorn Bobsleds and design more than 100 other Disney theme park attractions.
“I was crying,” LaRochelle said. “I couldn’t believe it. I was gushing over him. He’s truly one of my heroes.”
Walt Disney Imagineering president Bob Weis said the do-it-yourself #DisneyAtHome creations made by fans stuck at home during the coronavirus pandemic have been inspiring.
“We have always been inspired by the incredible passion of our Disney park fans,” Weis said in a statement provided by Imagineering. “Seeing their creativity and shared love for the experiences Imagineers create has really lifted our spirits.”
LaRochelle and his team of aspiring Imagineers don’t plan to stop with Matterhorn: Alpine Escape.
“I do have plans to do future rides,” LaRochelle said. “I haven’t settled on one yet. We’re thinking maybe this summer, but we’ll see what happens.”
The Alpine Escape team has lofty ambitions for their backyard Disneyland in the Napa Valley.
“I’d like to do all the Disneyland mountains,” LaRochelle said. “We have aspirations of building our own versions of the mountains: Thunder, Splash and Space.”
LaRochelle and his team of collaborators are thinking of tackling Big Thunder Mountain next.
“Just because it’s similar enough to the Matterhorn,” LaRochelle said.
The Alpine Escape team hopes to use the lessons learned from the backyard Matterhorn experience when they start work on the backyard Big Thunder project.
“The hardest part of this project was figuring out the rockwork — that took two months straight,” LaRochelle said. “We got through a learning curve by the end of it.”
And why stop at only two Disneyland mountains in your backyard?
“I would love to do Splash Mountain,” LaRochelle said. “Figuring out the mechanics of a log flume seems really, really complicated.”
The final peak of LaRochelle’s mini Disneyland mountain range would be Space Mountain.
“I do not have a hard set timeline for when we’ll do this, but given the Matterhorn’s success, I may try to find a piece of property to incorporate all of them,” LaRochelle said. “It would be nice to make them more permanent.”
Related Articles Universal calls on its Minions to win the family market from Disney
New Mattel Adventure Park to feature Barbie beach house, Hot Wheels roller coasters
Disneyland braces for a ‘crowd crush’ as ticket prices drop and annual passholders return
Disneyland attendance rises and visitor spending increases thanks to higher ticket prices
Disneyland security dog attacks 81-year-old grandfather, lawsuit alleges And what would LaRochelle do for an encore after conquering Disneyland’s four peaks?
“My favorite ride to do would be Pirates of the Caribbean,” LaRochelle said.
But the Alpine Escape team still has some work to do on the backyard Matterhorn before tackling their next project. Overhead clearances have to be adjusted, the Yeti animatronic needs some tinkering and the coaster cart will get a fiberglass shell.
The finishing touch? LaRochelle plans to install a basketball hoop inside his man-made mountain — just like the real Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland.