mercurynews--2020-06-16--‘That dude needs to go to jail’: Richmond man sues police, alleging wrongful, violent arrest

RICHMOND — A city resident has sued the city ’ s police department , alleging that he was unlawfully arrested while observing Richmond officers booking two other men into custody after a hectic April 29 incident that involved police chasing and tasing another man .
Johnathan Spragan filed a federal lawsuit last week , alleging that Spragan ’ s arrest was illegal and that he was “ violently slammed to the ground and injured by the assaulting officers.
” Publicly released body camera footage of the incident shows several officers rush and handcuff Spragan , bringing him to the ground @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of another person ’ s arrest .
Spragan ’ s lawsuit was filed by the law offices of Dan Horowitz , who also filed a federal suit on behalf of the Dejon brothers , whose arrests Spragan was observing .
Minutes before his arrest , Spragan argued with several Richmond officers , who were booking two men — Dejon and Dareron Brown — following a separate incident that has also become the subject of a federal lawsuit against the police department .
Spragan leaves , then returns to observe the arrest , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ telling him , “ Hey man , you need to back the f— up.
” Officers tell Spragan to leave , but he remains and continues to observe the arrest .
A short time later , a woman — an apparent acquaintance of Spragan ’ s — comes up and pulls him away from the scene .
While Spragan is gone , an officer can be heard saying , “ That dude needs to go to jail , ” and theorizing that they could book him for a “ face mask violation.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not wearing face masks .
The Contra Costa ordinance on face masks required them of certain public officials , including officers , but not civilians , Horowitz wrote in the complaint .
“ In other words , Mr. Spragan was not violating the mask law but the one or two officers not wearing masks , were , as government officials in an area where the public was present , required to be masked , ” Horowitz wrote .
When Spragan returns to the corner a third time , several officers rush to detain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ 148 , ” the state penal code for resisting arrest , indicating that Spragan was arrested on suspicion of resisting or delaying a peace officer .
He was later charged by the Contra Costa District Attorney , his attorney said .
In an earlier officer body camera video from that same day , released through Horowitz ’ s law firm , Dejon Brown can be seen cursing at officers who are conducting a traffic stop and asking the car ’ s occupants about marijuana in the car .
At some point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll beat yo a– , ” to the officer , who responds , “ You ’ ll what ?
” He moves an officer out of his way and rushes to Brown , who at this point has his back turned and is walking away .
A struggle ensues , and officers take Brown to the ground and begin handcuffing him .
That ’ s when Dareron Brown allegedly walked up and shoved an officer , in an apparent attempt to get them off of his brother .
As a result , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pursue Dareron , chasing him through a gate and stunning him with a Taser .
The arrests drew a crowd of residents , including Spragan , who objected to the officers ’ use of force .
A few can be heard trying to persuade police to free the Brown brothers .
Richmond police have not responded to Spragan ’ s suit , and a spokesman for the department didn ’ t respond to requests for comment .
The suit seeks unspecified damages .
A 10-minute video of the events leading up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ below :

RICHMOND — A city resident has sued the city’s police department, alleging that he was unlawfully arrested while observing Richmond officers booking two other men into custody after a hectic April 29 incident that involved police chasing and tasing another man.
Johnathan Spragan filed a federal lawsuit last week, alleging that Spragan’s arrest was illegal and that he was “violently slammed to the ground and injured by the assaulting officers.” Publicly released body camera footage of the incident shows several officers rush and handcuff Spragan, bringing him to the ground in the process, in the aftermath of another person’s arrest.
Spragan’s lawsuit was filed by the law offices of Dan Horowitz, who also filed a federal suit on behalf of the Dejon brothers, whose arrests Spragan was observing.
Minutes before his arrest, Spragan argued with several Richmond officers, who were booking two men — Dejon and Dareron Brown — following a separate incident that has also become the subject of a federal lawsuit against the police department. Spragan leaves, then returns to observe the arrest, at which point an officer can be heard telling him, “Hey man, you need to back the f— up.”
Officers tell Spragan to leave, but he remains and continues to observe the arrest. A short time later, a woman — an apparent acquaintance of Spragan’s — comes up and pulls him away from the scene.
While Spragan is gone, an officer can be heard saying, “That dude needs to go to jail,” and theorizing that they could book him for a “face mask violation.”
Two officers are seen on the video not wearing face masks. The Contra Costa ordinance on face masks required them of certain public officials, including officers, but not civilians, Horowitz wrote in the complaint.
“In other words, Mr. Spragan was not violating the mask law but the one or two officers not wearing masks, were, as government officials in an area where the public was present, required to be masked,” Horowitz wrote.
When Spragan returns to the corner a third time, several officers rush to detain him. One can be heard yelling, “148,” the state penal code for resisting arrest, indicating that Spragan was arrested on suspicion of resisting or delaying a peace officer. He was later charged by the Contra Costa District Attorney, his attorney said.
In an earlier officer body camera video from that same day, released through Horowitz’s law firm, Dejon Brown can be seen cursing at officers who are conducting a traffic stop and asking the car’s occupants about marijuana in the car.
At some point, Dejon says, “I’ll beat yo a–,” to the officer, who responds, “You’ll what?” He moves an officer out of his way and rushes to Brown, who at this point has his back turned and is walking away. A struggle ensues, and officers take Brown to the ground and begin handcuffing him.
That’s when Dareron Brown allegedly walked up and shoved an officer, in an apparent attempt to get them off of his brother. As a result, the same officer who arrested Dejon Brown begins to pursue Dareron, chasing him through a gate and stunning him with a Taser.
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Ex-Mississippi police officers plead guilty to torturing Black men Crime and Public Safety | Judge rules retrial of ex-Philadelphia officer in 2020 protest actions should be held outside city The arrests drew a crowd of residents, including Spragan, who objected to the officers’ use of force. A few can be heard trying to persuade police to free the Brown brothers.
Richmond police have not responded to Spragan’s suit, and a spokesman for the department didn’t respond to requests for comment. The suit seeks unspecified damages.
A 10-minute video of the events leading up to Spragan’s arrest can be seen below:


mercurynews--2020-06-16--Two-alarm fire closes southbound Highway 17 in Los Gatos

LOS GATOS – The southbound direction of Highway 17 was closed Tuesday afternoon in Los Gatos as firefighters battled a @ @ @ @ @ said .
The 1-acre blaze was reported near Idylwild Road about 3:50 p.m. , according @ @ @ @ @ Fire Department .
The fire department said the southbound direction of the highway was closed @ @ @ @

LOS GATOS – The southbound direction of Highway 17 is open in Los Gatos following a two-alarm brush fire, authorities said.
The blaze was reported near Idylwild Road about 3:50 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Santa Clara County Fire Department. Crews arrived to find the fire burning in dry grass next to the highway.
The fire department said crews stopped forward progress of the fire within about 40 minutes and prevented it from threatening homes in the area. The blaze scorched a quarter of an acre.
No injuries were reported.
Firefighters were expected to remain at the scene until the blaze was fully extinguished.
The cause of the fire is under investigation and is “potentially suspicious in nature,” according to the fire department.
The southbound direction of the highway was closed while crews battled the blaze.
The fire department said a recent project to thin brush, dead trees and other vegetation along the highway helped crews stop the blaze before it could endanger lives and property.
Check back for updates.


mercurynews--2020-06-16--Contra Costa cuts library hours, jobs

Contra Costa cuts library hours, jobs

Contra Costa County supervisors decided Tuesday to slash operating hours across the county ’ s library system and eliminate dozens of full- and part-time jobs after cities indicated they can ’ t afford to supplement their funding .
While most branches will operate at least 35 hours a week — the baseline service level that countywide property tax revenue pays for — many would be closed several more hours a week or entire days .
The Antioch Library will continue operating 35 hours a week as it does now , for example , but only over five days and close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Library ’ s hours will be reduced from 56 hours a week to 35 , closing on Sundays and Mondays while opening later and closing earlier on the other days .
Other libraries including those in Clayton , Concord , Danville , El Cerrito , Lafayette , Moraga , Orinda , San Pablo and San Ramon will close Sundays .
Others that are already closed on Sundays will reduce weekday hours and close on Mondays .
Typically , the libraries are funded by a combination of countywide property tax revenues and contributions from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open longer than the baseline 35 hours .
But because of budget cuts forced by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic , the cities of Brentwood , Clayton , Concord , Danville , El Cerrito , Hercules , Lafayette , Moraga , Orinda , Pleasant Hill , San Pablo and San Ramon have all requested to reduce their extra library hours , according to a county memo .
As a result , the county expects to receive about $ 700,000 less than the $ 3.38 million it collected from cities in the current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s list doesn ’ t include the Walnut Creek Library , county officials said during Tuesday ’ s meeting that it too plans to withhold roughly $ 700,000 for extra hours at its downtown library and branch off Ygnacio Valley Road .
The reduced hours will go into effect July 1 .
The supervisors also authorized eliminating almost 40 library jobs .
Though seven are vacant , the rest are a combination of part-time , full-time and substitute employees including library clerks , assistants and substitute librarians .
Some residents at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money to cover the funding gap to maintain the same level of services .
“ I know there are other places we can look at for funding that doesn ’ t involve the library , which is really a foundation for democracy , ” said Josh Anijar , executive director of the Contra Costa Labor Council .
Anijar and others criticized the supervisors ’ decision earlier in the meeting to let the sheriff spend $ 275,000 to replace a logistics support vehicle for field operations .
While supervisors pointed out that the money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the budget , the critics weren ’ t appeased .
A day earlier , protesters gathered in front of Sheriff David Livingston ’ s Danville home to complain about jail deaths and conditions and to oppose a county budget that increases spending for the sheriff ’ s office .

