mercurynews--2020-07-02--Coronavirus: California reactivates four alternative care sites for COVID-19 patients

Hours after Gov .
Gavin Newsom said California had seen a 32 % increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations over the last seven days , the state ’ s Office of Emergency Services announced four alternative care sites for coronavirus patients will be reactivated , including one in the Bay Area .
California will reactivate the Imperial Field Medical Site , the Fairview Developmental Center , the Porterville Developmental Center and Seton Medical Center immediately to expand capacity and support acute care specifically for COVID-19 patients .
Seton Medical Center , located in Daly City , already has 120 operational beds .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ expanded to care for 220 COVID-19 patients .
Inmates who have fallen ill from COVID-19 at San Quentin Prison are among those who will receive treatment at Seton Medical Center , the governor said Monday .
More than 1,000 inmates at the Marin County prison have tested positive for COVID-19 ; as of Saturday , five inmates had already been transferred , including three who went to the ICU .
According to data compiled by this news organization , the state surpassed 235,000 coronavirus cases Wednesday while California ’ s COVID-19 death toll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released by the California Department of Public Health shows more than 5,000 COVID-19 patients are receiving care in hospitals , including more than 1,500 who are occupying intensive care unit beds .
The CDPH data also shows nearly 1,400 people who are suspected to have COVID-19 are currently hospitalized in the state , including 223 in ICU beds .
Seton Medical Center began accepting COVID-19 patients on March 25 after the state leased 220 of the hospital ’ s 357 beds .
On May 20 , the Office of Emergency Services announced Seton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hospital were expected to “ complete their work in supporting California ’ s COVID-19 response no later than June 30.
” At the time officials announced plans to stop accepting COVID-19 patients at Seton Medical Center , California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly , congratulated the state on its response to the coronavirus pandemic .
“ Because of the great work of Californians across the state we have flattened the curve , ” Ghaly said .
On April 2 , more than a dozen nurses and front-line healthcare workers gathered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a socially distant protest as they said they were in dire need of more masks and personal protective equipment .
• Coronavirus : State parks to close parking lots at Bay Area beaches for July 4 holiday weekend • Hayward nursing home ’ s large COVID-19 outbreak preceded by long history of neglect and abuse , lawsuit claims In a release issued Wednesday , the Office of Emergency Services said all operational beds at alternative care sites “ will be staffed by medical personnel , equipped with supplies and offer all necessary services.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Newsom expressed confidence in Californians ’ ability to again stop the spread of the disease in the state .
“ We bent the curve in the state of California once , ” Newsom said .
“ We will bend the curve again .
Mark my words .
We will crush this pandemic .
We will annihilate it .
”

Hours after Gov. Gavin Newsom said California had seen a 32% increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations over the last seven days, the state’s Office of Emergency Services announced four alternative care sites for coronavirus patients will be reactivated, including one in the Bay Area.
California will reactivate the Imperial Field Medical Site, the Fairview Developmental Center, the Porterville Developmental Center and Seton Medical Center immediately to expand capacity and support acute care specifically for COVID-19 patients.
[vemba-video id=”tv/2020/07/01/lead-nick-watt-dnt-live-jake-tapper.cnn”]
Seton Medical Center, located in Daly City, already has 120 operational beds. The hospital’s capacity can be expanded to care for 220 COVID-19 patients.
Inmates who have fallen ill from COVID-19 at San Quentin Prison are among those who will receive treatment at Seton Medical Center, the governor said Monday. More than 1,000 inmates at the Marin County prison have tested positive for COVID-19; as of Saturday, five inmates had already been transferred, including three who went to the ICU.
According to data compiled by this news organization, the state surpassed 235,000 coronavirus cases Wednesday while California’s COVID-19 death toll climbed above 6,100.
The latest data released by the California Department of Public Health shows more than 5,000 COVID-19 patients are receiving care in hospitals, including more than 1,500 who are occupying intensive care unit beds. The CDPH data also shows nearly 1,400 people who are suspected to have COVID-19 are currently hospitalized in the state, including 223 in ICU beds.
Seton Medical Center began accepting COVID-19 patients on March 25 after the state leased 220 of the hospital’s 357 beds. On May 20, the Office of Emergency Services announced Seton Medical Center and the Los Angeles Surge Hospital were expected to “complete their work in supporting California’s COVID-19 response no later than June 30.”
At the time officials announced plans to stop accepting COVID-19 patients at Seton Medical Center, California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly, congratulated the state on its response to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Because of the great work of Californians across the state we have flattened the curve,” Ghaly said.
On April 2, more than a dozen nurses and front-line healthcare workers gathered outside of Seton Medical Center to hold a socially distant protest as they said they were in dire need of more masks and personal protective equipment.
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In parts of California, a prescription will pay for your fresh fruits and veggies Health | Pioneering study links testicular cancer among military personnel to ‘forever chemicals’ In a release issued Wednesday, the Office of Emergency Services said all operational beds at alternative care sites “will be staffed by medical personnel, equipped with supplies and offer all necessary services.”
During a press briefing Tuesday, Newsom expressed confidence in Californians’ ability to again stop the spread of the disease in the state.
“We bent the curve in the state of California once,” Newsom said. “We will bend the curve again. Mark my words. We will crush this pandemic. We will annihilate it.”


mercurynews--2020-07-02--Chronic understaffing, face masks locked away, sexual assault: Shocking allegations against Orinda c

Chronic understaffing, face masks locked away, sexual assault: Shocking allegations against Orinda care home with COVID-19 outbreak

ORINDA — In an ongoing investigation into Orinda Care Center authorities have found evidence of “ chronic ” understaffing , “ insufficient ” amounts of personal protective equipment , like face masks , and a sexual assault against a patient with dementia that was never reported to police , according to the investigator ’ s reports .
Although no criminal nor civil charges have been filed against the center or its owners , authorities said in court records that they are proceeding with an elder abuse investigation into the center .
“ I believe the conditions , lack of staffing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspected sexual assaults , and overall neglect is evidence of elder abuse and likely produced great bodily injury or death to the elder and dependent residents of the Orinda Care Center , ” Contra Costa District Attorney Inspector Sean Eriksen wrote earlier this month in an application for county records of an April inspection of the center .
Late last month , prosecutors in the Contra Costa District Attorney ’ s office confirmed that investigators were working with regulators to probe “ multiple COVID-19-related deaths of elderly residents of the Orinda Care Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible instances of neglect , but provided no other details at the time .
“ Orinda Care Center has not been contacted by the District Attorney , but we would welcome cooperating with authorities and rebutting these inflammatory allegations as the investigation proceeds , ” said Dan Kramer , a spokesman for the Orinda Care Center , without saying which allegations the company would rebut .
At least four patients died from COVID-19 , although after county health officials in April declined to continue providing an accurate death count for the facility , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share specific death or case figures if the total is less than 11 , the actual number of dead is unclear .
The facility had 40 confirmed cases among patients and another 31 among healthcare staff .
The facility currently has no more positive cases of COVID-19 .
The investigation has thus far consisted of witness interviews and document reviews , as well as information gleaned from news reports about the center .
An April 9 county health inspection found that the center is , on average , short three to four nurses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports of lacking amounts of protective equipment such as gloves , masks and gowns .
One witness — a former housekeeper — told investigators that rooms with patients with COVID-19 were marked simply with blue tape , and that he saw nurses traveling between the rooms of infected patients and those of uninfected residents without restrictions .
The witness also told investigators he saw management preparing for an April 9 inspection by taking all of the home ’ s available personal protective equipment , or PPE , and displaying it throughout the center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s inspection , the face masks and other PPE were rounded up and locked away in a closet , the staff member claimed .
Still , a county health official told investigators on April 9 that the amount of available PPE at the home was “ insufficient , ” according to court records .
On Feb. 13 , 2019 , a nurse witnessed an unidentified housekeeper touching the genitals of a partially-paralyzed man who suffered from dementia .
The housekeeper , caught in the act , allegedly yelled , “ I shouldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was fired eight days later but was never reported to the Contra Costa Sheriff or Orinda police , according to investigators .
According to emails between county health officials and the nursing home obtained by this news organization , at least part of the reason for the staffing shortage during the outbreak was due to mixed messages healthcare workers were getting from county health workers in March and April .
Officials from Orinda Care Center and its operating group , ReNew Health Group , wrote to county health staff noting that workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told at drive-through testing stations that they needed to isolate after being tested .
County health officials later responded to clarify that people without symptoms could continue to work as long as they did not have symptoms , and that staff who tested positive but remained asymptomatic could still go to work but could only care for COVID-19 patients .
Nursing homes across California and the rest of the country have been hard hit by COVID-19 .
In California , at least 21,599 residents and healthcare workers have contracted COVID-19 , and at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most recent state health data .
Staffing shortages fueled by low pay in the industry , as well as a lack of available personal protective equipment and testing have compounded a situation in which asymptomatic staff members can easily spread the virus through the close contact required in nursing facility settings , experts say .
But well before COVID-19 swept through nursing facilities across the country , there has been a history of problems at nursing homes run by the owner of the Orinda Care Center , Crystal Solorzano , state health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , state inspectors found the Orinda Care Center did not meet minimum staffing requirements on 16 out of 24 days that were monitored , according to California Department of Public Health records .
Inspectors found that dietary staff at the facility could not describe or demonstrate the correct procedures for sanitizing cookware and tableware .
They also found that staff were storing expired and current medications together — sometimes without refrigerating those medications that required it .
In December , the California Department of Public Health took the rare step of denying Solorzano @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the basis of her other facilities ’ past records .
According to state records , the state denied applications submitted by Solorzano to operate skilled nursing facilities in San Jose , Canoga Park and Glendora because inspectors found 97 federal regulatory violations in facilities she owned , managed or operated between October 2016 and October 2019 , as well as 46 violations of state requirements and three administrative penalties for failing to meet minimum staffing requirements .
Among the deficiencies the state cited in its denial to Solorzano was a February 2019 sexual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resident inside her room by a nursing assistant .
The state also cited a 2018 inspection at her San Bernardino facility where inspectors found staff did not notify a doctor about patients ’ injuries , including a fall that left a resident with a fractured hip , among many other violations .
Solorzano has appealed the denials of her facility applications , the spokesman , Kramer , said in April .
In the denial letters , state health officials also noted that the state had revoked Solorzano ’ s nursing home administrator license @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applying for it .
She is still allowed to own nursing homes without the administrator ’ s license .
Kramer told this newspaper in April that Solorzano ’ s administrator ’ s license was not revoked but rather the state sent the letter in error , noting that a hearing on the license revocation is scheduled for September where “ we plan to present information on or before that date fully exonerating , ” her .

