mercurynews--2020-09-27--Michigan House votes to shield employers from virus lawsuits

LANSING — A divided Michigan House voted Wednesday to shield health providers and businesses from coronavirus-related lawsuits filed by patients , employees or customers , advancing bills that majority Republicans said would give businesses more comfort to reopen and block frivolous complaints .
Opponents have said the measures would make it too tough for negligence victims to sue .
Many Democrats voted against the business-backed legislation , which was sent to the GOP-led Senate for debate .
It would protect employers from liability if a worker is exposed to the COVID-19 virus during Michigan ’ s emergency despite the employer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retroactive to Jan. 1 .
Immunity would not apply if an employer willfully disregarded the regulations .
“ This is a balanced approach on COVID liability that will not in any way protect bad actors , ” said a sponsor , Republican Rep. Thomas Albert of Lowell , who added that it would safeguard infected employees from retribution .
“ Job providers need to know what safety protocols are expected of them , and they deserve some reassurance that they will not be sued if they are taking necessary safety precautions.
” — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ providers from suits covering services between March 10 and July 14 unless there was willful misconduct , gross negligence , intentional misconduct or intentional infliction of harm .
Democratic Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer vetoed such a measure in August , though it was broader .
It would have extended the immunity through 2020 and applied to future emergencies .
— require people to meet minimum requirements to sue for exposure to the coronavirus and apply retroactively to Jan. 1 .
They would be required to test positive and be hospitalized for at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they could not engage in their usual activities for at least 14 days .
A death also would qualify .
— protect the makers of personal protective equipment , medications , COVID-19 tests , disinfectants and cleaning supplies from product-liability claims unless they knew of a defect .
— prevent infected employees from reporting to work and bar employers from taking “ adverse employment action ” against them .
Whitmer has issued an order with similar prohibitions .
Whitmer spokeswoman Tiffany Brown said Michigan law already says people taking reasonable care to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liable in court .
Most businesses are “ doing the right thing , ” she said .
“ Instead of passing this legislation , which is a solution in search of a problem , the Legislature should be focused on helping our businesses implement health and safety standards to keep their employees and customers safe , ” Brown said .
While House Democrats generally opposed all but the bill related to worker protections , they did not speak out against the legislation before the vote .
In testimony submitted this month , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Michigan said some of the measures would make it “ unreasonably difficult ” for victims to sue and would lower the duty of employers and business owners to protect employees and customers from exposure to the virus .
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“ Passage of this legislation is about survival of family business , ” he said .

LANSING — A divided Michigan House voted Wednesday to shield health providers and businesses from coronavirus-related lawsuits filed by patients, employees or customers, advancing bills that majority Republicans said would give businesses more comfort to reopen and block frivolous complaints.
Opponents have said the measures would make it too tough for negligence victims to sue. Many Democrats voted against the business-backed legislation, which was sent to the GOP-led Senate for debate.
It would protect employers from liability if a worker is exposed to the COVID-19 virus during Michigan’s emergency despite the employer having substantially complied with health rules, retroactive to Jan. 1. Immunity would not apply if an employer willfully disregarded the regulations.
“This is a balanced approach on COVID liability that will not in any way protect bad actors,” said a sponsor, Republican Rep. Thomas Albert of Lowell, who added that it would safeguard infected employees from retribution. “Job providers need to know what safety protocols are expected of them, and they deserve some reassurance that they will not be sued if they are taking necessary safety precautions.”
Other bills would:
— retroactively shield hospitals, doctors and other providers from suits covering services between March 10 and July 14 unless there was willful misconduct, gross negligence, intentional misconduct or intentional infliction of harm. Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vetoed such a measure in August, though it was broader. It would have extended the immunity through 2020 and applied to future emergencies.
— require people to meet minimum requirements to sue for exposure to the coronavirus and apply retroactively to Jan. 1. They would be required to test positive and be hospitalized for at least 24 hours or be so ill that they could not engage in their usual activities for at least 14 days. A death also would qualify.
— protect the makers of personal protective equipment, medications, COVID-19 tests, disinfectants and cleaning supplies from product-liability claims unless they knew of a defect.
— prevent infected employees from reporting to work and bar employers from taking “adverse employment action” against them. Whitmer has issued an order with similar prohibitions.
Whitmer spokeswoman Tiffany Brown said Michigan law already says people taking reasonable care to protect workers and customers cannot be held liable in court. Most businesses are “doing the right thing,” she said.
“Instead of passing this legislation, which is a solution in search of a problem, the Legislature should be focused on helping our businesses implement health and safety standards to keep their employees and customers safe,” Brown said.
While House Democrats generally opposed all but the bill related to worker protections, they did not speak out against the legislation before the vote. In testimony submitted this month, the Negligence Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan said some of the measures would make it “unreasonably difficult” for victims to sue and would lower the duty of employers and business owners to protect employees and customers from exposure to the virus.
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“Passage of this legislation is about survival of family business,” he said.
Michigan voters to begin casting absentee ballots on ThursdayMichigan registered voters can begin casting their ballots for the November general election on Thursday.
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mercurynews--2020-09-28--Forest Service firefighter missing in San Bernardino Mountains

On a day when the U.S. Forest Service memorialized fallen Big Bear Hotshot Charles Morton , authorities announced that another Big Bear Hotshot , Carlos Alexander Baltazar , was missing .
Baltazar , 35 , was reported missing by family members on Thursday , four days after his car was found abandoned near Highway 18 and Delta Way , northeast of Big Bear Lake .
His backpack was found 75 yards away , the San Bernardino County Sheriff ’ s Department said .
The search continued Friday , with aviation , two K-9 units and additional search personnel , Sheriff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a Friday evening email .
The search was expected to continue Friday night and Saturday , she said .
That area is not near the El Dorado fire , which Morton was battling when he died Sept. 17 .
Baltazar was not on duty at the time of his disappearance , a news release said .
Bloodhounds tracked Baltazar ’ s scent but eventually lost it .
K9s and deputies are continuing the search .
Baltazar is described as a Hispanic man , 5-foot-9 and 175 pounds who is bald and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information on his whereabouts to call 760-956-5001 .

On a day when the U.S. Forest Service memorialized fallen Big Bear Hotshot Charles Morton, authorities announced that another Big Bear Hotshot, Carlos Alexander Baltazar, was missing.
Baltazar, 35, was reported missing by family members on Thursday, four days after his car was found abandoned near Highway 18 and Delta Way, northeast of Big Bear Lake. His backpack was found 75 yards away, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said.
The search continued Friday, with aviation, two K-9 units and additional search personnel, Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Jodi Miller said in a Friday evening email. The search was expected to continue Friday night and Saturday, she said.
That area is not near the El Dorado fire, which Morton was battling when he died Sept. 17.
Baltazar was not on duty at the time of his disappearance, a news release said.
Bloodhounds tracked Baltazar’s scent but eventually lost it. K9s and deputies are continuing the search.
Baltazar is described as a Hispanic man, 5-foot-9 and 175 pounds who is bald and has brown eyes.
Investigators ask anyone with information on his whereabouts to call 760-956-5001.


mercurynews--2020-09-28--New probe prompts murder charge against California father in daughter’s 2014 death

A Hemet man was accused this week of killing his 7-year-old daughter , six years after a death he suggested to investigators might have been triggered by a fall from a toy pedal car .
Ernesto Landeros Jr. , 33 , was booked Thursday , Sept. 24 , on suspicion of second-degree murder and assault on a child under 8 years old causing death .
Landeros was being held in lieu of $ 1 million bail at Cois M. Byrd Detention Center in French Valley .
No court date has been set to enter pleas .
Hemet police originally investigated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Destiny Marquez , but no arrest was made .
Then on March 2 , 2020 , a Riverside County District Attorney ’ s Office supervising investigator was assigned to perform additional work on the case , according to an affidavit written to obtain an arrest warrant .
Police learned of Destiny ’ s injuries when Landeros brought her to Hemet Valley Hospital just after 2 a.m. on Dec. 21 , 2014 .
Her heart was not beating , the court document says , but prior to her death , doctors were able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a special needs child .
Landeros told a detective that his daughter had been throwing up the night before .
He later woke up about 2 a.m. and noticed that she was having difficulty breathing .
He then took her to the hospital .
Landeros initially said he didn ’ t know why Destiny couldn ’ t breathe .
He later said she had fallen from a “ little princess toy ” and hit her chest on the “ little steering wheel thing ” on Dec. 16 , the document says .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her 4-year-old sister , Landeros told the Hemet detective .
It was the next day that she began throwing up .
Destiny was transferred to Loma Linda University Children ’ s Hospital , where doctors repaired her large intestine .
Doctors said the injuries were caused by “ blunt force trauma ” and added that the injuries “ would have been excruciating and accompanied by extreme non-stop pain.
” Mark Massi , the doctor who conducted a child abuse exam , said “ Destiny was likely allowed to languish for days , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ document said .
The district attorney ’ s investigator said a former girlfriend of Landeros provided him with evidence that Destiny was healthy shortly before her heart stopped .
The woman showed the investigator three photos she shot of Destiny between 1:36 p.m. and 4:06 p.m. on Dec. 19 — 34 hours before the girl was hospitalized — that showed her happy and smiling , the document says .
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Moreover , Destiny ’ s injuries suggest that Landeros allowed her to languish for potentially a day and a half , in extreme non-stop pain , before she stopped breathing , ” the document @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found in a search of Landeros ’ home , the document says .
Landeros has convictions for battery on a spouse or co-habitant , violating a court order to prevent domestic violence and inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or co-habitant .