Contra Costa County supervisors decided Tuesday to slash operating hours across the county’s library system and eliminate dozens of full- and part-time jobs after cities indicated they can’t afford to supplement their funding.
While most branches will operate at least 35 hours a week — the baseline service level that countywide property tax revenue pays for — many would be closed several more hours a week or entire days.
The Antioch Library will continue operating 35 hours a week as it does now, for example, but only over five days and close on Sundays and Mondays. The Brentwood Library’s hours will be reduced from 56 hours a week to 35, closing on Sundays and Mondays while opening later and closing earlier on the other days.
Other libraries including those in Clayton, Concord, Danville, El Cerrito, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, San Pablo and San Ramon will close Sundays. Others that are already closed on Sundays will reduce weekday hours and close on Mondays.
Typically, the libraries are funded by a combination of countywide property tax revenues and contributions from cities that want to keep their branches open longer than the baseline 35 hours.
But because of budget cuts forced by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the cities of Brentwood, Clayton, Concord, Danville, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Pleasant Hill, San Pablo and San Ramon have all requested to reduce their extra library hours, according to a county memo.
As a result, the county expects to receive about $700,000 less than the $3.38 million it collected from cities in the current fiscal year budget.
Though Contra Costa’s list doesn’t include the Walnut Creek Library, county officials said during Tuesday’s meeting that it too plans to withhold roughly $700,000 for extra hours at its downtown library and branch off Ygnacio Valley Road.
The reduced hours will go into effect July 1.
The supervisors also authorized eliminating almost 40 library jobs. Though seven are vacant, the rest are a combination of part-time, full-time and substitute employees including library clerks, assistants and substitute librarians.
Some residents at the meeting criticized the county for not finding money to cover the funding gap to maintain the same level of services.
“I know there are other places we can look at for funding that doesn’t involve the library, which is really a foundation for democracy,” said Josh Anijar, executive director of the Contra Costa Labor Council.
Anijar and others criticized the supervisors’ decision earlier in the meeting to let the sheriff spend $275,000 to replace a logistics support vehicle for field operations. While supervisors pointed out that the money was from a federal grant already included in the budget, the critics weren’t appeased.
A day earlier, protesters gathered in front of Sheriff David Livingston’s Danville home to complain about jail deaths and conditions and to oppose a county budget that increases spending for the sheriff’s office.


mercurynews--2020-06-16--Letter: US must provide security from true threats we face

The June 10 editorial in the East Bay Times editorial states that “ defunding the police isn ’ t the answer , real reform is.
” Our organization , East Bay Peace Action , however , believes reform must go to the next level .
COVID-19 , domestic police brutality and racial inequality show us that it ’ s time to reduce funding for militarism and fund programs that provide communities with true security .
We call for : • Ending the 1033 Program , which authorizes the Defense Department to send military equipment and weapons to local police departments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. military force against racial justice protests • Significantly reducing the overall size of the Pentagon budget • Letter : Gauge our success by poverty , crime rates , not the Dow • Letter : Redirect the resources of police and the Pentagon • Letter : Vilifying the ‘ other side ’ is damaging , solves nothing • Letter : No PPE for doctors , nurses , but cops over-outfitted We urge readers to ask their congressional representatives to support programs that provide security from the true threats we face today .
COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war , poverty , systemic racism and inequality won ’ t be solved militarily .
Submit your letter to the editor via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

Re: “Defunding police isn’t the answer – real reform is” (Editorial, Eastbaytimes.com, June 10):
The June 10 editorial in the East Bay Times editorial states that “defunding the police isn’t the answer, real reform is.” Our organization, East Bay Peace Action, however, believes reform must go to the next level.
COVID-19, domestic police brutality and racial inequality show us that it’s time to reduce funding for militarism and fund programs that provide communities with true security. We call for:
Ending the 1033 Program, which authorizes the Defense Department to send military equipment and weapons to local police departments
Blocking funding for the use of U.S. military force against racial justice protests
Significantly reducing the overall size of the Pentagon budget
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Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path Letters to the Editor | Letters: Local solar | Titan resources | Activism helps We urge readers to ask their congressional representatives to support programs that provide security from the true threats we face today. COVID-19, climate change, risk of nuclear war, poverty, systemic racism and inequality won’t be solved militarily.
Betty Brown
Co-Chairperson
East Bay Peace Action
Kensington
Submit your letter to the editor via this form
Read more Letters to the Editor


mercurynews--2020-06-16--San Mateo County to resume indoor dining, other business

Despite a recent spike in coronavirus-related cases , San Mateo County has received the state ’ s approval to resume business for indoor dining , gyms , movie theaters and hair salons as California continues to contend with the COVID-19 pandemic .
With the approval , San Mateo joins Napa , Sonoma , Solano , and Santa Cruz and as the only counties in the Bay Area to be open for indoor dining .
Restaurants in Contra Costa County can start indoor dining on July 1 , whereas the other counties are already open .
In May , Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ counties could reopen more quickly than other parts of the state if they met specific criteria .
On Friday , San Mateo County applied for that approval , which was granted Tuesday .
“ For our restaurants and other small businesses crippled by the economic impacts of this pandemic , this is the best news imaginable , ” county Supervisor David J. Canepa in a statement .
“ It will be a balancing act between preserving public health and kickstarting our local economy .
There are risks with every step we take and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take personal responsibility to stop the spread of the virus.
” These business operations must adhere to state health guidelines to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 .
That includes maintaining a six-foot distance between patrons and workers wearing face coverings .
San Mateo 2,594 cases ranks fourth among the 10 Bay Area counties , and is more than Napa , Sonoma and Solano combined .
After a spike of 82 new daily coronavirus-related cases in late April , total cases in the county have stabilized since the beginning of June , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average of 28 new cases per day .
Despite the plan to advance in reopening , San Mateo County will continue to adhere to social-distancing guidelines and make wearing face masks and avoiding large crowds required to help curb the spread of the coronavirus .

Despite a recent spike in COVID-19 cases, San Mateo County has received the state’s approval to resume business for indoor dining, gyms, movie theaters and hair salons.
On Wednesday, the county announced it rescinded the previous shelter-in-place order issued on June 4 and instituted the new one, which also allows hotels, zoos, museums and casinos to resume operations as long as they meet safety requirements.
With the approval, San Mateo joins Napa, Sonoma, Solano, and Santa Cruz and as the only counties in the Bay Area to be open for indoor dining. Restaurants in Contra Costa County can start indoor dining on July 1. Santa Clara County, San Francisco County and Alameda County have yet to announce dates for indoor dining. Alameda is only just now ready to allow outdoor dining; that starts this Friday.
In May, Gov. Gavin Newsom outlined a process by which counties could reopen more quickly than other parts of the state if they met specific criteria. On Friday, San Mateo County applied for that approval, which was granted Tuesday.
San Mateo’s 2,594 cases ranks fourth among the 10 Bay Area counties, and is more than Napa, Sonoma and Solano combined.
After a spike of 82 new daily coronavirus-related cases in late April, total cases in the county have stabilized since the beginning of June, as the county is down to a seven-day average of 28 new cases per day.
“For our restaurants and other small businesses crippled by the economic impacts of this pandemic, this is the best news imaginable,” county Supervisor David J. Canepa in a statement. “It will be a balancing act between preserving public health and kickstarting our local economy. There are risks with every step we take and it will take all of us to take personal responsibility to stop the spread of the virus.”
These business operations must adhere to state health guidelines to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. That includes maintaining a six-foot distance between patrons and workers wearing face coverings.
Despite the plan to advance in reopening, San Mateo County will continue to adhere to social-distancing guidelines and make wearing face masks and avoiding large crowds required to help curb the spread of the coronavirus.


mercurynews--2020-06-17--2 Berkeley elementary schools, Washington and Jefferson, to be renamed in response to Black Lives Ma

2 Berkeley elementary schools, Washington and Jefferson, to be renamed in response to Black Lives Matter push

BERKELEY — Two San Francisco Bay Area schools named for founding fathers who were slaveholders will get new names following @ @ @ @ @ Matter activists , according to a newspaper report .
The Berkeley Unified School District board @ @ @ @ @ in Support of Black Lives Matter ” during a meeting last week , the San @ @ @ @ @ The move started the process of of renaming Jefferson and Washington elementary schools .
The @ @ @ @ @ first and third U.S. presidents , George Washington and Thomas Jefferson , who both owned @ @ @ @ @ tried in 2005 to rename Jefferson Elementary , but the motion was not passed .
@ @ @ @ @ movement , following police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis , inspired a renewed , @ @ @ @ @ schools ’ names , the Chronicle said .
Also included in the resolution is a @ @ @ @ @ Joy Campaign , ” described as resources and training for teachers to identify additional measures @ @ @ @ @ data in schools , the newspaper reported .