ORINDA — In an ongoing investigation into Orinda Care Center authorities have found evidence of “chronic” understaffing, “insufficient” amounts of personal protective equipment, like face masks, and a sexual assault against a patient with dementia that was never reported to police, according to the investigator’s reports.
Although no criminal nor civil charges have been filed against the center or its owners, authorities said in court records that they are proceeding with an elder abuse investigation into the center.
“I believe the conditions, lack of staffing, misuse of personal protective equipment, suspected sexual assaults, and overall neglect is evidence of elder abuse and likely produced great bodily injury or death to the elder and dependent residents of the Orinda Care Center,” Contra Costa District Attorney Inspector Sean Eriksen wrote earlier this month in an application for county records of an April inspection of the center.
Late last month, prosecutors in the Contra Costa District Attorney’s office confirmed that investigators were working with regulators to probe “multiple COVID-19-related deaths of elderly residents of the Orinda Care Center” and that they are looking for possible instances of neglect, but provided no other details at the time.
“Orinda Care Center has not been contacted by the District Attorney, but we would welcome cooperating with authorities and rebutting these inflammatory allegations as the investigation proceeds,” said Dan Kramer, a spokesman for the Orinda Care Center, without saying which allegations the company would rebut.
At least four patients died from COVID-19, although after county health officials in April declined to continue providing an accurate death count for the facility, and the state health department will not share specific death or case figures if the total is less than 11, the actual number of dead is unclear.
The facility had 40 confirmed cases among patients and another 31 among healthcare staff. The facility currently has no more positive cases of COVID-19.
The investigation has thus far consisted of witness interviews and document reviews, as well as information gleaned from news reports about the center. An April 9 county health inspection found that the center is, on average, short three to four nurses per shift — as well as multiple reports of lacking amounts of protective equipment such as gloves, masks and gowns.
One witness — a former housekeeper — told investigators that rooms with patients with COVID-19 were marked simply with blue tape, and that he saw nurses traveling between the rooms of infected patients and those of uninfected residents without restrictions.
The witness also told investigators he saw management preparing for an April 9 inspection by taking all of the home’s available personal protective equipment, or PPE, and displaying it throughout the center.
At the end of the county’s inspection, the face masks and other PPE were rounded up and locked away in a closet, the staff member claimed. Still, a county health official told investigators on April 9 that the amount of available PPE at the home was “insufficient,” according to court records.
On Feb. 13, 2019, a nurse witnessed an unidentified housekeeper touching the genitals of a partially-paralyzed man who suffered from dementia. The housekeeper, caught in the act, allegedly yelled, “I shouldn’t be doing this,” and was fired eight days later but was never reported to the Contra Costa Sheriff or Orinda police, according to investigators.
According to emails between county health officials and the nursing home obtained by this news organization, at least part of the reason for the staffing shortage during the outbreak was due to mixed messages healthcare workers were getting from county health workers in March and April. Officials from Orinda Care Center and its operating group, ReNew Health Group, wrote to county health staff noting that workers were not coming into work after being told at drive-through testing stations that they needed to isolate after being tested.
County health officials later responded to clarify that people without symptoms could continue to work as long as they did not have symptoms, and that staff who tested positive but remained asymptomatic could still go to work but could only care for COVID-19 patients.
Nursing homes across California and the rest of the country have been hard hit by COVID-19. In California, at least 21,599 residents and healthcare workers have contracted COVID-19, and at least 2,524 have died, according to the most recent state health data. Staffing shortages fueled by low pay in the industry, as well as a lack of available personal protective equipment and testing have compounded a situation in which asymptomatic staff members can easily spread the virus through the close contact required in nursing facility settings, experts say.
But well before COVID-19 swept through nursing facilities across the country, there has been a history of problems at nursing homes run by the owner of the Orinda Care Center, Crystal Solorzano, state health records show.
As recently as August, state inspectors found the Orinda Care Center did not meet minimum staffing requirements on 16 out of 24 days that were monitored, according to California Department of Public Health records. Inspectors found that dietary staff at the facility could not describe or demonstrate the correct procedures for sanitizing cookware and tableware. They also found that staff were storing expired and current medications together — sometimes without refrigerating those medications that required it.
In December, the California Department of Public Health took the rare step of denying Solorzano’s applications to operate facilities on the basis of her other facilities’ past records.
According to state records, the state denied applications submitted by Solorzano to operate skilled nursing facilities in San Jose, Canoga Park and Glendora because inspectors found 97 federal regulatory violations in facilities she owned, managed or operated between October 2016 and October 2019, as well as 46 violations of state requirements and three administrative penalties for failing to meet minimum staffing requirements.
Among the deficiencies the state cited in its denial to Solorzano was a February 2019 sexual assault and rape of a Glendale facility resident inside her room by a nursing assistant. The state also cited a 2018 inspection at her San Bernardino facility where inspectors found staff did not notify a doctor about patients’ injuries, including a fall that left a resident with a fractured hip, among many other violations.
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In the denial letters, state health officials also noted that the state had revoked Solorzano’s nursing home administrator license because she provided fraudulent college transcripts in applying for it. She is still allowed to own nursing homes without the administrator’s license.
Kramer told this newspaper in April that Solorzano’s administrator’s license was not revoked but rather the state sent the letter in error, noting that a hearing on the license revocation is scheduled for September where “we plan to present information on or before that date fully exonerating,” her.
Staff writer Thomas Peele contributed reporting.


mercurynews--2020-07-02--San Jose: Authorities identify man killed in June 16 crash

SAN JOSE – A man killed in a car crash in San Jose in mid-June has been identified as Rodrigo Llamas , 21 , of San Jose , according to the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner ’ s Office .
The crash was reported about 2:10 a.m. on June 16 near Almaden Expressway and Redmond Avenue .
According to police , an initial investigation found that a black 2006 Acura Integra was traveling southbound on the expressway at a “ high rate of speed ” when it collided with two trees .
The driver and sole occupant , identified as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scene .
His death marked the city ’ s 24th traffic fatality of the year .
Llamas served as a lance corporal in the Marine Corps , according to a GoFundMe page created to raise money for his funeral .
“ He was known for his smile and optimism which would shine through in the harshest environments and in the face of hardship that would cause others to question their decision to enlist , ” wrote Dan Hill , the organizer of the fundraiser .
“ He was exceptionally brave .
He will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pleasure to meet him.
” Anyone with information about the crash can contact San Jose police Detective Eliseo Malvido at 408-277-4654 .

SAN JOSE – A man killed in a car crash in San Jose in mid-June has been identified as Rodrigo Llamas, 21, of San Jose, according to the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office.
The crash was reported about 2:10 a.m. on June 16 near Almaden Expressway and Redmond Avenue.
According to police, an initial investigation found that a black 2006 Acura Integra was traveling southbound on the expressway at a “high rate of speed” when it collided with two trees. The driver and sole occupant, identified as Llamas, was pronounced dead at the scene. His death marked the city’s 24th traffic fatality of the year.
Llamas served as a lance corporal in the Marine Corps, according to a GoFundMe page created to raise money for his funeral.
“He was known for his smile and optimism which would shine through in the harshest environments and in the face of hardship that would cause others to question their decision to enlist,” wrote Dan Hill, the organizer of the fundraiser. “He was exceptionally brave. He will undoubtedly be missed by any who had the pleasure to meet him.”
Anyone with information about the crash can contact San Jose police Detective Eliseo Malvido at 408-277-4654.


mercurynews--2020-07-02--39 reasons Orange County should rename John Wayne Airport