A Hemet man was accused this week of killing his 7-year-old daughter, six years after a death he suggested to investigators might have been triggered by a fall from a toy pedal car.
Ernesto Landeros Jr., 33, was booked Thursday, Sept. 24, on suspicion of second-degree murder and assault on a child under 8 years old causing death. Landeros was being held in lieu of $1 million bail at Cois M. Byrd Detention Center in French Valley.
No court date has been set to enter pleas.
Hemet police originally investigated the Dec. 26, 2014 death of Destiny Marquez, but no arrest was made. Then on March 2, 2020, a Riverside County District Attorney’s Office supervising investigator was assigned to perform additional work on the case, according to an affidavit written to obtain an arrest warrant.
Police learned of Destiny’s injuries when Landeros brought her to Hemet Valley Hospital just after 2 a.m. on Dec. 21, 2014. Her heart was not beating, the court document says, but prior to her death, doctors were able to stabilize Destiny, who was described as a special needs child.
Landeros told a detective that his daughter had been throwing up the night before. He later woke up about 2 a.m. and noticed that she was having difficulty breathing. He then took her to the hospital.
Landeros initially said he didn’t know why Destiny couldn’t breathe. He later said she had fallen from a “little princess toy” and hit her chest on the “little steering wheel thing” on Dec. 16, the document says. But Destiny got up and resumed playing with her 4-year-old sister, Landeros told the Hemet detective. It was the next day that she began throwing up.
Destiny was transferred to Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, where doctors repaired her large intestine. Doctors said the injuries were caused by “blunt force trauma” and added that the injuries “would have been excruciating and accompanied by extreme non-stop pain.”
Mark Massi, the doctor who conducted a child abuse exam, said “Destiny was likely allowed to languish for days, which caused her heart failure,” the document said.
The district attorney’s investigator said a former girlfriend of Landeros provided him with evidence that Destiny was healthy shortly before her heart stopped. The woman showed the investigator three photos she shot of Destiny between 1:36 p.m. and 4:06 p.m. on Dec. 19 — 34 hours before the girl was hospitalized — that showed her happy and smiling, the document says.
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No toy car could be found in a search of Landeros’ home, the document says.
Landeros has convictions for battery on a spouse or co-habitant, violating a court order to prevent domestic violence and inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or co-habitant.


mercurynews--2020-09-28--Bay Area native Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson endorses Joe Biden and Kamala Harris

Can you smelllllll who The Rock is endorsing ?
WWE legend , actor and businessman , Dwayne Johnson , officially made his first public endorsement for a presidential candidate as he announcement his support for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on Sunday .
“ … as a registered Independent for years now with centrist ideologies , I do feel that Vice President Biden and Senator Harris are the best choice to lead our country , and I am endorsing them to become President , and Vice President , of our United States , ” Johnson said in a video posted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has voted for both parties in the past and that this is “ arguably the most critical election our country has seen in decades.
” The seven and a half minute announcement video included a brief interview Johnson had with Biden and Harris where he asks them how they will earn the respect from the American people when they are in The White House .
Biden says he will tell the truth , be open about failures and take responsibility .
Harris echoes the need for trust and truth but also says as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as so many people have faced losses this year .
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Vote yes on Measure RR to save Caltrain “ Progress takes courage , humanity , empathy , strength , KINDNESS & RESPECT .
We must ALL VOTE , ” Johnson tweeted , along with a link to a website where people can register to vote and find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three hours , the video has been viewed more than 2 million times on Twitter .
In June , Johnson made a powerful plea for change in leadership when he called out President Donald Trump in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death .
The actor stated in a video post on his social media channels that the US is “ crippled ” and “ on its knees begging to be heard and pleading for change .
”

Can you smelllllll who The Rock is endorsing?
WWE legend, actor and businessman, Dwayne Johnson, officially made his first public endorsement for a presidential candidate as he announcement his support for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on Sunday.
“… as a registered Independent for years now with centrist ideologies, I do feel that Vice President Biden and Senator Harris are the best choice to lead our country, and I am endorsing them to become President, and Vice President, of our United States,” Johnson said in a video posted on Twitter.
As a political independent & centrist, I’ve voted for both parties in the past. In this critical presidential election, I’m endorsing @JoeBiden & @KamalaHarris. Progress takes courage, humanity, empathy, strength, KINDNESS & RESPECT. We must ALL VOTE: https://t.co/rZi1mxh8DC pic.twitter.com/auLbc8xDBv — Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) September 27, 2020
He added that he has voted for both parties in the past and that this is “arguably the most critical election our country has seen in decades.”
The seven and a half minute announcement video included a brief interview Johnson had with Biden and Harris where he asks them how they will earn the respect from the American people when they are in The White House.
Biden says he will tell the truth, be open about failures and take responsibility. Harris echoes the need for trust and truth but also says as a country we need healing right now as so many people have faced losses this year.
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In just three hours, the video has been viewed more than 2 million times on Twitter.
In June, Johnson made a powerful plea for change in leadership when he called out President Donald Trump in the wake of George Floyd’s death. The actor stated in a video post on his social media channels that the US is “crippled” and “on its knees begging to be heard and pleading for change.”
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mercurynews--2020-09-28--Raiders report card vs. Patriots:  Substandard performance reflected in grades

How the Raiders graded in a 36-20 road loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday : The red zone issues had a 2019 feel .
Derek Carr ( 24 of 32 for 261 yards and two touchdowns ) didn ’ t throw an interception but did lose a pair of fumbles on passing plays , the second one clinching the game for the Patriots .
New England kept Darren Waller under wraps , blanking him until the game was out of hand .
Carr conceded he missed on a couple of chances to get Waller the ball .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet another injury ( Bryan Edwards ) and the system is built to spread the wealth anyway .
Seven completions to running backs netted only 31 yards .
Nice day for Hunter Renfrow , in particular a 27-yard catch to the 1-yard line before halftime .
Josh Jacobs averaged 4.4 yards per carry — better than in each of his first two games when he was the dominant offensive player .
The problem was because the Raiders couldn ’ t convert on early red zone opportunities , they couldn ’ t control the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times and run 24 — and that ’ s not the way Jon Gruden wants to play .
Devontae Booker ( three carries , 31 yards ) continued to show he can step in on occasion .
Jalen Richard got 14 yards on his lone carry .
There ’ s nothing wrong with 5.7 yards per carry that more attempts won ’ t fix if game circumstances allow .
You had the impression if Raiders were in position to be persistent with the run , they would have succeeded .
Cam Newton completed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was intercepted by Johnathan Abram , sacked twice by Maxx Crosby and wasn ’ t nearly the downfield factor he was against Seattle in Week 2 .
Raiders defenders were credited with six passes defensed , including three by cornerback Trayvon Mullen .
Newton never did look comfortable , but the Patriots were able to hit the Raiders with some completions to backs — an area which was supposed to be addressed with the signing of Cory Littleton .
It hasn ’ t happened yet .
The Patriots ran 38 times for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though Newton ’ s running plays were kept under control until a 21-yard scramble late in the game .
The Raiders would have gladly settled for that if told beforehand .
Sony Michel needed only eight carries to get 117 yards and had runs of 38 and 48 yards .
Rex Burkhead had 49 yards rushing , J.J. Taylor 43 .
There were carries where backs were untouched into the second level .
Maliek Collins , the three-techinque signed to be a difference maker , has yet to be that force .
Lots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of which were some whiffs by Abram .
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He also converted from 29 and 25 yards .
Other than that , the Raiders did little to impact the game on special teams nor did they do anything else egregious .
The Raiders moved the ball well enough both passing and running , but their execution on third down and red zone was poor .
When the Patriots schemed their defense to do whatever they could to take away Darren Waller , the Raiders had no answer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game .
Coach Jon Gruden opted to take a field goal down 23-10 early in the fourth quarter , gambling his defense could come up with a stop and the Raiders could get within 23-20 .
It backfired .
The Patriots went on a long touchdown drive to put more distance between themselves and the Raiders .
Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther is changing things up on occasion , but whether it ’ s personel or familiarity , something ’ s missing .