BERKELEY — Two San Francisco Bay Area schools named for founding fathers who were slaveholders will get new names following a push by Black Lives Matter activists, according to a newspaper report.
The Berkeley Unified School District board unanimously approved a “Resolution in Support of Black Lives Matter” during a meeting last week, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Monday. The move started the process of of renaming Jefferson and Washington elementary schools.
The current school names commemorate the first and third U.S. presidents, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, who both owned slaves.
Berkeley community members tried in 2005 to rename Jefferson Elementary, but the motion was not passed. The current Black Lives Matter movement, following police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, inspired a renewed, successful effort to change the schools’ names, the Chronicle said.
Also included in the resolution is a new, year-round “Black Joy Campaign,” described as resources and training for teachers to identify additional measures of racial inequity and collect data in schools, the newspaper reported.


mercurynews--2020-06-17--NFL kicker arrested in Northern California on suspicion of hit and run

CHICO — New York Giants kicker and Orland High alumnus Aldrick Rosas was arrested Monday morning in Chico after allegedly fleeing the scene of a car accident he was involved in .
A California Highway Patrol collision report detailed the crash that occurred at approximately 8:25 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 99 and Garner Lane .
Witnesses described a black 2018 Chevrolet SUV , which the CHP says was driven by Rosas , 25 , passing traffic northbound on Highway 99 across the double yellow line and traveling at an estimated speed of 100 miles per hour .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ light and struck a 2018 Ford pickup truck traveling west on Garner Lane in a “ T-bone ” collision , according to the report .
The Chevrolet SUV attempted to drive north of the collision but the vehicle became disabled .
Rosas then ran away , according to the CHP report , while the Ford pickup truck was disabled at the crash site .
No injuries were listed for the occupant .
After clearing the scene of the accident , officers with the CHP and Chico Police Department responded to an address associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but were unable to locate Rosas .
Officers returned to the scene to collect evidence , before CHP officers observed a man walking south on The Esplanade near Eaton Road who matched the description of the driver .
The man identified himself as Rosas , the registered owner of the SUV .
Officers said Rosas ’ hands , legs and bare feet were covered in blood .
After being taken to Enloe Medical Center for medical clearance , Rosas was booked into Butte County Jail at 2:50 p.m. on suspicion of hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ license .
He was released later Monday afternoon .
• So , Colin Kaepernick , what do you think ?
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The Giants organization subsequently released a brief statement , which said , “ We are aware of the situation and have been in contact with Aldrick .
We have no further comment at this time.
” TMZ first reported the crash and subsequent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certified contract advisor for Summit Athletes , served as Rosas ’ agent when he first signed with the New York Giants in 2017 .
Fox said he received his final payment from Rosas last week and the two have severed their working relationship .
“ He has some major issues that need addressed , and I hope he gets help , ” Fox said in an email to the Enterprise-Record .
Rosas , who attended Orland High in nearby Glenn County , played college football at Southern Oregon University .
He missed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while making a tackle in a game the prior season .
• So , Colin Kaepernick , what do you think ?
• NFL analyst : Colin Kaepernick better than any backup QB He left school early for the 2016 NFL Draft and signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent , before the team waived him in September .
Rosas then signed with the Giants and won the starting kicker job going into the 2017 season .
He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2018 for the first time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he made 32-of-33 field goals and 31-of-32 PATs .
The Enterprise-Record attempted to contact Rosas by phone Tuesday , but did not receive a response .

CHICO — New York Giants kicker and Orland High alumnus Aldrick Rosas was arrested Monday morning in Chico after allegedly fleeing the scene of a car accident he was involved in.
A California Highway Patrol collision report detailed the crash that occurred at approximately 8:25 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 99 and Garner Lane.
Witnesses described a black 2018 Chevrolet SUV, which the CHP says was driven by Rosas, 25, passing traffic northbound on Highway 99 across the double yellow line and traveling at an estimated speed of 100 miles per hour.
The SUV failed to stop at a red light and struck a 2018 Ford pickup truck traveling west on Garner Lane in a “T-bone” collision, according to the report.
The Chevrolet SUV attempted to drive north of the collision but the vehicle became disabled. Rosas then ran away, according to the CHP report, while the Ford pickup truck was disabled at the crash site. No injuries were listed for the occupant.
After clearing the scene of the accident, officers with the CHP and Chico Police Department responded to an address associated with the registered owner of the SUV, but were unable to locate Rosas.
Officers returned to the scene to collect evidence, before CHP officers observed a man walking south on The Esplanade near Eaton Road who matched the description of the driver. The man identified himself as Rosas, the registered owner of the SUV.
Officers said Rosas’ hands, legs and bare feet were covered in blood.
After being taken to Enloe Medical Center for medical clearance, Rosas was booked into Butte County Jail at 2:50 p.m. on suspicion of hit and run and driving with a suspended license. He was released later Monday afternoon.
CHP said alcohol is believed to be a factor in the collision, though an investigation remains ongoing.
The Giants organization subsequently released a brief statement, which said, “We are aware of the situation and have been in contact with Aldrick. We have no further comment at this time.” TMZ first reported the crash and subsequent arrest.
Derrick Fox, an NFLPA certified contract advisor for Summit Athletes, served as Rosas’ agent when he first signed with the New York Giants in 2017.
Fox said he received his final payment from Rosas last week and the two have severed their working relationship.
“He has some major issues that need addressed, and I hope he gets help,” Fox said in an email to the Enterprise-Record.
Rosas, who attended Orland High in nearby Glenn County, played college football at Southern Oregon University. He missed the 2015 season after suffering a torn ACL while making a tackle in a game the prior season.
He left school early for the 2016 NFL Draft and signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent, before the team waived him in September.
Rosas then signed with the Giants and won the starting kicker job going into the 2017 season. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2018 for the first time in his career, following a season when he made 32-of-33 field goals and 31-of-32 PATs.
The Enterprise-Record attempted to contact Rosas by phone Tuesday, but did not receive a response.
Reporter Sharon Martin contributed to this report.


mercurynews--2020-06-17--Police: Woman charged with sex trafficking 2 teen California girls in Alabama

HOMEWOOD , Ala. ( AP ) — A Georgia woman was arrested and accused of bringing two teenage girls to Alabama to sex traffic them , authorities said Tuesday .
The teens were found and brought to an advocacy agency .
Marlette Lychelle Smith , 26 , of Rome , Georgia , was charged with first-degree human trafficking on June 13 , police in Homewood , Alabama , told news outlets Tuesday .
Homewood is a suburb of Birmingham , Alabama ’ s biggest city .
Homewood police Sgt .
John Carr said authorities learned that two teenage girls from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were possible victims of human sex trafficking .
Carr said officers went to a hotel where they found the teens .
• ‘ You owe me ya life ’ : New details in rapper Serius Jones ’ pimping , human trafficking case • ‘ You know how Oakland is ’ : Man with pimping conviction faces federal gun charges Investigations determined the girls had been trafficked from Memphis to Atlanta and then to Homewood , according to Carr .
Police said they identified Smith as a suspect and a warrant was issued for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was being held at the Jefferson County Jail on a $ 1 million bond .
Further details about the case weren ’ t immediately released .
It wasn ’ t known if Smith had an attorney who could comment for her .