The long-simmering debate over whether John Wayne ’ s name is appropriate for Orange County ’ s airport has boiled up again .
In an era when racial injustice is back in the spotlight , the county ’ s Democratic Party — and others — now want the actor ’ s name off the facility for offensive remarks made a half-century ago .
It became John Wayne Airport in 1979 after the Newport Beach resident ’ s death .
Let me start by saying I think airports and the surrounding tourism industry are best served when a name tells a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So , I fully support the 2017 decision to turn Bob Hope Airport into Hollywood Burbank Airport to help boost its business .
Yes , Orange County Airport — the facility ’ s old name — would be swell for marketing purposes … even if the person whose name and statue grace the airport is unworthy of the honor .
My quick review of major U.S. passenger airports shows having a luminary ’ s name in an airport monicker is fairly common .
But let me add that these folks feted at 39 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today of such an honor than Wayne ’ s complicated legacy in a very changed Orange County .
Let me start with what I see as the most fitting examples — airports named for military aviators killed while flying … Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport ( Texas ) : Astronaut who died in the 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia disaster .
Bradley International Airport ( Windsor Locks , Conn. ) : Lt. Eugene M. Bradley , an Army pilot killed in a 1941 crash when the site was a military base .
McGhee Tyson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Military pilot Charles McGhee Tyson , who was killed in 1918 plane crash .
And there are symbols from the battle for civil rights … Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport : Named for the civil rights attorney who became the nation ’ s first Black U.S. Supreme Court justice .
Jackson-Evers International Airport ( Mississippi ) : Medgar Evers fought education segregation and was assassinated in 1963 .
Dayton-Wright Brothers Airport ( Ohio ) : Named for Orville and Wilbur Wright who built the first successful flying airplane .
Rickenbacker International Airport ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a fighter ace in World War I as well as an accomplished auto racer .
Logan International Airport ( Boston ) : No aviation link for this one , but war hero Gen. Edward Logan fought on the ground in the Spanish-American War and World War I .
Yes , leaders of the federal government are popular choices .
Starting with the executive branch … Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport ( Little Rock , Ark . )
: the 42nd president and a U.S. Secretary of State .
Washington Dulles International @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foster Dulles , a U.S. Secretary of State in the 1950s .
And others from the federal legislative branch … McCarran International Airport ( Las Vegas ) : Named for former U.S. Sen. Pat McCarran .
John Glenn Columbus International Airport ( Ohio ) : Former U.S. senator and astronaut .
T. F. Green Airport ( Providence , R.I. ) : Former U.S. senator and governor , Theodore Francis Green .
You can find names of state and local officials on airports , too … Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport : Named for former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Norman Mineta San Jose International Airport : He ’ s the former mayor who held U.S .
Cabinet positions under presidents Clinton and George W. Bush .
Or airports named for local business leaders , folks who had some cash in the facility … .
Lambert-St. Louis International Airport : An aviation fan , Albert Lambert built the airport then sold it to the city in 1928 .
Louis Armstrong New Orleans Airport : A pioneer in jazz and a major Black contributor to American culture .
Charles Schulz Sonoma County Airport : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ character in the Peanuts cartoon strip was a 1968 racial breakthrough .
Will Rogers World Airport ( Oklahoma City ) : An entertainer and social commentator who said of his Native American heritage : “ My ancestors never came over on the Mayflower , but they were there to meet the boat.
” He died in a plane crash in 1935 .
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The long-simmering debate over whether John Wayne’s name is appropriate for Orange County’s airport has boiled up again.
In an era when racial injustice is back in the spotlight, the county’s Democratic Party — and others — now want the actor’s name off the facility for offensive remarks made a half-century ago. It became John Wayne Airport in 1979 after the Newport Beach resident’s death.
Let me start by saying I think airports and the surrounding tourism industry are best served when a name tells a traveler where they’re going. So, I fully support the 2017 decision to turn Bob Hope Airport into Hollywood Burbank Airport to help boost its business.
Yes, Orange County Airport — the facility’s old name — would be swell for marketing purposes … even if the person whose name and statue grace the airport is unworthy of the honor.
My quick review of major U.S. passenger airports shows having a luminary’s name in an airport monicker is fairly common. But let me add that these folks feted at 39 airports across the nation seem more worthy today of such an honor than Wayne’s complicated legacy in a very changed Orange County.
Let me start with what I see as the most fitting examples — airports named for military aviators killed while flying …
Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport (Texas): Astronaut who died in the 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.
Dallas Love Field: Named for military pilot Moss L. Love, killed in a 1913 plane crash.
Bradley International Airport (Windsor Locks, Conn.): Lt. Eugene M. Bradley, an Army pilot killed in a 1941 crash when the site was a military base.
McGhee Tyson Airport (Knoxville, Tenn.): Military pilot Charles McGhee Tyson, who was killed in 1918 plane crash.
And there are symbols from the battle for civil rights …
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport: Named for the civil rights attorney who became the nation’s first Black U.S. Supreme Court justice.
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (Alabama): Pastor Fred Shuttlesworth fought racism and co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
Jackson-Evers International Airport (Mississippi): Medgar Evers fought education segregation and was assassinated in 1963.
Another natural naming style honors worthy aviators …
Dayton-Wright Brothers Airport (Ohio): Named for Orville and Wilbur Wright who built the first successful flying airplane.
O’Hare International Airport (Chicago): “Butch” O’Hare was a World War II Navy flying ace.
General Mitchell International Airport (Milwaukee): Gen. Billy Mitchell, commanded U.S. air battle efforts in World War I.
Yeager Airport (Charleston, W.V.): Chuck Yeager’s career spanned military flight (a brigadier general) and test piloting.
Rickenbacker International Airport (Columbus, Ohio): Eddie Rickenbacker was a fighter ace in World War I as well as an accomplished auto racer.
Logan International Airport (Boston): No aviation link for this one, but war hero Gen. Edward Logan fought on the ground in the Spanish-American War and World War I.
Yes, leaders of the federal government are popular choices. Starting with the executive branch …
Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport (Springfield, Ill.): the 16th president.
Wichita Dwight Eisenhower National Airport (Kansas): the 34th president.
John Kennedy International Airport (New York City): the 35th president.
Gerald Ford International Airport (Grand Rapids, Mich.): the 38th president.
Ronald Reagan National Airport (Washington, D.C.): the 40th president.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (Houston): the 41st president.
Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (Little Rock, Ark.): the 42nd president and a U.S. Secretary of State.
Washington Dulles International Airport (northern Virginia): John Foster Dulles, a U.S. Secretary of State in the 1950s.
And others from the federal legislative branch …
McCarran International Airport (Las Vegas): Named for former U.S. Sen. Pat McCarran.
John Glenn Columbus International Airport (Ohio): Former U.S. senator and astronaut.
Daniel Inouye International Airport (Honolulu): Former U.S. senator.
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport: Former U.S. senator.
T. F. Green Airport (Providence, R.I.): Former U.S. senator and governor, Theodore Francis Green.
John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport (Pennsylvania): Former congressman.
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William Hobby Airport (Houston): Former Texas governor.
Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport: Former Texas governor.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport: Named for former mayors William Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (North Carolina): Former mayor Ben Elbert Douglas Sr.
LaGuardia Airport (New York City): Former mayor Fiorello LaGuardia.
Norman Mineta San Jose International Airport: He’s the former mayor who held U.S. Cabinet positions under presidents Clinton and George W. Bush.
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport: William Hopkins, a ex-city manager.
Or airports named for local business leaders, folks who had some cash in the facility ….
Eppley Airfield (Omaha): Hotel owner Eugene Eppley’s estate helped pay for a facility upgrade in 1960.
Lambert-St. Louis International Airport: An aviation fan, Albert Lambert built the airport then sold it to the city in 1928.
And, finally, there’s Wayne’s entertainment world.
Louis Armstrong New Orleans Airport: A pioneer in jazz and a major Black contributor to American culture.
Charles Schulz Sonoma County Airport: The cartoonist whose Black “Franklin” character in the Peanuts cartoon strip was a 1968 racial breakthrough.
Will Rogers World Airport (Oklahoma City): An entertainer and social commentator who said of his Native American heritage: “My ancestors never came over on the Mayflower, but they were there to meet the boat.” He died in a plane crash in 1935.


mercurynews--2020-07-02--Streaming movie picks: ‘Riccione Sun’ is the Italian vacation you can’t go on now