How the Raiders graded in a 36-20 road loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday:
PASS OFFENSE: D
The red zone issues had a 2019 feel. Derek Carr (24 of 32 for 261 yards and two touchdowns) didn’t throw an interception but did lose a pair of fumbles on passing plays, the second one clinching the game for the Patriots. New England kept Darren Waller under wraps, blanking him until the game was out of hand. Carr conceded he missed on a couple of chances to get Waller the ball. But there are other eligible receivers even with yet another injury (Bryan Edwards) and the system is built to spread the wealth anyway. Seven completions to running backs netted only 31 yards. Nice day for Hunter Renfrow, in particular a 27-yard catch to the 1-yard line before halftime.
RUN OFFENSE: B-minus
Josh Jacobs averaged 4.4 yards per carry — better than in each of his first two games when he was the dominant offensive player. The problem was because the Raiders couldn’t convert on early red zone opportunities, they couldn’t control the tempo and were forced to pass 32 times and run 24 — and that’s not the way Jon Gruden wants to play. Devontae Booker (three carries, 31 yards) continued to show he can step in on occasion. Jalen Richard got 14 yards on his lone carry. There’s nothing wrong with 5.7 yards per carry that more attempts won’t fix if game circumstances allow. You had the impression if Raiders were in position to be persistent with the run, they would have succeeded.
PASS DEFENSE: B
Cam Newton completed 17 of 28 passes for 162 yards, was intercepted by Johnathan Abram, sacked twice by Maxx Crosby and wasn’t nearly the downfield factor he was against Seattle in Week 2. Raiders defenders were credited with six passes defensed, including three by cornerback Trayvon Mullen. Newton never did look comfortable, but the Patriots were able to hit the Raiders with some completions to backs — an area which was supposed to be addressed with the signing of Cory Littleton. It hasn’t happened yet.
RUN DEFENSE: F
The Patriots ran 38 times for 250 yards, and that was even though Newton’s running plays were kept under control until a 21-yard scramble late in the game. The Raiders would have gladly settled for that if told beforehand. Sony Michel needed only eight carries to get 117 yards and had runs of 38 and 48 yards. Rex Burkhead had 49 yards rushing, J.J. Taylor 43. There were carries where backs were untouched into the second level. Maliek Collins, the three-technique signed to be a difference maker, has yet to be that force. Lots of missed tackles, the most conspicuous of which were some whiffs by Abram.
SPECIAL TEAMS: D-plus
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COACHING: D
The Raiders moved the ball well enough both passing and running, but their execution on third down and red zone was poor. When the Patriots schemed their defense to do whatever they could to take away Darren Waller, the Raiders had no answer in the plays that helped decide the game. Coach Jon Gruden opted to take a field goal down 23-10 early in the fourth quarter, gambling his defense could come up with a stop and the Raiders could get within 23-20. It backfired. The Patriots went on a long touchdown drive to put more distance between themselves and the Raiders. Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther is changing things up on occasion, but whether it’s personnel or familiarity, something’s missing.


mercurynews--2020-09-28--Chrissy Teigen hospitalized after suffering bleeding during latest pregnancy

Chrissy Teigen has been hospitalized in Los Angeles after suffering heavy bleeding during her pregnancy .
The model and TV personality , who is expecting her third child with singer husband John Legend , was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on Sunday , hours after complaining of being “ so bored ” stuck at home because of her latest pregnancy being ruled high-risk .
Host of “ Lip Sync Battle ” and mother to daughter Luna , 4 , and son Miles , 2 — Teigen is sharing updates on her health complications , revealing that she had been bleeding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month , ” in a series of posts on Instagram .
“ We all know I ’ ve been on bed rest for a few weeks and that ’ s like super serious bed rest .
I get up to quickly pee and that ’ s it .
I would take baths twice a week , no showering , just as little as possible , ” she said from her hospital bed .
“ But I was always , always bleeding .
I ’ m about like halfway through pregnancy and the blood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month .
Maybe a little bit less than a month .
We ’ re talking about more than your period girls .
It ’ s definitely not spotting .
A lot of people spot and it ’ s usually fine .
Mine was a lot.
” The 34-year-old Teigen went on to explain that she was admitted to the hospital after the bleeding worsened comparing it to ‘ like if you were to turn a faucet onto low and leave it there.
” Teigen also urged fans not to diagnose her via social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good doctors who know the entire story.
” The former Sports Illustrated cover star reassured fans that her baby boy ’ s health had not been impacted by the fact her “ placenta is really , really weak , ” adding : “ So I feel really good , the baby ’ s so healthy .
Growing stronger than Luna or Miles .
He moves a lot , so much earlier than they ever did.
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I can ’ t wait for him.
” Teigen has been very open with her struggles getting pregnant .
Both of her previous pregnancies have been through in vitro fertilization ( IVF ) .

Chrissy Teigen has been hospitalized in Los Angeles after suffering heavy bleeding during her pregnancy.
The model and TV personality, who is expecting her third child with singer husband John Legend, was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on Sunday, hours after complaining of being “so bored” stuck at home because of her latest pregnancy being ruled high-risk.
Host of “Lip Sync Battle” and mother to daughter Luna, 4, and son Miles, 2 — Teigen is sharing updates on her health complications, revealing that she had been bleeding a “little bit less than a month,” in a series of posts on Instagram.
“We all know I’ve been on bed rest for a few weeks and that’s like super serious bed rest. I get up to quickly pee and that’s it. I would take baths twice a week, no showering, just as little as possible,” she said from her hospital bed.
“But I was always, always bleeding. I’m about like halfway through pregnancy and the blood has been going on for like a month. Maybe a little bit less than a month. We’re talking about more than your period girls. It’s definitely not spotting. A lot of people spot and it’s usually fine. Mine was a lot.”
The 34-year-old Teigen went on to explain that she was admitted to the hospital after the bleeding worsened comparing it to ‘like if you were to turn a faucet onto low and leave it there.”
Teigen also urged fans not to diagnose her via social media and trust she has “very good doctors who know the entire story.”
The former Sports Illustrated cover star reassured fans that her baby boy’s health had not been impacted by the fact her “placenta is really, really weak,” adding: “So I feel really good, the baby’s so healthy. Growing stronger than Luna or Miles. He moves a lot, so much earlier than they ever did.”
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Teigen has been very open with her struggles getting pregnant. Both of her previous pregnancies have been through in vitro fertilization (IVF).
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mercurynews--2020-09-28--Man takes cop’s gun, opens fire inside California police station

LOS ANGELES — A Los Angeles Police Department officer suffered minor injuries during an altercation in a police station with a man who wrestled away the officer ’ s gun , fired it and then ran when another officer shot at him , authorities said .
The suspect , who was not wounded , got into a vehicle and drove off , police said .
Officers stopped him a short distance away and he was arrested .
The injured officer was hospitalized with what Chief Michel Moore described as bumps and bruises .
“ He is resting and will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The incident inside the Harbor Station in the Sen Pedro area of Los Angeles unfolded late Saturday night .
The suspect walked into the lobby and an officer came out to talk with him .
“ It escalated into some type of altercation , ” Moore said at a news conference outside the hospital where the officer was being treated .
“ During that altercation , it appears at this very early stage that the officer ’ s weapon was taken from him and rounds were fired by the individual at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victim in shooting near SJSU identified as 24-year-old resident • Police name 14-year-old as suspect in fatal East Bay shooting Assistant Police Chief Horace Frank told the Los Angeles Times the watch commander at the station heard noises and saw that the suspect had taken the officer ’ s gun and was hitting him .
The watch commander then fired at the suspect , Frank said .
The suspect was not identified .
Moore said he was about 29 years old .
The incident came two weeks after two Los Angeles Sheriff ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sat in their police vehicle in Compton , about 15 miles ( 24 kilometers ) north of San Pedro .
The officers suffered serious gunshot wounds but both have been released from the hospital .
The gunman has not been arrested .