HOMEWOOD, Ala. (AP) — A Georgia woman was arrested and accused of bringing two teenage girls to Alabama to sex traffic them, authorities said Tuesday. The teens were found and brought to an advocacy agency.
Marlette Lychelle Smith, 26, of Rome, Georgia, was charged with first-degree human trafficking on June 13, police in Homewood, Alabama, told news outlets Tuesday. Homewood is a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama’s biggest city.
Homewood police Sgt. John Carr said authorities learned that two teenage girls from California, ages 15 and 16, were possible victims of human sex trafficking. Carr said officers went to a hotel where they found the teens.
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Smith was being held at the Jefferson County Jail on a $1 million bond. Further details about the case weren’t immediately released.
It wasn’t known if Smith had an attorney who could comment for her.


mercurynews--2020-06-17--Northern California mayor to resign over handling of police reform

HEALDSBURG — The mayor of the Northern California town of Healdsburg is resigning amid criticism she mishandled requests by the local Black Lives Matter movement and its allies to have a discussion on how police officers employ force in the line of duty .
Mayor Leah Gold announced Tuesday in a letter she planned to step down on June 30 , the Press Democrat reported .
Her resignation comes two weeks after Gold and the majority of her City Council colleagues declined to have a formal discussion about police use of force policies amid the ongoing national push for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ To me , it ’ s a solution looking for a problem .
I don ’ t see that that ’ s a place I particularly want to put our time and energy , ” Gold said at a virtual City Council meeting June 1 , when protests were spreading nationwide over the death of George Floyd , a black man who died after being restrained in Minnesota by a white officer .
After her comments , she faced a torrent of calls for her resignation and last week , tensions boiled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s plaza when a crowd encircled Gold and several council members , reasserting their call for her to resign .
The U.S. Census estimates about 70 % of the town ’ s 12,000 residents are white .
About a third of the population in the town in California ’ s wine country are Latino , with a small share of Asian-American , Black and Native American residents .
In an interview with the newspaper , Gold acknowledged that her initial stance on concerns raised by residents had fallen short .
Stepping down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance for a person of color to assume her seat on the all-white council .
“ I feel , considering the council has some major work ahead to respond to the community and work on these issues of racial equity , that I seem to be a target , and they may be more effective if I ’ m out of the picture , ” Gold said .

HEALDSBURG — The mayor of the Northern California town of Healdsburg is resigning amid criticism she mishandled requests by the local Black Lives Matter movement and its allies to have a discussion on how police officers employ force in the line of duty.
Mayor Leah Gold announced Tuesday in a letter she planned to step down on June 30, the Press Democrat reported.
Her resignation comes two weeks after Gold and the majority of her City Council colleagues declined to have a formal discussion about police use of force policies amid the ongoing national push for an end to police brutality and racism.
“To me, it’s a solution looking for a problem. I don’t see that that’s a place I particularly want to put our time and energy,” Gold said at a virtual City Council meeting June 1, when protests were spreading nationwide over the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after being restrained in Minnesota by a white officer.
After her comments, she faced a torrent of calls for her resignation and last week, tensions boiled over during a demonstration in the town’s plaza when a crowd encircled Gold and several council members, reasserting their call for her to resign.
The U.S. Census estimates about 70% of the town’s 12,000 residents are white. About a third of the population in the town in California’s wine country are Latino, with a small share of Asian-American, Black and Native American residents.
In an interview with the newspaper, Gold acknowledged that her initial stance on concerns raised by residents had fallen short. Stepping down, she said, could grant a chance for a person of color to assume her seat on the all-white council.
“I feel, considering the council has some major work ahead to respond to the community and work on these issues of racial equity, that I seem to be a target, and they may be more effective if I’m out of the picture,” Gold said.


mercurynews--2020-06-17--California to remove Christopher Columbus statue from state Capitol

By ADAM BEAM | The Associated Press SACRAMENTO — A statue depicting Christopher Columbus that has been the centerpiece of the California Capitol rotunda since 1883 will be removed after legislative leaders decided it is out of place “ given the deadly impact his arrival in this hemisphere had on indigenous populations.
” The decision , announced Tuesday by legislative leaders , has long been sought by groups and others who say it ’ s wrong to honor a man who ushered in an era of genocide to North America ’ s indigenous peoples .
But their effort gained momentum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spurred by the death of George Floyd .
A statement from state Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins , Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Assembly Rules Committee chair Ken Cooley called Columbus “ a deeply polarizing historical figure ” and said the statue ’ s presence in the Capitol “ is completely out of place today.
” It ’ s unclear how or when the statue will be removed .
Statues have been coming down across the country as government leaders rethink their places of prominence .
In Kentucky , officials removed a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president of the Confederacy , from the state Capitol .
And in Virginia , the former capital of the Confederacy , Gov .
Ralph Northam has announced plans to remove a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee .
Monday , Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento removed a statue of John Sutter , a 19th century European colonizer of California who enslaved Native Americans .
The statue in California ’ s Capitol depicts Columbus appealing to Queen Isabella I , who financed his voyage to the New World in 1492 that began an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The statue was a gift from Darius Ogden Mills , a banker who had advocated for California ’ s Capitol to be built in Sacramento .
While Columbus never came to California , Mills wrote in a letter it was appropriate to display the statue in California ’ s Capitol because it depicts “ an event that had so great an influence on the destinies of the western world.
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Some Native American and Latino groups argued for the statue to stay gone for good in the 1970s when it was temporarily removed during a Capitol restoration project .
But the statue returned and has stayed put ever since .
It was long a tradition on the last night of each year ’ s legislative session for lobbyists and other onlookers to attempt to toss pennies into Queen Isabella ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ornate Rotunda .
The practice was discouraged after a portion of a finger of a queen ’ s attendant on the statue was snapped off in 2014 , though it was never determined if the damage was caused by the coin toss .

By ADAM BEAM | The Associated Press
SACRAMENTO — A statue depicting Christopher Columbus that has been the centerpiece of the California Capitol rotunda since 1883 will be removed after legislative leaders decided it is out of place “given the deadly impact his arrival in this hemisphere had on indigenous populations.”
The decision, announced Tuesday by legislative leaders, has long been sought by groups and others who say it’s wrong to honor a man who ushered in an era of genocide to North America’s indigenous peoples. But their effort gained momentum following the nationwide protests over racial injustice spurred by the death of George Floyd.
A statement from state Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Assembly Rules Committee chair Ken Cooley called Columbus “a deeply polarizing historical figure” and said the statue’s presence in the Capitol “is completely out of place today.”
It’s unclear how or when the statue will be removed.
Statues have been coming down across the country as government leaders rethink their places of prominence. In Kentucky, officials removed a statue of Jefferson Davis, the only president of the Confederacy, from the state Capitol. And in Virginia, the former capital of the Confederacy, Gov. Ralph Northam has announced plans to remove a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee.
Monday, Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento removed a statue of John Sutter, a 19th century European colonizer of California who enslaved Native Americans.
The statue in California’s Capitol depicts Columbus appealing to Queen Isabella I, who financed his voyage to the New World in 1492 that began an era of colonialism in the Americas. The statue was a gift from Darius Ogden Mills, a banker who had advocated for California’s Capitol to be built in Sacramento.
While Columbus never came to California, Mills wrote in a letter it was appropriate to display the statue in California’s Capitol because it depicts “an event that had so great an influence on the destinies of the western world.”
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Biotech firm settles with family over cells for research Politics | Opinion: Reparations to Black Californians is now up to Newsom Some Native American and Latino groups argued for the statue to stay gone for good in the 1970s when it was temporarily removed during a Capitol restoration project. But the statue returned and has stayed put ever since.
It was long a tradition on the last night of each year’s legislative session for lobbyists and other onlookers to attempt to toss pennies into Queen Isabella’s crown from the second floor of the ornate Rotunda. The practice was discouraged after a portion of a finger of a queen’s attendant on the statue was snapped off in 2014, though it was never determined if the damage was caused by the coin toss.
___
Associated Press reporter Don Thompson contributed.


mercurynews--2020-06-17--Is Disneyland reopening too early?

Is Disneyland reopening too early?

Disneyland is planning to reopen on its 65th anniversary , this July 17 .
The news has thrilled some theme park fans and disturbed others , including some who have started an online petition asking Disney to reconsider that decision .
Many Californians remain worried about the spread of the novel coronavirus in the state .
The growing number of cases has many people wondering if state officials and business leaders are making the right decision to reopen businesses , such as theme parks .
Will the new health and safety procedures that parks have promised to enforce be enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
In an effort to maintain safe social distancing throughout a resort known for its jam-packed crowds , Disneyland has announced that it will require visitors to make advance reservations to visit .
That raised eyebrows among many annual passholders , who have grown used to dropping in whenever they want .
In effect , all Disneyland annual passes have become Disney Flex Passes , where you need to reserve a date to get into the parks .
But many annual passholders paid a lot more than the price of a Flex for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans t o do to keep them happy .
Full disclosure : I am a Disneyland annual passholder , and I bought the top-of-the-line Signature Plus pass , which is supposed to get me into the parks any day of the year .
Except … there ’ s that fine print on my pass that says it “ is subject to capacity.
” While that ’ s rarely come into play before , it ’ s about to now , as Disneyland looks to slash its capacity in order to meet social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Flex Pass in part because it was looking for fresh ways to manage an annual passholder base that was overwhelming the parks ’ capacity before anyone had heard of COVID-19 .
If Disneyland has to cut its capacity by half or more to reopen , it ’ s hard to see how it possibly could accommodate its hundreds of thousands of local passholders , much less any potential tourists who wanted to visit .
The easiest out for Disney would be if a whole bunch of its annual passholders decided , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m staying home until this whole corona thing blows over.
” If all those Orange County residents who complained so much about wearing masks decided not to visit Disneyland because of its mask requirement , too , that might help reduce more pressure .
• California developing guidelines for reopening Disneyland and other theme parks • Disneyland reopening announcement sparks online petition to hold off due to coronavirus • Disney fans say Splash Mountain , a ride inspired by ‘ Song of the South , ’ should be re-themed • There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the theme park industry Of course , theme parks are in the business of welcoming people .
I can not imagine anyone at Disneyland — or any other theme park — telling guests , “ We ’ re open … but you really should just stay home.
” That ’ s just not in the DNA of hospitality professionals .
But this is hardly a normal summer .
Theme parks closed to help keep our communities safe .
Now that they are reopening , our continued safety just might depend upon them not @ @ @ @ @ @