Bummed about having to scrap those summer vacation plans ?
Here ’ s a virtual pick-me-up — “ Under the Riccione Sun , ” a fizzy Italian romp that goes down like an icy limoncello on a sweltering Tuscan afternoon .
The import debuted recently but befalls the fate of numerous Netflix titles , getting lost in the shuffle of new releases .
It ’ s hardly a classic , but its breezy , carefree escapism feels like a gift in a world gone mad .
Set in a Northern Italy tourist magnet , it gathers an attractive cast playing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the beach and at a tony nightclub .
All the characters in this enchanting bit of fluff are likeable and have some baggage .
It ’ s like a contemporary take on the old Annette Funicello-Frankie Avalon beach party flicks , with a little more sex and the occasional F-bomb tossed in .
There ’ s also no breaking out in song per se , but there is a concert at the finale .
A sweet love story — a blind hunk ( Lorenzo Zurzolo ) falls for a young woman strapped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ film .
Directors Niccolò Celaia and Antonio Usbergo — collectively known as Yonuts — give the 40-plus crowd something to swoon over with a late-blooming romance between an overprotective mom ( Isabella Ferrari ) and a bouncer ( Luca Ward ) .
Jovial and as expendable as a hotel beach towel , it ’ s a guilty pleasure done right .
Details : 3 stars out of 4 ; available now on Netflix .
“ Force of Nature ” : Derivative and campy , director Michael Polish ’ s thriller is stuffed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can take .
Cory Miller ’ s screenplay is a Category 4 howler , throwing in a hurricane , an art heist , a hungry critter cooped up in a room and a grouchy , sexist and racist ex-cop ( Mel Gibson ! )
who refuses to leave his apartment .
Emile Hirsch — another actor with a tarnished reputation — and Kate Bosworth co-star .
For all its baggage , “ Nature ” delivers little more than predictable chum .
Details : 1½ stars ; available on various platforms .
“ Quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ videos are you need to brighten your mood .
And that ’ s exactly what you ’ ll get in this collection of short clips , all during the pandemic .
If you ’ re a dog person , just skedaddle .
My recommendation , parents ?
Break this 90-minute montage into 20-minute , kid-friendly treat .
Details : Accessible at Smith Rafael Center ’ s Virtual Cinema series .
“ Four Kids and It ” : Why would Matthew Goode , Paula Patton , Russell Brand ( OK , maybe that one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Caine sign up for this loosely adapted version of a beloved kiddie series ?
The terrible promo poster with an E.T .
clone made it seem even less promising .
But this British production turns out to be as sweet as pineapple upside down cake .
An ages-old sand critter ( voice of Caine ) anchors this love story that draws together a white British family and a Black American family .
It ’ s a tad too long , but it ’ s quirky , fanciful and will appeal to kids and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available to rent , stream or buy on various platforms .
“ The Truth ” : Hirokazu Kore-eda is one of cinema ’ s best storytellers even if this , his latest , mostly flits around the charms of its lead star — the divine Catherine Deneuve .
The “ Shoplifters ” director delves into the tale of a tempermental star ( Deneuve ) tailoring her memoir to keep her image intact .
That modified history peeves her daughter ( Juliette Binoche ) .
Ethan Hawke co-stars as Binoche ’ s husband .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” a mighty tasty affair even though I craved a more substantive meal .
Details : 2½ stars ; available July 3 on various platforms .
“ Disclosure ” : Everyone likes a good “ talker , ” right ?
This smart , well-written and terrifically acted Aussie drama is just that .
It takes a simple premise — a child claims she was abused by another family ’ s child — and turns into a suburban drama that tumbleweeds into something along the shocking lines of “ Little Fires Everywhere ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stars ; now available on several platforms .
“ House of Hummingbird ” : Bora Kim ’ s beauty of a feature debut is something to cherish , a compassionate yet unsentimental portrait of 14-year-old Eun-hee ( talented newcomer Ji-hu Park ) growing up in a dysfunctional family in ‘ 90s South Korea .
Eun-hee melts your hearts as she endures a macho environment where her rage-filled , less intelligent brother gains footholds while she doesn ’ t .
“ Hummingbird ” is a film appreciative of silences and moods and characters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best films .
But it can be tough .
Details : 4 stars ; accessible on Roxie Theater ’ s Virtual Cinema series .
“ Denise Ho : Becoming the Song ” : Fresh off a world premiere as part of the Frameline Film Festival ’ s Pride Showcase streaming film series , Sue Williams ’ documentary focuses on the life , career and pro-democracy activism of the iconic Hong Kong singer Ho , who is out , is someone to admire and respect — as an artist , a person and advocate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Roxie Theater ’ s Virtual Cinema series .
“ Ella Fitzgerald : Just One of Those Things ” : Filled with archival images and musical performances along with relevant interviews , Leslie Woodhead ’ s ode to an icon reveals the racism and sexism Fitzgerald encountered through her career .
Narrated by Sharon D. Clarke , “ Just One of Those Things ” is about a resilient and talented woman bucking conventions and becoming an American legend on her own terms .
Details : 3½ stars ; accessible on Virtual Cinema series @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Friday the 13th — The 40th anniversary ” : When it came out in 1980 , Sean Cunningham ’ s “ Halloween ” ripoff was a hit .
It gave us not only Jason ’ s mom ( Betsy Palmer ) and Camp Crystal Lake — a magnet for horny camp counselors who get picked off one by one — but there was no hockey mask in it .
Does it hold up ?
Sort of .
More kitschy than scary now , it features a young Kevin Bacon running around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are unpretentious and fun .
Details : 2½ stars ; available for rent or purchase on multiple platforms .

Bummed about having to scrap those summer vacation plans?
Here’s a virtual pick-me-up — “Under the Riccione Sun,” a fizzy Italian romp that goes down like an icy limoncello on a sweltering Tuscan afternoon.
The import debuted recently but befalls the fate of numerous Netflix titles, getting lost in the shuffle of new releases. It’s hardly a classic, but its breezy, carefree escapism feels like a gift in a world gone mad.
Set in a Northern Italy tourist magnet, it gathers an attractive cast playing attractive 20-somethings searching for friendship and romance on the beach and at a tony nightclub. All the characters in this enchanting bit of fluff are likeable and have some baggage. It’s like a contemporary take on the old Annette Funicello-Frankie Avalon beach party flicks, with a little more sex and the occasional F-bomb tossed in. There’s also no breaking out in song per se, but there is a concert at the finale.
A sweet love story — a blind hunk (Lorenzo Zurzolo) falls for a young woman strapped with an inconsiderate boyfriend — anchors the film. Directors Niccolò Celaia and Antonio Usbergo — collectively known as Yonuts — give the 40-plus crowd something to swoon over with a late-blooming romance between an overprotective mom (Isabella Ferrari) and a bouncer (Luca Ward).
Jovial and as expendable as a hotel beach towel, it’s a guilty pleasure done right. Details: 3 stars out of 4; available now on Netflix.
“Force of Nature”: Derivative and campy, director Michael Polish’s thriller is stuffed with as many cliches as its 91 minutes can take. Cory Miller’s screenplay is a Category 4 howler, throwing in a hurricane, an art heist, a hungry critter cooped up in a room and a grouchy, sexist and racist ex-cop (Mel Gibson!) who refuses to leave his apartment. Emile Hirsch — another actor with a tarnished reputation — and Kate Bosworth co-star. For all its baggage, “Nature” delivers little more than predictable chum. Details: 1½ stars; available on various platforms.
“Quarantine Cat Film Festival”: Sometimes cat videos are you need to brighten your mood. And that’s exactly what you’ll get in this collection of short clips, all during the pandemic. If you’re a dog person, just skedaddle. My recommendation, parents? Break this 90-minute montage into 20-minute, kid-friendly treat. Details: Accessible at Smith Rafael Center’s Virtual Cinema series.
“Four Kids and It”: Why would Matthew Goode, Paula Patton, Russell Brand (OK, maybe that one is not so surprising) and Michael Caine sign up for this loosely adapted version of a beloved kiddie series? The terrible promo poster with an E.T. clone made it seem even less promising. But this British production turns out to be as sweet as pineapple upside down cake. An ages-old sand critter (voice of Caine) anchors this love story that draws together a white British family and a Black American family. It’s a tad too long, but it’s quirky, fanciful and will appeal to kids and parents. Details: 2½ stars; available to rent, stream or buy on various platforms.
“The Truth”: Hirokazu Kore-eda is one of cinema’s best storytellers even if this, his latest, mostly flits around the charms of its lead star — the divine Catherine Deneuve. The “Shoplifters” director delves into the tale of a tempermental star (Deneuve) tailoring her memoir to keep her image intact. That modified history peeves her daughter (Juliette Binoche). Ethan Hawke co-stars as Binoche’s husband. The these two actresses make “Truth” a mighty tasty affair even though I craved a more substantive meal. Details: 2½ stars; available July 3 on various platforms.
“Disclosure”: Everyone likes a good “talker,” right? This smart, well-written and terrifically acted Aussie drama is just that. It takes a simple premise — a child claims she was abused by another family’s child — and turns into a suburban drama that tumbleweeds into something along the shocking lines of “Little Fires Everywhere” and “The Slap.” Details: 3 stars; now available on several platforms.
“House of Hummingbird”: Bora Kim’s beauty of a feature debut is something to cherish, a compassionate yet unsentimental portrait of 14-year-old Eun-hee (talented newcomer Ji-hu Park) growing up in a dysfunctional family in ‘90s South Korea. Eun-hee melts your hearts as she endures a macho environment where her rage-filled, less intelligent brother gains footholds while she doesn’t. “Hummingbird” is a film appreciative of silences and moods and characters, making it one of 2020’s best films. But it can be tough. Details: 4 stars; accessible on Roxie Theater’s Virtual Cinema series.
“Denise Ho: Becoming the Song”: Fresh off a world premiere as part of the Frameline Film Festival’s Pride Showcase streaming film series, Sue Williams’ documentary focuses on the life, career and pro-democracy activism of the iconic Hong Kong singer Ho, who is out, is someone to admire and respect — as an artist, a person and advocate. Details: 3 stars; accessible on Roxie Theater’s Virtual Cinema series.
“Ella Fitzgerald: Just One of Those Things”: Filled with archival images and musical performances along with relevant interviews, Leslie Woodhead’s ode to an icon reveals the racism and sexism Fitzgerald encountered through her career. Narrated by Sharon D. Clarke, “Just One of Those Things” is about a resilient and talented woman bucking conventions and becoming an American legend on her own terms. Details: 3½ stars; accessible on Virtual Cinema series at Smith Rafael Center and Roxie Cinema.
“Friday the 13th — The 40th anniversary”: When it came out in 1980, Sean Cunningham’s “Halloween” ripoff was a hit. It gave us not only Jason’s mom (Betsy Palmer) and Camp Crystal Lake — a magnet for horny camp counselors who get picked off one by one — but there was no hockey mask in it. Does it hold up? Sort of. More kitschy than scary now, it features a young Kevin Bacon running around in a Speedo. The DVD extras are unpretentious and fun. Details: 2½ stars; available for rent or purchase on multiple platforms.