LOS ANGELES — A Los Angeles Police Department officer suffered minor injuries during an altercation in a police station with a man who wrestled away the officer’s gun, fired it and then ran when another officer shot at him, authorities said.
The suspect, who was not wounded, got into a vehicle and drove off, police said. Officers stopped him a short distance away and he was arrested.
The injured officer was hospitalized with what Chief Michel Moore described as bumps and bruises.
“He is resting and will be ok,” Moore tweeted early Sunday.
The incident inside the Harbor Station in the Sen Pedro area of Los Angeles unfolded late Saturday night. The suspect walked into the lobby and an officer came out to talk with him.
“It escalated into some type of altercation,” Moore said at a news conference outside the hospital where the officer was being treated. “During that altercation, it appears at this very early stage that the officer’s weapon was taken from him and rounds were fired by the individual at the officer.”
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Three people wounded in East Oakland shootings Crime and Public Safety | Redwood City drug deal ends in double shooting Assistant Police Chief Horace Frank told the Los Angeles Times the watch commander at the station heard noises and saw that the suspect had taken the officer’s gun and was hitting him. The watch commander then fired at the suspect, Frank said.
The suspect was not identified. Moore said he was about 29 years old.
The incident came two weeks after two Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department deputies were ambushed as they sat in their police vehicle in Compton, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) north of San Pedro. The officers suffered serious gunshot wounds but both have been released from the hospital. The gunman has not been arrested.


mercurynews--2020-09-28--Coronavirus: Where every California county is in the state tier system

According to the California Department of Public Health several counties could be lowered by a tier on Tuesday , Sept. @ @ @ @ @ is lowered , or raised , a tier it must remain there for at least @ @ @ @ @ must also meet criteria for the next tier in daily coronavirus positive cases per 100,000 @ @ @ @ @ the rate at which tests are coming back positive – for two consecutive weeks in @ @ @ @ @ level .
Cases and deaths associated with COVID-19 by age group in CaliforniaData as of @ @ @ @

According to the California Department of Public Health several counties could be lowered by a tier on Tuesday, Sept. 29. Once a county is lowered, or raised, a tier it must remain there for at least three weeks.
A county must also meet criteria for the next tier in daily coronavirus positive cases per 100,000 and testing positivity – meaning the rate at which tests are coming back positive – for two consecutive weeks in order to progress down a level.
Cases and deaths associated with COVID-19 by age group in CaliforniaData as of Sep. 26, 2020


mercurynews--2020-09-28--Views differ on why woman drove through California Black Lives matter protest

Different views emerged Sunday on why a 40-year-old Long Beach woman drove through a crowd during a heated demonstration in Yorba Linda on Saturday , badly injuring a man and woman .
Anthony Bryson , who helped the driver , Tatiana Turner , plan a protest against police brutality , said an angry mob had surrounded Turner and wouldn ’ t let her leave the parking lot .
“ People had broken her windshield , ” Bryson told The Associated Press .
“ She was trying to leave .
She was in fear for her life.
” Orange County Sheriff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , said Turner drove through the crowd deliberately .
“ When she left that parking lot , she could have chosen an alternate route that would have completely avoided all those people , ” he said .
“ She chose that route .
It wasn ’ t like that was her only avenue of escape , and she didn ’ t have to leave at that moment ; she could have just stayed in her car.
” He added , “ From what we can tell , there seemed to be no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car.
” Turner was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and attempted murder after the incident .
She was attending the protest with Caravan for Justice , said Orange County Sheriff ’ s spokeswoman Carrie Braun .
The organization is in solidarity with Black Lives Matter .
The Caravan group , which planned Saturday ’ s event , describes itself as campaigning against police violence .
They were met Saturday by counter-demonstrators carrying American flags as well as campaign banners supporting the re-election of President Donald Trump .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it appears that they were part of the Trump supporters , ” Breckner said .
The injured people included a man with two broken legs and a woman with major to moderate injuries all over her body , he said .
“ She was just completely run over , ” Breckner said of the victim .
In a video of the incident , he said , “ You can see the car kind of bounces around a little bit , because it ’ s going over that lady.
” The two victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deputies estimated a total of 250 people for all demonstrators at the Saturday afternoon event .
Both sides initially were on either side of Imperial Highway at the intersection of Yorba Linda Boulevard in the eastern Orange County city , but the counter-demonstrators at one point surged across the six-lane highway to confront the Caravan group , with face-to-face shouting matches of “ Black lives matter ” and “ U.S.A. ” As the conflict grew more heated , with reports that some people had weapons , sheriff ’ s officials declared an unlawful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It was shortly after that when the white sedan ran into a group of people in the parking lot of the Yorba Linda library .
People chased the car , which stopped a few hundred yards away from the scene of the incident and was surrounded by sheriff ’ s deputies .
The car had a shattered rear window with a flagpole sticking out of it .
The windshield also was damaged .
There also were “ multiple ” injuries in other confrontations , Braun said .
At least one protester pepper-sprayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Jason Mancuso , 46 , was arrested on suspicion of failing to obey the dispersal order .
There have been previous gatherings of protesters supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and counter-demonstrators with pro-Trump banners at the same intersection on Imperial Highway .
Caravan for Justice had plans for the Saturday demonstration as early as Sept. 17 , but it coincidentally came three days after a deputy shot and killed a homeless Black man in San Clemente .
Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes released a grainy video he said showed the man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun .
The San Clemente city council imposed a curfew on Thursday night , but a protest against police brutality in the wake of the shooting broke up an hour before the 9 p.m. deadline .
No violence was reported that night .
The Yorba Linda event also was planned before the Sept. 23 announcement in Kentucky that a grand jury did not seek criminal charges against police officers for Breonna Taylor ’ s death , but instead indicted a fired Louisville officer on three counts of wanton endangerment for shooting into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That announcement sparked demonstrations across the nation , several with violent incidents , including cars being driven into demonstrators .
On Friday a suspect reportedly drove a vehicle into a crowd of racial injustice protesters near the campus of the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque .
No one was hurt .
• Southern California city declares 9 p.m. curfew in wake of protests following deputy shooting of Black man A 25-year-old woman accused of striking a bicyclist with a pickup truck during a protest against racial injustice in downtown Buffalo N.Y. was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone was struck by an SUV speeding by a crowd of demonstrators in Hollywood on the second night of protests related to the Taylor grand jury announcement .
In the Taylor case , police had used a “ no-knock ” warrant to enter the 26-year-old woman ’ s apartment .
Taylor and her boyfriend , Kenneth Walker , were roused from bed by police , and Walker said he fired once at the officers , thinking they were intruders .
Investigators say police were returning fire when they shot Taylor several times .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .

Different views emerged Sunday on why a 40-year-old Long Beach woman drove through a crowd during a heated demonstration in Yorba Linda on Saturday, badly injuring a man and woman.
Anthony Bryson, who helped the driver, Tatiana Turner, plan a protest against police brutality, said an angry mob had surrounded Turner and wouldn’t let her leave the parking lot.
“People had broken her windshield,” Bryson told The Associated Press. “She was trying to leave. She was in fear for her life.”
Orange County Sheriff’s Sgt. Dennis Breckner, however, said Turner drove through the crowd deliberately.
“When she left that parking lot, she could have chosen an alternate route that would have completely avoided all those people,” he said. “She chose that route. It wasn’t like that was her only avenue of escape, and she didn’t have to leave at that moment; she could have just stayed in her car.”
He added, “From what we can tell, there seemed to be no issues when she was getting into her car.”
Turner was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and attempted murder after the incident.
She was attending the protest with Caravan for Justice, said Orange County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Carrie Braun. The organization is in solidarity with Black Lives Matter.
The Caravan group, which planned Saturday’s event, describes itself as campaigning against police violence. They were met Saturday by counter-demonstrators carrying American flags as well as campaign banners supporting the re-election of President Donald Trump.
“The victims, from what we can tell, it appears that they were part of the Trump supporters,” Breckner said.
The injured people included a man with two broken legs and a woman with major to moderate injuries all over her body, he said.
“She was just completely run over,” Breckner said of the victim. In a video of the incident, he said, “You can see the car kind of bounces around a little bit, because it’s going over that lady.”
The two victims were not identified.
Sheriff’s deputies estimated a total of 250 people for all demonstrators at the Saturday afternoon event.
Both sides initially were on either side of Imperial Highway at the intersection of Yorba Linda Boulevard in the eastern Orange County city, but the counter-demonstrators at one point surged across the six-lane highway to confront the Caravan group, with face-to-face shouting matches of “Black lives matter” and “U.S.A.”
As the conflict grew more heated, with reports that some people had weapons, sheriff’s officials declared an unlawful assembly and ordered all protesters to disperse. It was shortly after that when the white sedan ran into a group of people in the parking lot of the Yorba Linda library.
People chased the car, which stopped a few hundred yards away from the scene of the incident and was surrounded by sheriff’s deputies.
The car had a shattered rear window with a flagpole sticking out of it. The windshield also was damaged.
There also were “multiple” injuries in other confrontations, Braun said. At least one protester pepper-sprayed another one, and an Anaheim man, Jason Mancuso, 46, was arrested on suspicion of failing to obey the dispersal order.
There have been previous gatherings of protesters supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and counter-demonstrators with pro-Trump banners at the same intersection on Imperial Highway.
Caravan for Justice had plans for the Saturday demonstration as early as Sept. 17, but it coincidentally came three days after a deputy shot and killed a homeless Black man in San Clemente. Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes released a grainy video he said showed the man was reaching for a deputy’s gun.
The San Clemente city council imposed a curfew on Thursday night, but a protest against police brutality in the wake of the shooting broke up an hour before the 9 p.m. deadline.
No violence was reported that night.
The Yorba Linda event also was planned before the Sept. 23 announcement in Kentucky that a grand jury did not seek criminal charges against police officers for Breonna Taylor’s death, but instead indicted a fired Louisville officer on three counts of wanton endangerment for shooting into a home next to Taylor’s.
That announcement sparked demonstrations across the nation, several with violent incidents, including cars being driven into demonstrators.
On Friday a suspect reportedly drove a vehicle into a crowd of racial injustice protesters near the campus of the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. No one was hurt.
A 25-year-old woman accused of striking a bicyclist with a pickup truck during a protest against racial injustice in downtown Buffalo N.Y. was charged Friday.
On Thursday night, someone was struck by an SUV speeding by a crowd of demonstrators in Hollywood on the second night of protests related to the Taylor grand jury announcement.
In the Taylor case, police had used a “no-knock” warrant to enter the 26-year-old woman’s apartment. Taylor and her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, were roused from bed by police, and Walker said he fired once at the officers, thinking they were intruders. Investigators say police were returning fire when they shot Taylor several times. No drugs were found at her home.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-09-28--49ers report card: Sweep of New York comforts blow of injuries

Here is how the 49ers ( 2-1 ) graded in Sunday ’ s 36-9 win over the host New York Giants ( 0-3 ) : Nick Mullens passed for 363 yards , engineered multiple long drives and drew coach Kyle Shanahan ’ s praise for being a decisive thrower and composed leader .
The topic wasn ’ t broached but Mullens likely earned another start next Sunday night against the winless Eagles rather than rush Garoppolo back from his ankle injury .
Terrific emergence by Brandon Aiyuk ( 70 receiving yards , 30 rushing yards with a touchdown ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dwelley , Jordan Reed and Kendrick Bourne .
Running backs Jerick McKinnon and Jeff Wilson Jr. showed the catch-and-run ability that coach Kyle Shanahan covets .
The Giants beefy defensive line and active linebackers were intent on stuffing the run , and although the 49ers averaged only 2.7 yards per carry , three rushing touchdowns were scored ( McKinnon , Aiyuk , Wilson ) .
Tremendous blocking on Aiyuk ’ s 19-yard run for his first career touchdown .
McKinnon came out in the fourth quarter with a rib injury , so hopefully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absence and plays next Sunday night against the Eagles .
Fred Warner ’ s interception just before halftime was a death knell to the Giants ’ slim hopes .
Shanahan was ecstatic over Jason Verrett ’ s debut and long-awaited impact , which was timely for a cornerback corps that lost Emmanuel Moseley to a concussion and will miss Richard Sherman at least another week .
With no Nick Bosa the rest of the year , the 49ers need others to step up , and they got that from Kerry Hyder ( sack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fumble recovery ) and Javon Kinlaw , who was 1 of 6 defenders with a pass breakup .
Long snapper Kyle Nelson got the yips , and his barrage of bad snaps ( high , low , low , lower ) got him benched , so the big question is whether this was a mental hurdle he can overcome or if there is an unknown physical ailment .
Robbie Gould made 3-of-4 field-goal attempts amid the chaos and Mitch Wishnowsky wasn ’ t needed to punt even once .
Amazing job by Shanahan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 30 points in back-to-back wins on a dastardly field , but to rally the troops with a heavy casualty rate three games into a season that ’ s back on track .
Next comes a three-game homestand in which the 49ers should stay hot .
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Here is how the 49ers (2-1) graded in Sunday’s 36-9 win over the host New York Giants (0-3):
PASS OFFENSE: A
Nick Mullens passed for 363 yards, engineered multiple long drives and drew coach Kyle Shanahan’s praise for being a decisive thrower and composed leader. The topic wasn’t broached but Mullens likely earned another start next Sunday night against the winless Eagles rather than rush Garoppolo back from his ankle injury. Terrific emergence by Brandon Aiyuk (70 receiving yards, 30 rushing yards with a touchdown) and clutch catches along the way from Ross Dwelley, Jordan Reed and Kendrick Bourne. Running backs Jerick McKinnon and Jeff Wilson Jr. showed the catch-and-run ability that coach Kyle Shanahan covets.
RUN OFFENSE: C+
The Giants beefy defensive line and active linebackers were intent on stuffing the run, and although the 49ers averaged only 2.7 yards per carry, three rushing touchdowns were scored (McKinnon, Aiyuk, Wilson). Tremendous blocking on Aiyuk’s 19-yard run for his first career touchdown. McKinnon came out in the fourth quarter with a rib injury, so hopefully Raheem Mostert returns from Sunday’s absence and plays next Sunday night against the Eagles.
PASS DEFENSE: A
Fred Warner’s interception just before halftime was a death knell to the Giants’ slim hopes. Shanahan was ecstatic over Jason Verrett’s debut and long-awaited impact, which was timely for a cornerback corps that lost Emmanuel Moseley to a concussion and will miss Richard Sherman at least another week. With no Nick Bosa the rest of the year, the 49ers need others to step up, and they got that from Kerry Hyder (sack), Dion Jordan (sack, fumble recovery) and Javon Kinlaw, who was 1 of 6 defenders with a pass breakup.
SPECIAL TEAMS: D
Long snapper Kyle Nelson got the yips, and his barrage of bad snaps (high, low, low, lower) got him benched, so the big question is whether this was a mental hurdle he can overcome or if there is an unknown physical ailment. Robbie Gould made 3-of-4 field-goal attempts amid the chaos and Mitch Wishnowsky wasn’t needed to punt even once.
COACHING: A


mercurynews--2020-09-28--Inside the Raiders: What to worry about, what to disregard