Disneyland is planning to reopen on its 65th anniversary, this July 17. The news has thrilled some theme park fans and disturbed others, including some who have started an online petition asking Disney to reconsider that decision.
Many Californians remain worried about the spread of the novel coronavirus in the state. The growing number of cases has many people wondering if state officials and business leaders are making the right decision to reopen businesses, such as theme parks. Will the new health and safety procedures that parks have promised to enforce be enough to keep visitors and their communities safe?
In an effort to maintain safe social distancing throughout a resort known for its jam-packed crowds, Disneyland has announced that it will require visitors to make advance reservations to visit. That raised eyebrows among many annual passholders, who have grown used to dropping in whenever they want.
In effect, all Disneyland annual passes have become Disney Flex Passes, where you need to reserve a date to get into the parks. But many annual passholders paid a lot more than the price of a Flex for their passes and are asking what Disney plans t o do to keep them happy. Full disclosure: I am a Disneyland annual passholder, and I bought the top-of-the-line Signature Plus pass, which is supposed to get me into the parks any day of the year.
Except … there’s that fine print on my pass that says it “is subject to capacity.” While that’s rarely come into play before, it’s about to now, as Disneyland looks to slash its capacity in order to meet social distancing requirements inside the parks.
Disney developed the Flex Pass in part because it was looking for fresh ways to manage an annual passholder base that was overwhelming the parks’ capacity before anyone had heard of COVID-19. If Disneyland has to cut its capacity by half or more to reopen, it’s hard to see how it possibly could accommodate its hundreds of thousands of local passholders, much less any potential tourists who wanted to visit.
The easiest out for Disney would be if a whole bunch of its annual passholders decided, “Nah, I’m good. I’m staying home until this whole corona thing blows over.” If all those Orange County residents who complained so much about wearing masks decided not to visit Disneyland because of its mask requirement, too, that might help reduce more pressure.
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But this is hardly a normal summer. Theme parks closed to help keep our communities safe. Now that they are reopening, our continued safety just might depend upon them not reopening those gates too far.


mercurynews--2020-06-17--Why this pizza chain is pouring White Claw into its pies

This alcoholic drink is getting its claws into Blaze Pizza , but you better get there before last call because this is happening on one day only .
On Thursday , June 18 several local Blaze Pizza restaurants will serve the White Claw Pizza .
Yes , it ’ s pizza made with White Claw , the popular hard seltzer drink that tastes like flavored soda water and packs about as much alcohol as a beer .
On Thursday only , instead of using filtered water to make its dough , the Pasadena-based pizza chain will be using mango flavored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pizza .
“ Like our pizzas , White Claw is crafted with simple and clean ingredients , and the brand has an irreverent attitude .
While sipping on a Mango White Claw , I thought , ‘ Why not make dough with this instead of filtered water ?
’ ” Brad Kent , executive chef for Blaze Pizza , said in a statement .
About a quarter of a 12-ounce can of White Claw will go into each pizza and the oven will burn off the alcohol so , no , you won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t have to be 21 and older to get a pie .
Local Blaze Pizza restaurants participating in the special include spots in Alhambra , Arcadia , Azusa , Burbank , Yorba Linda , Fullerton , Glendale , Hollywood , La Verne , Orange , Panorama City , Irvine , Pasadena , South Pasadena , Monrovia , Thousand Oaks , Claremont and Glendora .
To see a full list of locations , visit hq.blazepizza.com/promos/whiteclawcrust .

This alcoholic drink is getting its claws into Blaze Pizza, but you better get there before last call because this is happening on one day only.
On Thursday, June 18 several local Blaze Pizza restaurants will serve the White Claw Pizza.
Yes, it’s pizza made with White Claw, the popular hard seltzer drink that tastes like flavored soda water and packs about as much alcohol as a beer.
On Thursday only, instead of using filtered water to make its dough, the Pasadena-based pizza chain will be using mango flavored White Claw to make the White Claw Pizza.
“Like our pizzas, White Claw is crafted with simple and clean ingredients, and the brand has an irreverent attitude. While sipping on a Mango White Claw, I thought, ‘Why not make dough with this instead of filtered water?’” Brad Kent, executive chef for Blaze Pizza, said in a statement.
About a quarter of a 12-ounce can of White Claw will go into each pizza and the oven will burn off the alcohol so, no, you won’t catch a buzz and you don’t have to be 21 and older to get a pie.
Local Blaze Pizza restaurants participating in the special include spots in Alhambra, Arcadia, Azusa, Burbank, Yorba Linda, Fullerton, Glendale, Hollywood, La Verne, Orange, Panorama City, Irvine, Pasadena, South Pasadena, Monrovia, Thousand Oaks, Claremont and Glendora.
To see a full list of locations, visit hq.blazepizza.com/promos/whiteclawcrust.


mercurynews--2020-06-17--Some inmates at California state prisons eligible for early release to stem coronavirus spread

State prison inmates in California who have less than 180 days left to serve and meet certain other criteria will be released ahead of schedule beginning Wednesday , July 1 , in hopes of stemming outbreaks of COVID-19 , officials said Tuesday .
The move aims to increase space inside state prisons , thereby allowing for better physical distancing and the isolation of patients , and could impact prisoners at facilities throughout California .
Those who are allowed to leave prison ahead of schedule will be offered COVID-19 tests , California Depatment of Corrections and Rehabilitation officials said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected prior to release will be placed into a housing situation that will allow for isolation and monitoring .
Eligible inmates either will be placed on state-supervised parole , transferred to county-run “ post-release community supervision , ” or have the remainder of their sentence discharged , depending on the circumstances of their incarceration , CDCR officials said .
Early release will not be eligible to those found guilty of violent crimes or those who must register as sex offenders .
Inmates paroled as part of the emergency health measure may be brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” to continue serving their sentences .
The purpose of releasing inmates early is “ to amplify actions to protect staff and inmates at the state ’ s prisons from the spread of COVID-19 , ” prison officials said .
More than 3,200 inmates and over 560 staff members at California prisons have tested positive for COVID-19 , according to CDCR statistics .
There were 2,123 prisoners held at state-run facilities actively infected with the virus as of Tuesday evening .
So far , the largest outbreaks have occurred at the Chuckawalla Valley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the California Institution for Men ( CIM ) in Chino .
Officials had recorded 1,003 and 802 cases at those facilities , respectively .
Fifteen out of the 17 CDCR inmates who have died after contracting the novel coronavirus were held at CIM .
It was not immediately clear how many state prisoners will be released ahead of schedule as part of the plan unveiled by the CDCR on Tuesday .
Earlier , officials had announced the expedited parole of about 3,500 inmates in April .
State prisons have also halted non-essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ county jails .
The overall population at CDCR facilities throughout California has shrunk by more than 8,000 inmates since mid-March , prison officials said .