mercurynews--2020-07-02--PG&E emerges from bankruptcy, pays $5 billion into wildfire fund

PG & E emerged from bankruptcy on Wednesday , closing the latest chapter in a decade-long series of crimes , calamities , wildfires , explosions , and fatalities unleashed by the disgraced utility — yet the court case ends with PG & E saddled by $ 38 billion in debt .
With the end of PG & E ’ s $ 58 billion bankruptcy , the utility paid $ 5 billion into a wildfire fund .
“ Today ’ s announcement is significant for PG & E and for the many wildfire victims who are now one step closer to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , PG & E interim chief executive officer , referring to the company ’ s disclosure that the bankruptcy has concluded .
At the same time , state officials have taken steps to be able to oust PG & E as the region ’ s primary provider of electricity and gas services with a new law that would enable California to replace PG & E with Golden State Energy , a non-profit utility .
“ California must have a backstop in place to protect ratepayers and our state if PG & E does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from bankruptcy and for becoming a safe , reliable , and sustainable energy provider , ” said state Sen. Jerry Hill , the author of the bill , SB 350 .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law this week .
“ No more business as usual for PG & E , ” Gov .
Newsom said in his bill-signing message .
“ SB 350 marks a critical step in the transformation of PG & E into a utility that is accountable to those it serves : the people of California.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts of Santa Clara County and San Mateo County , as well as San Bruno , the site of a fatal explosion in 2010 that killed eight people , is a long-time critic of PG & E and has worked to shove the utility towards safer operations and greater accountability .
Yet some observers wonder whether PG & E will be able to make the investments necessary to properly upgrade the company ’ s creaky and crumbling electricity and gas systems .
San Francisco-based PG & E was weighed down by $ 22 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filed for bankruptcy in January 2019 .
Now that debt has swelled to as much as $ 38 billion , according to filings by PG & E .
However , PG & E believes that it could be cheaper to pay off that debt .
PG & E said it has replaced expensive high-interest debt with less expensive debt at favorable interest rates .
“ Our emergence from Chapter 11 marks just the beginning of PG & E ’ s next era , ” Smith said .
A new chapter for PG & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dreadful decade of disasters , deaths , and felonies caused by PG & E and that started with the deadly San Bruno explosion triggered by the rupture of a poorly maintained gas pipeline .
Among the other PG & E catastrophes caused by the company ’ s equipment : — a fatal wildfire that tore through Amador County and Calaveras in 2015 .
— a lethal series of infernos that torched the North Bay Wine Country and nearby regions in 2017 .
— a deadly fire in Butte County that essentially destroyed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 2016 , a federal jury convicted PG & E of felonies it committed before and after the San Bruno explosion .
In May of this year , the state Public Utilities Commission imposed a $ 1.97 billion penalty on PG & E for its role in causing the wildfires of 2017 and 2018 .
That came just five years after a 2015 decision by the PUC to impose a $ 1.5 billion penalty on PG & E for causing the San Bruno explosion .
Both of those penalties were , at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulatory punishments ever imposed on an American utility .
On June 16 , PG & E entered the grim pantheon of America ’ s deadliest corporations by pleading guilty to killing 84 people in the Camp Fire in Butte County in November 2018 .
After the string of fatal catastrophes and felonies , Hill believes the harsh remedies that are enabled by SB 350 are needed to create some assurance of better behavior by PG & E .
“ SB 350 isn ’ t a bill we want , but it is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .

PG&E has emerged from bankruptcy, closing the chapter in a decade-long series of tragedies — yet the court case ends with PG&E saddled by $38 billion in debt.
With the end of PG&E’s $58 billion bankruptcy, the utility put $5 billion into a fund for victims of wildfires caused by the company.
“Today’s announcement is significant for PG&E and for the many wildfire victims who are now one step closer to getting paid,” said Bill Smith, PG&E interim chief executive officer, referring to the company’s disclosure that the bankruptcy has concluded.
At the same time, state officials have taken steps to be able to oust PG&E as the region’s primary provider of electricity and gas services with a new law that would enable California to replace PG&E with Golden State Energy, a non-profit utility.
“California must have a backstop in place to protect ratepayers and our state if PG&E does not meet the strict requirements for emerging from bankruptcy and for becoming a safe, reliable, and sustainable energy provider,” said state Sen. Jerry Hill, the author of the bill, SB 350.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill into law this week.
“No more business as usual for PG&E,” Newsom said in his bill-signing message. “SB 350 marks a critical step in the transformation of PG&E into a utility that is accountable to those it serves: the people of California.”
Hill, whose district includes parts of Santa Clara County and San Mateo County, as well as San Bruno, the site of a fatal gas pipeline explosion in 2010 that killed eight people, is a long-time critic of PG&E and has worked to move the utility towards safer operations and greater accountability.
San Francisco-based PG&E was weighed down by $22 billion in debt when it filed for bankruptcy in January 2019. Now that debt has swelled to as much as $38 billion, according to filings by PG&E.
However, the company believes that it could be cheaper to pay off that debt. PG&E said it has replaced expensive high-interest debt with less expensive debt at favorable interest rates.
“Our emergence from Chapter 11 marks just the beginning of PG&E’s next era,” Smith said.
A new chapter for PG&E would be a welcome counterpoint to a decade that started with the deadly San Bruno explosion triggered by the rupture of a poorly maintained gas pipeline.
PG&E also has been linked to:
— a fatal wildfire that tore through Amador County and Calaveras in 2015.
— a lethal series of infernos that torched the North Bay Wine Country and nearby regions in 2017.
— a deadly fire in Butte County that essentially destroyed the town of Paradise in 2018.
In May of this year, the state Public Utilities Commission imposed a $1.97 billion penalty on PG&E for its role in causing the wildfires of 2017 and 2018. That came just five years after a 2015 decision by the PUC to impose a $1.5 billion penalty on PG&E for causing the San Bruno explosion. Both of those penalties were, at the time they were levied, the largest regulatory punishments ever imposed on an American utility.
On June 16, PG&E entered the grim pantheon of America’s deadliest corporations by pleading guilty to killing 84 people in the Camp Fire in Butte County in November 2018.
After the string of fatal catastrophes and felonies, Hill believes the harsh remedies that are enabled by SB 350 are needed to create some assurance of better behavior by PG&E.
“SB 350 isn’t a bill we want, but it is a bill we need,” he said.


mercurynews--2020-07-02--Kurtenbach: Who should the Warriors draft? How about no one?

While the majority of the NBA heads toward the “ bubble ” in Florida to finish out the regular season and play in the postseason , it appears that the Warriors will continue their tremendously long offseason .
A summer training camp looks unlikely .
Free agency won ’ t be until late October .
No one can say when the next season will start .
In fact , it appears that the next big event on the Warriors ’ calendar will be the NBA Draft lottery in late August , followed by the draft in October , just before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had the worst record in the NBA , share the best odds for the No .
1 overall pick and are guaranteed a top-five section in that draft .
But between now and then , there ’ s a whole lotta nothing on the docket for the Dubs .
So it ’ s not surprising that the main topic of conversation around the team right now — and I doubt this changes until October — is “ who should they take with their top-five pick ?
” Anthony Edwards out of Georgia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talent in this draft .
LaMelo Ball has plenty of detractors , but some super fans as well .
My guy is USC big man Onyeka Okongwu , but I know the Warriors are high on Iowa State ’ s Tyrese Haliburton .
The Warriors will also have to consider Dayton ’ s Obi Toppin and Israeli sharpshooter Deni Avdija .
The problem is that all of these players are wild cards .
Yes , of course , that ’ s always the case with the NBA Draft — generational talents are called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ draft class is being derided by those who cover such things on a daily basis as one of the worst in recent memory .
It was a bad year to be a bad team .
Will there be a superstar or two from the class of 2020 ?
Absolutely .
They might come from that list of top prospects , too .
But the Warriors shouldn ’ t select anyone with their high selection .
• Stephen Curry sits out NBA restart while Seth plays on as dad watches closely • Dad thinks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and you won ’ t believe who agrees • Ten things to know about the NBA ’ s return • On this date , 2008 : Baron Davis leaves Warriors to sign with Clippers • On this date , 1993 : Warriors get Chris Webber in NBA Draft night trade Despite the team ’ s 2019-2020 record , Golden State rightly believes they are in the middle of a title-contention window , led by the three-man core of Stephen Curry ( 32 years old ) , Klay Thompson ( 30 ) , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long will that window be open ?
Probably for less time than they think .
The NBA changes so fast and , let ’ s be honest , all three have a ton of miles — a byproduct of five-straight trips to the NBA Finals — on their odometers .
It wouldn ’ t be ridiculous to think that the Warriors ’ original core ’ s best basketball is behind them .
Yes , adding a 19-year-old with possible superstardom potential down the line could help the Warriors in the long run , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do to help them in the next few years ?
The Warriors should take this year ’ s draft pick — whether it be No .
1 , No .
5 , or any of the picks in between — and try to trade it in an effort to land a player who can help the team in the next few years .
Is it the best long-term move ?
Probably not .
The 2025 Warriors might be stymied .
It ’ s certainly not the most fun move , either .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone loves the idea of a new car .
Until the car is purchased , that is .
After that , if it ’ s not perfect , it ’ s kind of a drag .
Going with an established NBA player instead of the unproven prospect is the safe move in the short-term and under the current circumstances , the Warriors should be all-in for the short term .
The Warriors have a $ 17.2 million traded player exception from their trade of Andre Iguodala to the Memphis Grizzlies last summer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ provides the luxury-tax-line straddling Warriors a one-time opportunity to add a big-money player onto the books .
Using the early draft pick could maximize the return on that trade exception .
Given the league ’ s dramatic dip in revenue , surely there will be teams looking to move off of a well-paid player that , under typical circumstances , would not be available via trade .
• Stephen Curry sits out NBA restart while Seth plays on as dad watches closely • Dad thinks Steph Curry can win golf title , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Ten things to know about the NBA ’ s return • On this date , 2008 : Baron Davis leaves Warriors to sign with Clippers • On this date , 1993 : Warriors get Chris Webber in NBA Draft night trade The ideal candidate for the Warriors would be a player who is roughly the same age as Andrew Wiggins , 25 .
That ’ s the generation of player just behind the team ’ s core — an age where a player ’ s game should be established , but still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pick-swap and the trade exemption could net an elite defender and solid backup point guard in Boston ’ s Marcus Smart ( 26 ) .
Or perhaps the Warriors could go with a wing — those are pretty important these days .
Phoenix ’ s Kelly Oubre ( 24 ) will probably not be available for just the trade exception , but add in an early draft pick into the mix — even in this questionable draft — and the Warriors might be able to get something done .
There are countless names @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that exception , but to maximize it and the opportunity to improve the team for title runs in the next few seasons , the Warriors should seriously consider tossing in the draft pick into a trade .
Ideally , in such a circumstance , Golden State would just move down in this year ’ s draft order via a pick swap , but even if they exit this year ’ s first-round entirely , they ’ ll still have an opportunity to add a young star to the mix in less than a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rights the Minnesota Timberwolves ’ first-round pick ( top-three protected . )
The 2021 draft class is expected to be one of the best in the past decade .
• Stephen Curry sits out NBA restart while Seth plays on as dad watches closely • Dad thinks Steph Curry can win golf title , and you won ’ t believe who agrees • Ten things to know about the NBA ’ s return • On this date , 2008 : Baron Davis leaves Warriors to sign with Clippers • On this date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in NBA Draft night trade