No time to think , got ta panic .
It ’ s a favorite quote from a former colleague some 30 years ago who uttered the phrase under duress .
I ’ ve associated that line for years with the knee-jerk reaction of week-to-week fluctuations in emotions during an NFL season .
Especially early in the season .
So the Raiders ’ 36-20 loss road loss to New England Sunday means one of two things : 1 ) The Raiders went to the NFL ’ s most difficult road venue on a short week against the best coach in league @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
2 ) The Raiders were exposed as frauds and with Buffalo and Kansas City on the horizon will be 2-3 before they hit the bye week .
Only rational people believe the truth lies somewhere in the middle , and where ’ s the fun in that ?
Here are some problems worth worrying about about and issues which are much ado about nothing : We ’ ll see where rookie wide receiver Bryan Edwards is after a foot injury following a 34-yard gain against New England .
Rookie Henry Ruggs is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tyrell Willams is done for the year .
Tackle Trent Brown and middle linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski have eached missed two games and weren ’ t placed on I.R.
, meaning the hope was they ’ d be back for Week 4 .
Richie Incognito is on injured reserve .
Swing tackle Sam Young ( groin ) wasn ’ t healthy enough to be active against the Patriots .
“ We ’ re missing a lot of key players .
Lost some more today , ” Raiders coach Jon Gruden said .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking medical report and see who ’ s going to be able to play.
” At least Josh Jacobs got somewhat of a break ( for him ) with 16 carries and three catches .
Keeping him upright will be crucial .
Bill Belichick made him disappear .
It happens .
The Patriots have been doing this for years .
Quarterback Derek Carr said he couldn ’ t always decipher when Waller was double covered and when he wasn ’ t , and that the Patriots dropped players in coverage underneath Waller .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he can wait forever .
Carr conceded he missed chances to get him the ball on a couple of occasions .
“ You ’ ve got to play the game fast .
You ’ ve got to make your decisions , ” Carr said .
Said Gruden : “ We didn ’ t come here to target Waller on every play.
” Belichick said of the Patriots plan : “ When we had opportunities to jam and reroute him , we tried to do that , but he ’ s a tough guy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t think , for them , it ’ s all about throwing to one guy.
” The beauty of Waller is he ’ ll be fine with it .
He ’ ll get his numbers .
Worry about the front seven Maxx Crosby got going with a pair of sacks , but the whole theory of this defensive line was having a centipede effect that would rotate fresh players and wear down the opposition .
It hasn ’ t come close to fruition under D-line coach Rod Marinelli .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Raiders were doing pretty well at keeping their defense fresh and off the field .
Gruden pushed three-technique tackle Maliek Collins hard as a difference-maker .
Carl Nassib , who got $ 17 million guaranteed , got a pass deflection against the Patriots and has flashed on occasion , but his snap count has been low .
Clelin Ferrell doesn ’ t look like the eight to 10-sack guy the Raiders were hoping for in Year 2 after being the No .
4 overall pick .
Speaking of difference-makers and big investments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in pass coverage hasn ’ t shown itself yet .
Tom Cable said when he gets everybody back it will be like Christmas .
Hopefully it happens before then .
Even without Brown , Incognito and Young , and with Denzelle Good at tackle , the Raiders protected Carr adequately , although the two sack-fumbles Sunday are worrisome .
Against the Patriots , running backs averaged 5.7 yards per carry .
The offensive line isn ’ t nearly as healthy as as the defensive line but has out-performed their counterparts at the point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the red zone The first two weeks were like a dream , so pardon me if I ’ m not sold yet .
Naturally skeptical , I guess .
Before their cosmetic touchdown , the Raiders got inside the Patriots 25-yard line five times .
The payoff ?
Unless the Raiders defense plays considerably better , they ’ re going to need every point they can get in their next two games against the Bills and Chiefs .
Receding to the 20-point range isn ’ t going to cut it .
Gruden is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ played Madden a little crazy .
He ’ s going to stress run-pass balance in a passing era .
He ’ s going to want his quarterback to pile up completions and execute them in such a way that receivers behind the line of scrimmage will be counted upon to get the first down .
It ’ s the way Gruden is wired , and also happens to play to the strengths of Carr .
The last thing you want is to see Carr dropping back and passing 40 times per game .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Raiders is when Carr is getting rid of the ball quickly .
The more he throws , the more there ’ s a chance he ’ ll need to hold on to the ball to make a play .
The outcome is negative more often than not .
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And when Gruden calls for a field goal attempt down 13 points early in the fourth quarter — then the opposing offense goes 86 yards for a touchdown , it looks as if he doesn ’ t trust an offense that is playing at a higher level than his defense .
True enough , but it ’ s not as if that decision decided the game .
If the Raiders had actually made a stop , scored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s looked at differently .
They didn ’ t of course .
So no time to think , got ta panic .

No time to think, gotta panic.
It’s a favorite quote from a former colleague some 30 years ago who uttered the phrase under duress. I’ve associated that line for years with the knee-jerk reaction of week-to-week fluctuations in emotions during an NFL season. Especially early in the season.
So the Raiders’ 36-20 road loss to New England Sunday means one of two things:
1) The Raiders went to the NFL’s most difficult road venue on a short week against the best coach in league and got what was coming to them.
2) The Raiders were exposed as frauds and with Buffalo and Kansas City on the horizon will be 2-3 before they hit the bye week.
Only rational people believe the truth lies somewhere in the middle, and where’s the fun in that?
Here are some problems worth worrying about about and issues which are much ado about nothing:
Worry about injuries
We’ll see where rookie wide receiver Bryan Edwards is after a foot injury following a 34-yard gain against New England. Rookie Henry Ruggs is already out with a hamstring strain, Tyrell Willams is done for the year. Tackle Trent Brown and middle linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski have each missed two games and weren’t placed on I.R., meaning the hope was they’d be back for Week 4. Richie Incognito is on injured reserve. Swing tackle Sam Young (groin) wasn’t healthy enough to be active against the Patriots.
“We’re missing a lot of key players. Lost some more today,” Raiders coach Jon Gruden said. “We’ve got to get a good looking medical report and see who’s going to be able to play.”
At least Josh Jacobs got somewhat of a break (for him) with 16 carries and three catches. Keeping him upright will be crucial.
Don’t worry about Darren Waller
Bill Belichick made him disappear. It happens. The Patriots have been doing this for years.
Quarterback Derek Carr said he couldn’t always decipher when Waller was double covered and when he wasn’t, and that the Patriots dropped players in coverage underneath Waller. And it’s not as if he can wait forever. Carr conceded he missed chances to get him the ball on a couple of occasions.
“You’ve got to play the game fast. You’ve got to make your decisions,” Carr said.
Said Gruden: “We didn’t come here to target Waller on every play.”
Belichick said of the Patriots plan: “When we had opportunities to jam and reroute him, we tried to do that, but he’s a tough guy to match up on . . . I don’t think, for them, it’s all about throwing to one guy.”
The beauty of Waller is he’ll be fine with it. He’ll get his numbers.
Worry about the front seven
Maxx Crosby got going with a pair of sacks, but the whole theory of this defensive line was having a centipede effect that would rotate fresh players and wear down the opposition. It hasn’t come close to fruition under D-line coach Rod Marinelli. And keep in mind that until Sunday, the Raiders were doing pretty well at keeping their defense fresh and off the field.
Gruden pushed three-technique tackle Maliek Collins hard as a difference-maker. Carl Nassib, who got $17 million guaranteed, got a pass deflection against the Patriots and has flashed on occasion, but his snap count has been low. Clelin Ferrell doesn’t look like the eight to 10-sack guy the Raiders were hoping for in Year 2 after being the No. 4 overall pick.
Speaking of difference-makers and big investments, linebacker Cory Littleton’s reputation in pass coverage hasn’t shown itself yet.
Don’t worry about the offensive line
Tom Cable said when he gets everybody back it will be like Christmas. Hopefully it happens before then.
Even without Brown, Incognito and Young, and with Denzelle Good at tackle, the Raiders protected Carr adequately, although the two sack-fumbles Sunday are worrisome. Against the Patriots, running backs averaged 5.7 yards per carry.
The offensive line isn’t nearly as healthy as as the defensive line but has out-performed their counterparts at the point of attack.
Worry about finishing in the red zone
The first two weeks were like a dream, so pardon me if I’m not sold yet. Naturally skeptical, I guess.
Before their cosmetic touchdown, the Raiders got inside the Patriots 25-yard line five times. The payoff?
Lost fumble
Field goal
Touchdown
Missed field goal
Field goal
Unless the Raiders defense plays considerably better, they’re going to need every point they can get in their next two games against the Bills and Chiefs. Receding to the 20-point range isn’t going to cut it.
Don’t worry about the play-calling
Gruden is going to drive everyone who has ever played Madden a little crazy.
He’s going to stress run-pass balance in a passing era. He’s going to want his quarterback to pile up completions and execute them in such a way that receivers behind the line of scrimmage will be counted upon to get the first down. It’s the way Gruden is wired, and also happens to play to the strengths of Carr. The last thing you want is to see Carr dropping back and passing 40 times per game.
The best things happen on offense for the Raiders is when Carr is getting rid of the ball quickly. The more he throws, the more there’s a chance he’ll need to hold on to the ball to make a play. The outcome is negative more often than not.
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And when Gruden calls for a field goal attempt down 13 points early in the fourth quarter — then the opposing offense goes 86 yards for a touchdown, it looks as if he doesn’t trust an offense that is playing at a higher level than his defense.
True enough, but it’s not as if that decision decided the game. If the Raiders had actually made a stop, scored and got within 23-20, then it’s looked at differently.
They didn’t of course.
So no time to think, gotta panic.