State prison inmates in California who have less than 180 days left to serve and meet certain other criteria will be released ahead of schedule beginning Wednesday, July 1, in hopes of stemming outbreaks of COVID-19, officials said Tuesday.
The move aims to increase space inside state prisons, thereby allowing for better physical distancing and the isolation of patients, and could impact prisoners at facilities throughout California. Those who are allowed to leave prison ahead of schedule will be offered COVID-19 tests, California Depatment of Corrections and Rehabilitation officials said in a news release.
Prisoners found to be infected prior to release will be placed into a housing situation that will allow for isolation and monitoring.
Eligible inmates either will be placed on state-supervised parole, transferred to county-run “post-release community supervision,” or have the remainder of their sentence discharged, depending on the circumstances of their incarceration, CDCR officials said. Early release will not be eligible to those found guilty of violent crimes or those who must register as sex offenders. Inmates paroled as part of the emergency health measure may be brought back into custody “for any reason” to continue serving their sentences.
The purpose of releasing inmates early is “to amplify actions to protect staff and inmates at the state’s prisons from the spread of COVID-19,” prison officials said.
More than 3,200 inmates and over 560 staff members at California prisons have tested positive for COVID-19, according to CDCR statistics. There were 2,123 prisoners held at state-run facilities actively infected with the virus as of Tuesday evening.
So far, the largest outbreaks have occurred at the Chuckawalla Valley State Prison (CVSP) in Blythe and the California Institution for Men (CIM) in Chino. Officials had recorded 1,003 and 802 cases at those facilities, respectively. Fifteen out of the 17 CDCR inmates who have died after contracting the novel coronavirus were held at CIM.
It was not immediately clear how many state prisoners will be released ahead of schedule as part of the plan unveiled by the CDCR on Tuesday. Earlier, officials had announced the expedited parole of about 3,500 inmates in April. State prisons have also halted non-essential visits and the intake of inmates from county jails. The overall population at CDCR facilities throughout California has shrunk by more than 8,000 inmates since mid-March, prison officials said.


mercurynews--2020-06-17--Letter: I lost my father when I was 9 years old

I lost my father when I was 9 years old .
It felt like the world had a personal vendetta against me and that somehow I should have been able to prevent this catastrophe .
Every year on Father ’ s Day , I would hear how Max ’ s dad took him fishing or Simon ’ s dad took him to a water park .
I was the odd one out .
When I was 12 , I found Experience Camps for Grieving Children and what I felt there blew my mind .
I was assigned to a bunkhouse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fathers and I didn ’ t know how to react .
I had never talked to other kids about my dad .
The sense of camaraderie from bonding with others who shared my grief was unlike any other .
• Letter : Santa Clara County facing civil penalties over use of taxes ?
• Letter : This hurts — ‘ We hold these truths to be self evident ’ is a lie • Letter : US must provide security from true threats we face • Letter : Gauge our success by poverty , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Letter : Redirect the resources of police and the Pentagon I hope that every grieving child gets to have support like this as well .
Submit your letter to the editor via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

I lost my father when I was 9 years old. It felt like the world had a personal vendetta against me and that somehow I should have been able to prevent this catastrophe.
Every year on Father’s Day, I would hear how Max’s dad took him fishing or Simon’s dad took him to a water park. I was the odd one out.
When I was 12, I found Experience Camps for Grieving Children and what I felt there blew my mind. I was assigned to a bunkhouse with other kids who had lost their fathers and I didn’t know how to react. I had never talked to other kids about my dad. The sense of camaraderie from bonding with others who shared my grief was unlike any other.
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Rohun Hitesh Barot
Berkeley
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mercurynews--2020-06-17--Letter: Santa Clara County facing civil penalties over use of taxes?

The California Department of Finance is proposing an amendment to an education bill which would impose civil penalties on counties , including Santa Clara County , for improperly reporting student enrollment , and misallocating property tax revenues that should have gone to K-12 schools .
Santa Clara County was notified of the accounting error in January , and the state has requested $ 145 million to correct the error .
But the county has already spent the money , and would now need to cut spending to meet the state ’ s demand .
One area Santa Clara County supervisors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefit plan ” which funds pensions for county employees that exceed the IRS limit of $ 230,000 a year .
In contrast , my father ’ s teacher ’ s pension from SJUSD is $ 43,241 and the maximum Social Security benefit ( retiring age 66 ) is $ 36,132 .
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It ’ s time to end this excessive benefit plan .
Submit your letter to the editor via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

The California Department of Finance is proposing an amendment to an education bill which would impose civil penalties on counties, including Santa Clara County, for improperly reporting student enrollment, and misallocating property tax revenues that should have gone to K-12 schools.
Santa Clara County was notified of the accounting error in January, and the state has requested $145 million to correct the error. But the county has already spent the money, and would now need to cut spending to meet the state’s demand.
One area Santa Clara County supervisors should consider cutting is the “excess benefit plan” which funds pensions for county employees that exceed the IRS limit of $230,000 a year. In contrast, my father’s teacher’s pension from SJUSD is $43,241 and the maximum Social Security benefit (retiring age 66) is $36,132.
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Letters: Insulate wires | CDE was wrong | Functional Chromebooks | Trump’s ego | Healthy debate | A new path Letters to the Editor | Letters: Local solar | Titan resources | Activism helps I find it ironic that the county, which is responsible for caring for the poorest people in our community, funds pensions over $230,000 a year. It’s time to end this excessive benefit plan.
Pierluigi Oliverio
San Jose
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mercurynews--2020-06-18--10 states are seeing highest daily average of new COVID-19 cases

Just as much of the US was improving , 10 states are seeing their highest seven-day average of new coronavirus cases per day since the pandemic started months ago , according to a CNN analysis of data from Johns Hopkins University .
The data includes new cases reported by Johns Hopkins through Tuesday .
The states seeing record-high averages are Alabama , Arizona , California , Florida , Nevada , North Carolina , Oklahoma , Oregon , South Carolina and Texas .
Texas also reported a record-high number of daily Covid-19 hospitalizations on Monday , with 2,326 .
Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of California ’ s cases , on Wednesday reported another single-day high of new cases , though officials said the spike was due to lagging test reports .
While some politicians have attributed higher case numbers to better testing , recent surges are outpacing the increase in tests , said Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel , chair of the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy at the University of Pennsylvania .
“ You can have a small percentage increase because of testing in terms of number of cases , ” he said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 150 % increase in the number of cases you are seeing — which is what we are seeing across the South — that ’ s not testing .
That ’ s new cases .
That ’ s community spread.
” According to data from Johns Hopkins University : • 21 states are seeing upward trends in newly reported cases from one week to the next : Alabama , Alaska , Arizona , Arkansas , California , Delaware , Florida , Georgia , Hawaii , Kansas , Oregon , Louisiana , Montana , Nevada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carolina , Tennessee , Texas , West Virginia and Wyoming .
• Eight states are seeing steady numbers of newly reported cases : Connecticut , Indiana , Maine , Mississippi , Ohio , South Dakota , Utah and Washington .
• 21 states are seeing a downward trend : Colorado , Idaho , Illinois , Iowa , Kentucky , Maryland , Massachusetts , Michigan , Minnesota , Missouri , Nebraska , New Hampshire , New Mexico , New Jersey , New York , North Dakota , Pennsylvania , Rhode Island , Vermont , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Vermont , has seen a decrease of at least 50 % .
Across the country , more than 2.1 million people have been infected with coronavirus , and more than 117,000 have died .
What states need to do if they don ’ t want to shut down again “ We ’ re seeing these flare-ups , these hot spots now popping up in a number of states — particularly Texas , Florida , Arizona , ” said Erin Bromage , an associate professor of biology at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going up fast .
And more importantly , the number of hospitalizations in those states are increasing , which usually lags a few weeks behind the number of new cases.
” Florida recorded almost 2,800 new coronavirus cases on Monday — its highest number of new and confirmed cases in a single day , according to the Florida Department of Health .
But Gov .
Ron DeSantis said the state will not shut down .
“ We ’ re going to go forward .
We ’ re going to continue to protect the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He also urged residents to maintain social distancing and avoid crowds .
States don ’ t need to shut down again to control the virus , Bromage said .
“ They just need clearer messaging to guide their population about what to do.
” “ Get masks on the population .
We know that helps , ” he said .
“ Reinforce the social distancing between people .
And slow down this race to ( fully ) reopen .
Because if you don ’ t , we know that these spikes in cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are — always precede really large cases in hospitals.
” West Virginia Gov .
Jim Justice reported a sixth outbreak linked to churches .
Three are still active , he said .
At least 32 cases have been identified at one church in Greenbrier County , and four cases at a church in Ohio County .
Justice did not say how many parishioners had tested positive at a Boone County church , the third active outbreak location .
Texas mayors want to require masks in close public spaces Nine Texas mayors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Austin and San Antonio , have urged Gov .
Greg Abbott to give them the authority to require masks be worn in public “ where physical distancing can not be practiced.
” In a letter to Abbott , the mayors said “ many people in many of our cities are still refusing to wear these face coverings even though these coverings are scientifically proven to help prevent the disease from spreading.
” The governor agreed that “ wearing a mask is very important ” but expressed reservations about enforcement and potential punishment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibility to educate the public that wearing a mask is the best thing to do.
” A growing number of studies show face masks reduce the spread of the coronavirus , especially because many people are contagious before they have symptoms and because this virus can spread by just talking or breathing .
Arizona Gov .
Doug Ducey resisted calls from physicians across his state to mandate wearing masks in public places , saying he would leave that up to mayors to decide , because the level of transmission vary from region to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steven Reed issued an executive order requiring masks or face coverings to be worn in public places , a day after the city council failed to pass an ordnance with that requirement .
An estimated 230,000 to 450,000 cases of the virus were prevented in the states that enacted requirements for mask use between April 8 and May 15 , a study reported Tuesday found .
“ The findings suggest that requiring face mask use in public might help in mitigating COVID-19 spread , ” wrote Wei Lyu and George Wehby , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the University of Iowa ’ s College of Public Health .
Another study published in the Lancet medical journal also said wearing a face mask decreases the chances of spreading coronavirus .
A 2nd wave might come , but we ’ re still in the 1st wave A “ second wave ” of coronavirus could start in late August , with the US reaching more than 201,000 Covid-19 deaths by October 1 , according to the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington .
But analysts say the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dropped to a level low enough to call the first wave over .
As the virus spreads , it appears to be following highways as more people go out and more places reopen , researchers from Children ’ s Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania said Tuesday .
They cited south-to-north spread along I-95 on the East Coast , I-85 in the South , and I-5 and I-10 in the West , the team said .
Meantime , New York and New Jersey no longer have the highest per-capita infection rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which spans parts of New Mexico , Utah and Arizona and has a population of about 173,600 people .
The Navajo Nation announced lockdowns over the next two weekends to try to help quash the outbreak .
The first is expected Friday to Monday , and the next will take place the following weekend .
• Fremont changing locks after youth baseball scofflaws take over field • Letter : How Islamophobic is it to ban Muslim face coverings now ?
“ Now is not the time to back down , ” Navajo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wear your masks , practice social distancing , and wash your hands.
” Some Americans are exhausted from the pandemic , acknowledged Dr. Ashish Jha , director of the Harvard Global Health Institute .
But people can ’ t let their guards down .
“ We may be done with the pandemic , ” he said , “ but the pandemic is not done with us .
”