While the majority of the NBA heads toward the “bubble” in Florida to finish out the regular season and play in the postseason, it appears that the Warriors will continue their tremendously long offseason.
A training camp in a second NBA bubble in Chicago in the fall might be on the docket, maybe not. The league’s free agency period, which will happen, won’t be until late October. No one can say when the 2020-2021 season will start. In fact, it appears that the next big event on the Warriors’ calendar will be the NBA Draft lottery in late August, followed by the draft in October. The Warriors, who had the worst record in the NBA, share the best odds for the No. 1 overall pick and are guaranteed to pick no lower than fifth.
This to say that there’s a whole lotta nothing on the docket for the Dubs this summer. So it’s not surprising that the main topic of conversation around the team right now — and I doubt this changes until October — is “who should they take with their top-five pick?”
Anthony Edwards out of Georgia has emerged as many experts’ top talent in this draft. LaMelo Ball has plenty of detractors, but some super fans as well. My guy is USC big man Onyeka Okongwu, but I know the Warriors are high on Iowa State’s Tyrese Haliburton. The Warriors will also have to consider Dayton’s Obi Toppin and Israeli sharpshooter Deni Avdija.
The problem is that all of these players are wild cards.
Yes, of course, that’s always the case with the NBA Draft — generational talents are called that for a reason — but this draft class is being derided by those who cover such things on a daily basis as one of the worst in recent memory. It was a bad year to be a bad team.
Will there be a superstar or two from the class of 2020? Absolutely. They might come from that list of top prospects, too.
But the Warriors shouldn’t select anyone with their high selection.
Despite the team’s 15-50 record, Golden State rightly believes it is in the middle of a title-contention window, led by the three-man core of Stephen Curry (32 years old), Klay Thompson (30), and Draymond Green (30). How long will that window be open? Probably for less time than they think. The NBA changes so fast and, let’s be honest, all three have a ton of miles — a byproduct of five-straight trips to the NBA Finals — on their odometers.
Yes, adding a 19-year-old with possible superstardom potential could help the Warriors in the long run, but what’s a 19-year-old going to do to help them in the next few years?
The Warriors should take this year’s draft pick — whether it be No. 1, No. 5, or any of the picks in between — and try to trade for a player who can help the team in the next few years.
Is it the best long-term move? Probably not. The 2025 Warriors might be stymied. It’s certainly not the most fun move, either.
But think about it this way: everyone loves the idea of a new car. Until the car is purchased, that is. After that, if it’s not perfect, it’s kind of a drag.
Going with an established NBA player instead of the unproven prospect is the safe move in the short-term and under the current circumstances, the Warriors should be all-in for the short term.
The Warriors have a $17.2 million traded-player exception from their trade of Andre Iguodala to the Memphis Grizzlies last summer. It’s a use-it-or-lose-it product that provides the luxury-tax-line straddling Warriors a one-time opportunity to add a big-money player onto the books.
Using the early draft pick could maximize the return on that trade exception. Given the league’s dramatic dip in revenue, surely there will be teams looking to move off of a well-paid player that, under typical circumstances, would not be available via trade.
The ideal candidate for the Warriors would be a player who is roughly the same age as Andrew Wiggins, 25. That’s the generation of player just behind the team’s core — an age where a player’s game should be established, but still has some room to grow.
A pick-swap and the trade exemption could net an elite defender and solid backup point guard in Boston’s Marcus Smart (26).
Or perhaps the Warriors could go with a wing — those are pretty important these days. Phoenix’s Kelly Oubre (24) will probably not be available for just the trade exception, but add an early draft pick to the mix — even in this questionable draft — and the Warriors might be able to get something done.
There are countless names for the Warriors to go after with that exception, but to maximize it and the opportunity to improve the team for title runs in the next few seasons, the Warriors should seriously consider tossing the draft pick into a trade. Ideally, in such a circumstance, Golden State would just move down in this year’s draft order via a pick swap, but even if they exit this year’s first-round entirely, they’ll still have an opportunity to add a young star to the mix in less than a year. In 2021, they have the rights the Minnesota Timberwolves’ first-round pick (top-three protected.)
The 2021 draft class is expected to be one of the best in the past decade.


mercurynews--2020-07-01--NFL to cut preseason in half, but Raiders vs. 49ers could go on as scheduled

The NFL is expected to announce that its preseason will be cut from four games to two because of the coronavirus pandemic , which means a Raiders vs. 49ers game at Levi ’ s Stadium could be played as planned .
The news was first reported by NFL Network and confirmed by league source .
The plan is for the NFL to eliminate the first and fourth weeks of the preseason , with each team getting one home game and one away game and a longer run-up to the regular season , which begins on Thursday night , Sept. 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 49ers in the preseason for eight years , with the last meeting coming at Candlestick Park in 2011 .
The series was suspended because of fan violence in the stands and parking lot .
The teams had played against each other in the 10 previous preseasons leading up to 2012 .
Under the new schedule , the 49ers would host the Raiders at Levi ’ s Stadium the weekend of Aug. 20-24 ( the game was originally scheduled for Aug. 21 and could remain on that day ) and visit the Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Aug. 29 ) .
The games which would be canceled for the 49ers would be Aug. 15 at Denver and on Sept. 3 at home against the Los Angeles Chargers .
The Raiders , originally scheduled to face Arizona in its first game at Allegiant Field on Aug. 27 , would keep that slot as their final preseason game .
The games eliminated from the Raiders schedule would be at Seattle on Aug. 13 and at home against the Rams on Sept. 3 .
• Colin Kaepernick ’ s teenage years the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kurtenbach : Professional sports fear this more than COVID-19 • 49ers ’ Javon Kinlaw : ‘ Somebody tell my momma I became a millionaire today ’ Some schedule reshuffling league-wide is expected to assure each team getting one home game and one road game .
All scheduled dates — including the start of the regular season — could be altered based on developments regarding the spread of the coronavirus .
Protocols for the opening of team facilities to players , including testing , are still being discussed .
As it stands , training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The 49ers and Raiders have played twice in the regular season since 2011 , with the Raiders winning 24-13 at the Coliseum in 2014 and the 49ers beating the Raiders 34-3 at Levi ’ s in 2018 .