mercurynews--2020-09-29--Glass Fire damages Napa Valley’s legendary Meadowood resort

The iconic Meadowood resort — a gathering place for nearly 60 years — sustained extensive damage early Monday when the Glass Fire raced through the Napa Valley .
Guests and staff had been evacuated on Sunday , so they were out of harm ’ s way when flames reached the 250-acre property around 3 a.m. Monday , according to Brett Anderson , a representative for Pacific Union , the resort ’ s parent company .
“ We know quite a few structures in the community have been destroyed , ” he said late Monday , but added it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damage and determine which buildings are gone because access to the St. Helena property is still limited .
Besides a resort , Meadowood houses one of the Bay Area ’ s few three-Michelin-starred honorees , The Restaurant at Meadowood .
As “ distressing ” as the property losses may be , Anderson said , “ Meadowood has always been about the people , ” so the successful evacuation was of paramount importance , and he praised the actions of crews still battling the blaze throughout the Napa Valley .
“ We hope firefighters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Thousands in Northern California to get power back after public safety shutdown • Bay Area heat wave to hit its peak , but the cooling to follow will be gradual And he said there ’ s no question of a comeback for Meadowood , which was founded in the early 1960s as a club for local vintners and then became a hotel in the 1970s .
“ The Harlan family and the Kroenke family are committed to the property , ” Anderson said .
“ Whatever it takes to rebuild and reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @

ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Cathedral City firefighter Jim Taylor takes a brief rest as they put water on a structure fire at the Meadowood Napa Valley resort in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The Glass Fire continues to burn. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: The remains of The Restaurant at Meadowood smolders at the Meadowood Napa Valley resort in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The Glass Fire continues to burn. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: A structure burns at the Meadowood Napa Valley resort in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The Glass Fire continues to burn. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Burned bottles are seen as The Restaurant at Meadowood smolders at the Meadowood Napa Valley resort in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The Glass Fire continues to burn. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: A fence and a structure burn by the tennis courts at the Meadowood Napa Valley resort in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The Glass Fire continues to burn. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: The remains of The Restaurant at Meadowood smolders at the Meadowood Napa Valley resort in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The Glass Fire continues to burn. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Cathedral City firefighter Russ Barsness puts water on a structure at the Meadowood Napa Valley resort in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The Glass Fire continues to burn. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: The Restaurant at Meadowood smolders after the Glass Fire tore through the Meadowood Napa Valley resort in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: A building burns near the tennis courts at the Meadowood Napa Valley resort in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The Glass Fire continues to burn. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: A structure burns at the Meadowood Napa Valley resort in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The Glass Fire continues to burn. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Destruction from the Glass Fire is seen near the tennis courts at the Meadowood Napa Valley resort in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Pieces of wood burn on the tennis courts at the Meadowood Napa Valley resort in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The Glass Fire continues to burn. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: A structure burns at the Meadowood Napa Valley resort in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The Glass Fire continues to burn. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Burned vehicles are seen near the Restaurant at Meadowood after the Glass Fire tore through the Meadowood Napa Valley resort in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: A structure burns at the Meadowood Napa Valley resort in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The Glass Fire continues to burn. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
ST. HELENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: A melted compost bin is seen at the Meadowood Napa Valley resort smolders in St. Helena, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. The Glass Fire continues to burn. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
The iconic Meadowood resort — a gathering place for nearly 60 years — sustained extensive damage early Monday when the Glass Fire raced through the Napa Valley.
Guests and staff had been evacuated on Sunday, so they were out of harm’s way when flames reached the 250-acre property around 3 a.m. Monday, according to Brett Anderson, a representative for Pacific Union, the resort’s parent company.
“We know quite a few structures in the community have been destroyed,” he said late Monday, but added it’s difficult to assess the extent of the damage and determine which buildings are gone because access to the St. Helena property is still limited.
Besides a resort, Meadowood houses one of the Bay Area’s few three-Michelin-starred honorees, The Restaurant at Meadowood.
As “distressing” as the property losses may be, Anderson said, “Meadowood has always been about the people,” so the successful evacuation was of paramount importance, and he praised the actions of crews still battling the blaze throughout the Napa Valley. “We hope firefighters can get the upper hand soon.”
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Living with air pollution, especially from wildfires or agriculture, raises risk of dementia, US study finds Crashes and Disasters | Cadaver dogs are in Maui to help find the dead. Here’s how it works and why it’s difficult He said there’s no question of a comeback for Meadowood, which was founded in the early 1960s as a club for local vintners and then became a hotel in the 1970s.
“The Harlan family and the Kroenke family are committed to the property,” Anderson said. “Whatever it takes to rebuild and reopen, we’ll do.”


mercurynews--2020-09-29--Coronavirus: Worldwide death toll tops 1 million

By Adam Geller and Risbah R. Jain | Associated Press NEW DELHI — The worldwide death toll from the coronavirus eclipsed 1 million on Tuesday , nine months into a crisis that has devastated the global economy , tested world leaders ’ resolve , pitted science against politics and forced multitudes to change the way they live , learn and work .
“ It ’ s not just a number .
It ’ s human beings .
It ’ s people we love , ” said Dr. Howard Markel , a professor of medical history at the University of Michigan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemics and lost his 84-year-old mother to COVID-19 in February .
“ It ’ s our brothers , our sisters .
It ’ s people we know , ” he added .
“ And if you don ’ t have that human factor right in your face , it ’ s very easy to make it abstract.
” The bleak milestone , recorded by Johns Hopkins University , is greater than the population of Jerusalem or Austin , Texas .
It is 2 1/2 times the sea of humanity that was at Woodstock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four times the number killed in the 2004 earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean .
Even then , the figure is almost certainly a vast undercount because of inadequate or inconsistent testing and reporting and suspected concealment by some countries .
And the number continues to mount .
Nearly 5,000 deaths are reported each day on average .
Parts of Europe are getting hit by a second wave , and experts fear the same fate may await the U.S. , which accounts for about 205,000 deaths , or 1 out of 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any other country , despite America ’ s wealth and medical resources .
“ I can understand why … numbers are losing their power to shock , but I still think it ’ s really important that we understand how big these numbers really are , ” said Mark Honigsbaum , author of “ The Pandemic Century : One Hundred Years of Panic , Hysteria and Hubris.
” The global toll includes people like Joginder Chaudhary , who was his parents ’ greatest pride , raised with the little they earned farming a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first doctor from their village .
After the virus killed the 27-year-old Chaudhary in late July , his mother wept inconsolably .
With her son gone , Premlata Chaudhary said , how could she go on living ?
Three weeks later , on Aug. 18 , the virus took her life , too .
All told , it has killed more than 95,000 in India .
“ This pandemic has ruined my family , ” said the young doctor ’ s father , Rajendra Chaudhary .
“ All our aspirations , our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus overwhelmed cemeteries in the Italian province of Bergamo last spring , the Rev .
Mario Carminati opened his church to the dead , lining up 80 coffins in the center aisle .
After an army convoy carted them to a crematory , another 80 arrived .
Then 80 more .
Eventually the crisis receded and the world ’ s attention moved on .
But the pandemic ’ s grasp endures .
In August , Carminati buried his 34-year-old nephew .
“ This thing should make us all reflect .
The problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all immortal , ” the priest said .
The virus first appeared in late 2019 in patients hospitalized in the Chinese city of Wuhan , where the first death was reported on Jan. 11 .
By the time authorities locked down the city nearly two weeks later , millions of travelers had come and gone .
China ’ s government has come in for criticism that it did not do enough to alert other countries to the threat .
Government leaders in countries like Germany , South Korea and New Zealand worked effectively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. President Donald Trump and Brazil ’ s Jair Bolsonaro , dismissed the severity of the threat and the guidance of scientists , even as hospitals filled with gravely ill patients .
Brazil has recorded the second most deaths after the U.S. , with about 142,000 .
India is third and Mexico fourth , with more than 76,000 .
The virus has forced trade-offs between safety and economic well-being .
The choices made have left millions of people vulnerable , especially the poor , minorities and the elderly .
With so many of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and clustered on society ’ s margins , the milestone recalls the grim pronouncement often attributed to Soviet dictator Josef Stalin : One death is a tragedy , millions of deaths are a statistic .
The pandemic ’ s toll of 1 million dead in such a limited time rivals some of the gravest threats to public health , past and present .
It exceeds annual deaths from AIDS , which last year killed about 690,000 people worldwide .
The virus ’ s toll is approaching the 1.5 million global deaths each year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people than any other infectious disease .
But “ COVID ’ s grip on humanity is incomparably greater than the grip of other causes of death , ” said Lawrence Gostin , a professor of global health law at Georgetown University .
He noted the unemployment , poverty and despair caused by the pandemic , and deaths from myriad other illnesses that have gone untreated .
For all its lethality , the virus has claimed far fewer lives than the so-called Spanish flu , which killed an estimated 40 million to 50 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a century ago .
That pandemic came before scientists had microscopes powerful enough to identify the enemy or antibiotics that could treat the bacterial pneumonia that killed most of the victims .
It also ran a far different course .
In the U.S. , for example , the Spanish flu killed about 675,000 .
But most of those deaths did not come until a second wave hit over the winter of 1918-19 .
Up to now , the disease has left only a faint footprint on Africa , well shy of early modeling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newsom seeks more money for novel homeless housing program • Palo Alto Unified wants to reopen classes Oct. 12 ; parents and teachers object • Coronavirus : Hospitalizations in Bay Area decline at fastest rate of pandemic But cases have recently surged in countries like Britain , Spain , Russia and Israel .
In the United States , the return of students to college campuses has sparked new outbreaks .
With approval and distribution of a vaccine still probably months away and winter approaching in the Northern Hemisphere , the toll will continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only at the beginning of this .
We ’ re going to see many more weeks ahead of this pandemic than we ’ ve had behind us , ” Gostin said .
Geller reported from New York .
Nicole Winfield in Rome contributed to this story .