By Holly Yan and Madeline Holcombe | CNN
Just as much of the US was improving, 10 states are seeing their highest seven-day average of new coronavirus cases per day since the pandemic started months ago, according to a CNN analysis of data from Johns Hopkins University.
The data includes new cases reported by Johns Hopkins through Tuesday. The states seeing record-high averages are Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina and Texas.
Texas also reported a record-high number of daily Covid-19 hospitalizations on Monday, with 2,326.
Los Angeles County, which accounts for almost half of California’s cases, on Wednesday reported another single-day high of new cases, though officials said the spike was due to lagging test reports.
While some politicians have attributed higher case numbers to better testing, recent surges are outpacing the increase in tests, said Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, chair of the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy at the University of Pennsylvania.
“You can have a small percentage increase because of testing in terms of number of cases,” he said.
“But when you see 50% or 150% increase in the number of cases you are seeing — which is what we are seeing across the South — that’s not testing. That’s new cases. That’s community spread.”
[vemba-video id=”tv/2020/06/18/exp-tsr-todd-tale-of-two-americas-some-wearing-masks-and-distancing-some-not.cnn”]
How states are trending
According to data from Johns Hopkins University:
• 21 states are seeing upward trends in newly reported cases from one week to the next: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Oregon, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia and Wyoming.
• Eight states are seeing steady numbers of newly reported cases: Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Mississippi, Ohio, South Dakota, Utah and Washington.
• 21 states are seeing a downward trend: Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin.
• One state, Vermont, has seen a decrease of at least 50%.
Across the country, more than 2.1 million people have been infected with coronavirus, and more than 117,000 have died.
What states need to do if they don’t want to shut down again
“We’re seeing these flare-ups, these hot spots now popping up in a number of states — particularly Texas, Florida, Arizona,” said Erin Bromage, an associate professor of biology at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
“Those case numbers are really going up fast. And more importantly, the number of hospitalizations in those states are increasing, which usually lags a few weeks behind the number of new cases.”
Florida recorded almost 2,800 new coronavirus cases on Monday — its highest number of new and confirmed cases in a single day, according to the Florida Department of Health.
But Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state will not shut down.
“We’re going to go forward. We’re going to continue to protect the most vulnerable,” DeSantis said. He also urged residents to maintain social distancing and avoid crowds.
States don’t need to shut down again to control the virus, Bromage said. “They just need clearer messaging to guide their population about what to do.”
“Get masks on the population. We know that helps,” he said.
“Reinforce the social distancing between people. And slow down this race to (fully) reopen. Because if you don’t, we know that these spikes in cases — if they keep increasing the way they are — always precede really large cases in hospitals.”
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice reported a sixth outbreak linked to churches. Three are still active, he said.
At least 32 cases have been identified at one church in Greenbrier County, and four cases at a church in Ohio County. Justice did not say how many parishioners had tested positive at a Boone County church, the third active outbreak location.
Texas mayors want to require masks in close public spaces
Nine Texas mayors, including those in Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio, have urged Gov. Greg Abbott to give them the authority to require masks be worn in public “where physical distancing cannot be practiced.”
In a letter to Abbott, the mayors said “many people in many of our cities are still refusing to wear these face coverings even though these coverings are scientifically proven to help prevent the disease from spreading.”
The governor agreed that “wearing a mask is very important” but expressed reservations about enforcement and potential punishment. “All of us have a collective responsibility to educate the public that wearing a mask is the best thing to do.”
A growing number of studies show face masks reduce the spread of the coronavirus, especially because many people are contagious before they have symptoms and because this virus can spread by just talking or breathing.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey resisted calls from physicians across his state to mandate wearing masks in public places, saying he would leave that up to mayors to decide, because the level of transmission vary from region to region.
Montgomery, Alabama, Mayor Steven Reed issued an executive order requiring masks or face coverings to be worn in public places, a day after the city council failed to pass an ordnance with that requirement.
An estimated 230,000 to 450,000 cases of the virus were prevented in the states that enacted requirements for mask use between April 8 and May 15, a study reported Tuesday found.
“The findings suggest that requiring face mask use in public might help in mitigating COVID-19 spread,” wrote Wei Lyu and George Wehby, with the Department of Health Management and Policy at the University of Iowa’s College of Public Health.
Another study published in the Lancet medical journal also said wearing a face mask decreases the chances of spreading coronavirus.
A 2nd wave might come, but we’re still in the 1st wave
A “second wave” of coronavirus could start in late August, with the US reaching more than 201,000 Covid-19 deaths by October 1, according to the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington.
But analysts say the rates of coronavirus haven’t even dropped to a level low enough to call the first wave over.
As the virus spreads, it appears to be following highways as more people go out and more places reopen, researchers from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania said Tuesday. They cited south-to-north spread along I-95 on the East Coast, I-85 in the South, and I-5 and I-10 in the West, the team said.
Meantime, New York and New Jersey no longer have the highest per-capita infection rate. That would be the Navajo Nation, which spans parts of New Mexico, Utah and Arizona and has a population of about 173,600 people.
The Navajo Nation announced lockdowns over the next two weekends to try to help quash the outbreak. The first is expected Friday to Monday, and the next will take place the following weekend.
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Long Covid cases in US adults are on the decline, but many continue to struggle with symptoms National News | COVID Q&A: Can I use an expired test? Time to get boosted? How to cope with California’s sneaky summer surge “Now is not the time to back down,” Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said. “Wear your masks, practice social distancing, and wash your hands.”
Some Americans are exhausted from the pandemic, acknowledged Dr. Ashish Jha, director of the Harvard Global Health Institute. But people can’t let their guards down.
“We may be done with the pandemic,” he said, “but the pandemic is not done with us.”