The NFL is expected to announce that its preseason will be cut from four games to two because of the coronavirus pandemic, which means a Raiders vs. 49ers game at Levi’s Stadium could be played as planned.
The news was first reported by NFL Network and confirmed by league source.
The plan is for the NFL to eliminate the first and fourth weeks of the preseason, with each team getting one home game and one away game and a longer run-up to the regular season, which begins on Thursday night, Sept. 10.
The Raiders haven’t played the 49ers in the preseason for eight years, with the last meeting coming at Candlestick Park in 2011. The series was suspended because of fan violence in the stands and parking lot. The teams had played against each other in the 10 previous preseasons leading up to 2012.
Under the new schedule, the 49ers would host the Raiders at Levi’s Stadium the weekend of Aug. 20-24 (the game was originally scheduled for Aug. 21 and could remain on that day) and visit the Chicago Bears the following weekend (originally scheduled for Aug. 29).
The games which would be canceled for the 49ers would be Aug. 15 at Denver and on Sept. 3 at home against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Raiders, originally scheduled to face Arizona in its first game at Allegiant Field on Aug. 27, would keep that slot as their final preseason game.
The games eliminated from the Raiders schedule would be at Seattle on Aug. 13 and at home against the Rams on Sept. 3.
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All scheduled dates — including the start of the regular season — could be altered based on developments regarding the spread of the coronavirus.
Protocols for the opening of team facilities to players, including testing, are still being discussed. As it stands, training camps are scheduled to open July 28.
The 49ers and Raiders have played twice in the regular season since 2011, with the Raiders winning 24-13 at the Coliseum in 2014 and the 49ers beating the Raiders 34-3 at Levi’s in 2018.


mercurynews--2020-07-02--North Bay sunflower blooms bring trespassers in abundance

As a child toddling after something sparkly belonging to another , a parent usually reeled you back in .
What ’ s stopping you now as an adult , when the goal is a photo in a gorgeous , but private , sunflower field ?
Solano County Sheriff ’ s officials hope it ’ s common sense , if not the $ 1,000 fine you could receive for trespassing .
Think , officials caution , before treading on property that ’ s not only private , but someone ’ s livelihood .
Grower Craig Gnos , for one , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Dixon area that beckons tourists far and wide .
The sunflowers are beautiful , he said , and definitely a potent lure .
Yet the crop is not for aesthetics , he emphasized , but business , as he ’ s paid to grow the blooms for their precious seeds .
Damage can cost , at minimum , $ 1,000 per acre .
“ My fields are signed , ” he said , of the “ no trespassing ” notices .
“ I have at least 30.
” Still , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , people still flock to the fields in droves .
He ’ ll intercept the trespassers and ask them to leave .
They ’ ll apologize and claim to be unaware of their illegal actions .
Some are even belligerent , informing Gnos that they ’ re only in the fields “ for a few minutes.
” “ They have very little respect , for the most part , ” Gnos said , citing some of the damage these unwanted visitors have caused .
“ They leave trash and they leave shoes because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He ’ s found refuse from picnic lunches , and other growers have said they ’ ve found water bottles .
“ This is not open space .
This is private property , ” he expounded .
Often , the unwanted visitors park on one-lane thoroughfares meant for farm equipment , effectively impacting daily farm activity .
They meander through the fields , picking flowers ( theft ) or bending or breaking them during unsanctioned photo shoots .
Sometimes , they bring in their own sunflowers as a prop , which can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and effectively contaminate whole areas .
“ If someone falls and gets hurt , they can sue , ” Gnos pointed out .
“ Will they win ?
Likely not , but I still have to pay to defend myself.
” A quick look will reveal white bee boxes throughout the different fields .
Get the bees agitated , Gnos said , and they ’ ll swarm and possibly sting .
Then , they ’ ll die , causing more issues for farmers who have to deal not only with crop destruction but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well , it ’ s a little known fact that there are homes on the property not seen from the roadway .
“ People live out there , in houses back there , ” he said , of the blooming fields .
“ They don ’ t know who ’ s out there.
” Last Saturday , one neighbor counted 87 trespassers , Gnos related .
Who knows how many will come out this July 4 weekend ?
“ It ’ s just extremely disrespectful , ” he said , likening the act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stomping through the plantings , snapping branches to take a bouquet of blossoms and leaving debris behind .
Her family has a farm in the area and sunflower season has brought all kinds of mayhem over the years .
“ We have had full parties on our driveway , kid running into traffic , people sitting and posing on bee boxes not realizing what they are doing .
Vlogerrs have posted our address online directing them to our location and we have run into people that have come all the way from LA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tourist stop , ” she shared .
Turnabout , she admits , would be fair play .
“ I would really like to get a group of 50 people to go to someone ’ s yard in town and have a picnic , take selfies and impact the place and see what the response is , ” she shared .
Sheriff ’ s officials warn that they will be on the lookout for scofflaws .
Practice restraint , they said , and think before you act .
Still want a photo ?
Take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ true thoroughfare designated as a roadway , that is , and don ’ t impede lawful traffic .

As a child toddling after something sparkly belonging to another, a parent usually reeled you back in.
What’s stopping you now as an adult, when the goal is a photo in a gorgeous, but private, sunflower field?
Solano County Sheriff’s officials hope it’s common sense, if not the $1,000 fine you could receive for trespassing.
Think, officials caution, before treading on property that’s not only private, but someone’s livelihood.
Grower Craig Gnos, for one, is frustrated.
His farm is among many in the Dixon area that beckons tourists far and wide. The sunflowers are beautiful, he said, and definitely a potent lure. Yet the crop is not for aesthetics, he emphasized, but business, as he’s paid to grow the blooms for their precious seeds. Damage can cost, at minimum, $1,000 per acre.
“My fields are signed,” he said, of the “no trespassing” notices. “I have at least 30.”
Still, on any given day at any given moment, people still flock to the fields in droves.
He’ll intercept the trespassers and ask them to leave. They’ll apologize and claim to be unaware of their illegal actions. Some are even belligerent, informing Gnos that they’re only in the fields “for a few minutes.”
“They have very little respect, for the most part,” Gnos said, citing some of the damage these unwanted visitors have caused.
“They leave trash and they leave shoes because they get muddy,” he explained.
He’s found refuse from picnic lunches, and other growers have said they’ve found water bottles.
“This is not open space. This is private property,” he expounded.
Often, the unwanted visitors park on one-lane thoroughfares meant for farm equipment, effectively impacting daily farm activity.
They meander through the fields, picking flowers (theft) or bending or breaking them during unsanctioned photo shoots. Sometimes, they bring in their own sunflowers as a prop, which can affect the pollination of the hybrid crops and effectively contaminate whole areas.
Then, there’s the liability issue.
“If someone falls and gets hurt, they can sue,” Gnos pointed out. “Will they win? Likely not, but I still have to pay to defend myself.”
Bees, too, are a concern.
A quick look will reveal white bee boxes throughout the different fields. Get the bees agitated, Gnos said, and they’ll swarm and possibly sting. Then, they’ll die, causing more issues for farmers who have to deal not only with crop destruction but the loss of much-needed bees.
As well, it’s a little known fact that there are homes on the property not seen from the roadway.
“People live out there, in houses back there,” he said, of the blooming fields. “They don’t know who’s out there.”
Last Saturday, one neighbor counted 87 trespassers, Gnos related. Who knows how many will come out this July 4 weekend?
“It’s just extremely disrespectful,” he said, likening the act to entering someone’s yard, stomping through the plantings, snapping branches to take a bouquet of blossoms and leaving debris behind.
Tacy Currey shares the sentiment.
Her family has a farm in the area and sunflower season has brought all kinds of mayhem over the years.
“We have had full parties on our driveway, kid running into traffic, people sitting and posing on bee boxes not realizing what they are doing. Vlogerrs have posted our address online directing them to our location and we have run into people that have come all the way from LA. Yelp had us identified as a tourist stop,” she shared.
Turnabout, she admits, would be fair play.
“I would really like to get a group of 50 people to go to someone’s yard in town and have a picnic, take selfies and impact the place and see what the response is,” she shared.
Sheriff’s officials warn that they will be on the lookout for scofflaws. Practice restraint, they said, and think before you act.
Still want a photo? Take it — from the roadway. A true thoroughfare designated as a roadway, that is, and don’t impede lawful traffic.


mercurynews--2020-07-02--He posted his regrets over attending a party in California. The next day, he died of coronavirus

A Southern California man who tested positive for coronavirus after attending a party expressed his fear and regret a day before he died .
Thomas Macias , 51 , went to a barbecue last month near his community in Lake Elsinore , about 70 miles from Los Angeles .
Shortly after the party , he started feeling sick .
On June 20 , he posted a poignant message on Facebook to warn his loved ones about the risks of the virus , his family said .
“ I went out a couple of weeks ago … because of my stupidity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my family ’ s health in jeopardy , ” he wrote .
“ This has been a very painful experience .
This is no joke .
If you have to go out , wear a mask , and practice social distancing .
… Hopefully with God ’ s help , I ’ ll be able to survive this.
” He never made it .
He died a day after that post .
Macias worked as a truck driver and suffered from diabetes , making him especially vulnerable to the virus .
Doctors have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diabetes , chronic lung disease and asthma are at a higher risk .
Before the barbecue , he had barely gone out , his brother-in-law Gustavo Lopez told CNN .
But he was incredibly social and was feeling isolated , and decided to visit his friends when the state lifted some restrictions , he added .
“ Everywhere he went he made friends instantly , ” Lopez said .
“ He was missing his friends and missing his family .
So as soon as they lifted some of the restrictions he felt free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be with his friends and then this was the result.
” A friend who was at the party reached out to Macias to say he had coronavirus , and he was aware of the diagnosis when he attended the gathering but didn ’ t think he could infect anyone because he had no symptoms , Lopez said .
“ Our understanding is that a gentleman had called him and said ‘ hey I was at the party , I knew I was positive .
I didn ’ t tell anybody , ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the gentleman was regretting not telling everybody , and he was calling people who were at the party to recommend they get tested.
” Macias was upset but blamed himself for the error in judgment , even using his Facebook post to warn friends about the dangers of the virus .
About a dozen people who attended the party tested positive , Lopez said .
Macias got tested on June 15 , got his positive result June 18 and died June 21 .
The Riverside County Office of Vital Records confirmed that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 18,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and about 460 deaths .
It has the second-highest number of cases in the state after Los Angeles County .