By Adam Geller and Risbah R. Jain | Associated Press
NEW DELHI — The worldwide death toll from the coronavirus eclipsed 1 million on Tuesday, nine months into a crisis that has devastated the global economy, tested world leaders’ resolve, pitted science against politics and forced multitudes to change the way they live, learn and work.
“It’s not just a number. It’s human beings. It’s people we love,” said Dr. Howard Markel, a professor of medical history at the University of Michigan who has advised government officials on containing pandemics and lost his 84-year-old mother to COVID-19 in February.
“It’s our brothers, our sisters. It’s people we know,” he added. “And if you don’t have that human factor right in your face, it’s very easy to make it abstract.”
The bleak milestone, recorded by Johns Hopkins University, is greater than the population of Jerusalem or Austin, Texas. It is 2 1/2 times the sea of humanity that was at Woodstock in 1969. It is more than four times the number killed in the 2004 earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean.
Even then, the figure is almost certainly a vast undercount because of inadequate or inconsistent testing and reporting and suspected concealment by some countries.
And the number continues to mount. Nearly 5,000 deaths are reported each day on average. Parts of Europe are getting hit by a second wave, and experts fear the same fate may await the U.S., which accounts for about 205,000 deaths, or 1 out of 5 worldwide. That is far more than any other country, despite America’s wealth and medical resources.
“I can understand why … numbers are losing their power to shock, but I still think it’s really important that we understand how big these numbers really are,” said Mark Honigsbaum, author of “The Pandemic Century: One Hundred Years of Panic, Hysteria and Hubris.”
The global toll includes people like Joginder Chaudhary, who was his parents’ greatest pride, raised with the little they earned farming a half-acre plot in central India to become the first doctor from their village.
After the virus killed the 27-year-old Chaudhary in late July, his mother wept inconsolably. With her son gone, Premlata Chaudhary said, how could she go on living? Three weeks later, on Aug. 18, the virus took her life, too. All told, it has killed more than 95,000 in India.
“This pandemic has ruined my family,” said the young doctor’s father, Rajendra Chaudhary. “All our aspirations, our dreams, everything is finished.”
When the virus overwhelmed cemeteries in the Italian province of Bergamo last spring, the Rev. Mario Carminati opened his church to the dead, lining up 80 coffins in the center aisle. After an army convoy carted them to a crematory, another 80 arrived. Then 80 more.
Eventually the crisis receded and the world’s attention moved on. But the pandemic’s grasp endures. In August, Carminati buried his 34-year-old nephew.
“This thing should make us all reflect. The problem is that we think we’re all immortal,” the priest said.
The virus first appeared in late 2019 in patients hospitalized in the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the first death was reported on Jan. 11. By the time authorities locked down the city nearly two weeks later, millions of travelers had come and gone. China’s government has come in for criticism that it did not do enough to alert other countries to the threat.
Government leaders in countries like Germany, South Korea and New Zealand worked effectively to contain it. Others, like U.S. President Donald Trump and Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro, dismissed the severity of the threat and the guidance of scientists, even as hospitals filled with gravely ill patients.
Brazil has recorded the second most deaths after the U.S., with about 142,000. India is third and Mexico fourth, with more than 76,000.
The virus has forced trade-offs between safety and economic well-being. The choices made have left millions of people vulnerable, especially the poor, minorities and the elderly.
With so many of the deaths beyond view in hospital wards and clustered on society’s margins, the milestone recalls the grim pronouncement often attributed to Soviet dictator Josef Stalin: One death is a tragedy, millions of deaths are a statistic.
The pandemic’s toll of 1 million dead in such a limited time rivals some of the gravest threats to public health, past and present.
It exceeds annual deaths from AIDS, which last year killed about 690,000 people worldwide. The virus’s toll is approaching the 1.5 million global deaths each year from tuberculosis, which regularly kills more people than any other infectious disease.
But “COVID’s grip on humanity is incomparably greater than the grip of other causes of death,” said Lawrence Gostin, a professor of global health law at Georgetown University. He noted the unemployment, poverty and despair caused by the pandemic, and deaths from myriad other illnesses that have gone untreated.
For all its lethality, the virus has claimed far fewer lives than the so-called Spanish flu, which killed an estimated 40 million to 50 million worldwide in two years, just over a century ago.
That pandemic came before scientists had microscopes powerful enough to identify the enemy or antibiotics that could treat the bacterial pneumonia that killed most of the victims. It also ran a far different course. In the U.S., for example, the Spanish flu killed about 675,000. But most of those deaths did not come until a second wave hit over the winter of 1918-19.
Up to now, the disease has left only a faint footprint on Africa, well shy of early modeling that predicted thousands more deaths.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms World News | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge But cases have recently surged in countries like Britain, Spain, Russia and Israel. In the United States, the return of students to college campuses has sparked new outbreaks. With approval and distribution of a vaccine still probably months away and winter approaching in the Northern Hemisphere, the toll will continue to climb.
“We’re only at the beginning of this. We’re going to see many more weeks ahead of this pandemic than we’ve had behind us,” Gostin said.
Geller reported from New York. Nicole Winfield in Rome contributed to this story.


mercurynews--2020-09-29--PHOTOS: Napa, Sonoma communities evacuating again as Glass Fire rages

CLICK HERE if you are having trouble viewing the gallery on your mobile device .
SANTA ROSA — It is @ @ @ @ @ been destroyed , but a fast-moving wildfire in Napa and Sonoma counties has forced at @ @ @ @ @ to flee .
Santa Rosa Fire Chief Tony Gossner said there was “ significant loss @ @ @ @ @ on the north side of Highway 12.
” The Glass Fire swelled to 11,000 acres @ @ @ @ @ Monday morning , according to CalFire .
More than 8,000 new acres burned overnight as @ @ @ @ @ during hasty late-night evacuations .
More than 8,500 structures are under threat , according to @ @ @ @ @ firefighters had been called in by Monday morning to fight the Glass Fire , which @ @ @ @ @ currently burning around California .
It is the largest in the Bay Area .
Check @ @ @ @ @ on the fire .

Click here for the latest updates on the fire.
SANTA ROSA — It is unclear how many structures have been destroyed, but a fast-moving wildfire in Napa and Sonoma counties has forced at least 70,000 North Bay residents to flee. Santa Rosa Fire Chief Tony Gossner said there was “significant loss between Los Alamos and Oakmont on the north side of Highway 12.”
CLICK HERE if you are having trouble viewing the gallery on your mobile device.
The Glass Fire swelled to 11,000 acres with zero containment as of Monday morning, according to CalFire. More than 8,000 new acres burned overnight as firefighters struggled to protect neighborhoods during hasty late-night evacuations. More than 8,500 structures are under threat, according to officials.