mercurynews--2020-06-18--14 Juneteenth events around the SF Bay Area

A Juneteenth Theatre Justice Project : 7 p.m. June 19 .
A Zoom live- streamed reading of a new Black Lives Matter-themed play , “ Polar Bears , Black Boys & Prairie Fringed Orchids ” by Vincent Terrell Durham .
Event is a fundraiser for the Juneteenth Theatre Justice Project , which aids Black theater efforts across the country .
A blend of wit , tragedy and humor , the play speaks to some of the most pressing subjects of our time – gentrification , white fragility , the Black Lives Matter movement , and police violence against Black bodies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ https : //playground-sf.org/Juneteenth .
Black Space and Expression : 1-3 p.m. June 19 , African American Art & Culture Complex , 726 Fulton St. , San Francisco .
An art exhibition and community event celebrating Black culture .
Music , art , food and vendors .
Free .
www.eventbrite.com/e/juneteenth-2020 Defend Black Lives Event : 5 p.m. June 19 , King Plaza , City Hall , 250 Hamilton Ave. , Palo Alto .
Come hear from members of the community as they share their experiences with the police department , school district , justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Then march through downtown and demand justice .
https : //act.sixnineteen.com/event/action/86 ?
source=map & akid= Faith and Solidarity Bike Ride : 9:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. June 19 , St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church , 1315 Lomitas Ave. , Livermore .
Ride throughout Livermore to promote physical , mental and spiritual health .
www.eventbrite.com/e/faith-and-solidarity-bike-ride Fallen Heroes , Rising Stars — A Juneteenth Celebration through Dance : 6-7:30 p.m. June 27 , Facebook .
All-stars of the dance world come together to celebrate dance , music and American history .
Former soloists with Alvin Ailey American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Martha Graham Company , to name a few , perform beautifully crafted pieces to honor the legacy of Bill Withers , James Brown , Bobby Womack , Nina Simone & Maya Angelou .
Using dance and music to teach and celebrate African American history .
www.facebook.com/GrownWomenDanceCollective Freedom Day — Still Marching for Freedom : 3-5 p.m. June 19 .
Starting next to Santa Clara University , Safeway parking lot , ( 2605 The Alameda , Santa Clara ) to San Jose State University Olympic Black Power Statue , San Jose .
https @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 a.m. June 19 , Lake Merritt , 568 Bellevue Drive , Oakland .
Activities include speakers , paint/activities , games , music and performances , food , live DJ and more .
Free .
www.eventbrite.com/e/healingdamaafa Juneteenth at the Lake : 1 p.m. June 19 , meet at Alameda County Superior Courthouse , 1225 Fallon St. , Oakland .
March around Lake Merritt , ending at the amphitheater .
There will be a lineup of performers , an open mic session , art and food .
https : //dothebay.com/events/2020/6/19/oakland-juneteenth-at-the-lake Juneteenth Peace Walk : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City Hall , H St. , Antioch .
Noon celebration at Thomas Gaines Land , 6th and A St. Live entertainment .
https : //dothebay.com/events/2020/6/19/antioch-juneteenth-peace-walk March for Justice : 1 p.m. June 19 , Tesla Factory , 45500 Fremont Blvd.
, Fremont .
A peaceful protest against police brutality and a celebration for Black life .
Wear masks , bring signs and wear black .
https : //www.facebook.com/ Pittsburg — March for Justice : 3 p.m. Buchanan Park to Pittsburg Marina .
Peaceful march for solidarity .
Brings masks and water .
https @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March : 1-3 p.m. June 19 , City Hall , San Francisco .
Take action and attend the rally and march or watch the livestream from your home .
www.eventbrite.com/e/sf-juneteenth-rally-march The Other Side of COVID — Juneteenth Celebration : 1-6 p.m. June 27 , Mosswood Park , 3612 Webster St. , Oakland .
There will be vendors , local organization stalls , live art , performances from local artists , live speeches from Black leaders , African dance lessons , food , and more .
www.eventbrite.com/e/the-other-side-of-covid-juneteenth-celebration

A Juneteenth Theatre Justice Project: 7 p.m. June 19. A Zoom live- streamed reading of a new Black Lives Matter-themed play, “Polar Bears, Black Boys & Prairie Fringed Orchids” by Vincent Terrell Durham. Event is a fundraiser for the Juneteenth Theatre Justice Project, which aids Black theater efforts across the country. A blend of wit, tragedy and humor, the play speaks to some of the most pressing subjects of our time – gentrification, white fragility, the Black Lives Matter movement, and police violence against Black bodies. Free, but donations welcome. https://playground-sf.org/Juneteenth.
Emancipation Proclamation: Bay Area stage actor and teacher Aldo Billingslea discusses and reads the document that is central the meaning of Juneteenth, part of a fundraising campaign for Black theater projects. Billingslea’s presentation is available on TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s YouTube page; www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYxUfaX0XSo.
Black Space and Expression: 1-3 p.m. June 19, African American Art & Culture Complex, 762 Fulton St., San Francisco. An art exhibition and community event celebrating Black culture. Music, art, food and vendors. Free. www.eventbrite.com/e/juneteenth-2020
Defend Black Lives Event: 5 p.m. June 19, King Plaza, City Hall, 250 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto. Members of the community share their experiences with the police department, school district, justice system, and fellow Palo Altans. Followed by march through downtown and demand justice. https://act.sixnineteen.com/event/action/86?source=map&akid=
Faith and Solidarity Bike Ride: 9:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. June 19, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 1315 Lomitas Ave., Livermore. Ride throughout Livermore to promote physical, mental and spiritual health. www.eventbrite.com/e/faith-and-solidarity-bike-ride
Fallen Heroes, Rising Stars — A Juneteenth Celebration through Dance: 6-7:30 p.m. June 27, Facebook. All-stars of the dance world come together to celebrate dance, music and American history. Former soloists with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Martha Graham Company, to name a few, perform beautifully crafted pieces to honor the legacy of Bill Withers, James Brown, Bobby Womack, Nina Simone & Maya Angelou. Using dance and music to teach and celebrate African American history. www.facebook.com/GrownWomenDanceCollective
Freedom Day — Still Marching for Freedom: 3-5 p.m. June 19. Starting next to Santa Clara University, Safeway parking lot, (2605 The Alameda, Santa Clara) to San Jose State University Olympic Black Power Statue, San Jose. https://sf.funcheap.com/march-for-freedom/
HealingDaMaafa Juneteenth: 11 a.m. June 19, Lake Merritt, 568 Bellevue Drive, Oakland. Activities include speakers, paint/activities, games, music and performances, food, live DJ and more. Free. www.eventbrite.com/e/healingdamaafa
Juneteenth at the Lake: 1 p.m. June 19, meet at Alameda County Superior Courthouse, 1225 Fallon St., Oakland. March around Lake Merritt, ending at the amphitheater. There will be a lineup of performers, an open mic session, art and food. https://dothebay.com/events/2020/6/19/oakland-juneteenth-at-the-lake
Juneteenth Celebration: 5-8 p.m. Lake Merritt Columns, 599 El Embarcadero, Oakland. The Last Man in San Francisco actor, Jamal TruLove headlines a selection of black speakers, comedians, poets, musicians and historians. www.facebook.com/events/307153686956011/
Juneteenth Peace Walk: 11 a.m. June 19, starting at City Hall, H St., Antioch. Noon celebration at Thomas Gaines Land, 6th and A St. Live entertainment. https://dothebay.com/events/2020/6/19/antioch-juneteenth-peace-walk
March for Justice: 1 p.m. June 19, Tesla Factory, 45500 Fremont Blvd., Fremont. A peaceful protest against police brutality and a celebration of Black life. Wear masks, bring signs and wear black. https://www.facebook.com/
Oakland Museum of California’s 2020 Juneteenth Virtual Program: 5-7 p.m. June 19. Featuring DJ Nina Sol, storytime, dance class, live music and conversations with Johwell St-Cilien, Fresh “Lev” White and Kev Choice. The program will air on OMCA’s YouTube channel. www.youtube.com/watch?v=irsnUQysKJ0&feature=youtu.be
Pittsburg — March for Justice: 3 p.m. Buchanan Park to Pittsburg Marina. Peaceful march for solidarity. Brings masks and water. https://dothebay.com/events/2020/6/19/pittsburg-march-for-justice
S.F. Juneteenth Rally & March: 1-3 p.m. June 19, City Hall, San Francisco. Take action and attend the rally and march or watch the livestream from your home. www.eventbrite.com/e/sf-juneteenth-rally-march
The Unapologetic Juneteenth: 2-5 p.m. June 20, Mosswood Park, 3612 Webster St., Oakland. Live music, food, wellness, community healing. www.facebook.com/BBQnWhileBlack/
The Other Side of COVID — Juneteenth Celebration: 1-6 p.m. June 27, Mosswood Park, 3612 Webster St., Oakland. There will be vendors, local organization stalls, live art, performances from local artists, live speeches from Black leaders, African dance lessons, food, and more. www.eventbrite.com/e/the-other-side-of-covid-juneteenth-celebration


mercurynews--2020-06-18--Letter: Each voice is powerful enough to create change

A lot has happened this year .
A global pandemic shut us within our walls and racial injustice continues to be a problem .
There are still more issues that need to be addressed but going through the entire list would take years .
At times , people may feel helpless .
They may feel that their voice isn ’ t powerful enough to create change .
However , this is untrue .
There are many resources out there for us to voice our opinions .
One way is to contact our congressional leaders .
Through sending an email and/or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the opportunity to share our views and pleas for change .
We can ask them to support legislation that fights COVID-19 .
We can demand justice and accountability .
We can urge them to protect bills that reduce global poverty .
• Letter : Campus police a big help in keeping outsiders out • Letter : Ex-presidents should back need for peace in marches • Letter : How Islamophobic is it to ban Muslim face coverings now ?
• Letter : I lost my father when I was 9 years old Our congressional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a voice and that voice needs to be heard .
Submit your letter to the editor via this form Read more Letters to the Editor

A lot has happened this year. A global pandemic shut us within our walls and racial injustice continues to be a problem. There are still more issues that need to be addressed but going through the entire list would take years.
At times, people may feel helpless. They may feel that their voice isn’t powerful enough to create change. However, this is untrue. There are many resources out there for us to voice our opinions.
One way is to contact our congressional leaders. Through sending an email and/or calling their offices, we are given the opportunity to share our views and pleas for change. We can ask them to support legislation that fights COVID-19. We can demand justice and accountability. We can urge them to protect bills that reduce global poverty.
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Kelsey Lu
San Jose
Submit your letter to the editor via this form
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