A Southern California man who tested positive for coronavirus after attending a party expressed his fear and regret a day before he died.
Thomas Macias, 51, went to a barbecue last month near his community in Lake Elsinore, about 70 miles from Los Angeles.
Shortly after the party, he started feeling sick. On June 20, he posted a poignant message on Facebook to warn his loved ones about the risks of the virus, his family said.
“I went out a couple of weeks ago … because of my stupidity I put my mom and sisters and my family’s health in jeopardy,” he wrote. “This has been a very painful experience. This is no joke. If you have to go out, wear a mask, and practice social distancing. … Hopefully with God’s help, I’ll be able to survive this.”
He never made it. He died a day after that post.
A friend attended the party while sick
Macias worked as a truck driver and suffered from diabetes, making him especially vulnerable to the virus. Doctors have said people with underlying conditions such as diabetes, chronic lung disease and asthma are at a higher risk.
Before the barbecue, he had barely gone out, his brother-in-law Gustavo Lopez told CNN. But he was incredibly social and was feeling isolated, and decided to visit his friends when the state lifted some restrictions, he added.
“Everywhere he went he made friends instantly,” Lopez said. “He was missing his friends and missing his family. So as soon as they lifted some of the restrictions he felt free and he unfortunately went to this get-together to be with his friends and then this was the result.”
A friend who was at the party reached out to Macias to say he had coronavirus, and he was aware of the diagnosis when he attended the gathering but didn’t think he could infect anyone because he had no symptoms, Lopez said.
“Our understanding is that a gentleman had called him and said ‘hey I was at the party, I knew I was positive. I didn’t tell anybody,'” Lopez said. “I think the gentleman was regretting not telling everybody, and he was calling people who were at the party to recommend they get tested.”
Macias was upset but blamed himself for the error in judgment, even using his Facebook post to warn friends about the dangers of the virus. About a dozen people who attended the party tested positive, Lopez said.
Macias got tested on June 15, got his positive result June 18 and died June 21. The Riverside County Office of Vital Records confirmed that he died of coronavirus.
Riverside County has over 18,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and about 460 deaths. It has the second-highest number of cases in the state after Los Angeles County.
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mercurynews--2020-07-02--Tesla overtakes Toyota as the world’s most valuable automaker

Tesla displaced Toyota Motor Corp. as the world ’ s most valuable automaker , underscoring investor enthusiasm for a company trying to transform an industry that ’ s relied on internal combustion engines for more than 130 years .
Shares of Tesla , which have more than doubled since the start of the year , closed up 3.6 % in trading Wednesday , giving it a market capitalization of $ 207.2 billion , surpassing Toyota ’ s $ 201.9 billion .
Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk has ignored or broken many of the established auto industry ’ s rules and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took Tesla public , selling cars online and assembling vehicles in high-cost California .
But while his company ’ s value has soared , there remains a gulf in the scale of his company and the world ’ s biggest car manufacturers .
Tesla produced 103,000 vehicles in the first quarter , or about 4 % of the almost 2.4 million made by Toyota , which built its brand on affordability and reliability backed by innovations in large-scale manufacturing .
Tesla became the world ’ s second-most valuable automaker in January when it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now worth more than twice the German giant .
• Tesla aims for low-cost message to sell solar .
Will it work ?
After pioneering gas-electric vehicles with the Prius hybrid , Toyota was late to shift to fully electric autos and has wagered heavily on hydrogen fuel cells .
The company is now making a series of high-profile investments in EVs and self-driving cars .
The manufacturer has forecast an 80 % plunge in profit this year and expects it could take until the first half of next year before the auto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s market valuation includes the 14.3 % of shares that Toyota itself holds as treasury stock , worth around $ 30 billion .
Tesla doesn ’ t hold any treasury shares , according to data compiled by Bloomberg .

By Reed Stevenson, Bloomberg
Tesla displaced Toyota Motor Corp. as the world’s most valuable automaker, underscoring investor enthusiasm for a company trying to transform an industry that’s relied on internal combustion engines for more than 130 years.
Shares of Tesla, which have more than doubled since the start of the year, closed up 3.6% in trading Wednesday, giving it a market capitalization of $207.2 billion, surpassing Toyota’s $201.9 billion.
Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk has ignored or broken many of the established auto industry’s rules and norms in the 10 years since he took Tesla public, selling cars online and assembling vehicles in high-cost California.
But while his company’s value has soared, there remains a gulf in the scale of his company and the world’s biggest car manufacturers.
Tesla produced 103,000 vehicles in the first quarter, or about 4% of the almost 2.4 million made by Toyota, which built its brand on affordability and reliability backed by innovations in large-scale manufacturing.
Tesla became the world’s second-most valuable automaker in January when it surpassed Volkswagen AG. It’s now worth more than twice the German giant.
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Toyota’s market valuation includes the 14.3% of shares that Toyota itself holds as treasury stock, worth around $30 billion. Tesla doesn’t hold any treasury shares, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.


mercurynews--2020-07-02--First California theme park pushes reopening date to August

California theme parks that have pushed proposed reopening dates from April and May to June and July amid months-long coronavirus closures have now reached another humbling milestone : August .
Legoland California has announced that the San Diego theme park won ’ t reopen before Aug. 1 due to local regulations tied to the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ Considering the constantly changing coronavirus situation and the recent announcement by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors , Legoland California will not reopen prior to August 1 , 2020 , ” Legoland officials said in a statement .
“ The board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prior to that date.
” San Diego County won ’ t consider further reopenings of any additional businesses before Aug. 1 to help slow the spread of COVID-19 .
Legoland and other California theme parks have remained closed since mid-March due to the global pandemic .
Legoland California , SeaWorld San Diego , Universal Studios Hollywood and Six Flags Magic Mountain had proposed reopening on July 1 .
Disneyland had proposed reopening on July 17 , the 65th anniversary of the Anaheim theme park .
Disneyland ’ s plans were put on hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopening guidelines would not be issued “ until sometime after July 4.
” “ Given the time required for us to bring thousands of cast members back to work and restart our business , we have no choice but to delay the reopening of our theme parks and resort hotels until we receive approval from government officials , ” according to a statement from Disneyland .
The state ’ s decision to delay issuing guidelines essentially pushed any theme park reopening plans until after the Fourth of July holiday .
California Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disney and other California theme park operators about his concerns regarding reopening amid the current rise in coronavirus cases .
“ The Governor appreciates Disney ’ s responsiveness to his concerns about reopening amid the recent increases in COVID-19 infections across many Southern California counties , ” Gov .
Newsom ’ s communications director Nathan Click said via email .
“ The state and our public health experts continue to be in contact with the company and their workers — as well as other theme parks in the state — as we track @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” In early May , the San Diego Tourism Authority laid out a health and safety plan for when Legoland California and SeaWorld San Diego reopen following the COVID-19 pandemic .
SeaWorld San Diego has not announced how the decision by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors will impact the marine park .
The Sea Life aquarium next to Legoland California reopened with reduced capacity and new COVID-19 health and safety protocols on June 20 .
A reopening date for the Legoland Hotel will be announced soon , officials said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is due to circumstances beyond our control , we are currently rescheduling all existing Legoland Vacations reservations for dates August 1 , 2020 onwards , ” according to the Legoland California website .

California theme parks that have pushed proposed reopening dates from April and May to June and July amid months-long coronavirus closures have now reached another humbling milestone: August.
Legoland California has announced that the San Diego theme park won’t reopen before Aug. 1 due to local regulations tied to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Considering the constantly changing coronavirus situation and the recent announcement by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, Legoland California will not reopen prior to August 1, 2020,” Legoland officials said in a statement. “The board announced there will be no reopenings approved prior to that date.”
San Diego County won’t consider further reopenings of any additional businesses before Aug. 1 to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Legoland and other California theme parks have remained closed since mid-March due to the global pandemic.
Legoland California, SeaWorld San Diego, Universal Studios Hollywood and Six Flags Magic Mountain had proposed reopening on July 1. Disneyland had proposed reopening on July 17, the 65th anniversary of the Anaheim theme park.
Disneyland’s plans were put on hold when California state officials indicated theme park reopening guidelines would not be issued “until sometime after July 4.”
“Given the time required for us to bring thousands of cast members back to work and restart our business, we have no choice but to delay the reopening of our theme parks and resort hotels until we receive approval from government officials,” according to a statement from Disneyland.
The state’s decision to delay issuing guidelines essentially pushed any theme park reopening plans until after the Fourth of July holiday.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been in contact with Disney and other California theme park operators about his concerns regarding reopening amid the current rise in coronavirus cases.
“The Governor appreciates Disney’s responsiveness to his concerns about reopening amid the recent increases in COVID-19 infections across many Southern California counties,” Gov. Newsom’s communications director Nathan Click said via email. “The state and our public health experts continue to be in contact with the company and their workers — as well as other theme parks in the state — as we track and combat the spread of the virus.”
In early May, the San Diego Tourism Authority laid out a health and safety plan for when Legoland California and SeaWorld San Diego reopen following the COVID-19 pandemic.
SeaWorld San Diego has not announced how the decision by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors will impact the marine park.
The Sea Life aquarium next to Legoland California reopened with reduced capacity and new COVID-19 health and safety protocols on June 20.
A reopening date for the Legoland Hotel will be announced soon, officials said.
“Since the temporary closing of the resort is due to circumstances beyond our control, we are currently rescheduling all existing Legoland Vacations reservations for dates August 1, 2020 onwards,” according to the Legoland California website.